Interview with Paula Dombrowiak, Author of 'Blood and Bone'

Dec. 14, 2020


I was privileged to invite Author Paula Dombrowiak for an interview to discuss her latest book Blood and Bone and the inspiration behind it. Enjoy!


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What's your book about, and what inspired you to write it?

Blood and Bone is about deep bonds between flawed people whose only outlet was their music. It is a heartbreaking journey through love, friendship, family, and fame. I wanted to combine my love for music and imperfect relationships. I had an idea about a bond between two people that was so deep yet flawed, that inspired them to write the most prolific songs of their generation.

Who is your target audience, and why do you think this book will appeal to them?
My target audience is 18+ because the book is told in alternating time periods, from present day where the characters are middle aged, back to the '90s when they were teenagers, and the times in between. It encompasses elements of struggles with family, complicated love, and friendships that are tested so it can appeal to all readers.

What message do you wish to pass across to your readers with this book?
The message I wish to pass on to readers is that people are complicated, but if you dig deep enough, you can find the beauty within.

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?
The hardest thing about writing Blood and Bone was taking this perfect idea I had in my head and transferring that into words. There were some characters I had a hard time connecting with but they were necessary to the story. One of those characters was Amber because she is meant to provide conflict in Jack's, the main protagonist, life. I didn't like her, but I came to realize that it's okay to not like her.

As a writer, is there anything you've learned about yourself while writing this book?
I learned to persevere because writing can be frustrating and hard, but when you push past those difficult moments, there is something so beautiful on the other side.

For your own reading, do you prefer eBooks or traditional paper/hard back books, and why?  
I have learned to love eBooks because I can just download whatever I want, whenever I want and take them all with me in one little neat package. I do still love the feel and smell of paperbacks, and occasionally I will buy hardbacks of books that have a special place in my heart.

What is your niche genre, and if you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?
My niche genre is romance with a musical element, but if I was to write a different genre, it would be young adult fantasy.

What books and authors have most influenced you?
I love Olivia Cunning and her rockstar series because they are fun and she is a master at writing sex scenes. I also love Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunter series because she has a poetic way of writing with intricate plots and rich characters. Madeline Sheehan and her Undeniable series really taught me that it's ok to write a gritty romance with flawed characters.

Is there anything you'd like readers to know about you?
Animals are my homies, and I don't eat my homies. One day, I would love to foster senior dogs that no one wants so they can live out the rest of their lives in a comfortable home with a warm soft bed.

Do you have any more books in the works?
Yes, I am currently working on the sequel to Blood and Bone, which focuses on the main characters' daughter and what it is like to live in a famous father’s shadow while trying to navigate her own music career.

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
Absolutely! I love to hear what people think of the book. If a reader connected with the story, then I've done my job. On the other hand, bad reviews are sometimes hard to take, but I think of them as a learning experience.

How can readers get in touch with or follow you (website, personal blog, social media handle, Goodreads)?

Website: https://www.pauladombrowiak.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PDombrowiak

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PDombrowiak

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paula_dombrowiak/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20529493.Paula_Dombrowiak

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Dombrowiak


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Paula Dombrowiak grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois but currently lives in Arizona. She is the author of Blood and Bone, her first adult romance novel which combines her love of music and imperfect relationships. Paula is a lifelong music junkie, whose wardrobe consists of band T-shirts and leggings which are perpetually covered in pet hair. Music is what inspires her storytelling.



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