An Interview with Carolyn Crane + Giveaway

Today Carolyn Crane visits our blog to answer questions about her books, self publishing, obscure characters and more.


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

Hey Sullivan McPig! Thank you so much for having me here. Okay, a bit about me…I write plotty, sexy books in different genres, including the Disillusionists trilogy (urban fantasy) Code of Shadows (PNR cross genre) Super dirty books about bank robbers (as Annika Martin) and most recently, The Associates (romantic suspense). I guess you could say I don’t like to stick to one genre. I live in Minneapolis (flyover country, USA), I love Mexican food and cheese plates and staying up late lost in a book, and I am really going to try hard to be a less neglectful gardener this year.

What projects are you working on at the moment?

I’m finishing up the second in my romantic suspense series – a standalone book about a spy who is a linguistics expert. I am happy to report that after hating it and fighting with it for several months, I now freakily love it, though you never know when that will change again.

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

Hah! I think my problem is too many projects, considering I have four series going. Though yes, now that you ask, lovely McPig, I have a high concept adventure series in mind. Lol. But I am not letting myself start it for a while.

You have self-published several books by now. What are your thoughts about traditional publishing versus self publishing? Would you recommend self publishing to other authors?

I think different paths are good for different people. I love self pubbing, and being in control, and I feel like I’m finally just getting the hang of it, so I’m going with it, and I definitely look at it as more a marathon than a sprint.

I think going with a traditional publisher can be smart in some instances, though. For some people, it’s a good way to get their name out there, or they just don’t want to do things on their own. I still have an agent who I really love working with, and I don’t rule it out for myself, certainly. I do think authors deserve more from publishers, though.


Have you ever been tempted to use people who’d been rude to you in real life as victims in your books? Or have there been other people you used as characters in your books?

That is a good question. I have modeled people on real life people. Early on, I was super paranoid that they’d recognize themselves. But, I have come to learn that, at least with me, the real life person is more like scaffholding, and the true person who emerges in a book is always their own person. So, I don’t worry. I have never used real people as victims, though as an ex-waitress, I will confess to putting my fair share of angry, angry cooks in books. Because in all the restaurants I worked at, cooks were always so angry…or was it just that they were angry at me?

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

Since fiction writing and my livelihood (marketing writing/advertising) happens at this desk, I’m rarely away from it. (My husband often complains that I never stop staring at THE GLOWING RECTANGLE!!) Though I do love running. And, I have a little garden I tend. Yeah, I’m exciting like that.

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

Ooh! I have a secret thing about my character Simon from the Disillusionists. I tend to live a stable life, and I would love him to take me on a wild adventure. I also like Angel, my safecracking heroine from Against the Dark. I would totally go out to coffee with her!

If you could, would you change places with any of your characters?

Probably not, though if I had to change places with any one…hmmm, again, maybe Angel my safecracking heroine. She has a really cool life these days. Though Justine would be good to trade with, too because, er…Packard. And, powers.

Any chance you’ll write a short story featuring Professor Teufelsdrockh?

I so should! Just for you. I have to check to see what he was a professor of again…I think applied physics. Oh, you are so funny with your Professor Teufelsdrockh!!

Hey, I cant help I'm a fan of Professor Teufelsdrockh! He's just awesome.
Thanks for dropping by today.


About Against The Dark:

SHE’S AN EX-SAFECRACKER FORCED INTO ONE LAST HEIST

Angel Ramirez left the safecracking game five years ago, and she’s worked hard to make amends and build an honest life. But when a beloved aunt is kidnapped, she must reunite with her girl gang to acquire the unique ransom: Walter Borgola’s prized diamonds. It’s a simple job that turns into a nightmare, thanks to a surprisingly clever—and searingly sexy—security guard named Cole Hawkins.

HE’S AN UNDERCOVER AGENT WITH BIG PLANS FOR HIS GORGEOUS THIEF

Cole is one of the Association’s most brilliant agents, under deep cover investigating a ruthless killer. He’s also running out of time: hundreds will die if he doesn’t stop the plan Borgola’s set into motion. Catching Angel is the break he needed--he promises not to turn her in if she poses as his lover and uses her unique talents to unlock the sociopath’s dungeon vaults.

