SVR – New Reviewer

Woo Hoo! I’m adding another new reviewer to the blog and thought I’d do a quick interview with her so that you all could get to know Midnightloon a bit. So without further adieu, here’s our interview.

1) Hi Midnightloon, welcome to my virtual lair! We’ll start off with why you’re interested in joining the blog-o-sphere to write reviews?

Well for many years, blogs have helped me find many great books that I wouldn’t have found
otherwise. I decided that I want to share my thoughts with others who love reading to help them. The price of books are always increasing and knowing others thoughts can affect the purchase and help a reader find an enjoyable book.

2) So you’re a bookaholic just like me, this is great! What are your favorite genres to read?

Yes, a bookaholic is what I am. I was tripping over so many books I moved most to the garage so I could use that space to buy more :P. My favorite genres are paranormal romance, urban fantasy, a little young adult and some manga (when I want to look at pictures.)

3) Do you have one favorite author, or a whole bunch of them like me? Can you tell us a few?

Ooh, tough one. I like a bunch and waiting 6 months to a year for their books is sometimes hard. Let me see a few of my favorites are, Nalini Singh, Michelle Rowen, C.T. Adams, Rachel Caine, Charlaine Harris, Ilona Andrews and Carrie Vaughn.

4) I started blogging & reviewing the books I love to read because I don’t really have anyone here in the city I live in to discuss them with, is it the same for you?

There are two different people who I sometimes talk to. Both work for the Indigo in town and when I go in and start talking to either of them, time flies. I feel like I’m taking them away from other costumers and their jobs, even though one of them is the manager.

5) Tell us a bit about yourself. Likes? Dislikes? Hobbies?

In September, I’ll be going for my accounting technology course. For the last year I’ve been recovering from having kidney surgery, so I’m kinda going stir-crazy. My hobbies are mostly reading, the computer (facebook junky) and travelling when I’m well. My likes include watching hockey (Go Bruins!!), walking, new books XD and cooking. My dislikes are having to watch what I eat, while someone else eats what I want. When books are reprinted and they come out with a new cover 😡 (How am I supposed to remember if I already read it?) And last but not least, when people judge others with invisible illnesses to standards they cannot meet. 😀 Are those random enough answers?

6) If you could be any one supernatural creature, what would you be? If you could have any one power, what would it be?

If I could be a supernatural creature, I’d want to be a powerful witch. If I could have any one power, I’d want the power to absorb other people powers to use them, like that guy on Heroes.

7) If you were stranded on an island, what five books would you must have there with you to keep you from going insane?

The first book I’d want would be one on how to survive on said island (travel guide maybe). The rest would be Pride and Prejudice, and Nalini Singh “Guild Hunter” series.

8.) If you met someone who was just getting into reading our genres of choice, which one book from each genre would you recommend? Urban Fantasy? Paranormal Romance? Young Adult? Fantasy? Historical Romance? (Or if one book is too hard to pick, you can go with an author from each genre)

Urban Fantasy: Rachel Caine (Weather Warden Series), Paranormal Romance: Nalini Singh, Young Adult: L.J. Smith, Fantasy: Anne Bishop, Historical Romance: Jane Feather.

9) What’s your favorite movie that was done as a book adaptation? IE: Harry Potter, Twilight, Percy Jackson
& The Lightning Thief, Lord Of The Rings, The Pirates Of The Caribbean, etc

I never read the book but I really enjoyed The Pirates Of The Caribbean movies. Then again maybe I just liked them because of the eye candy in them (Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom) 😛

10) If you could sit down and have a coffee with any author of your choice, living or dead, who would you choose?

I would pick L.J Smith. I’ve been wondering what happened to the last book in “Nightworld” series, “Strange Fate” it’s been promised since 1998 and it’s still not even started from what I hear.

 

Well, there you have it boys and girls. Our new reviewer, Midnightloon! =) Please give her a warm welcome and if you have any questions for her feel free to ask away in the comments.

 

SVR – New Reviewer

 Woo Hoo! I’m adding my first new reviewer to the blog and thought I’d do a quick interview with her so that you all could get to know Tori a bit. (She says that she doesn’t have a pic of herself to share with us, so this little vampy goth girl will be her avatar on SVR from now on.) 🙂 (I’ll keep trying to talk her into sending me one even though I know she’s kinda shy). So without further adieu, here’s our interview.

1) Hi Tori, welcome to my virtual lair! We’ll start off with why you’re interested in joining the blog-o-sphere to write reviews?  I’ve always been interested in sharing my love of books with other people and by writing reviews I will be able to do that.

2) So you’re a bookaholic just like me, this is great! What are your favorite genres to read?  I am definitely a bookaholic like you Sidhe.  I love spending hours just reading books. and I love being taken to other places and being introduced to different characters.  I also own so many books right now. My favorite genres include: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult and Fantasy.

3) Do you have one favorite author, or a whole bunch of them like me? Can you tell us a few? It’s really hard to pick just one favorite author because there are so many wonderful authors out there.  I have more than one favorite and I am always interested in reading new author’s books. I love Stephenie Meyer, Penny Jordan, Maggie Stiefvater, Ted Dekker, Becca Fitzpatrick and Lauren Kate.

4) I started blogging & reviewing the books I love to read because I don’t really have anyone here in the city I live in to discuss them with, is it the same for you? Yes it is pretty much the same for me to. I really don’t have anyone around here who understands my love for books and reading.

5) Tell us a bit about yourself. Likes? Dislikes? Hobbies? I have been a legal secretary for 16 years.  I’ve been married for 11 years and have a 6-year-old son.  I am quiet and shy.  I don’t like to be around a lot of people.  I love reading, going to the movies and bowling.  I also enjoy going on cruises.  They are a lot of fun.  I also enjoy going to Myrtle Beach. I also love listening to music and going to concerts.

6) If you could be any one supernatural creature, what would you be? If you could have any one power, what would it be?  I love vampires so I would want to be one of them.  I wish I could have the power to heal people.

7) If you were stranded on an island, what five books would you need to have there with you to keep you from going insane?  I would have to say the whole Twilight series.  I am a big Twilight fan.

8) If you met someone who was just getting into reading our genres of choice, which one book from each genre would you recommend? Urban Fantasy? Paranormal Romance? Young Adult? Fantasy?

Urban Fantasy – The Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Diepen, Paranormal Romance – The Restorer by Amanda Stevens, Young Adult – Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, Fantasy – The Lord Of The Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

9) What’s your favorite movie that was done as a book adaptation? IE: Harry Potter, Twilight, Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief, Lord Of The Rings, etc  My favorite movies are the Twilight saga. I think they did a good job with the movies.  There are differences, but the movies never are the same as the books.

10) If you could sit down and have a coffee with any author of your choice, living or dead, who would you choose?  I would choose Stephenie Meyer.

Well, there you have it boys and girls. Our new reviewer, Tori Vicious! (Yes, I am making this “made of awesome” lady an honorary member of the “Vicious” clan). 😀 Please give her a warm welcome and if you have any questions for her feel free to ask away in the comments.

Mary Hughes – Interview & Giveaway

Happy Monday! 😀 Ok, I know, I can just hear you all grumbling back at me, “what’s so happy about Mondays?” For one, I have Mary Hughes here to talk about her Biting Love Series! She’s here to celebrate the release of the fourth book in the series, Biting Me Softly, along with a giveaway for not one, but two e-books. There, see, your Monday just got a little bit better didn’t it?

I first discovered Mary Hughes when I saw an add for Biting Nixie in RT Magazine. The blurb hooked me, I ordered a copy for myself and I’ve since bought all of her books because, yes, she’s that good! So without futher delay, on to the interview. The giveaway details will be after the interview.

Sidhe Vicious welcomes paranormal romance author Mary Hughes! We’re looking forward to getting to know you and all about your latest novel Biting Me Softly.

Thanks for having me here today! I’m excited to get started but I was wondering if I could ask you a question first? Is there significance to the name? (Since sidhe is also a word for home of the fae…)

Hmm.. I’m going to be giving away some confidential trade secrets here, but… here goes! LOL I’ve always been fascinated by Fae and it’s my understanding that “Sidhe” is actually another word for Fae, Faerie, Fairie, Wee Ones, Tuatha de Dannan, etc. I”ve also been into punk, goth and industrial techno for years, so anyone who knows some of the history of those genres of music, knows who Sid Vicious or Sid and Nancy are. I was trying to think of a cool name for my blog and came up with the play on Sid Vicious by using Sidhe instead of Sid.

Also, anyone who knows about the Sidhe knows that there are Seely and Unseely Sidhe, meaning the “Light” and “Dark” fae, so seeing as how a lot of people, myself included, are intrigued by the “dark side”, I decided that Sidhe Vicious would or could also be an homage to darker side of the Fae, some of which can be quite vicious. And there you have it! 🙂

Biting Me Softly will be released on April 20th by Samhain Publishing. Can you tell us about it and a bit about the main characters Liese and Logan?

Sure! Liese is the girl next door, blonde, blue-eyed and a little overweight from her hometown diet of bratwurst and beer—oh, and she’s a computer geek. She has what my husband calls ISSSSues, the biggest being her ex-fiancé. He stole her work, stole her job, and married her replacement (yeah, ISSSSues). Enter movie-star gorgeous Logan Steel, blond hair, hazel eyes glinting gold, exuding mystery and magic and raw sex appeal. Well, until he opens his mouth and talks ☺. Logan’s smart, decisive, and falls for Liese pretty much right away but she can’t believe someone like him could love someone like her.

Nothing tells about the story like the blurb:

Blood, sex, violence. Blood, okay, but computer geek Liese Schmetterling had enough S&V when her cheating ex fired her. Now security expert—and lip-smacking gorgeous—Logan Steel saunters into her Blood Center, setting fire to her libido. And threatening her job.

