Showing posts with label author giveaways. Show all posts

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Interview with fantasy author Katie Zaber #authorinterview #fantasyauthors

Meet fantasy author Katie Zaber

Interview

1. Tell me about yourself. What inspired you to write?

I’ve always been creative, but never took up writing until I was recovering from surgery, was on a lot of meds, and let my imagination loose. Once off the meds and healed, I edited the story, building and rearranging, working through drafts until I was happy.

2. Describe your desk / writing space.

I sit in front of a walnut stained secretary desk with a hutch holding an array of keepsakes. Albums, picture frames, my Snoopy collection, souvenirs, and nostalgic knickknacks line the shelves of the hutch.

My work space is a wonderland of post-it notes in three different colors: pink, neon-yellow, and green. On the right corner of my desk, shoved between the monitor and notary stamp, is a yellow, mini-spiral notebook that contains book outlines, plots, and ideas. Little sticker tabs separate the notebook into different sections. The tabs not in use are floating on the surface of pamphlets and lists of login information to accounts I hardly visit.

A leather bounded diary with nautical embellishments, complete with anchor bookmark, holds random thoughts and sketches. A mechanical pencil can be spotted, hiding between the yellow notebook and leather diary. Its extra parts—erasers & extra graphite are strewn about the entire desk.

Between the post-it notes there are three hacky sacks. There’s also a rectangular leather box with a brass kaleidoscope made to look like it was used on a whimsical pirate ship.

It’s a happy mess.

3. Do you have a writing routine or do you write when inspired?

I try to stick to a schedule, but that normally doesn’t happen and I end up writing when inspired.

4. How do you come up with the title to your books?

When I write a book, I usually have a broad idea of what I want to call it, but I usually decide when I’ve finished the first draft. Almost like a parent meeting their new born. They might have an idea of what they want to name the child while pregnant, but that can change when they see the baby face to face and realize he isn’t a Jim, he’s a Stephen. Kind of like that.

5. What was the hardest scene for you to write? Which scene was your favorite to write?

Intimate scenes. They are my weak spot. I feel like I can never get them exactly right.

My favorite ones are when I’m describing something for the first time. When I introduce the reader to a new environment, object, or food, my goal is for the reader to feel the mist and sun on their skin. I want them to see in minute details what the character is looking at and taste the juice running down their cheeks as character bites into fruit.

6. What inspired your book/series?

My fantasy series, Dalya was inspired by the song, Lord of the Dance. Somehow, it was stuck in my head and my imagination took over. I pictured a king singing the song—a much more sinister version—while destroying a village of people who disobeyed him. At first, the story was going to be about him and how his reign ends, but I didn’t want to tell it from his perspective. That’s where Megan comes in.

My other series, DNA Demons N Angels was inspired by a recurring nightmare. It’s weird, I know. But I kept having a dream that out of the blue I was pregnant and that it was a demon. One day, I played around with the idea of what it would be like to be the mother of something different. The story grew from there.

7. What are you working on next?

After that, I plan on writing the second book in my paranormal romance series, DNA Demons N Angels. I’m playing with the title, Raising Hell, How to Survive the Terrible Twos. Here is a link to the first few chapters of the first book. DNA Demons N Angels

8. What authors or books have influenced your writing?

There’s a few. I’d say Margaret Atwood, J.R.R. Tolkien, John Conroe, Jim Butcher, Kevin Hearne, Karen Marie Morning, Jennifer Estep, Laini Taylor, and Chuck Palahniuk are some of the biggest influencers. However, I’d like to think I’ve absorbed a little bit from every book I’ve read.

9. If you could live anywhere, in this world or fantasy, where would you live?

I’d love to live on a winery in southern Italy. The architecture is breath-taking and I love the small villages with cobblestone streets, knowing your local artisans by name and buying locally from them. There’s something really romantic and peaceful about that small village lifestyle that I hope to one day experience.

If I got to live in a fantasy world, it would be made of chocolate and it wouldn’t be frowned upon if I ate everything.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I’m a steak and potatoes kind of lady, but the steak needs a decadent brandy cream sauce and buttery garlic whipped potatoes.

11. Coffee or tea? Wine or beer?

A good cup of black tea with a little bit of sugar and milk is my go to in the morning. If I drink coffee, its half milk, and I don’t count the how much sugar.

I love sweet, fruity wines.

12. Describe yourself in three words.

Curious, Spaz, Sensible

Katie's Books

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Katie's Bio

Katie Zaber, author of the series Dalya and DNA, is a fantasy author whose imagination knows no bounds. As a child, her parents read stories about Atlantis and other fictional places that she dreamed of exploring, fueling her love of history, adventure, and fantasy. She loves to spend what little free time she has winemaking, baking, and reading. When she has a full day to herself, you can find her at the beach or at a winery. Her favorite meals are the ones her boyfriend cooks, and she loves spending quiet nights at home with him, binge watching new fantasy shows or play video games.

