Hello lovelies! Today we have a special guest...the fantabulous K.S. Haigwood!! Now Kristie is one of my dearest friends so when she agreed to do an interview I was beyond excited :) When she offered to do a giveaway? Well that just made things that much better!!
Yep, you heard correctly. There's gonna be some giveaways! Two in fact. The first is quite simple, leave a comment with your email address on this blog post and be entered to win an ebook of Kristie and Ella Medler's latest release
The other giveaway requires a little more work but you get a much cooler prize...an
on Amazon and then enter the rafflecopter I've included after the review. Now this one will run longer to give you time to read the book and you'll also be able to find the rafflecopter on Kristie's Facebook profile.
Now that we've gotten that out of the way, grab your coffee or tea and let's dive right in!
So, when did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I have always been an avid reader, but the passion to become a writer didn't grab a hold of me until June, 2010.
I had a vivid dream one night about some very interesting people I'd never met before and, unlike most dreams I've had, it sort of stuck with me. By sort of, I mean I couldn't do anything that I wasn't thinking about it. I woke up thinking about it. I thought about it every waking hour and it was difficult most nights to shut my mind off so I could actually get to sleep. And you guessed it, there they were in my dreams when I finally did get to sleep. It was maddening, but my characters insisted I tell their story.
I finally gave up the fight and sat down in front of my computer. With a full-time job and being a full-time mom, wife and dog-petter, I completed my first novel 3 months later. But it wasn't over, oh no, far from it. My characters did let me rest for about a week before demanding I start the second, though.
I self-published Save My Soul March of this year and Forbidden Touch followed in late June. Both can be found in ebook and print on amazon. Eternal Island was released 10/31/12(Halloween) and I am currently writing Hell's Gift, sequel to Save My Soul. I'm hoping to release it 12/12/12. Wouldn't that be an awesome date to publish a novel? The sequel to Eternal Island, Eternal Immortality, is with my editor and will be released Valentine's Day, 2013 with the 3rd book, Eternal Inception, releasing in July, 2013. I am also 2/3 of the way through a Y/A fallen angel piece called 'The Last Assignment'. You should see more about that one in the spring.
Ok first of all, yay for finally finding a kindred spirit who caught the writing bug later in life lol! And holy crap is that a lot of projects...that's just awesome and I can't wait to read them all!! What has been the most difficult part about being a writer?
Finding enough time for everything. It is extremely difficult to take care of the things that need to be taken care of in everyday life and still make time for your characters. But sometimes my characters don't give me a choice and I have to write, then figure out how to squeeze in time for my family, friends and other things that can't be ignored.
Yes, I know exactly what you mean. It can be so hard to balance everything you need to do and then find time to then sit down and write. I'm still trying to strike the perfect balance now. Who are your favorite authors?
J.R. Ward, Laurell K. Hamilton and Charlaine Harris are my 3 favorite bestselling authors.
Wonderful group of authors. J.R. Ward is a personal favorite of mine! What authors inspire you?
Ella Medler, Trish Marie Dawson, Tara Stogner Wood, Patti Roberts, Miranda Stork, Caroline Levy, Cary Barner-Nelson, Karli Rush and, of course, you Lindsay. Every one of these wonderful writers have inspired me in some way. They are all Independent Authors. They have no contracts. They have nobody demanding they get their book out by a certain deadline. These authors write because they love to write. I have never in my life met a more inspiring bunch of people in all my life, and I am proud that I can call each and every one of them my friend.
Awwww thank you Kristie!! *huge hugs* You inspire me to because of your ability to manage the full time job, having kids, a husband, and I'm sure a billion and one things on your plate and still having so many projects in the works. Ok before I start blubbering, let's move on lol. Do you like to plan your scenes out or do you just wing it?
I have ALWAYS just winged it...until I started my current WIP, Hell's Gift. I have no idea what happened, but the whole book is plotted out in my head, impatiently waiting for me to get it all written out.
Look at that, we are so alike! Must be why we get along so well ;) What type of books do you like to read?
Romance all the way. I just love that feeling I get when two characters fall in love. Throw in some suspense, drama and paranormal and that's an added bonus.
I couldn't agree more. What do you like to do in your free time?
What free time? LOL Uh, well, when I'm not writing I'm usually on some type of social network chatting it up with my writer friends, promoting my books or the books of other awesome Indie Authors.
I know right? Who has free time these days?? Where is your favorite place to vacation?
What's a vacation? No, seriously, I don't get out much, but my family usually tries to visit Branson, MO at least twice a year. The tourist city is so full of life and entertainment and there is inspiration around every corner.
Now, now, I happen to know that you have an exciting trip in the works in about a year ;) As for Branson, never been there but I shall add it to the list of places I'm going to make hubby take me :D Halloween was last week but since Eternal Island was released on Halloween, I'm going to have to ask this...what is the craziest Halloween costume you’ve ever worn?
Hmmm...I was a naughty angel a couple of years ago. That was fun. ;-)
LOVE IT! Where are the pics? Was there a reason why you picked Halloween as your release date?
I write in the paranormal suspense romance genre and we thought Halloween would be the perfect date for the first book in the Eternal series to come out because of what the characters in the books happen to be, vampires, witches and there may be a ghost in there, too. Oh, and I am coauthoring the whole series with Ella Medler. She is awesome and I couldn't have picked a better author to share my characters with.
Ella seems like a truly wonderful person. Plus I agree, you can't pick a much more perfect date to release the start of a series like that! Why did you choose to write a paranormal romance?
I didn't, it chose me.
Well, it chose well; you're books are simply amazeballs! What has been the most fun about working on Eternal Island?
