Five words and/or phrases that describe you:
Creative (another word for 'listens to the voices in her head')
Busy (free time? What is that?)
Introspective (I'm happiest when I'm lost in my own little make-believe
worlds)
Optimistic (I want that happy ending, dammit!)
Loyal (My family and friends mean more to me than anything)
Five people and or things that inspire you:
My husband and kids(that's four people right there!)
My childhood love of fairy tales and myths
Any current news story about paranormal happenings or interesting archeological discoveries
Deadlines (these can be particularly inspiring!)
Being the youngest of six siblings (competition with bigger, smarter people comes naturally to me!)
Five of your favorite authors:
Only five? Boohooo! In no particular order -
JK Rowling,
Liz Carlyle,
Charlotte Bronte,
JRR Tolkien,
Linnea Sinclair
Describe five of your heroes/heroines through your eyes:
Mac (from The Crossing) - tall, blond, with amazing life energy and never-failing optimism. Mac will go to hell and back for the woman he loves
Kalen (from The Awakening) - broad and dark, brooding, with a terrible sin in his past (note: refer to Charlotte Bronte above). Kalen needs a woman strong enough to make him face his demons.
Gwen (from Deep Magic) - powerful, free-spirited, possessor of forbidden shapeshifter magic. She's bound by a duty to her clan she wishes she didn't have.
Marcus (from Deep Magic) - Strong and steady, unflinching in the face of dangerous magic he does not understand. Marcus is the man who can anchor Gwen's erratic power and stop her from destroying herself.
Owein (from The Grail King) - Embittered by war and slavery, the warrior Druid Owein risks everything to bring power back to his people.
Five reasons to read your books:
You love paranormal romance
You like sexy, honorable heroes who struggle with, but aren't conquered by, their own sins and fears
You love exotic magical settings, either in the present or the past
You love Celtic countries and Celtic magic
You won one of the 50 copies of The Crossing I'm giving away in my 50 Days 50 Books Contest!
Extra!Extra! As a part of Joy's 50 Days 50 Books Contest! A lucky commenter will be chosen to win a copy of Immortals: The Crossing.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Immortals: The Crossing by Joy Nash
Pre-Order Immortals: The Crossing HERE
Go to a bookstore near you on Sept. 30th
Comment on Joy's Fantastic Five Interview to win an early copy
and stop into Joy's Website to find out where else Joy is for her 50 Days, 50 Books Giveaway!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Fantastic Fives on KyAnn Waters
Update: Ashlyn Chase, you won your choice of one of KyAnn's ebooks from her backlist. Check here for KyAnn's books and the email KyAnn your choice.Congratulations!
Five words and/or phrases that describe you:
Wife/mother.
Organized chaos.
Tenacious
Happy
and Tired
Five people and/or things that inspire you:
Music
Memories
Reality television – I know, it’s shameful. I’m a junkie.
Silence
I can’t say there is any one person that inspires me. I think about men in history and I’m in awe of what they endured and accomplished. One of my favorite historical figures is John Paul Jones. He led a tarnished life in England but went on to become the “Father of the American Navy.”
Five of your favorite authors:
For me that’s like asking my five favorite foods. I love to read, but tend to avoid the genre I’m currently working on. Five off the top I’d say…
Susan Johnson
Clive Barker
James Patterson
Sean Michael
Kate Douglas
Describe five of your heroes/ heroines through your eyes:
Kean Phelan from All Lycan’s Eve shoulders the responsibility for his pack. As alpha male he is their leader. In a chance meeting, he finds his mate and must protect her from the pack. He never wavers in his duties. He manages to convince Callie of their destiny and also stand in judgment of his pack to claim her. He is all the best qualities of a complex hero—Strength, love, honor, duty. If you love a bit of violence and a lot of sex in your werewolf stories, this is the one for you. All Lycan’s Eve – Ellora’s Cave
Tessa, in With or Without You, made a decision in her youth that has now come back to unravel her life. She messed up, but she’s strong-willed, decisive, and has to learn to forgive herself. With or Without You – Samhain Publishing
Taylor Davis is a great heroine. She’s intelligent and a bit arrogant without being a jerk. She’s known as the Bitch of the Beau Monde because ultimately she controls everything in her life. Putting her into a BDSM relationship where she is the submissive was a real exploration into what it would be like for a powerful, dominate business woman to give up control in the bedroom. The Cougar Meets Her Master – The Wilder Roses
Trace Tilton grew up in a small town fearing what his father would do if he discovered his sexual preference. He moved away from home after his mother’s death. It takes a family emergency to draw him back. He’s prideful, yet considerate, sophisticated, and sexy as hell. In Hard Ride Home, Trace has to choose—leave home again or stay in a small town and claim the man he wants. Hard Ride Home – Ellora’s Cave
Nash Stokes is the ranch foreman of the Triple T. He’s the second hero in Hard Ride Home. Rural Montana is the ideal place for a man to live a simple life. And the perfect place to keep his sexual preferences a secret—until Trace disrupts his idyllic life. He’s loyal, hard working, and stubborn as hell. Hard Ride Home – Ellora’s Cave
Five reasons to read your books:
Hopefully, I’ve written books that entertain you. In the moments when you’re reading one of my stories, whether paranormal or contemporary, the unbelievable becomes believable.
