Rukia Publishing Featured Author
The Black Rose
Today I would like to introduce The Black Rose, aka Alexandra, who has kindly taken part in an interview with author and blogger Sarah Jane Butfield. If you enjoy the feature be sure to share or retweet the link.

The Black Rose Biography
The Black Rose is an author, photographer, and painter. Born in Chicago, she currently residing in New York with the love her life, her Hokkaido Dog, Kuma. She began writing at the age of seven and dabbled until she woke up one day and simply had to write a novel. She has two 5-Star reviewed novels, both with sequels on the way.
She categorizes her writing very simply - interpersonal relationships: people's feelings, thoughts, emotions, and the intimacies between two people that truly love each other despite the circumstances surrounding them. “I write about love, honor, and doing the right thing, even when it seems disadvantageous, even when it's not the popular path to take.” She sees her writing as a gift from God, and appreciates and learns from her stories.
Her passion for writing stemmed from her immense love for art, which began drawing at age five and moved into oil painting by age eight. Her love for photography soon followed and she spends hours photographing, filming, and laying out her book covers. She produces her book trailers and will soon produce short films, all of which will be available on theblackrosenyc.com in the Photography and Filmography sections. Also under development on theblackrosenyc.com is “Privé with The Black Rose” to showcase behind-the-scenes insights to her writing, novels, photography, and filmmaking.
Hello Alexandra and welcome to Rukia Publishing. Thank you for taking part in our meet the author feature.
The Black Rose is an author, photographer, and painter. Born in Chicago, she currently residing in New York with the love her life, her Hokkaido Dog, Kuma. She began writing at the age of seven and dabbled until she woke up one day and simply had to write a novel. She has two 5-Star reviewed novels, both with sequels on the way.
She categorizes her writing very simply - interpersonal relationships: people's feelings, thoughts, emotions, and the intimacies between two people that truly love each other despite the circumstances surrounding them. “I write about love, honor, and doing the right thing, even when it seems disadvantageous, even when it's not the popular path to take.” She sees her writing as a gift from God, and appreciates and learns from her stories.
Her passion for writing stemmed from her immense love for art, which began drawing at age five and moved into oil painting by age eight. Her love for photography soon followed and she spends hours photographing, filming, and laying out her book covers. She produces her book trailers and will soon produce short films, all of which will be available on theblackrosenyc.com in the Photography and Filmography sections. Also under development on theblackrosenyc.com is “Privé with The Black Rose” to showcase behind-the-scenes insights to her writing, novels, photography, and filmmaking.
Hello Alexandra and welcome to Rukia Publishing. Thank you for taking part in our meet the author feature.

What was the inspiration for writing The Yugoslavian?
The look in one man’s eyes.
Who is your target audience for this book?
Any reader who enjoys stories about honor, doing the right thing, standing up for the underdog, and true, honest love.
What is the best aspect of self-publishing for you and your book?
Not giving up control to someone else’s idea of what your book should be. I notice you don’t ask what the worst aspect of self-publishing is.
That would be far too risky Alexandra, stay focused on the positives I say!
How long did it take you to write The Yugoslavian?
In my head about an hour. In physical form, the book was there in about 25-35 days; however, I let it sit for years until I felt it was time.
Wow, that's awesome, you are prolific!
What is the biggest source of inspiration in your writing life?
God and my pup.
Is there one book or author that has inspired you more than any other?
Yes, the only book, The Bible. Everything that could possibly happen is in there. My favorite author is John.
What are 3 of your favourite lines/quotes from The Yugoslavian?
“If you can write, you can read. And if you can read, you can better understand the world and its different societies. Knowledge is the key to destroying prejudice and individual hate, which always culminates in violence against the innocent.”
“But boys that are thieves grow up into men that are thieves, and there is no honor in theft,” he added very seriously.
“Love,” he whispered again.
Do you have a favourite time of day for writing and why?
24/7. I don’t actually stop writing. I think of things all day long and sometimes at night as well. That’s why I keep my iPad next to my pillow. I wake up, I think of something, and I email myself notes.
I can totally believe that, I do the emailing of notes to myself too!
What are you currently reading and why did you choose it?
I’m always reading The Bible. It’s more of a study, than a read. Other than that, my reading consists of research for novels. Currently, I am researching the Roman Empire, and the religious wars between the Ottomans and the regions of the Balkans—both for upcoming novels.
Who is your biggest source of inspiration in your writing life?
Other than God and my pup, being told I can’t accomplish something.
This is probably a silly question, after your answers to the previous questions, but do you take time off when you finish a book or do you start the next project straight away?
No time off. I sometimes work on books simultaneously. But when I’m editing, I lock down on one book and keep editing it until it’s right.
Do you have a current writing project that you would like to share with us?
There are three. I’m currently editing the second book in The Killing Game Series
http://www.theblackrosenyc.com/Books/The-Killing-Game-Series/the-killing-game-series.html called The Chase http://www.theblackrosenyc.com/Books/The-Killing-Game-Series/The-Chase/the-chase.html
This series details the life of Ives Andrich, a very powerful man in the FBI, whom, through an unfortunate series of events, involves the woman he loves in his cases. The series deals with effects of mistakes made by both Ives and Allina, the hero and heroine.
The first book in the series contained more action; this second book is more cerebral. Because I established the characters in the first book, there is more time for recollection and introspection by the characters. The reader hears more of what the hero is thinking versus watching him act or should I say react. I keep pushing out The Chase’s release date until I know it’s how I want it to be. I will release it very soon.
