INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.
Website
Books:
Biohazard
Strapless
Fear of Darkness
The Devil’s Trap
2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?
I’ve been writing for about ten or eleven years. I started writing when I was like eleven. I have dyslexia, so that was about the time I started to actually enjoy reading. And I’d always think “You know, this would make a good story” or “That’s not the way I would have ended that book.” Then I fell in love with this book by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes called Shattered Mirror. I was obsessed with her writing for a while and so I actually bothered to read her bio, and I found out she was published at thirteen. I figured I could do that. I didn’t manage it, but writing stuck.
3) What was your first published book?
Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it? My first books came out back to back. The absolute first one was Fear of Darkness. It’s since been completely rewritten for its re-release with Breathless Press, so I got to change all the things I didn’t like about it when it was first published. Biohazard came out the day after it, and I’d change a lot about that book. It’s a short story, but it wasn’t meant to be. It was a product of me cramming a big idea into a small word count. It’s still a good story. My friend Megan’s favorite actually. But there are so many places where I would expand. And when my contract is up on it, I might ask to pull it to do a rewrite. Think my publisher would go for that?
4) What or Who has influenced your writing?
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, the woman I mentioned above had a huge impact. Laurell K. Hamilton was a big influence on me too, and gave me my love of kick ass heroines. And if there’s anything Sherrilyn Kenyon and J.R. Ward should teach, it’s how to make memorable, amazing heroes.
5) Where do you get your ideas?
Mostly books, and TV. History is a big one for me too. Sometimes something a person says can just set my brain off and send me scrambling for paper.
6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)
OMG. It’s a long list. My attention span is as short as a hummingbird’s on crack. I lack self-discipline like you can’t imagine, which is another reason why I admire J.R. Ward. The internet has to be my biggest problem. I can’t get off of it, and I can find all manner of random things to distract myself with.
7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?
I’m most comfortable in paranormal romance. That’s WHAT I write. I’d like to branch out and do sci-fi and fantasy romance. I really like romance, and would like to stay in the genre. I have a few straight horror ideas, but I just don’t know if they would hold my interest.
8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?
When I get an idea, it usually comes fully formed as the first half of a book. So I write down what I have, and it does become a sort of outline, but I didn’t brainstorm to get there. Now the second half of my books are the tough parts where brainstorming is needed, so usually there’s more outlining there, rather than random notes of stuff. Honestly I’d like to try doing more formal outlining than just jumping in there, but it takes so long, and my brain will go so fast with scenes for a new book. I’ll hit the mid-way point, and go “Well, it’s too late to outline now…”
9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?
I love my book The Devil’s Trap. The hero is yummy bad boyness. He’s an ancient vampire, so he can be a real pain in the butt. He’s one of those characters that was so loud in my head that I had to write his book. And the heroine is the perfect match for him.
10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?
I incorporate some of my likes and dislikes. My music and TV choices. And of course, almost all my characters will have a sense of humor, because that’s what I find appealing in people.
11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?
I like bad boy hero’s and tough heroines. Bad boy hero’s because they’re just yummy. And kick ass heroines because they’re kind of opposite of who I am. I’m very shy, and quiet, and I just like to live vicariously through someone who isn’t.
12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.
The Devil's Trap. See blurb and excerpt below.
13) What do you have in the works?
I’m rewriting Laden’s story now. He’s a werewolf from The Devil’s Trap, and then after comes Alaric’s book, who is also a character in The Devil’s Trap. I’d also like to start work on my sci-fi series, just because it might be nice to start something new and take a break from my paranormals.
14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?
Research the publishers you’re submitting to CAREFULLY. My first publisher was not on the up and up, and I paid for it. And I was lucky to get away from them, because they didn’t give rights back to all the writers that wanted to leave. So never skimp on the research, even if you think they can be trusted, make sure.
And another thing is get feedback on you’re writing. Join a critique group. Submit to contests. It’s important! I was the Acquisitions Manager at Breathless Press for quite a while, and so many things get rejected because of mistakes that would have been pointed out in your critique group.
JUST FOR FUN:
1) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?
