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!

To enter giveaway click here

Author Interview: E.L. James

Bona Fide Reflections welcomes the author of 

Fifty Shades of Grey and Fifty Shades Darker, E.L. James.

Laurielu:  Ms. James, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

E.L. James:  I live in West London in the UK with 4 men: two teenagers, a grumpy Irishman (my husband) and a wee West Highland Terrier called Max.  When we had a hamster (called Chewy – named by my youngest son after Chewbacca) I insisted that he was male too. Yes -- I am the only girl in this house.  I work for a small independent television production company, making mainly comedy shows (I really do work with a bunch of comedians.) I have only ever worked in television but in that sphere I have done everything from live music to drama to documentaries. I love where I work at the moment because I am part-time – which means I am free sometimes to write!

Laurielu:  If you could describe yourself with one word, what would it be?

E.L. James:  Anxious, funny, cowardly, brave – delete as appropriate.

Laurielu:  When did you start writing and how did you get started?

E.L. James:  I have always wanted to write but could never find the time or get beyond the first chapter or so. At the beginning of 2009 I read the Twilight series, and I loved it.  I found it so inspiring I sat down and wrote my first novel. I then wrote another, and in the Summer of 2009 I discovered fan fiction.  I had a go at that – wrote one story in 3 weeks, then a story that eventually became the Fifty Shades series.

Laurielu:  Can you tell us about your challenges in getting you first book published?

E.L. James:  I’ll be honest and say it hasn’t been a challenge. I asked The Writer’s Coffee Shop if they wanted the book and they said yes.

Laurielu:  If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change?

E.L. James:  No. It is what it is. 

Laurielu:  How do you market your work? What avenues have you found work best for publishing contemporary romance?

E.L. James: I am still too new to this business to answer this question. My first book only came out at the end of May!

Laurielu: I understand you have a primary career in the communications industry. How do you find time to write?

E.L. James: I only work part time – most of the time – though at the moment it’s pretty full-on as we’re in production of a pilot for a new comedy show

Laurielu:  What is the main inspiration for you writing?

E.L. James: That’s a very difficult question to answer. I usually start with one very simple idea, then see where it takes me.  It can sometimes come from a passing phrase, or I get a glimpse of something out a car window… who can say?

Laurielu:  When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

E.L. James: My first novel - which is unpublished - I started writing in January 2009 and finished in April 2009.

Laurielu:  Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as adult?

E.L. James:  I love romantic fiction.  I have an attic full of romance books: Elizabeth Lowell, Nora Roberts, Laura Kinsale, and Judith McNaught are my favourite authors -to name but a few.

Laurielu:  Is anything in Fifty Shades Trilogy based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

E.L. James: Mostly my imagination ;)

Laurielu: What other writing projects are you writing besides trying to complete the Fifty Shades Trilogy?

E.L. James:   I’d like to re-write my first two novels. The first is another contemporary erotic romance, the second is a young adult paranormal story.  But I am working on a new contemporary romance at the moment.

Laurielu:  How can readers contact you?

E.L. James: Via my blog at www.50shades.com - my contact details are here.



Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!

18 & Over Book Blogger Giveaway Hop (September 15 - 18)

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

WINNER: Phaedra Seabolt   CONGRATULATIONS!

Welcome to the 18 & Over Blogger Giveaway Hop hosted by Bitten By Paranormal Romance and Reading Between the Wines Book Club. In honor of Bona Fide Reflections second blog hop, I am doing my second author interview and book giveaway. Please, welcome Ms. Leia Shaw who has written two wonderful paranormal romances: Destiny Divided, Shadows of Destiny #1 and Destiny United, Shadows of Destiny #2. The winner of this give-away gets to choose the book they would like to read. (My review of Destiny United will be posted tomorrow).

To win the book, please follow the directions at the end of Leia's interview.The winner will be announced on September 19th here on the blog and notified via e-mail.


Destiny Divided's blurb from Goodreads:
"Pure power flooded her body flowing freely through her veins. She had just found an emotion stronger than anger and fear combined. Lust. And there was no containing her now".

After fleeing her native city - and nightmares of a traumatic childhood - Sage Peterson meets the overbearing, pretentious, yet haunted Professor Elias. He's the only one who knows about her mysterious powers, which seem to be spiraling out of control. When he convinces her to train with him, she finds herself thrust into a five hundred year war and on the run from vampires, werewolves, and even worse - her budding feelings for James Elias.

James had been living a dull and empty existence for the past century and a half. When a fiery half-sorceress, half-witch with a stubborn streak and sharp wit enters his life, he sees her only as a potential weapon to use against his greatest enemy. But when he discovers the vulnerable woman beneath the angry mask, instinct screams to keep her safe. To protect and provide. And to claim her as his.

But will it be too late? As passion and lust ignite between them, vengeance is slipping away. And when Sage is confronted with fulfilling an unexpected destiny, will she choose to trust James with her heart?

If you would like to read my review of Destiny Divided by Leia Shaw, click here.

Author Interview with Leia Shaw:

Laurielu: Could you tell us a little about yourself?