Visions of pink slips dancing in her head, Liese tries to push Logan away without touching his jutting pecs…or ridged abs. Or petting the Vesuvius in his jeans. He’s hiding something, but it doesn’t seem to matter when his smiles stun her, his kisses crank her to broiling and his bites rocket her to heaven. Fangy bites which, if she weren’t grounded in science, would make her think ampire-Vay.

Centuries old and tragedy-scarred, Logan’s mission is to fortify the Blood Center’s electronic defenses against his nemesis, the leader of a rogue vampire gang. He’s ready for battle but not for Liese, who slips under his skin, laughs at his awful puns, charges beside him into dark, scary places—and tastes like his true love.

No matter how often Logan declares his love, Liese can’t bring herself to trust him. But when his archenemy comes after her, not trusting him may cost her life…

Warning: contains explicit vampire sex involving absurdly large male equipment (hey, they’re monsters), unbelievable stamina (just how long can he stay underwater in a hot tub?), hide-your-eyes violence and horrendously bad puns. And, just when you think it can’t get any worse, a computer geekette trying to play Mata Hari.

I wonder why I have a visual of Brad Pitt in Troy stuck in my head right now? *Grins* 😉 What about vampires inspired you to write about them?

I love alpha males, and vampires are the ultimate alpha. Watered-down versions notwithstanding, vampires are faster, stronger, and more resilient than any human, any other monster, and can hold their own against demigods.

On an introspective note, I discovered recently that vampires represent triumph to me, conquering everything I fear: blood, death and things that go bump in the night.

That’s interesting! Also, I love me some alpha males too! (In case anyone who reads my blog was unclear about that before). Will we be seeing more of Logan and Liese in the future? Do you have more books planned for the Biting Love series of books?

Right now I’m working on a full-length Biting Love story tentatively titled Biting the Rainbow where Liese makes a brief appearance. But I’m sure both Liese and Logan will be around for twin brother Luke’s story!

Ooohh… now Luke, he is a bad boy. I can’t wait to see what vixen you will find to tame his player ways! He he. How did you get your start in writing? What, if anything, lit the “spark” to get you started and keep you motivated?

I’ve told myself stories during downtime since forever (what do you do when you wait in lines or can’t get to sleep?). It was a natural step from there to writing them—or trying to! There’s a lot I had to learn, a lot that goes into a story to make it a book other people would want to read.

The basic spark for my writing is that I’m genuinely excited by love, by a growing relationship between two people. I have to keep coming back to that, because there are a lot of aspects to storytelling that get in the way (little things like plot and theme☺). Those aspects are important but as you said, it’s the “spark” that gets a writer started and keeps her going.

What was the path to publication on this, your fourth PR novel like? Highlights? Pitfalls?

Oh, wow, that’s a loaded question, LOL! Biting Me Softly was actually the first story that caught my publisher’s interest (the awesome Samhain Publishing). Don’t get me wrong, I wrote Elena’s story first (Bite My Fire) and then Nixie’s (Biting Nixie), but when I tried to sell Elena…well, there wasn’t a huge market for funny/paranormal/erotic/romance four years ago. Then Samhain issued a call for just those elements! I was heart-in-throat excited-scared, and immediately dashed off a story about a computer geekette and the blond god of a vampire she falls for. It didn’t sell but it did get passed on to another editor who made recommendations for a resubmit. I asked if I could submit Nixie in the meantime (2^nd in the series but I hadn’t made my first sale yet, and I wanted to nail it. I thought and still think Nixie just sings). The editor bought Nixie and then bought the first, Elena’s story (with some rather important rewrites that really jump-started the pace). Then I went back to Liese to expand the short story into a novel. In the meantime, an opportunity came for a New Years novella. Since I’d wanted to give Twyla her own vampire (and since the plotfairy granted me a plot), I wrote The Bite of Silence.

And now, finally, the short story I wrote in 2008 is appearing as Biting Me Softly.

Wow, that’s kinda convoluted, but I actually managed to follow it, lol. I am personally ecstatic that it all came together and you were able to publish all four stories as I LOVED the two that I’ve read and have already purchased Bite My Fire and The Bite Of Silence to devour later. Here’s to many more in the series!

Who or what was your inspiration for the characters of Liese & Logan, if any?

All my characters are based on me, LOL! Which is kind of demented, when you think about it. I’m either the worst schizophrenic in the universe or I have real gender issues.

Okay, not the whole character is me, not by a long shot. I base some personality traits on family members and a few people I know. Some is observed or plain imagination. But having at least a seed of myself inside each helps me write authentic characters. Liese uses my computer knowledge, and her fear of rejection and losing her job is mine. Logan has my husband’s love of puns and his saunter, but my doggedness.

I usually ask myself three things when I come up with a couple. -What is her issue? -What’s his? -How do they help each other heal? If solving her problem helps solve his and vice versa, that’s even better.

Did you find it harder or easier to write subsequent novels in this series because of already having created this world?

Oh, both! There’s a non-answer. Easier because I’ve been living in Meiers Corners so long I have maps and lingo and story arcs already started. Harder because I’m trying to balance old-familiar against new-interesting. I know existing readers of the series want to see some of the friends they’ve already met, find out how they’re doing. But I only have 90,000 words! And someone new to the universe might get lost if they meet everyone in their first book.

The book I’m writing now has the first ever meeting of the V-Wives of Meiers Corners and Surrounds, over half a dozen humans at one table. While I’m finding it a hoot to write, the challenge is to make sure new readers are quickly but completely comfortable with who’s who.

Another challenge is coming up with new ways to say things. Not actually thinking up fresh phrases, that’s just hard-but-satisfying work. But knowing if I’ve already phrased an important concept that way, if I’ve made that joke. The more stories I write the more I get slowed down just back-checking against what I’ve already written.

I don’t know how writers of series keep it all straight even with a “bible” of the characters and worlds in which they live. My hat’s off to you all. Do you have any funny writing quirks or habits that you do when you’re in the “zone” writing?

Like people who snore when they sleep, I really don’t know!

What supernatural power or creature would you most like to have or be?

A wizard! I’d love to blow things up with magic. When I’m not earning a living or watching TV/movies with my family I play PC RPGs. Right now it’s Titan’s Quest, but my favourite is Baldur’s Gate II. The game itself is superb, but voice-over talent is the best in the business.

I’ve never played an RPG game, though there is some guy out there using the name sidhe vicious on RPG.net, but I am completely ignorant about which ones are good and what not. I’m a sucker for puzzle games myself.

Who is your favourite paranormal or urban fantasy fictional character and why? (Not counting your own of course)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Or Polgara the Sorceress in David Eddings’ Pawn of Prophecy and subsequent books. Women who can lead or follow, who can level the enemy or make tea, women who may be domestic or not, but if they are it’s because they choose it. Multifaceted, talented women for whom saving the world is all in a day’s work.

I saw in your interview on Book-lover that you read Nancy Drew. She’s not paranormal but wouldn’t it be great to have that little roadster, eat luncheons and solve mysteries?

LOL, yep! The Nancy Drew days were a zillion years ago for me. I’ve since “fallen” for characters more in line with Buffy or Selene from Underworld. Who knew that Nancy could lead us young and impressionable girls to kick a$$ paranormal heroines?

Who’s your favourite author? TV show? Movie?

I have so many! Most of my friends have one they really resonate with (you know, the fave your friend not only wants you to see/read but she sits you down, brings out her Special Edition copy, and watches/reads it with you?). I’ve done that with Dorothy Dunnett’s book Checkmate, BBC show Blackadder III, and movie The Princess Bride.

Then there are the comfort reads (reread until they’re falling apart). A few of mine are Sunshine by Robin McKinley, The Black Jewels Trilogy of Anne Bishop, Glen Cook’s Garrett, P.I. novels and the second Black Dagger Brotherhood of JR Ward. And Bambi, heaven help me. We have all 7 seasons of Buffy on DVD. I have tons more but your column’s only so long!

Interestingly, the book that had the biggest impact on me, I’ll never read again. My then middle-school son recommended Bridge to Terabithia. Wanting to be a good mom (he’d never recommended a book to me before) I read it, thinking ah, youthful tale. Well yes. And definitely no. I can’t even write this without choking up.

I know exactly what you mean. How have the books you’ve read influenced the books you write?

I learn something from just about everything I’ve read! Colleen McCullough on handling a large cast of characters; and Dorothy Dunnett for just plain gorgeous writing. Eddings for making word choice count.

What do you do when you’re having writer’s block to “shake” it off?

I’m glad you asked! I recently had some revelations on writer’s block. Here they are, my pearls of wisdom ☺.

I hit Writers Slowdown—because of course we always can write, it just gets incredibly hard sometimes—two ways. Not enough structure, or too much work.

Not enough structure is easy to remedy. Just smack me with a deadline! Nothing like the old red-circled date on the calendar, at least not for increasing quantity and surprisingly, often on quality as well.

Too much work has a two-part solution for me. Take Time to Play. When ideas slow down it’s often because I’m out of juice, because the muse is busy paying bills and cleaning cat boxes. And Throw Away Obstacles. If I’m not playing it’s because my life’s gotten out of control. Issues, clutter, commitments—whatever. Time to simplify. Easy to say, hard to do. But worthwhile.

Here’s the last pearl. If I can’t get started, I Just Write Garbage. LOL! But two lovely things happen out of this. Writing garbage takes off the pressure to be perfect, puts a muzzle on Little Miss Inner Critic. And garbage is easy to edit. There’s so much to improve, I’m bound to find something! That’s a double-boost to the self-esteem. (WARNING: This pearl doesn’t work without the editing step☺)

What can a new reader expect from your book/series?

