Author Talk ~ Erica Hayes

Today I have the pleasure of chatting with the wonderful Erica Hayes.

Hi Erica and welcome to my blog.

1.  Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I'm from country Victoria originally (waves at Bendigo) but we move around a lot – Newcastle Canberra, Sydney, here, there. I'm living in England at the moment. So yeah, I'm the absent member of Hunter Writers Group in Newcastle. I miss those guys!

I started out writing paranormal and urban fantasy romance, but lately I've branched out into fantasy/sf mystery with action/adventure. Still with romance, of course. Can't resist!

2. You have a new release out, what is it about?

SCORCHED is a superhero thriller with a dark conspiracy edge and a darker romantic twist. It's an urban fantasy about Verity, a super-powered heroine who discovers a conspiracy within her own crime-fighting family. They're supposed to be the good guys, right? Or not…

So it's got lots of kick-ass action and excitement, with a mind-bending mystery plot. There's romance – Verity has a few interesting encounters! – but the romantic plot takes a back seat to the action.

If you're familiar with my books? The one it's most like is my sci-fi adventure DRAGONFLY.

3. How did you come up with the idea for your novel?

Well, that'd be giving it away :) but let's just say I've always wanted to write a book with this particular kind of mystery plot. I hope I've succeeded. It was a challenge. There's amnesia and mind games and twisted version of the truth. Verity is her own unreliable narrator.

4. Do you plot your novels or fly by the seat of your pants type of girl?

I'm definitely a plotter. I work everything out before I start writing. Sometimes, I get a few surprises along the way, but mostly the manuscript turns out the way I expected. I don't have the courage to write without an outline. Or, as the general said in The Hunt For Red October – "Russkies don't take a dump without a plan, son."

5. How long does it normally take you to write your first draft?

The actual writing? A couple of months. Plus some weeks at the beginning, where I faff about getting the outline exactly right. That part of the process can be frustrating and slow! The second-to-last book I wrote took nearly a whole year. The quickest one ever was four months. So yeah, I put some time in, even though I'm technically a full-time writer. I wish I could write six books a year the way some authors do! But I just don't have it in me to perfect the stories that quickly.

6. Who are your favourite authors?

Dude, how is that a fair question?? I like so many books by so many different authors. I can't pick just one. But lately I've been enjoying some of the newer generation of fantasy authors: Joe Abercrombie, Douglas Hulick, Peter McClelland, Daniel Rozansky, Scott Lynch.

Also, a perennial favourite is Stephen King. I haven't read all his books, but I've enjoyed all the ones I have read. I just love the way he involves the reader with his characters. If you've ever wondered what the hell agents and editors mean when they say they want 'voice'? King has one of the most distinctive voices in fiction – yet all of his books are different. It's like when you walk into an art gallery, where there are dozens of painting of the same subject, and you can still go, yeah, that's the Leonardo.

7. You have had an offer from Hollywood to turn your novel into a movie, who would you have play the lead roles? Why?

Ooh, a SCORCHED movie! Coolness. But casting is hard. This is what we pay Hollywood the big bucks for… But if I'm in charge? Hmmm…

My heroine, Verity, is thirty-something, tough and not totally gorgeous. Hollywood isn't exactly teeming with those… Maybe someone like Rachel Nichols the lead from the TV show Continuum. She's gorgeous, sure, but she has that ordinary-girl toughness that I like. Or a younger Jodie Foster.

The villain is cool, self-assured and utterly insane. Not smug, though. Just convinced he's better than everyone else. I'd claim Michael Fassbender, if he wasn't already Magneto :)

8. Who would like to direct it?

No one, probably, once they heard what a prima donna the author is… :) I'll take Christopher Nolan, thanks, or Guillermo Del Toro. Or, y'know, Ridley Scott. He can make anything into an enormous hit :)

9. Can you give us a small extract from your novel?

Nope, sorry, that's classified.

Ha! Just kidding. Course I can. This snippet is from a scene where Verity and her mysterious new sidekick – a guy called Glimmer, who has unknowable telepathic powers that scare her – are about to go on their first mission in their new identities as crime-fighters. She's nervous, because own her telekinetic powers are a bit unreliable right now.

Glimmer rolled the bike into deeper shadow, the ruby-red glint vanishing into the gloom, and re-emerged, wiping sweat back into his stripy hair. He'd glammed himself up, too, after I'd insisted—I'm not wearing this if you're just wearing jeans, I'd said, like some virgin schoolgirl who didn't want to be the only one on the beach in a bikini—though I suspected he'd intended to all along, and was only teasing me.

