International SIGNED Book + Swag Giveaway & Gini Koch Interview!

Thanks so much to Gini for answering my Qs! =)

Q. Nine books in and I don't see any slowing down in the series. Have you

planned ahead for more awesome adventures or do you come up with new stuff as you write?

A. Thanks! I’m so glad you enjoy the books! 

In terms of planning, it’s really both. By now, my editor and I discuss what’s coming several books ahead, to make sure that whatever book I’m writing “now” stays on target for the books to come and doesn’t contradict the books that have come before.

But within that, I’m still an extreme linear writer. Book 8/Alien Research, for example, basically came out of nowhere, right as I was finishing Book 7/Alien in the House and, thankfully, my editor let me add it in because we had to (or Alien Collective would have needed to be about 1,000 pages long) and because DAW is made of awesome.

With Alien Collective, I had characters demanding to do things I didn’t have planned for them, so I had to make concessions. It worked out, but how I get from here, aka Something Goes Whacky, to there, aka Kitty Manages to Save the Day, never goes even close to how I may have even sort of planned it. But it’s working for me, so I don’t complain. Much. 

Q. Any plans for more books after the ones planned? (Please say yes! Lol)

A. Yes! (I’m a giver, me. LOL) I’m currently contracted through Book 13, but just this past weekend I came up with what I’d like to do for Books 14 & 15. Normally whenever I’m writing “this” book I see 3-4 books ahead, which is why, as I’m writing Book 10, and thinking about Books 11, 12, and 13, I saw what I want to do with 14 and 15. I’d like to get to 16 or 20, honestly, maybe more. The characters assure me they’re not ready to go quietly off into retirement any time soon. And, frankly, spending my days writing about characters I love isn’t really a hardship.

Q. What has been the most difficult storyline to write so far?

A. Alien Research, because of all the “things” that happened in it. There’s always a point, or more, in every book where the story wants to go one way and I realize, after it’s gone that way, that it doesn’t work. And then I have to cut all those words and start over from wherever it went off. So I’m used to that, and some books have more of those Wrong Tangents than others. 

But with Alien Research, I knew where the story had to go, and so did it, and all the characters knew, too. But, even though I’d been planning some of those “things” for the past several books, when it came right down to it, I still didn’t want to do them. So there were whole days where I would be resisting what I had to do. But forcing myself through it was good for me, and the books. And, hey, “things” gotta happen.

 Gini Koch

Gini Koch lives in Hell’s Orientation Area (aka Phoenix, AZ), works her butt off (sadly, not literally) by day, and writes by night with the rest of the beautiful people. She writes the fast, fresh and funny Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books, the Necropolis Enforcement Files series, and the Martian Alliance Chronicles series for Musa Publishing. As G.J. Koch she writes the Alexander Outland series. 

She also writes under a variety of other pen names (including Anita Ensal, Jemma Chase, A.E. Stanton, and J.C. Koch), listens to all kinds of music 24/7, and is a proud comics geek-girl willing to discuss at any time why Wolverine is the best superhero ever (even if Deadpool does get all the best lines). 

She speaks frequently on what it takes to become a successful author and other aspects of writing and the publishing business. She is also the Lead Editor at Raphael’s Village, an online, nonpaying ’zine. Because she wasn’t busy enough, Gini’s added on featured guest columnist, reviewer, and webcaster for Slice of SciFi and It’s Comic Book Day. She can be reached through her website at www.ginikoch.com.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads 

The Katherine "Kitty" Katt / Alien Series:

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of YOUR choice + Swag 

by Gini Koch

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INTL Giveaway + Felicity Heaton Interview: Win an eCopy of "Her Dark Angel"

Let's Give Felicity Heaton a warm welcome here on the blog!

- When did you first start writing?

I’ve been writing since 2005, and went indie in 2006, before all the cool kids were doing it. I’ve written over forty-five books in my career as a writer, and around forty of those are still available. I love to write passionate paranormal romances, with high-octane action, intense emotion, and heroes who will make your toes curl! 

