Interview & Giveaway: Felicity Heaton

I am extremely excited to have one of my favorite authors on my blog today for a interview and giveaway. And she is Felicity Heaton *squeee* one of the most talented people I know, especially when it comes to vampire romance. Anyways, enough of my babbling lets get to the interview. 

I know you get asked this question over and over but can you tell us a little about yourself? Maybe something juicy. ;)

I can never really think of anything juicy. I think it’s all out there already on the internet. Lol. As a writer, I can say that I’m known for really pulling readers’ heartstrings, writing action that just blows them away, love scenes that get them hot under the collar but can melt hearts at the same time, and description that has you pulled right into the world you’re reading about so it plays out like a movie in your mind. I am passionate about the stories that I write and the worlds I create, and I think that really shows in my books. I’m also very passionate about providing top quality reads and meeting my readers. I’m very open, honest, and don’t hold anything back, and I think readers have come to appreciate that about me... when I’m not teasing them with snippets of my upcoming releases!

When did you first start writing? Are you a full time author or do you do it on the side?

I started writing in 2003, with fanfiction, and then moved into original fiction in 2005. I turned indie in 2006, and have been indie ever since. I was always working full-time alongside being an author until 2011. I’ve been a full-time author for a year now.

Do you have an author that has really inspired you?

No, not really. At least, not in the sense that I read them and went – I really want to write now. I’ve read a lot of books. I used to read loads as a kid and into my teens. I think reading in general inspired me to try my hand at writing. I’ve always had a really active imagination so dreaming up worlds in my head to escape the boredom of school translated into dreaming up worlds to write down on paper.

How long does it normally take you to write an average book?

I can write the first draft of a novel, say 100000 words, in around 12-15 days if you include time to plan the novel too and write the outline. I tend to edit my books twice, and then proof twice too. I think in total, I probably spend shy of 200 hours in total on a 100000 word novel.

What do you think makes a story great?

Emotion, setting, action, danger and a good twist here and there. I like to have those moments where you go – oh, wow, didn’t see that one coming – and times when you just melt for the characters because their feelings are just burning on the page for you to read.

Can you describe your book "Heart of Darkness" in one sentence?

That’s a difficult one. I think it’s so hard to condense Heart of Darkness into one line as it’s such a complex story. How about... A vampire prince bent on revenge and on the brink of succumbing to the terrible darkness in his heart meets a beautiful vampire guard who becomes his only hope for salvation.

How do you manage to come up with all these great vampire stories that are all so different?

I think you’ll have to ask the muse. He provides and I just write them down. I love to play with vampires and their worlds, and sometimes sit around thinking about what I can do with them next and how I can make them different, and it just sort of comes to me.

Have you done lots of research for your books or do the stories just come to you?

I don’t tend to have to do too much research. I write about cities that I’ve visited for the most part so I’m familiar with them and their layout, weather, architectural style, nuances, and such. Vampires are born of my imagination so no research needed there. I do research social structures sometimes, as I tend to use that sort of thing in my worlds. Or I’ll research specific cars, etc.

What are you currently working on?

I’m editing Seduce at the moment, the third book in my Vampire Erotic Theatre series, and also writing Her Demonic Angel, the fifth book in my Her Angel series, and I’ll also be proofing Masquerade, the tenth book in my Vampires Realm series soon.

Is there anything that I didn't cover that you would like to talk about or say to your potential readers?

Just that if you like your vampires dark, very sexy, and very dangerous... or you like wicked angels, then why not give me a try? Excerpts of all of my books are available at my website: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk

Just for fun:

Hardback or Paperback?  Paperback or Ebook
Dog ears or Bookmarks?  I’m terrible for bending the corners, but I try to use bookmarks these days.
YA novels or Adult novels?  Adult. I can’t do YA. It just doesn’t have the grit and sexiness I love.
Library or Bookstore?  Bookstore.
Reading glasses or No glasses?  I’m short sighted, so I actually read better without my glasses.
Snack while reading or No snacks? No snacks. Maybe tea. I’m addicted after all.
Beach or Mountain?  Mountain
Vampire or Werewolf?  Vampire, but I love our furry fiends too.
Hot or Flirty? Hot
Movie 1st or Book 1st? Book first if it’s something I really care about.
Contemporary or Historical? Contemporary
Page-Turner or Tear Jerker? Page turner, but I do like the odd teary moment.

 I am going to be giving away one of the first books in Felicity's most popular series Vampire's Realm.

 Rules:

1. This is going to be a Kindle ebook copy of the book.

2. The giveaway is International 

3. You must be 18 years and older to enter.

4. Fill out the Rafflecopter below.

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