An Interview with Gerry Bartlett + giveaway

The Between Dreams & Reality/Pearl Cast Before A McPig Event continues today with an interview with Gerry Bartlett, author of the Glory St. Clair series.


Welcome to Pearls Cast Before A McPig.
Could you tell a bit about yourself for those people who don’t know you yet?

I’m a native Texan and live south of Houston. When I’m not writing, I shop for my antiques business which is on Galveston Island on the historic Strand. I love to write about vampires but wouldn’t want to be one, too addicted to Mexican food. I have one son and a spoiled dog named Jet.

How would you describe the Glory St. Clair series?

Glory was bloating when she was turned in 1604 so she’s always been a little too curvy for today’s fashion trends. Lucky for her, ancient males like a woman with curves. She has a lot of the same problems most women have, a boyfriend who tends to want to take over, money problems and a business that isn’t always thriving. My pal Nina Bangs calls Glory “everywoman with fangs” and that about sums her up.

Have you ever used people you know as characters in your books?

I get ideas everywhere though I haven’t used a particular person as a character. I think Glory has a little of me in her especially her craving for chocolate. The hot guys in her life are pure fantasy though I have to say when Blade, her longtime lover is being the strong silent type, he is acting like my late husband.

Are there any other projects you’re working on or thinking about starting in the near future?

I’m intrigued by the New Adult genre, writing about women who are struggling to find themselves. I know I was an undertermined major as long as they’d let me when I was in school and took forever to find the man I would finally marry. Those years, the early twenties, are so interesting. Of course I’m thinking it would be fun to throw in a vampire or two when I write it. Sorry, I’m just so addicted to hot vampire men. They can make a great tortured hero.

Where can you be found when you’re not at your desk writing?

Shopping! If not for my business, then I’m at the mall trying to find something that makes me look magically skinnier than I am. Yes, Glory and I have that in common. I think “bloating” is a kind way of saying we are too fond of our food.


What did you do to celebrate the release of your first book?

That was a long time ago but I remember celebrating many times, with friends and family. Even my Romance Writers of America chapters, I am a member of two local ones, made a big deal out of it. It look a long time—years—for me to sell that first book and them I sold two at once! So we ate, drank and made merry. There was a lot of champagne involved.

What is the best thing about being a published author?

Seeing your book in a bookstore on a shelf. I love that. It’s what authors these days are missing when they self-publish. I may do that for my old backlist, but I still get a rush when I see my books at my local Barnes & Nobles. Of course there’s the excitement too when you get fan mail. I have gotten some great letters from people who got hooked on my books and said it made them want to read again after years of avoiding books. I love that!

What authors have been an influence to you? And have you read any books lately that you want to share with us or have you been too busy with writing to read?

I am never too busy to read. Lately I’ve been reading a lot of Young Adult titles. Divergent, Delirium, some of the dystopian books. I really admire the ingenuity found in the Young Adult section. I love a good mystery as well as a lot of action but I have to have romance in my books. I guess I was influenced early on by the great romance authors like Bertrice Small, Iris Johansen, Karen Robards and Laura Kinsale. I had one historical and two romantic suspense published under a pseudonym before I discovered paranormals. Now I’m hooked on those vampires and write under my real name. I love the freedom creating my own world gives me. Jeaniene Frost is an author I love to read, her dialogue slays me.

If you could meet any of the characters in your book, who would it be and why?

Well, I fell in love with the rocker in my books, Israel Caine. He’s hot, he’s a good friend to Glory and I made him into the bad boy all women want to have a fling with at least once. No, he’s not for the long haul, but he would be amazing for a short term sizzle.

Thanks for these great questions. I loved answering them. Don’t forget, I’d love to give a reader a chance to win a copy of the first book in my series, Real Vampires Have Curves. It’s what one fan calls my “gateway drug” into the series. I hope I get someone new hooked.

Gerry Bartlett

Thanks for dropping by and for the great giveaway!


So want a chance to win Real Vampires Have Curves?

giveaway is closed: winner is miki.

Open internationally to everyone who's legally allowed to enter this giveaway.

-----

Don't forget to leave a comment:
I decided to have an event wide giveaway on my blog for commenters.
At the end of this event I'll pick one commenter on any author post of this event at random and that person will win a book of his/her choice as long as bookdepository ships to where you live, you're legally allowed to enter, and the book costs no more than 10$

And drop by Between Dreams and Reality as well for more great author posts.