Hi guys. Today I'm featuring the wonderful Stephanie Nelson on my blog. We have an awesome interview and giveaway for you! Before we get to that, here's a little about her books.
Gwen Sparks Series
Craved : Book 1
WITCH FOUND DRAINED
Gwen Sparks just wants to live a peaceful life in the supernatural town of Flora, but from the moment she read about the first murdered witch, all hope of peace was abandoned. Possessing the rare ability to read the memories of dead, she volunteers to help catch the culprit behind the string of drained witches. Gwen has to team up with the one man who broke her heart, deal with a ghost who pulls her into the deathly realm at will, and a fight off the advances of sexy but frustrating vampire who not only craves what runs through her veins—he wants her heart.
The vampire drug, brew, nearly ruined Gwen Sparks’ life. Just when things started to get back to normal between her and Aiden, she is summoned by the North American Witches Council to their central city of Moon. A war is imminent between vampires and witches, and Gwen’s experiences with brew are being used to fuel the fire. She is about to discover just how powerful she is with the help of the ruggedly handsome Angel of Death and just how far some people will go to get what they want. Gwen is going to learn exactly what it means to be Deceived.
Coveted : Book 3
Having prevented the war between the witches and vampires, Gwen Sparks was ready to move on and heal. She thought she could go home and her life would return to normal—she thought wrong.
Being a spirit walker offers her protection, but it also put her life in danger as others covet what she possesses. A bounty is placed on Gwen and rogues, who will stop at nothing to get the job done, relentlessly track her.
With no choice but to head to New Orleans to retrieve a special dagger, Gwen comes face to face with the angel of Death and the feelings she has been denying. Living in a world where everyone has a motive, can Gwen find the inner strength she needs to save her own life?
Being a spirit walker offers her protection, but it also put her life in danger as others covet what she possesses. A bounty is placed on Gwen and rogues, who will stop at nothing to get the job done, relentlessly track her.
With no choice but to head to New Orleans to retrieve a special dagger, Gwen comes face to face with the angel of Death and the feelings she has been denying. Living in a world where everyone has a motive, can Gwen find the inner strength she needs to save her own life?
Hexed : Book 4
The rules that once bound magic no longer apply. The balance between death and life has tipped, and Gwen Sparks can’t remember a thing. Left at the mercy of those claiming to be her friends, Gwen must piece together her life through flashes of random memories and vivid dreams, featuring two very alluring men. One thing is for sure, if they don’t fix the problem soon, the fate of the supernatural world is doomed.
With the help of the last four remaining spirit walkers, Dorian Hade will fight like hell to fix what’s been broken and save the woman he has fallen for. But he’ll find out that some problems aren’t that easy to fix, and the only solution to this one is death.
Gwen will sacrifice everything to save the ones she loves and right the world.
Dorian will do everything to stop her. To save the woman he loves.
With the help of the last four remaining spirit walkers, Dorian Hade will fight like hell to fix what’s been broken and save the woman he has fallen for. But he’ll find out that some problems aren’t that easy to fix, and the only solution to this one is death.
Gwen will sacrifice everything to save the ones she loves and right the world.
Dorian will do everything to stop her. To save the woman he loves.
Resurrected : Book 4
No Blurb Yet.
Taming The Wolf : Book 1
Embracing The Wolf : Book 2
Ruling The Wolf : Book 3
1) You have 2 different series published at the moment, Gwen Sparks and Anna Avery, can you tell us how they differ?
I actually have three series out right now: Gwen Sparks, Anna Avery, and my Small Town Novels. My Gwen Sparks series is about a special kind of witch known as a spirit walker. She's able to interact and control the dead. My Gwen Sparks series has many different creatures in it. Gwen has a vampire and a werewolf for an ex, and now she's dating the angel of Death. She runs a magical shop called Broomsticks and can't seem to stay out of trouble. My Anna Avery series centers mainly around werewolves, though a few other creatures may pop up every now and then. Anna was changed against her will and is now trying to make the best out of a bad situation. She's mated to the packs alpha, but Anna has more power than any werewolf to date. This will cause her a few problems. My Small Town series are New Adult books about a couple who come from different lifestyles, but fell for each other despite their upbringings.
2) How long are each series going to be?
I don't have a set amount of books for my Anna Avery or Gwen Sparks series. I'm in the process releasing Gwen's fourth book and writing her fifth and writing Anna's third book. My Small Town series will get four books.
3) Which world is your favourite?
I love all the worlds I've created, but I think Gwen's world is my favorite. She lives in a sanctioned town for paranormals, which is home to many different types. I think it would be cool if special towns existed for otherworldly beings.
4) What are your favorite characters to write about ( vampires, witches etc) and which character do you relate the most to? (question from Stephanies fan page)
I actually don't have a favorite. I absolutely love writing paranormal creatures though. They're so much fun to write and I can make them however I want, whereas with writing contemporary, I am limited with characteristics. Out of all of my characters, I think I relate most to Anna Avery. She's strong yet easy going and has loves her friends and family.
5) What research did you have to do?
Since I made everything up in my Gwen Sparks books I didn't have to do much research. It all came from my imagination. With my Anna Avery series I had to do a little research on Buffalo, Wyoming's landscape. I've been to Buffalo many times but I had to look up lake names to make sure they were accurate. The story behind Crazy Woman Canyon in Taming the Wolf was another truth that I had to reference. With Turning Home (Book 1 in my Small Town Series) I had to study up on Alabama's weather and the University of Alabama.
6) How important are names to you in books? Do you choose the names based on liking them or have they some other meaning?
I actually hate picking out names for books. It's one of the toughest things for me for some reason, mainly picking out last names. I usually pick them out because I either really like them or they fit with the character I picture in my head. I changed Gwen's name at least four times before I settled on Gwen.
7) How do you plot? Do you write it down, have a mood board etc?
I don't plot my books for the most part. I always have an idea of the plot and who the villain will be, but other than that I let the characters direct the story. They have a mind of their own and I find that if I try to plan my books out, they never follow along.
8) Have you any weird writing habits?
I do have a couple writing habits but they're not really weird. I have to have something to drink and music playing. For some reason I cannot write without music. I also cannot be interrupted while writing or I lose all concentration and have to stop.
9) When did you realize you had a passion for writing and what inspired you to take the plunge to publish? (question from Stephanies fan page)
I was a late bloomer to the reading world. I hated reading but I always wanted to love it. I would buy books based on their covers but could never make myself actually read them. Things changed when Twilight first came out and I couldn't go a day without hearing about it. I decided to buy the first book to see what the rave was all about, and sat down to read it. To my surprise, the book held my interest and I headed to the bookstore to buy the rest of the books. After finishing the series, I spent a lot of time at the bookstore looking for more paranormal romance stories. I read so many books in that year that my own ideas starting to create themselves in my head. Just out of curiosity, I started a story and found that I enjoyed writing. I did this for about a year before the idea for my Gwen Sparks series came to me. I was invited into HP Mallory's writer's group and learned a lot about the publishing world, then deciding to publish Gwen's first book.
10) Do you create your own book covers? (question from Stephanies fan page)
Yes, I do some of my own covers. I bought Photoshop a couple years ago to learn and started doing my own covers. Soon, I was doing covers for other authors. Though I work part time as a graphic artist, I will still pay for a cover artist if I like their work more than my own. I've since updated my Gwen Sparks covers but the originals I did myself, and also Taming the Wolf and Turning Home's covers.
11) If you were a character in one of your books for a day what would you do?
Hmm...If I were a character in my books I would probably annoy the supernaturals with all my questions. I would want to know everything about them. I think going dancing with Gwen would be fun or hiking with Anna would be great.
12) What are you working on now?
Right now I'm working on Gwen's fifth book, Resurrected. It'll be releasing January 11th so I have little time for anything else until it's done.
13) Describe Gwen and Anna in 5 words.
Gwen: Sarcastic, loyal, funny, stubborn, and strong.
Anna: Strong, loyal, laid-back, sarcastic, and cautious
14) A question I've been dying to ask, but not book related is...is your house haunted? The reason I ask is because I know it's an older home. (question from Stephanies fan page)
Ha ha! Actually...maybe. All of my life I've had experiences. No matter where I live I always experience something. In my previous house I heard mumbling a lot and was touched a few times. I even saw a ghost in my bedroom. In my new house, well, new to me; it's 106 years old, I've heard what sounds like someone banging their boots on the porch, as though they're cleaning them off. I've heard drums playing in my hallway upstairs. My shower loofah had it's rope cut cleanly and my razor was lying on the floor. I've heard whistling in my upstairs hallway as well. My sister heard singing when I first moved in and we were painting. So far (knock on wood) nothing has hurt me or felt particularly evil.