I’ve try to write stories with unique twists on those hot alpha males, decadent vamps, and feisty heroines in contemporary romance.
My stories tend to have that campy dialog and situation that will hopefully at least bring a smile to your face if not make you laugh out loud.
Of course, if you love hot sex scenes you’ll enjoy my books.
And finally I like a fast read and I think that’s reflected in the way I write. So if you like that too, I think you’d enjoy one of my books.
-KyAnn Waters
www.kyannwaters.com
Extra!Extra! A lucky commenter has a chance to win a download of one of KyAnn's backlist.
With or Without You by KyAnn Waters
The best mistake she ever made...Tessa Brooks is dated. Not dated as in going out with men-having dinner and light conversation in poorly lit restaurants in hopes of finding someone with whom she can get naked. No, Tessa is dated. And the year she seems stuck in is 1988. The year her life changed.
With her twenty-year high school reunion coming up, Tessa's daughter has surprised her with a makeover on the Jade Star television talk show. However, that's not the only surprise. Enter Matt Toler, the best mistake she ever made. Tessa might not feel a ribbon of panic tightening around her neck if Matt had spoken to her again after their one-night sexual encounter...and if knew he had a daughter.
For a Sample chapter go HERE
With or Without You is an eBook,to get your copy,visit Samhain Publishing
Thursday, September 18, 2008
I Recieved A Sweet Blog Award
and saw my blog under this sweet award. Doesn't it look
yummy?
Thank you Diana!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Fantastic Fives on Marta Acosta
Five words and/or phrases that describe you:
Irreverent,
idiosyncratic,
irrepressible,
irrational
and ironical.
Five people and or things that inspire you:Inspiration is different than support and love, which I get from my wonderful husband and family. So, people and or things that inspire me are:
1. Libraries. During my childhood, I was a feral inhabitant of the local library, searching for sustenance and amusement, and usually finding it. A little curiosity and you can find out all sorts of things that your parents and other adults don’t tell you!
2. Authors whose books stand the test of time. The classics are not just read because of the authors’ great craft, but because they touch us on a deep emotional level.
3. My son. I saw the world and myself in a new way once I had the responsibility of being a parent.
4. All the funny people, the ones who make you laugh and cope with life’s trials. Some of my favorite comic authors are P.G. Wodehouse, Mark Twain, Jane Austen, and John Kennedy Toole. But I’m also a fan of comedy from Mel Brooks to Judd Apatow’s series to the throw-away lines in “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer” to Kathy Griffin’s stand-up. I love old romantic comedies like “The Philadelphia Story” and “The Thin Man” movies, and I love the newer ones, too, like “Bridget Jones’s Diary” and “The Holiday.”
5. My teachers, who introduced me to literature and to ways of thinking about the world through literature.
Five of your favorite authors:
I always list the same top authors, so I’m going to name some of my favorite novels by other authors.
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde is a booklover’s dream filled with lit references, bonkers humor, and a crazy parallel universe where art rules.
Aunt Julia and the Script Writer by Mario Vargas Llosa is a wild comedy full of eccentric characters and romance. In this beautifully written page-turner, the characters and the situations get progressively more out-of-control, and I read non-stop to the end.
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Prachett is a devilishly fun story of good vs. evil. The Antichrist is born to a nice suburban couple and a book-loving angel must stop Armageddon.
Middlemarch by George Elliot is a substantial book and well worth the effort. Dorothea Brooke is a bright young woman who wants to do something useful with her life. She makes the mistake of marrying an older man because she thinks she can help him with his “important work.” This is a complex and completely engrossing tale where the small personal issues of love intersect with large social issues.
Men in Black by Scott Spencer. Every book by Spencer is terrific, but this darkly comic tale of a writer’s life falling apart is my favorite. Spencer’s hapless protagonist makes terrible mistakes, but it’s still easy to empathize with him, especially as he struggles to connect with his son.
Describe five of your heroes/heroines through your eyes:
I don’t write heroes or heroines because I don’t find perfect people very interesting. I always suspect that they lack the imagination to screw-up. So I’ll describe my favorite flawed characters instead.