But as pretend passions turn real, Cole regrets drawing Angel into his deadly game…and danger is closer than either of them could ever imagine.


And now for a giveaway!

Carolyn has kindly offered a digital copy of Against the Dark to one reader of my blog
(or a digital copy of Mind Games for International entries if they prefer)

And the winner is Stephanie!

A winner will be picked at random on September 13th.
Open internationally to everyone who's legally allowed to enter this giveaway.

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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.

Against The Dark - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Against the Dark (The Associates #1)
by Carolyn Crane
ebook, novella

What is it about:
SHE’S AN EX-SAFECRACKER FORCED INTO ONE LAST HEIST

Angel Ramirez left the safecracking game five years ago, and she’s worked hard to make amends and build an honest life. But when a beloved aunt is kidnapped, she must reunite with her girl gang to acquire the unique ransom: Walter Borgola’s prized diamonds. It’s a simple job that turns into a nightmare, thanks to a surprisingly clever—and searingly sexy—security guard named Cole Hawkins.

HE’S AN UNDERCOVER AGENT WITH BIG PLANS FOR HIS GORGEOUS THIEF

Cole is one of the Association’s most brilliant agents, under deep cover investigating a ruthless killer. He’s also running out of time: hundreds will die if he doesn’t stop the plan Borgola’s set into motion. Catching Angel is the break he needed--he promises not to turn her in if she poses as his lover and uses her unique talents to unlock the sociopath’s dungeon vaults.

But as pretend passions turn real, Cole regrets drawing Angel into his deadly game…and danger is closer than either of them could ever imagine.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This is a delicious read.

There are sparks between Angel and Cole right from the start, but because they can't trust each other they have to fight their attraction. I loved seeing their feelings for each other grow. There were some really sensual and hot scenes between them, but I also loved the more emotional ones. The romance is well written and very believable.

The action storyline is suspenseful and intense. There are many lives on the line, so Cole is ready to go to extremes and sacrifice a lot, including Angel, to get the job done. This makes for some really tricky situations and I was rooting for both of them to succeed.

All in all this is a suspenseful and steamy read and I will keep an eye out for the next book in this series for sure.

Why should you read it:
It's a delicious spy romance


Buy it here

Mr. Real - Book Review

Mr. Real (Code of Shadows #1)
by Carolyn Crane

What is it about:
He finds the girl of his dreams…with the secret agent of his nightmares.

Alix Gordon is a woman who doesn’t take life too seriously. What’s the fun in that? So when she stumbles across occult software that can bring any computer image to life, she conjures up lots of awesome outfits and accessories. And then, on one drunken, horny night, she conjures up Sir Kendall, the sexy TV ad spy . . . who looks exactly like Paul Reinhardt, the super-sexy martial arts teacher who kicked her out of class three years ago.

Fighter Paul Reinhardt has good reason to hate Sir Kendall, the character he brought to life to land a part in a TV ad; he’d do anything to forget him. A cross country road trip seems just the thing . . . until Paul finds himself inexplicably drawn to Minnesota and is shocked to discover Sir Kendall - in the flesh - with the girl he’d once loved from afar. He barges into Alix and Sir Kendall’s love nest, determined to stop the madness - somehow.

But is superspy Sir Kendall transforming into something more dangerous anyone can imagine? And what will Sir Kendall do when Paul and Alix finally give into their mad lust for each other?

What did I think of it:
This is an amazingly fun read!

I absolutely love Crane's Disillusionists trilogy, so when I got the offer to read and review her self-published book Mr. Real I jumped at the chance.

I love it!

Alix is such a great heroine. I fell in love with her from the start and could perfectly understand why she does the things that get her in trouble. And then there's Paul and Sir Kendall. I loved both of them and at times I was wondering which one of them I should root for. I also really wanted to drink Denali, the drink that was featured in the ad where Sir Kendall is from.

I like how Crane manages to write a humorous story, but still make it really suspenseful as well. I was snickering one moment and holding my breath the next. Crane's writing is fun, funny and intense. Once I got reading I couldn't put this book down.