The characters. I love each and every one of them, and I am so happy they chose me to write their story. The story is so original. Eternal Island was one of them that I winged it. I had absolutely no idea how it was going to end, what was going to happen in the next chapter or actually even the next paragraph. So it was fun discovering what my characters had in store for me.
I love your characters, Kristie. They are always so complex with tons of layers to them and you never know quite how things will turn out for them. How do you come up with the premise for your books?
I don't. I have 57 voices (characters) in my head that tell me what to write, so I have to come up with very little.
And people call me crazy! LOL, I kid of course. 57? Wow, that just boggles my mind. Can you tell me more about the world in which Eternal Island is set?
It's present day. Eternal Island is an island 150 miles off the coast of California. Not just anybody would be able to find it, though. There is a spell on it so that only the people that live there or people that know the magic word can see it. It is invisible to everyone else. Vampires run it. Witches protect it.
Ok that is so damn creative, I don't know what else to say about it lol. Seriously people, does that not make you want to run out and read it then review it so you can hold it in your grubby little hands?!? Sorry, I digress :) Do you have any favorite characters from your books?
Each of my characters have completely different personalities. They all have their faults just like real people, but there is also at least one thing about each and every one of them that is unique. Readers want that. They want to be able to bond and fall in love with the characters. Eternal Island is full of them, too. It would be very hard for me to pick a favorite, because it would be like picking a favorite child, not possible for me to do. I love how Abe is such an arrogant, egotistical male, but in the split second he sees Ariana all his defenses come tumbling down and he wants to be a better male. I could go on and on and on. Abe isn't my favorite; they are all my favorites.
Excuse me while my romantic heart melts. That is my kind of hero :) Give us a little insight into Eternal Island.
A place where vampires rule, witches play, danger lurks and dreams really do come true.
Eternal Island is a paranormal suspense novel, deeply rooted into myth. Vampires and magic form a unique backdrop to a love story with long reaching consequences. Human girl Ariana Lochalan finds herself transported from the relative calm of her ‘Nowhere, Arkansas’ life into a diametrically opposite existence when she discovers she is a powerful witch and meant to wed High Vampire of Eternal Island, Abe Cambridge. Despite first-sight magnetism, the two protagonists are being pushed apart, obstacles tripping them at every step, outside forces interfering and threatening their peace, and ultimately their lives.
A world rich in magic and intrigue, Eternal Island is the first installment of a saga which has love at its core and delves through the mire that is human nature in a turmoil of feeling and emotion. Would courage, resilience and love be enough to bring together two soul mates?
How much would you sacrifice to save the one who owns your heart?
You know you want this book people. How the hell could you not?? You mentioned earlier how prolific you've been so far with your books. Can you tell me a little them?
Save My Soul is my guardian angel/demon/soulmate novel. I'm currently writing the sequel to it. It's called Hell's Gift. I have a stand-alone vampire novel out called Forbidden Touch. It will eventually be a series, too, but it will definitely be next year before I will be able to get to it.
Squee can't wait for Hell's Gift!! And you hear that lovelies? Tons of books for your TBR pile!! I absolutely love your writing style! How many books are you planning for the series and when can we expect the next one?
There are already 3 novels in the series, but the second 2 are roughly written still. Ella works magic. If it wasn't for her the series probably would have never been published. We save each other. Ella has at least 2 more in her head after the 3 that are already written. She really bonded with my characters. They love her, too. =D
Aww I'm so happy for you that you found a writing partner who meshes with you so well!! Ok we are unfortunately just about out of time. Tell me before you go, what's next for you?
The moon maybe. All I know is the sky is not the limit.
LOL love that answer hon! Anything else you want your readers to know?
Don't ever stop chasing your dreams. And above all else, listen to the voices in your head if you're lucky enough to have more than just one. ;-)
Thank you so much for that advice and for joining me today!! I know things have been a bit hectic lately with your release, but I loved having you here. MWAH!
Now lovelies, you know you want to enter the contests! Read on to find out where to buy Eternal Island and to enter the giveaways!
A place where vampires rule, witches play, danger lurks and dreams really do come true.
Eternal Island is a paranormal suspense novel, deeply rooted into myth. Vampires and magic form a unique backdrop to a love story with long reaching consequences. Human girl Ariana Lochalan finds herself transported from the relative calm of her ‘Nowhere, Arkansas’ life into a diametrically opposite existence when she discovers she is a powerful witch and meant to wed High Vampire of Eternal Island, Abe Cambridge. Despite first-sight magnetism, the two protagonists are being pushed apart, obstacles tripping them at every step, outside forces interfering and threatening their peace, and ultimately their lives.
A world rich in magic and intrigue, Eternal Island is the first installment of a saga which has love at its core and delves through the mire that is human nature in a turmoil of feeling and emotion. Would courage, resilience and love be enough to bring together two soul mates?
How much would you sacrifice to save the one who owns your heart?
Kristie Haigwood (a.k.a. K.S. Haigwood) is currently writing her 8th novel. She lives in Arkansas, US. She is the mother of 2 awesome kids and 2 great dogs. She is happily married to her soulmate who thinks reading is a solid waste of time. Opposites attract. Kristie’s works include 'Save My Soul', 'Forbidden Touch', 'Eternal Island' and 'Hell's Gift' (available on Amazon in ebook and print). 'Eternal Immortality', 'Eternal Inception', 'The Last Assignment' and 'Good Side of Sin' are all releasing soon.
Ella Medler is an author and playwright who lives in Cornwall, UK. She likes to experiment with different genres and is passionate about the human nature. Her works include the satire Martin Little, Resurrected, and the action thriller Blood is Heavier, both part of a series. Blood is Power is due for release in May 2013, and Martin Little Takes Epic Action, in summer 2013.
Kristie and Ella's Gift to you!
