I know everyone here enjoys a good fantasy read. I feel like this has become a bit of a milspouse prerequisite as of late! Well, we have just the treat for you! This month we're hanging out with Samantha Vance who has written the perfect fantasy book that is sure to be something that everyone can enjoy! So grab your coffee and join us in getting to know Samantha!
What branch of the military are you affiliated with?
- Air Force
How long have you been a military spouse?
- I’ve been a military spouse for 5 years now!
What is your favorite part about being in a military family?
- It has truly brought my spouse and I closer together. We have grown up a lot together as a couple but also as individuals and that has been really amazing to experience.
What would you say is your biggest challenge being in a military family?
- I am sure everyone says this, but the distance from family can be very tough and isolating. I recently had my first child and that has been something I’m struggling with all over again it feels like. I want my son to know his family but the distance makes it more challenging.
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with our current military families?
- Find your people! I’m an introvert so it’s extremely hard for me to make new friends, but I really pushed myself to be social and now I have some of the best friends that I know will be for life, not just at the current duty station.
How or why did you decide to become an author?
- Really I have always wanted to be an author, ever since I was young I was always writing short stories or poetry. I went down a different path career-wise for a while, but then one night a few years ago I had a vivid dream and told my husband about it saying “I really think this would make an amazing book!” and he just responded with “Well then you should write it!” It took a bit more encouragement but finally I gave in to the passion I had for writing and starting writing Lightning Bound.
What book has been your favorite that you have written so far?
- Lightning Bound is my first book baby so she will always have a special place in my heart.
Do you have more books planned for the future?
- Oh my goodness yes. I’m currently working on two books right now, one being the second book in the Lightning Bound Series, and one that is the start of it’s own duology. But I also may have three additional projects I’ve been plotting out and working
What author inspires you?
- Gosh there are so many. Really any author that has started as an indie author and gotten a traditional publishing deal eventually. Currently I’ve been amazed watching Meg Smitherman’s journey as an author!
What’s a random fact about you we should know?
- Book related: I grew up reading Twilight and somehow my friend and I convinced my dad to take us to a midnight premiere of New Moon and we even made him a shirt that said “Team Victoria”!
- Not book related: I dislocated my shoulder sleeping…and had to have surgery to fix it!
Anything else you'd like to share?
- Lightning Bound is a perfect starter for anyone looking to get into fantasy or romantasy! It is set in the real world but still has those high fantasy elements that fantasy readers know and love. But definitely check the trigger warnings as there are some rough spots in the book.
Book Titles:
I'm so thankful we got to hang out with Samantha, even if this has caused my TBR pile to become taller than me! I can't wait to dive into her debut novel! Happy reading!
Explore More with My Military Lifestyle and Our Book Nook!