- Have you always been interested in Romance?

When I was growing up, I loved reading anything paranormal or horror stories but I also loved to read classic romances too, like Jane Eyre, North and South, Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice. I really liked losing myself in that old world and escaping reality. You could say I’ve been interested in romance since I was a teen, like most people out there!

- What about in the Paranormal?

I’ve loved paranormal genre stuff since I was really young, like just starting to read young. I have book reports where I call every book boring unless it has vampires, werewolves, witches or monsters in it! I was hooked at an early age and it has stayed with me throughout my life. My passion for it only grew in strength when I read the classics as a teen, devouring Dracula and Frankenstein, and reading H P Lovecraft and Poe.

- Why writing Paranormal Romance?

I think I began to blend those two very separate genres I mentioned above—classic romance and paranormal/horror. I fell for vampires and other creatures of the night, imagining worlds where they existed. They’ve always fascinated me and I’m happiest when I’m writing about them because I love doing something different, twisting accepted norms into something new, playing with mythical creatures and history. It’s amazing fun and I can spend hours just figuring out the finer details about the breed of vampires in a series, or crafting their world, layering in the details that makes it feel real to readers. In paranormal, the possibilities are endless, only limited by my imagination, and my imagination loves to push the boundaries.

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

Vampires. I always come back to them. Although, I am venturing more towards fae species too now. I also love writing my own particular brand of angels. 

Favorites:

- Favorite Paranormal themed Movie? The Lost Boys

- Favorite Paranormal themed TV Show? It’s a toss-up between The Vampire Diaries and Lost Girl.

- Favorite Paranormal themed Book? Ashes of Midnight by Lara Adrian

- Favorite Author? Lara Adrian

- Favorite Paranormal Romance Author? Lara Adrian

- Favorite Genre that is NOT your own? Classic romance

- Favorite one of your Books? I don’t tend to like to pick favourites, but if I had to choose, I could narrow it down to Forbidden Blood, Love Immortal or Heart of Darkness.

- Who is your favorite of your own characters?  

I have a top ten for my heroes. Valentine, from the Prophecy Trilogy, always occupied the #1 spot until recently. He’s been usurped by characters I haven’t written romances for yet—Esher from my upcoming Guardians of Hades series, and Vail from my upcoming Eternal Mates series. I love them because they’re tortured, a little bit crazy, and very hot.

- Which was the hardest to write?  

Winter’s Kiss and Hunter’s Moon, both in my Vampires Realm series, were the most difficult to write because I had to get the reactions and reasoning of the heroes in those books spot on and it was really hard.

- What would you be if not a writer? 

I would be a web designer / programmer / developer, which is what I’ve been for most of my life.

- If you Could be a Paranormal Being, Who would you be?

A vampire, no questions asked.

 

Quickies!

- Angels or Demons? Both. I can’t pick between them. Some of my favourite characters are angels and demons.

- Reading or Writing? Writing

- Print or eBook? eBook – I can carry loads around with me and they don’t weigh a thing, and they don’t take up space in my house.

- Hardback or Paperback? Paperback

- YA novels or Adult novels? Adult only.

- Library or Bookstore? Bookstore

- Summer or Winter? Summer

- The Movie or The Book? The Book

- PNR or UF? PNR

- Romance or Action? Both. It’s what I write. Romance balanced with action.

- What is your favorite part of the writing process?

Building the world and planning the story, and fleshing out the characters. After that would be writing the first draft. But it’s the initial dreaming up of the story that I love the most. I get to let my imagination take the reins and go crazy. It’s so much fun.

- What is your least favorite part?

Editing! It has to be done though, and done properly.

- Her Angel series in your own words? 

The Her Angel series is all about sexy passionate angels determined to protect their women from a terrible game between Heaven and Hell. The first three novellas introduced some of the characters and set up the world, and then the game began in the first novel, Her Guardian Angel, which was the fourth book. It was a tumultuous journey for the hero and heroine, and other characters in the series in that book. The fifth book, Her Demonic Angel, turned up the heat as we spent more time in Hell and the Devil made a play for power, and now we’ve reached the sixth book, Her Wicked Angel.

