Reverse harem books are some of my absolute favorites and when I saw this one I was immediately excited for it! I’m thrilled to be able to spotlight Raven’s Cry today as well as share an interview with the author, Charlie Nottingham.
INTERVIEW
Welcome Charlie! Thank you for allowing me to interview you! Can you start off by introducing yourself?
Of course, and thanks so much for having me, Felicia.
Hey, I’m Charlie Nottingham! I write paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and a bit of high fantasy. I’ve been publishing for almost 2 years, have about 20 published books, and love everything fantasy related.
How would you describe Raven’s Cry in one sentence?
Whew, one sentence. Well, to sum it up, Raven’s Cry is a spooky, sexy, paranormal reverse harem that touches on the experiences of bisexuality with a little Celtic mythology sprinkled in for some razzle dazzle.
Can you introduce us to the main character(s) of Raven’s Cry?
I’d love to!
Rain is a witch struggling to make ends meet after the death of her grandmother a few years prior. Her love life has been one disaster after the next, but that all changes when she meets Ezra.
Ezra is a doctor by day and a vampire by night. He’s the most caring, compassionate man Rain has ever met. He donates to charities, he loves to bake–he’s seemingly the perfect man.
Graham has been Rain’s best friend since he crossed the veil between the Earth and war-ridden Fae Realm when he was fifteen. Rain’s brother found him living in an abandoned cabin all those years ago, and he’s practically been family ever since.
Warren’s our last man in the harem, another vampire, and he might be my favorite. (Although, it’s really hard to choose!) He’s headstrong, blunt, but beneath all that, a kind gentleman. He’s also very wealthy, and Rain spends most of the book wondering where that money comes from. To make a long story short without spoilers, Warren’s a bit more morally gray than our sweeter-than-pie love interest, Ezra.
Do you know from the beginning how your books will end or do you let your characters decide their journey?
A little bit of both. I’m what I like to call a plantser. I have a rough idea of the story. I know where it ends, I know key points throughout the narrative, but I don’t have each scene mapped out before I write it. I’ve tried detailed plotting, and for me, that takes a bit of the magic out of telling the story.
Do you have a favorite scene, moment, or quote from the book?
Ugh, too many to choose from! There are two in particular that stand out though.
Rain and Graham went through a traumatic event together when they were teenagers. It messed them both up pretty bad, and they both have PTSD from it. So when either of them wake up from a nightmare, they grab a bunch of blankets, empty the cupboards of snacks, and veg out on the couch watching movies together until they doze off. The quote from this scene that I adore most is from Graham’s perspective in his inner monologue. “Terror thrived in solitude, and this was how we combatted it.”
The other favorite quote is from Ezra. Rain’s upset about (insert spoiler here), and while they’re cuddling, and Rain is talking, Ezra says, “Are you venting? Or do you want my input?”
It speaks so loudly to his character. The fact that he’s more concerned with caring for her than forcing her to talk about something she doesn’t want to, that he simply wants to be there for her… Ugh, my heart!
What’s something readers will find in Raven’s Cry that they might not realize based on the synopsis?
Probably the way that the LGBTQ+ representation is handled. Ezra’s experience of struggling to admit his sexuality to the people he loves the most mirrors my own experience with my sexuality, and it’s not something addressed often in fiction. While he may not always address it in the best way, it’s discussed in a very human, relatable way. That may be new for some readers who are used to seeing LGBTQ+ rep discussed in a loud and proud manner. I love those stories as well! I’ve written books with that sort of representation. This was just a new way of addressing it that I haven’t seen often, and was important for me to include in Ezra’s character arc.
How did you decide who would be the point of view for each chapter?
This is an interesting question, especially with this book! I’m used to writing in multiple POVs, but it was different with Raven’s Cry because it’s told from all four characters’ perspectives. I usually do dual POV. The deciding factor for each chapter was where the plot took me, and where it was important to include information. Warren didn’t get as much page time in this book because I was doing a lot of character building for Ezra, Graham, and Rain, but Warren will get a lot of character building in book 2 for sure.
So, I guess to answer it simply, I decide whose POV to write in based on who needs their story told at that time with that particular plot point.
What are three books you would recommend if someone enjoyed Raven’s Cry?
I love this question! Any of the Anita Blake novels by Laurell K Hamilton, the Cainsville Series by Kelley Armstrong, or the Alpha Queen Legacy Series by Laurel Knight. Laurell K Hamilton because the vibes are similar–vampires, necromancy, etc. Cainsville because, although Raven’s Cry is a faster burn romance, it’s my favorite series, and the Celtic mythology Kelley tinkered with is similar to how I played with the lore. Laurel Knight because, to date, it is my favorite reverse harem that I’ve read.
What’s next for you? Anything you can share?
A lot! I have another release in May–Spades, featured in the anthology Born of Shadows and Magic–which is a werewolf/witch MF paranormal romance. I’m planning to release at least two more books, maybe even three, in the Raven’s Cry series this year. I also plan to finish up my Origins of the Gods series. Next year, I think I’ll be starting another paranormal romance reverse harem, finishing up the Spades series, writing the next book in my Arcane Gods series, and… Well, I could ramble for hours! I have so many books planned that I’d lose track without a good calendar!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Synopsis:
Everyone has skeletons in their closet, but Rain’s are learning to open the door.
Rain’s lost everything in the last decade. Her grandmother, her brother, and her family home might be next. All she has is Graham – a powerful Fae who illegally escaped the Fae Realm and has been her best friend ever since.
Until Ezra – the sexiest Vampire she’s ever seen – commissions her for one hell of a job. Cleansing dozens of vengeful spirits from an abandoned mansion for a life changing amount of money.
All Rain wants is to focus on her budding relationship with Ezra, but the ghosts in the mansion have awoken the ones Rain has spent a decade trying to keep locked up.
But Rain isn’t the only one with secrets. Ezra has a few of his own.
This is an MMFM paranormal romance reverse harem. Rain has 3 hotter than hell love interests, and she does not choose between them.
Raven’s Cry is set in the same world as Charlie’s other series, Eluding Destiny, The Arcane Gods, and Celena’s Story. It follows the lore established in the Origins of the Gods series as well. But you do not need to read any of those to understand this series.
Stuck in Fiction 