Paranormal Author Q&A: Moni Boyce (Oracle Chronicles)
Photo: Exposed Moxie Photography
“I love for the characters to have a journey besides the love story.”
Paranormal author Moni Boyce shares with us about the world of the Oracle Chronicles, explains how her background in film informs her fiction, and reveals what the future holds for her characters.
Moni Boyce is a writer, filmmaker, poet and award-winning author of contemporary and paranormal romances. She spent the last 15 years in the film industry, and now creates characters of her own and brings them to life on the page. She also recently won two awards from the RSJ 2020 Virtual Romance Book Con, in the categories of Debut Author, and Best Commercial Romance for Redemption of the Heart.
Ms. Boyce’s paranormal romance series Oracle Chronicles kicked off with Awakened—which is now in the process of becoming an audiobook. Over the course of the series, readers have been introduced to a world populated by oracles, witches, vampires, shifters, and more.
In this exclusive interview, the author takes us behind the scenes, explains how her background in film impacts her fiction, and shares what she looks for in a paranormal romance.
Read our interview with Moni Boyce
Click here for the Complete list of Oracle Chronicles Books in Order
Oracle Chronicles Series Book Trailer
Interview with Moni Boyce
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Tell us about the world of the Oracle Chronicles.
In the Oracle Chronicles, Willow learns that her lineage runs all the way back to the Oracle of Delphi. All the women in her family have been Oracles and she is one too.
After learning this information she gets thrust into the supernatural world. The vampire king wants to possess and control her, but thankfully there are a faction of witches called The Protectors that have the duty of keeping her safe.
In the story, she falls in love with Eli, the head of this group. Willow is curious and excited by this new world opened up to her. Things she thought were just make-believe aren’t anymore.
She learns even more about her own history, plus has to learn how to wield her powers, while also discovering this great big supernatural world right under her nose: witch covens, Congress of Supernatural Beings, vampires, shifters, faeries, she even meets some maenads. The journey to stay out of the vampire king’s possession also takes her around the world.
What inspired you to write your Oracle series?
I love paranormal romance, supernatural and sci-fi stories. I’m a TV junkie and I watch so many of these types of shows on TV: Vampire Diaries, Grimm, Charmed, True Blood, The 100, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, etc. The thing is, so often the POC characters are sidekicks, background, or the friend. Rarely are they the lead. Only recently did we see some of these types of shows put a Black woman in the lead role. A good example is Star Trek: Discovery with Sonequa Martin-Green in the lead role.
I wanted to write a story set in one of these worlds where the Black woman was the heroine, the focal point of the story, where she was the one on the journey or quest. I've had many of my Black female readers tell me that seeing the Black woman on the cover and then reading the books excited them, because they don't get to read many of these types of stories where someone that looks like them is the hero. Representation matters.
This box set includes four books (and some cool bonus materials). Is this the end of this series for you or do you have plans to return to this world or these characters?
It’s a possibility I may revisit Willow and Eli later, but for now their story has been wrapped up. However, I am nowhere near being finished with this world. In the fall, I’ll be releasing a spin-off series that focuses on the characters of Phaedra and Max, so at some point you’ll see Willow and Eli pop up.
In the Oracle Chronicles, even though I mention different supernatural groups, most of the focus is on witches and vampires. In the spin-off, we’ll get to learn more about some of the other supernatural factions: faeries, shifters, etc. as Phaedra and Max leave The Protectors to have a new adventure. I also have plans for other spin-off series in this world.
How does your background in filmmaking impact how you approach writing prose fiction?
My filmmaking background has a huge impact on my writing. I write my scenes and chapters almost in the style of watching a TV series. The pacing tends to be quick. I also see everything playing out in my head as I’m writing, so I try to make sure those visuals are captured on the page.
What are your biggest pet peeves in paranormal romances?
I had to think about this question for a while before I could answer. I didn’t come up with any pet peeves I had about paranormal romances. I feel like there should be something, but I couldn’t think of anything that irks me.
