Tuesday, October 11, 2011

USA Today Bestselling Author Nina Bangs!!

Please join me in welcoming the lovely Nina Bangs to our blog this week. She is the USA Today bestselling author of three series: the Mackenzie Vampires, the Castle of Dark Dreams, and the Gods of the Night. Romantic Times Book Reviews chose Eternal Craving, the second book in her Gods of the Night series, as their best shape-shifter romance of 2009.
She has been gracious enough to answer a few crazy questions for your enjoyment, so sit back and relax. Be sure to leave a comment below because Nina has several great gifts to give away!




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 did some heavy thinking (about three minutes) and decided that I’d love to be the Loch Ness Monster. Nessie has it all. She wakes up each morning surrounded by the beauty of Scotland. She is a woman of mystery, pursued by many. Men have spent their entire lives trying to get merely a glimpse of her. She is the subject of conjecture and legend. Nessie doesn’t have to worry about facelifts or growing old because she just…is. Not a bad life.

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

My most embarrassing moments are inevitably when someone asks me to tell them about my books. My plots tend to be…unique, and peoples’ eyes generally glaze over when I’m about halfway through. I always hated trying to pitch my books to editors or agents in person. Their expressions usually said, “Where’s the nearest mental health facility? Get this woman some help.” Somehow, once I write the whole book it all makes sense. Usually. Sometimes. Okay, once in a while.

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

The villain is a lot more fun. He doesn’t have to be sensitive with an inner core of goodness. He can be as vile and miserable as he wants to be. And sensitivity is definitely not a desirable character trait for the truly evil. The best part? I don’t have to redeem him. He can go to his grave cursing and making obscene gestures. Yes, I love my villains.

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

My heroes live only in my mind. Not that I haven’t known men who were hero material, but molding a hero in the image of someone I know makes me uncomfortable. I want my heroes to be their own men. I do admit, though, to modeling one of my villains after a real person.

I was a teacher for many years, and an official evaluator would sit in on one of my classes once or twice a year to decide how well I was doing. And of course he could tell that from a one-hour visit. Ahem. Anyway, every time he visited my class he delighted in nit-picking me to death. I took great pleasure in making him evil incarnate in one of my books.

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?

Horrors! Shame on you! I can’t believe you’re telling me something so disgraceful. And I wouldn’t think of sharing any naughty secrets with you.

My advice is to avoid temptation by firing your gardener. Umm, and when you do, please send me your contact information for the hottie. I’ll tell him my naughty secrets.

6. I’ll go easy on you this time. What is your sinful pleasure? I have two. Gluttony: where I laze in bed all day watching HGTV (Mike Holmes…mmm yummy!) or Farscape. Please be equally specific.

I’m a slave to ice cream (any flavor). I can’t have it in the house. I’m not one of those people who can eat a few teaspoons and be satisfied. One teaspoon leads to a tablespoon which leads to a big honking bowl. Then, of course, comes the guilt. The punishment phase begins when I step on the scale the next day. It’s always been a mystery to me how one bowl of ice cream translates to three pounds of fat. Do the math.

My other sinful pleasure is “Coast to Coast AM”, a radio program that comes on at midnight in my time zone. They interview experts in many fields including the paranormal. Yes, I stay awake to hear interviews with people who believe aliens have visited Earth in the past and the latest research on time travel. The show had discussions on the 2012 ending of the Mayan long count calendar long before it came to the notice of the mainstream media, hence the idea for my Gods of the Night series.

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

I love singing in the shower or any other place where I won’t have an audience. As for Simon Cowell, he’d probably say, “I never want to hear that song again. I cannot stand it. I’m allergic to it.” That’s an actual quote from him, and I’m sure he’d break it out again for me.

Actually, I did sing publically for a short time when I was much younger. A friend and I went to Ireland and stayed for several years. It was tough to get regular jobs without a work permit, so since both of us played the guitar and had sung together for a while, we got gigs in Dublin pubs and hotel lounges singing Irish folk songs. Yes, there’s a great deal of irony in that.

