Thursday, August 4, 2011

Author Spotlight & Giveaway - Felicity Heaton


I recently had the privilege to read and review Felicity Heaton's book "Forbidden Blood" and it was amazing. I gave it a five heart rating. You can read my review here.

Today I have Felicity here to do a author spotlight so lets get started.

1.  I know you get asked this question over and over but can you tell us a little about yourself? Maybe something juicy. ;)
I’m a paranormal romance and science fiction romance writer, and most of the time I’m writing my favorite species, which is vampires, but I do love writing werewolves, shape-shifters, angels and demons too. I’m happiest when I’m writing, whether it’s just jotting down notes for future stories or hammering out a first draft of a new novel. I’ve written over forty stories, and over thirty of those are still available for purchase. I also have a whole lot of free stories at my site.


2. When did you first start writing? Are you a full time author or do you do it on the side?
I started writing original fiction back in 2005. Before that, I wrote fanfiction. In 2006 I decided to go indie and I haven’t really looked back. I love writing and I think it’s something I’ll always do for the rest of my life. I have around 30 story ideas sitting in my vault waiting to be written, so I don’t think I’m going to run out of tales to tell any time soon. I used to write whilst working full-time, but I’m fortunate enough that my hard work and patience with the e-book market has started to pay off and I’ve been a full-time author since March this year.


3. How long does it normally take you to write an average book?
My average novel is probably around 100,000 words. I can write the first draft of that in around two and a half weeks to three weeks depending on how much other work I have to do too. It takes me the same again to do the second draft, and then a polish edit. Then I’ll proof it a few times before it goes out to my crit partners. Start to finish, I probably spend around 10 weeks on a full length novel.


4. What do you think makes a story great?
I love plot twists, and really intense action in my stories. I also think that you need memorable characters that stay with a reader after they’ve read the final words of the story. Characters need chemistry, and that’s why I try to give the characters in my stories, especially the hero and heroine. They need to have a dynamic. World-building is also really important, especially in a series, and there has to be a good level of description so readers can picture what’s happening at all times.


5. Can you describe your book "Forbidden Blood" in one sentence?
That’s a toughie. A dark vampire romance tale of love, betrayal, revenge and forbidden blood. I think that sums it up.


6. Have you done lots of research for your books or do the stories just come to you.
It depends on the book. The story I had to do the most research for was Love Immortal, as it dealt with Greek mythology and gods, so I really wanted to learn all about what it was that I was playing with in the story, and also about the locations I feature in it. Most of the time I’m writing about places that I know in Europe or around the world. With Love Immortal, we go to Greece in the story and I haven’t visited there yet, so I had to find a lot of photos and information online about the area I was writing about. For Forbidden Blood I had to research British social hierarchies as I tamper with those for the vampires in the series. My Her Angel series needed research into angels and demons, but after that it was mostly down to my imagination.

7. What are you currently working on?
I’m about to start the second draft of Heart of Darkness, which is a vampire romance novel, and it should be available around the end of October. Once I have completed the second draft of Heart of Darkness, I’ll be writing the first draft of Masquerade, which is the next story in my Vampires Realm series.


8. I see that in less than 5 days you have a new book coming out called "Her Guardian Angel". Can you tell us anything about this book?
Sure. Her Guardian Angel is the fourth book in my ongoing Her Angel series. It’s also the first novel in the series, as the first three were novellas. It’s the story of Marcus, an angel from the guardian division, and his mission to watch over a mortal female called Amelia, and everything that happens once a plot to kill her is set in motion and she’s attacked by demonic angels. It’s a very intense, action-packed and emotional novel, and spans the three realms in the series—our world, Heaven and Hell. There’s a lot of drama and passion in it, and I really enjoyed writing it because Marcus isn’t your typical romance hero. He’s very detached and not interested in the mortal realm, so he’s vastly inexperienced in matters of the heart compared to other angels in the series. Don’t let that put you off though, as it just means that as he learns about love, readers will learn with him... and he’s very masculine and passionate with it!


9. I see a lot of books that you have written that I would love to read. Is there one that is your favorite that you could recommend to me and anyone else interested?
I adore Love Immortal, which came out in January this year and is available in e-book and paperback formats. It’s quite long and the romance progresses at a natural pace as the hero has been through a lot in his past, so it takes him a while to come to trust his feelings and the heroine’s. I also really love Forbidden Blood, which you’ve mentioned, and Her Guardian Angel as those have unique and intense plots, with some twists. Of course, I love all my stories, but if I had to choose three right now, it would be Love Immortal, Her Guardian Angel and Forbidden Blood. If readers are more interested in urban fantasy romance with witches and demons rather than vampires and the like, then I would probably recommend Ascension, which is a sassy hot and sexy urban fantasy featuring a witch heroine and her half-demon hero. If readers love vampires as much as I do, and like them dark and drinking blood from the vein, then there’s my Vampires Realm series that I write as F E Heaton. I’ve been writing it for a few years now, so there’s plenty of stories in the series, and because it’s all about the world rather than a rolling plot arc, you don’t have to read them in any particular order. You can pick out which ones pique your interest.


