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I’m a Fan of Fairytale Endings
Sweet Chaos follows shapeshifting twins Jace and Jem as they confront their dark lineage, demon-possessed father, and destined loves while battling loyalty, danger, and sacrifice. What inspired you to create a world centered on shapeshifting and the Breedline species?
To be honest, this story originated from a dream I had back in 2013. It was about the love story between the two main characters, Jace and Tessa, along with Jace’s ability to shapeshift into a white wolf. The dream was so realistic, it immediately captivated my imagination. As an artist, I wanted to capture the characters, so I went to work sketching them. That’s when the story developed in my mind. Although I was an artist and not a writer, I decided to join a writing club where I began writing my story. I was critiqued by other readers and talented authors. I definitely learned a lot. My story continued to progress and the readers on the writing site became more invested in my story. In 2014, I decided to independently publish my story. Ten years and six books later, I decided to go back and rewrite Sweet Chaos. After enhancing my writing skills, I wanted to give the readers the best story I could. It took me two years to rewrite the first edition of Sweet Chaos, but it was worth it in the end. My passion for this series remains an important part of my life.
How do you balance developing distinct personalities for such a large cast of characters?
When I develop a character, it’s like bits and pieces of myself pours into them. The moment I start to write about each character, I can see them in my mind. I can even hear their voices. After ten years, they just become imaginary family members. I know that sounds silly, but that’s how I feel.
What challenges did you face in writing action-packed scenes, such as Alexander’s transformation?
When I wrote the first edition of Sweet Chaos back in 2014, I struggled to write the action and fight scenes. It took me years of writing to develop the ability to create them. But now, I feel like those are my strong areas.
Can you share more about the underlying themes of family and sacrifice that drive the story?
I’m a big fan of fairytale endings. I want to give readers a sense of hope where in the end, good always triumphs evil. That’s where family, faith, and true love comes into play. This world needs more of it, so why not write about it.
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As they grow up, adapting to their new environment along with a loving adoptive family, they soon discover hidden powers of their own. Despite the bizarre life changes they are about to embark on, promising careers and blossoming romances give them a sense of normalcy.
But their journey doesn’t end there. Evil lurks in the shadows, bringing forth haunting memories of their childhood past. Their biological father, Alexander Crest, who is possessed by an ancient demon, unexpectedly returns after twenty-one years, searching for the twin gifted with great power they are unaware of.
Now Jem and Jace must face the dangers that are fast closing in as their world collides with a half-brother they never knew existed and their demon-possessed father. When Alexander’s sinister plans to destroy mankind and enslave the Breedline species are revealed, the Breedline band together to try to save themselves and mankind.
Sweet Chaos
Sweet Chaos, the first installment in Shana Congrove’s Breedline series, plunges readers into a world where humans can shapeshift into wolves, bound by loyalty, secrets, and danger. The story centers on Jace and Jem, identical twins whose lives take a dark turn when a demon kills their mother. Raised by a caring adoptive family, the twins must eventually confront the truth of their lineage. Along the way, they face their demon-possessed father, discover a half-brother they never knew, and navigate newfound relationships with their destined mates. The stakes are high, and nothing comes without sacrifice.
Congrove’s writing has a magnetic pull with action scenes that are thrilling and detailed. The opening chapter, where Alexander succumbs to his inner beast under a blood-red moon, is both vivid and visceral. I found myself holding my breath as his agony and transformation unfolded, making me both terrified of and empathetic toward his plight.
The author crafts characters with care, and it shows. Jace and Jem, though identical in appearance, stand out with distinct personalities that bring depth and variety to the narrative. Each character, even within the sprawling cast, has their own voice and traits, which makes the world feel vibrant. The number of characters sometimes made the story overwhelming. Keeping track of relationships and dynamics required extra attention, particularly in scenes introducing several individuals at once. This doesn’t take away from the enjoyability of the story. I particularly loved the tension-filled confrontation between Alexander and Katlyn’s brother, Jackson. It encapsulates the book’s central conflict: love battling against an almost insurmountable darkness.
Sweet Chaos delivers a compelling mix of supernatural intrigue, familial bonds, and romance. The distinct characters, particularly Jace and Jem, shine brightest in this narrative. Fans of paranormal romance and shapeshifter lore will enjoy this novel for its emotional depth and engaging premise, though they may wish for a bit more clarity and intensity in its execution. Congrove has laid a strong foundation for the Breedline series, and I’m curious to see where she takes these characters next.
Pages: 555 | ASIN: B0DMMXJK4M
All The Demons Of The Past
The Curse tells the story of a boy who is invaded by a mysterious demonic spirit that manipulates his mind and lures him toward something dark and sinister. How did you come up with the idea for the setup to this novel?
Honestly, Joseph’s backstory comes from my own, minus the evil entity possession. Witnessing his mother’s years of abuse at the hands of his own father is similar to my own childhood. Writing his story in a way was like my own private therapy, releasing all the demons of the past. As I brought the Shadow, a.k.a demonic spirit, into the story, his character represents all the trauma I carried throughout my life. So, my fictional characters, Joseph and the Shadow, represents the battle between good vs evil. Adding my Breedline characters to the story just gave me a channel to express my imagination and love for the supernatural world.
What were some ideas you wanted to explore with the relationship between Joseph and Carrie?
I’m a sucker for a fairytale love story, so I wanted to create two characters who were somehow brought together by fate. And no matter what crosses their paths, nothing will break the chains that binds their love.
How do you balance story telling for long time fans with making your book accessible to new readers?
This is a tough strategy, especially for an indie author. For me, although I’m excited to introduce a new book to my series, it’s important to showcase each one. Advertisement and continuous promotion are key components.
