Samantha Wilde resides in Saskatchewan, Canada, with her husband and two small daughters. Teddy, the family multi-poo, completes her family. Samantha writes steamy, fast-paced, romantic suspense novels in the rare moments she has uninterrupted—even interrupted, she manages to apply words to paper. Aside from her love of writing, her other interests include cooking vegan meals, fantasizing about working out, and eating far too much chocolate.

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Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?

Becoming an author was a very organic experience for me. I started reading at a young age and was always writing short stories as a child. For me, writing was just part of who I was. It wasn’t until my late teenage years that I actually thought I could make a career out of writing. All of those old, unfinished and messy manuscripts were the stepping stones to my goal.

What is something unique/quirky about you?

Ha! I’m sure my husband would answer this better than me. I’m a very, very routine person. So much that I will get out of a warm bed to floss my teeth if I forgot.

Tell us something really interesting that’s happened to you!

My husband and I were almost in a plane crash eight years ago. We were flying home from Montego Bay and there was a bit of a storm. We were about forty-five minutes away from Jamaica, right over the ocean and we hit an air pocket. The only way I can describe it was like hitting a speed bump at three hundred miles an hour.

I had my seatbelt off because I was waiting to use the restroom. The plane dropped (for what seemed like forever). Everything went flying including a flight attendant. Because my seat belt was off I flew out of my seat. My husband grabbed me and pinned me down to keep me anchored. To this day, I don’t know how that airplane regained itself and we didn’t crash. We had four hours left of our flight, and I cried most of the way, lol.

I still feel bad for whoever was in the restroom!

What are some of your pet peeves?

A messy house, haha. Which is really unfortunate since I have two small kids and a puppy—to say I’m annoyed half the time is an understatement.

Where were you born/grew up at?

I’ve lived many places in Canada. I was born in Chatham, Ontario, but moved to Vernon, B.C. when I was two. I lived there for about five years, Airdrie, Alberta for a year or so and back to Ontario. I lived there for a good thirteen years and I’ve been in Saskatchewan for the twelve years. Now, my family and I are planning another move—am I the only one who gets the itch to be somewhere new? We’ve loved our time in Saskatchewan, but western areas are calling and I desperately want to be closer to the mountains.

What are you passionate about these days?

Health, but I don’t think that’s anything new, lol! I love teaching my kids about food and right now I’m starting to get more and more into fermented foods. I make sourdough bread, which isn’t as hard as it sounds. I feel better feeding my family less store-bought food and if I can make bread at home, why not?

I’m also finding a new passion in homeschooling my children. Before my oldest daughter was born, I always thought I would homeschool. But she’s a very outgoing child—extrovert would be a better term—and I quickly learned that she needed a school environment. She’s only been in school for half-days, but this year she’ll be entering grade one and my youngest will be in pre-k. And to be honest, I enjoy having them home, even if I get less work done. It’s very rewarding teaching them at home and although we have our struggles, it’s been a positive experience for all of us.

What do you do to unwind and relax?

Eat far too much chocolate and watch Netflix, haha. But I also love yoga, working out, and trying to calm my mind enough to meditate.

How to find time to write as a parent?

Time is something I struggle with! As I’m sure every author and parent does. My children are still young, not quite six and three-years-old so they’re very much in need of my attention. Especially my three-year-old who is our wild child that you can’t turn your back on. We’re also homeschooling, so that’s been fun, ha! Routine and consistency are key. I usually get an hour of work in the afternoon while the kids relax and I save the rest of my work for when they’re in bed, or when my husband takes them out on daddy-days.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less!

Healthy-food, chocolate eating, momma mess.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I finished my first novel, Abducted.

Do you have a favorite movie?

I can’t think of a favorite movie off the top of my head, but I’m a little obsessed with Vikings and The Last Kingdom.

Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?

All of them, actually!

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What inspired you to write Bound?

The first spark of inspiration for bound was a secret society/brotherhood. The second, almost instant inspiration was my father’s childhood. He and his six siblings were abandoned at a young age, and I really felt the need to share a tiny part of his story. 

What can we expect from you in the future?

Right now, I’m working on a novella series. If you know me personally, you know I’m obsessed with the mountains. I lived in British Columbia as a child and it’s my favorite place in the world. Naturally, I felt compelled to write a series around a small mountain town. I also have Dallas and Cole’s (Nash’s siblings from the Blood Brothers series) stories to tell! Which I’m hoping to complete that series next year. 

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Bound?

Nash Holmes is dark and dangerous. He’s a bit over confident, which cripples him when he comes face-to-face with Lexi. This super strong heroine drop-kicks Nash out of his comfort zone and it’s entertaining to watch unfold. Nash struggles because he’s used to holding the upper hand, but Lexi is way ahead of him on that count. Lexi has her own sufferings though. She’s hell-bent on destruction and is surprised when the man she should despise actually softens her.

How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?

The idea of a secret society was always fascinating to me. Once I started researching, Nash’s character came to mind. A man who’s loyal to the organization, but has his own line of morale that he won’t cross.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

I loved the instant fire between Nash and Lexi. Not just the sexual tension that starts on page one, but the depths of each of their internal wounds.

Who designed your book covers?

Covers by Combs and she did a phenomenal job!

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

No! Lol. I don’t like the idea of having any regrets. Once I write a book, I don’t read it outside of editing, because there would be something I would want to change that would drive me nuts.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

Oh, fun question! I could see Olivia Wilde playing Lexi. The male lead is a tough because I have a mega crush on Chris Hemsworth, and although he doesn’t look anything like Nash I’d maybe pick him in hopes of meeting him, lol.

How did you come up with name of this book?

