Rising Stars: Meet Karlee Berrios of Glendale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karlee Berrios

Hi Karlee, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always loved stories. That’s where it all begins for me. Since I was a kid, hiding in my room, wondering why I wasn’t the same as everyone else, I found comfort and connection with the characters in my books. Characters who fought against all odds and stayed true to themselves, even when all seemed lost. As I got older, the stories I read changed, but the themes never did. High fantasy, folklore, and paranormal adventures always followed along the path of fighting against oppressive systems and finding ourselves. When I was diagnosed with ADHD and autism in my late 20s, everything finally clicked into place. I started researching and managing my neurodiversity and found the strength within it. When I finally did that, the stories lying dormant in my mind made themselves known, begging to be written. Stories of misunderstood people and those who love them. I’ve written four books at this time, working on many more, one at a time. My books have connected with readers all over the world, helping them to feel a little bit less alone, and that’s everything I could ever have hoped for.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Growing up in a high demand, cult-like religion leaves its claws in you, well after you’ve left it. When I write something I know my church wouldn’t approve of, or that my parents would feel shame for, it’s hard to push through to the other side. I’m more free and more full of joy than I could ever have found in that space, but it’s whisperings of shame and doubt still haunt me from time to time.
Being neurodivergent is a struggle of its own, as well. Some days I physically don’t have the mental energy to do the things I know I need to do. If I don’t manage my health perfectly, focusing can become impossible. I have to put just as much time and effort into taking care of myself as I do working, on top of being a stay at home mom. It’s a lot for one person to juggle, but the advantage of ADHD is that I almost exclusively work well under pressure.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I write paranormal and fantasy romance novels. I write stories about women embracing their darker sides, leaning into the parts of themselves others have tried to tamp down. Those who have read my stories know that I love powerful women and the men who stand behind them, cheering them on. In my high fantasy trilogy, Elva starts as a quiet, “well-mannered” political representative, venturing to find peace with a rival nation. But as she learns more about the propaganda she was fed by her own nation, she embraces her powers, emboldened by the king she’s just met. She finds strength hidden within herself, just like I think all women do when they break away from people who try to hold them down. I’m really proud of the deeply flawed, complex characters I write. People aren’t one-dimensional, good or bad, we are all complicated and have our darker parts. They’re just as valid and worthy of love as our more palatable traits. My characters often feature traits of my neurodiversity. One character from my upcoming paranormal romance has ADHD and it shows in her impulsive, sometimes self-destructive behaviors. I put little pieces of myself in every character I write, and I think that helps people connect with them the way they do.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Everyone struggles with imposter syndrome. And the further you get into your journey, when you think it should abate, it does not. And we have to acknowledge the thought, thank it for trying to protect us, and then push through.

Pricing:

• Albatross Signed Paperback 18.95
• Shrike Signed Paperback 20.95
• The Horned King Signed Paperback 19.95
• All books are free to read on Kindle Unlimited

Contact Info:

• Website: https://authorkarleeberrios.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkarleeberrios
• Other: https://linktr.ee/authorkarleeberrios

Image Credits
Character Artist: Bel Wysocki
The Horned King Cover Artist: Tasha Richelle of Occult Goddess Designs