Alpha male hero vampires. Smart-mouthed heroines. Connection and romance. Hot, explicit sex (but with character development so there’s redeeming value LOL). Dark violence, some silliness. Deep issues but never slopping over into maudlin. There are layers to my stories that you can indulge in or not, depending on how you’re feeling that day. Mostly they’re just fun reads.

My primary aim is to take the reader out of this too-real world for a little while. I want her to be able to read my book in a warm bubble bath or on a train, on a frazzled-schedule day or a beach day, and each time find something of value to her.

Mission accomplished then! With this reader anyways. 🙂 Nevermind the looks I get when I literally laugh out loud while reading one of your books.

You write about vampires, did you do a lot of research or do you prefer to take what you already know and use your imagination for the rest?

I did a lot of research. Not only on various vampire mythologies, but into things like how much blood can a vampire drink before a human dies? How much blood would he need to drink to replenish? I decided early on that blood-as-food wasn’t going to work for me. My vampires drink blood but it goes directly into their veins. There’s a physiological reason for this that I’m trying not to reveal all at once but it’s pretty slick.

Anyway, my stories have to be real to me, so I ground them in what I can find. You wouldn’t believe how long it took me to find info on rooftops in Manhattan for The Bite of Silence. What would they look like, what are they made of…probably no one cares but me LOL. But the short answer is I have an idea first and if it’s not something I know about, I research it.

Trust me, I’ve heard of readers complaining about the minutest details of a book if they aren’t right, the nit-pickers, they are out there! I’m not one of them, thankfully. Are any of your characters particularly fun or easy for you to write? Any that are more difficult?

The most fun was Logan in Biting Me Softly because he’s so multifaceted. He goes from suave guy to burning warrior, from CEO to cute and boyish and more. More difficult are the redshirts. I try to have each face-in-the-crowd somehow identifiable, yet try to avoid stereotypes. One of those hard-but-satisfying-work things.

Do you have any tips for aspiring speculative fiction writers?

Love to make mistakes, and to turn those “mistakes” into something brand-new. Mistakes juxtapose strange things, put together vampires and grannies, people and lions. And while I don’t know any vampire grannies, shapeshifters are huge. Who knows what’s next?

Love to dream. Ask what-if, and then keep going. It’s easy to think, that’ll never work. What’s harder, but more fun and ultimately more rewarding, is finding a way to make your crazy idea not only work but make it believable.

Most importantly, writing isn’t a one-size-fits-all field. Celebrate what works for you!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us at SVR and with your readers?

Just a huge thanks, Judi, for having me here at Sidhe Vicious Reviews today! I look forward to hearing reader comments!  

Thanks so much for spending some time with us Mary!

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Giveaway Details:

Mary Hughes has generously offered one winner an e-book copy of Biting Me Softly and to another winner, their choice of an e-book from her back list! Giveaway is open to Everyone. Mary will also be popping by to respond to questions or comments. 

Question:  If you could be a character in one of Mary’s Biting Love books, what would your “dream vampire” to fall for look like? Are you the Vin Diesel type, the Sam Worthington in Terminator: Salvation type, the Edward in Twilight type or the Brad Pitt in Troy type?    

For one entry: Please leave a comment with the answer to the question.  (+1 entry) OR a question for Mary (+1 entry)

 For extra entries:  

• Subscribe to my blog, Sidhe Vicious Reviews, through the links at the top right hand side of the blog, and let me know in your comment. Be sure you verify your subscription through the email you’ll receive or it won’t count. (+1 entry)
• If you’re already subscribed, you’ll receive two extra entries, but be sure to let me know in the comments if you’re an old follower. (+2 entries)
• Post a link to this contest on your Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace, GoodReads, LibraryThing, or on your blog and send me the link either in the comments or by email and you’ll get an extra entry for each place you add a link to. ( add 1 entry each for  however many links you’ve done)
• Follow me on Twitter, Add me as a friend on FaceBook, GoodReads, MySpace, Chapters Community or LibraryThing. (add 1 entry each for however many places you followed/friended me)
•  
• Contest is open to Everyone  and will run through April 28th until 11:59pm. The winners will be posted here on April 29th. Please leave your email addy in your comment for me to contact you if you’ve won. If I haven’t heard back from the winner in 7 days, a new winner will be drawn from the eligible comments. Winners will be chosen by a random number generator. Good Luck everyone!

(I should also mention that if you’re leaving me a bunch of links in your comment, do not panic if it doesn’t show up right away. It just automatically gets held for me to moderate, which I will as soon as I’m online. )

 

Danielle Trussoni – Interview & Giveaway

    

Sidhe Vicious welcomes author Danielle Trussoni! We’re looking forward to getting to know you and all about your novel ANGELOLOGY.

Thank you! I’m really glad to be here.

Your novel, ANGELOLOGY will be released on March 9th, 2010 by Viking Penguin Group. Can you tell us about it and a bit about the main characters?

Angelology is a novel that follows a group of angelologists—scholars who track and study various kinds of angels—as they work to contain the machinations of the Nephilim, half-human, half-angel creatures who are first mentioned in Genesis: 6 of the Bible. The story moves through various times and settings, going from contemporary New York, to 1940s Paris to ancient Bulgaria. The heroine is a young woman named Evangeline who becomes enmeshed in this struggle. There is also a young man named Verlaine who begins to uncover the central mystery of the novel.

What about Angels inspired you to write about them?

Actually, I didn’t set out to write about angels at all. I knew that I wanted to set some of the story in a convent and so I went to stay in one to do research. While there, I happened upon a reading room with books about angels. I knew then that angels would be an ideal centerpiece for the novel.

You’re currently living in the south of France doing research for the sequel to Angelology. Can you tell us about the new book? 

Angelopolis is a love story between Evangeline and Verlaine set in Paris. There are forays to the south of France, especially the Bay of Angels in Nice.

How did you get your start in writing? What, if anything, lit the “spark” to get you started and keep you motivated?

I’ve been writing regularly since high school, when I kept very meticulous journals. I knew I wanted to write from a very young age, however, and so I have no real idea what inspired me to want to write. I think that it was something I was born to do.

Worldwide, there is a Twilight craze, and your book features a love affair between a Nephilim and a human. What do you think it is about fantastical fiction that appeals to readers so much? Where do you think ANGELOLOGY fits in with this trend?

I think the invitation to imagine a new world is irresistible for many readers and when this is combined with romance—which is a complete construction of our desire anyway—it can be even more seductive. ANGELOLOGY is (in my opinion) really different from Twilight, but there is still the obsession with otherness and desire in ANGELOLOGY, and there is definitely the element of fantasy mixed into a seemingly ‘normal’ world.

As research for this novel, you stayed in the convent of Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse, WI where your great aunt is a nun. What was that experience like?

It was a wonderful, completely educational experience. The Sisters at St. Rose in La Crosse were generous with their time and allowed me to interview them. I was there before I had any real notion of what I would write, and yet they very openly allowed me to visit.

What supernatural power or creature would you most like to have or be?

I would love to be immortal and without physical substance, sort of like an angel, I suppose.

If you could choose one fictional character to bring into real life, who would you choose?

Orlando. Or Heathcliff. I can’t decide.

How have the books you’ve read influenced the books you write?

I think the books that influenced me the most were 19^th century novels and, when I start to pull apart the structure of ANGELOLOGY, I can see that I was very much influenced by them. I love descriptive writing and larger than life characters, all of which are hallmarks of the 19^th century novel.

What do you do when you’re having writer’s block to “shake” it off?

I force myself to sit in front of my computer until I actually write something. Usually I end up throwing this out, but it will get me started. Or I eat a lot of chocolate.

ANGELOLOGY visits many different locations: a picturesque convent on the Hudson River Valley, the Upper East Side of Manhattan, the streets of Paris and the mountains of Bulgaria. What was your favourite location and did you visit them to write about them?

Yes, I did visit them all, even the cave in Bulgaria. It is strange, because I love all three of these locations for different reasons. I can’t decide which is my favourite. I guess it would depend upon my mood.

How much of the book is rooted in fact and where did you let your imagination take flight?

I very purposely blurred the lines between fiction and fantasy in ANGELOLOGY. I chose characters such as Abigail Rockefeller and settings which many people are familiar with. I also have tried to create the sense that Angelology is a living breathing practice. Medieval theologians actually created angelologies–or systems of classification for angels– and were genuinely practicing the study of angels, but in our day and age it is difficult to imagine such a thing happening. In reality, it isn’t. But by creating a structure and an academy of angelology, and placing my angelologists in real settings, I hoped to draw readers into belief. One example of this is a website I’ve created: www.angelologist.com. You can learn a lot about the world of angelology on this site.

Here is an easy checklist of fact/ fiction:
ANGELOLOGY–Real although I changed its meaning and made it an on-going practice
DEVIL’S THROAT–Real. One can visit it in Bulgaria. The legends about Orpheus are also really in circulation.
ABIGAIL ROCKEFELLER–Real, although I’ve re-imagined her and made her an angelologist.
ATHENEAUM, ACADEMY OF ANGELOLOGY, PARIS—False. Fiction
NEPHILIM–Real in the Bible, so it depends upon whether one thinks the bible is fictional or not.
Saint Rose Convent–False, but modeled on a real Saint Rose Convent in La Crosse, WI

Are any of your characters particularly fun or easy for you to write? Any that are more difficult?

I loved writing from the perspective of Brother Clematis, a 10^th century Thracian monk. I also loved writing from the point of view of Gabriella, one of the toughest angelologists around.

Do you have any tips for aspiring speculative fiction writers?

Make your alternate world or reality as strong as possible.