Leia: I'm 30 years old. I live in New England with my husband and two kids. I like classic rock and have 5 tattoos. I'm sarcastic and irreverant, but loyal. I've travelled to nine foreign countries and sang Aretha Franklin during a hypnotism comedy show.

Laurielu: When did you start writing and how did you get started?

Leia: Well, I've always written in some aspect of my life, even when I wasn't technically an author. But I started writing romance novels June 2010. I was in the airport waiting to fly to visit my best friend and I was browsing Borders during a layover. I was frustrated that I couldn't find a book with the "it" factor - a perfect combination of everything I want in a book. So I said, "why not write one?" (I blame lack of quality air on the plane for this epiphany. I've since complained to Delta headquarters.) So to the detriment of my BFF (hi, Devan) I spent the next four days plotting my first book. Which, three months later, I promptly trashed. Because...well, damn it, writing is hard! Turns out I didn't know what I was doing. Fast forward one year later and I'm currently writing my third novel. I still can't claim to know what I'm doing but, hey, you liked the books, right? Right?

Laurielu: Do you have any rituals that you use when you are writing?

Leia:  Uhh...I put my thinking cap on? No, there's nothing really. Sorry. I'm kinda lame.

Laurielu:  Is there a place you go for inspiration to write?

Leia:  Anywhere there aren't any children. No, really, that includes the bathroom.

Laurielu: What are some of your favorite books and authors?

Leia: Okay, anyone who's read any interviews of mine already know the answer because I name the same authors each time. Again, I apologize for my lameness (hm, no spell check correction. I'm surprised). So here we go. There are many favorites but these are my favoritest favorites (oh, spell check doesn't like me now). Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark, Karen Marie Moning's Fever series, Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniels series, and Diana Gabaldon's The Outlander. All have inspired me in some way.

Laurielu: Has writing your own book changed the way that you read?

Leia: Not really. I still read for enjoyment. The only thing might be in the...er...intimate scenes. If there's a certain word or image I like, I might make a mental note.

Laurielu: Are you able to read when you’re writing and if so what books inspire you when you’re working on a novel?

Leia: I'm always reading, even when I'm on a deadline with my own writing. It's so important. It keeps me motivated and happy. And let's face it, if I'm happy, you're happy. You wouldn't want to skip a HEA just because I was in a bad mood would you?

Laurielu: Who was your favorite character to write, and why did you like that character?

Leia: Easy. Sage, my heroine from Destiny Divided. Which is funny because she is my most...um...complained about character. Lol! Poor Sage. She had a rough childhood and lashes out at the world. She's sarcastic, snarky, and has some anger issues. Snark, sarcasm, anger...it's very easy to write. Subtle characters are harder. Both h/h in my third book are subtle. Funny and likeable but in a different way. Marcelo, the hero from Destiny United, was fun to write because he got to say all sorts of romantic, sexy things in a Spanish accent. He's yummy!

Laurielu: Did you have to do much research when working on the books you write? If so, do you tend to write first or research first?

Leia: Well, since I got to make up my world world (*squeals and claps*) the only research I did was when I used different languages and a few history references. I do have to keep track of my world rules though. That can be tricky.

Laurielu: When you write do you know right away how the story will  go, or does the story unfold as you write?

Leia:  A little of both. The first thing that forms is the characters. For me they're the most important part of a story. They solidify in my head, almost becoming real people, then they just kind of take over. The story might change subtly as I go but the basic outline sticks to what I'd fleshed out ahead of time. But the characters surprise me sometimes too. Like the hero I'm writing now (for book 3) suddenly has a naughty streak (*wink*). I'm like, where did that come from? It caught me off guard but it fits at the same time. Okay, now I sound crazy, don't I? I swear my characters don't talk to me. Much.

Laurielu:  What advice would you give to those aspiring writers out there?

Leia:  Join a critique group. Or at least find a really good critique partner. Someone not afraid to tell you the truth. Also, don't be afraid to take risks.

Laurielu: What is next for you in 2011?

Leia:  I hate to break it to you but 2011 is almost over. But I do have plans! I'm writing a novella that I'll offer for free in October to get readers interested in the next book in the Shadows of Destiny series. Stay tuned to my social media sites and website (listed below) for the details. I'm shooting for an early December release of Destiny Unchained, my 3rd full-length novel - before the mad rush of the holidays. Destiny Unchained is my first book involving werewolves. Cristian is the Northwest pack alpha and a warm, well-loved, passionate man. Natalia is an ice-cold vampire assassin who's sole purpose is killing rogue werewolves. The two of them team up to catch a really messed up werewolf serial killer. And Natalia finds Cristian is a man worth melting for.

Laurielu: How can your readers contact you?

Leia: Oooh....I love to hear from readers!

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/leiashaw

Twitter: @LeiaShaw

Blog: http://www.leiashaw.blogspot.com

Website: http://www.leiashaw.com

Email: leia@leiashaw.com

Destiny United is the second book in Leia Shaw's original paranormal world. She has a wonderful voice and two great stories to share. My review of the second installment will be posted tomorrow.

To enter giveaway click here