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***Synopis***
The Savage Kingdom Series revolves around one woman, Alexandria, and four brutally beautiful men: Keane, Jax, Rafael, and Liam.
One strong-willed woman set on revenge.
Three childhood friends who are now her enemies.
Get ready for Alexandria to create chaos.
Alexandria Donatella McCarthy is the daughter of the don of the Rossi syndicate. Abused. Neglected. Underestimated. I’m about to unleash hell on this town. Keane Agosti, Rafael Ortiz, and Jaxson West don’t know it yet, but she is the devil who will bring that hell to their doorsteps—and take her father down right along with them.
Alexandria was born into a life that showed her nothing but pain. A toy, a pawn, to be used by her father, Maximillian Rossi. Her brother, Kellan, was the only bright light in her dark world. Then one day, he was gone. Taken from her. And it’s their fault. My brother’s three best friends. Keane, the leader of the group whose quest for power will be his undoing. Jax, the twisted psycho who lost his soul a long time ago. And Rafael, her ex-boyfriend who shattered her heart and left her when she needed him the most. And then there is Liam Connelly, the Irish hitman of my family’s enemy, Declan Levine who is obsessed with making Alexandria his.
Now it’s Alexandria’s turn to descend into the darkness. She will destroy them all, burn the Rossi house to the ground, and then rise from the ashes.
“Are you ready for me, boys? This savage princess is coming for you.”
What is the sub-genre and trope? Did your characters lead you to this genre or was that decided before the story began?
Genres: New Adult romance, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Tropes: dark, enemies to lovers, reverse harem/why choose, mafia elements
Are you more character or plot driven?
I’m actually both.
I love writing complex, broken characters, but the story also has to be very plot-driven.
I’m known for throwing in “I didn’t see that coming” twists into my stories. Angst and scenes that pack a lot of emotion are also a must in what I write.
With many main and secondary characters, how do you keep them separated in your mind? Do you have a story/vision board above your workspace?
One of the things my readers love are my supporting characters. Dynamic and robust side characters with as much personality as the main characters are essential to me.
A motif that flows through every book I write is that of family being who you choose as your family.
A quote that pervades many of my books is something Trevor, a character from my Fallen Brook and The Montgomerys Series, says: “Sometimes the best families are the ones you create, not the ones you’re born into.”
I usually don't make a vision board because I can never find images that fit how I see things in my head. When I do, I will print out those images and keep them taped to my desk or tacked to my whiteboard, but most of the time, I write from the images I see in my head.
I know from previous interviews that characters take on a life of their own. Were any of the characters in this series determined to take their own direction instead of where you initially wanted them to go?
I wanted the main heroine, Alexandria, to be strong and able to go toe-to-toe with the ruthless men in her life.
I was surprised by just how strong she turned out to be, while also keeping a soft, feminine side. Readers loved just fierce she was.
Are any of the male POVs based on anyone you know?
(laughing). I wish!
The main MCs in the series (Keane, Jax, Rafael, and Liam) were all delicious, but I would run the other way if I ever met any of them in person.
Jax, however, was loosely based on my husband: blond hair, glasses, and wickedly intelligent. I made Liam Irish-American because I’m Scotch-Irish.
Are any of the female POVs based on anyone you know?
Alexandria’s best friend, Tessa, is British like my husband, but she wasn't based on anyone. Alexandria herself was partly based off of me (I just won’t disclaim which parts).
Was there any one character/scene that was harder to write about than the other?
I struggled a little with how to wrap all the plot twists up in order to give Alexandria the HEA she deserved in book 3.
I knew readers would expect her to get her revenge on everyone who hurt her, and I wanted to make it bloody good (hint, hint, wink, wink).
What is your favorite book in the series?
The last book, Savage Kingdom, because it’s the culmination of everything the other two books were leading up to.
I made sure to end the series with a BOOM. It was also fun to see Alexandria come full circle to become the “queen” she was destined to be.
Oh, and she claims all her men in book 3 and to get her HEA.
I know that we aren’t supposed to have “favorites” as far as our children, but seriously, who’s your favorite character and why?
Jax was a great character to write. I call him my sexy psycho.
Series question - Who is your favorite couple and why did you decide on their dynamics?
Even though I loved Alexandria’s relationships with each of the four men in her life, I would have to say my favorite couple is her and Jax together.
