The 5th book in The Hellions of Halstead Hall Series – A Lady Never Surrenders – releases on January 24th .

Sabrina, welcome to The Book Pushers!

Sabrian: Thanks for having me!

The Book Pushers: What can you tell us about A Lady Never Surrenders, and what can readers expect from Celia and Jackson?

Sabrina: The story is about Celia trying to gain a good offer of marriage so that her grandmother will see that she’s capable of securing a proposal and will rescind the ultimatum that all the siblings must marry if they’re to gain their inheritance. If Celia’s plan doesn’t work, at least she’ll get a potential husband out of the deal. So she hires Bow Street Runner Jackson Pinter to check out her suitors. He doesn’t like any of them and is determined to keep Celia safe from them, especially since he wants her for himself! The ongoing mystery of the series is also resolved, and the reader will find out what really happened to the Sharpes’ parents.

Celia and Jackson have this burning attraction that they’ve both been sublimating, so when it finally erupts, they’re pretty hot together, I think!

The Book Pushers:  Out of your Hellions, which character gave you the most difficulty trying to keep them straight on paper?

Sabrina: Jarret from A Hellion in Her Bed. I just wasn’t sure who he was, and it took me a long time to figure it out. Once I “got” him, though, he practically wrote his own book.

The Book Pushers:  Now that the Hellions series has come to an end are you sad to leave these characters, or are you more excited to jump into a new project/series?

Sabrina: I’m always sad to leave characters I love, but I’m also always excited about a new project. Both of those feelings coexist for me at the end of a series.

The Book Pushers: Looking at your backlist, you seem to favor series.  What is it about having those interconnections that sparks your creativity?

Sabrina: I like returning to the same world time and again. And I like feeling that there’s a larger construct than the romance—a larger purpose, if you will. That’s what I can gain from doing a series—a bigger canvas.

The Book Pushers:  Which favourite book of yours would you pick to recommend for a new reader?

Sabrina: Hmm, that’s a hard choice. If it’s someone new to romance, I’d suggest Never Seduce a Scoundrel, since it has a lot of other stuff in it (adventure, mystery, secrets). If it’s a romance reader who’s new to my books, I’d probably suggest The Truth about Lord Stoneville, so they could start my latest series at the beginning.

The Book Pushers: Would you consider writing about heroines and heroes that are not part of  higher society?

Sabrina: Well, since Jackson isn’t part of high society (he’s a Bow Street Runner), I guess you could say I already have. I’ve also written about a man of affairs who’s a former smuggler and who is now in trade (Danny Brennan in A Notorious Love) and an American marine (Lucas in Never Seduce a Scoundrel). I like to mix it up.

The Book Pushers: You’ve had such a fantastic career writing in the regency genre. Have you ever considered, or would like to try your hands at another genre?

Sabrina: When I wrote under the name Deborah Nicholas, I did three books that were contemporary paranormal romantic suspense. I wouldn’t mind trying that again, but the genre has changed SO much since the 90’s (when I was writing those books) that I don’t know if I could do it successfully. I’ve also considered time travel and a bigger thriller-type series, but I’m just not “hooked” by any idea yet, so I guess I’ll keep writing historicals until other inspiration strikes.

The Book Pushers: Can you tell us what you have planned for any future projects?

Sabrina: My next book is a Christmas hardcover (‘Twas the Night After Christmas, on sale October 30, 2012) with Pierce Waverly as the hero (he appears in the last two Hellions books). It’s something of a stand-alone, but it will introduce the main character for my new series, which begins next year. Since that’s still in the formative stages, I’m not ready to talk about it yet, but I’m very excited about it. The first book of THAT series will probably have the Duke of Lyons as a hero.

The Book Pushers: Which hero or heroine of yours, or other fictional character, would you love to have drinks with?

Sabrina: Probably Gavin Byrne, from One Night with a Prince. He’s seen so much of society from the inside, I’d like to pick his brain! Plus, he’s sexy.

The Book Pushers: What is the most romantic book, show or movie that you love? And why?

Sabrina: There are so many, but right now I’m in love with North and South (the mini-series of the Elizabeth Gaskell novel, not the Civil War mini-series). Richard Armitage is the hottest hero ever, and the romance is so wonderful. I also adore Castle and Bones. How could you not love those two couples together? They’re so sweet.

Thanks so much Sabrina for being here today!! Sabrina has also graciously offered to giveaway one of the first four books in the Hellions of Halstead Hall Series to one lucky winner. This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents and will end on January 27th. Good Luck!

Interview & Giveaway with Sabrina Jeffries is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

With Samhain, Anya has a new series starting that features shifters, vampires an a post-apocalyptic world that will melt your socks off. The first book in the Doomsyear series – The Twisted Kiss – is out January 24th.

Welcome to The Book Pushers Anya!

The Book Pushers: Can tell us a little about The Twisted Kiss, and the Doomsyear series?

Anya: Sure! The Twisted Kiss is first in a new post-apocalyptic series I’ll be writing for Samhain. In this world, most of the earth’s population has mutated into vampires and werewolves, thanks to the blundering of the military when they attempt to bio-engineer the perfect soldier. Here’s the blurb for the book….

Sometimes it takes just one kiss…

Kylie Mitchell lives in a world of monsters. Thanks to a military experiment gone viral, over half the population is gone and most of what remains has mutated into storybook werewolves and vampires. In this new Earth, only the tough survive, and Kylie has more than enough reason to want to be left alone.

When the Council of the Wise decrees that she must mate with a potent vampire and a powerful werewolf, Kylie resents their intrusion into her self-imposed exile. As one of the last humans on Earth, she always assumed she’d be safe from the super-psychics’ machinations, and she’s not ready to trust her heart to anyone.

Michael and Christian share no great love for each other, but they have one thing in common—their long-time desire for Kylie. Determined to ensure she doesn’t spend the rest of her lonely life wallowing in needless guilt, they choose to put aside their differences and work together, never allowing her time to think as they seduce her body and mind, hoping their love will tempt her heart to open to them.

Yet just as she begins to bloom under their fiercely protective attention, a twisted and monstrous figure from the past rises up, threatening to destroy everything…

The Book Pushers:  What made you decide to move to a post-apocalyptic world?

Anya: I LOVE post-apocalyptic fiction because a.) it’s dark as hell and, b.) it has so much possibility for worldbuilding. It’s a great setting for romance, in my opinion. You have that often bleak landscape, where hope is a precious thing, then the tiny light of love sparks and catches…. What a great contrast!

The Book Pushers: How many books with be in the Doomsyear series, and will it follow a series of interconnected characters?