My favorite song choice? Any song that doesn’t involve more than two octaves. I don’t have much range. “And the rockets’ red glare” in the “Star Spangled Banner” gets me every time.

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

I’d have to choose Sparkle Stardust. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be the queen of sexual chaos? Okay, so maybe I’m the only one. But let’s look at what it means to be Sparkle. She’s a cosmic troublemaker who’s lived for millennia, and during that time she’s brought thousands of mismatched couples together, watched them achieve sexual nirvana, and then experienced the joy of seeing their relationships wither and die. What fun! She’s utterly cool in every way. She has the sexiest wardrobe in existence, and she’s always willing to share her beauty and relationship secrets with her female victims…er friends. She’d share them with her male friends too, but most of them aren’t secure enough in their masculinity to accept her wisdom. Too bad for them. But the best thing about Sparkle is her unapologetic shallowness. She’s all about sex, sin, and her next victim. You have to admire someone that goal oriented.

Hmm, perhaps I haven’t made her seem particularly likeable. Well, she does have one weakness. She loves Ganymede, the cosmic troublemaker in charge of creating chaos throughout the universe. Perhaps in the end, love can truly redeem the irredeemable. Besides, she makes me laugh.

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

This is a toughie. I’ve read so many wonderful books in my lifetime that it’s difficult to remember individual scenes. And everyone’s reading taste is different. What I find memorable might be very ordinary to someone else.

With that said, a scene that I’ve remembered over the years was from Body Electric by Susan Squires (published in 2002 by Dorchester). I won’t go into the plot, but the scene where Jodie Prime dies made me cry. Books don’t often make me cry. Movies are another thing. I was a child when I first saw Bambi. I never recovered from the death of Bambi’s mother.

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 don’t think I’ll ever reach the pinnacle. Nora Roberts is already sitting there and she doesn’t seem ready to vacate the spot. I can almost see her waving down at me now. ☺

Seriously, I’d love to create a blockbuster series, preferably in paranormal romance or urban fantasy. By blockbuster, I mean books that millions of readers wait breathlessly for each year. No, I don’t expect a Harry Potter in my future, but I’ll keep writing each book with the goal of becoming a better storyteller. And maybe someday…

That said, if I never have a blockbuster series, I’m satisfied with the privilege of writing stories that people enjoy reading. There was a time when actually getting a book published seemed like an unreachable goal. Thank you to all the readers that made it happen for me.


Nina lives in Texas with her cat and a sexy vampire who never made it into her books. She’s joking about the vampire, but she assures me that she’d be open to the concept. The paranormal world fascinates her, and when she’ s not racing the clock to meet a looming deadline, she dreams about sneaking around old houses in search of resident ghosts.

Nina Bangs, offers the next installment in her popular Gods of the Night series.

The souls of ancient predators crouch within these men. Primal instincts and barely contained savagery drive them. But in a modern world threatened with chaos and darkness, they are…
Gods of the Night.

Utah knows all about vengeance. Vampires killed his brother, and that act demands only one response. He frees his beast and destroys every bloodsucker he finds. But he never expected to meet a leader of his immortal enemies who was so beautiful, bewitching…and mortal.

Lia understands her destiny. She has a duty to stop the rogue vampires who are intent on wiping out the human race along with any nonhumans that get in their way. But she needs help dealing with the shadowy power guiding the escalating slaughter. Utah would be her last choice for a partner. Once a deadly foe, he now becomes her ally and protector. Loving him will be more dangerous than anything she’s ever done. Because when Utah releases his soul, the ultimate predator will once again stalk the earth, and death will walk with him.
USA Today bestselling author Nina Bangs once again tempts readers to enter the wickedly sensual Castle of Dark Dreams—a playground where private pleasures and devilish fantasies come true, where the men who breathe life into women’s ultimate desires burn with their own supernatural fire…

As an angel, Passion prides herself on perfection. But some mischievous part of her always goes against the godly grain. After one too many attempts to enliven the heavenly halls, she’s sent to earth to tame her naughty nature. While human, she has to bring goodness and light to the most sinful of places, the Castle of Dark Dreams. Once there, she finds herself in the role of a virgin used as bait to trap a marauding demon. Passion thinks the game is harmless—until she sees the man playing the demon. His name is Edge, and Passion senses darkness in him beyond any she’s ever dreamed.

Edge may play a demon, but he is something much worse. His past is littered with pain and destruction—and that’s the way he likes it. Now he must prove to himself and others that he is what he’s always been—cold and emotionless. But as danger threatens and his need for Passion heats up, he finds himself balanced on love’s Wicked Edge.
The Castle of Dark Dreams series, Book 5 Releases March 6th, 2012!
Pre-Order TODAY!


Leave a comment below for your chance to WIN one of two prizes. Each winner will receive their choice of a signed set of either the Gods of the Night series or the Castle of Dark Dreams series, plus a $20 Barnes & Noble gift card. Wow, those are some great giveaways! Please thank Nina for being here and comment below :)


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60 comments:

Tabatha said...

I just have to say I love all of your books Nina. I'm eagerly awaiting for Wicked Edge to come out. Sparkle Stardust has to be my all time favorite character, because she is just so deliciously fun!

Brandie said...

I absolutely loved this interview. The questions were great and the answers were even better!

I can't wait for your next book, Nina...great job!

Brandie

AquarianDancer said...

Wow! I love the Gods of the Night series and have wanted to check out the Castle of Dark Dreams series for a while. Thanks for the opportunity!

polheber2 said...

LOVE Sparkle and Ganymede....I have an odd (subject makes sense to me) question. Bonnaroo Buzz, Karmel Sutra, or have you tried Schweddy Balls?

Kitty said...

You're books are awesome. I love the humor and Sparkle is my hero. Oh be sure to tell Mede that I have a huge tub of ice cream with his name on it.

Erika Murphy said...

Nina, I must re-read all of your books at least once a year. I think the only few I do not own are your anthologies, like From Boardwalk With Love. My favorite, even though there are no vampires or werebunnies, is still Pleasure Master. The heart of it resonates with me. Although, I harbor a deep and soul-crushing addiction to Edge, I can't WAIT for his dark and delicious tale. I always wanted to know - who are your favorite authors that you go to again and again (doesn't have to be romance, could be anything)?

jenna_red said...

I can't wait for Edge's book! I love that story line. Sparkle is my absolute favorite character. Thank you very much for such wonderful stories!

Nora Chipley Barteau said...

Hi Nina
My name is Nora and I am not familiar with your work but would love to read and review some of it. I am finishing up a large book blog tour and I could start on one of your books and create a blog page for it. Here is where my reviews can be found: http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/
Reviewers Helping Authors. And here is my email address: msnorabarteau@att.net

Janine said...

I have often said that I want to be Sparkle Stardust when I grow up! She is my all time favorite character!

Kimberly Lynn said...

Love your books Nina! Can't wait for Wicked Edge! I have been checking and rechecking your website for months waiting for a new one until you finally made me squeal with glee that one is coming out again! Keep up the awesome writing. :)

Lanae T. said...

Great interview! Great sense of humor!

Nina, I have heard of and seen your books, but am sad to say that none grace my bookshelf. (stinkin book budget)I will have to quickly remedy that!

I'm looking forward to reading your work!

Robin S. said...

I loved your response to question 5 especially. Love your books and hope to keep reading them for many years to come!!

Robin S. said...

I loved your response to question 5 especially. Love your books and hope to keep reading them for many years to come!!

hsummerlin said...

My favorite author and series!!

Linda McKenzie said...

Hi Nina, I would have been here a lot sooner but life interfered with fun, darn it!! I really enjoy all of your books, I don't think you have come a cropper with any of them and I love Sparkle and Mede, they are perfect. My favorite series you have going right now is the Gods of the Night books. They are as close to dragons as possible without actually being dragons, and I do dearly love dragons. I have Wicked Edge on my Kindle wishlist. Waiting is very hard for me, patience is for other folks, I want instant gratification thank you very much!

kathy miller said...

Wonderful interview Nina. I've enjoyed all three series that you've written, as well as the stand alones. I look forward to Wicked Edge's March release.

Spav said...

I love your Gods of the Night series and I can't wait for the next one. Is there a release date yet?

rhomitz said...

Loved, loved, loved the interview. I love your books, Castle of Dark Dreams and The Mackenzie Vampires series. I am so excited for Wicked Edge to come out and I can't wait for Sparkle Stardust and Ganamede's story to come out. They make me laugh! :) I will love to win ANY of your books, you are the best!
Rhonda

Nancy said...

Hey Nina! As with the others, I can't wait for your next book! It would be so cool if there was a real Castle of Dark Dreams. I would definitely be on the waiting list! Great job!!!

Michele said...

Nina, You Always make me laugh!
I enjoy your heroes and your unique take on the paranormal world.
I think your new series is amazing and who says you don't already have readers and fans panting after your next books making them autobuys?
I'm one!
:-)

C R Ward said...

Great interview! I love your books Nina, and it was great learning a little more about you too. I can't wait until Wicked Edge comes out!

I can't decide whether I love the Castle of Dark Dreams series or the Gods of the Night series more . . . although One Bite Stand (the first book of yours I ever read) will always have a special place in my heart. And now I think I'm going to have to go read it again. ;-)

Donna said...

Hi, Nina. Loved the interview. I am a long time fan and enjoy your unique stories. Looking forward to Wicked Edge and the next Gods of the Night. Thanks for hours of enjoyment.

Nina said...

Tabatha, I'm so glad that you enjoy my books. And thanks for stopping by to let me know. I told Sparkle that she was your favorite, and she said she'd stop by your place for some girl talk. Lock your doors.

Nina said...

Thanks for stopping by, Brandie. You are my West Houston PAL aren't you? I hope I don't have the wrong Brandie. Anyway,looking forward to seeing you at the November meeting.

Nina said...

AquarianDancer, thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you're enjoying my Gods of the Night series. The Castle of Dark Dreams series is a little lighter, but it's still me. :-)

Nina said...

Polheber2, I love odd questions. Karmel Sutra, of course. Haven't tried Schweddy Balls. I can't believe I'm having this conversation. Thanks for taking the time to stop by. Oh, Mede and Sparkle send their love.

Nina said...

Kitty, thanks for taking the time to comment. I'm so glad that you enjoy my books. By the way, Ganymede said he's on his way over. Keep the porch light on.

Kristin85 said...

Great Blog! I love your books!!

Nina said...

Erika, wow, I'm impressed. Once a year? You made my day. The Pleasure Master holds a special place in my heart. I loved researching all those movie quotes for Peter. I hope someday to write Neil's story. Favorite authors? They don't stay static but change over the years. I look forward to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books. And I love Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. I love all of Patricia Briggs books. Jeez, there are just too many to name here. By the way, I got the rights back to From Boardwalk with Love and renamed it Game Master. It's for sale in e-book form if you're interested.

Nina said...

Jenna, Sparkle seems to have lots of fans here. She sends her love. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and to comment.

Nina said...

Nora, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I'll get back to you later. Oh, and my mother's name was Nora.

Nina said...

Janine, Sparkle said that she understands completely. I mean, who wouldn't want to be Sparkle Stardust? She wants to go shoe shopping with you. Shoe shopping with Sparkle can get dangerous.

Nina said...

Kimberly Lynn, now you've made me feel guilty about not keeping up with my site. :-) But I'm glad that you kept coming back. Thanks for the kind words.

Nina said...

Lanae, I'm glad that you enjoyed the interview. See, now you know that in my next life I want to be the Loch Ness Monster. I bet you don't know many people with those kinds of asperations. I hope you enjoy my books. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Nina said...

Robin, I'm glad that you enjoy my books, but you'll have to find your own hot gardiner. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.

Heyjenn said...

Love your books Ms. Nina. Cannot wait for Wicked Edge - it is already so pre-ordered for my Nook!

Loved the interview too - you and Jacqui crack me up!

Keep inspired to keep me in delish reading material!!!

Nina said...

Robin, you know it's late when my spelling starts to go. I meant gardener.

Nina said...

