Winter Solstice Event ~ Liz Strange interview & Giveaway

Welcome to another fantastic instalment of my author interviews for the Winter Solstice event. I would like to welcome Liz Strange.  We've got an interview with Liz, then I'll share some information about her books and finally we have a giveaway for you (end of the post). 

An interview with Liz Strange!

Please introduce yourself and your books.
I am a multi/cross genre fiction author, writing mainly in fantasy, horror and mystery. My two series are the DarkKkiss and David Lloyd Investigations. 

Why did you decide to become a writer?
I decided to try to the  published writer about four years ago, but I have been writing my whole life.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I love mythology, history, unsolved mysteries and unrequited love stories. And a dash of real and that usually begins the premise for my books. 

Can you talk us through the process you go through when you write a book.
Depending on the type of book, I my do research, prepare an outline or dive  right in. 

If you could have dinner with one of your characters who would it be and why?
Oh so hard. I’ll say Giovanni from The Dark kiss series. He’s been around for so long, I’d love to pick his brain and hear about events/time periods from someone who’s seen it with his own eyes. 

If you were not a writer what would you be?

If I had my choice I think I’d been an archaeologist or a professional student. I love learning!

What is the best thing about being a writer?
Being able to live in my imagination.

And the worst?
Long hours, and little pay.

Did you have a favourite author as a child?

I liked the Three Investigators series, but by the time I was ten or eleven I was reading Stephen King and Dean Koontz. 

What do you do in your free time?

LOL- free time! Going to the gym is about the only thing I make time for. It helps keep me sane.

You can visit one place in the world right now, where and why?
Greece. I’ve always wanted to go there. So much history!!

Can you give us an odd fact about yourself?

I love musicals and any movies about dancing. 

A few quick fire questions:

Coffee or Tea? Coffee

Summer or winter? Winter

Physical book or ebook? Physical

Wild night out or cosy night in?  Both. Depends on the occasion.

Thank you Liz, excellent interview which gives us a real insight into your authors world! I really enjoyed your answers.

About Liz Strange

Liz was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario where she still resides with her family and a menagerie of pets. When not working, writing or spending time with her family she enjoys reading, watching scary movies, spicy food and hitting the gym.

 Liz is a self-confessed sci-fi nerd, loving Star Trek, X-Files, and Torchwood. She also loves anything to do with mythology, history and anthropology, and has a long-standing fascination with ancient Greece and Easter Island.

She has been an avid reader from childhood, and has always been attracted to stories that deal with the darker side of human nature, mysteries, crime, and things that go bump in the night. Her true (and undying) love for vampires was born when she got her hands on a copy of Stephen King's 'Salem's Lot.

Liz loves to hear from her readers and will answer any questions sent her way. 

And yes this is her real name!

Find Liz online: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Born of Blood and Retribution 

The world’s first vampire has come calling – and she isn’t happy.

After the brutal showdown with the Demarais and the reunion with Giovanni, Rachel is looking for nothing more than some peace and quiet. Harshika, the world’s first vampire, has other ideas. She's not pleased with the immortal race as a whole, finding them weak and too “human”. When called before her, the immortals are given an ultimatum: Submit to Harshika as her subjects or die.Now Rachel and her old friends must join with new allies to discover Harshika’s weakness…hopefully in time to gain freedom for them all.

Giveaway

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Winter Solstice Event ~ Celine Chatillon interview & Giveaway

Welcome to another fantastic instalment of my author interviews for the Winter Solstice event. I would like to welcome Celine Chatillon.  We've got an interview with Celine, then I'll share some information about her books and finally we have a giveaway for you (end of the post). 

An interview with Celine Chatillon!