- What is coming up next for you?

My next book is the first book in the Eternal Mates series. Kissed by a Dark Prince comes out on November 30th and it’s about the dark elf prince, Loren, and his millennia-old feud with an enemy bent on killing him and destroying his kingdom. When Loren is knocked unconscious and dumped on the inspection table of Olivia, a scientist working with the demon-hunting organisation Archangel, she thinks it’s her lucky night and sees her mystery man as a way of redeeming herself with her superiors. Loren comes around and can’t resist tapping her carotid for some life giving fluids to help him heal. That one bite changes their lives forever because she’s his one true mate and not only has he bound her to him, but he’s weakened himself and dragged her into the crossfire between him and his enemy… exactly as his enemy had planned. It’s a race against time for them to find a way to break the bond, but can Loren really sacrifice the one thing he’s been waiting millennia for—his mate?

- What are you working on right now?

At the moment, I’m working on the second draft edits of Claimed by a Demon King, which is the second book in the Eternal Mates series. That one is due to come out in February 2014. I’m also in the planning stages on several others books for my other series.

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

Study the craft. I think it was advice I gave to myself but I do recommend it to all writers. I’ve read some fantastic books on writing and I still make time to read books on writing now. They’ve all helped me in some way or another. I’m an advocate of putting in some reading time and doing exercises to improve your writing.

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

Thanks for reading my books and sticking with me, and I hope you’ll keep sticking around and demanding more from me, because I have so many stories left to tell!

- Thanks so much for being here!

Her Angel Series:

Newest Release:

Her Wicked Angel (Her Angel #6) 

by Felicity E. Heaton

Out NOW!!

Buy Felicity Heaton's Books:

Felicity Heaton

New York Times and USA Today bestseller Allison Brennan is the author of twenty novels and several short stories. A former consultant in the California State Legislature, she lives in Northern California with her husband Dan and their five children.  

Crime fiction, mysteries, and romantic suspense have always been Allison's favorites, so it's no surprise that her romantic thrillers have a dark suspense edge. Reviewers have called her books "terrifying," "mesmerizing," "fast-paced," "pulse-pounding," "wonderfully complex," "layered," and "a master of suspense - tops in the genre." Lee Child called LOVE ME TO DEATH, "A world-class nail-biter" and Lisa Gardner says, "Brennan knows how to deliver."  

Writing three books a year is more than a full-time job, and so is raising five kids, but Allison believes life is too short to be bored. When she's not writing, she's reading, playing video games, watching old movies or new television shows, driving to or attending volleyball / basketball / football / soccer / baseball / softball games, and on occasion even makes it to the gym where she enjoys people-watching more than exercise.  

Allison is currently writing the Lucy Kincaid series about an FBI recruit. The sixth book, STOLEN, is on sale now. COLD SNAP will be out on October 29, 2013. Also, she's thrilled to announce a new hardcover mystery/thriller series starring investigative reporter Maxine Revere that launches April 8, 2014, starting with NOTORIOUS. 

Connect with Felicity Heaton:

 Website | FaceBook | Goodreads | Twitter 

Win an eCopy of 

"Her Dark Angel"

by Felicity Heaton

INTERNATIONAL

An angel without a mission, Apollyon lives trapped in Hell guarding the bottomless pit. Surrounded by endless darkness, he longs to fly free on Earth once more but his master hasn’t called him in centuries. When the call finally comes, it’s to serve a new master, a beautiful woman he has often watched over, a woman who has always captivated him.

Serenity is shocked when a gorgeous black-winged angel shows up in her city of Paris claiming that she called him when she was only casting a simple vengeance spell. He’s no other than the angel of death! When Apollyon offers to obey her and help her have revenge on her cheating ex-boyfriend, she can’t resist the temptation, but can she resist him? Can an angel as dark as Apollyon ever fall for a mortal woman like her?

