Friendship, Fire, and Mystery: Renaii West on “America Tonight with Kate Delaney”

by ReadersMagnet | November 6, 2025 | radio interview | 0 Comments

In a lively and heartfelt conversation on America Tonight with Kate Delaney, author Renaii West shared her journey of writing her intriguing and character-driven novel, The Wrong Side of the Flame: A Brighid LaFlamme Mystery. The interview provided listeners with an inside look into West’s inspiration, creative process, and the deep themes that make her book stand out in the world of cozy mysteries.

The Spark Behind the Story

When asked about her inspiration for writing The Wrong Side of the Flame, West explained that her fascination with the dual nature of pleasure and pain was the foundation of her story. She likened it to simple life lessons – enjoying one margarita for fun versus the regret that follows after a pitcher, or relationships that start with excitement but turn controlling.

For West, fire was the perfect metaphor.

“Fire is soothing and warm,” she shared, “but if you don’t respect it, it becomes dangerous. That duality fascinated me, and I wanted to make fire a character in my book.”

Inspiration from Real-Life Experiences

West also revealed that her personal journey into belly dancing and performing with fire played a significant role in shaping the novel. Over the last decade, she immersed herself in belly dancing for exercise and eventually joined a performance group. This experience exposed her to a unique and diverse community of performers – people who, though unconventional, were intelligent, artistic, and deeply supportive of one another.

“These people were never represented in books or media except as villains or jokes,” she explained. “I wanted to write a story that captured their depth, humor, and sense of family.”

A Closer Look at The Wrong Side of the Flame

At the heart of the novel is Brighid LaFlame, a modern-day fire goddess and leader of a tight-knit group of performers in Los Angeles. Brighid befriends a newcomer – an ambitious aspiring actor – and together, they form a powerful friendship. But when tragedy strikes and the newcomer dies in a suspicious fire, Brighid refuses to accept the official ruling of “accident.”

Driven by loyalty and instinct, Brighid and her friends investigate, piecing together clues that reveal hidden truths. Along the way, the story explores the dual nature of ambition – how the drive for success can inspire growth but also lead to destructive choices when boundaries are crossed.

The Power of Friendship

Throughout the interview, West emphasized that her novel is not just a mystery but also a tribute to friendship and chosen families. Brighid’s circle of friends, each with unique skills, band together to find justice, even if it means stepping into morally gray areas.

“It’s about following your gut when you know something isn’t right,” West said. “And about the strength that comes when friends stand together.”

Writing with Passion

West shared that while she begins each book with a planned plot and ending, her writing process is often fluid and organic.

“Once I start writing, ideas just flow,” she explained. “The muse can be fickle, but when she shows up, it’s magic – even if sometimes it’s at three in the morning.”

This organic approach allows her characters to feel authentic and dynamic, making readers feel as though they are part of Brighid’s world.

Seeing the Book Come to Life

When asked how it felt to see her book out in the world finally, West described the experience as surreal and deeply rewarding. She recalled moments when readers picked up her book at events simply because they were drawn to its striking cover.

Despite her humility about self-promotion, West expressed pride in the positive feedback and connections her story has created among readers.

Lessons and Takeaways

The Wrong Side of the Flame offers more than just suspense; it provides thoughtful reflections on life. West hopes readers will walk away with three key lessons:

• The importance of valuing friendship and trust
• The courage to follow gut instincts
• The wisdom of understanding boundaries, symbolized by staying on “the right side of the flame.”

“There’s a reason for our comfort zones,” she noted. “It’s good to take risks, but not every risk is worth it.”

Looking Ahead

Fans of West’s storytelling will be delighted to know that she is already working on her third novel, which revisits characters from her debut book. True to her style, the upcoming story will blend strong female characters, cozy mystery elements, and emotional depth, ensuring that readers stay engaged from beginning to end.

Final Thoughts

Renaii West’s interview with Kate Delaney was a captivating glimpse into the mind of a passionate storyteller. With its blend of mystery, friendship, and thought-provoking themes, The Wrong Side of the Flame: A Brighid LaFlamme Mystery is more than just a cozy mystery – it’s a celebration of human connections and the balance between risk and reward. Get a copy of the book on Amazon. Visit https://www.renaiiwest.com/ to learn more about West and her works. Listen to her full radio interview with Kate Delaney on ReadersMagnet’s YouTube channel.