Anya: I’m not sure how many books will be in the series. It really depends on how the series does and what kind of feedback I get from readers. It also, of course, depends on my level of inspiration with the world. If I feel like a series has run its course, I end it. I don’t believe in forcing a series past its natural life. It will follow interconnecting characters, yes.

The Book Pushers: How challenging is it for you to have more then one series running at a time?

Anya: I usually only work on one project at a time, so it’s not that hard for me to switch back and forth. The worlds the different series are set in are pretty distinctive. Luckily, I don’t confuse them.

The Book Pushers:  Looking at your backlist you have moved between genres more than once.  Is there one in particular you enjoy writing more then the others?

Anya: Well, I do move between sub-genres of paranormal fiction, but I very, very rarely move out of paranormal altogether. So, whether the story is historical, post-apocalyptic, has a modern, urban setting, they all have one thing in common, they’re fantastical in one way or another. I love all of them, but may prefer one sub-genre over the rest at any particular time. The ability to switch sub-genres keeps me from becoming bored creatively.

The Book Pushers: Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy are ever changing their boundaries. What do you think makes them so appealing to readers and what does these genres say to you?

Anya: I think people want an interesting story with compelling characters. That’s true across all genres. If other readers are like me, they turn to paranormal romance and urban fantasy to be transported into a different world and leave the mundane behind. There are very few limits in speculative fiction. A writer’s imagination is allowed to run wild and take the reader along for the ride.

The Book Pushers: Do you have any future projects planned that you can share with us?

Anya: Right now I’m working on an urban fantasy book (currently) titled Smoke and Bone. I’m also working on the sequel to Embrace of the Damned, the first book in a new paranormal romance series that features immortal Viking warriors, shamans and witches. And, of course, yet another project is the sequel to The Twisted Kiss. I have no shortage of things to work on.

The Book Pushers: Out of all your heroes, who would you be tempted to marry, kiss, or chuck off a cliff?

Anya: Hmmm…I would have to go with Broder Calderson from Embrace of the Damned. I’d be tempted to do all three of those things to him. He’s a pretty strong guy from an age when men protected their women…even when those women didn’t want (or need) protection. His heart is in the right place, but he has trouble dealing with the modern day female. Despite this, his passion and protectiveness are attractive qualities, and all of it is seated in a very attractive package.

The Book Pushers: Out of your heroines, who do you think is the most kick-ass and could hold her own against other kick ass heroines?

Anya: I might have to pick Isabelle from Witch Blood for that one. In the beginning of the book she’s literally attempting to freeze the bad guy’s…well, let’s just say “family jewels”…off with her bare hands. I would never want to cross her.

The Book Pushers: And finally, if you had to write a scene where there was a night out at a pub or fancy dinner, which characters of yours would:

Anya: Get drunk the most? Adam Tyrell (from Witch Heart)  Brawl? Niall Quinn (from Midnight Enchantment) Have wild dirty sex in the kitchen cupboard? Gabriel Mac Braire (from Wicked Enchantment)

Thanks so much for the interview! I would like to offer a giveaway. I’ll pick one winner from the replies to this post for an ebook of The Twisted Kiss.

Thanks so much Anya for being here today!! The giveaway will end on January 23rd and is open internationally.

Interview & Giveaway with Anya Bast is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

We would like to give a warm welcome to Nadia Lee, author of Carnal Secrets, Destiny Entwined and Happily Ever After of Her Own. Nadia’s new book, The Last Slayer, is the start of a brand new Urban Fantasy trilogy which is being released today by Carina. Welcome Nadia!

 Nadia: Thank you!

BookPushers: What can you tell us about about The Last Slayer, the first book in the The Heartstone Trilogy?

 Nadia: It’s a full length urban fantasy novel with romantic elements. The blurb is

below:

Ashera del Cid is a talented demon hunter, but when she kills a demigod’s

pet dragon, the hunter becomes the hunted. Her only potential ally is

Ramiel, a sexy-as-hell demon. Now the two must work together to battle

dragons and demigods…and the chemistry crackling between them.

 

Ramiel has his own reasons for offering Ashera his protection. He knows her

true identity and the real reason the demigods want her dead. What he can’t

predict is how she’ll react when she discovers he knew who she was all

along…

 

Ashera is shocked to discover that she is the only daughter of the last

slayer. To claim her destiny, she and Ramiel must join forces to face down

danger and outwit their enemies. Only then will she be able to truly accept

her legacy…

The story’s told from Ashera’s point of view (1st person), and she has to deal with new threats in her life with somebody who she can’t trust a.k.a. Ramiel.

 Bookpushers: Are you able to give us a little run-down on Ashera del Cid, and Ramiel?

 Nadia: Ashera’s an excellent demon hunter who’s managed to carve out a nice life for herself.  She’s good at her job, financially comfortable and has a good friend / foster sister Valerie, who she cares for very much.  She has an innate distrust of all supernatural beings, given her profession.  People don’t hire her when they’re dealing with “good” demons.  (Not that such a thing could exist as far as Ashera’s concerned.)  Ashera’s appalled she has to get Ramiel’s help when he did all sorts of horrible things to her, like blowing up her home.

 Ramiel is a very old supernatural being, and he’s stuck helping Ashera because of a vow he made long ago.  It drives him insane that Ashera doesn’t ask, “How high” whenever he tells her to jump.  He’s basically like an emperor within his own domain, and hates having to explain himself. He’s also afraid of what Ashera might do if she knows the full truth about herself and everyone around her.

Bookpushers: What made you decide to base your story around demons — will they be the only supernaturals featured, or will there be other scary beings ready to make a surprise?

 Nadia: I’ve always found demons fascinating. Vampires, too, of course, but so many authors have done vampires already. I wanted to do something different. Demons such as incubi aren’t the only ones in the story.  There are various types of dragons and supernatural diviners, etc. And maybe a few of them will make an appearance in the sequel.

 Bookpushers: Can you give us any sneak peaks in what to expect in the The Heartstone Trilogy?  Will it follow the same leading protagonists or new narrators in each book?

 Nadia: The trilogy follows the same protagonist — Ashera del Cid — and her coming into her new power and position by pitting herself against those who’d rather see her dead. There are definitely elements of romance as well between Ashera and Ramiel, and they’re probably going to get some kind of happy ending by the time the trilogy winds up.

 Bookpushers: The Last Slayer is the first UF you have written. Did you find any difficulties writing in a new genre compared to your previous contemporary books?

