Laced in Malice: Interview with Riley Gray

Riley Grey has brought us a great YA novel that's like Cruel Intentions meets Mean Girls. I chatted with her about her risque novel LACED IN MALICE.

 

Sharon: This reminds me of a modern day Cruel Intentions. What prompted you to write about such a risque subject?

Riley: It's always been a pet peeve of mine that we're so cavalier about violence, but when it comes to sex, it's so taboo. As much as we might not want to think about it, teens are sexual fiends. If they're not thinking about it, they're doing it! This isn't an erotic YA. It's a YA with some sexual nature to it, though it probably goes above what an 'average' YA might detail. I wanted to write a story that focused on the malicious side of people, and sex is often used as a weapon.

Sharon: Tell us a bit about Zara and what readers can expect from her.

Riley: Zara is too naive for her own good. She gets called naive a fair few times in the book, and it's not until the end that she finally realises that they're right. In a way, Zara is a lot like most teenage girls. She only wants to be liked. She doesn't want to face up to the truth if it means losing her friends. But she's also got morals and her own beliefs that won't easily be destroyed. I think people will either love or hate her.

Sharon: You've given readers a reboot with Written in Malice from Oliver's POV. What promoted you to do this?

Riley: There's a lot to this story that readers won't see because Zara doesn't know it. Much in the same as Cruel Intentions, the story was told from the Antagonist's POV and therefore the viewers were aware of what was happening behind the scenes; what prompted the interest in the new girl. This story is told from the new girl's POV and I think readers will find it interesting/beneficial to see what went down before Zara came to town (poet and I didn't even know it!).

Rapid Fire Questions:

Favourite animal? Horses

Favourite colour? Pink

Favourite drink? Anything Mango flavoured

Favourite writing place? Starbucks

Favourite author? Loving Courtney Summers

Find Laced in Malice on Goodreads and Amazon.

You can find Riley on Twitter and on her website.