They are both broken, dark characters filled with demons from the different traumas they endured. Which made them perfect for one another. She helped calm his inner chaos, and he understood her in a way the other men couldn’t. Their relationship was perfection.
How do you get inside these character’s heads to find their perfect HEA?
I made sure that no matter how dark the story got, I would give each character some light, something to keep them human and empathetic.
Since I base every story I write on aspects or events from my life, I use those introspections to craft every HEA in my books.
For the Savage Kingdom Series, I wanted to give Alexandria everything she had ever dreamed about. The ending is sweet, beautiful, and perfect for all the main characters.
What scene in this book/series sticks out the most for you? Why?
Any scene where Alexandria showed her strength; whether it was her physical strength in fight scenes, or her intellectual strength going up against her adversaries.
Series - Were any of the books harder to write than others?
The last book was the hardest to write because I had a couple of other projects going at the same time that had deadlines.
I took a month over the summer and really focused on meeting my writing goals in order to get the book done and to my beta readers on time.
This question is if you write in MULTIPLE POVs not just the hero and heroine - I love the multiple POVs in a book. It’s not just the hero and heroine, but we get inside the heads of multiple characters throughout this series. I feel that it gives the story further depth. Do you think you will write another book or series following this multiple POV outline?
Every book I write is multiple POV and in first person.
I love delving into the minds of my characters and digging around their brains. I also think it helps the reader connect with the story better because they can feel what the character is feeling or understand their thought processes and emotions better.
How long did it take you to write this book/series?
It took about a year to write the three books in the series.
How did you come up with the title for your book and series?
My titles just pop into my head as I start writing the story.
I don’t start a book knowing what the title will be. I have to write at least the first chapter before I decide.
Because I knew I wanted a very strong FMC, I decided to name the books Savage: Savage Princess, Savage Kings, Savage Kingdom.
If you met these characters in real life would you get along?
Absolutely, though I’d be very intimidated and a little afraid, especially of Jax. Lol.
Series question – Did you know in advance that you were going to write this as a series or did one of the characters in book one demand their own story?
I knew in advance it would be a series.
If your book/series were made into a movie, which actors do you see as playing your characters?
I honestly don’t know. I’m like an overprotective parent when it comes their kid dating for the first time; i.e., no one will ever be good enough for my little precious.
Maybe my readers could answer this question.
Can you give us a hint as to what we can expect next? Whether a new book and series or a sequel to an existing series? Can you share a small tease?
I do have a couple of things up my sleeve, but unfortunately, I’m contractually not allowed to say anything until after January 2023.
However, I can tell you that the boxed set will come out sometime in spring of next year and will include bonus chapters/scenes, one of which will be the “wedding/honeymoon.” (And yes, I use quotes around that intentionally.)
Check out all my interviews/reviews for Jennilynn Wyer!
https://readingbydeb.blogspot.com/2022/11/author-at-glance-jennilynn-wyer.html
Bio:
Jennilynn Wyer is a Rudy Award-winning author of Romantic Suspense and a three-time Contemporary Romance Writers Stiletto Finalist. She writes steamy, New Adult romances as well as dark reverse harem romances. She also pens YA romance under the pen name JL Wyer.
Jennilynn is a sassy Southern belle who lives a real-life friends-to-lovers trope with her blue-eyed British husband.
When not writing, she’s nestled in her favorite reading spot, e-reader in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other, enjoying the latest romance novel.
Connect with Jennilynn:
Linkt.ree: https://linktr.ee/jennilynnwyer
Three childhood friends who are now her enemies.
Get ready for Alexandria to create chaos.
My name is Alexandria Donatella McCarthy, daughter of the don of the Rossi syndicate. Abused. Neglected. Underestimated. I’m about to unleash hell on this town. Keane Agosti, Rafael Ortiz, and Jaxson West don’t know it yet, but I am the devil who will bring that hell to their doorsteps—and take my father down right along with them.
I was born into a life that showed me nothing but pain. A toy, a pawn, to be used by my father, Maximillian Rossi. My brother, Kellan, was the only bright light in my dark world. Then one day, he was gone. Taken from me. And it’s their fault. My brother’s three best friends. Keane, the leader of the group whose quest for power will be his undoing. Jax, the twisted psycho who lost his soul a long time ago. And Rafe, my ex-boyfriend who shattered my heart and left me when I needed him the most.