Thank you for giving me this great interview Danielle. It was a pleasure getting to know about you and your novel, Angelology!

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Giveaway Details:

The wonderful publicity people at Viking/Penguin have generously offered one reader a signed copy of Angelology! Giveaway is open to USA & Canada only.

Question: Do you believe in Angels? Have you ever had an experience? Do tell.    

For one entry: Please leave a comment with the answer to the question.  (+1 entry)

For extra entries:

• Subscribe to my blog, Sidhe Vicious Reviews, through the links at the top right hand side of the blog, and let me know in your comment. Be sure you verify your subscription through the email you’ll receive or it won’t count. (+1 entry)
• If you’re already subscribed, you’ll receive two extra entries, but be sure to let me know in the comments. (+2 entries)
• Post a link to this contest on your Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace, GoodReads, LibraryThing, or on your blog and send me the link either in the comments or by email and you’ll get an extra entry for each place you add a link to. (+? entries, insert however many links you’ve done)
• Contest is open to USA & Canada  and will run through March 17thth until 11:59pm. The winners will be posted here on March 18th. Please leave your email addy in your comment for me to contact you if you’ve won. If I haven’t heard back from the winner in 7 days, a new winner will be drawn from the eligible comments. Winners will be chosen by a random number generator. Good Luck everyone!

 

(I should also mention that if you’re leaving me a bunch of links in your comment, do not panic if it doesn’t show up right away. It just automatically gets held for me to moderate, which I will as soon as I’m online. )

Adrian Phoenix – Interview & Giveaway

Today I have Urban Fantasy author Adrian Phoenix here for an interview to celebrate the latest release in her Makers Song series, Beneath The Skin! Read through the awesome interview and Adrian is giving away a signed copy of one of her books. 🙂 

 Sidhe – Hi Adrian! It’s great to have you back here at SVR. 🙂

Adrian – Hey, Judi! It’s a pleasure to be back! I wish it wasn’t so long between visits. 🙂

Sidhe – Me too and you know you are welcome anytime in my virtual “house”. The third book in your The Makers Song series, Beneath The Skin, was just released on Dec 29th. Can you tell us a bit about it?

Adrian – Sure. The story picks up right where In the Blood left off, with Dante doped and unconscious and Heather, Von, Annie, and Caterina seeking shelter from the dawn. Not only are they being hunted by the Shadow Branch and the FBI, the Fallen now know that a Maker exists in the mortal world and they are determined to find him. Dante not only needs to find away to keep himself and those he cares about out of enemy hands, but his past has been awakened and is slicing into his present. As he struggles to find balance and keep sane, his control over his Maker abilities continues to slip.

Sidhe – How do you keep track of all the goings on in this wonderfully rich and complex world you’ve created?

Adrian – Most of it I keep in my head (getting very crowded), but lately I’ve been keeping notes that I can refer to quickly while writing. I’m finding notes on who did what or who said what and when more necessary with each book I write.

Sidhe – I can imagine it would get to be a bit much to memorize after a few books. You’ve had a busy year with starting a new series as well as writing your Makers Song series! Can you tell us how you keep your writing discipline going strong when you aren’t hearing your muse?

Adrian – I’ve been fortunate in that my muse is quite loud and impossible to ignore. The problem for me comes down to time, since I still have my full time day job. It’s essential to write every day, so I write in the evenings after work and all day on weekends. I figure out a daily word total so I have a goal to shoot for every day. When I’m tired, I remind myself that writing is my dream and what I am working toward doing full time. In order to achieve that, I MUST plant my butt in my chair and get busy. It’s my job, my livelihood, my dream. Plus, if I’m really good – I get to have a treat! LOL.

Sidhe – I have so much respect for all authors as it takes such dedication and will power to continue to put out amazing works and on deadlines to boot! How many more books can we look forward to in the Makers Song series?

Adrian – Book 4, Etched in Bone will be out the end of December 2010. At this point, that’s all I’m contracted to do, but I have every reason to believe that Pocket will buy more (I gave them a proposal also) so that I can continue with the series. I have plenty of plans for more books.

Sidhe – Whew, that’s good news indeed! (Pocket, can you hear me? We need more books in The Makers Song series!) You have an affinity for writing about several REALLY sexy men. Do you have a harem of them hiding in your house? (Grins) Really… can you spare a couple to help a girl out?

Adrian – Hah. Thank you! I think you’ll also very much enjoy Layne Valin from Black Dust Mambo. Oh, I *wish* I had a harem of sexy men hanging out at my house, but then I’d probably never get any work done. LOL. As it is, they hang out in my head, which is almost as bad/good.

Sidhe – I’m thinking that inside your head is a “place” we’d all like to be if all those hot men are kickin around in there, lol. And bring on Layne, I’m ready to meet him! (Hurry up June). How much of the backgrounds of your supernatural characters are based on research and how much comes from your wickedly creative mind?

Adrian – Most of the backgrounds come from my imagination. I’ve done research on mythos for world-building for the Fallen and nightkind and for nomad society, but as for the character backgrounds go, that’s me. Now, on the Fallen characters – Gabriel, the Morningstar, Loki, etc., I *have* done research on angels and gods, which I then stir it into the subconscious kettle to simmer. I take the characters in a direction of my design.

Sidhe – Out of curiosity, I’m wondering about how many rough drafts of a novel you write before you send it off to your editor for the first time. (The wanna-be writer in me wants to know) =)

Adrian – Generally one draft. I think the most a person should do is two. I’ve never done more than two. It’s too easy to over-polish and smooth away a story’s raw and vital edge, to strip away its soul. Do your first draft, send it out to first-readers you trust, make any changes that they suggest AND that you agree with, then send it out. Then dash off to the next project. 🙂

Sidhe – How long did it take you to go from a germ of an idea to finished revisions that you turned into your editor for either A Rush Of Wings, or the first book in your new series, Black Dust Mambo?

Adrian – Okay, let’s look first at A Rush of Wings. It took me 8 months to write it (my first novel), then almost a year to sell it. After it sold in June 2006, I had to wait for the contract (October 2006 – it hasn’t taken that long with any of my other books), then the revisions request from my editor – which I believe I received in January of 2007. The book was published the end of December 2007 (January 2008 officially), so you’re looking at almost 3 years all told. The process for all books since has been much, much quicker.

The process was much shorter with Black Dust Mambo. I came up with the idea for Black Dust Mambo in October 2008 and sent my editor a proposal for it and four more books in the series. She called my agent in February of 2009 and bought the series. I finished writing the book in November of 2009 (I started it in July after finishing all the work on Beneath the Skin), finished revisions on BDM in December 2009. The book will be released the end of June 2010. So – Black Dust Mambo sold February 2009 and will be published June 2010. So figure 16-18 months from sale to publication. Sometimes it’s sooner – especially if you have a finished manuscript – which is the only thing new writers should offer editors. I sold the project on a proposal, so I had to hurriedly write the thing too. LOL.

Sidhe – Talk about working under pressure, but you seem to handle it well. I know that you are a huge Nine Inch Nails fan and that they are a big inspiration while you write. Any other bands that feed the muse?

Adrian – I also love (ironically or poetically, your choice) Muse, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, AFI, Stabbing Westward, Rammstein, Saints of Ruin, Chevelle, and movie scores like: Batman Begins (perfect for Lucien), all three Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Gladiator, The Last Samurai, Wanted, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Last of the Mohicans . . .

Sidhe – I also like to listen to movie scores sometimes. It makes for great ambiance minus the distractions of a catchy chorus of singing. I know you’ll probably tell me to stuff it and wait like the rest have to, but can you give us a hint of what’s to come for Dante, Heather, Von and Lucien? Please? (Blinks innocently) 

Adrian – How can I refuse when you blink so innocently, Judi? 😉

Nebulous teasers . . . Annie finds herself in a situation she could never have predicted, one that will see her lose all control of her life; the Fallen statues will arrive in Alexandria and into the wrong hands; someone will descend into the cave at Damascus and discover just what is singing “Holy, holy, holy,” in the darkness, Dante repairs the damage to the cemetery (think about that); Heather fights for Dante’s sanity and a life for them together and one for herself AND she has to face the fact that she just might have to share Dante with another person, the second bonding partner; war is brewing between the SB and the FBI, among all the levels of the Fallen, including the half-mortal nephilim, and between the vampire orders – in a fight over control of Dante.  And Dante will be betrayed.

Sidhe – Awesome, I can’t wait! Can you give us a little preview of what Black Dust Mambo, the new series, is all about?

Adrian – You bet! I’d be happy too!

Black Dust Mambo begins the story of Kallie Riviere, a hoodoo apprentice learning the art from her aunt (who may or may not be who she seems) in Bayou Cypres Noir, Louisiana. Even though this series is lighter and more humorous, dark secrets still ripple throughout. Kallie’s been scarred both physically and emotionally by a violent moment in her family’s past, a moment she is seeking answers for but only finds deeper mysteries. Nothing is what it seems. The series also features her best friend, Belladonna Brown, a voodooienne in training to be a mambo (priestess) and who believes in the gospel according to Web Md. Another key character is Layne Valin, a nomad with the Fox clan, who also happens to be a Vessel for the dead. The dead can slip into his body like a suit and use him to say their final goodbyes or whatever it is they need.

Here’s a small bit from the book from Kallie’s POV as she learns what Layne is:

A Vessel didn’t need ritual or séance or linked energy from the living to call to the dead or to open doors between the mortal and spirit worlds. A Vessel was a living, breathing spirit cabinet. And most Vessels spiraled into madness by their late teens, usually ending their lives in messy and desperate ways. Very few Vessels lasted into their twenties.

Kallie stared at Layne, wondering if he was actually younger than he looked and wondering how much time he had left before his mind and soul twisted in on themselves.