Katie's Links

Newsletter and Free ebook of Ashes and Blood - https://www.subscribepage.com/s4t6x8

Amazon Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/Katie-Zaber/e/B087YXPDF2

Website- https://zaberbooks.com/

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20290665.Katie_Zaber

BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/katie-zaber

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dalyaseries

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Zaberbooks

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zaberbooks/

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

New Release! Privilege: The Valesky Crime Family Book 2 by Tina Donahue #darkmafiaromance

She’ll destroy the mobsters who murdered her brother… unless they kill her first.

District cop Lia Blosky warned her twin brother not to get involved with the Valesky Crime Family. He didn’t listen. Now, he’s dead, tortured horribly before mobsters murdered him. Out for blood, she’ll do anything to see these monsters dead.

FBI Special Agent Adrian Kalin is connected to the Valesky Family in a way he loathes and doesn’t want. His stepfather rules the syndicate and is tired of Lia threatening to kill him and others responsible for her brother’s death. To shut her up for good, he orders Adrian to murder her. Who better than an FBI agent who has no connection to her and knows how to hide evidence?

Adrian resists, but if it comes down to saving Lia or his brothers and mother from Dimitri’s rage, he’ll have to choose family.

In a deadly game between each other and the mob, Lia and Adrian fight to survive… while also surrendering to their undeniable attraction to each other.

This is book two in the Valesky Crime Family series, can be enjoyed independently and has an HEA.

Publisher’s Note: This contemporary dark mafia romance contains elements of mystery, suspense, action, adventure, adult themes, and possible triggers for some readers.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60169480-privilege

Buy Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09QLBZ89H

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/4Elpno

Excerpt:

LIA

My rubber soles squeak on the polished floor.

Tap.

The unexpected sound stops me.

I cock my head.

Nothing.

The walls must be settling.

I put in my earbuds to listen to music then quickly take them out. If I fuck up while I’m on duty here I’ll have no income.

The store’s main entrance is past the shoes and cosmetics, the faintly lit mall visible beyond it.

I proceed.

Tap.

Again, I stop, my skin crawling. That sound isn’t coming from the building nor is it a coincidence.

I spin around.

No one’s behind me.

Holding my breath, I wait for something to pounce at me from either side.

Nothing does.

What the fuck?

Shaken and confused, I face front.

Adrian advances.

No, no, no!

“You need to come with me,” he says.

To make my murder easier on him? His jeans, tee, and biker boots show he’s dressed for manual labor… like digging a grave.

Instinctively, I reach for my gun, which isn’t there. This mall doesn’t want their security guards involved in shootouts even if they’re cops. Standing down is their preference. My only weapon is my phone.

I pull it out and back away.

He follows. “If you plan to call 911, that’s not a wise choice. Remember, the cops in this area are on Dimitri’s side not yours.”

Just like him. Together, they could easily subdue me. Once I’m cuffed or hogtied, transporting me to another location for the final kill would take zero effort.

I shove the phone back in my pocket but keep retreating.

He matches my every step. “Lia, come with me, please. If you don’t want to go into WITSEC, I can take you somewhere safe.”

Like a fucking grave?

No thanks.

He may be bigger and have a gun but I know this place. He doesn’t.

Using that to my advantage, I back toward the escalators. They’re turned off but still lead away from him.

His gaze jumps from me to them. “There’s no need to run. I can protect you.”

Liar. Bastard.

I don’t stop.

Neither does he.

Junk jewelry displays crowd the area a few feet from the escalators. No one bothers to put that stuff away. Thieves wouldn’t bother with it.

At last, I stop.

Adrian does, too. “Please say you’re coming with me. I’m begging you.”

I’d rather he was shrieking in agony from a bullet to his dick or gut, but keep that venom from my voice. “We can talk. That’s it. I’m not promising anything. Got it?”

“Sure.” He gestures behind himself. “Let’s go outside to my car or yours. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

I won’t relax until he’s dead. “I have to close up first. There’s a door upstairs I need to lock.” I point to the upper floor.

He nods. “I’ll go with you.”

“I’d rather you didn’t.”

“Lia, please.”

I feign indecision then nod. “Fine.” Alert and impatient, I wait for him to step closer.

When he’s no more than a foot away but still coming, I push the junk jewelry display in his path.

Unable to stop, he trips over it.

I lift the next display and bring it down hard on his back.

His breath whooshes out. He falls face forward… directly in my path to the mall entrance.

Before I can get around him, he’s pushing to his knees.

Shit. I race up the escalator to leave from the exit I mentioned.

Tap, tap, tap.

He’s steps below me, murder in his eyes, his gun drawn. “You’re going to fucking stop,” he says, “and you’re going to do it now.”

About the Author:

Tina’s an Amazon and international bestselling novelist who writes passionate romance for every taste – ‘heat with heart’ – for traditional publishers and indie. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. She’s won Readers’ Choice Awards, was named a finalist in the EPIC competition, received a Book of the Year award, The Golden Nib Award, awards of merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competitions, and second place in the NEC RWA contests. She’s featured in the Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. Before penning romances, she worked at a major Hollywood production company in Story Direction.

On a less serious note: she’s an admitted and unrepentant chocoholic, brakes for Mexican restaurants, and has been known to moan like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally while wolfing down tostadas. She’s flown a single-engine airplane (freaking scary), rewired an old house using an ‘electricity for dummies’ book, and is horribly shy despite the hot romances she writes.