We were supposed to be making a spectacle of ourselves, after all, and Glimmer looked like a character from a futuristic MTV clip, in the most amazing glossy black number that buckled with silver across one shoulder, fit snugly at his waist and left his muscular arms bare. I'd noticed his butt in his worn jeans—oh yes, this girl may be ugly, but she's not blind—and it looked just as tasty in tight gleaming vinyl. He still wore his wrist buckle and ring, but soft half-gloves wrapped his palms, too, keeping his fingers free to work their magic.

Kinky. Just add handcuffs. I wanted to survey and appreciate. Instead, I snorted. "Is that product I see in your hair?"

He ruffled it defiantly, poking up the skunk stripe. Definitely wax-assisted. "Bite me," he suggested, clipping his pistol to his belt.

I didn't have a pistol, and he hadn't offered me one. Suited me. I didn't intend on giving these Dockside creeps enough warning to shoot at me. "Dude, the only person biting you tonight will be some skinny white-trash rent boy with a vinyl fetish."

"Now, you're just jealous."

Dignify that with a response? Think not. "Seriously, what's with the shiny? I figured you for a more casual brand. Y'know, Mr. Inconspicuous, or something."

He shrugged. "I tried that. This is better. If I want to hypnotize someone, they gotta look, just for a second. This makes 'em look."

"Uh-huh. Yeah. I can see where that would work." Watch me… His command to Arachne echoed like raindrops in my skull. He'd pulled the same trick a couple of times this week, always with the same result. Would you know about it? Probably not. I shivered, despite the summer heat.

He studied me, serious. "You sure you want to do this? We don't have to work tonight if you're not—"

"I'm fine." His solicitousness poked irritable thorns into my nerves, the more so because he'd already unsettled me. "There's nothing wrong with me. Stop babying me. Let's just get on with it."

I pushed past him, and stalked across the street. He didn't argue. He just followed, catching up to me with a few quick strides, and it only annoyed me more. Why did he let me insult him without getting his own back? Emotional denial wasn't supposed to be a one-person game. His silent acceptance just made me feel shitty that I'd snapped at him.

Not how it was meant to work.

10. Now the most important question. Where can we get a copy of your novel?

Well, there's one in the toilet. And I think I saw a few lying in a pile of leaves out the back…

Guffaw. Thanks, I'm here all week :) okay, okay. Here are the ebook links!

Amazon Australia http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00JTN14KO

Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/scorched-harperimpulse-urban-fantasy

iBookstore https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/scorched-harperimpulse-urban/id867020581?mt=11

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21976885-scorched

Thank you for joining me today. All the best on your new release.

Sandie

Author Talk ~ Bernadette Rowley

Today I have the pleasure of chatting with Bernadette Rowley.

Hi Bernadette and welcome to my blog.

      Thanks for the invitation, Sandie.

1.       Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Mother, Wife, Author, Veterinarian, Cricket Tragic, cat-lover, North Queenslander, ex-

Sunshine Coaster.

I have three sons who have defined me as a person and I’m so grateful to have been a part of their lives.

I write fantasy romance for Destiny Romance, Penguin Australia’s digital first imprint and have had a lifelong love affair with the fantasy genre.

My profession makes its appearance in my novels in odd ways, with shape-shifting heroes, gorgeous horses and heroines who can heal with their mind and touch.

I love living in Townsville and regional Queensland has awesome opportunities for writers.

2.      You have a new release out, what is it about?

 

My latest release is The Lady’s Choice which is the tale of Lady Benae Branasar and Squire Ramón Zorba, a secondary character from Princess Avenger.

Benae will sacrifice her ‘happily ever after’ for an arranged marriage with a powerful prince who will save her estates and her people. Or so she imagines. But can she turn her back on her feelings for the prince’s squire, Ramón Zorba? Ramón is a man Benae could easily love but he is obsessed with the prince’s daughter and at first tries hard to ignore the beautiful and fiery Benae. As they are drawn inexorably together, Benae and Ramón must choose between keeping their personal vows and being true to each other.

3.      How did you come up with the idea for your novel?

The premise of The Lady’s Choice was a springboard from Princess Avenger. I knew this had to be Ramón’s story- he demanded his time in the spotlight. And so I thought it would be fun if the prince advertised for a bride and one of the ladies who applied was mightily attracted to Ramón. It was also fun to write a beta male and see if he could be as sexy as an alpha. I think he is and readers seem to agree. Another challenge was writing a virgin hero.