   The story involves, magic, murder, mystery, possession, a wet boxers contest, voodoo poppets, loup garou, and nomad society.

Sidhe – Woo, I can’t wait to get started reading BDM! 😀 Any truth to the rumours that Disney is looking to make the Makers Song series into a movie or movies?

Adrian – So far, there’s nothing I can officially say on the rumours. My agent and his people have been in touch with Disney and Disney has registered domain names that seem to apply to The Maker’s Song. As soon as I have official news, I will pass it along. 🙂

Sidhe – Anything else that you’d like to share with the readers here at SVR?

Adrian – I’d like to let your readers know that I’m also planning stand alone books for Von (NOMAD) and Lucien (NIGHTBRINGER). My editor has proposals, so fingers crossed! I’d also like to thank everyone for their support and to welcome new readers to the series.

Sidhe – I am now praying to the publishing gods that Von & Lucien’s books will happen. Thanks so much for coming by again Adrian! It’s always a pleasure. 🙂

Adrian – Thank you for having me, Judi! I really love visiting with you and your readers!

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Giveaway Details:

Adrian has graciously offered up a signed copy of one of her books to one lucky commentor, winners choice! Giveaway is open to everyone, internationally.

What type of supernatural being is your favourite? Are you still loving vampires, or have you crossed over to shifters, fallen angels, demons, witches, mages or fae? What is it that you love so much about your favourite?  

Adrian may also be popping by for the next day or two to reply to comments, so if you have any burning questions for her, feel free to ask away.

For one entry: Please leave a comment with the answer to the question. (+1 entry)

For  extra entries: 

– Subscribe to my blog, Sidhe Vicious Reviews, through the links at the top right hand side of the blog, and let me know in your comment. Be sure you verify your subscription through the email you’ll receive or it won’t count. (+1 entry)

– If  you’re already subscribed, you’ll receive an extra entry, but be sure to let me know in the comments. (+2 entries)

– Post a link to this contest on your Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace, GoodReads, LibraryThing, or on your blog and send me the link either in the comments or by email and you’ll get an extra entry for each place you add a link to. (+? entries, insert however many links you’ve done)

Contest is open Internationally and will run through February 10th until 11:59pm. The winners will be posted here on Feb 11th. Please leave your email addy in your comment for me to contact you if you’ve won. If I haven’t heard back from the winner in 7 days, a new winner will be drawn from the eligible comments. Winners will be chosen by a random number generator. Good Luck everyone! 🙂

(I should also mention that if you’re leaving me a bunch of links in your comment, do not panic if it doesn’t show up right away. It just automatically gets held for me to moderate, which I will as soon as I’m online. 😀 )

Amanda Ashley – Interview & Giveaway

   

Sidhe Vicious welcomes Paranormal Romance author Amanda Ashley! We’re looking forward to getting to know you and all about your latest novel Everlasting Kiss. I personally am really excited because I consider you to be one of the true pioneers of the Paranormal Romance genre! 🙂

Sidhe – Your Paranormal Romance novel, Everlasting Kiss will be released on January 26th, 2010 by Kensington. Can you tell us about it and a bit about the main characters Daisy & Eric?

Amanda – Well, Erik is a 325 year old vampire. Daisy is just your average young woman who belongs to a family of vampire hunters and blood thieves. Vampire blood is quite the rage among humans these days and that’s how Daisy makes her living, stealing blood from vampires while they’re at rest. Of course, it’s inevitable that Daisy and Erik meet, neither knowing what the other is or does.

Sidhe – What about vampires inspired you to write about them?

Amanda – They’re just such fascinating creatures. I mean, except for the blood part, who wouldn’t want to be a vampire? They never get sick, they’re really strong, and they never grow older. Sounds good to me! 

Sidhe –  Me too! Will we be seeing more vampires in your books in the future? Are you working on anything new?

Amanda – Oh, yes! I’m just winding up my current work-in-progress. And the sequel to Everlasting Kiss, Everlasting Desire, will be out in October. I loved the bad boy, Rhys, in Everlasting Kiss so much; I decided he needed a story of his own.

Sidhe –  I agree! Rhys definitely deserves his own book. How did you get your start in writing? What, if anything, lit the “spark” to get you started and keep you motivated?

Amanda – I started writing because I was bored. My husband worked nights and after my kids went to bed, there was nothing to do but watch TV. I’d been reading a lot of historical romances at the time and one night I sat down and started writing Comanche Flame. I’ve been writing ever since.

Sidhe – What was the path to publication on your first PR novel like? Highlights? Pitfalls?

Amanda – It was a much smoother path than the historical one. It took me six years and 31 rejections to find a publisher for my first historical. The opportunity to write my first PR was offered to me by my agent, who asked if I’d be interested in writing a paranormal short story for Topaz. I wrote about a vampire, of course, and liked it so much, I’ve been writing them ever since.

Sidhe – Who or what was your inspiration for the characters of Daisy & Eric, if any?

Amanda – Hmmm. None that I can think of. The idea just came to me. Most of my books begin with a single line that comes to me out of nowhere. I follow the line and hope it turns into a book. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t.

Sidhe – Do you find it harder or easier to write PR novels now that the genre has exploded, than it was to write them back in the beginning?

Amanda – For me, it hasn’t changed. Of course, there’s a lot more competition now. It seems everyone is writing about the Undead!

Sidhe – For which I am eternally grateful, though my pocketbook isn’t. Do you have any funny writing quirks or habits that you do when you’re in the “zone” writing?

Amanda – LOL. None that I can think of. I usually have my TV on. Not sure why, except I like noise in the background for some reason. When I’m in the “zone” I can write anywhere. Years ago, I bowled on a league with my best friend. If I was struck with inspiration, I wrote between frames.

Sidhe – Have you ever met a vampire, werewolf, demon, fae?

Amanda – Well, when writing, I am all of the above. Sometimes I think my husband is a demon, but I think most women feel that way from time to time <G>

Sidhe – What supernatural power or creature would you most like to have or be?

Amanda – I’d love to have a fairy godmother who would make me young and thin and make chocolate good for me!

Sidhe – Me too! There is NOTHING that chocolate doesn’t make better. Who is your favourite paranormal or urban fantasy fictional character and why? (Not counting your own of courseJ)

Amanda – Harry Dresden (The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher). Harry is a fascinating character with a wry sense of humour and his world is filled with all kinds of paranormal creatures and monsters as well as angels.

Sidhe – Who’s your favourite author? TV show? Movie?

Amanda – Gosh, it’s hard to pick one author. Kay Hooper is right up there at the top.

TV show? That’s easy. The Vampire Diaries. I love Damon! Movie? Right now, it’s New Moon.

Sidhe – If you could choose one fictional character to bring into real life, who would you choose?

Amanda – Jacob Black! Be still my heart, that boy is gorgeous.

Sidhe – Tell me about it! I should probably be in jail for some of the thoughts that have crossed my mind while looking at that young man, lol. But I’m still team Edward. How have the books you’ve read influenced the books you write?

Amanda – I think Interview With a Vampire probably influenced me the most. I wasn’t writing Vampires when I read it, but I loved Lestat. He was so at home in his own skin.

Sidhe – What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever gotten inspiration from?

Amanda – Hmm, I can’t think of anything strange, but it was my oldest son who prompted me to write my first time travel book.

Sidhe – What do you do when you’re having writer’s block to “shake” it off?

Amanda – I go to the movies or shopping or take a walk. If my Muse takes a hike, there’s no point in sitting in front of the computer waiting for her to come back. Better to take a break and go have some fun.

Sidhe – What can a new reader expect from your books?

Amanda – Hopefully a good story with interesting characters that will leave them wanting more.

Sidhe – You seem to prefer writing about Vampires, (Whom we all love *G*). Do you do a lot of research or do you prefer to take what you already know and use your imagination for the rest?

Amanda – Both. I have a lot of books about vampires in my personal library and, of course, there are tons of vamp sites on the Web.

Sidhe – Are any of your characters particularly fun or easy for you to write? Any that are more difficult?

Amanda – I loved writing about Rhys in Everlasting Desire. He’s one of my favourite characters.  Writing about Ronan in Dead Sexy was fun, because he was a romance writer and some of things that happened to him, happened to me.

At the moment, I’m having trouble deciding how to knock off the bad buy in my work-in-progress. I know what I want to do. I just can’t figure out how to get there. It’s very frustrating.

Sidhe – Do you have any tips for aspiring speculative fiction writers?

Amanda – Just to write what they love to read and not to be discouraged by rejection. Remember, when an editor rejects your work, it’s just one person’s opinion, so don’t give up. Enter contests. It’s a good way to get feedback on your work.

Sidhe – Is there anything else you’d like to share with us at Sidhe Vicious Reviews and with your readers? 

Amanda – I’d like to thank all those who take the time to write and tell me how much they enjoy my books. Most of the reviews I get on Amazon are negative. Some are downright nasty, so much so that for a while there, I thought I’d just stop writing, so positive email is very rewarding.

And thank you, Sidhe, for your wonderful reviews and for having me here.           

Sidhe Vicious Reviews would like to thank you for taking the time to come by and give us this great inside look into your world and your writing! It’s been a true pleasure. 🙂 And might I add that I, for one, am truly grateful that you didn’t give up on the writing! I love that there are so many different authors and styles of writing or it would get old quick.

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Giveaway Details:

Amanda Ashley is graciously offering up a signed copy of Everlasting Kiss OR one of Amanda’s backlist of previously published books  to one randomly picked commenter. Giveaway is open to those in the USA & Canada.

