Interview and giveaway: Author Anita Clenney

Lets give a great big welcome to Anita. She's joining us on the blog today to share all kind of goodies with us such as an interview, author bio, excerpts and a giveaway. So don't forget to enter to win the giveaway at the very end. So lets get started:

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

I’ve always been in love. Honestly, I can’t remember a time I wasn’t head over heels over someone. It all started with Donny Osmond when I was 9 years old. There were many movie star loves afterwards, and some real boys. I was madly, and secretly, in love with one boy from 7^th grade all the way through 10^th grade. I think I actually stalked him. J He was two years older than me. I finally got up the nerve to talk to him when I was in 10^th grade, and I even got a kiss. Oh, the joy, until I found out he had a girlfriend. Ah, all those wasted years. But good or bad, my adventures in love have been good inspiration for writing romance, and stalking!

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

I am a full time author. I started writing February 6, 2006. I sold my first book three years, eleven months, and twenty two days later.

Do you have an author that has really inspired you?

I love reading, and I think my love of fascinating stories has inspired me to write, but when I dig down deep and recall a story I really connected with as an adult, I think of the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters. I fell in love her characters and her writing, so it’s possible that she influenced me more than I realize.

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

I’m anxious to find that out myself. Neither of my books have been “normal” situations. Awaken the Highland warrior, my first book published was the second manuscript I started, and my second book published was my first manuscript started. I really polished my craft on Awaken and my agent allowed me lots of time. When I realized that the first manuscript should also be part of the series, I had to do a complete revision to make it paranormal.

What do you think makes a story great?

It needs to be engaging and memorable, to capture the reader’s interest for the moment, and have them thinking about it after they’ve finished the story. I love romance and mystery, so for me, the best stories have both.

Can you describe your book "Embrace The Highland Warrior" in one sentence?

When antiques dealer, Shay Logan becomes the target of the powerful demon who left her for dead as a child, she’s forced to return to the Scottish Warrior who betrayed her…the only man she’s ever loved.

Tell us a little about your book “Awaken the Highland Warrior. Is this a series and do you suggest reading them in order?

While searching for treasure, a mis-adventurous historian discovers a 19^th century Scottish warrior buried in a crypt, but the warrior isn’t dead. When he wakes, he has no choice but accept the help of this modern day woman, but she’s more fearsome than the demon who’s trying to kill him. If he’s not careful, she’ll uncover every secret his clan has bled and died to protect. There are many warriors in countries all over the world, but this series just deals with the Scottish warriors of the Connor Clan. They’re strong, sexy, and most of them have secrets. Let me introduce them to  you.

There’s Faelan, the only warrior who’s ever been assigned two ancient demons. Born in the 19^th century, Faelan was most powerful warrior of his time. He was trapped in a time vault and slept for 150 years, waking to a strange world filled with modern technology and even stranger…modern females. For God’s sakes, they’re even warriors, now. What will they do next, he ponders, send children into battle? Then there’s Ronan, 6’3 inches of raw, sexy warrior, better than Robin Hood with his bow, and equally at home with a sword or a bonny lass. Cody, the only other warrior who’s been assigned an ancient demon, might have pretended to be the tough boy next door, and he’s good at hiding secrets, but his world will never be the same when he finds out what’s been hidden from him. Shane is quiet but the fastest with a sword, and Niall is a one-man army, with legs like tree trunks. Brodie’s the prankster of the bunch, always getting into trouble. Tomas is a clan medic and Brodie’s reluctant partner in mischief. Duncan is brooding and frustrated and spends too much time worrying about Sorcha, a feisty redhead who likes flirting almost as much as killing demons. Anna, a stunning beauty, has a shocking, troubled past and has chosen to remain a warrior forever, but destiny has some surprises in store. And my heroines are more than just mates to these sexy warriors. They have talents that will shock even them.

The stories would be best read in order since there are some threads that carry over, and the secondary characters reappear.

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

This series started with a dream, so it kind of just came to me, but there is research to be done for accuracy’s sake. It’s surprising how many questions arise when writing.

What are you currently working on?

I’m trying to get the third book in the Connor Clan series out this year. Unleash the Highland Warrior is going to be really intense with lots of surprises.

I’m also working on a new paranormal relic hunters series with mysterious relics, secret curses, and two really great heroes that the heroine will have to choose between. This story has lots of twists and turns, and will be even heavier on the mystery.

Can you tell us about some of your prior achievements?

I was thrilled that Awaken made the USA Today and the New York Times bestseller lists after only four months. That was a wow moment!

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

I love readers. Writers would be nothing without readers to curl up and get lost in their stories. So come and find me and let’s talk books. I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Shelfari. Also, sign up for my newsletter on my website for updates on the books. And if you have a Kindle, both books are on sale now!

http://www.amazon.com/Awaken-the-Highland-Warrior-ebook/dp/B004TTS2T4/anitaclenney

http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Highland-Warrior-Anita-Clenney/dp/1402251262

Just for fun:

Hardback or Paperback? Paperback
Dog ears or Bookmarks? Bookmarks, but not normal ones. I’m not that organized. I have to use whatever is at hand. Usually a scrap of paper.
YA novels or Adult novels? Adult
Library or Bookstore? Both.
Reading glasses or No glasses? Reading glasses.
Snack while reading or No snacks? Snack.
Beach or Mountain? Mountain.
Vampire or Werewolf? Half vamp-half wolf
Hot or Flirty? Flirty
Movie 1st or Book 1st? Book 1st
Contemporary or Historical? Both. J Time travel!
Page-Turner or Tear Jerker? Page turner.

