Ahead of the release of Tonight, I Bleed, second book in the Witches of Halstett series, we chatted with author Katharine J. Adams about what to expect in her thrilling next installment!

What can readers expect in Book 2?

Witch burnings and balls, battles and rebellion, twisted plots and stolen thrones, betrayals, and a sprinkling of spice! And more book sprites! We get deeper inside the characters’ heads and backstories. What’s motivating everyone and how did they all end up here—and what games are they really playing!

Was there a specific scene you loved writing?

Definitely! I had so much fun writing the scene with the Resistance gang having an impromptu party while they plan their next move. Afterwards, Malin and Penny are alone and he allows himself a moment of vulnerability under the stars. Malin is so strong all the time and tries to protect Penny and the others, so him leaning on Penny and Penny supporting him was delicious to write. The kiss after was as well!

(This scene ties with the one where Malin punches Dante in the face—so satisfying to write)!

Can you tell us a bit about your writing process?

I write anywhere and everywhere—at the park, in the garden, waiting for the kids at the dance studio. Once I turn on the playlist for a world, I vanish into the words and lose myself in writing. Before I start a working on a new story, I make a playlist of vibes, a Pinterest board for aesthetics, and create a simple outline of the plot. I use bullet points so the biggest plot beats are set which keeps the story moving forwards and let the characters work out how to get between them as I draft. I like giving the characters chance to play. They surprise you when they have a bit of freedom and that’s where the magic happens.

What do you love most about where Tonight, I Bleed takes this story?

I love how Penny’s relationships strengthen as they begin to rebuild what’s been broken. She stands up for herself and what she believes in even against the people she loves, and learns to trust herself. She’s faced with some really tough decisions in this book, and her growth is close to my heart. The direction the romance takes and how Penny processes it was important to me, too. (And there’s balls! Who can resist a good ball scene!! I love writing parties.)

What do you hope readers take away from this second instalment?

That sometimes we have to do what we think is right and not what makes people happy. It’s ok to stand up for yourself and what you believe in. While we fight for what’s right, there will always be hope no matter how dark the world seems. Penny’s world is grim and colourless, but they never give up fighting for something better.

Out of your three main characters, Penny, Malin, and Alice, which do you relate to more? And bonus, which do you love writing about the most?

Penny! She overthinks everything and tries so hard to do what’s right, then she’ll make an impulsive decision and get herself in a pickle. I immigrated halfway round the world on an impulsive decision, so I think we have that in common!

Don’t tell the others, but I love writing Alice the most! I adore how she’s both delicate as dandelion fluff and steady as a rock at the same time. She has so much on her shoulders but she handles it all with so much grace.

Let us know your favourite line/s you wrote in Tonight, I Bleed!

Oh gosh! Just one is impossible—I love this book!

This section is one of my favourites I’ve ever written:

Alice is sparkling. Her power unimaginable. The spaces in my magic, tiny fissures created by my gilding, are embroidered with the sheer strands of hers. Little fractures in her magic welcome mine, folding me into her and her into me. Frayed edges weave together. Scars remain below the surface of our skin; the temple massacre wrote its devastation deep into our flesh, but we are stronger together for our mending.

And I love this one:

What is broken can be remade. My past is real, but I have grown beyond it. I survived. If scars are stronger than normal skin, then I am wearing armour.

Tonight, I Bleed is out on March 26th!