What type of vampire is your favourite? Do you like them rash, wild and dangerous like Lestat? Quiet, tortured and contemplative like Louis? Sparkly, gorgeous and fangless like Edward? Or exciting, sinfully sexy and unpredictable like Eric Northman? What is it about vampires that revs your motor? 😀 

Amanda may also be popping by for the next day or two to reply to comments, so if you have any burning questions for her, feel free to ask away.

For one entry: Please leave a comment with the answer to the question. (+1 entry)

For  extra entries: 

– Subscribe to my blog, Sidhe Vicious Reviews, through the links at the top right hand side of the blog, and let me know in your comment. Be sure you verify your subscription through the email you’ll receive or it won’t count. (+1 entry)

– If  you’re already subscribed, you’ll receive an extra entry, but be sure to let me know in the comments. (+2 entries)

– Post a link to this contest on your Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace, GoodReads, LibraryThing, or on your blog and send me the link either in the comments or by email and you’ll get an extra entry for each place you add a link to. (+? entries, insert however many links you’ve done)

Contest is open to USA & Canada only and will run through January 31st until 11:59pm. The winners will be posted here on Feb 1st. Please leave your email addy in your comment for me to contact you if you’ve won. If I haven’t heard back from the winner in 7 days, a new winner will be drawn from the eligible comments. Winners will be chosen by a random number generator. Good Luck everyone! 🙂

Charlene Teglia – Interview & Giveaway

Today I have erotic paranormal romance author Charlene Teglia here for an interview and giveaway! Grab a cup of tea, a scone and get comfy while we get to know this awesome lady a bit. 🙂

Sidhe Vicious welcomes Paranormal Erotica author Charlene Teglia! We’re looking forward to getting to know you and all about your novel Claimed By The Wolf.

Charlene – Thanks! Claimed by the Wolf introduces the Shadow Guardians, immortal
warriors who guard humanity from, well, creatures like themselves.

Sidhe -Your Paranormal Erotica novel, Claimed By The Wolf was released in December 2009 by St Martin’s Griffin. Can you tell us about it and a bit about the main characters?
Charlene – The hero, Kenric, is an alpha werewolf whose pack died when he was betrayed by a witch. The heroine, Sybil is an incompetent witch who accidentally unleashes the same dark force that led to those deaths. Romance with baggage! To complicate matters, the only way to make things
right is for Inanna’s immortal warriors, the Shadow Guardians, to transfer their power to her via sex magic.

Sidhe – What about vamps, witches, weres, etc inspired you to write about them?

Charlene – I love witches and werewolves and vampires. And there aren’t enough books with shape-shifting dragons, demons, or sidhe in them.

Sidhe – Will we be seeing more of Sybil, Kenric and the rest of the Shadow Guardians in the future?
Charlene – Yes, Kiss of the Demon is underway and should be out in Oct. of 2010.

Sidhe – How did you get your start in writing? What, if anything, lit the “spark” to get you started and keep you motivated?

Charlene – I wrote all the time, as far back as I can remember. My mom says I made up stories that I acted out with my stuffed animals when I was 3. As for motivation, writing is stress relief, a sanity check, and the way I pay the bills. Then there are the deadlines. I have a lot of motivation to keep my butt in the chair and my hands on the keyboard.

Sidhe – What was the path to publication on this novel like? Highlights? Pitfalls?

Charlene – This book was “book #2” of a contract and was developed after everything else I proposed was rejected, LOL. Proof that necessity is the mother of invention. I had to write something to fulfill the contract.

Sidhe – Did you find it harder or easier to write subsequent novels in this series because of already having created this world?

Charlene – It’s so much easier to start with a world, rules, characters, history. I’d rather build on that than start over from ground zero any day.

Sidhe – Do you have any funny writing quirks or habits that you do when you’re in the “zone” writing?

Charlene – I lose my coffee cups, does that count? Set them down, forget, wander off.

Sidhe – Have you ever met a vampire, werewolf, demon, fae?

Charlene – No, but it would certainly liven up my day if I did.

Sidhe – What supernatural power or creature would you most like to have or be?

Charlene – It’d be fun to fly, but I suppose I should wish for something more useful, like the power to heal.

Sidhe – Who is your favourite paranormal or urban fantasy fictional character and why? (Not counting your own of course).

Charlene – I don’t think I can answer that, I have too many favourites. I love Harry
Dresden, Rachel Morgan, Kate Daniels.

Sidhe – Who’s your favourite author? TV show? Movie?

Charlene – Again, too many favourites. It depends on the mood.

Sidhe – If you could choose one fictional character to bring into real life, who would you choose?

Charlene – Odd Thomas. I’d like to have breakfast with him.

Sidhe – How have the books you’ve read influenced the books you write?

Charlene – I’m not sure it counts as influence, but when you analyze what you read and understand why something you like works for you and why something you don’t like doesn’t, it helps you understand your own work and where your strengths lie.

Sidhe – What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever gotten inspiration from?

Charlene – A tabloid headline (I Was An Alien’s Love Slave, Ellora’s Cavemen
Seasons of Seduction III)

Sidhe – What do you do when you’re having writer’s block to “shake” it off?

Charlene – Writer’s block is a complex issue, so it depends on the problem. If the story is stuck, then I do character interviews, brainstorm on paper, etc. until I figure out the problem. Or I switch gears and write something else; that will often shake loose whatever’s stuck on story A. If  it’s a case of too much work, not enough play, the well needs refilling. Resting, reading, etc. will fix it.

Sidhe – What can a new reader expect from your book/series?

Charlene – The Shadow Guardians are very erotic stories with romance and danger and fun.

Sidhe – You write about various types of supernatural creatures. Do you do a lot of research or do you prefer to take what you already know and use your imagination for the rest?

Charlene – I do a ton of research. And I use my imagination. I usually reverse-engineer for world-building elements.

Sidhe – Are any of your characters particularly fun or easy for you to write? Any that are more difficult?

Charlene – The dragon shape-shifter was very easy to write. Kenric was a stone bastard, but I wrestled him down in the end.

Sidhe – Do you have any tips for aspiring speculative fiction writers?

Charlene – Read, read, read, read. Write, write, write, write, write. And get your hands on Plot by Ansen Dibell, it’s an excellent resource for solutions to myriad kinds of story problems.

Sidhe – Thanks so much Charlene for being here at SVR. It was great to get to know you!

Charlene – Thanks for asking me, it was fun.

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Giveaway Details:

Charlene is graciously offering up a signed copy of Claimed By The Wolf to one randomly picked commenter. (US only this time).

So if you had to pick between a werewolf, a dragon shape-shifter, a vampire, a sidhe lord or a demon for your significant sexy other, which would you choose and why? Charlene may also be popping by for the next day or two to reply to comments, so if you have any burning questions for her, feel free to ask away. 🙂

For one entry: Please leave a comment with the answer to the question.

For  extra entries: 

– Subscribe to my blog, Sidhe Vicious Reviews, through the links at the top right hand side of the blog, and let me know in your comment. Be sure you verify your subscription through the email you’ll receive or it won’t count. (+1 entry)

– If  you’re already subscribed, you’ll receive an extra entry, but be sure to let me know in the comments. (+2 entries)

– Post a link to this contest on your Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace, GoodReads, LibraryThing, or on your blog and send me the link either in the comments or by email and you’ll get an extra entry for each place you add a link to.

Contest is open to USA only and will run through January 21st until 11:59pm. The winners will be posted here on the 22nd. Please leave your email addy in your comment for me to contact you if you’ve won. If I haven’t heard back from the winner/s in 7 days, a new winner will be drawn from the eligible comments. Winners will be chosen by a random number generator. Good Luck everyone!

Yasmine Galenorn – Interview & Giveaway

Today readers, we have the pleasure of New York Times’ Bestselling author, Yasmine Galenorn, stopping by for an interview! Her up-coming release, Bone Magic, will be out on shelves January 5th, so we’re launching her book promotions from here. Yasmine will be responding to comments today and possibly tomorrow, time permitting, so let’s be sure to give her a warm welcome. The details of the giveaway will be at the end of the interview, and it’s a big one, so be sure to read all the way to the end. 🙂

Welcome back to SVR Yasmine!

Sidhe – Bone Magic, book 7 in your Otherworld Series is out on January 5th. Congrats on writing such a successful and exciting series! Can you start things off by telling us a bit about the book?

Yasmine – Bone Magic marks a major turning point for several of the characters. Camille undergoes a drastic ritual at the hands of the Moon Mother and the Black Unicorn that will forever change her life; Chase faces an incredible shift in his life in a life-or-death situation, a significant portion of Iris’s past is revealed, paving the way for me to write a novella about her, and we say goodbye to a minor but recurring character when the demons do some permanent damage.

Sidhe – I recall from past interviews that you identify most with the character Camille. Do you find yourself sometimes putting characteristics of people that you know into your characters? Or are you just more of a people watcher and you utilize some characteristics from all over?

Yasmine – Most of the characters have some aspect of me-Camille especially, but as far as putting aspects of friends and family in characters-well, that’s bound to happen, but in bits and pieces. And I do people watch-I shamelessly watch people when I’m out and so the characters evolve from every which way.

Sidhe – Do you listen to music while you write to inspire you? If so, are there any bands/singers who resonate especially while writing the D’Artigo sisters and the world you’ve created in your Otherworld Series?

Yasmine – Yes, about 70% of the time. And each book has a playlist which you’ll find on my website under the descriptions of the individual books. I’m also starting to add them into the books themselves so people can find them in the back. I do have some songs that appear over and over, and others that I connect with certain characters. The song Believe by the Bravery-that fits the overall series almost like a theme song. Other recurring songs on the playlists: When the Levee Breaks (Led Zeppelin), Half-Light (Low), a LOT of songs from Gary Numan, especially his darker, newer material. I listen to bands like Seether, Saliva, Orgy, Oingo Boingo, Thompson Twins, Gabrielle Roth, and many, many more.

