Sunday, October 23, 2011

Meljean Brook Interview and Giveaway!

Hi everyone!
     I am sorry I didn't post Friday, I had to work both Friday and Saturday, so now onto Sunday! lol
But I am sure that everyone will extend a warm welcome to Meljean Brook!  Meljean has a VERY successful series out called The Guardians, and it just happens to be one of my all time favs!  If you have yet to read this series, you don't know what you are missing!
       First of all I wanted to say that I greatly admire you and LOVE reading your books!  I first discovered your work in the anthology "Hot Spell" and I have to say that I was hooked!  The Guardians world is so rich and the world building is just spell binding...okay I feel as though I am gushing! *blush*  Thank you for taking the time for this interview!  It means a great deal to me and I am sure my readers will enjoy a trip into your mind! lol

When did you first know that you wanted to become a writer?
 
There was no real moment. I’ve always loved reading, and that naturally bled into telling my own little stories, and I’ve always liked writing. I imagined myself as a writer many times, but never seriously pursued it until I was in my twenties. Then I realized that was exactly what I wanted to do as a career.
 
What authors have been the biggest  influence on you and your writing?
 
This is one of those questions that is almost impossible to answer, because I read so much – influence and inspiration came from everywhere – Jean Auel, Philip Dick, Stephen King, Johanna Lindsey, the Trixie Belden series, every Harlequin Presents author that was writing in the late 70s and early 80s, Dean Koontz, Jane Austen. I can see bits and pieces of so many different authors in my work that even this list is a poor accounting of it.
 
What would you say to any aspiring writers out there? Any Advise?  I know that sometimes, it can be hardest job of all!  I personally admire all writers their muse and imagination to create these beautiful characters and worlds!
 
My strongest piece of advice is always to write the books that you’d love to read. Don’t try to follow trends, don’t try to write the books you think that someone else wants to read – write the books that YOU want to read. Writing is a difficult, solitary process. The least you can do for yourself is to love what you’re writing.
 
What do you enjoy doing once "The End" rolls around after writing, edits and more edits?  Do you have a happy dance?
 
Usually I sleep after I finish a book, because I probably won’t have slept for several weeks before that.
 
Otherwise, there really is no ‘end.’ After I send in the book, edits come. Then page proofs. And by the time the book is on the shelves I am neck-deep in another book, so even publication isn’t the end of anything. There’s always more work waiting for me.
 
What do you enjoy reading during your down time?
 
I don’t have much free reading time, but when I can steal a few moments, I usually read romance novellas, Harlequin Presents (they are like an emotional jolt, which I love) or thrillers, horror and suspense.
 
When you write about the past, do you ever feel like you belong in a different time, and if so which time would you prefer?
 
I never feel as if I belong in a different time, no. I do try to write as convincing a setting as possible, but I am very firmly a 21st century girl.
 
What sort of things inspire you, as in what is your muse or happy place?  Where do you write at, for the most part?
 
I don’t have a muse, at least not in the sense that I’ve ever heard it described by other authors. I find inspiration everywhere – in overheard conversations, in everyday situations, in movies I watch or pictures I see, in stories I hear – but I don’t depend on any one thing to inspire me, and if there isn’t an idea shouting at me, I’ll go out and find it myself.
 
I write wherever I need to. Sometimes that means I’m at my kitchen table or at my desk in my room. Sometimes I’ll go to Starbucks, because even though I’m a total introvert and don’t talk to anyone once I get there, I like to be around people now and again instead of stuck in my hole all day. So I don’t have any one place to write.
 
Do you feel that fiction is inspired by life, that maybe where there is smoke, there's fire?  Any truth in fiction?
 
I think that all of the best fiction is rooted deeply in truth. Oh, not in the sense that it’s REAL – but that it’s true. This is why even though a book might be set in a paranormal world and feature creatures that don’t exist still has to feature a romance that feels believable to us. The characters’ motivations and reactions must resonate with us in some way that we recognize – they have to feel true, or the story won’t work. 
 