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Anita Clenney writes mysteries, and paranormal romantic suspense. Before giving herself over to the writing bug, she worked in a pickle factory and a preschool, booked shows for Aztec Fire Dancers, and has been a secretary, executive assistant, and a real estate agent. She lives with her husband and two children in suburban Virginia. To find out more information, please visit http://www.anitaclenney.com/, follow her on Twitter @anitaclenney, or like her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/anitaclenneyAUTHOR.

Some places you can buy Embrace:

http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Highland-Warrior-Anita-Clenney/dp/1402251262

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/embrace-the-highland-warrior-anita-clenney/1100076266

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Embrace-Highland-Warrior/Anita-Clenney/9781402251269

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/embrace-the-highland-warrior/id468777516?mt=11

 

Cody sighed. Might as well get it over with. He removed the shackles, returned them, and bent over her. “Shay, wake up.”

Her eyes flew open. She planted both hands against his chest and shoved, knocking him on his back, then sprang on top of him. “How dare you handcuff me to a bed?” she yelled, punctuating each word with a shake that rattled his brain. He didn’t fight back. She had to get it out of her system, and he didn’t blame her. He’d be more than pissed if someone shackled him.

She landed a fist into his stomach, and the breath rushed out of him. Okay, enough was enough. He captured her hands and rolled, trapping her under him.

“Get off me, you oaf.”

“I’ll get off when you stop beating the snot out of me.”

She let out a war cry and lunged for his throat, teeth bared. Intrigued, he hesitated a second too long, and she sank her teeth into his neck. A jolt of desire shot straight to his groin. He’d never been one for the rough stuff, but damn! He pulled back before she could do more than leave a bruise. He trapped her legs with his and held her hands above her head, letting his full weight press her into the soft mattress. She still struggled but could move only enough to get him excited.

“I’m sorry, Shay. I had to do it. It was too dangerous to let you go traipsing through the woods. I had to keep you safe.”

“What if he was hiding in one of the other bedrooms and sneaked in here while I was handcuffed to the bed? You left me so I couldn’t even protect myself.”

“Lach heard him out in the woods, but that’s why I locked the door, just in case. If this guy had broken it down to get to you, you would’ve screamed, and I would’ve come running. I was never far from the house.” He’d heard every name she called him.

Her eyes still flashed fire, but her breath was steadier, and she kept glancing at his mouth. He thought that was a good thing. He wondered if she’d calmed enough not to hit him, because he should move. She had to notice the effect all the wiggling around was having on him. He felt her hips push against his, and he groaned. He relaxed his grip and lowered his head, letting his lips touch her chin. He kissed his way to her mouth, and she head butted him in the nose.

While the stars exploded in his head, she shoved him aside and bolted out the door. He jumped up and went after her as she pounded down the stairs. He caught up with her outside. She was swinging her purse like a whip, headed for the car.

“Where are you going?” he demanded.

“Get away from me.”

“You can’t leave.”

“Watch me.” She opened the door. “I’m tired of people hiding things from me. I thought you were going to stop. Now you’re handcuffing me to the bed.”

“I explained it to you.”

“Don’t touch me,” she said, jerking away when he grabbed her arm.

“You’re not leaving.”

Shay straightened her shoulders. “You can’t stop me.”

He grabbed her, tossed her over his shoulder, kicked the car door shut, and stomped up the steps.

“Put me down!” Shay kicked and twisted, cursing at him. He dumped her on her feet inside the door.

She blew her hair out of her face, and as soon as she could see, she threw a punch at his chin. He deflected it and grabbed her arm. “Stop hitting me.”

“How dare you throw me over your shoulder like some kind of caveman,” she spat, trying to wrench her arm free. It didn’t work, so she used her knee.

“Ah, not there.” Cody trapped her knee. “I made the mistake of letting you leave here nine years ago without listening to me. By God, I won’t do it again. You’ll listen if I have to sit on you,” he growled.

She drew back her other arm, and before she could throw the punch, he had her on the floor and was sitting astride her, pinning her wrists to the floor. She bucked and twisted, but he held her down. “We can do this all night if you want, but you’re going to listen to me this time.”

“Listen to more lies? You’re still hiding things from me. Like the fact that you have Nina’s entire house under surveillance. Like the fact that you’ve got a Bat Cave in your basement. Like the fact that you were in Scotland when the stalking started.”

“You think I’m your stalker?” he yelled. “Me! I’m trying to keep you alive. We’re all trying to keep you alive. That’s what the clan’s been doing your whole damned life, trying to keep you alive! And just like always, you’re making it hard as hell. Your father wasn’t a bloody spy, and that thing in your living room wasn’t a man!”

I’ll give away one paperback copy of Embrace the Highland Warrior to a commenter. To enter, answer the question: 
Based on my warrior descriptions, which warrior’s story would you want to read next?

a Rafflecopter giveaway