 Nadia: World-building!  I totally didn’t make any notes or create a world bible or anything. And since I always change things as I write, I couldn’t remember what I was going to do with supernatural XYZ when I was going through the story for revision.  The hardest thing I had to keep track of when I was writing contemporary was what kind of car my hero drove to work!

Bookpushers: What other genres do you want to explore in the future?

Nadia: Futuristic/SF romance featuring assassins and mob bosses and fantasy romance loosely based on an old Asian historical text, though I’m not sure if I’ll ever get to work the latter in.  I’ve been hearing from so many industry people how unpopular Asian settings are. :sigh:

 Bookpushers: Can you tell us about any upcoming works you have planned?

 Nadia: Currently I’m working on the sequel to The Last Slayer.  I also need to take another look at the above-mentioned futuristic romance novel and send it off to my agent.

 Bookpushers: You have released self-published books as well as traditional pubbed via e-pubs. What do you think of the ever-changing landscape of publishing and the impact it has on authors?

Nadia: I think it’s fantastic for authors.  Authors are no longer limited by the whims of publishing companies.  Before ebooks became as popular and dominant as they are now, publishing companies controlled distribution.  Print distribution is enormously expensive and difficult for most authors, and many booksellers weren’t interested in carrying self-published titles. Furthermore, print distribution is extremely inefficient and costly with returns.  Most authors couldn’t afford to have more than half of their books returned to them.

Ebooks made it possible for authors to reach out to their readers more directly, and it’s much faster to turn your edited manuscript into an ebook than a print book.  In addition, authors get to experiment with small niche genres that their publishers aren’t too interested in.  (Of course, some authors go through smaller digital presses, but given some of the things we’ve seen, such as Triskelion and other e-presses that either went bankrupt, didn’t edit or pay royalties, etc., authors have to be very careful and choose one that’s professional and honest and can do things that authors can’t do on their own or outsource easily.) This has also benefited readers as well.  Speaking as a reader, I love buying self-pubbed novellas or shorts from my favorite authors to tide me over while I’m waiting for their big novel release. The big challenge for authors who are interested in self-pubbing is ensuring that they put out a good story that is well-edited and converted.  (And put a good-looking cover too!)  Readers demand a professional production, not something that looks like authors put it together while making a sandwich for lunch.

Bookpushers: What is your all-time favourite Happy Ever After scene in a Romance? And why do you think HEA has a strong resonance for so many readers of Romance?

 Nadia: Oh this is so tough!  I’m extremely fond of old Linda Howard category romance novels and the resolution in which the hero must win the heroine over.  I still remember the scene from Cutting Edge in which the hero holds the heroine and says he’d want to take it all back.  I haven’t read that book in at least half a decade, and that scene still lingers in my mind with such force. HEA has a strong resonance because we want to believe that good peopledeserve good things, especially after such a difficult struggle.  HEA isn’t unique to romance either.  Mystery  has a HEA-equivalent in that the crime is solved and the bad guys get caught.  In general, I don’t want to read romance in which the heroine dies of some horrible disease at the end and the hero is left behind and cries his eyes out.  (BTW — the terminal-disease-killing-the-heroine was — or maybe still is? — a very popular trope in Japan…)  I want to feel good when I read for entertainment.

 Bookpushers: And now for a little fun:

 If there was a BATTLE ROYAL of kick-ass heroines, who would you choose as the winner?

 Nadia: Oooh, tough!  Provided that mine sits out (it wouldn’t be fair since I’m biased), I’d choose Kate Daniels.

 Bookpushers: Which fictional hero would you like to kiss, marry or chuck over a cliff?

 Nadia: I’d like to kiss Heathcliffe from Wuthering Heights AND chuck him over a cliff.

 Bookpushers: And what is your most guilty pleasure in reading a romance?

 Nadia: Right now it’s forced seduction.  I have no idea why, but I’m just in the mood for it right now.  And I’m not talking about the modern twist or whatever.  I’m talking about the old-style bodice ripper-type stuff.

 Nadia has kindly giving away an ebook copy of The Last Slayer. To Enter just comment below and state what is favourite myth or books that feature dragons. The giveaway will end on the 3rd of January and is open to everyone!

Interview and Giveaway with Nadia Lee is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

Marjorie, welcome to The Book Pushers!

The Book Pushers: Tell us a little about Within the Flames.

Marjorie: Within the Flames is the 11^th novel in the Dirk & Steele series (which features a host of magical creatures saving the world, falling in love, battling evil).  The hero is a young man named Eddie, who has been an important and much-loved secondary character since the first novel, Tiger Eye.  For years, readers have been begging for his story, and finally – finally – I found the inspiration to write it.

As long-time readers know, Eddie has had a difficult time of it for the last few books.  He lost control over his ability to manipulate fire, making him extremely dangerous to be around.  Only now, in this latest novel, is he finally feeling comfortable with his abilities – but that comfort won’t last when he’s sent to find a young woman with a similarly destructive power over fire.  Only, she’s a dragon shape-shifter – who is being hunted by witches.

The Book Pushers: What was the inspiration for the Dirk & Steele series?

Marjorie: Life, I suppose!  When I travel, I’m always reminded that there’s so little I know, and have experienced. There are endless mysteries in this world!  Who’s to say that magic doesn’t exist, all around us?

The Book Pushers: How many more books do you have planned for Dirk & Steele?

Marjorie:  That’s hard to say.  I’m launching a new paranormal romance series for HarperCollins, so for now the Dirk & Steele series is on a temporary hiatus.

The Book Pushers: When I read Tiger Eye for the first time, I got the feeling that it was intended as a stand-alone.  What caused you to decide to use it as the starting point of your longest series?

Marjorie:  You’re right. Tiger Eye was intended as a standalone.  Or rather, it was my first book!  I had no intentions whatsoever, other than trying to sell it to a publisher!  Fortunately, that happened, at which point I had to revise my expectations.  My new editor wanted a series, and I had no objections to giving him one.

The Book Pushers: How do you balance comics and two continuing series?

Marjorie: It’s something that I just do.  I don’t put a huge amount of thought into how I stay organized, but somehow the work always gets done.

The Book Pushers: Do you have any other series/books perculating away?

Marjorie: I do, actually.  I’m launching two new series next year.  The first is about a young woman who discovers that her quiet, conservative Great Aunt was a legendary dominatrix during World War Two – and now runs a weekly club for all her friends in the nursing home, who are also retired dommes.  Of course, someone is trying to kill these old women – and our young heroine, who has some pretty nifty powers of her own, must keep them safe and find the murderer.

