Author Interview-Debra Mullins-The Prodigal Son

I'm pleased to bring you award winning historical romance author Debra Mullins who is debuting her new Paranormal Romance series with Prodigal Son. I asked her about this new venture she told me –"I’ve always wanted to write paranormal as well as historicals. If you looked at my DVD shelf, you’d see tons of science fiction and paranormal TV series and movies. And I’ve always been fascinated by Atlantis."
See the rest of her answers below.

• ISBN-13: 9780765336866
• Publisher: Doherty, Tom Associates, LLC
• Publication date: 10/1/2013
• Series: Truthseers Series
• Pages: 368

Overview:
Prodigal Son—the new paranormal romance from acclaimed historical romance author Debra Mullins
Bounty hunter Rafe Montana is a Seer, descended from the fabled Atlanteans. He uses his inherited power to “see” criminals across the globe and track them down, and he’s just started on a new case.

PRAISE:
“Debra Mullins opens up a whole new universe as she takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride into sexy adventure. The world isn't what you thought. You won't put it down.”

—Susan Squires, New York Times bestselling author on Prodigal Son

“Passion, intrigue, and heartfelt emotion—Debra Mullins delivers captivating romance!”

—Tessa Dare, New York Times bestselling author of A Week to Be Wicked

Debra HI! Welcome to The Reading Frenzy

Tell us about your debut to a new paranormal romance series Prodigal Son.

Cara McGaffigan is a software developer from New Jersey who has come to Las Vegas in search of her stepbrother Danny, who jumped bail after stealing a car from his boss.  Danny is all the family Cara has left, and she is constantly bailing him out of trouble. Bounty hunter Rafe Montana is also looking for Danny. Rafe is descended from a powerful Seer of Atlantis and has inherited abilities that allow him to find anyone, anywhere. But when it comes to Danny, Rafe can’t see anything. This is enough to make him take the case. Cara and Rafe eventually team up and hit the road to find Danny. What they don’t realize is that Danny didn’t just steal a car. He stole a powerful stone that comes from Atlantis itself—and there a people who want it back.

Debra you also write award winning historical romance.
Why dip your toes into this fantasy/paranormal genre?

I’ve always wanted to write paranormal as well as historicals. If you looked at my DVD shelf, you’d see tons of science fiction and paranormal TV series and movies. And I’ve always been fascinated by Atlantis.  The similarity between historical and paranormal is the world building. In both genres, I’m transporting you to a different reality, which requires similar skills.

You’re a long time author having been writing for over 20 years.
What is the biggest challenge for an established author?

To stay published. After fourteen books, it gets harder and harder to stay fresh and relevant. There are new, wonderful writers coming up every day, and it forces me to up my game.

How do you go about researching a paranormal novel?

The beauty of paranormal is that you can make stuff up. I researched Atlantis and found whatever I could about it. The thing is, other than what Plato wrote about Atlantis, there has yet to be any undeniable archaeological proof that the city actually existed. So I used Plato as my guide and then added my own imagination to create the world of Atlantis and the powers possessed by its citizens.

Debra you’ve received many awards for your novels.
Which one or more are still on your want list?

I was once nominated for the RITA from Romance Writers of America, but I did not win. I’d love to win one of those!

Go way back to your first release day.
How did it differ from this one?

My first release day was in January 1999 – the previous century! Technology was very different back then. We printed our manuscripts and mailed them via the post office, not by email. Digital publishing didn’t really exist yet. There was no Facebook or Twitter, and Amazon was in its infancy. There was barely email! I had to wait and hear from my publisher if the book was being well received. Today, I can just check out online forums and reviews by bloggers to get an idea if it’s doing well. Very often, if a blogger really liked the book, they will announce the review on Twitter and copy me. That’s a nice perk.

What’s next for you?

PRODIGAL SON is the first in a trilogy, and I just finished the second book, about Rafe’s brother Darius. I’ve also got some historical projects on the burner, so I’m not completely moving away from that.

Debra I’d like to dip into personal territory now.
Your website states that for your honeymoon you and your groom booked The Quiet Man (your favorite movie) Tour through the sites in Ireland where the movie was filmed.
What was your favorite sight?

There are so many beautiful places in County Mayo and County Galway, where the movie was filmed. My favorite places were Ashford Castle and the village of Cong. Both played huge parts in creating the village of Inisfree and still look remarkably the same as when the movie was filmed in 1952.

Where’s your favorite place to write?

I have an office at home with a door, which is where I do most of my writing. If things are too distracting at home, I will also set up camp in Starbucks for a couple of hours.

Debra, thanks so much for answering my questions.
Do you have events/signings listed for fans who’d love to meet you in person?

I just came back from the Seattle area, where I did a public booksigning at a writer’s conference. My next appearance right now will be in Tempe, AZ on April 5, 2014. I will be posting that info on my website.

Debra Mullins is the author of thirteen historical romances for Avon Books and one paranormal romance for Tor/Forge. Her books have been translated into several languages and nominated for awards from both the magazine RT Book Reviews and Romance Writers of America and its chapters, including the Golden Heart, the RITA, the Holt Medallion (twice), the Book Buyer’s Best Award, and the National Readers Choice Award. She also won the Golden Leaf Award for Best Historical for her book, A NECESSARY BRIDE.

Debra has spoken at various RWA chapter meetings, as well as the national RWA conference, the Liberty States Fiction Writers conference and the Emerald City Writers’ Conference in Seattle. In August 2009, she gave a full day special event for the Orange County chapter of Romance Writers of America with author Charlotte Carter, where she spoke on the topics of character and conflict.

Born and raised in the New York/New Jersey area, Debra now lives in California and has been actively writing for over twenty years. A language nerd, she could speak four languages by the time she graduated high school. At age 16, she went to France on a student exchange program for a summer. By the time she came home to the U.S., she was dreaming in French.

She is currently finishing a paranormal trilogy for Tor/Forge. The first book, PRODIGAL SON, is due out in October 2013. Debra is a member of Novelists Inc., Liberty States Fiction Writers, and several chapters of RWA. You can find her on Twitter using @debramullins and on the web at www.debramullins.com.

Connect with Debra Website – Facebook – Twitter - Goodreads

**GIVEAWAY** + Interview with double RITA nominee Kristen Callahan about Winterblaze

Interview with double RITA nominee-Best First Book Firelight and best Paranormal Moonglow -   Kristen Callihan. When asked to describe Winterblaze she says––"Winterblaze is both a marriage in trouble romance and a high-stakes adventure story. I liken it to Mr. and Mrs. Smith with zombies. Lol...." See what else she has to say below

Those who aren’t familiar with the RITA Awards they’re sponsored by Romance Writer’s of America and named after their first president Rita Clay Estrada. Here’s their website’s description of the awards-“ to promote excellence in the romance genre by recognizing outstanding published romance novels and novellas.”

CONTEST DETAILS BELOW

• ISBN-13: 9781455520794
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Publication date: 2/26/2013
• Series: Darkest London Series , #3

Overview:
Once blissfully in love . . .
Poppy Lane is keeping secrets. Her powerful gift has earned her membership in the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals, but she must keep both her ability and her alliance with the Society from her husband, Winston. Yet when Winston is brutally attacked by a werewolf, Poppy's secrets are revealed, leaving Winston's trust in her as broken as his body.

Here’s what’s being said about Kristen’s novels;
"Compulsively readable...a compelling Victorian paranormal with heart and soul."
--- Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Firelight
RT Book Reviews
"Top Pick! 4 1/2 Stars! Like all good things, Callihan just keeps getting better and better. The third installment in the Darkest London series is not only a gripping novel, but also one that elevates the genre with its depth of emotion, passion and mesmerizing storytelling. Callihan doesn't just create worlds, she moves readers into them with unforgettable characters and stunning revelations. Once begun, it's impossible to put down WINTERBLAZE."
Diana Gabaldon
"Callihan has a great talent for sexual tension and jaw-dropping plots that weave together brilliantly in the end."
Hannah Howell
"A dark, delicious tale of secrets, murder, and love, beautifully shrouded in the shadows of Victorian London."
Nalini Singh
"Evocative and deeply romantic, Firelight was fascinating from the very first page."
Larissa Ione
"A sizzling paranormal with dark history and explosive magic! Callihan is an impressive new talent."

Library Journal
VERDICT Dark, dangerous, and totally enthralling, this latest addition to Callihan's "Darkest London" series treats fans to a heart-tugging, satisfying romance, fills in a few series blanks with well-handled flashbacks, and nicely sets the stage for the stories that are sure to come.”
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Kristen, welcome to my blog
Thank you for having me, Debbie. :)


First tell us about your newest release Winterblaze.
Winterblaze is both a marriage in trouble romance and a high-stakes adventure story. I liken it to Mr. and Mrs. Smith with zombies. Lol.

Poppy Lane is the secret head of the SOS, an organization dedicated to keeping the human world safe -and ignorant- of supernatural beings. When her husband, CID Inspector Winston Lane survives a werewolf attack, he finds out about her double life and leaves her for lying to him. Poppy is just as angry over his abrupt departure without giving her an opportunity to explain.

Unfortunately, one of Poppy’s old enemies decides to threaten Win, and Poppy must keep him safe. Win has definite opinions on who is keeping whom safe, and they must learn to work together to survive, and perhaps, somewhere along the way, fall in love again.


On your website it says that you are both a romance reader and writer and you credit your Irish heritage perhaps for your love of the magical, mystical and in your words “a peek of what might lie beyond the curtain of our reality”.
What does that mean in terms of how you write?
I don’t know if it affects how I write, but definitely what I write. I love romance, and so I write romance. I’m attracted to dark tales, involving the supernatural, and so I write those too.


Your novels are all in the Darkest London Series.
How are the novels connected?
They are connected by the idea that all is not what it seems, that there is this secret world of demons, lycans, and other beasties hiding in London, and that for all of these beasties strengths, they need love, friendship, and understanding just as much as we do. 


Should new fans start with the first?
Well, they don’t have to, but there is definitely a character progression throughout the books. So the emotional impact will be greater if the reader starts from the beginning. 


You are described as “a child of the eighties,” and now all I can picture is K.T. Oslin’s 80’s Ladies.
Tell us how this reflects on your life and your writing, and then get that song out of my head please :)
Lol. I suggest listening to another earworm-worthy song. J You know, another author told me I really ought to say that I WAS a child in the 80’s, as opposed to a child of. Minor distinctions aside, I think that the era and culture we grow up in affects us in countless ways. It shapes our thinking, our humor, our style, etc.

And if I wrote contemporary romance, you’d probably see these influences a lot more. As I write historicals, the only real way that this comes out is in the comic book aspect of the stories. Superhero cartoons, Dungeons and Dragons, and thriving comic book stores were all part of 80s culture.


Your novels are constantly at the top of the charts with RT (who I review for too) and now you’ve been a double RITA award nominee.
Do the accolades validate your writing to you?
Accolades are definitely validating. Who doesn’t want to hear that they’ve done a good job? But it’s also a bit surreal. A small part of me always feels like that those accolades are a dream, or a mistake. And there is definitely more pressure to top, or at least match, the last book. Of course, that pressure would probably be there regardless; I want every book I write to entertain and to be a satisfactory experience in and of itself. 

What do you attribute to the huge success of paranormal romance?
I think it is the mystery of the unknown. But what makes it attractive to me is the idea that superhuman physical strength and the promise of immortality do not solve all problems. In fact, they just might lead to further isolation and loneliness. 


What type of reader would enjoy your novels?
My books are a mixed bag; there is a little of everything. If you enjoy historicals, paranormals, romantic suspense, even urban fantasy, you might want to take a peek. :)

But no matter what, I work hard to give readers a good, emotional love story.


What’s next for you?
I am finishing up Shadowdance, book 4 in the Darkest London series, featuring SOS agents Jack Talent and Mary Chase. These two have been at each other’s throats for two books now so it was fun to finally get them together. And I’m also working on Entwined, a Darkest London novella, featuring a shy, ginger-haired blacksmith who is desperately in love with his brother’s intended. 


Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions. Good luck to you in the future.
Aw, thanks! And thank you for having me! 

Kristen chats about her Darkest London Series with RT Book Reviews

 Connect with Kristen - Website - Facebook - Twitter - Pintrest

TO CELEBRATE HER RITA NOMINATIONS KRISTEN HAS OFFERED
BOTH HER NOMINATED NOVELS
FIRELIGHT & MOONGLOW
FOR THE GIVEAWAY
US ONLY
PLEASE USE THE RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM BELOW
THANKS KRISTEN
GOOD LUCK!

        

        

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GIVEAWAY-Interview with Leigh Evans about her newest Mystwalker novel The Thing About Weres

Please welcome Leigh Evans author of The Mystwalker Series where she's telling secrets like why she waited until she was 50 to start her writing career, what she misses from life "before being an author" and what happened to her at the 2013 RT Convention in Kansas City and how humor plays a part in her life. Then enter the contest for your very own copy of The Thing About Weres

   

• ISBN-13: 9781250006417
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Publication date: 7/30/2013
• Series: A Mystwalker Novel Series , #2
• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Edition description: First Edition
• Edition number: 1
• Pages: 422

***GIVEAWAY****
ENTER BELOW US ONLY
FOR A COPY OF THE THING ABOUT WERES
SPONSORED BY LEIGH'S PUBLISHER
ST. MARTIN'S PRESS
GOOD LUCK!!

Overview
THE THING ABOUT WERES
Leigh Evans
In the never-ending saga that is my love-hate relationship with Robson Trowbridge, I, half-Were Hedi Peacock, have had a change of heart. Ever since I shoved Trowbridge through the Gates of Merenwyn, I’ve been the leader of the pack—hard to believe, right?

Praise for The Trouble With Fate:

“A true storyteller with a tough heroine and an original and engrossing tale. Reader beware, if you pick up a Leigh Evans book, you won't put it down until the last page.”

—Patricia Briggs, New York Times bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson series

“[A] brilliant debut…has a likeable, light-fingered heroine with smarts, a tough sexy hero with troubles, and a glimpse into a fascinating fae world that will have you howling for the next book. I loved it!”
—Suzanne McLeod, author of The Shifting Price of Prey

“What a delicious read! Chock full of fun twists and sexy diversions, one of them named Robson. Leigh Evans is definitely one to watch. Get this book! You will not be disappointed!”
—Darynda Jones, New York Times bestselling author of the Charley Davidson series

“It's rare to find a debut novel with a well-crafted world, a great story and dynamic characters, but this book has them all. I was grabbed early and hooked to the very end. I eagerly await the sequel!”
—Karen Chance, New York Times bestselling author of the Cassandra Palmer and Dorina Basarab series

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Leigh, welcome to my blog.

Thank you, Debbie. I’m delighted to be here. 

Tell us about your new novel The Thing About Weres.

The conclusion of the last Mystwalker novel left our heroine Hedi Peacock in possession of an unusual job title: Alpha-by-proxy. Let’s take a moment to consider how well that might have gone. Hedi was twenty-two, with little affection for werewolves or long-term employment.

Now, take into account that Weres are incredibly territorial and the job comes with the obligation of enduring many, many, long-assed grievance sessions about leaf blowers and property lines. Balance that against the knowledge that the fairy godmother responsible for gifting Hedi with patience was a total slacker…

Fast forward six months. A fatigued and disillusioned Hedi Peacock looks upward to grimly pin a wish upon a star. Wouldn’t you know it? That’s when Karma steps in again, determined Hedi receives exactly what she asked for.

This is the second in your Mystwalker series. Is there a planned number in the series?

The series will conclude with the 2014 release of the fourth book: The Danger of Destiny.

Leigh, you didn’t write your first novel until you were 50 and you stated in a previous interview “I always knew I could write a book, but I’d given up on the idea of actually doing so by my forties.”

Can you tell us your own author story, what changed your mind?

I was on the sofa, a small bowl of potato chips balanced on my chest, watching Oprah. I’d seen the episode before. But still, there I lay, limp with boredom, too lazy to change the channel. That’s when the thought hit me: I can lay here for the rest of my life and it wouldn’t matter.

Huh. So was that how I was going to let the rest of my life unwind? I was going to lay around feeling like I was done? Nothing valuable to say? Over and done?

Hell no. I got off the damn couch.

What’s the most fun about writing fantasy fiction?

When you sit down to write an urban fantasy, you’re the absolute queen of your fantasy world until such time as your editor sends her revision notes. Until you get that page of notes, you can lie and fabricate with impunity. It’s your world, your rules.

How did the idea for the series come to you?

I’ve read hundreds of paranormals and have enjoyed stepping into the heroine’s shoes. (Hey look! I’m as thin as Kate Beckinsale and twice as fearsome!) But after a couple of hundred books, I found myself yearning to read a story featuring someone who wasn’t tall, slender and beautiful. Someone who wasn’t naturally brave. Or for that matter—truthful, honest and good.

Put bluntly, I wanted a different type of bad-assed girl. That’s how I found myself writing a coming-of-age story set inside an urban fantasy series and why the Mystwalker novels chronicle the life of a girl who’s pushed, quite unwillingly, toward claiming her own destiny.

Hedi Peacock. Half Fae, half Were, and all trouble.

Leigh, I just read your blog post about your “adventure” at the RT convention in Kansas City. I’m sorry you were ill. But what I found most telling about it was you humor.
Do you think humor is important in telling your stories?

I got over it, Debbie, and humor helped. In my blog about the difficulties of finding a doctor in Kansas City, I decided to leave out the part where six inmates from the local prison arrived for their annual check-up. Sounds far-fetched, right? That’s why I didn’t put it in. But it’s the truth. There I sat, wilting in the waiting room’s plastic chair, and in they filed. Evidentially, Karma felt I needed a course adjustment.

It was too funny not to inwardly smile. (I mean, seriously—was it something I said?)

Humor. It’s vital, isn’t it? It allows you to breathe between the bad stuff.  

Let’s talk about your love scenes:
What rating would you give them?  

Hard to say. The love scenes in the first book of the series were written from the perspective of a girl who’d never been held—think about that—or even kissed.  Those scenes are both awkward and tender. That being said, one should never forget that Hedi’s a very quick learner. Things get decidedly hotter as the series progresses.

Would you be embarrassed if a member of your family read them?

Horrified.

What’s the one thing about “before being a writer” that you miss?

Weekends off. The wonder of two consecutive days to garden and see people and get groceries and fool around and make pasta and sit doing the one thing I really love beyond all other activities—reading. I know many authors have figured out how to write, handle business, and still be utterly fabulous, but I haven’t.  That’s my next project: finding the discipline to walk away from the keyboard.

Okay it’s just us, shhhh. Tell us a secret about you.

In the mornings I write with my kitten Dumbles (short for Dumbledore) tucked inside my t-shirt. That’s where he likes to sleep and I’ve given up on trying to encourage him to take his 9 a.m. nap anywhere else. So, right now, he’s there. Tucked inside my favorite battered graphic t-shirt. Just his head and one paw sticking out.  Every so often he erupts into a rumble of throaty purrs.

Leigh, will there be any signing events for this release?

I’m in the process of reaching out to several independent bookstores. Keep your eyes peeled for updates on my website! www.leighevans.com

Thank you so much for taking the time to let us get to know you a little better. Good luck with the new novel and all the ones to come.

It’s been my pleasure.

Connect with Leigh – Website – Facebook -  Twitter – Blog - Pinterest

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