What meal would you say is your favorite, is there one thing that will make your mouth water just to think of it?
 
Lamb Biryani. Or Thai yellow curry. Together on one plate would be perfect.
 
If you could live anywhere in the world, money being no object, where would it be and why?
 
The Maldives. You just have to Google the pictures and you’ll see why.
 
What tv shows do you watch and are there any that make you laugh?
 
I religiously watch Doctor Who (love it – and it often makes me laugh), Castle (also can be funny), Fringe, and Project Runway.
 
We are all creatures of habit, what habits do you have, good or bad?
 
Drinking coffee, I guess, though that might be more of an addiction. I don’t have many habits aside from writing, and that’s more like my job now. Maybe reading comic books can be considered a habit? That’s all good (except for my bank account.)
 
The one thing that stands out in my mind about your books is that everyone has free will, do you believe this to be true or just a myth?  That we are all on a preordained path that we have no control over?
 
The belief that everyone has free will is probably the one thing in the books that I can say comes from me, absolutely. All of my characters have different points of views and different religious beliefs, but the one idea that the entire world hinges on is the belief that everyone has free will and the choices they make determine the type of person they are -- and that is all me.
 
Sometimes choices are limited, true, but I don’t believe that any fate is determined and that choice doesn’t matter. Even someone like Khavi, who can see the future, can only see the possible outcomes of choices that are made; she can’t make the decision for them (although she can guess which one they are likely to make). The actual choice is up to the individual, however, and so they are the only one that determines their ultimate fate.

Can you tell us 3 things that we don't know about you?

Honestly, I can't really think of many thing that I'm willing to share that I haven't already shared through my blog or some other medium.  I'm a boring person-maybe that's one thing you didn't already know about me?  I've never been off the North American continent, although I would like to go somewhere else, someday.  And I swiped a candy bar when I was four and whenever I think about it, still feel massively guilty, and can be easily paralyzed by it emotionally, so I don't often do anything I'll feel guilty about later.

angels of darkness anthology 

                                            “Ascension”
When vampires begin disappearing from a community protected by Guardian Marc Revoire, the world-weary warrior doesn’t know whether he’s hunting a demon or one of the bloodthirsty nosferatu — but he’d rather face either of those monsters than accept help from Radha, the irreverent, blue-skinned, and oft-naked Guardian who’d once loved him and left him. He won’t be able to persuade her to leave this time, however, because lighthearted Radha is on a deadly serious mission of her own: not just to help Marc save the community…but to save him.


demon marked coverNicholas St. Croix is familiar with the evil of demons. After his father’s death, a demon took over his mother’s body and raised him. Six years ago, his “mother” was responsible for the disappearance of the woman he loved, and Nicholas swore he’d find her—even if he had to go to Hell and back. Except she finds him first—and with one tormented kiss, he knows she too is a demon. Now he is determined to take his revenge…
Ash is a half-demon with no memory of her past or how she got to Hell. All she knows is that Nicholas St. Croix holds the key to her identity. And though he’s clearly drawn to her, Nicholas makes no secret of his distrust of her. Yet one kiss at a time, he breaks down her defenses as they battle an array of demons and Guardians. But is Ash’s greatest enemy the man at her side?

      Now Meljean is giving 3 copies of "Demon Marked" and 2 copies of "Angel's of Darkness" to 5 lucky commentator's and I want to get to know my readers better, so the topic for the comments will be: What 3 things can you tell us about yourself?  Be sure to leave it in the comments and don't forget to vote on your favorite season in the left sidebar!  If you do not see the Raffelcopter form below, please click on the read more!  Winner's will be chosen at random on 10/31/11!  Contest is open internationally, Good Luck!