The second series is a paranormal romance about three siblings from our world who are transported to an alternate dystopian reality where humans have used a vast zombie army to commit genocide against the “monsters” of the world — werewolves, vampires, elves, and so on.  In fact, it’s the humans who are the real monsters, and these three siblings are forced to navigate this strange world where the good guys see them as the enemy – and the bad guys want to control them for the odd magical powers they begin to manifest. 

The Book Pushers: What gave you the inspiration to have tattoos that become helpful demons in your Kiss series?  Or should we say helpful demons that become tattoos?

Marjorie: I saw a documentary on the full-body tattoos of the Yakuza.

The Book Pushers: Which character has made an impact or impression?

Marjorie: Probably Maxine Kiss.  Her next book, The Mortal Bone, hits shelves at the end of December.  To celebrate, my publisher is releasing one of the Hunter Kiss novellas, as an e-special, bundled with a never-before-published Hunter Kiss short story.

The Book Pushers: Do you find that writing romantic/UF heroes different to writing comic book heroes? And what comic hero would love to write about and what fictional hero would you like to spend time with?

Marjorie: Well, it’s the difference between writing my own characters – born from my heart and mind – and writing characters who are owned by another, and who have a long history and established personality within a set universe.  One isn’t necessarily more difficult than the other, but the process and approach is different.

As for what comic book hero I’d love to write…I’ve been fortunate enough to dabble with my favourites, already.  But maybe…Catwoman?

I’d love to spend time with Elvis Cole and Joe Pike (from the mystery series written by Robert Crais).

The Book Pushers: Do you find that your trips back to China give you inspiration for your writing?

Marjorie:  Oh, always.  I think any kind of travel you can do shakes up all those loose brain cells.

The Book Pushers: If you were chosen to create a romance themed superhero what kind of power would they have and what kind of arch villain would they have to battle?

Marjorie: A romance themed superhero?  That’s a hard question, because I think there’s something already inherently romantic (in the classical sense) about any hero – super powered, or otherwise.  For example, the X-Men books are very romantic.  In theClaremontyears, there was the love triangle between Wolverine, Jean Grey, and Cyclops. Not to mention Rogue and Gambit!  Also, it seems to me that Batman and Wonder Woman have always had a certain, definite, attraction for one another.

Power matters less than character — and chemistry between characters.

Thank you so much to Marjorie for being here today! Marjorie is giving away one copy of In The Dark of Dreams. Open to US only and ends December 7th. Good luck!!

Interview & Giveaway with Marjorie Liu is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

The Hellraisers is being published by Zebra books, with the first book Devil’s Kiss releasing December 6th.

Zoe – Welcome to The Book Pushers!

Thanks for having me!

The Book Pushers: Can you tell us about The Hellraisers Series — and what we can expect in Devil’s Kiss?

Zoe:  The Hellraisers are a group of five London rakes who inadvertently free the Devil from his prison and wind up literally raising hell.  So we have a group of very bad boys given the power to grant their darkest desires—but at a very high price.

Devil’s Kiss is the first book in the series, and its hero is James Sherbourne, Earl of Whitney.  At the beginning of the story, Whit’s sole pleasure in life is in gambling.  He lives for the danger and excitement that can only be found at the gaming tables.  If given the choice between dallying with a woman and playing at hazard, he’d choose hazard.  But all that changes when Whit meets Zora Grey, a Romani woman who expertly cheats him at cards.  Though Whit and Zora come from completely different worlds, the attraction between them is immediate.  Neither is quite what the other expects, yet when they part company, they don’t believe they will ever meet again.

Everything changes when Whit and his Hellraiser friends wind up freeing the Devil from his prison.  All of the Hellraisers are given specific magical gifts, unique to each man, little knowing that the cost is their souls.  Now Zora must fight to save Whit’s soul—yet Whit’s seductive kisses prove far more dangerous to her heart.

The Book Pushers: How many books are planned for The Hellraisers series?

Zoe: Three total.  Demon’s Bride is scheduled to come out May 1, 2012, and Sinner’s Heart will be out sometime early in 2013.

The Book Pushers: When can we expect to see more 8th Wing books? (MinnChica – ZOMG LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED!!!)

Zoe: Hee!  As a matter of fact, the next book will be released on January 9.  Chain Reaction follows hotshot fighter pilot Lt. Celene Jur as she tracks down the man responsible for her capture (which forms the background to Collision Course, the first 8^th Wing book).  Celene’s partner on this mission is Lt. Nils Calder, from engineering (or, as they’re called behind their backs, NerdWorks).  Nils is my favorite kind of hero: the kick-ass nerd.

The Book Pushers: What other projects are you working on right now?

Zoe: In addition to finishing the third Hellraisers book, I’m working on a steampunk romance series for Avon Impulse, the first book of which should be out in April 2012.  And I’m also writing a new historical romance series for St. Martin’s Press called Nemesis, Unlimited, which I’m describing basically as Burn Notice in Victorian England.  The first book in that series should be out in 2013.  I guess I’m a little busy!  But in a good way!

The Book Pushers: In your Blades of the Rose series your characters managed to build an impressive amount of frequent flyer miles. What made you decide to send them and us to such a wide range of locations?

Zoe: I always loved adventure stories, and one of the key elements in adventure is faraway locations.  It’s not half as exciting if you’re someplace you’ve been a million times before.  So when I began to plot out the series, I thought about locations that would lend themselves to great action, have rich and fascinating cultures, and were wonderful backdrops for romance.  I set the books in Mongolia (Warrior), Greece (Scoundrel), the Canadian Rockies (Rebel), and England (Stranger).  Many people in the don’t think of Mongolia when they think romance, but if you Google some images of the country, you’ll see how incredibly beautiful the steppes are.  Plus, when the long winter sets in, think of the fun ways to keep warm.

The Book Pushers: You and your husband (Nico Rosso) are both authors; are you able to write in the same room at the same time or do each of you have your own specific writing environments?

Zoe:  Nico and I do share an office.  In fact, our desks are eight feet apart (we measured).  Both of us like to listen to music when we write, so Nico puts on headphones to listen to his classic rock and I have my ‘80s music playing through my computer.  But, other than this, we’re appallingly compatible when we’re working.  We both know not to disturb the other when we’re in the thick of things.  Just give a little kiss on the head and tiptoe away.

The Book Pushers: What is it about history that intrigues you to write historical themed romances ?

Zoe: I’ve always been fascinated by the past, especially in historical romance.  I love the depth of experience, and how varied yet similar past eras are with this one.  Plus, I find it just sparks my imagination more than thinking about contemporary life.  I find more stories to be told that are set in the 18^th and 19^th centuries.  Mind, I have no desire to live during those time periods.  At most, I’d visit, then come back to contact lenses, reliable water supplies and women’s suffrage.

The Book Pushers: You’ve written in such a wide range of genres, can you see yourself ever writing Contemporary Romance or even YA?

Zoe: I’ll never say never to anything.  I’ve had an idea for a contemporary romance series, and that may one day make it out into the reading public, since it would be hot and fun.  As for YA, that’s a bit more of a stretch for me.  I didn’t like being a teenager, so it’s challenging for me to think of stories set during that age range.  Plus—I like writing love scenes!  I don’t think I’d get away with half the stuff I write about if my protagonists were teens.

The Book Pushers: Which series has been the most fun to write about, and which series has been the most difficult?

Zoe: I’ve enjoyed writing all my series!  The Blades of the Rose was written at a pretty breakneck pace (5 months per 100,000 word book), and since they’re adventure stories, I had a blast writing them.  The Hellraisers is a much darker series, so in that respect, these books have been more challenging as I explore a new direction and tone.  Yet I really do love the dark world I created, so they’ve been fun, too!

I’m also excited to build the world of my new steampunk series.  Basically, I make sure to write books that I’ll enjoy—which isn’t to say that every writing day is awesome, and some books are more challenging than others.  But if I don’t love the series, then readers won’t either, and that’s why I pick projects I’ll want to stick with.

The Book Pushers: If you had a chance to interview a reviewer, what is the one question you would like to ask?

Zoe: What’s your favorite dessert?  Because I’ll make it for you if you like my book!

(Pssst Zoe: We love ice cream and brownies, and you really can’t go wrong with chocolate. Should I send you our mailing address now? *wink wink*)

And!  I’m giving away one signed copy of Devil’s Kiss, plus a book from my backlist, to a random commenter.  (US and Canada only)

Thanks so much Zoe for being here today! E will be back later with her review of Devil’s Kiss. Leave a question or comment for Zoe to be entered for her contest, it ends December 5th.  Good Luck!

Devil’s Kiss

Hellraisers Book 1

A handsome devil

1762. James Sherbourne, Earl of Whitney, is a gambling man. Not for the money. But for the thrill, the danger—and the company: Whit has become one of the infamous Hellraisers, losing himself in the chase for adventure and pleasure with his four closest friends.

Which was how Whit found himself in a gypsy encampment, betting against a lovely Romani girl. Zora Grey’s smoky voice and sharp tongue entrance Whit nearly as much as her clever hands—watching them handle cards inspires thoughts of another kind…

Zora can’t explain her attraction to the careless blue-eyed Whit. She also can’t stop him and his Hellraisers from a fiendish curse: the power to grant their own hearts’ desires, to chase their pleasures from the merely debauched to the truly diabolical. And if Zora can’t save Whit, she still has to escape him…

Excerpt  |  Trailer

Zoë Archer: website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr

Interview & Giveaway with Zoe Archer is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

Andrews currently has two series out with Samhain right now: the Karmic Consultant and Serengeti Shifters. She also has a stand alone novella in the Carina press Winter Wishes anthology feature three paranormal powerhouse authors.

Vivi, welcome to The Book Pushers!

V: Thank you so much for having me today! I’m delighted to be here.

The Book Pushers: Tell us a little bit about Reawakening Eden.

V:  Reawakening Eden is my first post-apocalyptic romance.  After a massive epidemic wipes out most of the world’s population, librarian Eden Fairfax goes into survival mode, taking care of two orphaned kids and navigating the strange remnants of society.  Just when things are going to hell in a handbasket, she meets studly former-soldier Connor Reed.  He may look like an action hero, but he just wants to be left alone to enjoy the end of the world in peace – but you can’t always get what you want.  (And I’m gonna stop right there before I launch into a Stones song.)

The Book Pushers: Where did the inspiration for this novella come from?

V:  It’s actually an idea I’ve been kicking around for years.  I’m intrigued by the thought of what form society would take if only a handful of us were left to reconstruct it – the infrastructure is still there and our memory of what the world should be, but we’re still left starting new.  After the trauma of the apocalypse, what do we become, as individuals and as a society?  I was fascinated by the concept and started playing with this story (in various versions) almost a decade ago, rolling it around until it turned into a romance.

The Book Pushers: What is YOUR favorite post-apocalyptic book?

V: Oh wow. So many! I’m a sucker for The Stand by Stephen King – that man’s characters just wring me dry.  Or really anything with a dystopian bent will get me – Hunger Games is a particular favorite.

The Book Pushers: What genre do you prefer to write and why?

V:  I thrive on variety so I’m always tempted to explore various genres and tones.  I love writing the Karmic Consultants series because those stories give me a chance to play around, but if they were all I wrote, I’d get sick of them in no time.  I need that variety – sexy, dark, or playful, I’ve gotta change it up.

The Book Pushers: Do you plan to write more books set within this world?

V:  I don’t have immediate plans for more books in this post-apocalyptic world, but I never say never.  Just as soon as I decide I’m not going to write one, a great idea will pop up that I just can’t resist.

The Book Pushers: How many more books can we expect to see in the Karmic Consultants Series?

V:  There will be two more full length novels coming in the Karmic Consultants series – Finder’s Keeper (AKA the Surfer & the Scientist) and then closing out the series will be Karma’s story, which has the working title Naughty Karma.  I don’t have release dates for these babies yet, but with luck (and my editor’s sufferance) they’ll be out in 2012.

The Book Pushers: MinnChica has read and enjoyed the Serengeti Shifters books. Please tell us more are coming! Please?

V:  LOL.  I’m so glad MinnChica enjoyed them!  I’m taking a little break from the shifters at the moment, but I do have plans for a future expansion of the Serengeti Shifters series to include new shifter prides and packs – and whole new sets of sexy shifters just dying to find their mates.

The Book Pushers: What other projects are you currently working on?

V:  Right now I’m finishing the last Karmic Consultants book. (Karma’s story is open in another window right now.)  As soon as I have Naughty Karma off my desk, I plan to dive into some more Superhero stories.  (I’ve been totally sucked in by the wild world of caped crusaders.)

The Book Pushers: We heard that you are going to be writing one of the novella in the Superhero anthology with Samhain and Sasha Knight (the fabulous editor of the CyberPunk Romance Anthology). Can you tell us anything about that story?

V:  I’m so excited about this anthology!  My story, Superlovin’, is the tale of DynaGirl, a superheroine, trying to find a date who won’t feel emasculated by her ability to bench-press a Humvee, who starts falling for the very supervillain she was sent to thwart.  It’s the classic story of a good girl and the ultimate bad boy.

The Book Pushers: What one sentence would you use to convince a new reader to try one of your series?  You can pick the series.

V:  How ‘bout Karmic Consultants: Paranormal problem solvers finding love amid supernatural mayhem – dive in for some light, snarky paranormal fun.

Thank you so much for having me here today, Book Pushers!

Thank you for being here Vivi! Our lucky readers will also be given the chance to enter to win an ecopy of either Reawakening Eden or winner’s choice of Vivi’s backlist. Just leave us a comment to be entered to win. Open internationally and ends November 30th. Good Luck!

Interview & Giveaway with Vivi Andrews is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

We were lucky enough to get Carly to agree to wrangle Lissa up enough to sit down and answer some insider questions about Serendipity!

The Book Pushers: What is it about the town of Serendipity that you love so much? Have you ever thought about leaving?

Lissa:  I’ve wanted to leave when thing got rough.  When I ruined things in my life when I was a high school senior, but I never really thought about leaving.  Not seriously.  I grew up here.  My family is here.  I’ve learned all of life’s lessons here – the hard ones and the easy ones – and I have some really great memories here.  Especially of Trevor, my high school sweetheart.  But I ruined that relationship forever …

The Book Pushers: Every reporter was chomping at the bit to get an exclusive with Faith Harrington, and she chose you to write her story. How excited and nervous were you?

Lissa:  I was more shocked than nervous.  Then I was determined not to let Faith down.  Let’s be real.  I was a bitch to her when she came back to town and I didn’t deserve the good turn she did by giving me the chance to interview her.  Faith taught me about not making snap judgments, about being kinder to people and not taking my problems out on others.  So I really wanted to do justice to her story.  And of course I knew this was my one and only chance to show the world I could be a great reporter.  When I realized that I was extremely nervous!

The Book Pushers: After the story went to print, you got an incredible offer to write human interest pieces of some up and coming Fortune 500 guys. Can you tell us a little about your first assignment?

Lissa:  Wow.  Scary.  Remember my high school sweetheart I mentioned? Trevor Dane? He left Serendipity after graduation and never looked back.  He made it big on Wall Street and as fate – or Kismet – would have it, he’s my first interview! Of course no way will I give him a heads up – he’ll refuse to see me.  We might have been broken up when I hurt him but there’s just no way he’ll forgive me.  I only hope he’ll want this article done more than he’s still angry at me ….

Which reminds me, I should go shopping for something to wear, right? I mean I haven’t seen him in ten years. I want to make a good impression … make him drool a little? Oh my gosh I’m nervous!

The Book Pushers: Drooling is good… You should definitely make him drool!! You are good friends with Kate, a woman who you weren’t on the best of terms with in high school. Was it difficult for you to strike up a friendship with the woman as adults?

Lissa:  High school really is another lifetime.  Kate and I came from different sides of Serendipity but she’s a wonderful person and I’m so grateful for the friendship.  I can’t remember how it happened.  It might have been when I served her her first latte at Cuppa Café.  Kate loves everyone and it’s hard not to like her.

The Book Pushers: Do you feel any guilt at all in how you treated Faith when she first appeared? Can you explain to us why she effected you on such a personal level?

Lissa:  I’m horrified about how I treated Faith. I was going through a really bad time. I was feeling sorry for myself and my situation – I’m divorced and I worked two jobs to give my daughter the life she deserves – and Faith arrived in town.  I remembered her as the princess who lived in the mansion on the hill and even though her father was in prison, it felt like she just picked up where she left off with no problem.  I was naïve, and jealous for no reason.  Faith had it as hard as me – maybe harder because she knew what it was like to live well and then be hurt and end up with nothing.  She’s taught me a lot about being a better, bigger person.

The Book Pushers: How hard has it been for you since the divorce, especially with Serendipity being such a small town?

Lissa:  Wow. Good question.  I suppose it depends on who I’m with.  I have a great family, my mom and dad, friends.  But living in Serendipity with my ex-husband’s wealthy family around … not easy. They live the high life and their friends shun me.  It’s just not easy.  Everyone knows my business but then that’s the way it always is in small towns, right?

The Book Pushers: Do you want to find love again, or does having your ex-husband and daughter in town turn you off from the idea of dating and falling in love again?

Lissa:  ::sigh:: I’ve pretty much given up on love.  I think if you’re lucky enough to find it once how can you possibly ask for it to happen again? I know what you’re thinking, that Trevor and I were too young to know what love is.  We knew. And somehow we lost it.  I can’t imagine feeling that way again about anyone … except Trevor.  But I’m also smart enough to know the past is the past.

The Book Pushers: If there is one thing in life that you would have changed, what would it be and why?

Lissa:  I can’t say I’d change having had my daughter because she means everything to me … but I’d definitely change the “break” Trevor and I took after that argument because I know if we’d been together I would never have turned to Bradley Banks.

Thanks Carly and Lissa for being here! Kismet will be available as an ebook only from your favorite ebook retailer within the next few days. Be sure to go out and get it.

Character Interview with Carly Phillips is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

Rice’s first book in her Protectors Series is also going to be re-released in mass market paperback on November 29th!

Lisa Marie, welcome to The Book Pushers!

Lisa Marie: First of all, let me say how absolutely delighted I am to be here. It’s always so much fun to connect with readers. Books are a very very big part of my life, as a reader, not just a writer, and I feel we all have a lot of things in common right off the bat. First and foremost a love of books and stories.

Book Pushers: What can you tell us about Fatal Heat?

Lisa Marie:  I’m really proud to be part of Avon’s new ebook line—Avon Impulse. I love ebooks anyway and now find it hard to read anything not on my Kindle. Most importantly—it’s the great equalizer. Not everyone lives in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles. Not everybody lives in a city with a great selection of books. Indeed, about 30% of the bookshelves in America closed down with the bankruptcy of Borders. But eager readers are everywhere and ebooks can reach them. I think that’s absolutely great, since I live in a rather remote part of the world myself. Avon Impulse was set up not only to publish books in an eformat, but it’s a line that allows authors to experiment, push the envelope a bit, try out new things. And the books come to the reader fast—no more waiting a year to read your favorite authors!

Having said that, the idea for Fatal Heat was born when an amazingly brave group of SEALs took down Osama bin Laden. With the help of a dog!! Oh man, that dog stuck in my head and was the nucleus for Max, the dog, as opposed to Max, the SEAL.

Book Pushers: Can you tell us a little about your new Protectors series, and how many do you have planned in the series?

Lisa Marie:  The third book in the Protectors series, Nightfire, comes out February 7, 2012. Look for an excerpt soon on my website: www.lisamariericebooks.com. The premise for the Protectors series is three men who are unrelated by blood but closer than any brothers could possibly be. They grew up in a brutal foster home, went into the military afterward dedicated their lives to protecting the vulnerable—women and children. The first two books, Into the Crossfire and Hotter Than Wildfire, are already out. I love Nightfire the best, though a mother is never supposed to have favorites. It’s the most emotional and the darkest.

For the moment, the series stops with Nightfire, but…who ever knows what goes on in a writers’ head? I certainly don’t!

Book Pushers: Does Fatal Heat tie in with your other series, or is it going to be a stand-alone?

Lisa Marie:  Fatal Heat is very definitely a standalone. It’s the story of one man who was grievously wounded in battle, putting himself back together with pain and determination, who risks all for the love of a woman, because without her, life isn’t worth living.

Book Pushers: Can you tell us what you will be writing for in future titles (after Protectors) for the Avon line, and will it be a series or stand alone novels?

Lisa Marie:   I’m really excited about the series I have just started—three books, initially, though there might be more. It’s in a category of its own—near future science fiction with unusual paranormal elements which don’t overwhelm the story, which is and always will be about the characters. About their journey and their chance at love. The series is tentatively called the Shadow Team series, but that will probably change.

In my head, it is definitely the most challenging and romantic series of books of anything I’ve ever written.

Book Pushers: What do you love most about writing navy seals in your stories, and what type of research did you have to do?

Lisa Marie:   I actually do a lot of research. I read a lot of memoirs by SEALs and journalistic pieces on them, and I read about the entire career arc, from selection, training, missions, to either retirement of death. They are a fascinating group of men (for they are all men)—sort of like the Nobel Prize winners of soldiers.

It’s not that they are buff—though of course they are. It’s not that they are incredibly competent at so many things—though of course they are. It’s their determination and drive. They represent the very best in a particular endeavor. Like top concert pianists, artists at the top of their game, Olympic athletes, genius mathematicians looking into the heart of the universe and trying to uncover its secrets. It’s human achievement at its finest. And unlike most people who are high achievers they don’t crave the limelight. They do what they do and fade back into the shadows.

Book Pushers: Have you ever thought about branching out and writing in other genres? If so, what?

Lisa Marie:  Yep—see above. I’m reading a lot of science fiction. We all know we live in amazing times, fast-changing times. I think it’s important to know that throughout the ages, love is a constant. Historicals, contemporaries, science fiction romance—the setting and the mores change—the love does not. However, what I’m writing isn’t really science fiction, per se. It’s—well, you’ll see.

Book Pushers: What other projects are you currently working on?

Lisa Marie:  Those three books—a trilogy in the truest sense of the term, a story arc that works itself out over three books. I’ve just written three novellas for Avon Impulse, and I must say I found I like the shorter form too. Maybe there might be more novellas in my future?

Book Pushers: Looking at your backlist you have a few trilogies.  Is that how you prefer to plot out storylines?

Lisa Marie:  All the writing books say things come best in threes. It’s true. Adjectives—tall, dark and handsome. Things come well in threes. The classic story arc – particularly for stage and screen plays—is the three-act plot. Trilogies are a natural offshoot of that.

Book Pushers: How did you come up with the names you write under?

Lisa Marie:  Lisa Marie Rice is a variation of my first name, my middle name, and a family name. If I ever want to change genres utterly, my next name will be Marie Gregory. Marie is my middle name and Gregory is what my mother would have called me if I’d been a boy.

Book Pushers: Who is your ultimate romantic  hero? And what qualities do you think make the best hero?

Lisa Marie:  My ultimate hero is steadfast throughout a lifetime. A complete straight arrow. He says what he means and he means what he says. No tricks, no games. No wondering if you can trust him, no worrying if he has tricks up his sleeves.

Book Pushers: What is your all-time favourite love story?

Lisa Marie:  Ohhhhh. That is a hard one! I’d have to list two—Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale. The ultimate reformed rake, locked in an asylum with only a brave Quaker to save him. And Secrets of a Summer  Night by Lisa Kleypas. Simon Hunt is wonderful! And to think I don’t even particularly like historicals, but these two books stick in my mind.

Thank you so much Lisa for being here today!

Interview with Lisa Marie Rice is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

Meljean, thank you so much for being here today!!

Book Pushers: We have to know… why steampunk? What was it that influenced you to write in this genre?

Meljean: I love historical romances, but I can’t write a book without adding a bit of weird to it (I’ve tried; it was ugly.) I’ve always loved the bits of steampunk tech that have showed up in various places – from Brisco County, Jr. to Mark Twain – and I love the sense of adventure that I’ve always associated with it. So it’s been percolating in the back of my head for years, and when the chance came to pitch a new series, steampunk was at the top of the list of what I’d like to do. Luckily, my editor loved the idea, so I got the go-ahead.

Book Pushers: What can you tell us about Heart of Steel?

Meljean:  There’s not much to tell that isn’t already on the back cover, because anything more would be spoileriffic. I will say, however, that it has a slightly different feel than The Iron Duke. All of the steampunky goodness is still there, but this is a faster-paced, less emotionally angsty story … primarily because Yasmeen and Archimedes aren’t really the angsty types. They are fun together, and hot, and I loved writing their romance – but it is a little different than The Iron Duke in tone.

Book Pushers: How many more books can we expect to see in the Iron Seas Series? Do you have a set ending point in mind for the series?

Meljean:  I currently am contracted for five total books in the series, but I deliberately built a huge and open world so that I can visit it often, and without re-treading the same ground over and over. I don’t have a set ending point in mind for this series, simply because there is no overarching story taking place (unlike the Guardian series.) I’ll explore this world until I’m bored – which isn’t likely to happen – or until readers are.

Book Pushers: What can fans expect to see in upcoming books from the Iron Seas Series?

Meljean:  I’ll be moving around and introducing different parts of the world. I love doing this, because every location has a different history behind it, and that history influences how the characters see the world. So it enables me to add new layers with every book—Mina sees the world differently from Yasmeen, for example, and my next heroine will have a different perspective from both of them.

The next book moves to Iceland, and readers can look forward to virgin cults, giant mechanical whales, and trolls (of the Iron Seas variety.)

Book Pushers: How many more books can we expect to see in The Guardians’ Series?

Meljean:  Only one. I have Michael and Taylor’s book left to write, and then that will wrap up the series.

Book Pushers: *CRY* We don’t want the Guardian’s to end!! Do you have any other ideas or projects that you are currently working on?

Meljean:  Ideas, but nothing that I’m currently working on. It’s just percolating, as the Iron Seas did for a while. Eventually I’ll have something more concrete to report, but not yet.

Book Pushers: Your back-list is almost an even divide of full length novels and shorter novellas. Do you find it easier to write one or the other? Which do you prefer and why?

Meljean:  I don’t prefer one or the other, and I enjoy them in different ways. I love the focus of a novella – the plot is usually simple, the conflict directly related to the emotional conflict between the characters, and they serve as a sweet breather between the long and complex novels. But I also love the length and complexity of those novels – I love being able to tell this huge story, to bring all of those disparate threads together at the end and wrap it up.

Strangely, though, it’s not easier to write one or the other. Novellas take less time, of course, but the emotional and mental effort is similar. Reining myself in and keeping that tight focus is often difficult, too, because I constantly want to make the story bigger, bigger, bigger! I can’t, however.

Book Pushers: If you could have any steampunk invention in real life, what would you want and why?

Meljean:  A clockwork butler who can also act as a masseuse.

Book Pushers: Who is your all-time favourite comic-book character? If you could see/read a crossover with the comic character and your favorite fictional character, would they be friends, enemies or frenemies?

Meljean:  Oh, Wonder Woman, easily. I don’t have a favorite fictional character, though. For the sake of awesomeness, however, let’s just say Xena: Warrior Princess. I think they’d fight, maybe rip off each other’s clothes, and then become BFFs.

Actually, I think I have read that on fanfiction.net before.

Book Pushers: If you were asked to create a superhero costume for any person, who would you choose and what would it look like?

Meljean:  Conan O’Brien. After seeing him in those jeggings (the image is seared into my brain) I haven’t been able to stop imagining them becoming spandex. So I would make them green, add a yellow spandex top and yellow outer-underwear (as all good superheroes wear) and a blue cape, and call him The Ginger Avenger.

Thanks again to Meljean for not only taking time out of her busy schedule to be here today, but also for offering to do a giveaway! Meljean is giving away TWO signed copies of The Iron Duke!  Just leave a comment or question for Meljean to be entered to win. The giveaway ends November 9th and is open internationally. Good Luck!

Interview & Giveaway with Meljean Brook is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

Welcome to The Book Pushers Linda!
Linda: Thank you—and thank you, too, for having me to visit! I’ve been looking forward to my stop here for weeks!

The Book Pushers: Tell us a little about Sins of the Angels

Linda: Sins of the Angels is a dark urban fantasy about a fallen angel turned serial killer, the angel sent to stop him, and a homicide detective who finds herself in the middle of a plot to trigger the Apocalypse. The book actually crosses a number of genres: police procedural, mystery, thriller, paranormal…one reviewer has even suggested that it will appeal to horror fans, though I still can’t see that, lol!

The Book Pushers: What made you decide to write about angels and what is their appeal?

Linda: It wasn’t a conscious decision, actually. I just found myself with a story taking shape in my head that involved angels. They definitely appeal, however…partly because I am thoroughly enjoying exploring their darker side and blurring that line between good and evil.

The Book Pushers: The hierarchy of heaven/theangels and hell and how that relates to the humans is interesting, will you explore more of this in future books?

Linda: Absolutely. Sins of the Angels is only the beginning and I will be delving much deeper into the mythos, particularly where Lucifer and the whole Heaven/Hell agreement are concerned. Suffice it to say that Alex—and all of humanity, for that matter—is in for a bumpy ride.

The Book Pushers: What type of research did you do to prepare for the police/detective parts of the book?

Linda: I have coffee with my husband. (Bet you weren’t expecting that answer, were you? lol) Pat is a 30-year veteran of the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) and thoroughly vets all my stories for correct procedure. He and I are having lunch today, as a matter of fact, to go over some technical points with regard to Sins of the Son, which is in its copyedit stage. I go to him with all my questions and ideas, and if he’s not certain about something, he always knows someone he can ask. And he vacuums, too!

The Book Pushers: How many books do you have planned for The Grigori Legacy Series?

Linda: There are a total of four planned for the series at the moment…so far, that’s where the story arc I have in mind ends.

The Book Pushers:  The second book in the series, Sins of the Son, comes out in March of next year, can you give us an overview of what’s to come, especially with that killer ending in the first book?

Linda: Sins of the Son will focus on the role Seth plays in this series. He has a huge impact on the struggle between Heaven and Hell. Alex will be back, of course, as will Aramael—with both of them facing some very difficult choices and decisions. Oh, and readers will get to meet Lucifer, along with some fabulous new characters.

The Book Pushers: What about writing in the Urban Fantasy genre do you like the most?

Linda: I love, love, love imagining what our real world would look like with a supernatural element introduced. How would someone react to actually seeing an angel? How do you wrap your head around fantasy not being so fantastical after all? For me, it’s all about taking the paranormal element and making it as real as I possibly can through my character’s reactions and viewpoints. Did I mention I love doing that?

The Book Pushers: Who are some of your favorite authors? Favorite book?

Linda: I don’t think I have any one favorite book, but favorite authors include Jim Butcher, Kevin Hearne, Patricia Briggs, Charlaine Harris, Alexandre Dumas, Jane Austin, Charlotte Bronte, Bill Bryson…as you can see, I have very eclectic tastes in reading!

The Book Pushers: Who is your all-time favourite angel (from any book/movie/myth/legend) and why? And what bonding activity would you like them to do with Aramael. It can be anything from playing Connect 4, Monopoly, Poker or any other board game angel style.

Linda: The Archangel Michael because of the absolute power he wields in mythology. I think the world can use a hero like him (and may, in fact, get to meet him in Sins of the Son). As for an activity? Chess. Aramael is so volatile and reactionary, it would do him a world of good to learn a little patience and strategy…and I think it would be highly entertaining to watch Michael try to teach him.

The Book Pushers: And finally, if there was an epic battle with Demons and Angels, who would be the general for each army (it can be any figure/character from any book/movie/myth/legend) and what kind of weapons would they use?

Linda: If you don’t mind, I’m going to refrain from answering that on the grounds that it might give away too much of a future book in the series…sorry!

Thanks so much to Linda for being here! She has graciously put together some awesome giveaways for her huge blog tour. Today, there are TWO copies of Sins of the Angels up for grabs (US/Canada for print, International for ebook, via NetGalley). This contest ends November 7th. Good Luck!

For the international readers who want to win a print copy, please make sure to say so in your comments! Linda will be collecting your names from every tour stop and will draw three lucky winners for a special International Readers ONLY drawing.  Those names will be chosen on November 14th by Linda. Good luck to you!

Interview with Linda Poitevin and giveaway is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter