Lioness Spotlights Local Author L.B. Benson in Austin, Texas
Local romance author L.B. Benson shares the inspiration for her Andromeda’s Account series, favorite moments from her paranormal romance trilogy The Wolves of Woodbine Hollow, and the art of blending genres to create something new. All of Benson’s books are available for purchase on our Bookshop site!
AS: Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us about your background?
LB: “I’m a native Austinite and got my degree in English from the University of Texas at Austin after exploring several other majors (my final choice should have surprised no one as I’ve always had my nose in a book!). I enjoy reading most genres and hadn’t seriously considered writing until pos-Pandemic when the inspiration for Andromeda’s Account hit.”
AS: Tell us about your paranormal romance trilogy, The Wolves of Woodbine Hollow. Do you have any favorite moments from writing it that you’d like to share?
LB: “This series was something I wanted to write because Andromeda’s Account can be heavy with its themes and I needed something lighter after finishing that story. I had the initial image of Shane riding up on his motorcycle and being immediately smitten with his new neighbor, that, and their first date, were my launch point for the series.”
AS: What intrigues you about blending fantasy and romance?
LB: “I like that you can create a world that is as familiar or as fantastic as you want and let people fill in with their imagination. Many of the elements in Andromeda’s Account are inspired by historical events/actions, etc, but I was able to meld them to create something new. Plus, I always love a touch of magic. I enjoy romance elements because the bond between the characters can really up the ante, and with a romance, no matter how bad things might seem, you know there’s a happy ever after waiting at the end.”
AS: Can you tell us anything about the final book in The Wolves of Woodbine Hollow trilogy, and when do you plan to publish it?
LB: “The final book is in its very early stages while I work on a different book. I know where the story is going, and anyone who has read the end of Neon Elegies will know who the characters are, it’s just a matter of how they get there and how all the ends tie up for the characters we’ve met throughout the series. I hope to finish it this year and publish it in early 2027.”
AS: How can readers support local authors like you?
LB: “It’s always a thrill when readers enjoy our work. I love getting little messages in my DMs about things people liked/characters they loved. Those kinds of things can really keep an author going. Buying from/ordering from local booksellers is always helpful, and leaving reviews/posts/recommendations to spread the word about our books is always helpful!”
Lioness Books supports local authors. Uplifting local authors is crucial to not only the growth and strength of the greater literary community, but free expression and democracy. Ordering from independent booksellers helps us move away from monopolies like Amazon and keeps our economy local. Visit our
Bookshop site to purchase any of L.B. Benson’s books!