I am also working on The Denial http://www.theblackrosenyc.com/Books/The-Killing-Game-Series/The-Denial/the-denial.html Part Three of The Killing Game Series. And I am working on The Black Rebel http://www.theblackrosenyc.com/Books/The-Yugoslavian-Series/The-Black-Rebel/the-black-rebel.html Book Two in The Yugoslavian series. After these, the list continues. There’s always a project coming to the forefront.
If you could share one thing about yourself that you would like readers to know, what would it be?
Everything anyone needs to know about me is in my stories.
I wanted to thank you, Sarah, for this interview and for all you do for fellow authors, even with your busy writing career. You do epitomize the saying, “Pay it forward!” Thank you very much!
Alexandra, thank you so much for such an honest, refreshing interview. We look forward to reading more from you on our blog very soon!!
If you want to know more about Alexandra, The Black Rose and her books check out these links
Author and book links:
The Yugoslavian You Tube Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fHxp903KKw
The Killing Game Part 1 Blood Negotiators Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0-vTZJX98A
The Killing Game Part 2 The Chase: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmoxqc1kf8I
Twitter: @theblackrosenyc
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/theblackrosenyc
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/TheBlackRoseNYC
Amazon links: amazon.com/author/theblackrose
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/the-black-rose
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/theblackrose
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/theblackrosenyc/
Google+: +TheBlackRoseNYC
Author website: http://www.theblackrosenyc.com
The look in one man’s eyes.
Who is your target audience for this book?
Any reader who enjoys stories about honor, doing the right thing, standing up for the underdog, and true, honest love.
What is the best aspect of self-publishing for you and your book?
Not giving up control to someone else’s idea of what your book should be. I notice you don’t ask what the worst aspect of self-publishing is.
That would be far too risky Alexandra, stay focused on the positives I say!
How long did it take you to write The Yugoslavian?
In my head about an hour. In physical form, the book was there in about 25-35 days; however, I let it sit for years until I felt it was time.
Wow, that's awesome, you are prolific!
What is the biggest source of inspiration in your writing life?
God and my pup.
Is there one book or author that has inspired you more than any other?
Yes, the only book, The Bible. Everything that could possibly happen is in there. My favorite author is John.
What are 3 of your favourite lines/quotes from The Yugoslavian?
“If you can write, you can read. And if you can read, you can better understand the world and its different societies. Knowledge is the key to destroying prejudice and individual hate, which always culminates in violence against the innocent.”
“But boys that are thieves grow up into men that are thieves, and there is no honor in theft,” he added very seriously.
“Love,” he whispered again.
Do you have a favourite time of day for writing and why?
24/7. I don’t actually stop writing. I think of things all day long and sometimes at night as well. That’s why I keep my iPad next to my pillow. I wake up, I think of something, and I email myself notes.
I can totally believe that, I do the emailing of notes to myself too!
What are you currently reading and why did you choose it?
I’m always reading The Bible. It’s more of a study, than a read. Other than that, my reading consists of research for novels. Currently, I am researching the Roman Empire, and the religious wars between the Ottomans and the regions of the Balkans—both for upcoming novels.
Who is your biggest source of inspiration in your writing life?
Other than God and my pup, being told I can’t accomplish something.
This is probably a silly question, after your answers to the previous questions, but do you take time off when you finish a book or do you start the next project straight away?
No time off. I sometimes work on books simultaneously. But when I’m editing, I lock down on one book and keep editing it until it’s right.
Do you have a current writing project that you would like to share with us?
There are three. I’m currently editing the second book in The Killing Game Series
http://www.theblackrosenyc.com/Books/The-Killing-Game-Series/the-killing-game-series.html called The Chase http://www.theblackrosenyc.com/Books/The-Killing-Game-Series/The-Chase/the-chase.html
This series details the life of Ives Andrich, a very powerful man in the FBI, whom, through an unfortunate series of events, involves the woman he loves in his cases. The series deals with effects of mistakes made by both Ives and Allina, the hero and heroine.
The first book in the series contained more action; this second book is more cerebral. Because I established the characters in the first book, there is more time for recollection and introspection by the characters. The reader hears more of what the hero is thinking versus watching him act or should I say react. I keep pushing out The Chase’s release date until I know it’s how I want it to be. I will release it very soon.
I am also working on The Denial http://www.theblackrosenyc.com/Books/The-Killing-Game-Series/The-Denial/the-denial.html Part Three of The Killing Game Series. And I am working on The Black Rebel http://www.theblackrosenyc.com/Books/The-Yugoslavian-Series/The-Black-Rebel/the-black-rebel.html Book Two in The Yugoslavian series. After these, the list continues. There’s always a project coming to the forefront.
If you could share one thing about yourself that you would like readers to know, what would it be?
Everything anyone needs to know about me is in my stories.
I wanted to thank you, Sarah, for this interview and for all you do for fellow authors, even with your busy writing career. You do epitomize the saying, “Pay it forward!” Thank you very much!
Alexandra, thank you so much for such an honest, refreshing interview. We look forward to reading more from you on our blog very soon!!
If you want to know more about Alexandra, The Black Rose and her books check out these links
Author and book links:
The Yugoslavian You Tube Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fHxp903KKw
The Killing Game Part 1 Blood Negotiators Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0-vTZJX98A
The Killing Game Part 2 The Chase: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmoxqc1kf8I
Twitter: @theblackrosenyc
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/theblackrosenyc
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/TheBlackRoseNYC
Amazon links: amazon.com/author/theblackrose
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/the-black-rose
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/theblackrose
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/theblackrosenyc/
Google+: +TheBlackRoseNYC
Author website: http://www.theblackrosenyc.com
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