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Sunday, March 14, 2010

Interview & HUGE Contest with Author Mario Acevedo

With so many gals in the Paranormal Urban Fantasy genre it is always nice to have the guys come out to play. So this week I am very happy to have author Mario Acevedo back here on Amberkatze's Book Blog.

Mario's new release Werewolf Smackdown is a brilliant read. I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole Felix Gomez Series so far and can highly recommend the books to both the girls and the guys!

Read the interview to find out more about Mario and then make sure you enter the contest. Mario, with the help of the authors at the League of Reluctant Adults, has been extremely generous and there are a few prize packages on offer! Actually I don't think Amberkatze's Book Blog has ever had so many super prizes on offer before!



------------------------

Amber - Welcome back to Amberkatze's Book Blog!

It is great to see you here again! Book five in the Felix Gomez series just came out and I loved it. Can you maybe start things off by telling my readers a bit about WEREWOLF SMACKDOWN?

Mario - It’s Felix Gomez’s latest adventure. In WEREWOLF SMACKDOWN, Felix gets trapped between rival lycanthrope clans in Charleston, SC, and the impending rumble could doom the supernatural world.

Amber - Felix has seen a lot of paranormal creatures so far. How do you decide what to throw at him in each book?

Mario - Great question. The supernatural world is huge. Once I figure what kind of trouble I want Felix to get into, I scheme with the other supernatural creatures to bust his chops.

Amber - Will there be more books in the series? How long would you like to see things continue for Felix? Do you see an end in sight?

Mario - Right now I’ve got a comic book deal to spin off Felix into new adventures. Felix is going to Hong Kong to fight a Chinese drug smuggling gang who proves more vicious than he expected. KILLING THE COBRA Issue #1 will be available in late April from IDW Publishing.

Amber - How do you pick the names of your characters? Are they just names you like, people you know or do they have some other meaning?

Mario - Another great question. I like to keep the names interesting and reflect the region the book is set in or the personality of the character. How could you not love a forest sprite named Wendy Teagarden?

Amber - What kind of research have you had to do for the books so far? Anything interesting or is research boring?

Mario - I visited the places I’ve set my stories in. As X-RATED BLOODSUCKERS was my L.A. noir story, I stayed for a while in La La Land. For the UNDEAD KAMA SUTRA I cruised about Hilton Head Island. On that trip I left from the Savannah Airport and realized that I had to set a story in a southern Gothic City, which turned out to be Charleston SC for WEREWOLF SMACKDOWN. For JAILBAIT ZOMBIE I prowled the rural digs of the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado, a perfect setting for the revenant undead.

Amber - How much input do you get in the publication of your books? For example, do you have a say in what the covers look like?

Mario - My editor and I work closely in the development of the manuscript. As for the covers, I get 100% approval; when my publishers shows me a cover, I get to say that I like the cover 100%.

Amber - Are you working on any other projects you would like to tell us about?

Mario - I’m pitching new stories to my agent, a hard boiled noir thriller and a YA witch story. Plus I’m writing scripts for the comic books.

Amber - You run a blog with author Jeanne C. Stein *waves to Jeanne*. How did that come about? How do you come up with the content?

Mario - The fabulous Marta Acosta invited Jeanne and me to join her on the Biting-Edge. Since then, Marta has decided to go her own way in the blogoshere at VampireWire. If she ever decides to return, we’ve saved her office though it’s currently stacked full of old blogs. The way we decide on content is that we Jello wrestle to see whose idea gets blogged. I would usually win but Jeanne fights dirty, really dirty.

Amber - There are so many online sites eg, Twitter, Face book, my space etc. to get in touch with fans. Which sites are you signed up with? Is it hard to keep up with them all? Do you think they are worth the time?

Mario - I’m used to be more active on MySpace but have migrated to Facebook. I do use Twitter with the handle of AdelanteArts (my art website). Are they worth the time? It’s part of the BSP (Blatant Self Promotion) we authors are expected to do.

Amber - What books, films and TV series have you been enjoying lately?

Mario - Books? BATTLE OF THE NETWORK ZOMBIES by Mark Henry. YELLOW RAFT ON BLUE WATER by Michael Dorris. Films and TV? Season Two and Three of MAD MEN. UP IN THE AIR. CRAZY HEART. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN.

