Cold Blooded Tour Stop
The first scene in FULL BLOODED played out like a movie in my mind and it all went from there. I had been waiting on books from the library and ultimately sat down at my computer to write the kind of story I wanted to read. I continue to do that every day, and feel so lucky I get do it! *How many books do you have planned in this series? Any hints you can give us for what's in store next? There are five slated so far. RED BLOODED is coming out next year and PURE BLOODED will follow. I am hoping to do more, as the story arc doesn’t end with PURE BLOODED. I’d also love to do some spin-offs. The best place to stay tuned to the newest developments is on my author facebook page: www.facebook.com/authoramandacarlson
*If your books were to be made into a movie, who would be your top picks for the cast?
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I’m terrible at this game, as my characters don’t manifest that way in my mind. That said, I do think Tom Hardy or Chris Helmsworth (a little dirtied up) would be delicious as Rourke! Jessica is harder for me, since she’s so complex in my head. I always say a young Catherine Zeta-Jones paired with Jennifer Garner, but it’s a tough one to get right. For the others—pick your favorite actor or actress and I’m sure they’d do it justice.
*Could you tell us a little about the ups and downs you have experienced in publishing?
Publishing in general has been a dream come true. I’m so thankful I was given a chance at something people work toward their entire lives. The publishing world has definite ups and downs. One of the downs is how long it takes them to take a book from completed ms to getting it in bookstores. I wish that piece took less time. A publishing up? Seeing my books in the bookstores. There’s nothing like it. It’s so much fun.
*What are some of your favorite books in the paranormal genre?
The early Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris are some of my all time favorites. I think they’ll always have a special place in my heart because I read them early on when paranormal was fresh to me. I was so taken with her world and the fact vampires were out and humans knew about them. It was refreshing. I love anything by Kresley Cole. She has an amazing voice you can’t really go wrong. Darynda Jones is wonderful as well. Her Charley Davidson books will leave you laughing and happy. I also love Kristen Painter, Kristen Callihan, and Amanda Bonilla. You can’t really go wrong with any of them.
*If you could tell readers one thing about yourself or your books, what would that be?
I plan to be around for a while, lol. I have a few more projects in the works, both UF and PNR. I hope readers stick around and check them out because they enjoy my writing style.
*What is the craziest or at least most interesting thing you have ever done?
Wow, I’m not really sure! I’m afraid I live a pretty quiet life, lol. But last year I swam with sharks. Does that count as interesting? I was in a cage three miles out in the ocean. That was pretty insane. Dark blue waters crawling with sharks. I hope that counts as crazy!
*Finish this statement: "You'll like the Jessica McClain series if...
...you love action and adventure mixed with a little sexy in your urban fantasy.”
Thanks so much for hosting me today! COLD BLOODED released on 10/8 and I’m so excited it’s out in the world.
Thanks Amanda!!
Author Info:
I started writing in earnest after my second child was born. After purchasing our first computer, I thought to myself, what better way to spend my time than e-mailing unsuspecting family members super cute stories about my exceptionally darling children? Isn’t that what computers were made for anyway?
The writer in me stretched and gave a defiant shove. I was hooked.
I jumped into writing classes, joined local writing chapters, organized author book signings, joined critique groups and participated in conferences. I had a blast writing a column in a local food & wine publication, and eventually tied together all my parenting stories into one full compilation.
My first fiction attempt was a contemporary romance, but I couldn’t seem to find the story. After my kids starting bringing home YA urban fantasy, I suddenly knew where my passion for fiction writing had been hiding. It was inside the action packed pages of an Urban Fantasy novel. Reading each new series was so much fun, I quickly realized this genre brought something to the storyline I hadn’t really seen before. It brought a hefty shot of adrenaline combined with a side of female kickass, all combined with that element of “other” I found so intriguing.
After reading YA, I picked up every adult UF I could get my hands on and I’ve been fully immersed in this genre ever since. On occasion I still pick up a “regular” book. But for the most part I find them lacking in superpowers and the excitement of the unexpected.
I started FULL BLOODED because kickass heroines rock and I love shifters of all kinds. There aren’t enough warm-blooded girls to go around, in my opinion. I fell into Jessica’s story and had such a great time writing it. I couldn’t imagine writing anything other than urban fantasy now.
When you’re creating a story in this fantastic genre, it can contain almost any elements you can dream up. Creatively, for me, there’s nothing better.
Now I think it’s about time to share it with all of you.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, with a BA in both Speech and Hearing Science & Child Development. She went on to get an A.A.S in Sign Language Interpreting and worked as an interpreter until her first child was born. She enjoys playing Scrabble to an unhealthy degree, shopping trips to Ikea and has a great weakness for tropical beaches. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and three kids.
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Book Info:
Magic, mayhem and madness explode in this third installment in the Jessica McClain series.
Jessica McClain is on the run... again.
Finally reunited with Rourke, Jessica arrives home to find that her best friend has been kidnapped, her father has vanished, and the supernatural Sects -- witches, demons, and sorcerers --- don't even have the courtesy to wait until she is unpacked to attack.
Now, mastering her powers as the sole female werewolf might not be enough to save them. Thrown together in a shaky truce with the Vampire Queen, Jessica must show all the different Sects what the true meaning of "the enemy of my enemy" is or her father will die...