What do YOU look for in a paranormal romance?
I want a good story. I love the romance part of the story obviously, but also give me an epic battle or obstacle they have to face and overcome. I love for the characters to have a journey besides the love story.
Complete list of Oracle Chronicles Books in Order
Awakened (The Oracle Chronicles Book 1)
Secret lineage, a ruthless vampire, and forbidden love.
Willow Stevens dreams of stardom are eclipsed by the real nightmares of a sinister man haunting her dreams. Unbeknownst to her, Eli Walker, her hot but snobbish co-worker, may know the reason nightmares plague her, but their history shows he is more prone to reject her, than help her.
Then Willow passes out at work only to wake in Eli’s apartment. There she has her chance to learn more about her heritage. But, knowing why the vampire king stalks her doesn’t make the nightmares disappear. If anything, they become more real as she now faces off against a slew of creatures she’d always believed were myth.
That Eli is one of those creatures is just her luck. Secret witch guild or not, his natural ways are casting spells her heart can’t escape. As a Protector his only focus should be her safety. Anything else is forbidden. He plans to stay on task, but some women break a man, or tempt him to break the rules.
Can Eli keep Willow alive and safe from the vampires long enough for her to grow her own powers or will both cast aside rules for a reckless passion that will only lead to danger?
AWAKENED is the first installment in The Oracle Chronicles series. This interracial, paranormal romance is a great mix of magic and adventure.
Enlightened (The Oracle Chronicles Book 2)
A global hunt for an ancient book will cost Willow, Eli & the Protectors dearly.
When her mother’s letters reveal an ancient tome exists, Willow realizes more is at stake. Killian knows about the book as well and will do whatever it takes to possess it and her. To stop him, they embark on a global scavenger hunt to find it before he does.
On the journey, Willow and Eli explore life as a couple. They’re falling head over heels into bed and in love, now that Eli has put passion before duty. But, navigating romance proves challenging when their relationship becomes embroiled in controversy. Besides warring with Killian, they must fight against the people that oppose their romantic union.
Along the way, their chase to find the missing book unveils unknown aspects of Willow’s powers and unearths secrets and betrayals.
As Eli told her before, ‘All magic comes at a cost.’ By the time they reach the end of their quest, they will pay a hefty price for staying one step ahead of the vampire king. Can their budding romance withstand the chaos and fallout? Or will evil triumph?
Empowered (The Oracle Chronicles Book 3)
Is Willow destined to become a vampire bride? Or is she strong enough to save them all?
After suffering a devastating tragedy, Willow, Eli and the Protectors find themselves back in Salem, consumed with anger and grief.
Mastering her powers and abilities hasn’t been the easiest journey. She’ll need to reach deep within, if she’s going to succeed in defeating Killian. It’s the only way to avoid becoming his vampire bride.
To save everyone, including herself, Willow makes choices that may threaten her bond with Eli and remove her from the safety of the Protectors.
With stakes this high, can love survive? Will her greatest risk pay off?
Divined (The Oracle Chronicles Book 4)
Willow’s fight for survival isn’t over yet.
Now that all of her known enemies have been defeated, Willow is hoping for the opportunity to settle down and find a sense of normalcy and peace with Eli. Unfortunately, that’s not to be.
Not only is their happily ever after threatened by other supernaturals that believe mixing of supernatural factions is wrong; a dream within The Book of Prophecy foretells of a sinister presence that will destroy everything Willow holds dear.
The only way to stop this revelation from coming true may be to sacrifice the very thing she’s trying to protect.
Willow and Eli’s love has been tested before, but this unfulfilled prophecy may take them to the breaking point.
Will their love require them to make the ultimate sacrifice? Or will they find another way to defeat this evil force and have a happy ending?
The Oracle Chronicles Boxed Set
Journey through the chronicles of this gripping paranormal romance adventure which includes four full length books, an exclusive BONUS short story, and book club questions pertaining to each novel.
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