Please introduce yourself and your books.
Hi, my name is Celine Chatillon. I've been writing romantic fiction for the last decade and a half. I have a variety of erotic-romances published by eXtasy Books, Liquid Silver Books, and Mojocastle Press. I enjoy writing about vampires, psychics and other fantasy/paranormal characters as well as contemporary ones. My sweeter romances are written under my Cynthianna pen name. You can read excerpts and synopses of all my titles at my web site http://www.celinechatillon.com andhttp://www.cynthianna.com

Why did you decide to become a writer?
I think the decision was always out of my hands. I've just always enjoyed reading and writing. It's like breathing to me.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Inspiration comes from anything and everywhere. I'm never quite sure where I come up with an idea, but I do know that looking at things online and in movies/TV I often get a picture in my mind of a character or situation... Once I have the main character in my head, the plot springs from that character's actions and behaviors.

Can you talk us through the process you go through when you write a book.
With the idea of the main character, the location, and the basic plot in my head, I usually sit down and start writing the opening scene(s). You can call me a "pantser" writer, as I don't tend to write long and drawn-out outlines or charts like "plotter" writers often do. I just close my eyes and picture the opening scene and go from there. It's not always a straightforward process (you do get bogged down in the middle occasionally), but I always try to keep the momentum going by writing what I "see" in my mind as the next scene. If I have problems with a particular scene, I might write a note on the page that says, "Come back and develop this point further", but I'll continue on writing the scene that comes after it and then the next and so forth.

If you could have dinner with one of your characters who would it be and why?
I'd like to have dinner with them all! I guess if I had to choose one, I'd enjoy having dinner with Brandi from BRANDI WHYNE AND HER INCREDIBLY EROTIC ADVENTURES. (http://brandi-whyne.blogspot.com) Brandi has lived a very colorful life as a space pirate and she never has trouble finding new lovers... I want to get some expert advice from her so I can write better erotic fiction! ;)

If you were not a writer what would you be?

Good question! I've had a variety of day jobs, but none of them ever "took" that well. Possibly a teacher or professor of some kind.

What is the best thing about being a writer?
Being creative and creating "worlds" where you are in total control of every person and every situation. It is sort of the ultimate ego trip when you think about it. ;)

And the worst?
No regular pay, no benefits really, no way to make a living without a "day job" unless you make it to the top 1% with multiple best-sellers.

Did you have a favourite author as a child?

Many! It's hard to think of how many authors I enjoyed reading. :)

What do you do in your free time?

Free time? What's that? ;) I do like to walk and I enjoy singing, reading, painting arts-and-crafts, and watching movies on DVD.

You can visit one place in the world right now, where and why?
Hmm, it's fairly cold outside today, so I'm really wanting to lie on a sunny, tropical beach somewhere in the Caribbean and have several handsome cabana boys fan me and offer me fruit drinks and other sweet treats. Ooo--a nice, relaxing massage would be perfect! The why? Why not? :)

Can you give us an odd fact about yourself?

I'm an odd person, so any facts about me will be odd! An unusual fact is that I am part Blackfoot-Cree, but I have blue eyes and blond hair. Mom's family is Scots-Irish, so my coloring came from her and my high cheekbones came from Dad. :)

Anything you would like to add?
I want to wish everyone a very happy holiday season! Enjoy yourselves and don't forget to support your favorite authors by purchasing their books and leaving reviews online to share your thoughts with other readers. Thank you.

A few quick fire questions:

Coffee or Tea? Tea--preferably herbal

Summer or winter? Summer--but not too, too hot!

Physical book or ebook? Either. It's the contents that count, not the packaging.

Wild night out or cosy night in?  Cosy night in with a good book or a good DVD. I like cuddling up with my handsome hubby! ;)

Thank you Celine, excellent interview which gives us a real insight into your authors world! 

About Celine Chatillon

Celine Chatillon is the alter ego of multi-published contemporary romance novelist, Cynthianna. Celine finds writing erotica a very pleasant departure from her day job as a small press manuscript reader. She grew up watching Dark Shadows and Star Trek and reading Dracula and classic science fiction tales--along with several thousand Harlequin romance novels.  She has released numerous erotic romance tales with eXtasy Books, including the humorous sci-fi romp Brandi Whyne and Her Incredibly Erotic Adventures. Her "Paranormal Lovers of St. Louis" novel series is published with Liquid Silver Books. Mojocastle Press is home to her science fiction/erotica collection Heavenly Bodies. (Click on the Books/Excerpts link above for a complete listing.)

