Author Interview and giveaway: HP Mallory

 
I recently had the opportunity to read FIRE BURN and CAULDRON BUBBLE, a book that has been burning a trail through book blogs all over the world.  The author, HP Mallory, has graciously agreed to part-take in my “author interview spot” (thank you, HP!) and she will be giving one lucky winner the chance to win a copy of her book.
Please tell us a little about yourself, when you started writing and how you got to this point in your writing career.  What was some of the big milestones?
I have always wanted to be a writer, ever since I was little. I took a ton of creative writing classes through high school and university and was even an English major. I went the traditional route of the big New York agent and when that went nowhere, I decided to take my career into my own hands. I published just about 2 months ago on Amazon and I haven’t looked back since. The biggest milestone so far has been surpassing my own goals in terms of my book sales and boy, does it feel good!
What was your inspiration for Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble?  How did it all start?
Well, I’ve always loved the paranormal as a genre. As a kid, I read every ghost book I could get my hands on. Then about two years ago while I was living in Cambridge, England, I started reading the Sookie Stackhouse and Anita Blake series and I was hooked. I thought to myself that maybe I should dust off the old writing habit and give it a shot and that’s how I ended up where I am today.
Are your characters based on people you know?
No, never. Little things that happen around me might infiltrate my stories but they are pretty much right out of my head.
Are you working on a new book?  Can you give us a little taste of what's to come?
Yes, I’m working on the follow up book to Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble, titled Toil and Trouble. It will basically pick up where Fire Burn left off, answering some questions but leaving others still up in the air and there will be a big surprise. But, that’s all I’m going to say. LOL
What is your favourite part about being a published author?
Well, I’m not traditionally published so I don’t know! LOL As far as being an indie author and holding my own out there next to the traditionally published authors, it feels great!
Is writing your full time career?  I always find it interesting how writers work writing time into their schedules - please share a typical workday with us.
No, it’s not unfortunately. I work in online marketing during the day and with my 16 month old son, I find time is scarce! To get my writing time in, I wake up every morning at 5 am and write for 1.5 hours, then I go to work until 5 and then start working on my books at 9 pm, after my son is asleep. Phew!
What advice can you give other aspiring authors out there?
Never give up. If your career isn’t going the way you want it to, don’t be afraid to forge your own path. Self publishing is tricky because you really have to know how to market yourself (helps that I’m in online marketing for my day job) and you really have to make sure your books are ready to be released—that means free of grammar issues, that the story is well thought out, etc.
Most of all, just never give up!!!
Thank you so much for letting us pick your brain a bit, HP.  We wish you even greater success in your writing career!
Get to know HP Mallory and her books at her websites:
www.hpmallory.com
www.urbanfantasyauthor.blogspot.com
Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble:
Goodreads Blurb:
 
A self-deprecating witch with the unique ability to reanimate the dead. A dangerously handsome warlock torn between being her boss and her would-be lover. A six hundred year old English vampire with his own agenda; one that includes an appetite for witches. The Underworld in a state of chaos. Let the games begin.
Life isn’t bad for psychic Jolie Wilkins. True, she doesn’t have a love life to speak of, but she has a cute house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a cat and a quirky best friend.
Enter Rand Balfour, a sinfully attractive warlock who insists she’s a witch and who just might turn her life upside down. Rand hires her to help him solve a mystery regarding the death of his client who also happens to be a ghost. Jolie not only uncovers the cause of the ghost’s demise but, in the process, she brings him back to life!
Word of Jolie’s incredible ability to bring back the dead spreads like wildfire, putting her at the top of the Underworld’s most wanted list. Consequently, she finds herself at the center of a custody battle between a villainous witch, a dangerous but oh-so-sexy vampire, and her warlock boss, Rand.
GIVEAWAY:
One lucky winner will win a e-copy of FIRE BURN AND CAULDRON BUBBLE by HP Mallory.  This giveaway is open worldwide.  I want to make this as easy as possible.  So here are the rules:
You must be a follower of my blog.
Then just leave a comment for HP in the comments box together with your email address.  That’s it!
The winner will be drawn by random.org on 10 October 2010.   Good luck!

Edit:  This giveaway is now closed.

Review: Passions of a Wicked Earl by Lorraine Heath

 

 

Title:  Passions of a Wicked Earl
Series:  London’s Greatest Lovers#1
Author: Lorraine Heath
Genre: Historical Romance
Publication date:  26 October 2010

 

 

Goodreads blurb:
Known throughout London for his prowess in the bedroom, Morgan Lyons, the 8th Earl of Westcliffe, cannot forgive an unpardonable affront to his honour. Discovering his young bride in the arms of his brother was a staggering blow–so he banished the beautiful deceiver to the country and devoted himself to the pursuit of carnal pleasure.
Claire Lyons was an innocent, frightened girl on her wedding day, seeking chaste comfort from a childhood friend. Now, years later, she has blossomed magnificently and has returned to London with one goal in mind: the seduction of her notorious husband. Unskilled in the sensual arts, she burns nonetheless for the kisses too long denied her. And she has but one Season to win back the heart of the rogue she betrayed.

My thoughts:

I really love historical romances – Victorian times were such a softer, gentler time.  But it was not necessarily easier for Claire.  I understand that she did a terrible (although innocent) thing to Westcliffe but I also felt that she was treated unfairly for quite a portion of the book.  She is a totally selfless character, putting aside her own feelings and fears so that her sister can have a “coming out season”.  I did not really enjoy her sister Beth’s character and felt that life was just too easy for her.

