Gena Showalter Is In The House!!!

Well my lovelies, I have a special treat for you this week. The beautiful and greatly talented Gena Showalter has come for a visit. She has decided to answer my dorky interview questions like the good sport that she is! She is the author of the amazing Lords of the Underworld series that continues to capture and fascinate so many of us. Many credit it as the most original idea in paranormal romance today. I am very excited to have brought her here for you today!

1. If you could transform into any animal, what would you choose? Please tell us, as only an author can, why you would make this specific choice?
A leopard, because this gorgeous predator is strong, sleek, and sneaky. I would be the darkly mysterious (and shape-shifting) villain of a romance novel, and the super sexy alpha hero would discover my hidden vulnerabilities—of course—falling in love with me, and thereby saving me from my own downfall. After I clawed him up a bit.

2. Please share with us your most embarrassing moment with a fan or another author.
I was at a writer’s conference and hit the hotel lobby early to meet my new editor. No seats were available at the bar, so I walked around the area until a table finally opened up. I went to smooth down my dress--and touched skin. That’s when I discovered the material had been tucked into my underwear since I’d gone to the bathroom about ten to fifteen minutes earlier.

3. Which do you prefer to write? The hero or the villain? And why?
I prefer a hero with a villainous dark side, like Nicolai from Lord of the Vampires. He’ll do anything—and I mean anything!—to protect the woman of his dreams. Of course, he might hurt everyone else, but he would never hurt her.

4. Do you have someone in your life that you model your heroes after? What about those villains?
I get a lot of dialogue from my husband and his brothers. They have wry humor and sarcasm nailed. Maybe that’s why I love Strider from The Darkest Surrender so much. He is the embodiment of the men I adore. A little dirty minded, willing to do anything to protect his woman, and a little dirty minded. Wait, did I already mention that?

5. I am a woman who is 43 years old and has a crush on her 25-year-old gardener, what naughty secret do you have to share?
If romance novel heroes actually came to life, I would be the biggest slut ever. Just sayin.

6. I’ll go easy on you this time. What is your sinful pleasure? I have two. Gluttony: where I eat too much Ben & Jerry’s Pistachio Pistachio, and Sloth: where I laze in bed all day watching HGTV (Mike Holmes…mmm nummy!) or Farscape. Please be equally specific.
Books—they are my addiction. I have stacks and stacks and stacks just waiting for me to read. And TV—I could watch my favorite shows and never do anything else. Cougar Town, How I Met Your Mother, House, Castle, South Park, 30 Rock, Big Bang Theory, and a handful of others.

7. Do you sing in the shower? What would Simon Cowell think of your performance? What is your favorite song choice?
My singing voice would drive people to cut off their ears and leave them behind, just to stop the horror. Even myself. So nope, I do not sing in the shower.

8. If you could be any of your characters whom would you choose? Tell us why of course.
I would pick Noelle in the Dark Taste of Rapture. Not just because she’s rich as hell, smart, beautiful, and her sharp sense of humor made me smile while writing the book, but also because she ends up with Hector Dean, a big, scary man whose arms can atomize into weapons, destroying everything in his path. He’s dark, brooding, and if he had to, he would raze the entire world to save his woman.

9. Who did it the best? Out of all of your favorite paranormal authors’ works, who wrote the BEST SCENE EVA? Explain.
Kresley Cole has the best heroes of all time, and I want to marry each one of them. If I can’t marry them, I want to have affairs with them. If I can’t have affairs with them, life isn’t worth living. They are sexy, sizzling and would gnaw off their own limbs to reach their chosen. And yes, that is my favorite scene ever. When the leader of the Lykae Clan is chained and gnaws off his own limb to get to the half-vampire half-Valkyrie heroine.

10. You are now a published author, which some would say is the pinnacle for any writer. Now that you have achieved this goal, what is your new dream? What is it that you now aspire to do?
My dream is to have one (or all, why limit myself?) of my books made into a movie. To see the characters come to life in that way . . . heaven!


The Darkest Surrender RELEASES TODAY!!!! CLICK HERE TO BUY

The Lords of the Underworld return in this enthralling tale of an immortal warrior determined to win and the beautiful seductress he can’t resist.

Possessed by the demon of Defeat, Strider cannot lose a challenge without suffering unimaginable pain. For him, nothing stands in the way of victory. Until Kaia, an enchanting Harpy, tempts him to the razor’s edge of surrender.

Known among her people as The Disappointment, Kaia must bring home the gold in the Harpy Games or die. Strider is a distraction she can’t afford because he as an agenda of his own – steal first prize, an ancient godly artifact, before the winner can be named. But as the competition heats up, only one prize will matter – the love neither had thought possible…
Dark Taste of Rapture Released August 23rd, 2011

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter captivates with a dark, tantalizing world of humans, otherworlders, and a powerful AIR agent consumed by his desire for a woman he can never have. . . .

With one caress, he can give unforgettable pleasure…or unending pain...