Milagro de Los Santos is a smart, funny, often impulsive young woman with a degree from Fancy University (F.U.). She writes political horror stories that no one wants to read and yearns to be a “sincere and serious” person, despite the fact that she loves silliness. She falls in with a family of snobby vampires and finds the home she’s always wanted.
Oswald Grant is the “fabulous man” who introduces Milagro to his family. She thinks she’s fallen for yet another quirky slacker, but Oswald’s actually a plastic surgeon. He plays along with her misunderstanding for fun. He’s warm, affectionate, accomplished, but he has to work all the time to succeed. And he’s constantly stressed by his sense of duty toward Milagro and his family.
Edna Grant is the snarky, sharp-edged grandmother of the vampire clan. She always has a clever insult and men worship her. Despite her stand-offish exterior, she warms up to Milagro and becomes a strong maternal figure for her.
Ian Ducharme tells Milagro that he’s nicknamed “the Dark Lord” because his family owns some dank and boggy property in Europe. He’s not the handsomest of men, but he’s the most commanding in any room. He’s a little too smooth to be trusted, but he’s very seductive, exciting and has a sense of humor.
Nancy Carrington-Chambers is Milagro’s best friend from F.U. She answers to Milagro’s silly side and makes an art of mangling the English language. Nancy’s full of style and fashion opinions and she’s great fun, even while struggling a little to be a good wife to her boring husband.
Five reasons to read your books:Well, I’ll give you some reasons from other sources.
“An addictive combo plate of romance and vamp satire.” Publishers Weekly
“Acosta’s talent is staggering. In each of her Milagro de Los Santos novels, she shows readers all over again just how funny, ridiculous and thoroughly gifted she is at plotting.” Romantic Times
“Impeccable timing and rare wit…a glorious madcap mystery of a ride.” Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine
“Intelligence and fabulousity mixed into one delicious cocktail.” Marcela Landres
“In my opinion The Bride of Casa Dracula is the best book of the series. It combines the language and the Jane Austen-ish romantic comedy of manners style of Happy Hour at Casa Dracula with the faster romance mystery pacing of Midnight Brunch and effortlessly comes out on top. The comedy is laugh-out-loud funny in places as Milagro continues her personal journey to be ‘serious and sincere’ which is at such odds with her silly nature.” Love Vampires
Yeah, what they said!--------------------------
Thanks, Danette, for having me at DCL! People can visit my author blog and my website for more info. Those who sign up for my newsletter will receive special offers for contests and gifts. I also have a blog for paranormal entertainment news, Vampire Wire. And I’m always happy to hear from readers: marta at martaacosta.com!
Extra!Extra! Visit Marta's Vampire Wire and find out how to win a copy of The Bride of Casa Dracula!
Irreverent,
idiosyncratic,
irrepressible,
irrational
and ironical.
Five people and or things that inspire you:Inspiration is different than support and love, which I get from my wonderful husband and family. So, people and or things that inspire me are:
1. Libraries. During my childhood, I was a feral inhabitant of the local library, searching for sustenance and amusement, and usually finding it. A little curiosity and you can find out all sorts of things that your parents and other adults don’t tell you!
2. Authors whose books stand the test of time. The classics are not just read because of the authors’ great craft, but because they touch us on a deep emotional level.
3. My son. I saw the world and myself in a new way once I had the responsibility of being a parent.
4. All the funny people, the ones who make you laugh and cope with life’s trials. Some of my favorite comic authors are P.G. Wodehouse, Mark Twain, Jane Austen, and John Kennedy Toole. But I’m also a fan of comedy from Mel Brooks to Judd Apatow’s series to the throw-away lines in “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer” to Kathy Griffin’s stand-up. I love old romantic comedies like “The Philadelphia Story” and “The Thin Man” movies, and I love the newer ones, too, like “Bridget Jones’s Diary” and “The Holiday.”
5. My teachers, who introduced me to literature and to ways of thinking about the world through literature.
Five of your favorite authors:
I always list the same top authors, so I’m going to name some of my favorite novels by other authors.
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde is a booklover’s dream filled with lit references, bonkers humor, and a crazy parallel universe where art rules.
Aunt Julia and the Script Writer by Mario Vargas Llosa is a wild comedy full of eccentric characters and romance. In this beautifully written page-turner, the characters and the situations get progressively more out-of-control, and I read non-stop to the end.
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Prachett is a devilishly fun story of good vs. evil. The Antichrist is born to a nice suburban couple and a book-loving angel must stop Armageddon.
Middlemarch by George Elliot is a substantial book and well worth the effort. Dorothea Brooke is a bright young woman who wants to do something useful with her life. She makes the mistake of marrying an older man because she thinks she can help him with his “important work.” This is a complex and completely engrossing tale where the small personal issues of love intersect with large social issues.
Men in Black by Scott Spencer. Every book by Spencer is terrific, but this darkly comic tale of a writer’s life falling apart is my favorite. Spencer’s hapless protagonist makes terrible mistakes, but it’s still easy to empathize with him, especially as he struggles to connect with his son.
Describe five of your heroes/heroines through your eyes:
I don’t write heroes or heroines because I don’t find perfect people very interesting. I always suspect that they lack the imagination to screw-up. So I’ll describe my favorite flawed characters instead.
Milagro de Los Santos is a smart, funny, often impulsive young woman with a degree from Fancy University (F.U.). She writes political horror stories that no one wants to read and yearns to be a “sincere and serious” person, despite the fact that she loves silliness. She falls in with a family of snobby vampires and finds the home she’s always wanted.
Oswald Grant is the “fabulous man” who introduces Milagro to his family. She thinks she’s fallen for yet another quirky slacker, but Oswald’s actually a plastic surgeon. He plays along with her misunderstanding for fun. He’s warm, affectionate, accomplished, but he has to work all the time to succeed. And he’s constantly stressed by his sense of duty toward Milagro and his family.
Edna Grant is the snarky, sharp-edged grandmother of the vampire clan. She always has a clever insult and men worship her. Despite her stand-offish exterior, she warms up to Milagro and becomes a strong maternal figure for her.
Ian Ducharme tells Milagro that he’s nicknamed “the Dark Lord” because his family owns some dank and boggy property in Europe. He’s not the handsomest of men, but he’s the most commanding in any room. He’s a little too smooth to be trusted, but he’s very seductive, exciting and has a sense of humor.
Nancy Carrington-Chambers is Milagro’s best friend from F.U. She answers to Milagro’s silly side and makes an art of mangling the English language. Nancy’s full of style and fashion opinions and she’s great fun, even while struggling a little to be a good wife to her boring husband.
Five reasons to read your books:Well, I’ll give you some reasons from other sources.
“An addictive combo plate of romance and vamp satire.” Publishers Weekly
“Acosta’s talent is staggering. In each of her Milagro de Los Santos novels, she shows readers all over again just how funny, ridiculous and thoroughly gifted she is at plotting.” Romantic Times
“Impeccable timing and rare wit…a glorious madcap mystery of a ride.” Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine
“Intelligence and fabulousity mixed into one delicious cocktail.” Marcela Landres
“In my opinion The Bride of Casa Dracula is the best book of the series. It combines the language and the Jane Austen-ish romantic comedy of manners style of Happy Hour at Casa Dracula with the faster romance mystery pacing of Midnight Brunch and effortlessly comes out on top. The comedy is laugh-out-loud funny in places as Milagro continues her personal journey to be ‘serious and sincere’ which is at such odds with her silly nature.” Love Vampires
Yeah, what they said!--------------------------
Thanks, Danette, for having me at DCL! People can visit my author blog and my website for more info. Those who sign up for my newsletter will receive special offers for contests and gifts. I also have a blog for paranormal entertainment news, Vampire Wire. And I’m always happy to hear from readers: marta at martaacosta.com!
Extra!Extra! Visit Marta's Vampire Wire and find out how to win a copy of The Bride of Casa Dracula!
Monday, September 15, 2008
The Bride of Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta
Milagro de los Santos is having serious problems planning her wedding to fabulous Oswald Grant, M.D. Her future in-laws loathe her, her dog just died, and Oswald’s family has a genetic anomaly that makes them crave blood. Then her extravagant best friend hijacks the role of wedding coordinator, and the secretive Vampire Council assigns conniving Cornelia Ducharme to guide the couple through the ancient vampire marriage rituals.
To top it all off, Milagro’s career is on the skids. She’s reduced to ghostwriting the memoirs of a loony little man who claims to be a shapeshifter. And why does Cornelia’s decadent, way too attractive brother, Ian, always show up whenever Milagro is away from Oswald?
When a series of accidents interferes with wedding plans, Oswald worries that Milagro is cracking under the pressure. Is she just paranoid, or is a hidden enemy trying to make sure Milagro doesn't wed the undead?
To read a sample of Marta's newest go HERE
The Bride of Casa Dracula is available at a bookstore near you and at your favorite online bookstore.
Come back here tomorrow for Marta's Fantastic Five Interview!
Visit Marta's Blog and celebrate her newest release some more!
Check out Marta's Vampire Wire Blog for Book Contests,Interview and Reviews!
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