I absolutely love tortured heroes and Westcliffe fits this part perfectly.  From the first pages when he thinks that he is one of the few people that does not feel . . . no love, no passion, no anger, not anything.  That soon chances when Claire arrives on his doorstep and he is reminded of all the feelings he had for her since they were children.

I also enjoyed the interaction between the three brothers (the second book of the trilogy will star Stephen, the brother who betrayed Westcliffe). 

The climax at the end of the book was a little too much for my liking and everything was just too neatly sorted out in just a few minutes.

But this was an enjoyable read and lovers of Body Rippers will not be disappointed.

I received this book for review from the publisher.  The opinions expressed are my own and I wasn't influenced in any way.  This review was also added to GOODREADS, BOOK BLOGS and AMAZON.com. 

Fall Giveaway Winner

Thank you to all who participated and who helped make this giveaway a big success.  It was great fun!

I used Radom.org to help me choose a winner and the lucky one is . . .

 

number 86.

Congratulations to Rachelle.  I have sent an email to you.  Please respond within 48 hours.

Things to be happy about #3

 

I got the inspiration for this blog post from the book called14,000 Things to be Happy About.: Revised and Updated edition by Babara Ann Kipfer.  I will be doing a regular post adding things from my everything life.  Here is some of the things that make me smile.

16.  A puppy with her face stuck in a shoe.
17.  Knowing people that knows computers. :)
18.  Having a weekend away from everything.
19.  Hearing nothing but farm noises when you wake in the morning.
20.  The cutest doggy clothes!

    
21.  The smell of frying onions (especially if hubby is making the food!).
 

You might also wanna look at the website called Things to be happy about.  Some more things to be smiling about.

Random Stuff #4

We went away this past long weekend had a wonderful, relaxing time.  We stayed on a farm owned by a friend – he transformed one of the houses into a little guesthouse and a group of us went to re-charge our batteries.

Off course Friday was National Braai (barbeque) day in South Africa, so breakfast started with a braai (bacon, sausages and eggs :)  For supper we had two legs of lamb on a spit.  Yummy!

          

Rain has been very scarce in the area, so we though we would take my Jeep for a little spin in the dry riverbed.  Oops . . . look out!  Mud!!

 

 

Before we knew what happened, my Jeep sank up to the doors into the mud. 

 

 

 

Then the digging started.  If you look closely, you will also see the Landrover in front of us that also got stuck trying to pull us out :) 

By this time we sent some of the children to fetch the farmer and the tractor – lol

After about two hours, we were out and it didn’t stop hubby to want to go and play further in the dunes (which we did).  Luckily we did not get stuck again.  He thought that the getting stuck part was the best part!  :)

A very fun weekend!

Blogger Interview: Edgy Inspirational Romance

Please meet Joy from Edgy Inspirational Romance.  Joy, thank you for letting us be nosey and asking you a few questions :)

Why did you start blogging?  And how long has it been? 
I am still a newbie at this blogging business.  I launched mid May and I've been at it only four months.  I started my book blog because I'm an aspiring Christian romance author who needs a web presence.  Authors need to begin building a platform (that's a fancy word for a fan base) about a year before their book releases. Do I have a book on the horizon?  Unfortunately, no.  But since I also love to read Christian romance,  I'll build a community of fans around that genre, and keep my fingers crossed that one day I'll have something for my followers to read other than my blog. 

How much time and energy do you put into your blog? 
If I had to guess, I'd say I put in about ten hours a week.  But this past summer while I was off from work (I teach elementary school) I put in much more time.  It was a great opportunity to learn the ins and out of Blogger.

Do you enjoy doing memes?  Which ones can be found on your blog?
I do like memes, but I don't do them every week. On occasion I'll do In My Mailbox/Mailbox Mondays, On My Wishlist, It's Monday, what are you reading?, Thursday Thirteen, and Top Ten Tuesday.  I also do the Friday book blog hops.

How would you describe your review style? 
I spend a couple of paragraphs talking about one important aspect of the book.  I don't do a sweeping overview of the story.  I usually pick one element or impression I had and focus on that.  Then I add the back cover blurb and my rating scale.  I also lead with my review and put the story summary at the end, because when I'm reading book reviews I always scroll past the summary anyway.

What advice would you give new book bloggers out there? 
Be consistent with your posting, even if it's only a couple of times a week, and respond to your comments. 

This has been fun! Thanks for interviewing me! :)

THANK YOU, Joy for being the first of my blogger interviews. I love your blog and feel honored that you allowed me this interview. For more on Edgy Inspirational Romance, you can click on the blog button featured at the top of this post.

Welcoming the Fall Giveaway

Welcome to this awesome blog hopping giveaway event hosted by Good Choice Reading.  A whopping 58 blogs are joining in the fun, so be sure to check them all out.  There is lots of prize to be won!  (I have added the list below to make it easy to find everyone.) 
All the giveaways will run from September 22nd – 29th September 2010.  I will draw a winner and let him/her know by email shortly thereafter. 
My giveaway is open worldwide.  I thought long and hard and have come to the conclusion that that the easiest way to allow everyone to enter, is to give away a gift card, so . . .

I will be giving away an $10 Amazon Gift card.

It is easy to enter.  Here’s the steps:

Leave a comment below and be sure the following are included:
- FULL NAME
- Google Friend Connect NAME (you must be a follower)
- e-mail

Extra Entries (Not a Must) +1 for each (no links, no extra entries)
- Follow me on Twitter (please leave your username)
- Blog post (please leave link)
- Shared on Twitter (please leave link)

It’s that easy.  Good luck!

EDIT:  Thank you to everyone for participating - this giveaway is now closed.