Reno author Brieanna Robertson’s first novel in her Serendipity Series, titled The Road Less Traveled is a true chick book. A classic love story full of laughter, heart ache and romance, Road takes the reader on a road trip with the main characters; Javan and Alex, lifelong friends and actors, and Maxim, the introverted author with perpetual writer’s block. The story begins with this unlikely threesome departing Oregon on an impromptu vacation to California for a concert. As their journey progresses they pick up a few more travelers. Their road is one of adventure--both physical and emotional. You will not only laugh but cry and celebrate as this story unfolds.

The Road Less Traveled is a page turner. Robertson’s ability to draw you into each character as you learn their darkest secrets and inner most fears makes you feel you know each individual personally. Rarely have I experienced such in-depth character development in such an engrossing book. Many authors get so bogged down with the character the story line is lost. Not here, the plot quickly sucks you in and keeps you hooked.

While the plot to be predictable at times, I could not put the book down. I’d hoped for a twist or turn in the story line, but never found one. Some aspects of the character’s journey were a bit far-fetched, but I’m anxious to begin the second book in the series. Robertson did a fabulous job of building the mystery around a secondary character; the reader is so intrigued by his dark past you can’t help but want to continue reading.

I caught up with Robertson and asked her about the book and other projects she has in the works.

RTT: I really enjoyed reading The Road Less Traveled. I felt like I knew the characters personally. Did you fictionalize real people or events in writing this book?

BR: The characters were all pure fiction, but I do tend to draw on personal experience when writing. I like my characters to be real and believable so I try to draw on what I know of real people, real situations and real problems that people face. Many of the events in The Road Less Traveled were derived from actual experiences I have had. A lot of the outrageous and funny situations in the book were taken from things that had actually happened to me.

RTT: Was Road originally intended as part of a series or did the series grow out of writing it?

BR: Originally it was a single book, but as I was getting it ready to submit to its first e-book publisher I realized that the other contemporary books I had written after it would all fit nicely in a loosely connected series. Especially since several of them had recurring characters. I tweaked Road a little to make it fit and submitted it as a series instead of just a stand alone title.

RTT: Maxim is my favorite character because his growth is so profound and as a reader you really get a sense for his depression in the beginning and how he finds himself and embraces the person that he is.

BR: Yes, Maxim is my favorite, as well. He goes through a metamorphosisthroughout the story and finds such hidden strength within himself. I love writing that kind of personal growth. It makes the characters very dear to my heart.

RTT: What can you tell us about your newest book?

BR: This book is extremely special to me. It is called Amaranth of the Wild Things and was recently released in print. It is a fantasy romance and is darker than most of my other work. The main character is an assassin and begins as the villain rather than the hero. He is probably my favorite character I’ve ever created. Watching his personal growth was painful at times, but satisfying in the end.

Music inspires me in my writing more than anything else, and this book was inspired almost completely from the song Amaranth by the Finnish metal band Nightwish. Throughout the writing and publishing process, I embarked on the difficult task of obtaining copyright permission from the songwriter to use the Amaranth lyrics in my novel. It took a year's worth of diligence and persistence, but with the help of several extraordinary people, I was able to get the lyrics printed in my book.

So, between the work I put into both the character and getting the Nightwish lyrics, this book is kind of like my baby. It was released in May and has already gotten some amazing reviews!

RTT: Where can people buy Road and Amaranth and who is your publisher?

BR: I have two main publishers, an e-book publisher and a print one. My print company is called Whimsical Publications and can be found here www.whimsicalpublications.com. My e-book company is Amira Press. www.amirapress.com.

The Road Less Traveled and Amaranth of the Wild Things can both be ordered at www.amazon.com and at major book stores like Barnes and Noble and Borders.

Elisika Arango