Hey book lovers! I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Evette Davis, the brilliant mind behind The Others and The Gift, both part of The Counsel Trilogy. With The Gift (Book 2) hitting shelves on March 18, 2025, I couldn’t be happier to have her join me on the blog!
Evette’s storytelling is pure magic – think supernatural intrigue, powerful women, and the kind of twists that make you stay up way past your bedtime. If you haven’t dived into her books yet, trust me, you’re in for a treat.
Without further ado, here’s our chat!
Nacia: What was your favorite part about developing Olivia’s character in The Gift?
Evette: Olivia is what I call an unreliable narrator. She’s a wildcard, angry and often impetuous. She acts before she thinks and is full of regret and longing; she cannot help but lash out at the people she loves as she navigates all the change and pain she’s experiencing. At the same time, she’s brave, loyal, and fearless when she should be cautious. In short, she’s a mess. I love writing about messy women because they are authentic, and other women (readers) can relate to them. Being on Olivia’s journey of self-discovery has been an absolute pleasure.
Nacia: That supernatural ball scene was everything—dark, sexy, and full of intrigue! What inspired that moment?
Evette: I’m not sure if it exists post-pandemic, but years ago, there was an event in Paris affiliated with one of the former editors of Vogue. I remember reading about it and thinking it was the sexiest thing I had ever seen. I knew immediately that I wanted to create something similar for Olivia, William, and Josef. Obviously, I added all of the supernatural intrigue to the event and the knife thrower. I thought that sounded like good mischief.
Nacia: If you could have one of Olivia’s gifts, which one would you pick and why?
Evette: I would want her power of persuasion. I’d love to win arguments with difficult people! A close second would be moving objects with my mind because why not? The empathic aspect is my least favorite because who wants to be the receptacle of other people’s emotions?
Nacia: Did you have any specific actors or celebrities in mind when creating the characters? Because I may or may not be fan-casting them in my head!
Evette: OMG. For years, Matthew McConaughey has popped into my head for William because of his accent. Josef—for some reason, and it’s VERY DATED—always appears in my imagination as Josef Fiennes. (Have I dated myself?) I’m all ears to hear your ideas!
Interestingly, I spend more time daydreaming about who would direct the movies or who would develop the soundtrack. I’m partial to female directors. For the soundtrack, I think Gregory Alan Isakov would be high on my list.
Nacia: What is your writing process like? What’s your go-to drink or snack while writing?
Evette: Because I have a day job co-running a public relations firm, I have to do my writing on nights, weekends, and vacations. (Sorry, family!) I usually write 2-3 hours a night. I’ve just come off an incredible few years where I was completing a trilogy, and now I’m publishing three books in one year! I am contemplating taking a brief break before I start on a new project. For my snacks, I have two words: coffee and chocolate.
Nacia: Do you have a favorite scene or moment in The Gift that made you go, “Yes, this is it”?
Evette: There are a couple of scenes later in the story, one when they’re hiding out after the blizzard—trying not to spoil the plot—and one later at a dinner when Josef opens up about his life. I felt pure electricity at how it all felt when I read it aloud. The wheel just turns, cementing their love for one another. It’s an essential foundation for The Campaign (Book 3) because things get CRAZY in the final installment.
Nacia: What draws you to writing about the supernatural? Were you always a fan of vampires and witches?
Evette: I’ve always been attracted to science fiction and fantasy. I was the kid checking out all Stephen King books at the library. I’ve read Dracula six times. Before I agreed to marry my husband, he had to promise to watch all past, current, and future Star Trek movies with me.
I love the otherworldly nature of sci-fi and fantasy, how the genre can tackle contemporary themes, and the freedom it provides to bend time and space to examine some of humanity’s most vexing issues.
Nacia: If you could step into The Counsel Trilogy for a day, what character’s life would you want to experience?
Evette: I think I would choose Elsa because she’s a leader who takes charge of the situation, which is very much my nature.
Nacia: What’s one thing you hope readers take away from The Gift?
Evette: My first priority is always telling a good story that keeps readers entertained and engaged. I want you to start reading The Gift, lose all sense of time, stay up all night, and be late for work. Beyond that, I hope people relate to Olivia’s journey and root for her success.
Nacia: What’s a book or series you’re currently loving and would recommend?
Evette: I’ll give you two by the same author:
- Starlight’s Shadow Trilogy by Jesse Mihalik. A female bounty hunter forced to work with her enemy in space? Count me in! The sexual chemistry is palpable once the loathing subsides.
- Consortium Rebellion Series by Jesse Mihalik. Set in a galaxy far, far away, Mihalik has created a space opera featuring daring siblings with superhuman powers. It’s high stakes and I’ve reread it multiple times!
There you have it, lovelies! Huge thanks to Evette Davis for taking the time to chat. Be sure to check out The Gift and immerse yourself in the supernatural drama of The Counsel Trilogy. Let me know in the comments if you’ve read The Others and what you’re most excited to see in Book 3.
Happy reading, friends! And don’t forget to follow Evette Davis for all the latest updates.
Lavender Bliss 