I can advice this book to anyone who likes an original and quirky paranormal romance that's fast paced and funny. I myself will be trying to get my trotters on a print version of this book and will reread it often. I also hope Crane will write many more books in this series.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun and cool paranormal romance.


~Available in ebook and paperback from most online sellers~

Head Rush - Book Review *

*This review was posted before, but as now finally the print version is out as well, I decided to repost it.

Head Rush (The Disillusionists Trilogy #3)
by Carolyn Crane

What is it about:
JUSTINE JONES FACES HER ULTIMATE ENEMY: HERSELF!

In an attempt to put her unhappy past behind her, Justine Jones throws herself into nursing school and planning her wedding to Otto Sanchez, the man of her dreams. But something is off. Random details aren’tadding up…and is it her imagination, or are her friends and fiancé keeping secrets from her? And what’s with this strange sense of unease, and her odd new headaches?

Justine tries to stay upbeat as Midcity cowers under martial law, sleepwalking cannibals, and a mysterious rash of paranormal copycat violence, but her search for answers leads her into the most dangerous mindgame yet.

With the help of unlikely allies, including her paranoid dad and best frenemy Simon, Justine fights her ultimate foe…and unravels the most startling mystery of all.

What did I think of it:
This book is utterly amazing!

Crane does it again: She made me rage, cry, chuckle, laugh and sigh in this rollercoaster ending of her Disillusionists Trilogy. There are few authors who manage to get me so involved in a lead character to actually make my blood pressure spike and heart rate increase, but so far Crane succeeded to do so with every book she wrote.

Crane's world building and her characters are both strong as ever. My favorite characters were all present again, there was a very cool new character and Carolyn even indulged me by including my beloved professor Teufelsdrockh (how awesome is that!?).

All in all this book is everything I hoped it would be and more. If you haven't started this series yet, you should run out right now to buy it! It's amazing.

Why should you read it:
It's amazingly cool and utterly awesome Urban Fantasy



Buy the ebook here
Buy the audiobook here

Devil's Luck - Book Review

Devil's Luck (The Disillusionists #3.5)
by Carolyn Crane
ebook, novella

What is it about:
THERE’S A THIN LINE BETWEEN LOVE AND DOOM.

No wager is too outrageous for Simon Fitzgerald, the most reckless of the Disillusionists. His dark secrets drive him to take increasingly extreme risks, but he’s never lived so quite so dangerously as when he hooks up with Midcity’s most powerful prognosticator.

Fawna Brady is tormented by the destinies she sees for those around her. To Fawna, knowledge of the future is a cage she’d do anything to escape. She’s stunned to discover a taste of the freedom for which she yearns at the side of Simon, the one person in the world who despises everything she is, everything she stands for.

Simon’s defiant attitude toward destiny captivates Fawna, but will her love destroy him? And will Simon rush headlong into the delicious doom she offers?

What did I think of it:
I love this story!

Seriously: When I read this story I had some doubts along the way. There are a couple of plot points that could have several different outcomes. Most often when this is the case the story takes the possibility that I like the least. I expected this to happen here as well and even though I was really enjoying the story and Crane's writing I was already bracing for an ending that would probably be nice, but not what I was secretly wishing for.

Imagine my surprise when Crane decided to not go for the obvious route, but instead turned all my expectations up side down and delivered a story with an ending so perfect I wanted to cheer, laugh and sniffle all at the same time.

If I wasn't already a dedicated fan of Crane's Disillusionists series I would be now!

I hope Crane continues to write novella's like this and I'm already looking forward to whatever she decides to write next.

Why should you read it:
I can advice this novella to both fans of the Disillusionists books and to those new to Crane's writing: it's beautiful.


Buy this novella from Amazon

Top Pearls Revisited - Winners

The giveaways for My Top Pearls Revisited event have ended and The Random Number Generator picked 4 winners!

Barbara E. won a signed copy of Dark Oracle by Alayna Williams

IreneRJ won a copy of The Real Werewives of Vampire County signed by Jess Haines

Melliane won a signed copy of Alien Tango by Gini Koch

Jeffe Kennedy won a signed copy of Mind Games by Carolyn Crane

Congrats!