Quick Fire Round
Favourite Drink - iced coffee
Favourite Food - pot roast and potatoes
Favourite colour - hot pink
Favourite place - home
Favourite movie/TV series - The Big Bang Theory
Favourite reading spot - curled up on the couch
Anna Avery Series
Taming The Wolf : Book 1
Attacked by a wolf while hiking in the mountains, Anna Avery's life just got a little hairier. Living in the Big Horn mountains in Wyoming, with a group of werewolves who are more animal than human, Anna must try to hold onto her human side. It's not easy when the alpha continues to persuade her into his bed, while another wolf is chomping at the bit to become her mate. To top it all off, dead bodies are showing up and it just so happens that Anna was the last to see them alive. She'll have to work to prove her innocence and taming the wolf who bites first and asks questions never.
Embracing The Wolf : Book 2
For the first time, Anna Avery was looking forward to the future. She’s mated to her soul mate. The pack has become her new family, and she has friends she can confide in. She had every reason to look ahead, until a vision put her future happiness in jeopardy.
Someone is set on destroying her mate, Adam, and only Anna can prevent this possible future. While trying to unravel the hazy web of her premonition, she finds out the annual pack conference will take place on her mountain. And Adam’s parents will be attending. As only a “made” wolf, Anna will have to face their prejudice and possibly make the hardest decision she has ever had to make. Because saving Adam’s life might just mean walking away from him for forever.
Someone is set on destroying her mate, Adam, and only Anna can prevent this possible future. While trying to unravel the hazy web of her premonition, she finds out the annual pack conference will take place on her mountain. And Adam’s parents will be attending. As only a “made” wolf, Anna will have to face their prejudice and possibly make the hardest decision she has ever had to make. Because saving Adam’s life might just mean walking away from him for forever.
Ruling The Wolf : Book 3
No Blurb Yet.
Interview
1) You have 2 different series published at the moment, Gwen Sparks and Anna Avery, can you tell us how they differ?
I actually have three series out right now: Gwen Sparks, Anna Avery, and my Small Town Novels. My Gwen Sparks series is about a special kind of witch known as a spirit walker. She's able to interact and control the dead. My Gwen Sparks series has many different creatures in it. Gwen has a vampire and a werewolf for an ex, and now she's dating the angel of Death. She runs a magical shop called Broomsticks and can't seem to stay out of trouble. My Anna Avery series centers mainly around werewolves, though a few other creatures may pop up every now and then. Anna was changed against her will and is now trying to make the best out of a bad situation. She's mated to the packs alpha, but Anna has more power than any werewolf to date. This will cause her a few problems. My Small Town series are New Adult books about a couple who come from different lifestyles, but fell for each other despite their upbringings.
2) How long are each series going to be?
I don't have a set amount of books for my Anna Avery or Gwen Sparks series. I'm in the process releasing Gwen's fourth book and writing her fifth and writing Anna's third book. My Small Town series will get four books.
3) Which world is your favourite?
I love all the worlds I've created, but I think Gwen's world is my favorite. She lives in a sanctioned town for paranormals, which is home to many different types. I think it would be cool if special towns existed for otherworldly beings.
4) What are your favorite characters to write about ( vampires, witches etc) and which character do you relate the most to? (question from Stephanies fan page)
I actually don't have a favorite. I absolutely love writing paranormal creatures though. They're so much fun to write and I can make them however I want, whereas with writing contemporary, I am limited with characteristics. Out of all of my characters, I think I relate most to Anna Avery. She's strong yet easy going and has loves her friends and family.
5) What research did you have to do?
Since I made everything up in my Gwen Sparks books I didn't have to do much research. It all came from my imagination. With my Anna Avery series I had to do a little research on Buffalo, Wyoming's landscape. I've been to Buffalo many times but I had to look up lake names to make sure they were accurate. The story behind Crazy Woman Canyon in Taming the Wolf was another truth that I had to reference. With Turning Home (Book 1 in my Small Town Series) I had to study up on Alabama's weather and the University of Alabama.
