Celebrating Romance Giveaway Hop (Part Two)

Bona Fide Reflections is featuring author,
 Laura Hunsaker 
during the Celebrating Romance Giveaway Blog Hop.

I am going to post this blog hop in three parts.

• Part One( Oct. 8 - 9) - My review of Highland Destiny by Laura Hunsaker
• Part Two (Oct. 10 - 12) - Author interview with Laura Hunsaker
• Part Three (Oct. 13 - 14) - Surprise guest post.  

Please make sure to come by for the presentation of each part of the post.

The giveaway featured for the Celebrating Romance Giveaway Hop will be a copy of Highland Destiny or a $5 gift certificate to Amazon or the Book Depository. The winner gets to choose the prize they prefer. Please complete the Rafflecopter at the end of the interview to enter in the giveaway (the first two options are mandatory to win). To visit the other blogs in this wonderful blog hop, check out the linky list after the Rafflecopter.

Interview with Laura Hunsaker

Bona Fide Reflections extends a warm welcome to Laura.

Laurielu: Thank you so much for stopping by Bona Fide Reflections to share a little about your self and your debut novel, Highland Destiny.

Laura: Anytime. I love your blog.

Laurielu: How have you made the writing process unique to you?

Laura: I've heard authors say they write during the day, and treat it like a normal 9-5 job.  I can't do that, since my kiddos are still young enough that I'm home all day. I have to squeeze writing in while they're at preschool and while they sleep. I write at night a lot and I like to write to music. I'm not sure how unique that is, but that's how I do it.

Laurielu: What authors and/or books inspire you? Why?

Laura: I love Gena Showalter and Kresley Cole. Their sense of humor is awesome! Karen Marie Moning's writing is beautiful, and I love Monica McCarty's use of history throughout her books.

Laurielu: Has being an author changed the way you read a book?

Laura: If you mean, do I bust out the red pen? No. I think if anything, being an author has made me a bit more forgiving on things that used to bug me.  I used to hate formatting issues in ebooks, but after realizing that the author has very little control over that (unless self-pub'd), I don't let it get to me.

Laurielu:  You do some book reviewing for Demon Lovers.  Has being an author changed how you review a book?

Laura: Yes, absolutely. I try to be much more tactful if I don't like a book. I also keep it strictly about the book-I don't say that the author is crazy, or stupid, or has ugly shoes just so I can go off on her. I'm all for a rantview, but man, I've seen some that really make you wonder if the reviewer actually read the book or just wanted to rant.

Laurielu: In honor of my Halloween theme I have to ask a creeptacular question about your book.  How in the world did you come up with the evil that is the Campbell? You successfully made him dark and creepy.  Was he fun to write? Why or why not?

Laura: Wow, I'm glad he creeped you out :) For me, it was never a question of how to write him -- he was just an evil empty shell of a man full of the dark arts and black magic. His eyes are soulless, and the only passion he feels is for power. He actually was the first character to come to light for me.  I think that the dream Mackenzie has was so easy for me to imagine since it's so full of bright vivid colors, but she can only see the cold, empty eyes of John Campbell.

Laurielu: What is it about the element of time travel that appealed to you most as an author?
Laura: Ooh, I love this question. I want a Highland Warrior for myself. And what better way to get one, than to see him in his element? I also wanted a fun and strong heroine, but I just couldn't make her personality work in the 1790s. But if she could be from our time, I could have a lot of fun with her.


Laurielu:  When writing Mackenzie's character, what was the most fun about her? What was the least fun?
Laura: The most fun? Her thoughts were always fun because I think so many of those are what I would have thought if I'd been tossed back a couple hundred years. The least fun part is where she figured out what her dream meant. I can't say more as it's a spoiler, but she did something that made me mad.

Laurielu: What about Connor?

Laura: He's really stubborn, so that was hard to write around.  But it was fun to watch him try to understand Mackenzie. He didn't understand her speech, or her ways, but he knew he wanted her.  He also knew he couldn't have her. But I liked that he was willing to try.  He wanted to believe Mackenzie, he wanted to understand her. It was fun to see him get around that stubborn streak.

Laurielu: I like that both Connor and Mackenzie have alpha characteristics.  Did you create one character (Connor or Mackenzie) first and then wrote the other to complement that character? Or did Connor and Mackenzie develop together?

Laura: They both needed to be strong enough to withstand each other-what I mean is, an alpha male can all too often mean an excuse to have a jerk for a hero. I needed her to be strong enough to withstand his personality but also challenge him. A girl from our century will be much more willing to butt heads with a man. So they both developed together. Anytime Connor would issue an order, Mackenzie would instantly bristle. She had to be able to handle this man...or man-handle him -- that too. ;)

Laurielu: (lolz) What is next in your series and/or in 2012?

Laura: Highland Games is a novella that I'm working on releasing around the holidays if all goes as planned, and I'm hard at work on Liam's book, Highland Betrayal, but unfortunately, I don't have any solid dates. 

Fun Questions:

Laurielu:  What is the one thing about yourself that others would be shocked to know?

Laura: uh... I'm really boring, so there's nothing shocking about me. Oh, I know! I have yet to really love a time travel romance-I just can't find one I like. I think it's my secret shame.

Laurielu: Choose a book title for the story of your life.

Laura: The Fireman's Virgin Mistress' Secret Baby, no I'm kidding-but I do love those fun titles! How about, Dark Highland Dreams.

Laurielu: What are you going to dress up as for Halloween? 

Laura: The family is going as Super Mario-so daughter is Princess Peach, son is Mario, hubs is Luigi...and I? I get to be Wario. Fake mustache and all. 

Laurielu: *snickers* You are going to have to take some pictures and share them with us.  So, my last questions is -- How can your readers contact you?

Laura:

twitter: @laurahunsaker
email: highlandhussy@gmail.com 

To enter to win an e-book of Highland Destiny or a $5 gift certificate to Amazon or the Book Depository (winner's choice), please complete the Rafflecopter. When your done please stop by the other participating blogs listed below the Rafflecopter where you will have more chances to win some great giveaways. Good luck!


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Blogs participating in Celebrating Romance Giveaway Hop