All winners have been contacted.
Thanks to everyone who dropped by and commented and a special thanks to Laura Bickle, Jess Haines, Gini Koch and Carolyn Crane for their participation.

Top Pearls Revisited (+giveaway) - Carolyn Crane

Last year I made a list of my top favorite reads of 2010.
4 debut authors ended up on that list and they kept on writing and impressing me with their books. I decided to revisit last year's list and tell you about what these awesome authors have been up to, what we can expect from them in the future, ask them some questions and to give away some books.

Today: Carolyn Crane


Carolyn had two releases in 2010: Mind Games and Double Cross, book 1 and 2 in the awesome Disillusionists Trilogy. Both are beyond awesome and book 2 ended in such a way I was dying to read the next book.

It looked grim at first for book 3 in the trilogy though, because Spectra didn’t want to contract Carolyn for book 3. Luckily Carolyn managed to sell book 3, Head Rush, to Samhain and that’s why 2011 brought us the audio and ebook version of this awesome conclusion of an amazing trilogy.

Carolyn also released a novella in her Disillusionists world featuring the mysterious Monk in the anthology Wild & Steamy.


What’s next:

2012 will bring the print version of Head Rush (which I'll buy if only so I can hug it) as well as another (as yet unnamed) Disillusionists novella featuring Simon and a novella in The Mammoth Book of Ghost Romance.

Carolyn is also working on a Paranormal Spy series and an Urban Fantasy mystery series.


And now for a short Q&A with Carolyn Crane:

- What was your favorite moment of 2011?

I can’t think of any one moment…or when I try to think of specific moments, they are never better than the moments of laying in bed in the morning with my husband and our two cats, just waking up and talking and laughing and playing with the cats and looking forward to writing. Or reading a good book in bed. This is a lovely question because it just makes me appreciate that time more. I guess I love laying in bed!

- What will you be doing on New Year's Eve?

Laying in bed with my husband and the cats! LOL. Actually, probably nothing much different than what I do on any night, except nothing with my day job will be due the next day because it’s New Years Day so I will be able to relax. I used to be sort of jealous of women dressing up fancy to go to a ball on New Year’s Eve, but I so love being at home and laying around and reading and writing, I don’t feel like that anymore.

- What are you looking forward to in 2012?

I’m looking forward to self-publishing my Simon novella in February. It’s the first thing I’ll ever publish completely on my own, and I find it incredibly exciting, and scary. I’m also looking forward to springtime, and hopefully having time to work in the garden at our new place!

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Carolyn, thanks for dropping by and I wish you a wonderful New Year's Eve and a great 2012!

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Want to get your hands on a signed copy of either Mind Games or Double Cross?

Now is your chance!
Rules:
- leave a comment for Carolyn
- don’t forget to mention which book you want
- leave a way for me to contact you

This giveaway is international and will run until the 9th of January 2012. A winner will be randomly chosen soon after that date.

Don’t forget to check my previous three posts for news about my other Top Pearls authors of 2010 and for more cool giveaways.

Head Rush - Book Review

Head Rush (The Disillusionists Trilogy #3)
by Carolyn Crane

What is it about:
JUSTINE JONES FACES HER ULTIMATE ENEMY: HERSELF!

In an attempt to put her unhappy past behind her, Justine Jones throws herself into nursing school and planning her wedding to Otto Sanchez, the man of her dreams. But something is off. Random details aren’tadding up…and is it her imagination, or are her friends and fiancé keeping secrets from her? And what’s with this strange sense of unease, and her odd new headaches?

Justine tries to stay upbeat as Midcity cowers under martial law, sleepwalking cannibals, and a mysterious rash of paranormal copycat violence, but her search for answers leads her into the most dangerous mindgame yet.

With the help of unlikely allies, including her paranoid dad and best frenemy Simon, Justine fights her ultimate foe…and unravels the most startling mystery of all.

What did I think of it:
This book is utterly amazing!
I'm impatiently waiting for the print version to get released so I can hug it to bits.

Seriously:
Crane does it again: She made me rage, cry, chuckle, laugh and sigh in this rollercoaster ending of her Disillusionists Trilogy. There are few authors who manage to get me so involved in a lead character to actually make my blood pressure spike and heart rate increase, but so far Crane succeeded to do so with every book she wrote.