What excited you about writing this book?
Although the story is based on Joseph and Carrie, I was excited to reintroduce a character from my fifth book, The Immortal. Without mentioning the character’s name, I believe bringing “him” back into story at the end will give the readers closure to “his” character.
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Twenty-one years later, this mysterious demonic spirit continues to inhabit Joseph’s body and manipulates his mind, luring him toward something dark and sinister, something that is beyond his control.
Carrie Randall, a substance abuse counselor who is unsuccessful at dating, comes face-to-face with death when two men approach her in a dark alley. Amid her assault, something resembling a werewolf, comes to her rescue in the nick of time. As she tries to process everything, unsure if what she witnessed was real or fantasy, her world suddenly collides with a handsome stranger as though they were somehow brought together by fate.
Despite her past relationships, Carrie finds herself spellbound, falling for Joseph Parker, a handsome, yet mysterious, journalist who works for an esteemed newspaper in Berkeley, California. But when Carrie discovers his terrifying secrets, she begins to fear for her life.
Now, Carrie is forced to make the hardest decision of her life. She can turn her back on Joseph, or stay and help him fight the demon who desires her soul.
The Curse
The Curse is another outstanding novel in Shana Congrove’s Breedline Series. This rousing dark fantasy novel follows the Breedline Covenant as well as Joseph Parker, who is possessed by a demonic spirit called the Shadow. We also follow Carrie Randall, an unlucky-in-love counselor who’s world collides with Joseph’s. While trying to track down Joseph, the Breedline Covenant finds out about illegal experiments being done on humans and about vampires.
The world in the Breedline series is well established at this point but if you haven’t read the other books in the series then the author provides plenty of backstory at the beginning of this book to bring you up to speed. The book focuses on setting up the world and the characters first before launching into the heart of the story, and the action.
The story also takes time to describe what the character looks like, so they are clear in the mind of readers before the story moves on. Readers are also reintroduced to Breedline characters as well. Each character is described so that we understand who they are, what they do, and what their power/ability is. This provides a lot of information that new readers will find helpful in understanding the world that has been built in the Breedline series, but longtime fans of the series will find information they’ve picked up in previous books.
I enjoyed getting into Jena’s head. I was pulled into the story during this section, which made it extremely enjoyable to read. I also found the vampires interesting, although I would have liked more information about them so that I could understand them better. The ‘biters’ are the evil ones, and we also have the good ones that are ‘Daywalkers’ or hybrids. I found this division interesting, but I would have liked to have seen their roles more clearly defined in the story.
I enjoyed the premise of this paranormal romance novel. I loved the werewolves, vampires, battle angels, shapeshifting, and the fight against evil. I enjoyed that this is set in the modern world as well. The Curse takes a slow-burn approach to story telling that utilizes most of the pages to build character and the world before jumping into the action.
Pages: 447 | ASIN: B0B5B6DGQK
There Is A Lot Of Emotion
Unleashed Chaos follows twins Jace and Jem who find their lives changed forever after the Chiang-shih demon is destroyed, freeing their evil half-brother Sebastian. What were some changes you made to this revised edition?
I believe you can always make a story better, no matter how seasoned the author is. And that’s exactly what I did in addition to a new cover, a new editor, and published it myself. Now, as I move into my sixth novel in the series, I have developed more skills as a writer—thanks to helpful tips from talented authors, a real editor, and gracious readers—especially when it comes to the fight scenes and the sizzling romance.
I enjoyed Jace and Jem Chamberlain characters. Who in Hollywood do you see playing them if this were turned into a movie?
Jace and Jem Chamberlain are my dearest characters. They started my story from the very beginning at the tender age of four. Since they are identical twins and all grown up now, their characters are very similar, although somewhat different in personality, like fire and ice. What actor do I see playing their parts in a movie? Well, that’s tough to say. My characters actually came from a “real” person that is not an actor. Sorry, keeping that one a secret. So, I’d have to say, they look a lot like Brad Pitt when he played in the movie “Legends of the Fall.” But since that was years ago, the actor in today’s time would be Charlie Hunnam. His voice would be great for Jace!
Your characters go on a deeply emotional and transformative journey in your novel. Is this intentional or incidental to the story you want to tell?
Yes, there is a lot of emotion in my novels between my characters. Lots of new budding love, new beginnings, revenge, and forgiveness. I definitely wanted to start this story with our everyday human emotions. In my opinion, it makes the characters believable and seem “real” to the readers. Although most of my characters are not human, they still share all the traits of humanity.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
In 2022, I will release my sixth novel of the Breedline series, The Curse, along with revised editions of Sweet Chaos and Total Chaos. In 2023, I plan to release the seventh novel of the Breedline series, Living Nightmares. In 2024, I’m writing a special edition of the Novels of the Breedline series, The Vampires in Manhattan. This book will take readers into the era of the mid-eighteenth century.
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As Sebastian moves on with his new life, evading punishment for his crimes against the Breedline, he uncovers a secret from his past, leading him down a dangerous path he hadn’t bargained for.
Meanwhile, Jace is fiercely determined to protect his beloved Tessa, who is pregnant with his twin sons, from Sebastian Crow and his recurring nightmares. Worried his dreams are visions of her death, Jace battles with the lesser of two evils: to seek revenge against his half-brother, or to surrender his fury before his thirst for vengeance destroys everything he loves.
Now that everyone in the Breedline Covenant looks forward to Jem and Mia’s wedding, a mysterious guest arrives unexpectedly with an extraordinary gift of healing. The question is… are they all prepared to deal with the unforeseen visitor’s dark past of running from a corrupt group of scientists obsessed with his rare abilities, or will they be driven to the brink of madness?
