So today I’m interviewing my good friend and critique partner Alicia Dean. While her quirky sense of humor is not for the thin-skinned and might not be so prevalant here, you can believe me when I tell you she’s crazy! In a good way, but that is one of the things I love most about her. Read for yourself, and tell me what you think.
BTW, this pic? She doesn’t normally smile for the camera—-but we caught her off guard. Can you guess which one she is?
[klw] Please tell us something about you the person not the writer.
[ad] I’m a legal assistant for a family law firm in Edmond, Oklahoma. I love MLB, NFL, Elvis Presley, and a ton of television shows. Probably too many.
[klw] Where do you write? Home, office? What type of setting do you like to write in? Quiet, noisy?
[ad] At home, QUIET PLEASE!
[klw] I happen to know that you watch a LOT of television. But I also happen to know how fabulous you are regarding time management. What kind of tips can you offer the average Josephine for managing her time?
[ad] Hmmmm. That’s tough since I just grab moments here and there as I can. I haven’t really figured out how I manage my time, I just do. I would say that one thing I do is, even if I only have a few minutes, I try to accomplish something. If I’m editing a manuscript, I will try to get at least 5 to 10 pages done each day. Also, I set deadlines for myself and if a deadline is close (or here), I set aside everything else, including television as much as it hurts, and I finish what I have to get done. I try to set aside Sundays as ‘me’ day, and that’s pretty much do or die as far as if I have a pressing deadline. I MUST use Sundays to my best advantage. How’s that for an odd hodgepodge of unhelpful tips? J
[klw] What are some of the challenges you face as a published writer?
[ad] Balancing promo with writing, and all my other projects/duties. Also, not getting stale and always trying to come up with something a bit different.
[klw] What genre do you write in and why?
[ad] Suspense and paranormal, because those are the ones I enjoy reading. I love being kept on the edge of my seat, and I would love it if I can give that to readers.
[klw] Give an example of where the idea came from for Liberty Awakened, Isle of Fangs Book 1.
[ad] While I love the modern vampire shows such as True Blood and Vampire Diaries, I’ve always thought that it would be cool to go back to some of the original vampire lore. I also thought it would be great to set a vampire story in an unusual location—for vampire stories. The idea of vampires on a tropical island who can’t walk in the sunlight and turn into bats just popped into my head.
[klw] Where can we buy your book? By the way, the cover is fabulous.
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00B3N6PMA
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/liberty-awakened-alicia-dean/1045658352?ean=2940016048529
[klw] We are dying for an excerpt from Liberty Awakened.
Blurb:
Evil lurks beneath the surface in the beauty of the tropics…
After graduation from her small, Oklahoma high school, Liberty Delacort is looking forward to a fun-filled summer before college. But when the people she trusts the most betray her, and a letter arrives claiming the father she thought was dead is still alive, she jumps at the chance to travel to an exotic island to meet him.
But her excitement is short-lived. Her father is dying, and he doesn’t want her around. In spite of its outward tranquility, the island is filled with danger and ominous secrets. Before long, the secrets begin to unravel. She learns she is a descendant of Van Helsing, the vampire hunter, and she must fulfill her destiny in order to save humans from a faction of vicious vampires. The only man who can help her learn the skills she needs is a volatile, hostile, vampire who wants her off the island.
Will her inexperience lead to her death—and the death of others—or will she rise to the challenge and realize her full potential as a Hunter?
Excerpt:
Eli moved closer until only a hint of space separated their bodies. “Liberty?” His raspy voice was like a caress over her flesh. A breeze wafted over her bare back, and she shivered. She waited breathlessly for his next words, his next move. “You find me irresistible,” he whispered, his gaze never leaving hers. “You’re helpless to deny me anything. Your knees are weak.” He stroked his finger over her shoulder, letting them trail down to the center of her chest, just above her breasts. “Your heart is pounding for me right now. All you can think about is what it would feel like to kiss me.”
She licked her lips, wishing her glass wasn’t empty. Her mouth was so dry, she couldn’t speak. But oh wow…was he ever right. She didn’t even mind his aggressive, unusual approach. Something about the atmosphere, about leaving behind the trappings of home. The memories of what Cam and Alyssa had done made her reckless. She took his glass from his hand without breaking eye contact. His eyebrows rose as he watched her take a sip of the strong liquor, whatever it was. It burned her throat and eyes, but she resisted the urge to cough. It had done the trick, and she was able to whisper, “Yes.”
The corner of his mouth quirked. He moved closer, brushed his lips along hers, just a tease. That was it? That was the kiss? She bit back a groan of frustration. Her body ached with disappointment. But he moved toward her again, his eyes searching, his lips a hairsbreadth from hers. He stroked a hand down the side of her neck. His touch sent a flash of fire through her veins. She nearly moaned in anticipation, in yearning to feel his mouth, firm and hot against hers. She braced herself. Something primitive deep within told her this would be the kiss to rival any other. She swayed, her lids drifting shut, every nerve in her body tingling…
A scream tore through the night, breaking the spell. Liberty’s eyes flew open, and she gasped.
Eli stepped back. “Dammit,” he bit out. He cupped her cheek in his hand. “Don’t forget where we were.”
Then he was gone. She could barely feel her legs. Were they still supporting her? What the hell had just happened?
She shook her head, then followed the sound of excited voices where the scream had originated.
A group of people had gathered around a gazebo at the back of the house.
Liberty pushed her way through the crowd. Ryan knelt in the center of the gazebo next to a bench where a girl lay still. Her skin was as white as the moon, blank eyes staring at the midnight sky.
Liberty was afraid to look, but somehow couldn’t help herself. She scanned the girl’s body from head to toe. No blood. Good, that was a good sign, right? But the girl looked so…dead.
“Son of a bitch,” a male voice shouted. “She’s been drained.”
[klw] pretty damn good! Now, what do you do when you’re not writing?
[ad] Work, edit, watch television, hang out with friends and family.
[klw] If you could have any wish you wanted granted, what would it be?
[ad] The gift of time. Oh yeah, and to be a national best-selling author, but that’s a given.
[klw] I can relate for certain. What are you currently working on and when can we expect your next book?
[ad] I am working on a sequel to Liberty Awakened that I hope to have out by the end of February
[klw] Can’t hardly wait for that! Lucky me, I’ll get to read it first! Where can our readers learn more about you and your books?
[ad] Feel free to visit my website:
Twitter: @Alicia_Dean_
One last peek into the fun part of Alicia Dean. It turns out that I had more than one picture of her smiling! Really, though, just join the Martini Club and you can see how exceptionally fun she truly is.
Cheers, everyone.
Kathy