Crane's world building and her characters are both strong as ever. My favorite characters were all present again, there was a very cool new character and Carolyn even indulged me by including my beloved professor Teufelsdrockh (how awesome is that!?).

All in all this book is everything I hoped it would be and more. If you haven't started this series yet, you should run out right now to buy it! It's amazing.

Why should you read it:
It's amazingly cool and utterly awesome Urban Fantasy


Buy the ebook here
Buy the audiobook here
Paperback will be available later in 2012

ps: keep an eye on my blog next week: there just might be a giveaway where you could enter to win a signed copy of either Mind Games or Double Cross

Wild and Steamy - Book Review

Wild & Steamy by Meljean Brook, Jill Myles and Carolyn Crane
ebook - anthology

What is it about:
The Blushing Bounder by Meljean Brook - An Iron Seas novella of 15,000 words:
The search for a killer puts Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth's life in danger and her assistant, Constable Newberry, in the line of fire. But Newberry faces a danger of another kind: to his heart, by the woman forced to marry him. What will it take for this prudish bounder to convince his wife to stay?

Vixen by Jill Myles - A shifter novella of 15,000 words:
Miko's denied her were-fox nature for far too long and turned her back on her vixen heritage. But when she meets two very sexy cat-shifters, she has to decide if she truly wants to give up on her frisky side, or embrace it. Because the were-fox in her doesn't want to choose between both men...it wants them both.

Kitten-tiger & the Monk by Carolyn Crane - A Disillusionists novella of 20,000 words:
Sophia Sidway, Midcity's most dangerous memory revisionist, seeks out the mysterious Monk in the wasteland beneath the Tangle turnpike, hoping for redemption...but it turns out that the Monk is not all that pious, and the turnpike is no turnpike at all.

What did I think of it:

The Blushing Bounder by Meljean Brook:
This story was set in Brook's Iron Seas world, but where the other two stories in this series are dark and gritty, this story is so sweet you can't help but smile while reading it. It's a lovely addition to a terrific series.

Vixen by Jill Myles:
What can I say.
It's well written, but this piggy doesn't like menages, so this is not a story for me.

Kitten-tiger & the Monk by Carolyn Crane:
I've been dying to learn more about the Monk ever since he was mentioned in Mind Games, so Crane catered to my wishes with this story. But it's not just the Monk that made me love this story: Crane's writing, her world building and the story itself of course are all brilliant.

Why should you read it:
If you're a fan of at least one of these authors you need to get this anthology!

Find out where you can buy this ebook: Here

On McPig's Radar

These two ebooks just released this week and Voodoo Bride and me are so looking forward to reading them.

Check out: Wild & Steamy
This ebook has three stories of which 2 are must reads for me: one is set in the Iron Seas world by Meljean Brook and one is set in the Disillusionist world by Carolyn Crane!!

Check out: Feeding the Vampire
According to Voodoo bride no one should be able to resist reading post-apocalyptic, vampire erotica!

We picked up our copies of these ebooks today and are all set to read them. Make sure you get a copy as well!

Top Pearls of 2010

2011 is almost here so I decided to make a post listing the books that I most enjoyed reading this year.

I'll start of with the five books/series that blew me away and are not just on my top list of this year, but also made it on my list of all time favourites. Suprisingly enough all 4 authors of my top 5 pearls list had their debut as published writer this year*. I certainly hope we'll hear lots more about them in years to come.

(*please do not wack me if I'm mistaken and missed out on earlier work.)

I'm not going to try to say which one of these five series/books is the best as my feelings about that change depending on wether I'm in the mood for vampires, aliens, ghosts, tarot or disillusionists.

Anyway: here they come in random order:


The Justine Jones: Disillusionist trilogy by Carolyn Crane
So far there's two book out in this series: Mind Games and Double Cross
Mind Games was unbelievably cool and Double Cross was even better. Gritty, witty and full of action and heartache. I'm looking forward to reading the last book of this trilogy in 2011.

The Katherine (Kitty) Katt series by Gini Koch
I stumbled upon this series as the cover artwork by Daniel Dos Santos drew my attention and was hooked from the start as the stories are even better than the covers. So far there's two books: Touched by an Alien and Alien Tango, but luckily there's lots more books to come. The next book Alien in the Family will be released in April 2011.