6) How important are names to you in books? Do you choose the names based on liking them or have they some other meaning?
I actually hate picking out names for books. It's one of the toughest things for me for some reason, mainly picking out last names. I usually pick them out because I either really like them or they fit with the character I picture in my head. I changed Gwen's name at least four times before I settled on Gwen.
7) How do you plot? Do you write it down, have a mood board etc?
I don't plot my books for the most part. I always have an idea of the plot and who the villain will be, but other than that I let the characters direct the story. They have a mind of their own and I find that if I try to plan my books out, they never follow along.
8) Have you any weird writing habits?
I do have a couple writing habits but they're not really weird. I have to have something to drink and music playing. For some reason I cannot write without music. I also cannot be interrupted while writing or I lose all concentration and have to stop.
9) When did you realize you had a passion for writing and what inspired you to take the plunge to publish? (question from Stephanies fan page)
I was a late bloomer to the reading world. I hated reading but I always wanted to love it. I would buy books based on their covers but could never make myself actually read them. Things changed when Twilight first came out and I couldn't go a day without hearing about it. I decided to buy the first book to see what the rave was all about, and sat down to read it. To my surprise, the book held my interest and I headed to the bookstore to buy the rest of the books. After finishing the series, I spent a lot of time at the bookstore looking for more paranormal romance stories. I read so many books in that year that my own ideas starting to create themselves in my head. Just out of curiosity, I started a story and found that I enjoyed writing. I did this for about a year before the idea for my Gwen Sparks series came to me. I was invited into HP Mallory's writer's group and learned a lot about the publishing world, then deciding to publish Gwen's first book.
10) Do you create your own book covers? (question from Stephanies fan page)
Yes, I do some of my own covers. I bought Photoshop a couple years ago to learn and started doing my own covers. Soon, I was doing covers for other authors. Though I work part time as a graphic artist, I will still pay for a cover artist if I like their work more than my own. I've since updated my Gwen Sparks covers but the originals I did myself, and also Taming the Wolf and Turning Home's covers.
11) If you were a character in one of your books for a day what would you do?
Hmm...If I were a character in my books I would probably annoy the supernaturals with all my questions. I would want to know everything about them. I think going dancing with Gwen would be fun or hiking with Anna would be great.
12) What are you working on now?
Right now I'm working on Gwen's fifth book, Resurrected. It'll be releasing January 11th so I have little time for anything else until it's done.
13) Describe Gwen and Anna in 5 words.
Gwen: Sarcastic, loyal, funny, stubborn, and strong.
Anna: Strong, loyal, laid-back, sarcastic, and cautious
14) A question I've been dying to ask, but not book related is...is your house haunted? The reason I ask is because I know it's an older home. (question from Stephanies fan page)
Ha ha! Actually...maybe. All of my life I've had experiences. No matter where I live I always experience something. In my previous house I heard mumbling a lot and was touched a few times. I even saw a ghost in my bedroom. In my new house, well, new to me; it's 106 years old, I've heard what sounds like someone banging their boots on the porch, as though they're cleaning them off. I've heard drums playing in my hallway upstairs. My shower loofah had it's rope cut cleanly and my razor was lying on the floor. I've heard whistling in my upstairs hallway as well. My sister heard singing when I first moved in and we were painting. So far (knock on wood) nothing has hurt me or felt particularly evil.
Quick Fire Round
Favourite Drink - iced coffee
Favourite Food - pot roast and potatoes
Favourite colour - hot pink
Favourite place - home
Favourite movie/TV series - The Big Bang Theory
Favourite reading spot - curled up on the couch
Stephanie Nelson resides in Illinois with her husband and their furry children. She began writing five years ago as a hobby and quickly fell in love with storytelling. She’s been teased about being a vampire due to her night-owl ways. However, she claims to only write about the fanged and not be part of their ranks. When she’s not working on the next Gwen Sparks or Anna Avery adventure, she enjoys: reading, traveling, playing the Wii and spending time with her family. The best part of her job is connecting with her readers.
Twitter : https://twitter.com/StephNel1
Website : http://www.stephanie-nelson.com/
Giveaway :
Want to win an eCopy of any of Stephanies books? Then enter the rafflecopter below!
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