Sidhe – You’ve crafted an amazing world, how do you keep track of all the details when writing a multi-book series?

Yasmine – I have what I call my Research Notebooks from Hell for every series. After each manuscript is accepted by my editor, I go through and update the entire notebook. I’ve done workshops on this subject for writers, before-organizing when you’re writing a series. The notebooks contain everything from character development through the books to subplot arcs/major arcs, bestiaries, military entanglements, places/groups/shops etc. for each world I’m writing.

Sidhe – I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but Camille goes through some major experiences in this book, both personally and with her loved ones in their world. Do you have a hard time unwinding after writing, what must be very emotional for you, scenes involving your much-loved characters?

Yasmine – Yes, actually, I do. I’m usually so brain-fried that all I want to do is immerse myself in TV. I’m almost always too tired to read-I read on breaks between books. Exercise helps, sex helps me get out of my head, taking a drive and just sitting at Starbucks helps…but until I finish the book, I’m always immersed in it whether I’m writing or not.

Sidhe – How many more books do you have coming up in this series? (Enquiring fans want to know) 🙂

Yasmine – However many that my publisher and I can negotiate for me to write. There are so many ways I can take this world that I am by no means done. Once the spirit seals story arc is tied up (and it won’t be by book 9 but it’s getting there), I have other plans for the sisters.

Sidhe – Do you have any new books or series in the works that we can look forward to?

Yasmine – Yes, Night Myst, the first book in the Indigo Court Series, will be out late next June.  Here’s the blurb for it:

Eons ago, vampires tried to turn the Dark Fae in order to harness their power. Instead, they created a demonic enemy more powerful than they dared to dream. Bent on enslaving the world, the Vampiric Fae have been quietly massing their strength for centuries. Now, Myst, queen of the Indigo Court, is rising again…and a long-prophesied war is brewing…

Born a witch, Cicely Waters can control the wind. When her Elemental warns her that her aunt and cousin are in danger, she packs her Pontiac GTO and returns home for the first time in twenty years. But the magical town of New Forest, Washington has changed. The Indigo Court holds the city in fear; people are vanishing, and strange deaths plague the town. Swept into an unexpected and passionate reunion with her trusted childhood friend Grieve, the Fae prince who taught her how to harness the wind, Cicely finds herself with a fierce and territorial lover. But Grieve has become enslaved by Myst’s court, and now both lovers must walk a fine line to survive the machinations of the Vampiric Fae Queen. Caught between two evils, both vying for supremacy, Cicely must fight for her family and her future. As she discovers the hidden secrets to her own heritage, will she lose her soul in the process?

Sidhe – How do you get yourself to write on days where you’re not feeling it? Or how do you keep at it when the going’s rough?

Yasmine – I remind myself of how bad the panic is when I’m on a hard deadline and behind. I also remind myself that this is my career-not a hobby-and whether I feel like it or not, the work I produce turns out tight and well-written. If this were a hobby I could just walk away, but my readers depend on me, I have legal contracts with my publisher that must be fulfilled, and this is how I make my living. You can’t just knock off work every time you feel like it if you have a ‘day job’ , and likewise, I can’t just fuck around when I feel like it.

Sidhe – Besides the awesome artwork that Tony Mauro does for your covers, do you have any pictures of people/celebrities who remind you of your characters to motivate or inspire you?

Yasmine – I adore Tony-he’s the most incredible artist and he’ll be doing the art for my new series too. I’m so thankful for that and can hardly wait to see the art for Night Myst. As far as your question, some of the anime inspires me-both story and artwork. InuYasha and Bleach have really impacted me. Most celebrities don’t, but characters, series, movies do. Hellboy I & II, the Xmen movies, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the first couple seasons of Supernatural, Fringe, all of these spark off new ideas.

Sidhe – Do you have anything else you’d like to share with readers?

Yasmine – I’d like to invite people over to my blog this month -I’ve got a lot of contests and fun posts going up. And I’m Twitter-you can find me there. Please, sign up for my newsletter on my website because that is the easiest way, other than visiting my website, to keep up with updates and new releases. I hope you love Bone Magic and Inked-both of which are out on January 5, 2010.  Bone Magic is the 7th book in the Otherworld Series, and Etched in Silver, my novella in Inked, is the story of how Camille and Trillian first met.

I’d like to thank Yasmine for taking the time to come by Sidhe Vicious Reviews. We wish you much continued success and can’t wait to read more of your captivating novels!

Thank you for having me-and for sponsoring this contest. I enjoyed it!

Yasmine

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Live Chat Info:

Before we get to the giveaway details, I have an announcement to make! If you’ve ever wanted to chat in real-time with Yasmine, then tomorrow, on December 6, you’ll want to join us for the online chat with Yasmine in the Moon Stalkers Forum. Yasmine will be sharing an excerpt from Bone Magic during the chat, that will only be available to forum members during the chat that evening. Here’s the info, “Chat: December 6^th, 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, my forums: http://www.galenorn.com/Bulletin (case-sensitive).  You MUST register for my forums to join. The special excerpt will be posted right before and I’ll give the link to people in the chat. The excerpt will only remain up for 24 hours.” So head on over to register and get in on the chat!

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Giveaway Details:

Yasmine is generously providing not one, but 6 books to 6 winners!! 🙂 There are 2 copies of Demon Mistress, 2 copies of Night Huntress and 2 copies of Dragon Wytch.

For one entry: Please leave a comment telling us whether Witches, Vampires, Shifters or Fae are your favorite Paranormal characters and why. OR (for today only, the 5th, you can ask Yasmine a question in lieu of answering the original comment question).

For  extra entries: 

– Subscribe to my blog, Sidhe Vicious Reviews, through the links at the top right hand side of the blog, and let me know in your comment. Be sure you verify your subscription through the email you’ll receive or it won’t count. (+1 entry)

– If  you’re already subscribed, you’ll receive an additional entry, but be sure to let me know in the comments. (+2 entries)

– Post a link to this contest on your Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace, GoodReads, LibraryThing, or on your blog and send me the link either in the comments or by email and you’ll get an extra entry for each place you add a link to.  

 Contest is open to Canada and USA and will run through December 16th. The winners will be posted here on the 17th. Please leave your email addy in your comment for me to contact you if you’ve won. If I haven’t heard back from the winner/s in 7 days, a new winner will be drawn from the eligible comments. Winners will be chosen by a random number generator. Good Luck everyone! 🙂

News & Updates

-Well, I FINALLY got my bookshelf pages updated and posted! There are hundreds of amazing authors and books listed in both Adult and Young Adult genres of Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Graphic Novels, Manga, and a couple others.

I hope that this list will help readers find new authors and books. Just click on the My Books A-K and My Books K-Z links at the top of my blog. Eventually, I’ll get started on making the book titles into links, but for now, it’s up-dated and there for you all to browse.

-I bought the Star Trek DVD and have to say that I was really impressed with JJ Abrams version of the series! I’m really hoping that they will make another movie with these actors playing these characters. Awesome! 

The next movie that I am dying to see is Avatar. The trailer looks amazing!

–UPDATE– Best selling author, Yasmine Galenorn, will be here on December 5th to begin the launch of her Jan 5th release, Bone Magic. I’ll be interviewing Yasmine and there will be a giveaway for two books. Yasmine will also be popping by to respond to comments on the 5th and 6th, so be sure to come by.

Now I’m off to read and give my fingers a rest. The mega-type-a-thon of the book lists is done. Whew!

Dante & Ciara – Interview Round 1

I’ve been enjoying this and thought I would share, with permission, of course. Enjoy! 🙂

Since Dante Baptiste (of Adrian Phoenix’s A Rush of Wings and In the Blood) and Ciara Griffin (of Jeri Smith-Ready’s Wicked Game and the upcoming Bad to the Bone) are from two different worlds, it seemed likely (and sad) that they’d never meet.

 

But then the dimensional fabric between their worlds thinned for a brief time, so that they could share a few (okay, make that a lot of) drinks at the Bar Between the Universes (not to be confused with the Restaurant at the End of the Universe—the Bar only serves basic pub grub) and got to talking: 

 

ROUND ONE

 

Dante (drinking Absinthe King Gold):  Hey Ciara, bon soir.  We’re the only ones in the club, and I’m content to play bartender.  Name your poison.

 

Ciara: Hmm, given your choice of words, I’ll take a Coke.  In the original container.  Unbroken seal. 

 

Dante: (snorts) So you’re saying that the drink used world-round to clean car batteries is safer than anything I’d pour for you?  Oh-kay. (Hands Ciara an ice-cold short bottle of Coke.  Unopened.  Offers her a bottle opener.)

 

Ciara: Hey, I’m new in your world.  Lots of scary-ass folks, including nightkind.  Always gotta watch out for numero uno, right?  Trust no one.  Well, almost no one.

 

Dante: C’est vrai, but you gotta trust yourself, yeah?  It gets old always watching out for Numero Uno.  You never know when he’s gonna blindside you with a flying tackle. I ain’t trying to be cold, but I think it’s time Numero Uno was told he ain’t with the Saints no more.  D’ya think there’s an assisted living center for delusional ex-football players? 

 

Ciara: (blinks)

 

Dante: Oh.  Wait.  You meant numero uno as in (points a finger at Ciara’s chest, then points at his own). Gotcha!  See, there’s this . . . never mind, ain’t important.

(Downs his drink)

 

So I read Wicked Game. 

 

Ciara: And you told all your friends, right?  Maybe talked about it onstage?  Been my ever-lovin’ pimpalicious baby?