Hector Dean is shaved, tattooed, and totally ripped -- and he has a deadly secret. He is a walking weapon, capable of killing with a single brush of his fingertips. Little wonder he’s determined to remain on his own. But Noelle Tremain is a temptation like no other. She is beautiful and rich, with a party girl smile that hides a shocking vulnerability, and from the beginning his sizzling attraction to her is undeniable. For the first time, his stone-cold resistance is tested. But to be with her, he risks destroying her.

When a wealthy businessman is murdered in New Chicago’s seediest district, the two are partnered, and there’s no escaping what they both want: each other. Yet neither Hector nor Noelle knows what to fear more—the killer case, or their own lethal desires. . . .
Lord of the Vampires Released August 30th,2011

"Raw and dark and sexy, Lord of the Vampires sizzles!" New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with a need for vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.

Nicolai the Vampire is renowned for his virility, but in a cruel twist of fate “The Dark Seducer” has become a sex slave in the kingdom of Delfina—stripped of his precious timepiece and his memory. All that remains is a primal need for freedom, revenge—and the only woman who can help him.

When the wanton vampire summons Jane Parker, she is helpless to obey. She's drawn to his dark sexuality and into his magical realm. But for this human, all is not a fairy tale. For saving Nicolai could mean losing the only man she's ever craved...

BE SURE TO LEAVE A COMMENT FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN A AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THE DARKEST SURRENDER!!!

Interview and Giveaway with Alexandra Ivy!

Hello all, I hope everyone is just as excited as I am to have the lovely New York Times Bestselling Author Alexandra Ivy with us this week. Her short story Darkness Eternal was just featured in the anthology Supernatural with Larissa Ione, G.A. Aiken and myself. She is best known for her Guardians of Eternity series and has a new anthology due out in November called The Real Werewives of Vampire County! So here she is the lady of the hour...Alexandra Ivy
1. If you could transform into any animal, what would you choose? Please tell us, as only an author can, why you would make this specific choice?
I would absolutely choose an eagle. Just imagine spending your days gliding above the world, swooping down to consume your prey before heading back toward the sky. It seems like the most basic form of freedom.

2. Please share with us your most embarrassing moment with a fan or another author.
I don’t really have an embarrassing moment with a fan or author, but during one of my early book signings I arrived to discover the manager had no idea I was supposed to be there. They at last set up a tiny tray in the corner of the store with a bottle of water I had to pay for and I spent the next hour directing customers to the bathroom…ugh.

3. Which do you prefer to write? The hero or the villain? And why?
The hero. I always fall in love with my heroes when I’m writing their stories and even though the villains can often be far more interesting and complex from a writer’s prospective, I still enjoy the thrill of creating that delicious man who makes my heart flutter and my palms sweat. I don’t think that will ever, ever get old!

4. Do you have someone in your life that you model your heroes after? What about those villains?
I usually combine bits and pieces of people I know into making a character along with a large dollop of make-believe. My heroes can have a variety of admirable qualities as well as flaws, but they all have an inherent kindness toward those weaker than themselves. My villains I try to make as complex as possible with a few hero qualities so they aren’t entirely evil. There’s nothing more boring than completely black or white characters.

5. I am a woman who is 43 years old and has a crush on her 25-year-old gardener, what naughty secret do you have to share?
I love watching Hoarders. I don’t know why, it makes me crazy (not to mention my family who are forced to help me in my cleaning frenzy after I watch it), but it’s like a train wreck…I can’t look away.

6. I’ll go easy on you this time. What is your sinful pleasure? I have two. Gluttony: where I eat to much Ben & Jerry’s Pistachio Pistachio, and Sloth : where I laze in bed all day watching HGTV (Mike Holmes…mmm nummy!) or Farscape. Please be equally specific.
Envy: I detest those people who can eat whatever they want and keep skinny. I have to do hours of sweaty, hideous exercise every day to keep my butt from spreading. Vanity: I can lay around the house in pjs, but if the Fedex man pulls in the drive I slap on make-up and put on real clothes so he doesn’t run away screaming in fear.

7. Do you sing in the shower? What would Simon Cowell think of your performance? What is your favorite song choice?
I sing when I walk (thank gods I live in the country) and Simon Cowell would have me shot to put me and the wildlife out of our misery. Truly, I’m AWFUL. I love punk and classic rock and pop and…hey, just because I can’t sing doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy music ☺

8. If you could be any of your characters whom would you choose? Tell us why of course.
Levet. The tiny gargoyle is a true snark and he gets to say everything I wish I could. I tend to be a nice person and even when I’m dying to say that truly nasty comment hanging on the end of my tongue, I usually walk away. Levet is my release valve…

9. Who did it the best? Out of all of your favorite paranormal authors’ works, who wrote the BEST SCENE EVA? Explain.
I loved Nalini Singh’s Branded By Fire, the very first pages with Mercy and Riley starts out with an explosive sex scene. It’s amazingly hot and while I usually enjoy the sexual buildup of tension that comes before the actual sex as we get to know the characters, I think she pulled it off brilliantly.