The Delphic Oracle series by Alayna Williams*
There's one book out in this series so far: Dark Oracle.
This is a book I wanted to read as soon as I heard about it, but I had to wait a couple of months before it was released. And it was so worth the wait as it was even better than I had hoped. Highly underappreciated in the book blogging community in my opinion, this book drew me in and wouldn't let me go until I finished it (not that I wanted to go I must add). I'm looking forward to Rogue Oracle, which will be released in March 2011

The Anya Kalinczyk series by Laura Bickle*
So far there's two books out in this series: Embers and Sparks.
I loved Embers, especially because of Sparky, Anya's familiar, but it was Sparks that blew me away with it's total awesomeness. It's not clear at the moment if there will be more books, but I'm really hoping there will be.

The H&W Investigations series by Jess Haines
So far there's one book out in this series: Hunted by the Others, but the next book, Taken by the Others will be released in January 2011 and there's lots more to come.
Shia dances on that thin line that makes a heroine either likeable or a total bitch. For me the scales tipped to likeable though. Add some other cool characters to that, a kick ass story and intriguing, but nasty politics and you got me hooked!


*Yup, one author is on this list twice. Alayna Williams and Laura Bickle are one and the same.



So now you know my five top pearls of 2010, but I'm not stopping there! There's two more lists I want to share with you.

The Best of the Rest:


Favourite YA read of 2010: Downsiders by Neal Shusterman
The Ebook that got me into reading ebooks: Wolf Signs by Vivian Arend
Best Zombie read of 2010: Soulless by Christopher Golden
Best SciFi read: Grimspace by Ann Aguirre


Honourable Mentions:


Once Bitten, Twice Dead by Bianca D'Arc
Deadtown by Nancy Holzner
Spellbent by Lucy A. Snyder
the Iron Duke by Meljean Brook


And lastly I want to mention a book that might have made it on one of my lists if only I started reading it sooner:

Afterlife by Merrie Destefano
Reading this book at the moment and so far loving it.

Double Cross - Book Review

Double Cross by Carolyn Crane
(The Disillusionists Trilogy: Book 2)

What is it about:
Justine Jones lived her life as a fearful hypochondriac until she was lured into the web of a mysterious mastermind named Packard, who gifts her with extraordinary mental powers—dooming her to fight Midcity’s shadowy war on paranormal crime in order to find the peace she so desperately craves.
But now serial killers with unheard-of skills are terrorizing the most powerful beings in Midcity, including mastermind Packard and his oldest friend and worst enemy, Midcity’s new mayor, who has the ability to bend matter itself to his will.
As the body count grows, Justine faces a crisis of conscience as she tests the limits of her new powers and faces an impossible choice between two flawed but brilliant men—one on a journey of redemption, the other descending into a pit of moral depravity.

What did I think of it:
I loved Mind Games, the first book in this trilogy, so I've been looking forward to reading Double Cross for a long time.

And I must say: Wow!

Double Cross blew me away! Had I thought this series was already at its best in the first book, Crane proved me wrong and wrote such a brilliant sequel it had me laughing, crying and cursing throughout the book. My favourite characters from the previous book were back and some got more screen time this time, like Shelby, who is second only to Justine I think. The ending of the book had me shocked and eager for book three and I think Crane is one evil genius to get me so addicted to this series I'll be rereading this book and Mind Games to at least get my fix until the last book is released.

And I have to add that yet again I wasn't distracted by Crane's use of present tense. Somehow she manages to write it in such a natural way that I'm not even aware of it unless I'm looking for it. Other authors writing in present tense should read her books to learn from her.

Why should you read it:
It's a brilliant, amazing thrill ride of a read

Interview with Author Carolyn Crane

Those who follow my Character Connection posts might have guessed that I love the book Mind Games by Carolyn Crane. So while waiting for the next book in the Disillusionist trilogy I decided to ask Carolyn if she wanted to drop by for an interview, so I could ask her some things about her books. Luckily she agreed.


First of all let me welcome you and thank you for agreeing to do this interview. I loved Mind Games and am eagerly awaiting Double Cross.

Thanks for having me! I’m so happy to be here with you, Sullivan! LOL. I’ve never been interviewed by a pig before.

On to the actual interview:
I really love how you paint a world that’s not black and white, but is made up out of so many shades of grey. The characters are not all good or all bad as is often the case in stories.

Is this something you tried to go for on purpose or did that just happen along the way?

My most memorable experiences of reading or watching movies have always been when I have sympathy for the villain, or moral questions about the heroine. Or when I’m rooting for something to happen, and then I stop and wonder what exactly I’m rooting for. I love when things have dimensions—it excites me as a reader, so I guess it excites me as a writer, too. That said, I like answers as much as questions. The trilogy starts gray, but it will end with a bit more black and white, but with gray touches. LOL.

Can I assume from your use of the Mongolian Delights Restaurant that you love Kebabs or did you pick that particular restaurant because you don’t like kebabs? I myself can vividly understand anyone’s dislike of kebabs. *shudders*

What? You don’t like kebabs? A pig after Packard’s own heart! I actually have little opinion on kebabs, believe or not. But I have worked in many restaurants, so it is a setting I know really well. And, the Mongolian aspect—I never told anybody this, but I sort of picked it because it seemed humorous.


There are a lot of hats in this book. Do you own a lot of hats yourself and do you have a thing for berets?

LOL. I love your questions, Sullivan. Wow, I never noticed all the hats, but come to think of it, there are hard hats, safari hats, berets, there ARE a lot of hats! How did I never notice all the hats? Busted. I DO love hats! And you know what I just realized? In Double Cross, there are tons of people wearing glasses. * ominous silence *

Very suspicious. I’ll have to keep an eye on that.

Since reading the book I’ve been thinking what kind of disillusionist I’d be and as I’m a bit of a cynic at times I’d think I’d be great in getting people to let go of their optimism. What about you? What would be your own specialty? And if you were a highcap, what power would you have/want? (I’d like to have mind control so I could influence people into writing books about pigs and/or zombies.)

Oh, a cynic! You would get along well with Shelby. If I was a disillusionist, I might be the OCD one, because I always think I forgot to lock the front door, or the car door, and I have to go back and check. Or else that I left the stove on. I would make the villains waste a bunch of time checking stuff like that. As for highcap, hmm. I might like to fly. Sullivan, do you want to ride on my back? I promise not to drop you!!

As long as you don’t make any sudden sharp turns to go back to check if the front door is locked I’m on.

There’s lots of side characters in the book that sound really interesting, I’ve already read some where that Simon is going to get more screen time in the next book. What about the others? Any chance we get to learn more about the Monk for example? I know I want to learn more about him anyway. And Diogenes Teufelsdrockh? (I just love that name I must add.) I know he was only mentioned in the book in one sentence and not even by name at that, but after seeing the interview in The Midcity Eagle I’m a fan!

Oh, funny. Okay, maybe this isn’t the sort of thing I should reveal, but I put the Monk in as this mysterious and powerful being in case I got in plot trouble down the line and needed an ace up my sleeve. Do you know what I mean? An ultra powerful character to appear to rescue somebody and turn the tables. But, I have the plot worked in a way where I don’t need an ultra-powerful and mysterious being to save anybody. And that’s probably for the best.

I’m hoping Diogenes will do another Midcity Eagle interview soon. That’s actually a friend of mine - isn’t he great? Okay, just now I made a note in my little notebook to write a little part for Diogenes Teufelsdrockh in book #3. That is a really good idea! The fun thing about being a writer is that you can do that sort of thing. I have this group of friends, and we made a vow to always put stereopticon glasses in our novels, and there is one in book one. Also, thanks for going to the Midcity Eagle! I never know if anybody goes there!

Hmmm, that’s bad news about the Monk, but you made my day with trying to give Diogenes some screen time in book #3. I think your friend did a very good job with the interview and you as well, so I’ll be keeping an eye out on the Midcity Eagle.