Their charade as lovers quickly becomes reality when one dance leads to another and Apollyon proves that he’s as sinful as he looks. His sensual and hungry touch brings Serenity back to life, freeing her from the hurt of being betrayed and reigniting her passion, but she can’t ignore her growing fear. Lost in their moment together, Apollyon realises that there is a reason he heard her call—he’s in love with her.

But will Serenity see past the wings and believe that Apollyon returns her feelings and won’t hurt her? When her ex-boyfriend asks her to forgive him and be with him again, will she take the easy route or will she find the courage to fly away with her dark angel?

Dark, passionate and erotic, Her Dark Angel is a tale of intense desire and deepest forbidden love guaranteed to get your heart racing.

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INTL GIVEAWAY + Interview w/ Allison Brennan

So psyched to welcome Amanda Carlson here on the blog again, please give her a warm welcome! =)

- When did you first start writing?

I’ve always written something, from when I was old enough to hold a pencil. I got my first library card when I was four years old and knew immediately that I wanted to write books. But I didn’t get serious about pursuing writing as a career until 2002, when I committed myself to finishing one of the many projects I’d started.

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

When I was 13, I read THE STAND by Stephen King and wrote him a letter telling him I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. He sent me back a postcard that said, “If you want to be a writer, write.” He was my first inspiration.

Then in 2001, I read Lisa Gardner’s THE THIRD VICTIM and Iris Johansen’s THE SEARCH, both romantic suspense novels with a darker undertone. And that’s when I knew what I wanted to write.

- I love Lucy and Sean's relationship and how much they rely and trust each other. Is their relationship based on anything in your life or mostly fictional?

Sean and Lucy are definitely fictional!

- I also love how real the police/FBI aspect of the series seem. Do you do a lot of research?

Yes, I research extensively. More now than when I started! I’ve gone through the FBI Citizen’s Academy and participate in annual SWAT training drills where 

I am a role player—I’m either a victim or a bad guy. It’s been a fantastic learning experience and I have access to a lot of people in law enforcement because of it. I have more than 50 books (forensics, criminal psychology, true crime) and have gone on research field trips, like to Quantico, the morgue, national FBI headquarters, local police ride-a-longs, etc. I also talk to a lot of people and always ask about their jobs and hobbies, even if it’s not in law enforcement.

- how far ahead do you plan you story arches? Or are you more of a pantser?

I’m definitely an “organic writer” (I don’t like the word “pantser.”) I rarely know what’s going to happen in a story until I’m writing it, and I prefer it that way. I let the characters and the situation drive the story.

Favorites:

- Favorite Movie?

Star Wars, though the new Star Trek reboot with Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine are a close second! In classics, I love The Thin Man and anything by Alfred Hitchcock.

- Favorite TV Show?

Hard one! I watch a lot of television, Justified, Law & Order: SVU, and Sherlock are probably my top three, followed very closely by Castle, Person of Interest, and Grimm.

- Favorite Book?

THE STAND by Stephen King.

- Favorite Author?

JD Robb, Lisa Gardner and Michael Connelly.

- Favorite Genre that is NOT your own?

Romantic comedy

- Favorite one of your Books?

Whichever book I just finished writing! 

- Who is your favorite of your own characters? 

This is an impossible question. It’s like asking me which of my children is my favorite! Right now, it would have to be Maxine Revere, the heroine of my new series. She’s new to me, intriguing, and I don’t know everything about her yet.

- Which was the hardest to write?

The hardest book I wrote was SILENCED. I had just changed publishers and was working with a new editor and I had a total creative break-down. 

- What would you be if not a writer? 

 Nothing. I can’t imagine what I would be if I weren’t a writer. If I didn’t write books, I would love to write for television.

Quickies!

- Coffee or Tea? 

Coffee!

- Reading or Writing?

Both. Can’t be a writer without being a reader first!

- Print or eBook?

