Alyssa Rose Ivy: Behind the Gate Interview

Showing posts with label Behind the Gate Interview. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Behind the Gate Interviews: Jessica from Lover of Paranormal

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Jessica from the blog Lover of Paranormal to Behind the Gate Interviews. If you haven't already checked it out, Lover of Paranormal is a fantastic book blog with a focus on paranormal and indie books but that also includes other genres and traditionally published books as well. It's a great source for reviews, interviews and giveaways— definitely a blog to follow!

1) What made you decide to create a blog dedicated to indie writers?

At first it was the price. Being a single momma really limits the amount I can spend on books. However, at the time I had no clue the reason why these amazing books were so cheap. I was new to the whole “E-Book” world and just assumed it was because I wasn’t getting anactual hard copy. When I grasped the reason, I was completely blown away. It just seemed unfair that these really great books weren’t lining the bookshelves in book stores around the world. I found out quickly that I was not the only one who felt this way. So the blog was a way to help promote these authors and a place where we “indie-lovers” can discuss these fantastic books.

2) What is it about paranormal and fantasy books that you enjoy so much?

I love the escape that the paranormal genre offers. We live in a harsh world, filled with unforgiving realities. When I read a good book, I get to transport myself into a different world, where anything is possible. I get to go on journeys and watch the struggles and triumphs of my favorite characters, while cheering them on or crying with them. It is incredible.

3) Was there a particular book that turned you onto reading? What are some of your all-time favorites?

The Hobbit was the novel that turned me on to reading at an early age. All-time favorite would have to be The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, followed closely Pride and Prejudice.

4) What do you look for in a good book?

Imagery is very important to me.If I can’t visualize the surroundings it limits my ability to engross myself into a book. Of course, the charactershave to be relatable and convincing of their roles as well. The plot is important but I have found that if I can lose myself in the settings and lovethe characters, I am willing to go on any journey the author has planned in theplot.

5) Do you share your love of reading with yourchildren? What do you they think of your blog?

Absolutely! Well, with my daughter. My 8 y/o son is missing the “reading gene” so far. He prefers to beread to. Emily, on the other hand, is as in love with reading as I am. I feelso blessed that I have someone so close to share this passion with. We will spend hours in a bookstore together, it is something special her and I share. She is only 10 y/o so I don’t let her read the YA Paranormal Romances that I favor, but when she is a little older I will have killer collection of books for her!

6) If you found a hidden gate in your backyard,where would it lead to?

*Sigh* If only! It would probably lead to a place eerily similar to Energo… with a much older Calvin waiting on the other side!

7) Tell us four random things about yourself.

Ehhh…I am a bit of a strange one and a huge nerd at heart (not the smart kind), so try to excuse my lame-ness…

1. My favorite comfort food is Beef Ramon Noddle (crushed) with Salt and Vinegar chips as my spoon. I know I know, sounds gross. But I LOVE IT!

2. I will purposely look for ways to use Will Ferrell movie quotes in everyday conversation and then am disappointed when noone gets it.

3. Water-logged, wrinkly fingers, touching me… gives me chill bumps while simultaneously making me want to scream.

4. I ALWAYS get the giggles in the absolute worse possible situations; it is seriously hardwired in my brain to laugh at the wrong time.

Thanks for coming by Jess and for having such a great blog! We have very similar taste in books, Lord of the Rings and Pride and Prejudice are also some my favorites. I totally understand the giggle problem, I do the same thing sometimes.

Be sure to check out Lover of Paranormal and to follow on Facebook, Twitter and Google+

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Behind the Gate Interview: Nancy Straight

This week I have the pleasure of welcoming Nancy Straight to the blog! Nancy is the author of the romantic and suspenseful Destiny Series!

Can you tell us a little bit about the Destiny series? The Destiny Series trilogy is a Paranormal Romance with enough suspense to keep “thriller” junkies interested. It’s about a couple that are thrown some pretty terrific obstacles and the only truth they know are that they should be together. The heroine is strong, intelligent, witty, and has an exceptional moral compass.

What’s next? Do you have any other books/series in the works? I am always envious of authors that are able to work on multiple projects simultaneously. Unfortunately I’m not one of them. Destiny’s Wrath published the end of January. A week later I began my current project. It’s also in the Paranormal Romance genre. The series is currently untitled but it is about a girl that loses her mother only to find a family she never knew.

What is your favorite part about being an author? The feedback from readers! There is nothing more exciting than getting a note or tweet from someone that just finished a book and says something like, “I read until 3 a.m.” I love the Destiny Series, but I have been floored by the kind words and compliments from both people I don’t know and other authors that I admire.

What do you do when you are not writing? I have two sons, a husband, three dogs and a full time job, so my days are pretty full. I’m fortunate to have many things in my life that I love, in addition to the love of writing.

What are some of your favorite books and what do you look for in a good book? Alyssa – You know I loved Beckoning Light! Others I think every Paranormal fan should read are: Shelly Crane’s Significance Series, Charlotte Abel’s Channie Series, Shannon McDermott’s Beg for Mercy, and Nicole Williams’ Eden Series. I look for real emotions to jump out of my kindle and drag me through the story. Laughter, tears, joy – each of these books gave me a physical reaction when I read them.

If you found a hidden gate in your backyard, where would it lead to? Wow, great question! I live in Charleston, so I routinely look for the hidden gate you described in your book, LOL! There are so many places that I love, Pattaya Beach in Thailand was wonderful and I would like to go there again someday – I think that’s where my hidden gate would take me.

Tell us four random things about yourself. I served in the US Marine Corps for ten years. I LOVE the Big Bang Theory on CBS. I’m furious with HBO for screwing up Charlain Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse Series in their True Blood adaptation. I am technologically challenged and have a blog to prove it – I’m working on improving my blog but have been focusing on writing the last couple weeks.

Thanks so much for coming by Nancy! I'm so excited to hear about the new series!

If you want to learn more about the Destiny Series, Mandy of Twimom101 has a great review of Meeting Destiny: Twimom101 Meeting Destiny Review

Connect with Nancy:

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Behind the Gate Interview and Giveaway: Michelle I Brooks

In Beckoning Light, Charlotte finds a hidden world behind a gate. Although you will not find any hidden worlds here, with this interview series I hope to give you a glimpse "Behind the Gate" of some great authors and fantastic bloggers.

For the first Behind the Gates interview I have the pleasure of welcoming Michelle I Brooks, the author of the dark and unique YA paranormal romance/urban fantasy Bone Dressing. I loved Bone Dressing and I am really excited to read book two, The Dreaming. I got to talk a little with Michelle AND she has graciously offered a free e-book for giveaway.

Want to know more about Bone Dressing? Chandra at Unabridged Bookshelf has a great review: Unabridged Bookshelf Review of Bone Dressing

Where did you come up with the idea for Bone Dressing?

Bone Dressing visited me one night in my dreams … the whole series of seven books … the main characters, their tale from start to finish … the stories within their story … and the story that takes place outside the pages, within the reader. The details have come since, but the entire process has been more something that’s simply flowed through me, rather than something I created. It’s more like I’ve just given it breath, a voice of its own.

One of the great things about your books are the characters, how do you come up with them and are they based on real people?

Hmmm, how do I come up with them? Simply said, I don’t. They come up with me. Bone Dressing is told through the eyes, the heart and soul, of Syd. It’s the story of a young woman who’s a bit lost, a girl trying to make some sense of herself … of the world around her and her place in it. So, written from her perspective, Bone Dressing and the characters in it are ultimately her creation. Life is how we choose to see it. If I sat down to write and forced the creation of people as I chose, regardless of Syd, her feelings, her needs, the story wouldn’t be Syd’s, it would be mine.

Are they based on real people?

Well, yes and no. They are based on the sinner and the saint that live in the hearts of us all. The only difference is, some of us, Mr. A. for example, cozy up to the sinner, while others, like Patricia, are more comfortable with their own innate goodness. Syd tends to fall in the shadowed never-land that lies between the two. She struggles with either extreme, particularly within herself, as does Beau, although to a much lesser extent. Then, of course, there are the rare Sarah’s of the world who seem to see past all the definitions and simply see the whole person, perfect just as they are … no assembly required … utterly unbroken.

I know you are currently working on the sequel to Bone Dressing, The Dreaming. What are a few things readers can expect in this new book?

Huh! What to expect from Syd? Expect her to be exactly that … Syd. Nothing more, nothing less. But, do remember, Syd isn’t some lost little girl from Kansas who can’t seem to find her way home. Syd’s chosen to leave her world behind her ... she left all the comforts of her life, good and bad, to chase down her big, bad Wicked Witch of the West … and her sweet little dog “Toto” is a black panther capable of pulling the spirit from her very bones. So expect Syd to try to figure out how to use her newfound gifts, expect her to be faced with more of the unexpected, expect Mr. A to be hot on her heels … and expect Syd’s feelings for Beau to develop the way a girl’s do as she begins to face her own developing sensuality, her innate desirability.

What do you do when you are not writing?

I have three teenagers and a new hubby. What do I not do? I love and laugh, and hug and kiss, and cook and clean, and work and play, and try to find the time to write in the midst of it all … the hugging and kissing’s the best part though!

What are some of your favorite books, and what do you look for in a good book?

Favorite books … there are a million. I’m a sucker for a great story. Among my all-time favorites are The Hobbit, anything by Poe or Shakespeare, To Kill A Mockingbird, Catcher in the Rye … As for what I look for in a good book, that’s easy. I look for something engaging, usually something from a perspective that’s different from my own. I’m definitely not put off by something written with a unique voice, or in an uncommon style of expression.

If you found a hidden gate in your backyard, where would it lead to?

Oooh, you heard about my hidden gates, did you?! Why, those are secret passages. They take me to the very edges of my own imagination … medieval castles shrouded in the mist, the taste of dark magic hanging in the air … white sandy beaches tattooed with only two set of footprints, mine and those of a mysterious stranger hidden among the palm trees swaying gently in the balmy breeze … the blistering hot never-never deep within the Australian outback, where Syd’s adventures may have taken her …

Tell us four random things about yourself.

Four random things, huh? I adore the feeling of free-falling. The Middle Ages would probably have been a much more comfy time for me to have lived this life. Smother just about anything in habaneros or jalapeños and I can probably suck it down in ten seconds flat with a smile plastered on my face. Kissing booths are highly under-rated … what a great way to spend time in my next life, bringing joy to others through the warmth of a human touch. I am, after all, a kissing enthusiast … some things will never change.