4.      Do you plot your novels or fly by the seat of your pants type of girl?

I plot. I didn’t with Princess Avenger but I’ve evolved over time to plotting loosely and then letting specific scenes present themselves. I like to write the synopsis first once I know who my lead characters are and understand them. I then use the synopsis as a rough story outline which can flow and change as inspiration strikes. It’s incredible to have your synopsis already written when you finish your first draft instead of trying to condense your novel into a synopsis. This also prevents me from getting stuck for direction.

     5.    How long does it normally take you to write your first draft?

The first draft usually takes up to six months and my books are about 70 K words. I could do it quicker but I want to keep enjoying writing and I feel that if I flogged myself, I’d lose enthusiasm. I try to write 5 days a week and aim for a minimum for 1000 words.

6.      Who are your favourite authors?

My favourite romance authors are Marie Force and Sarah Mayberry. Marie writes incredible series- I do love a series- and Sarah’s stories are so fresh and moving, her characters funny and endearing.

My favourite fantasy authors are David Eddings, Raymond E. Feist and Robert Jordan. They all write fabulous epic fantasy series although sadly Robert has passed away.

7.      You have had an offer from Hollywood to turn your novel into a movie, who would you have play the lead roles? Why?

I had to answer this question a while back and had a hard time picking a leading man. I got

quite distracted doing the research and didn’t come up with a perfect fit for Ramón. The closest

was Liam Hemsworth. He has gorgeous blond looks, amazing blue eyes, is the right height and

has a great body.

For Benae, who is a beautiful, fiery brunette, perhaps someone like Megan Fox who definitely has the looks and the sex appeal for the role.

8.      Who would you like to direct it?

Again having done a little research, I think Jonathon Levine has the credentials to direct this movie. Levine understands true romance and has runs on the board in the paranormal genre. He seems to be making a career out of directing romance genre films and doing a great job- Warm Bodies, 50/50 and The Wackness.

9.      Can you give us a small extract from your novel?

Below, in the castle forecourt, two men argued.  She recognised the lieutenant who had welcomed her on her arrival earlier. Vorasava was tall, thin and dark with tilted eyes in a rakish face, but it was the other man who held her attention. He was immaculately turned out, his dark-blue tunic snug across shoulders and hips, his cream breeches accentuating the powerful muscles of his backside and thighs. Long blond hair was tied at his nape and he had an air of calm control. As he stabbed his hand towards the stables, the blond god’s blue, blue eyes found Benae’s and her heart stuttered. Oh my! Whatever he had been saying was lost, for the lieutenant also turned her way. Vorasava snapped a comment and strode off through the front gates.

           

The blond man broke eye contact and headed towards the castle entry. It was only then that Benae noticed the sword at his hip and the cat-like grace with which he walked. He was soon gone from view but it took Benae’s heart much longer to cease its pounding. There was something about the man that resonated with her, drew her, compelled her.

10.   Now the most important question. Where can we get a copy of your novel?

The Lady’s Choice is available at:

Amazon

Apple

Google

Kobo

Thank you, Bernadette, for joining me today. All the best on your release.

Thanks for hosting me Sandie, it’s been fun xx

Author Talk - Ari Harper

Today I have the pleasure of chatting with fellow Hunter Romance Writer  Ann B Harrison/Ari Harper.

Hi Ann/Ari and welcome to my blog.

Thanks for having me Sandie, I love visiting.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? ?

I swear I was born with a book in my hands and have never put it down. A lifelong love of reader has finally culminated in achieving my dream of writing...and publication.

I lives in the beautiful Hunter Valley with my own handsome hero of many years. I've always loved the ups and downs of life in small communities and I shares this with readers in my rural romances.

Strong sexy heroines with a good dash of sass thrown in feature in my stories, whether they are rural or young adult. Of course these women need an equally strong hero. Bring on the outback hero and watch the passion ignite.

When not writing I enjoys reading, gardening, walking my very large dog Hugo and fighting with my computer.

1.       You have a new release out, what is it about?

Changling is Book Two in the Curse of Kin series. In Book One, Witchling we watched Nera come into her powers and take of the family curse. In Changling we get to see where her best friend Sully fits into the picture. When they realise what he is and his fate, the race is on to save him.

2.      How did you come up with the idea for your novel?

Book one in this series is the first story I wrote. I never had plans on becoming a writer until the day I actually sat down and put pen to paper so to speak. It all began with a sentence running around in my head about a dream and wouldn't let go. After months of trying to push it away I finally gave in and started writing.

3.      Do you plot your novels or fly by the seat of your pants type of girl?

Definitely a fly by the seat of my pants type of person. But, now I've decided to attack a single title romance I have to do some plotting to make my word count. I'm finding that a bit of a challenge to tell you the truth.

4.      How long does it normally take you to write your first draft?

 Novellas 45k, around four weeks. Single title takes me about eight weeks.

5.      Who are your favourite authors?

I have way too many which is bad for my bank account. In romance I can't go past Nora Roberts/J D Robb, Paranormal, Deborah Harkness, YA I love Abbi Glines. And that is just this week. Next week I may discover someone different.

6.      You have had an offer from Hollywood to turn your novel into a movie, who would you have play the lead roles? Why?

IF and it's a big if, that ever happened I think I would like unknowns. I've seen what happens when an actor gets stereotyped, they can't get away from their character. I want mine to me themselves, not someone from Harry Potter.

7.      Who would like to direct it?

Angelina Jolie. She is so talented. Forget she has one of the worlds sexiest men as her partner, I only look at the talent.

8. Can you give us a small extract from your novel?

          Sure.

"I am just so sick of having you in my face," I shot back. "I can't sleep, eat, or do anything without you there. From the moment I was born, you were with me. Maybe I just want some time to myself. Is that so hard to understand?"

Bones stared at me through my outburst and stormed from the room, his mouth set in an angry line and his fists clenched by his side. I watched him go, feeling the gaze on the back of my head accusing me of once again biting the hand that saved me. I sat quietly for awhile, collecting my thoughts. I knew I would have to be the one to apologize again. It was my mouth that got me into trouble. Again. Bones had done nothing wrong. He never did. It was just my sense of independence that was offended, not thinking I needed the shadow I had been given at birth.

I swung my feet over the edge of the couch, preparing to stand. The black spots appeared in front of my eyes and I swayed. I put my hand out to stop my father coming to help. "Stay here," I said getting to my feet.

I stood until I felt a little more stable and slowly made my way to the door. I grasped the wall and paused for a minute, then I made my way up the stairs to the workroom where I thought Bones would be.

At the open door, I paused and leaned on the frame for support. Bones was leaning on the workbench, his back to me. His shoulders and back were tense. I saw the minute that he sensed I was there. The subtle change in his stance was enough to alert me. Slowly he turned to me, opening his dark pain-filled eyes.

I trembled with what I saw, knowing I was the one responsible for the pain he was feeling. How many times in my life had I wished that I could take back what I said once it was out of my mouth?

He stepped toward me. I tried not to flinch as his face came barely inches from mine. "Didn't you say enough downstairs, Nera? Do you want another shot at me?" he asked in a very quiet voice. His gaze flickered over my face taking in the blush that I could feel creeping up to my hair line.

"N-n-no, no. I um, I came to apologize," I stammered.

He lifted his hand and ran his finger down my cheek. His gaze stayed on mine and I shivered under his touch. His free hand came up and cupped my other cheek as he touched his nose to mine.

My stomach plummeted to my toes and my mouth worked to talk, no sound coming out. Slowly, his lips brushed over mine, lightly touching and tasting. My eyes closed and my breath caught. My body was not doing what my brain ordered as my hands crept up and circled his back.

That was all the prodding he needed. His mouth crushed down on mine, the feeling knocking the breath out of me. As I responded, my mouth hungry for his, he pushed me away, breathing heavily and held me at arm's length. He was shaking his head, looking horrified at what we had done.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry," he mumbled before running from the room, leaving me standing against the wall.

I was gutted. I had let myself be pulled into his moment, only to be rejected. I did what any normal girl would do. I ran to my room, threw myself on the bed, and cried my heart out until there were no more tears left.

9.      Now the most important question. Where can we get a copy of your novel?

http://www.amazon.com/Changling-Curse-Kin-Ari-Harper-ebook/dp/B00GB128TI

 

You can find Ann at any of the links below. Don’t forget to stop by and say “Hi”.

http://www.ariharper.com/index.html

http://www.annbharrison.com/index.html

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ann-B-Harrison-Author/311207972338638?ref=hl

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ari-Harper-Author/406907439406290

Thank you Ann/Ari for joining me today. All the best on your new release.

Sandie