 

Dante: (pouring himself another tumbler of Absinthe King Gold) Oui, I told all my friends about WVMP and its vampire DJs, and I think I mentioned you.  And Shane.  And all the hot sex.

 

(A smile tilts his lips)

 

I even told them there was another book on the way full of action, hysterical one-liners, deadly fanatics, and – oh, yeah – more hot sex.  I ain’t mentioned it onstage, but where do I sign up to be your ever-lovin’ pimpalicious baby?  What are the perks?

 

Ciara: Gold chain medallions, ankle-length leather coat with arctic fox trim.  The standard pimp accoutrements.  I think you’d look cute in one of those big purple hats.

 

Dante: (chokes on his drink. Turns around so Ciara can lean across the bar and pound on his back as he gasps for air.)

 

Ciara: Anyway, I’ve read both of your adventures, A Rush of Wings and In the Blood, which puts me one ahead of you.  I’ve even read the sections you didn’t narrate, which means I know seeeeeecrets.  Which I’m willing to sell.

 

Dante:  Secrets?  To sell?  How much?  (works hand into pocket of leather pants, then his gaze lights on the cash register.  He grins and pulls his hand free of his pocket.)

 

Ciara:  Actually, I’m not sure I want to be around when you find out some of those not-so-fun facts.  Maybe I could mail them to you and you could wire the money to one of my offshore accounts.  After I’m far, far away.  Out of “unmaking range.”

 

Dante: (blinks)  Offshore accounts?  What, are you Le Chiffre from Bond?  Does that make me Bond or the Bond chick?  And I ain’t one of those ‘unmake the messenger’ types, p’tite. 

 

Ciara: That’s good to know.  So where was I?  Oh yeah, your books.  I tell all my friends about your antics, and once I have some free time in between all the not-getting-killed, your stories will be the first ones I review on our dormant website.  Because they officially rock. 

 

Do people still say things “rock”?  Sometimes I worry I spend so much time with Nineties Boy, my slang gets out of date.

 

Sorry.  You were saying.  Or maybe I was saying.  Who was saying?

 

Dante:  (reaches over and yanks the bottle of Coke out of Ciara’s hand.) You’ve had waaaay too much caffeine, p’tite.  Choose a non-caffeinated drink.

 

Ciara: (sighs) Okay.  Give me a Smithwick’s.  That’s Shane’s favorite beer.  But again, sealed, please. 

 

And when you get a chance, come sit with me.  You hovering behind the bar feels too much like a shrink with his patient.  Unless you feel threatened, in which case, hover all you want.  I know better than to threaten a vampire.

 

Dante: (snorts) Threatened.  (Moves in a blur of latex and gleaming steel and sits on the stool beside Ciara, unopened bottle of Smithwick’s in hand, which he extends to her.) You still have the bottle opener, yeah?

 

Ciara: (gapes) Uh…yeah.  (presses cold bottle against neck to cool off)

 

Dante: I’m impressed by how you’ve been able to play the book off as fiction, but given your skills in the persuasive arts, not surprised.  You got any other promotions for WVMP coming up?

 

Ciara: (recovers at the mention of marketing activities) You bet!  We had a rockin’ Halloween party, and then a Happy Hell-iday celebration for Christmas.  Eight fanged reindeer pulling Santa’s coffin, devil horns on my elf costume, and of course, the classic holiday songs like “Little St. Nick” by the Beach Boys, and “Christmas Sucks” by Tom Waits and Peter Murphy. 

 

(pops top of beer bottle)

 

See, some annoying people insisted we were going to hell, so we decided to milk it.  Ratings, you know.  You can read all about it in my next adventure, BAD TO THE BONE, coming out in May, in stores everywhere!

 

(looks around for someone to hand a bookmark to, sees no one, is deflated)

 

Dante: Leave some bookmarks on the bar, I’m sure people will pick ‘em up.  I’d like one, too.

 

Ciara:  So what about you?  How’s the Inferno tour going?  Any more onstage, um, episodes like the one in Seattle that Heather told us about in IN THE BLOOD?  That looked pretty rough.  I’m not surprised people thought it was a stunt.  Tabloid rumors really sell concert tickets!  But seriously, I hope you’re feeling better. 

 

(reaches out to pat his shoulder, thinks better of it)

 

Dante: People thought what happened on stage was a stunt?  Wow.  I didn’t know that.  Tabloid rumors . . . hell, I didn’t even think about that!  I don’t even remember what happened, to be honest.  But I’m good, merci beaucoup for asking.

 

Ciara: Good.  I want to keep you around for those next two books I hear are coming down the pike.  You know anything about them?  Any hints for your cutest fan?  (bats eyelashes)

 

Dante:  Shane’s here??  Oh.  You meant cutest female fan. (Wicked smile.)  Umm . . . well, the title is BENEATH THE SKIN.  And the series now has a name – THE MAKER’S SONG.  I can’t really give you any hints because it might spoil ITB for those who ain’t read it yet.  I can say there’ll be fights for survival, sex, love, blood, oh, and a fight for sanity.  I know . . . generic.  (Shrugs.) Can’t be helped, p’tite.

 

Ciara: Ooh, your series has a name.  I’m jealous.  But congratulations—it all sounds very intriguing.

 

Dante:  Your turn.  List the DJs in order of hotness.  I think it’s a given Shane’ll be numero un.  Gotta admit, I think he’s hot too. 

 

Ciara:  Why, thank you.  In order?  Definitely Noah is second—he’s got a kind, gentle soul, and OhMyGod the dreadlocks.  I also like that he sometimes wears glasses, though of course he doesn’t need them.

 

Dante: Dreads are smokin’ for true.

 

Ciara:  Then probably a tie between Spencer and Monroe.  They’re both so aloof and magnetic, although Spencer, frankly, is a major tightass.  But he has piercing eyes, so point in his favor.

 

Dante:  Oui, I’d say piercing eyes earns points, tightass loses points, so maybe Spencer’s a wash, yeah?

 

Ciara:  Overall, yeah, but he’s good to have around.  At least the sanest patient is running the asylum.

 

Back to the hotness rankings.  Last would be Regina and finally Jim.  Not that they’re not gorgeous, but their personalities are kind of a turnoff.  Regina’s a bully, and Jim…well, I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.  He’s definitely committed “bad touch” with me more than once.  I’d give anything to be able to haul off and whack him upside the head, but that’d probably get me killed. 

 

Shane put him in his place, though, in BTTB.  He totally drank his milkshake.  Well, he took a sip, at least.

 

Am I talking too much?  Do I seem nervous?  Don’t answer that.

 

Dante:  I never really got that “I drink your milkshake” line in that “There Will Be Blood” movie.  I mean, what the hell was that movie even about?  Um…excuse that digression. 

 

(C&D speak over each other)

 

Ciara: I didn’t actually see it (I spent most of that December trying not to get killed).  But these days, the catch phrase is enough to fake one’s pop culture awareness. 

 

 

 

 

Dante: You seem a little nervous, yeah.  But I ain’t gonna do any “bad touch” stuff or let anyone else bother you – if anyone should walk in, that is, which they won’t.  Club’s closed.  Just you and me, chere.  Whoops.  I wasn’t supposed to answer that, yeah?

 

 

Ciara:  Answer what?  Huh?

 

Dante: (pours fourth Absinthe King Gold and waits for her to catch up)

 

Ciara: Anyway, instead, answer this: What’s your favorite song you’d never cover onstage?  A secret guilty pleasure, like REO Speedwagon or Barry Manilow, perhaps? 

 

Dante:  My secret guilty pleasure (but it ain’t secret anymore) is Justin Timberlake.  I’d love to do a cover of “Cry Me a River” that song’s just brimming with rage, but the guys would probably tie me up and stuff me head first into a laundry hamper full of smelly athletic gear.  My other secret (dammit…not anymore!) guilty pleasure would be Kelly Clarkson’s “Addicted.”  That song cuts to the core.  But…the guys would probably tie me up, stuff me into a laundry hamper, etc.

 

You next.  What song or band is your secret guilty pleasure?

 

Ciara: Does Coldplay count?  I’m told they’re not cool, but they’re my musical Valium.  Except for their new album, which I hate.  Now that they’ve been praised for reinventing themselves, they’ll do it every time, and I’ll never get my mindless soothing Brit Pop melodies back.  Ah well.  There’s always Snow Patrol.

 

Dante: Oui, Coldplay counts.  The reinvented Coldplay is too generic to be worthy of secret guilty pleasuredom.  (Clinks his tumbler against Ciara’s beer bottle).  Hey! While we’re starting to feel no pain, it’s the perfect time to indulge our secret guilty pleasures, yeah?

 

(Dante jumps to his feet, blurs back behind the bar, much clinking, clanking, and muttering ensues.  He straightens, shaking his hair back from his face, a triumphant smile on his lips.  He thumps a karaoke machine on the bar.)

 

Le voici!  Ain’t never done this, but I think it’d be fun, yeah?  Just you and me and any song we’d never sing in front of an audience.  I can set this up, we can take turns singing in the Cage or on the bar!  I totally want to sing “Like a Virgin!”  Whatcha wanna sing?  We can flip a coin or arm wrestle or kiss or something to decide who goes first!

 

Ciara: Ooh, I know—let’s start with a duet!  Like maybe… (flips through karaoke book)  Perfect!  (programs machine and hands Dante a mic)  First one to laugh has to sing anything the other one chooses.

 

Dante: D’accord.  And drink anything the other one pours.

 

(We hear the opening strains of the world’s tenth cheesiest vampire song: Ozzy Osbourne and Lena Horne’s “Close My Eyes Forever.”  Fade out as Dante laughs.)

To read my reviews, click on the links! A Rush Of Wings, In The Blood and Wicked Game. Cick on the covers to buy.  I’ll post Round Two next week!