10. Is there anything that I didn't cover that you would like to talk about or say to your potential readers?
Only that I love meeting new readers and chatting to them, and that I’m often on my social networks or my blog, so if readers want to get in touch about my stories or follow/friend me, they can find me at the following places:




11. What question would you like to ask the readers?
I’d like to invite readers over to my website http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk and have them tell me which of my book covers is their favorite.



Just for fun:
Hardback or Paperback?  Paperback or e-book
Dog ears or Bookmarks? I used to fold page corners, but now I’m good and use a bookmark. It helps that I have bookmarks for promotional use, so I often have one of my own bookmarks on hand.
YA novels or Adult novels? Adult novels all the way
Library or Bookstore? Bookstore as my local library is tiny and wouldn’t know paranormal romances if they bit them.
Reading glasses or No glasses? I’m short sighted, so should wear glasses for seeing distance stuff, but I find I read better without them, so no glasses.
Snack while reading or No snacks? No snacks, but I do have a cup of tea on hand most times.
Beach or Mountain? Mountain. I’m not really a beach person. I’m far more comfortable visiting cities and landscapes.
Vampire or Werewolf? Vampires, although I love my furry friends too.
Hot or Flirty? Hot!
Movie 1st or Book 1st? Book first when I can.
Contemporary or Historical? Contemporary.
Page-Turner or Tear Jerker? Page-turner. I love books with lots of romance and action.

Giveaway:
Enter to win a copy of "Forbidden Blood". You will not be disappointed. This book is a must read.
1. Giveaway is international.
2. You must be a follower.
3. All you have to do is fill out the form to enter.
4. The winner will be selected using random.org on Aug. 20th

13 comments:

Karen C said...

Great interview - thanks!

jfort357 said...

This is a great interview!! I enjoyed reading the "Just For Fun" section! I haven't read any of F.E. Heaton's work. I read the review & I'm intrigued!!! Thanks for the chance to win!!!

jfort357(at)bellsouth(dot)net

jfort357 said...

This is a great interview!! I enjoyed reading the "Just For Fun" section!! I haven't read any of F.E. Heaton's work. I read the review & I'm intrigued!!! Thanks for the chance to win!!!

jfort357(at)bellsouth(dot)net

ArtemisG said...

Thanks for the giveaway! Forbidden Blood sounds great.

Felicity Heaton said...

Thanks for having me here, Danielle. It was great doing that interview with you! If any readers have any questions for me, I'd be more than happy to answer your comments.

Felicity Heaton

DhesiX said...

Thanks for the giveaway!
Hehe looks like we have a lot in common.
Loved the Hunter's Moon, now i'm ready for Forbidden Blood :))

rea0903(at)gmail.com

BLHmistress said...

Hi Felicity if you had the opportunity to write with anyone who would it be?

Thanks for the giveaway!

Carol E Wyer said...

Wow! What a site you have here! Am I glad I wandered over form Felicity's fb page? I am now your latest follower and very excited to be here. I am off to explore your site.
Warm wishes
Carol
www.facing50withhumour.blogspot.com
author website www.carolwyer.com

Unknown said...

Hands down, I like the cover of Her Guardian Angel book cover. Love the a dark haired-sexy angel to drool over. Thanks for the interview and the opportunity to win a great book. I do lurves to read about male hawtness.

Happy Reading,
Laurielu
Bona Fide Reflections
bonafidereflections(at)gmail(dot)com

Megan@Riverina Romantics said...

Wonderful interview!

Denise Z said...

Thank you for sharing this lovely interview with this lovely author.

latishajean said...

Great interview thanks for sharing I look forward to reading forbidden blood!

bluesun1218 said...

First time visiting this blog, heard about it on twitter. Glad I found it and I'm now a follower on twitter and facebook. Great contest by the way, the books sound amazing and the covers are gorgeous!!

bluesun1218@dishmail.net

Post a Comment

Each of my followers mean the world to me and I would love to hear from each and every one of you.
:)

 
Blog Design by Use Your Imagination Designs all images from the Estranged kit by Studio Flergs