Author Interview: Brittney Arena

Get the inside scoop on ‘A Dance of Lies’!

Brittney Arena is the author of our July Adult ‘Dancing with Danger’ featured book: A Dance of Lies.
Read on to get the inside scoop from inspiration to favourite scenes and more!

What inspired the setting of A Dance of Lies?

When I was dreaming up this book, I was bedbound for two years and I needed something visual and escapist. I’ve always loved where science meets magic and that’s where some of the glass technology comes from. I chose the seaside palace because I wanted so desperately to be by the ocean, and it just came about! It’s all quite self indulgent with things I love and have been inspired by through the years.


What was it that drew you to dance specifically?

I’ve always loved all forms of art, I’m an artist at heart! While I wasn’t a professional dancer, I took ballet, jazz and tap when I was young. I always thought I would do something on the stage with my career until I realised I couldn’t keep up and I didn’t know why. So this was my way of reliving it all again, it’s my chance to be on the stage without being on the stage! It’s my chance to infuse a book with all of my love for it.

As her creator, what do you love the most about your protagonist, Vasalie?

I would say her resilience! I wrote her story in 2018 during a time when I was grieving the body I thought I had, my health. I think for Vasalie, I clung to her determination until it became my own, because I had lost all of mine. I was learning to survive and persist despite my pain, and that’s a big thing for her. She taught me and reminded me what it’s like to have that drive and determination, but also to find purpose and escapism and creativity through art.

What core themes do you hope readers take away from the book?

I hope it’s a reminder that if you live with any type of pain, whether it’s physical or emotional pain, you’re not alone, and your words matter, your story matters, and you should be proud of what you’ve survived and what you’ve overcome.

What advice would you give to readers preparing to dive into A Dance of Lies?

Remember, it’s a slow burn of a story. It’s slow burn in pacing and romance! This is only the beginning of a love story, there’s lots of heat and tension and banter!

How does A Dance of Lies explore ideas of trust and deception?

There’s very much that element of Vasalie not knowing who to trust, and trying to figure that out. Sometimes she make the wrong decisions. There’s a lot of deception uncovered throughout the book and that was really fun to write! 

What did you find most challenging about writing this book?

Probably timing! I wrote this book in 2018, the journey varies for everybody. There were multiple points where I thought the book was dead and I had to mentally give it up to protect myself and then I had to learn to pick it back up again, to fall in love with it and to keep going. If I were to rewrite it today I might write it a bit differently, and I’ve had to remind myself I wrote this because of who I was then, even if it’s not perfect it was important to me then. I’ve learnt to love and accept it how it is, it’s what it needed to be at that time. That’s been a challenge but an important lesson for me!

What can you tell us (if anything) about the sequel?

It’s written! It’s the hardest book that I’ve ever written but it’s also been so fun, the romance takes the forefront in book two. There’s as much banter as there is in book one, it’s packed full! It might not be where you expect…

Author recommends

Have you ever wondered which books your favourite author thinks are an absolute must read? Well, wonder no more! Here are four books Brittney Arena thinks everyone needs on their TBR: