Category Archives: HUNTED

Izzy’s Insights – Interview with Characters Conn and Moira

on May 31, 2012

 

Sergej Khakimullin
Shutterstock

My name is Izzy and I interview book characters.  Many people say I’m a character, myself.  *Snort*.  That’s nice of them.  I’m hoping Rebecca lets me interview a bunch of her characters–I can’t wait to be in the same room with all of those hot vampires.  MEOW.

So, I’ve been wanted to meet Moira Dunne ever since I read Hunted and the scene where she threw a plasma ball at Connlan Kayrs, the most dangerous fighter alive.  Sure Moira’s a witch…but Conn’s a freakin vampire!  So, when Moira and Conn agreed to meet with me for an interview, I was ecstatic.  We met at a dive of a pizza joint on the other side of town.  They drove up on pretty awesome street bikes–looking like the power couple they are.  Here’s the transcript of the interview, with a couple of my thoughts thrown in:

ME:  Thank you so much for meeting me here!  I know how busy you are with both of you needing to fight for your people right now.  How goes the war?

CONN:  We’re winning.

At this point, Moira tossed red curls over her shoulder and snorted, rolling her eyes at the vampire.  I doubted many people rolled their eyes at the guy.  He’s well over six feet tall, packed hard, and with green eyes that probably make women swoon.  Women much weaker than me, of course.  I may have drooled…but I did not swoon.

Moira:  Well, we’re working on it.  The Kurjans are stepping up their game a little bit, and I’m afraid the demons are about to make a move against us.

CONN:  There’s no need to be afraid.  The demons are having some problems of their own…we’ll find the allies we need.

Moira:  I didn’t mean ‘afraid’ of the demons…I could blow several up in a moment.  I just meant it as an expression.  Stop being a dork.

CONN:  I didn’t think you meant ‘afraid’ like you feared the demons. I was trying to be reassuring and positive.  You’re the dork.

Okay.  You really haven’t lived until you’ve seen one of the toughest guys alive use the word ‘dork.’  And the grin that accompanied the insult was just charming beyond words.  Even pretty Moira blushed as Conn yanked one of her curls.

ME:  So, how’s it going marriage-wise?  I mean, with the witches and vampires and the war?

CONN:  Good.

MOIRA:  I think maybe more info is required…dork.  We, ah, are doing…just fine.

CONN:  Yeah.  That was a lot of info.

MOIRA:  Well, okay.  The witches are hanging in there – but if you’ve read Hunted, you know we have some issues right now.  And I put my younger sister, Brenna, on the Council, and she’s working hard, but something’s going on with her.  I’m not sure what.  But as soon as we get things settled with the vampires, I’m going to go figure it out.

You know, I’ve always wondered about Brenna.  She seems like a sweetheart, but she’d have to be rather tough to live the life she’s living.

ME:  So what about Brenna?  Is there a mate in her future?

CONN:  Well, according to Dage, who’s psychic, there’s a mate in her future.  But Dage won’t say who.  And whenever he talks about it, his eyes flash blue through the silver, and that’s always a bad sign.  So we don’t ask.

MOIRA:  Dage has always been really fond of Brenna, so if there’s a difficult path for her, he’d be worried.  But I also trust him to tell me when it’s time for me to get involved.

CONN:  Yeah, right.  I know you.  You’re getting involved the first second you get the chance.

MOIRA:  Yeah, I am.

ME:  So, it seems like a lot of the Realm leaders are finding mates.  How goes it with Katie and Jordan?  Are those two ever going to get together?

CONN:  Sure.  Fate is fate…

MOIRA:  I’d like to be so confident.  But, well, their path is a tough one…much tougher than most people know right now.  You’ll know more after reading chapter 1 of CONSUMED…oh yeah.  If they can figure it out…wozza.  What a life.

Which reminds me.  I think I read somewhere that if Consumed gets 100 ‘likes’ on Amazon, the first chapter of Consumed will be put up on Rebecca’s FB page.  Hmmm.  I need to head to Amazon after this interview.  Speaking of which, this is the longest time I’ve managed to keep interviewees in the chairs.

ME:  I have high hopes for Katie and Jordan…always have.  What about Kane?  I’ve heard a rumor that he’s maybe found a mate.

MOIRA:  Well, there’s a possible mate.  It’s my understanding the woman is very powerful…but doesn’t know it?  And she’s some sort of Vegan.

CONN:  I’m not giving up meat.

MOIRA:  Nobody asked you to give up meat.  Geez.

ME:  So, Moira.  I was wondering.  Obviously you’ve read Hunted.  What’s your favorite line from the book?

MOIRA:  That’s a great question!  Well, I don’t want to give anything away here…but things were looking bad and I was fading fast…here’s the line:

With a flash of speed and the shattering of glass, Connlan Kayrs leapt through the window.

MOIRA:  I know that doesn’t give you a lot of insight…but it pretty much represents Conn.  He’d sacrifice anything for the people he loves.

Okay, I melted a little.  I mean, who wouldn’t?  They’re such an awesome pair, and the affection and love is there.  As well as an edge…these two have enemies and they know it.

ME:  Okay, that is really sweet.  What about you, Conn?  Have a favorite line?

CONN:  What book?

Oh yeah.  I’d forgotten the vampires either didn’t know about the books, or they just didn’t want to talk about it.  These guys aren’t exactly the type to share their lives with the world.

Just as I was about to sigh…Jase Kayrs walked in.  Man, if you haven’t seen Jase, you’re missing out.  The youngest Kayrs brother is sexy as sin.  Wide shoulders, charming grin, danger glints from his eyes.  Yeah, I might have a crush.  But, then he told Conn that something was up and they had to go…something with the demons and a mission…and just like that, quick goodbyes were made. 

Although I’m no psychic, I suddenly had an odd thought.  I wondered who Jase’s mate would be?!?

Grave Tells – Reader’s Choice Awards

on May 29, 2012

Hi all!  It looks like Hunted is up for a Reader’s Choice award, and I’m up for a favorite author award over at Grave Tells.  Voting ends May 30th at midnight.  I’m neck and neck with a couple of my friends.  🙂  If you get the chance, CLICK HERE TO VOTE.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  Here in the states we celebrated Memorial Weekend.  I celebrated, wrote a bit, and watched some movies.  ‘One for the Money’ and “This Means War’ kept me more than entertained! 

Finally…later this week we’ll have a character interview with Moira Dunne  – the witch from Hunted.  And…chapter 1 from Consumed should be posted soon on my FB page – so keep an eye out!

Hunted is in the Wild, and Tempted is Free

on April 24, 2012

(The free read is now over…but Tempted is still discounted for a short time).

Hi all!  Today is release day for Hunted!  YAY!  And Tempted is still a free download from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ITunes, etc., so get yours while you can!  Even if you don’t have an e-reader, get the free “Kindle for PC” program from Amazon–I use mine all the time.  So, readers have sent in a couple questions that I thought I’d answer about Hunted:

1)  How do you think the average reader will relate to Moira, who’s a witch?  Well, I relate to her, and I’m not a witch.  🙂  Basically, Moira is in a situation that we all find ourselves in at some point (or at many points) in that several different paths are spreading out before her, and she needs to choose one.  Her people expect her to lead, her mate expects her to join him, and she wants to be an enforcer.  The cool thing about Moira is that she has the ability to find a way to do all three.

2)  Is Conn as over the top Alpha as the rest of the vampires?  Yes.  🙂  But Conn has a surprisingly sweet side that I think made for some cool scenes.  And as the ultimate soldier, he really doesn’t need to throw his weight around.  He’s smart, and he’s a good guy, and most importantly, he’s in love with Moira.

3)  What’s your favorite line from the book?  Well, it’s out of context here, and I can’t give you context or it’ll ruin some surprises.  But my favorite line is:  With a flash of speed and the shattering of glass, Connlan Kayrs leaped through the window.

4)  What’s your favorite short blurb?  This is a tough one, but I’ve always liked the following:

Conn tugged Moira to straddle him.  His lids half closed.  “No,” he murmured very softly.  “I want all of you, Moira.”  A deep breath lifted her to settle back in place.  “For now, your neck would be enjoyable.”  Twin fangs dropped low.

A guttural growl escaped him and she shivered.  Fighting the urge to clear her throat, fighting the need to run, she gingerly set her hands on either side of his wide shoulders and leaned down.  He threaded his free hand through her hair, tightening his hold and turning her head to the side.

Something natural, something feminine in her sighed, relaxing.  He had her.  And deep down, where certainty lived, she knew he wasn’t letting go.

Okay – I’m off to get ready for the book launching party today.  If you’re in the Cd’A area, stop by Gourmet Way between 5:00 and 7:00 tonight to say hi!

PURCHASE HUNTED

A Quick Look at the Publishing Process…

on April 20, 2012

I’ve been so busy finishing book 5 and promoting Hunted that I’ve ignored my blog a little bit.  I apologize and will try to do better.  There will be some character interviews coming up that I think might be fun.  Lately I’ve had a few readers write to ask about the writing process, so I thought I’d give a quick lowdown to people who are just starting to write, or who are curious of one process.  (Keep in mind that everyone is different).  So for me, it goes like this:

1)  I sit down and have a fun idea for a scene to write.  It’s usually the first scene of the book, of how a hero and heroine meet, so I just write it.  Yes, I have about 10 first scenes written right now that I’d love to turn into full length books at some point.

2)  Then…I have to figure out who the heck these people are, what they want, and what’s going to stop them from getting what they want.

3)  I write the book.  Beginning to end.  The first 25,000 words, I love the book.  The second 25,000 words, I hate the book.  The remaining 40,000 words, I just want to get the book finished.  🙂

4)  After that first draft, I go back and add anything I’ve missed.  Then I go through and clean up/edit the book.  Then I print it out and do a hard copy edit–then go make those changes.

5)  The book is mailed in hard copy to my amazing agent.  She writes all over it (sometimes phone numbers or grocery lists) – once in a while there’s crayon or sports stickers from her kids.  (I love those).  She also sends editorial notes…like, expand this idea, or bring this out more…stuff like that.

6)  I make those changes and email the manuscript to my wonderful Editor.  She reads it, accepts it, and then emails some editorial suggestions, which I make.  Then if we don’t have a title chosen, we choose one.

7)  Months later, copy edits arrive.  Copy edits are commas, punctuation, misused words…(did you know that pistoning is not a verb?  Yeah?  Well, I didn’t.  Now I do.)  Copy editors are amazing and catch stuff most of use would never catch.  I love copy edits.  So, I go through and either agree or disagree…and then those go back usually within 7-10 days.

8)  Then, usually, we have a cover.  YAY!  This is always fun.  Then coverflats arrive!  Months later, usually ARCs arrive.  (Advanced Reader Copies).  These are the book without corrections and are sent to reviewers and used in contests.

9)  A few weeks after that, page proofs arrive.  Page proofs are a stack of papers that show what the book will actually look like on the page.  These have been typeset in, so there are some mistakes.  I go through it, and about 4 other people at the publisher go through it to catch any mistakes.  These are due back within 7-10 days.

10)  Finally,  my awesome editor sends me early promo copies of the actual book–usually around 6 weeks before release day.  (I also get author copies according to contract, but those come closer to release day).  Then…RELEASE DAY.

So, that’s a snippet of the publishing process.  At least, it’s a snippet of the process so far for me.  I hope that clears up the questions anybody sent.  Have a great weekend!  And remember, HUNTED releases NEXT TUESDAY!  🙂

Lucky Seven – I’ve Been Tagged

on April 8, 2012

There’s something fun going on right now where authors are tagging other authors.  If you get tagged, you have to put page 77, line 7 and the next 7 lines on your blog.  Bronwen Evans tagged me.  So here’s my entry:  it’s from HUNTED and it looks like seven lines in the book, though more here

She jumped up.  The bedroom door probably held a lock.  “Yes.”

The plane rocked when he slid to his feet, blocking her path to the bedroom.  “Then apparently I’ve ignored my responsibilities long enough.”

He loomed over her.  She had two choices – either knock him aside or take a step back – and only a split second to decide which one to make.  The rational decision was to step back and reason with him.

F*!* reason.

Now, I think I need to tag some folks.  So I’m going to tag Sayde Grace, Bonnie Paulson, and Lynn Rush.