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

Kelley Armstrong has been a huge influence on me. I think she is just amazing. I also love Jacqueline Carey, Kresley Cole, Richelle Mead, and Charlaine Harris. Also, I feel I learned a lot from Laurel K. Hamilton—her books have been really formative for me. Out of the genre, I’m really big on Graham Greene and Somerset Maugham. I’ve read everything they’ve written multiple times. As for books I’ve been reading lately: Vicki Pettersson’s Zodiac series! How did it take me so long to discover that?

There’s going to be three books about Justine. Any plans for other books? And are those going to be in the same world or have you got something else planned?
If you need any ideas, I can tell you that I’d love to see you write about zombies and/or pigs (as you might have guessed). I’ve been following you on your blog tour and was really disappointed the books you mentioned at Fantasy Dreamers Ramblings weren’t actual books, but just something you made up, especially ‘Road Trip of the Amish Living Dead’ and ‘The were-pig whisperer’, I’d buy them right away.

LOL. But what if something terrible happened to the pig? Sullivan, you would have nightmares!! Okay, I AM working on a new series, a paranormal romance that has UFC (mixed martial arts) fighters and a world domination plot. OMG, I am so excited about it, I can barely concentrate sometimes.

Anything else you’ve been dying to share but no one’s dared to ask?

Little known fact: I have a boiler operator’s license! I can work steam heating plants in small apartment buildings. Or, at least, if they are a certain kind. Nobody ever asks me about that. You are funny.

That is an unexpected side of you. I know who to call when I’m having boiler trouble now. Although that would take time away from you writing so maybe I’d better call someone else.

Well, that concludes this interview. Thanks again for dropping by. I will now let you get back to your writing in hope that you will finish the trilogy and can start on a nice zombies versus pigs story. (I’ll be glad to stand model for the hero, a handsome pig who saves the world from the zombies while plotting world domination himself in secret.)

Okay, Sullivan. I’ll get on it!! Hey, thanks so much for having me!!!


For those who haven't read Mind Games yet:
Run out to get it, it's an amazing book! And the second book in this trilogy - Double Cross - will be out September 28, 2010. And don't forget to check out the Midcity Eagle.

Character Connection + Interview Alert!

We all have characters we love. Let's spotlight these fantastic creations! Whether you want to be friends with them or you have a full-blown crush on them, you know you love them and want everyone else to love them too!

Character Connection host by
TheIntrovertedReader.blogspot.com

My Character connection today is with Justine Jones from Mind Games by Carolyn Crane.

Mind Games heroine Justine Jones isn't your typical kick-ass type - she’s a hopeless hypochondriac whose life is run by fear.
She's lured into a restaurant, Mongolian Delites, by tortured mastermind Sterling Packard, who promises he can teach her to channel her fears. In exchange, she must join his team of disillusionists - vigilantes hired by crime victims to zing their anxieties into criminals, resulting in collapse and transformation.

Justine isn't interested in Packard's troupe until she gets a taste of the peace he can promise. Soon she enters the thrilling world of neurotic crime fighters who battle Midcity’s depraved and paranormal criminals.

Eventually, though, she starts wondering why Packard hasn’t set foot outside the Mongolian Delites restaurant for eight years. And about the true nature of the disillusionists.

I can't help loving Justine! She's flawed, she constantly doubts herself, she drives you crazy with her constant worries about her health, but all that just makes me want to hug her and kick those who make her life miserable. I couldn't even get mad at her when she made some wrong decisions in my opinion.

I'm eagerly awaiting Double Cross, the next book in this trilogy, to see if Justine will eventually get it and make the right decisions and while waiting for that book I decided to pester the mastermind behind the wonderful Mind Games with some questions, so tune in this saturday for an interview with Carolyn Crane!


ps: Locus Focus will be on Sunday this week.

Character Connection

We all have characters we love. Let's spotlight these fantastic creations! Whether you want to be friends with them or you have a full-blown crush on them, you know you love them and want everyone else to love them too!

Character Connection host by
TheIntrovertedReader.blogspot.com

I have a confession to make. The character I'm going to point you to today is barely mentioned in Mind Games by Carolyn Crane and isn't even referred to by name in the book.

So why do I love him?

Just go here and watch the video!

The name alone is enough to love Professor Diogenes Teufelsdrockh in my opinion, but he's doing great in the interview as well I think.