Interview: "Integration" by Imogen Rose

I have Imogen Rose on my blog today for a interview so lets give Imogen a big welcome to Romance Book Junkies.

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

I do… and how can a responsible mom share her juicy secrets online? :D  So, for the boring stuff… Although I have lived in New Jersey for over ten years, I’ve never met any of the Jersey Housewives or Snooki or The Situation. Before I moved here, I lived in London, where I trained and worked as a surgical immunologist. I love travelling, shopping, and watching YA TV. I am scared to death of spiders… well, and most creepy, crawly things. I love jewelry, a passion I share with my younger daughter. I fancy myself a good singer, although my daughter yells at me to shush every time I belt out a song. :/

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

Like most moms, I made up stories to entertain my kids when they were small. When I took them for walks around the neighborhood, I‘d make up little stories about the people and animals who lived in the houses and garages along the way. We often passed a little shed, which my daughter used to creep past so as to not wake the “bears” who lived there. I started writing fiction about three years ago, after my younger daughter asked me to write down one of my stories, and my new career grew from that. I am a full-time author now.

Do you have an author who has really inspired you?

I was a huge fan of Enid Blyton when I was younger. I am pretty sure my love for boarding school tales stemmed from her wonderful novels.

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

It takes me just under a month to write the first draft, then another two months to polish, and have it edited and proofed.

What do you think makes a story great?

A great story is one that stops me from putting it down at bedtime. Irresistible characters who have me rooting for them within a compelling plot keeps me turning the pages.

Can you describe your book "Integration" in one sentence?

I am always in awe of people who can do this. I find it really hard because the story is so layered in my mind. That being said, “The rule is simple in this private boarding school populated by students from the most elite of society who are blessed and  cursed from the bloodlines of the most powerful paranormal families in the world—Trust no one.

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

The stories just come to me. I occasionally have to stop and do research as I write.

What are you currently working on?

I am working on the fifth book in the Portal Chronicles—Fusion. I hope to have it published by this Christmas.

Just for fun:

Hardback or Paperback?  Hardback
Dog ears or Bookmarks? Bookmarks
YA novels or Adult novels? YA
Library or Bookstore? Bookstore
Reading glasses or No glasses? No glasses
Snack while reading or No snacks? No snacks
Beach or Mountain? Mountain
Vampire or Werewolf? Vampire
Hot or Flirty? Both
Movie 1st or Book 1st? Movie 1st
Contemporary or Historical? Contemporary
Page-Turner or Tear Jerker? Page turner

Integration

Bonfire Book 2

By Imogen Rose

Second Haiku warning:

A boyfriend missing

A lover must pay in blood

A princess must die

Welcome back to Bonfire Academy.

Book Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVFSWpyCWJI

Broken. I couldn’t think of a better word to describe it. I felt as if I’d been torn to bits, maybe even shredded. I was suffocating, surrounded by a wet tightness of skin and flesh all crusted together. My body was home to excruciating stabs of pain searing about randomly before a final thrust of sheer agony. I couldn’t tell if the source of the pain was within me or if I was being repeatedly sliced open with a knife. Did it matter? I felt as though it was only a matter of seconds before my thoughts would end.

“Cordelia!”

My name. I flinched as the same voice repeated my name again and again. Why? Who was it? It—he—sounded familiar. I heaved as the voice triggered the memory of his face. Then, not being able to stop the bile from traveling up my throat, I gagged and purged, emptying my stomach completely. The next time he muttered my name, his voice was laced with disgust. But his revulsion couldn’t compete with my utter repugnance and disbelief at what he’d done. Him. Someone I had trusted with my life, even though the rule was clear:

Trust No One.

Imogen Rose is the author of the bestselling series, Portal Chronicles, which has attained cult status within indie literature and become a favorite among teens and adults alike. An immunologist by profession, Dr. Rose published her first work of fiction in 2010. She now writes full time and is currently working on her second teen series, Bonfire Chronicles. Imogen was born in Sweden and has lived in several places, counting London among her favorites. She moved to New Jersey in 2001. A self-confessed Hermès addict, Imogen freely admits to being obsessed with Kurt Cobain. She enjoys shopping, traveling, watching movies, and hanging out with her family, friends, and Chihuahua.