Lala's Book Corner Presents: Author Interview & Giveaway w/ Dakota Cassidy

Hey Everyone!


I am so happy to have Dakota here today! I am a huge fan of the Accidental Friends Series (you can check out my review here) and I just can't wait for my copy of the 4th Book, Accidentally Demonic, to arrive =)


Me and Dakota will also be giving away a couple of books! Check out the Giveaway details at the bottom!

**The Giveaway is over! Thanks for all the support! 

Results will be up tomorrow!! =0)))**

Enjoy...

When did you first start writing?
 - I began in late 2003 after reviewing for an online review site. No, I haven't done this all my life and it wasn't my dream until it happened. I know. You're astonished. LOL


What is your favorite part of the writing process?
- Definitely 50K on. I'm all gung ho for the first 20K then things go downhill for me because by that point, I've typically written myself into a corner and I can't get the hell out. Tee hee.

Have you always been interested in Romance?

- I've read romance since I snuck my mother's category HQ's when I was 13 or 14 and they were all still mostly set in England or Scotland. Never once considered writing it or even dreamed about writing it, though :)

What about in the Paranormal?

- That didn't happen for me until I found e-books. It opened a whole new genre to me I didn't know existed, believe it or not. I'd never heard of people like Nina Bangs and Christine Feehan. After finding the genre, it was so on. Like on. LOL

Why writing Paranormal Romance?

- I found when I read some of those paranormals I'd ask some questions like--Why's it so awful to be a vampire? What IF you were a vampire who was allergic to blood? What IF you were a werewolf and while you were out roaming around doing your shifting thing, some dog-catcher caught you and threw you in the pound?  The paranormal had no limitations on my crazy :)

Were there any Books, Movies or Writers that have inspired you?
- Definitely writers--Nina Bangs for one. She has the craziest take on things and after reading her, it inspired me to consider I wasn't as nuts as I thought. So I began spewing my nutty thoughts out loud instead of just thinking them while I rocked in a dark corner of a room :)

What is your favorite subject in the Paranormal Romance Realm?
- If you mean which type of shifter I prefer, I can't choose. I love them all and they all have the potential to be taken to a whole new level :)

The sex scenes in your books are amazingly hot. Where do you get your inspiration?
- LOL. Trust me when I tell you, I'm nowhere near as hot as it can get, but before I was NY pubbed, I was e-pubbed in erotic romances. I learned a great deal from writing those books :)

Do you find it hard to write them?

- It depends. Sometimes, if my head's been off and deep in a scene prior to writing one, yes, I have difficulty transitioning. However, I just type in INSERT SEX here and go back to it when I'm in a different space :)

Favorites:

Favorite Paranormal themed Movie?

- I know you want me to say Twilight... LOL. I haven't seen it. Don't shoot :) I'd have to say, I dunno, but I can tell you, I just saw Jennifer's Body and Jennifer, the demon, was a frickin' riot. Her dialogue was super snarky :)

Favorite Paranormal themed TV Show?
- OMG--I lurved, lurved, lurved Moonlight. That they took that off still chaps my ass--that and Eastwick. Sigh :) Oh, and I lubs me some Fringe.

Favorite Paranormal themed book?

- Oh, no. I can't choose because their are so many. I love what I'm reading at the time, be it werewolves or vamps, demons, trolls. I love it ALL. I want to read it all. I want to write it all.

Favorite Author?

- Again, can't choose, but I can name names. Mark Henry (who's technically UF, but a frickin' comedic genius), Jaye Wells-kick ass assasin vamps, Nicole Peeler--selkies, people and she writes like a dream--Michele Bardsley--vampire soccer moms and the like--a total riot. Karen Rose--serial killers! Woot. Love serial killers--well, in books... Nina Bangs--has the mind of a genius when it comes to shaking up the tradition of paranormals. Also, and certainly super high on my list, Stephen King and Dean Koontz. There's nothing like a Koontz/King batch of books.

Favorite Paranormal Romance Author?

- See above. I. Will. Not. Choose. LOL

Favorite one of your own Books?