Print

- Hardback or Paperback?

Either

- Pepsi or Coke?

Diet Coke

- Library or Bookstore?

Bookstore

- Summer or Winter?

Winter

- The Movie or The Book?

The Book

- Romance or Action?

Action

- What is your favorite part of the writing process?

Once I get the very rough draft down, I love revising the story and getting deeper into each scene and character.

- What is your least favorite part?

Copyedits.

- The Lucy Kincaid series in your own words? 

A rape survivor refuses to be a victim, learns to love, and fights for justice.

- What is coming up next for you?

While I’m still writing the Lucy Kincaid series, I’m launching a new series in hardcover about an investigative reporter who focuses on cold cases. The first book NOTORIOUS will be out April 1.

- What are you working on right now?

I’m finishing DEAD HEAT, the 8th book in the Lucy Kincaid series.

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

Write every day, read a lot, and don’t give up.

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

Thank you! Without you, I wouldn’t be writing what I love to write.

-Thanks so much for being here!

Thanks for having me!

The Lucy Kincaid Series:

Buy 

Allison Brennan's Books:

Allison Brennan

New York Times and USA Today bestseller Allison Brennan is the author of twenty novels and several short stories. A former consultant in the California State Legislature, she lives in Northern California with her husband Dan and their five children.  

Crime fiction, mysteries, and romantic suspense have always been Allison's favorites, so it's no surprise that her romantic thrillers have a dark suspense edge. Reviewers have called her books "terrifying," "mesmerizing," "fast-paced," "pulse-pounding," "wonderfully complex," "layered," and "a master of suspense - tops in the genre." Lee Child called LOVE ME TO DEATH, "A world-class nail-biter" and Lisa Gardner says, "Brennan knows how to deliver."  

Writing three books a year is more than a full-time job, and so is raising five kids, but Allison believes life is too short to be bored. When she's not writing, she's reading, playing video games, watching old movies or new television shows, driving to or attending volleyball / basketball / football / soccer / baseball / softball games, and on occasion even makes it to the gym where she enjoys people-watching more than exercise.  

Allison is currently writing the Lucy Kincaid series about an FBI recruit. The sixth book, STOLEN, is on sale now. COLD SNAP will be out on October 29, 2013. Also, she's thrilled to announce a new hardcover mystery/thriller series starring investigative reporter Maxine Revere that launches April 8, 2014, starting with NOTORIOUS. 

Connect with Allison Brennan:

 Website | FaceBook | Goodreads | Twitter 

YouTube | Pinterest

Win an eCopy of 

"Crash and Burn" 

by Allison Brennan and Laura Griffin

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New York Times bestselling and award winning authors Allison Brennan and Laura Griffin team up for this exciting new series featuring the unforgettable Southern California detective duo, Moreno & Hart.

Trial by Fire …

Three years ago LAPD Detective Scarlet Moreno and rookie cop Krista Hart were nearly killed during a botched sting operation. Now, they’re best friends and partners in the Orange County private investigation firm of Moreno & Hart. But their routine assignments are anything but safe …

Crash …

Scarlet Moreno has her hands full with a cheating spouse case when the bartender at her favorite pub becomes a murder suspect. Worse, the detective in charge of the investigation threatens to arrest Scarlet for obstruction—even when she tries to give him valuable information. Scarlet risks her PI license and her life to find out the truth, absolve her friend, and track down a killer—with or without the help of the arrogant, mysterious Detective Alex Bishop.

And Burn …

Krista Hart is burned out on catching deadbeat dads and philandering husbands when a big-time criminal defense attorney hires her for a choice assignment: find the sole witness to murder the day before the trial. The case could be a boon for Moreno & Hart, but the witness is in hiding, someone is following Krista, and her own client is withholding information. The last person she wants help from is sexy investigator R.J. Flynn, but he claims he’s willing to share intel—for a price. If she can solve this case, it’ll elevate Moreno & Hart above being divorce voyeurs, but first she has to survive, with her life and heart intact.

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