I found SPIRAL after a quick mention by another favorite author, Jessica Park. It’s exquisite. If you love realism in your books, Mila Ferrera is an author you should be getting to know. A psychologist by trade, she knows a thing or two about what mental illness and abuse looks like. Since this area is ripe for authors to craft their plots around, I find a lot of comfort knowing that Ferrera doesn’t need Google to research her characters. I just finished her latest, ONLY BETWEEN US, and it was another stunning, 5 star work.

Ferrera’s book covers, designed by Jennifer Rush, are among my very favorites. No bad stock photos or bad fonts. I don’t know her, but her work speaks for itself.

Oh, and Ferrera also got me to break down and finally join Twitter.  It was time.

1. What is your favorite book?

Just one? I think I’ll cheat. YA–Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. NA–Easy by Tammara Webber. Adult–Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost.

2. Which of your characters was hardest to write? Why?

In ONLY BETWEEN US, Katie. She’s been through so much, and I wanted to show what that might do to a person. It makes her behave in ways that are hard to sympathize with sometimes. I’ve known so many people like that. What they need most is empathy and patience from the people around them, but their behavior makes it difficult for others to do that. We’ll see what readers think of her!

3. As a child were you a tomboy or princess? Have you changed?

More tomboy. Even now, I don’t wear much makeup and you’ll rarely see me in a dress.

4. Given unlimited time, what volunteer work most appeals to you?

What a great question. I like volunteering with children, like providing childcare at church and various events. I used to consult with teachers at Head Starts (I’m a child psychologist), and if I had the time to do that pro bono, I would.

5. Which junk food can you not live without?

Jalapeno poppers with cheddar cheese.

6. Which motivates you more? Success or Failure?

Maybe failure? I am always determined to learn and learn fast. I don’t like repeating mistakes. And I’m driven by the idea of next time.

7. Which character on Sesame Street do you like most? Why?

Oscar the Grouch. As I child I was utterly fascinated by the infinite possibility of his secret garbage can world.

8. What is your guilty pleasure?

A nice cold beer and a rerun of Project Runway.

9. What is your favorite television show of all time?

Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

10. What is your personal motto or philosophy?

Extend grace whenever possible. And if it doesn’t seem possible, try harder. Everybody’s dealing with something.

Bonus: What do you want people to know about SPIRAL and ONLY BETWEEN US?

Both feature strong, competent women (even if they don’t always feel that way) and passionate heroes who treasure that strength. And both books are standalones with HEAs–but realistic ones. Oh, also, both are $.99 for a limited time.

Buy Spiral

Buy Only Between Us

Mila Ferrera lives in New England, where she has a family and a job and does various normal, everyday things, all while plotting novels in her head. She has a passion for writing new adult/adult romance featuring psychological twists and tortured heroes. Her own psychology internship involved plenty of consultation, but alas, no sexy Swedish doctors, and her decision to make one up is what sparked her self-publishing adventures. She’s the author of SPIRAL (available now), ONLY BETWEEN US (9/3/13), and EVERYTHING BETWEEN US (11/5/13).