Many more stories of erotic fun and wonder are in the works or under contract at this time. Be patient, please.

Celine has a yahoogroup announcement newsletter, Celine's Dreams, aFacebook author page and a blog "Celine's Dreams". She blogs occasionally with other erotic-romance authors. She may have other blogs and/or web sites elsewhere, but she's mislaid them along with the batteries for her vibrator.

Please feel free to befriend her on the web at:
Celine's Dreams blog: http://celinesdreams.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cynthianna.CelineChatillon
Twitter: http://twitter.com/cynthianna3
Amazon Author (Kindle) page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002CQY3BM
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/celinechatillon_cynthianna
Celine's Dreams e-newsletter:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celinesdreams/?yguid=221911740

Giveaway

Celine is giving away an ebook copy of one of her books, your choice!

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Winter Solstice Event ~ Suzanne McLeod interview & Giveaway

Welcome to another fantastic instalment of my author interviews for the Winter Solstice event. I would like to welcome Suzanne McLeod. We've got an interview with Suzanne, then I'll share some information about her books and finally we have a giveaway for you (end of the post). Suzanne is a UK author & I'm a UK blogger so it's a great meeting :-)

An interview with Suzanne McLeod!

Please introduce yourself and your books.
Hello, I’m Suzanne McLeod, and thanks to Jenny for having me here for her Winter Solstice event. I write the Spellcrackers.com urban fantasy series about Genevieve Taylor. Genny is a sidhe fae and she works as a magical trouble-shooter in present day London; but it’s an alternative London with witches in Covent Garden, goblin workers on the Underground, trolls in the police force, celebrity vampires in Leicester Square, and other fae such as naiads, dryads and satyrs. Book four – The Shifting Price of Prey – is the latest book out in the series (UK only so far, but it’s available from the Book Depository with free worldwide delivery *inserts obligatory self-promo* :-D)

Why did you decide to become a writer?
When I realised my five to eight book-a-week habit was getting more and more difficult to sustain - I just wasn't finding enough of what I loved to read in the bookstores anymore (this was back in 2003; sadly bookstores seem like they’re becoming an endangered species just now L ), and my favourite authors where taking too long to write their next books ;).  

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I always knew I wanted to write a series with a character who got involved solving mysteries and murder.  From there it was finding my main character, Genny, and working out her back story and the world in which she lived; and how both had shaped her. Then I wanted her to have a job that would bring specific problems to her, problems that it would be logical she would deal with. But I didn’t want her to be police [too many rules and regulations to take into consideration] or a PI, hence Spellcrackers.com where her job is to clear up any nasty or dangerous spells. As for more everyday inspiration that comes from anywhere and everywhere: walking the Hound, documentaries, history, books, overheard conversations, visiting places, meeting new people, TV, books, and of course, the internet. :-D

Can you talk us through the process you go through when you write a book.
I'm a plotster (which is a combo of outlining a plot and writing by the seat of my pants). I start with the ‘baddie’, the character who is behind the book’s problem (usually a murdered person) that Genny, my main character is going to end up dealing with. I work out what the ‘baddie’ wants and why, and what he’s done/is prepared to do to get it. Then I work out how Genny is going to come up against the ‘baddie’ so she can thwart his nefarious plans, and how everything is going to go down the big (hopefully exciting) climax of the book.

After that I work out where’s the most appropriate and interesting place to start chapter one, and then outline where I go from there in a list of one-line (or sometimes one-page if my imagination gets carried away) chapter summaries until I get to The End. Then I start writing, which is where the panster bit comes in, and things/situations/characters which I never imagined appear. At which point I have to decide if they fit with the overall story, and if they do, how. Then it’s write and repeat until I get to The End, which sounds way simpler and less full of self-doubt than it actually is. :-)