Nash, the male lead, was adopted by the grand chancellor of Lionsgate Kinship. As a teenager he’s felt somewhat indebted and forever bound to the brotherhood. Bound relates to his internal and external struggles with his upbringing and life choices.

What is your favorite part of this book and why?

Without giving anything away, there’s a particular memory in Bound that Nash shares with Lexi. It was emotional for me to write as it’s a memory my dad had of his mom. Adding that to Nash’s character was very meaningful to me and I think that’s why it’s my favorite.

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?

I’d say the characters hijack the story. I had a rough idea of the conflicts, but wrote this book without really knowing what the next chapter would hold. It was really just a matter of letting the characters react naturally and seeing where that took the book.

Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.

Bound has a little bit of everything. It has the suspense that will keep the pages turning, parts that will tug your heart strings, a dash of humor, and of course, a whole lot of steam! Bound is the full package and you won’t want to miss these characters duke it out.

If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?

Vanilla and sandalwood.

Fun Facts/Behind the Scenes/Did You Know?’-type tidbits about the author, the book or the writing process of the book.

My husband, Jesse, is the type of person who knows something about everything. He’s fascinated with so many topics and which makes for some fun conversations between us. One being secret societies! The idea of a secret brotherhood was so fascinating to me that I had to run with it.

What are your top 10 favorite books/authors?

Lori Foster, Karen Robards, Lisa Jackson, Melinda Leigh, Megan March, Linda Howard, Sidney Sheldon.

How long have you been writing?

For as long as I can remember!

What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?

Very little, lol. I jump in and write, then research as I go.

Do you see writing as a career?

Absolutely. There’s nothing else in the world for me except being a mom!

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?

My favorite genre is romantic suspense (shocker). But I also love dark romance and paranormal romance. As long as there’s a love story and some heart-pounding moments, I’m in!

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?

Silence because my head is just too loud, haha.

Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?

This might be a quirky quality, but I’m completely strict about finishing what I start. Not just with writing, but life in general. So I won’t start—or even read—another book while I’m in the process of creating.

Pen or type writer or computer?

Computer! My wrist would cramp in ten minutes if I wrote by pen, and my hand wouldn’t be able to keep up with the words.

What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision?

My love for romantic suspense made me want to become an author. I hated waiting for my favorite authors to release books, so I decided to write exactly what I love to read. I’ve always known in my heart that writing is my path in this life. I don’t doubt for a second that it’s the right decision. Even if everyone hated my books, I’d still write them! Haha.

A day in the life of the author?

My six-year-old is up with the sun every day, but thankfully she’s an independent girl and will make herself breakfast and watch TV while I sleep in a bit. I workout at 6:30 and usually have time to shower before my three-year-old wakes up at 7:30 and chaos begins.

I make a quick and nutritious breakfast, either sourdough raisin bread or plain yogurt and berries—sometimes we make smoothies or fresh juices if the kids are feeling it. I try to do homeschooling first thing in the morning. My just-turned six-year-old is a fantastic reader (surprise, surprise!) and this helps a lot because she can read her math and French lessons with little help. During this time, I occupy my three-year-old with tracing or sensory activities. Then the kids play while I do the one thing that consumes the majority of my day—clean!

We hit up the park late morning, come home for lunch, and then the kids watch a movie in the afternoon while I squeeze in a bit of work. I often use this time to edit my critique partner’s chapters or do other non-writing tasks that I don’t have the stamina for in the evenings. When the movie is done, we take our puppy Ragnar for a walk, or go for a quick bike ride. The kids then play in the backyard while I make supper. I’m a stickler for bedtime, so we get ready for bed right when they finish eating and lights are out before 7:00 p.m. Routine is especially important for us because my husband travels for work, so it’s just the kids and I for part of the month! Once the kids are down, I focus on writing.

Advice they would give new authors?

No one has “time” nowadays. All we can do is make time. I find getting enough rest, working out, and being active with the kids, actually allows me to be more productive with writing. I’ve also learned that it’s not about how much “time” we have, but what we do with that time. For example, I could have my kids with grandma all day, and I might only write 500 words. But when I’m focused, and have nothing else on my plate and don’t allow for distractions, I can do that in ten minutes. Work with what you have and don’t be afraid to remove things/people that don’t serve you.

Describe your writing style.

Freestyle? Pantser? Definitely not organized plotting and planning, but as long as I have the characters firmly in mind, it works out great.

What makes a good story?

For me, a good romantic suspense keeps me on the edge of your seat. I love books that I get sucked into and can’t put down. The romance is where it’s at! I want my characters to love each other despite their circumstances and to fight for what they want—all the while trying to stay alive, haha!

What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?

I don’t do an outline, but I often wrap my head around the initial concept and then just start writing. Sometimes I don’t even do that and I just start the book off where the first spark of inspiration hit and see where it goes!

What is your writing Kryptonite?

My kitchen. I love to cook and am always making fresh sourdough bread, homemade applesauce and other dishes for my family. It’s easy to lose many hours a day in the kitchen.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I always strive to write something original, but I also feel like I don’t have much say in what happens. My imagination takes the book where it’s destined to go and the characters dictate that direction.

What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?

I love writing male characters! I don’t know why, but it comes easy to me. Maybe because the male energy I write is brash and I don’t need to overthink it, haha.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

If I’m extremely focused, I can write a full-length novel in 8-10 weeks.

Do you believe in writer’s block?

I don’t necessarily think of it as a block. But I have periods of the month where I slump and other periods where I’m highly productive. I keep meaning to see if astrology patterns have much to do with this or if it’s just the way I am, lol. But I’ve never been consistently blocked. I sense when my mind needs a break, which means I switch my focus to editing and other productive elements, and then the driving need to be creative returns.

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