Happy Reading!
Cindy Bailey

http://meljeanbrook.com/
http://meljeanbrook.com/https://www.facebook.com/meljeanbrook



 

16 comments:

  1. Hi Cindy!
    New follower! Fantastic interview and blog! I love it! 3 things about me...1)I love pizza 2)Favorite color is black
    3)Love reading PNR & UF!
    A shout out to Meljean Brook-your books rock! always on my TBR list! Thanks for the contest!
    denisewilliams(at)mail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. 1. I like to eat in the shower
    2. I was a microbiologist, before I had kids and became a SSHM
    3. I am a second degree Black Belt in Taekwondo

    thanks for the chance to win. I loved The Iron Duke and would love to read something else by her :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi CIndy !! Meljean's books rock !!! I love her Guardian series and of course others as well !!

    3 things about me
    1. My favourite colour is pink
    2. My favourite movie is blue lagoon
    3. I love to read about kick arse, chicks, men with torchured souls, and I love the world of the paranormal !!

    Great giveaway !!! thanks for the interview ladies

    kat

    kittee_cat@bigpond.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love Meljean's books.
    3 things about me
    1. favorite flower- roses
    2. addiction to coke(the drink)
    3. I love totes and purses
    thanks for the giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  5. Let's see, three things about myself.
    1. I really don't like telling people about myself. Just always feel like I'm going to be judged, teased and what not.
    2. I've only, in the past 2 years, become a fan of reading. Up until then, I didn't read and if I had to, I didn't much like it. Now, I'm addicted! :)
    3. I've become strangely obsessed with chewing a piece of gum after every meal. LOL

    Well, thank you for this opportunity!

    Pam
    vanillaorchids69@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. 1. I've been reading books since I was in the 3rd grade and have never stopped.
    2. I started a new job this year and it's the best job I've ever had.
    3. I'm addicted to cheese. I eat it every day.

    ReplyDelete
  7. hmm. 1) i still read archie comics like i did when i was a kid.. 2) i hate to cook, but i love to bake.. and 3) i love icy squares chocolate

    alainala AT hotmail DOT ca

    thanks for the awesome chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  8. 1. I don't like Hercule Poirot movies - sadly my husband does :(
    2. I drink mainly Coke and green tea.
    3. Last year I got 2nd degree burns from a cup of green tea and ended up in hospital for a week and barely avoided a skin graft.

    thx for the giveaway! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I like Dr. Who too.
    I love Diet Coke, but have just finished my last can of the regular Diet Coke today. Switching to Caff. free.
    After my book blogs, the ones I visit most are the money saving ones.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love that I'm finally an empty nester as I can now stay up all night reading if I want to.
    I love Dexter and Hubby and I watch it together each week.
    In no hurry to get tied down to the grandmommie track.

    Spring is my favorite season. I love the warm gentle days after a cold winter.

    ReplyDelete
  11. 1. I'm a Medical Staff Specialist
    2. 2nd oldest of 8 siblings
    3. Recently discovered that I'm in love with Starbucks' Passion Iced Tea Lemonade:)

    Thanks for the great giveaway & HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

    yadkny@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. 1. I have been reading as long as I can remember and started with Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie.
    2. I have 2 cats.
    3. My favorite movie is Almost Famous

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Cindy!!! I'm a newbie!! I luv Blog Hops!!!
    1. Love Paranormal Romance reads
    2. I'm a coffee addict
    3. I recently got a Nook Color!!! Luv it!! :-)
    Thanks for the chance to win!!!

    jfort357(at)bellsouth(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great interview! And thanks for the giveaway!

    Three things about me...
    1. My birthday is tomorrow (I'm turning 24) and I'm getting a Kindle from my mom.
    2. I have eleven piercings and five tattoos. And at one point in college, I had the nape of my neck pierced.
    3. My favorite movie is Donnie Darko.

    Sara M
    sara_UFblog [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for sharing! It's fun to share info and it helps me to know you guys better! Now fair is fair, three things about me:
    1. My favorite color is purple, I would wear it all the time,if I could!lol
    2. I am messy! My side of the room needs to be cleaned and soon!
    3. I drive an orange vehicle.
    Happy Reading!
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your rafflecopter hates me lol

    3 Things About Me:
    I despise spiders.
    I adore butter.
    I will never intentionally have my hair shorter than my shoulders unless there is a medical reason :)

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Jess

    ReplyDelete