If you could have dinner with one of your characters who would it be and why?
Hmm, that’s a hard one. Ricou (he’s a naiad – one of the water fae) would be a great choice as he’s into one of my favourite foods: sushi (a tad cannibalistic, I know, but hey, some fish are like that). But then dinner with Finn and the rest of the satyrs would be a wild time. (Everyone knows what they say about those Bacchanalian evenings they have. *wink*) I’d love to have some alone time with Tavish – not only is he a good couple of millennia old so he’s got lots of tales to tell, he’s also got quite a few personal secrets that I’d like to tease out of him – only trouble is he’s a soul-tasting kelpie so I’d have to make sure dinner was nowhere near water. And, of course, there’s Malik, but while he would be perfect company, I’m not sure I’d be comfortable eating when my dinner companion isn’t able to satisfy his own hunger, especially when he’s a vampire and I’m the evil creator of all his problems. *g*

If you were not a writer what would you be?

I’ve come to writing after having a lot of other jobs so I’ve already tried a lot of things that I thought I might like to do (and enjoyed nearly all of them), and really, it doesn’t get any better than writing. Though, I would love to learn to play the saxophone; sadly I’m tone deaf.

What is the best thing about being a writer?
Doing something that I love and actually getting paid for it is fab, obviously, but having people tell me they love my books and my characters, has to be the absolute best. 

And the worst?
Deadlines is one. No matter how distant they are, and how well you plan, they always jump out and surprise you like a manic, cackling Jack-in-the-box. But I think the main one is worrying that, no matter how hard I work at it, the story isn’t going to be good enough, and that I’m not going to do my characters justice, and that I’ll disappoint  those readers who love my books. I try hard to make sure that doesn’t happen.  

Did you have a favourite author as a child?

As I was a total bookworm I had lots, too many to mention really but here are some: CS Lewis, Elinor Brent-Dyer (The Chalet School books), Lucy Maud Montgomery, Noel Streatfeild (Ballet Shoes), John Wyndham, Tove Jansson (The Moomin books), Enid Blyton, Elyne Mitchell (The Silver Brumbry), Louisa May Alcott, Susan Cooper (The Dark is Rising), and Alan Garner.

What do you do in your free time?

Read! Read! And read some more! Bake cupcakes and biscuits. And sew. Watch TV. Visit graveyards. Oh, and maybe the odd bit of online window shopping *looks shifty*.

You can visit one place in the world right now, where and why?
Somewhere hot and sunny, with a heated pool, a buffet restaurant, tea and time-turners on tap, and a slave-driving muse. That manic Jack-in-the-box deadline is cackling in my ear.

Can you give us an odd fact about yourself?

I love anything pickled. Well, nearly anything . . . stop sniggering in the back there! . . . eggs and onions are the exception.

A few quick fire questions:

Coffee or Tea? Tea. I love the scent and taste of coffee but caffeine hates me.

Summer or winter? Summer. (Though not too hot. Picky, I know.) It’s great to have the windows open and lots of fresh air in the house.

Physical book or ebook? Ebook (90%. My absolute favourites still have to be in print). I love having hundreds of books for the space of a paperback, the instant reading, and the ability to change the font size (my eyes get tired now I’m *cough* years old). It all makes me glad I read in the future. :-D

Wild night out or cosy night in? Cosy night in. With a book, chocs, maybe some pickles, and a margarita, of course!

Thank you Suzanne, excellent interview which gives us a real insight into your authors world! It's great to meet a British Urban Fantasy author, I love the London settings of the Spellcrackers.com books!

About Suzanne McLeod

Suzanne has been a cocktail waitress, dance group roadie, and retail manager before becoming a writer. She was born in London (her favourite city and the home of Spellcrackers.com) and now lives on the (sometimes) sunny South Coast of England, about a mile away from the sea, with her husband Mr Mc, and Bella the Hound.

Suzanne’s website: Spellcrackers.com

Suzanne on Twitter: Suzanne_McLeod

Suzanne on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/suzanne.mcleod

Suzanne's Books

(Links to Goodreads)

The Sweet Scent of Blood (Spellcrackers.com #1)

The Cold Kiss of Death (Spellcrackers.com #2)

The Bitter Seedof Magic (Spellcrackers.com #3)

The Shifting Price of Prey (Spellcrackers.com #4)

About The Shifting Price of Prey

Sometimes a bit of magical help might cost more than you bargained for . . .

London is hosting the Carnival Fantastique, and Genny's job has never been busier or more fulfilling. Only not everyone is so happy. Genny believed she’d cracked the fae’s infertility curse . . . but the fae are still barren. It’s a devastating plight to which the mysterious Emperor may have the solution – if Genny can find him.

She needs help.

She turns to the vampire Malik al-Khan, only to find he’s wrestling with his own demons and, when the police request Genny’s assistance with a magical kidnap, her own problems multiply too. Is it all unconnected, or can the Emperor help her solve more than the fae’s infertility? Soon Genny is hard on his trail, so it seems she’ll have a chance to ask . . . but will the answer cost more than she’s willing to pay?

Giveaway

Win a copy of one of Suzanne's books (anywhere the Book Depository ships to!) - Winners choice which book

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Author Interview & Giveaway: H.P. Mallory

H.P. Mallory
I'd like to welcome H.P. Mallory to Magic Faerie's Paranormal Review, I have an interview for you and a giveaway too! I recently read and really enjoyed Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble, you can read my review here and I'm looking forward to reading To Kill a Warlock too.


You'll find the interview first, then a bit about Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble and To Kill a Warlock and at the end of the post details of how you can win a ebook copy of one of H.P. Mallory's books!   There's a copy of each to giveaway!


I'd like to thank H.P.Mallory for stopping by today and offering the wonderful giveaway!!


INTERVIEW
Magic Faerie:Can you tell us all about yourself please?
H.P.Mallory: I'm 33 years old, married and have a 17 month old son. I lived abroad in the UK for two years, in England and Scotland and started writing while overseas. I love anything that goes bump in the night and Halloween is my favorite holiday! 


Magic Faerie: You have the first book in two series just out, can you tell us a little about Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble and To Kill A Warlock?
H.P.Mallory: Fire Burn is the first book in a series revolving around a woman who finds out she’s a witch and that she can bring the dead back to life. It’s basically all about her coming into her own as a witch. Warlock is a whodunit about a fairy in law enforcement.


Magic Faerie: Do you base your characters on yourself or people you know?
H.P.Mallory: Well, I think there is always a little of me in all my characters since I wrote them. It’s something writers can’t help. But, other than that, no I don’t base my characters on anyone I know.


Magic Faerie: Did you find either if the books easier or more enjoyable to write for any reason?
H.P.Mallory: Warlock was easier to write and not just because it is shorter. Being my second book, I feel like I had really gotten into the groove of writing which made it easier and I think the story is less complicated.


Magic Faerie: Do you have a favourite character from either book?
H.P.Mallory:  I really like Jolie and of all the men, probably Rand.


Magic Faerie: Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble is largely set in England, why did you choose to set it there?
H.P.Mallory: I was living in England at the time I wrote the book and used many of the places I visited in the book. England is such a magical place that it just went hand in hand with the book, I think.


Magic Faerie: I really enjoyed Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble, can you tell us when the second book will be out?
H.P.Mallory: Thank you! The next book in Jolie’s series, Toil and Trouble, will be released Jan 1.


Magic Faerie: Can you tell us anything about projects you are working on at the moment?
H.P.Mallory: I’m just working to finish Toil and Trouble by Jan 1. I’m also working on a graphic novel of Warlock but that is in its infancy.


Magic Faerie: How many books will there be in the Jolie Wilkins series?  And in the Dulcie O’Neil series?
H.P.Mallory: For Jolie, probably 3-5. For Dulcie, unlimited—probably until the story just needs to end.


Magic Faerie: I love your fun covers, what made you decide to use such designs?
H.P.Mallory: I wanted covers that reflected the humor in both books and hopefully they do that.


Magic Faerie: Have you always written?  If not, what made you start?
H.P.Mallory: I’ve always wanted to be a writer. When I lived in the UK, I had lots of free time and finally put the passion to paper.