- OMG--all these decisions. Can't choose. Each one's like a kid--different and unique. But I have to say, I loved writing Nina in Accidentally Dead. She's got no filter. None :) It's freeing to just say whatever you want and slap the label "It's my opinion" on it :)

Who is your favorite of your own characters?

- Again, can't choose. They all have a reason behind my creation and when I'm in the middle of writing them, they're who I love most at the time :) Which makes me fickle, huh?

Which was the hardest to write?

-Wanda in The Accidental Human. 

Why?

- That was a really emotional book due to her predicament. But it was only tough in that, I had to keep a balance of funny and emotional going. THAT was exhausting :) Delaney in Kiss and Hell was tough because the plot had so much going on, and her predecessor, Marcella in My Way to Hell was work, too. Again, because the plots were so twisty. I kept tripping over holes I had to go back and fill in a domino effect kinda way. Work, I say. LOL

What would you be if not a writer?

- Oh, for sure a supermodel--or maybe I'd be touring Vegas with Barry Manilow. Or not. LOL. I was a housewife for 19 years before I was downgraded, and I didn't work. So I had no skillz when I found myself a single parent. I'd just begun writing, and thankfully, I got crazy lucky and it turned into a career--or I'd be in the local homeless shelter as I type :)

Quickies:

Coffee or Tea? 

- Coffee

Up or Down?

- Up if we're talking my bank account--down if we're talking a nap. I could use a nap and I'd like to be lying down when I take it as opposed to vertical against some wall or in my office chair :)

Virtual or Real?

- Ohhhh, that has so many connotations. Real if we're talking sex (snort), virtual if we're talking seeing the gynecologist :)

Right or Left?

- I'm directionally challenged... We'll end up in Boise if you let me drive :)

Vampires or Werewolves?

- Both :) Go on, call me wishy-washy.

Angels or Demons?

- Both--see wishy-washy :)

Reading or Writing?

- Both, but if someone put a gun to my head I'd choose--writing :)

Any plans for more Accidental Friends Series?

- Oh, sure. I have loads of plans. We just have to see if they coincide with what my agent and editor have planned. LOL

What is coming up next for you?
- Another paranormal, then the last in the contemp series. Then the sequel to My Way to Hell releases in July. The Accidental comes out in mass market in August, and FINALLY, the release of Suck it up, Princess in December. I'm whooped. LOL

What are you working on right now?
- Well, right now I'm working on finagling a way to pay for botox. LOLLOL. Actually, I'm on to another accidental. I know, the nutty never ends, eh? LOL

Do you have any advice or tip to those like me that want to become a published Author someday?
- Write, write, write. Ask questions. Read. Listen. Shut. Up. LOL. Seriously, learn from the people who crit you. Be willing to take criticism because it isn't just about being published. Once you are, the whole world has a chance to take a shot at you. Having a good, constructive critique of your work will prep you for the pain to come, because seriously, not everyone's going to love you. You have to be able to let the harsh words go and focus on your goal--which is to write, write, write. Wow, I just went full circle, huh? LOL

Anything you would like to say to your fans out there?
- Bless each and every 12 of you. You bakers dozen seriously rock. LOLLOL. I'm kidding. I've been very fortunate in that the accidentals have opened doors for me in other genres and allowed me to write various characters in another series because people bought them. I can't tell you how grateful and blessed I am to do this for a living, and that's due mostly to the fab fans who buy my books :)

Thank you so much for being here today, Dakota!

and Now to the Giveaway!

There will be two winners in this giveaway!

1st Place - Any Book of your choice (mass market/trade paperback) that is already out or can be pre-ordered on Amazon.com.

2nd Place - A Copy of Accidentally Demonic by Dakota Cassidy

This Giveaway is International!

**For the 2nd Place, you need to be located in a country where Book Depository delivers to!

To enter:

Just a leave a comment on this post about Dakota's Interview.

That's all!

ok, ok... You want some extra entries??

+5 - Blog Follower (old/new)

+3 - Twitter Follower (@larissa_sarah)

+3 - Dakota's Twitter Follower (@DakotaCassidy)

This Giveaway will End on February 4th!

Good Luck!






Don't Forget, You can leave YOUR questions for Dakota in the comments (Only today!)!

Thanks for tuning in and I'll see you soon!

xoxo,