10. You are now a published author, which some would say is the pinnacle for any writer. Now that you have achieved this goal, what is your new dream? What is it that you now aspire to do?
I’ve always wanted to finish my play and see it staged. I was a theatre major in college and I still miss seeing a story come alive on stage. Plus, I’ve harbored a secret dream for the red carpet before the Tony Awards FOREVER!!!
Be sure and pick of The Real Werewives of Vampire County! Out this November! I must say this is a great title and a spectacular cover, defiantly a must read!

















Bound by Darkness is the next installment in the Guardians of Eternity series is hitting shelves worldwide on December 6th,2011!
BE SURE AND LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW. Alexandra has been nice enough to give a copy of both The real Werewives of Vampire County and Bound by Darkness to two lucky commenters!
www.alexandraivy.com

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INTERVIEW WITH MICHELLE BARDSLEY AUTHOR OF MUST LOVE LYCANS!!

Hi Everyone, I am so pleased to have Michelle Bardsley author of Must Love Lycans here with us today! Enjoy and be sure to leave a comment below for your chance to win a free autographed copy of Must Love Lycans!

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
JACQUELYN FRANK’S GUEST BLOG SERIES EVENT

As promised, a series of weird and seemingly pointless questions. But I am assured that these are the types of things readers are truly curious about.

1. If you could transform into any animal, what would you choose? Please tell us, as only an author can, why you would make this specific choice?

I suppose I would choose wolf. Wolves are strong creatures, smart and beautiful. And they’re pack animals, so they value family and rely on each other to survive.

2. Please share with us your most embarrassing moment with a fan or another author.

The first time I met Charlaine Harris, it was at an RT convention in Daytona Beach, Florida. My friend and fellow author, Evangeline Anderson, made “we’re not worthy” worshipping gestures every time we ran into the woman. I think, at some point, she started to worry we were stalkers. Or maybe just weird. (Both were true. Ha!)

3. Which do you prefer to write? The hero or the villain? And why?

I love writing both, actually, but as a writer and reader of romance novels, I do enjoy writing about the hero. I think because most of my heroes are flawed. They have to overcome their own wants, their own desires, in order to embrace love, relationships, and the woman they want more than their own ambitions.

4. Do you have someone in your life that you model your heroes after? What about those villains?

I do now. The Viking, whom I will be marrying next year (woot!), is a romance hero all the way. Honestly? I thought the men we write about in our romantic fiction were … well, implausible. I was wrong. I don’t really base my villains, or characters, on people I know. I might take characteristics or physical aspects from people I’ve met or known, but there’s never really been a moment where I thought, “I’m totally killing that dude in my next book.”

5. I am a woman who is 43 years old and has a crush on her 25-year-old gardener, what naughty secret do you have to share?

I got nothing. Seriously. I have a total crush on the Viking, which makes me mushy and love-struck instead of naughty-secret-having chick. LOL.

6. I’ll go easy on you this time. What is your sinful pleasure? I have two. Gluttony: where I eat to much Ben & Jerry’s Pistachio Pistachio, and Sloth : where I laze in bed all day watching HGTV (Mike Holmes…mmm nummy!) or Farscape. Please be equally specific.

There is a French dark chocolate that the Viking and I discovered at Central Market. I would eat it all day long if I could. And I like to laze around with the Viking on Sundays and watch movies and nap. It’s the best! (I mean, it’s a sin!)

7. Do you sing in the shower? What would Simon Cowell think of your performance? What is your favorite song choice?

I sing in the car. Simon Cowell would eviscerate me, and I would totally agree with his assessment. Sometimes, you do things because it brings you joy and not because you have any talent at it. I like Evanescence. And I like singing Call Me When You’re Sober when I play Rock Band.

8. If you could be any of your characters whom would you choose? Tell us why of course.

Jessica Matthews, the heroine from I’M THE VAMPIRE, THAT’S WHY. I’m most like her. Or rather, she’s most like me. I liked writing her a lot, and I’d love to see Broken Heart with my own eyes.

9. Who did it the best? Out of all of your favorite paranormal authors’ works, who wrote the BEST SCENE EVA? Explain.

This is a hard question, but I do have one that comes to mind. There is a scene in Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz that made me cry. No, sob. When I realized what had happened, what he’d done, I just lost it. I actually had to put the book down and get out all the tears. It took a few minutes to get to the point where I could finish reading.

10. You are now a published author, which some would say is the pinnacle for any writer. Now that you have achieved this goal, what is your new dream? What is it that you now aspire to do?

Well, I have the typical published author’s dream of making the New York Times and USA Today best seller lists. That would be awesome! I just want to keep writing, and writing. It’s a great job, and I feel very grateful that I get to do this for a living!

To purchase your own copy of Must Love Lycans click photo!
Since the moment Damien showed up-gloriously naked-Kelsey Morningstone has been having a hard time keeping her relationship with the clinic's latest amnesiac patient strictly professional. Even with her empathy abilities Kelsey's not sure she can get past Damien's anger to find the cause of his delusions. After all, falling for a patient is bad enough, but falling for a patient who thinks he's a werewolf is a whole other kind of crazy...

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Pre-Order Now or Never HERE! In stores March 6th, 2012!!