Hsummerlin, short and sweet and to the point. Love it. Thank you. I appreciate that you took the time to stop by and comment.

Nina said...

Linda, I'm glad that life finally moved aside so that you could get here. Ganymede and Sparkle thank you. I really enjoy writing the Gods of the Night books. They're darker than my other stories, but I'm enjoying the change. And I know what you mean about waiting for the next book in a series. Several of the ones I'm lusting after come out at the end of this month.

Nina said...

Kathy, I'm glad that you enjoyed the interview. The questions were unusual, and I had lots of fun with them. Thanks for letting me know that you enjoy my books. It means a lot.

Nina said...

Spav, thanks for letting me know that you enjoy the Gods of the Night series. I'm writing Rap's story now, and I hope to finish by January or February. Thanks for taking the time to stop and comment.

Nina said...

Rhonda, I love your enthusiasm, and I love that you enjoy my books so much. Ganymede and Sparkle give you a thumbs up. I hope to give Ganymede and Sparkle their own story in the not to distant future. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and comment.

Nina said...

Nancy, I agree, there should be a real Castle of Dark Dreams. I don't live far from Galveston, and whenever I visit I take a long look at the spot where I think it should stand. So far staring and wishing hasn't worked. Sigh. Too bad.

Nina said...

Michele, you make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :-) Thank you, thank you, thank you. And a special thanks for taking the time to stop by and comment.

Nina said...

C R Ward, I'm glad that you enjoyed the interview. It was refreshing to answer questions that were a little unusual. One Bite Stand had one of my favorite heroines. It was a challenge to make a harpy into a character people could relate to and cheer for. And thanks for taking the time to stop by and comment.

Tiffany Mlsna said...

Wow! the things you learn about your favorite author :) I LOVE the Gods of the Night series!! (was pretty bummed when I read the set back about Q grrrr) That interview was amazing and a great read, I love your humor, your style and your sass! Please keep them coming!! and in my opinion, You are a much better writer than Nora! ... some times her books get a little cookie cutter like.. very much the same.. your books never cease to surprise me, they never cease to tantalize and captivate me! please keep them coming!

Nina said...

Donna, thanks for taking the time to let me know that you enjoy my books. I appreciate every reader. And I'm glad that you liked the interview. I had fun with the questions.

Nina said...

Donna, I forgot to mention that I love your kitty avatar.

Nina said...

Kristin, I'm glad that you enjoyed the blog. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and comment. And double thanks for letting me know that you like my books.

Tiffany Mlsna said...

OH also forgot to add that I have also read your books at least once a year :) I never tire of them :) :)

Nina said...

Heyjenn, knowing that you already preordered Wicked Edge put a smile on my face. And that's not an easy thing to do at 11:06 PM. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and comment. I truly appreciate it.

Nina said...

Tiffany, good to see you made it. Oh, and it feels great to be someone's favorite author. Thanks. And I will definitely keep the sass coming. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and comment.

Nina said...

Tiffany, just read your second comment. It boggles my mind when readers say they reread my books. It's such an honor. Writing is solitary, and as I sit at my computer it's tough to visualize the many people who will eventually read the words I'm writing. The thought keeps things real.

JoAnna said...

I love your books. I have read the Mackenzie, Castle of Dark Dreans and the Gods of Night series. I love Sparkle and Ganymede! And Utah, Rap and Tor, love them and can't wait to read more! Thanks so much for the hours of entertainment you have given me!

Anonymous said...

Great interview !!!

Jacquelyn Frank said...

Ok the two winners are Donna & Tiffany Misna If you could please send me your snail mail info to natalie@jacquelynfrank.com and put I won NIna Bangs Giveaway in the subject line!! Also please state which of the series you would prefer and I will make sure it's forwarded on to the appropriate people. Thanks ;)

Kyra said...

I just love your work. Your books offer the perfect wickedly lovely escape i need at the end of my day. Thank you and I cannot wait for Wicked Edge!!!!

Tiffany Mlsna said...

Wow! Thank you so much!! (email has been sent :))

Donna said...

Woo Hoo! Thanks. Email sent.

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