Lala’s Book Corner Presents: Author Interview & Giveaway w/ Keri Arthur!

The Giveaway is Closed!!

Thanks for participating!

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Without a doubt one of my favorite thing, if THE favorite, about blogging has been the opportunity to chat and get to know some of my favorite authors. Keri Arthur is right up there near the top of my list.

When I started my obsession with the Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance genre, her books were some of the first I got and read, that’s when I was hooked. I still miss Michael & Nikki, I wish they had more books hehe

I just love her Riley Jensen series and this new installment that is coming out is definitely bittersweet. It is the last book in the series, though she has a new series to come out, which is a spin-off of the Riley Jensen one, I just can’t wait for it!

Well, I am very honored to have Keri here today answering my questions and not only that, but she is giving a lucky commenter a Signed copy of this new book! How awesome is that? I wish i could enter as well LOL

This GIVEAWAY is CLOSED!

The results will be announced

in a couple days!

Thanks for participating!

Good Luck!

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- When did you first start writing?

I actually first started writing when I was 12 years old and was totally annoyed at an author who’d killed off a favorite character of mine. So, I rewrote the book and made that character not only live, but the hero!

I’ve been writing ever since, but I only started getting serious about it when my daughter was born. That was twenty years ago.

- Have you always liked Romance?

I’ve always loved romance as a sub-thread that runs through fantasy and action books--although when I was younger, fantasy tended to be male dominated and romance sub-threads were few and far between. To be honest, I didn’t really start ready ‘proper’ romance books until I was in my twenties.

- What about the Paranormal?

It wasn’t actually classified as paranormal when I was a teenager--it all just came under the fantasy umbrella. But I was always more a fantasy girl than a scifi and I have to say, I was more than a little happy when writers like Mecedes Lackey and Melanie Rawn started invading the fantasy genre, because that’s when we really started getting decent romance story lines as well as great plots and action (and if you’ve never read Jennifer Roberson's Cheysuli series, look them up. They’re fabulous!)

- Why writing Paranormal Romance?

Because I like all things weird and wonderful, and because how can you tell someone’s story without including romance? Everyone wants romance in their lives, whether they admit it or not, so surely it has to be a part of any story told.

- Were there any Books, Movies or Writers that have inspired you?

I always wanted to write like Dick Francis, because I just love his way with characters, and how he hooks you into the story from the very first page. That’s what I try to do every time I write. But I also love James Herbert’s often off-the-wall characters and his ability to write a truly scary story. His novels, more than anyone else’s, showed me that it doesn’t matter how unbelievable your storyline might be, if you write characters readers can care about, they’ll follow your story to the weirdest of places (and he really does goes to some weird places. lol)

- What is your favorite subject in the Paranormal Romance Realm?

I suppose you’d have to say werewolves, because I’ve just written a 9 book series about them :)

- I have to say that The sex scenes in your books are amazingly hot. Where do you get your inspiration?

I think the inspiration comes from the characters themselves. Which sounds a little strange, but I think if you, as a writer, have built up a strong enough foundation for your characters, and know them inside out, then all the scenes--not just the sex ones--should flow well.

- Is it hard to write them?

After spending nine books with the one character, it certainly can be! Repetition may not be a problem with one or two books, but its something that can be problematic after four or five. The need to make each sex scene different can also be difficult--as can the description of what’s going on. I mean, there’s only so many ways to describe the actual act!

Favorites:

- Favorite Paranormal themed Movie?

X-Files, Signs, Stargate, Sleepy Hollow

- Favorite Paranormal themed TV Show?

X-Files, Supernatural, Torchwood

- Favorite Paranormal themed Book?

Nobody True, by James Herbert. The hero is a ghost. Fab story

- Favorite Author?

I have to pick just one? Then it has to be Dick Francis

- Favorite Paranormal Romance Author?

Mecedes Lackey with Children of the Night. Love that book

- Favorite one of your Books?

Full Moon Rising, simply because that’s the book that took me from being a small press author to being New York published

- Who is your favorite of your own characters? Why?

I’d have to say Riley, simply because she’s such a fun character to write.

- Which was the hardest to write? Why?

Risa, my latest character, simply because I’ve been writing Riley so long, I have to make a conscious effort to ensure Risa doesn’t become a Riley clone.

- What would you be if not a writer? Why?

I’d be a chef/cook, because that’s what I was before I became a full time writer.

Quickies:

- Coffee or Tea?

Tea

- Up or Down?

Depends on what we’re talking about. :)

- Virtual or Real?

Real

- Right or Left?

Depends on where I’m going :)

- Vampires or Werewolves?

Both

- Angels or Demons?

Angels

- Rolling Stones or The Beatles?

Beatles

- Reading or Writing?

Writing

- What is your favorite part of the writing process?

Exploring new characters and situations

- What is your least favorite part?

Editing

- The Riley Jensen series in your own words?

One kick-ass chick tracking down and beating up the nastiest dudes the paranormal world has to offer. :)

- Any plans for more Riley Jensen Books?

No. Moon Sworn will be the last Riley book

- What is coming up next for you?

Next up release wise is Mercy Burns, which is the second book in my Myth and Magic series. Writing wise, it’s the Dark Angels series, which is a Riley offshoot series featuring a grown up Risa (she’s Dia’s little girl)

- What are you working on right now?

I’m currently writing the second book in the Dark Angels series.

- Do you have any advice or tip to those like me that want to become a published Author someday?

Write what you love, what you’re passionate about. I know everyone says it, but the truth is, once a publisher picks you up, they want you to keep writing that particular genre, so you’d better love it!

I guess my other bit of writing advice would be to never give up. No matter how many rejections you get, no matter how often you think you’re never going to get there, if being a writer is your dream, then keep going. It took me well over ten years to be published, and let me tell you, no one in my family thought it would be possible for an unknown, unaccomplished Australian writer writing ‘weird’ little stories to break through into a huge market like the US, but I got there. Eventually. It was just a matter of persistence and belief, and if I can do it, anyone can!

- Anything you would like to say to your fans out there?

Thank you so much for supporting the Riley Jenson series! I hope you enjoy her last book.

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