Now it’s my turn to descend into the darkness. I will destroy them all, burn the Rossi house to the ground, and then rise from the ashes.
Are you ready for me, boys? This savage princess is coming for you.
Reader’s Note: Savage Princess is a dark, enemies to lovers, mafia, reverse harem romance and contains scenes that may be triggering to sensitive individuals such as blood, violence, scenes depicting torture, foul language, consensual sexual content, and references to past sexual abuse/trauma. If you are not familiar with reverse harem romances, this trope is where the female protagonist has more than one love interest and is in an intimate relationship with more than one man. Savage Princess is book 1 in the Savage Kingdom three-book series and ends with a cliffhanger. Recommended for mature readers.
One strong-willed woman set on revenge.
Four men who were her enemies… until they were more.
Get ready for Alexandria, Keane, Jax, Rafael, and Liam to bring the chaos.
My name is Alexandria Donatella McCarthy, or Andie for short. Daughter of the don of the Rossi syndicate. Abused. Neglected. Overlooked. After five years in exile, I return home to avenge my brother’s death and to take down my father, Maximillian Rossi. But things didn’t work out as I’d planned. Especially when I come face to face once again with them.
Keane Agosti, the leader and next in line to the Rossi throne. Jaxson West, my father’s enforcer with a lust for bloodshed. Rafael Ortiz, my ex-boyfriend and youngest son of the head of the Ortiz cartel. And Liam Connelly, the obsessed Irish hitman of my father’s sworn enemy, Declan Levine. Four men from my past who I thought were my enemies. Turns out, I was wrong about that, too.
My life has been nothing but lies, manipulations, betrayal, and deeply buried secrets.
My father despised and abused me.
My dead brother lied to me.
Julio Ortiz thinks he owns me.
His oldest son, Alejandro Ortiz, wants to possess and control me.
Rafael betrayed me.
And Declan Levine, the enemy of my family?
Let’s just say, secrets can only stay that way for so long.
Keane, Jax, Rafe, and Liam. Four men who I swore to take down along with my father have now become my protectors. But they can’t protect me from what’s coming. From the enemies that surround me. Things are about to get so much worse than I could’ve ever anticipated. Let the blood flow red in the streets. Never underestimate a savage princess.
Reader’s Note: Savage Kings is a dark, enemies to lovers, mafia, reverse harem romance. This book contains dark themes and possible triggers, so please check the TW at the beginning of the book and read at your own discretion.Savage Kings is book 2 in the Savage Kingdom Series and ends with a cliffhanger. Recommended for mature readers.
My name is Alexandria Donatella McCarthy, or Andie for short. Former daughter of the don of the Rossi syndicate. Abused. Neglected. Overlooked. After five years in exile, I return home to avenge my brother Kellan’s death and to take down my father, Maximillian Rossi, and anyone else who stands in my way. But things don’t work out as I planned. Especially when I come face-to-face with four men from my past. Four men who were once my enemies. Four men who are now my destiny.
Keane Agosti, the new head of the Rossi syndicate. The man I love to hate and my future husband.
Jaxson West, his psychotic enforcer with a lust for bloodshed. My Grim Reaper. Pain is our foreplay.
Rafael Ortiz, my ex-boyfriend and youngest son of the head of the Ortiz Cartel. His sadistic older brother, Alejandro, wants me for his own.
And Liam Connelly, the Irish hitman of my family’s enemy, Declan Levine. My angel-turned-devil obsessed with making me his.
These four dangerous, brutal, beautiful men call themselves my kings, but it’s time for me to become their queen. I must delve into the darkness in order to win the war against Julio and Alejandro Ortiz. And nothing can stop me. Not even them.
Betrayal, lies, and treachery are only the beginning. All the secrets will come to light, and everything will be revealed. Are you ready for the end?
Reader’s Note: Savage Kingdom is a dark, enemies to lovers, mafia, reverse harem romance. This book contains dark themes and possible triggers, so please check the TW/CW at the beginning of the book and read at your own discretion.Savage Kingdom is book 3 and the conclusion to the Savage Kingdom Series and ends with a much-deserved HEA. Recommended for mature readers.
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