I LOVE travel, and I’ll make it simple and say I want to go everywhere. I love studying history and other cultures. At the moment I really want to go to Scotland. Been reading too many books with Scottish hero’s lately.
2) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?
Oh yeah. I love belly dance. I love to watch it, do it, and buy the accessories. I’m mostly a tribal fusion dancer, and a great admirer of Rachel Brice. I’m also a beauty product junky. Mostly makeup, but some skincare and hair care products. I’m actually going to school for skincare and makeup application right now. I will hopefully be a licensed Esthetician by the end of 2012
3) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?
Ian Somerhalder from The Vampire Diaries. He’s so hot, and then you read things he’s written and he’s smart, and started a foundation for the environment, stopping animal cruelty and educating young people on these issues. SO he’s hot, and a positive influence on people.
Format: e-book
BLURB:
Regan is the best vampire hunter money can buy. But when she's paid to kill one of the most powerful vampires in existence, she doesn't realize she's in way over her head. Things go terribly wrong, and there is no escape...
Zarek is so powerful, he scares other vampires. One little hunter should be no challenge. However, Regan is different, and as soon as he sees her, he will do anything to keep her. But she's a stubborn woman who refuses to let someone else control her.
When a powerful enemy comes to town, she's forced to trust Zarek with her life. Who is the larger threat? The man out to destroy humankind? Or the vampire determined to own her heart?
Excerpt: Adult
I reached the wooden bar and slid onto a sleek black stool with a groan of relief. In front of me, a shirtless vampire buffed the countertop, muscles flexing with each circle he made. Now this was a guy you actually dreamed about seeing naked. He was built like a god. Every muscle toned to perfection. He had probably been a big, chiseled guy before, and vampire blood washed away any flaws he might have had as a mortal. His raven-black hair gleamed in the lights. He was the perfect thing to bring in young women for a bite on the neck.
I sighed in pure feminine pleasure. Just because he was a vampire didn't mean I couldn't appreciate the view. But, a black aura and raw vampiric strength bled from him. He would have been jump-his-bones hot if his power didn't creep over my skin like spiders. I suppressed a shudder. No matter how enticing their form, vampires always made my skin crawl.
His gaze met mine, and I drew in a breath. He had the most gorgeous violet eyes. They were filled with an ancient intelligence. His lips curled into an amused grin, as if he knew I was ogling his body.
I frowned. It annoyed me that he read me so easily. I shook my head. I needed to remember the real reason I was here. I was here to kill Zarek, not drool over some gorgeous vampire. I was in a den of evil creatures, and he was one of them. Now really wasn't the time to do any lusting.
The smile widened and he raised his voice over the music. "What can I get you?"
He had a subtle accent I couldn't identify, and the deep, growling bass made my toes curl. It soothed my nerves in spite of what he was and caused another kind of excitement to bubble in my stomach. God, this was not the right guy to get that good down-low tickle for. Focus, Regan!
I cleared my throat and leaned closer to him. "I'd like to see the owner."
The smirk turned wicked and suggestive. "I'm Zarek. I'm the owner." He scanned my body, eyes finally resting on my throat. The scrutiny made me flush and wish I could hide my neck. Unfortunately, my black tank top and ultra-short shorts didn't leave much to cover up with. People who went into vampire clubs usually favored bare skin and a gothic appearance, so I'd been forced to blend.
Had he fed tonight? Vampires were twice as dangerous when they were hungry. The better question was, had he killed tonight? For some strange reason, I found myself hoping he hadn't. I tried to shake the ridiculous feeling. Even if he hadn't killed tonight, he had in the past. And even if he'd stopped, like Alaric and his brothers, it didn't change what he was, or the fact that someone wanted him dead.
He licked his lips before meeting my gaze again, leading me to believe that he hadn't fed. Great, I wouldn't leave this place without giving a little blood to him, even if I ended up killing him. If a vampire wanted blood, he'd find a way to take it.
"Again, how can I help you?"
I barely kept my curse of frustration to myself. I'd hoped to meet with him in private. Fighting to the death in the middle of his bar was a bad idea.
***Read the first two chapters of The Devil’s Trap here
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