Magic Faerie: What is the  most challenging thing about being a writer?
H.P.Mallory: Getting negative reviews—that is the worst part. The best part, of course, is when people love your books as much as you do!


Magic Faerie: Where do you find your inspiration for your stories?
H.P.Mallory: I don’t really know. I think about my stories constantly and plan out what will happen chapter by chapter. I might get inspired by a song or something I read or hear on the news, etc. I guess inspiration can hit in many different ways.


Magic Faerie: Describe what makes a good story to you?
H.P.Mallory: Something that you just can’t put down no matter what you’re doing or need to be doing.


Magic Faerie: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?
H.P.Mallory: Well, I don’t have much free time. I have a 17 month old son who takes up all my free time. In fact, I wake up every morning at 5 am to get my writing in!


Magic Faerie: Are you an avid reader?  What are your favourite books/authors?
H.P.Mallory: Yes, I used to read about a book a week when I was pregnant but now time is much more scarce. However, in the urban fantasy and paranormal romance genres, I love the Sookie Stackhouse series and the early Anita Blake series
.
Magic Faerie: Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
H.P.Mallory:  I’d just like to thank everyone who takes a chance on my books. I really hope you’ll enjoy them!


You can find out more about H.P. Mallory at:
Website: Urban Fantasy Novels
Blog: HP Mallory Urban Fantasy Author
Twitter: H.P. Mallory
Facebook: H.P. Mallory


H.P. MALLORY'S BOOKS
Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble
Buy a copy: eBook @ Smashwords $2.99 or Kindle $3.43
Read my review

A self-deprecating witch with the unique ability to reanimate the dead. A dangerously handsome warlock torn between being her boss and her would-be lover. A six hundred year old English vampire with his own agenda; one that includes an appetite for witches. The Underworld in a state of chaos. Let the games begin.

Life isn’t bad for psychic Jolie Wilkins. True, she doesn’t have a love life to speak of, but she has a cute house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a cat and a quirky best friend.

Enter Rand Balfour, a sinfully attractive warlock who insists she’s a witch and who just might turn her life upside down. Rand hires her to help him solve a mystery regarding the death of his client who also happens to be a ghost. Jolie not only uncovers the cause of the ghost’s demise but, in the process, she brings him back to life!

Word of Jolie’s incredible ability to bring back the dead spreads like wildfire, putting her at the top of the Underworld’s most wanted list. Consequently, she finds herself at the center of a custody battle between a villainous witch, a dangerous but oh-so-sexy vampire, and her warlock boss, Rand.


To Kill a Warlock
Buy a copy: eBook @ Smachwords $2.99 or Kindle $3.43

The murder of a dark arts warlock. A shape-shifting, ravenous creature on the loose. A devilishly handsome stranger sent to investigate. Sometimes working law enforcement for the Netherworld is a real bitch.

Dulcie O’Neil is a fairy. And not the type to frolic in gardens. She’s a Regulator—a law-enforcement agent who monitors the creatures of the Netherworld to keep them from wreaking havoc in the mortal world. 

When a warlock is murdered and Dulcie was the last person to see him alive, she must uncover the truth before she’s either deported back to the Netherworld, or she becomes the next victim.

Enter Knight Vander, a sinfully attractive investigator sent from the Netherworld to work the case with Dulcie. Between battling her attraction to her self-appointed partner, keeping a sadomasochistic demon in check, and fending off the advances of a sexy and powerful vampire, Dulcie’s got her hands full.

As the body count increases, Dulcie finds herself battling dark magic, reconnoitering in S&M clubs and suffering the greatest of all betrayals. 


GIVEAWAY
H.P. Mallory is offering two books for the giveaway. One copy each of Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble and To Kill a Warlock. There will be two winners. The first winner drawn (using Random.org) can choose which and the second winner will receive the other. Open until 31st October 2010.


H.P. Mallory's question - What paranormal creature do you find yourself most drawn to?


How to enter:
1. You must be a follower as this is a follower contest.
2. Post an answer to H.P. Mallory's question in the comments.
3. Open internationally.
4. Winner drawn on 31st October 2010.
5. Leave an email address for me to contact you if you win.