Amber - If you could be any paranormal creature, what would you be and why?

Mario - A specter so I could pop out of closets and scare people, especially newlyweds on their honeymoon.

Amber - Thank you for being a guest again on Amberkatze's Book Blog! Good luck with the new release and make sure you stop by again!

Mario - Drop by my website on March 23 for the special two-day promo of Werewolf Smackdown.

http://www.marioacevedo.com

Happy fanging!






-----------------------------------

Contest Time

This week there are FIVE prizes and they have all been donated by Mario Acevedo and the other Reluctant Adults! So a huge thank you to them all!

Here are the prizes five people will win in this weeks contest :

Prize 1 - TEMPEST RISING by Nicole Peeler, CROSS YOUR HEART by Michele Bardley

Prize 2 - MIND GAMES by Carolyn Crane, GREYWALKER by Kat Richardson

Prize 3 - ACCIDENTALLY DEMONIC by Dakota Cassidy, THE BECOMING by Jeanne Stein

Prize 4 - A double book set from Diana Rowland. MARK OF THE DEMON and BLOOD OF THE DEMON.

Prize 5 - $50 Barnes & Noble gift card, ARC of X-RATED BLOODSUCKERS and JAILBAIT ZOMBIE by Mario Acevedo


How to enter

Now these are great prizes so I have to make you all work a little here. So to enter the contest this week you have to tell us which actor you think could play Felix Gomez if the series ever went on the big screen?

No actor - no entry

Earn more entries for each place you link this contest on the net. You can post on Facebook, Twitter & MySpace but make sure you add links here for me to confirm your entries!

You can also earn extra entries by emailing your friends about the contest. Just make sure you send a copy of your email or receipt to me at Amberkatzes_book_blog at gmx dot net.

Make sure you post your links here so I can confirm your entries.

Keep the contests going by using the Amazon links below and around the site!





The contest will stay open until Sunday 21st of March 2010 4pm CET and the winner will be picked by a randomizer. Entrants should check back to see if they have won. I do not hunt down winners and will pick new winners for any prizes not claimed within 7 days.

Good Luck!

78 comments:

LuAnn said...

Hmm ... who could play the lead role? I have to say Johnny Depp. He's so versatile and this would be a little different than parts he's played before!

reading_frenzy at yahoo dot com

Brooke Reviews said...

Let's see I've become a fan of Mark Ruffalo recently. He was in Shutter Island playing a doctor playing a detective, so that was cool. He's handsome, but not overly so. He was also in Zodiac which I really enjoyed. :)

This was a fun interview! Thanks for the contest!

I tweeted about the contest here: http://twitter.com/BrookeReviews/status/10477889227

bacarleton at gmail dot com

Van Pham said...

I think Timothy Olyphant would make a good Felix Gomez.

van p.
Littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Johnny Depp really would be great. I think Rob Lowe would be cool as well.

-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

All This Silence... said...

I have to say that Johnny Depp could play Felix, though I don't know if he would necessarily be the best choice. Of course, I'm like in love with Johnny Depp, so my opinion is a little biased ;)

sarah_bear_38@yahoo.com

Mario Acevedo said...

Thanks all for your comments so far. My choices for Felix are: Gael García Bernal or Raul Castillo. A pair of real Latino hunks.

Barbara E. said...

I'm not sure how old Felix Gomez is, but I'm thinking Javier Bardem might be a good vampire P.I.
I haven't read any of Mario's books, but I'm going to be looking them up now, they sound fabulous.

Spav said...

I think Johnny Depp would make a good Falix Gomex.

Tweet: http://twitter.com/Sparima/status/10482327126

spav05(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

HHHMMMM! Mark Ruffalo, or Hugh Jackman maybe???? Johnny Depp also as he's so versatile!

Unknown said...

im with alot of the other,jphny depp,since he can pull off about anyrole

throuthehaze said...

I'm going to have to go with Mark Ruffalo on this one.
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Llehn said...

I'll go with Joseph Finennes because I think he did a good job in Fast Forward.

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Hmmm... I would have to say Hugh Jackman.

Please enter me in the giveaway.

bianca_riot said...

if international entrants are allowed then count me in,

but i would suggest Johnny Depp, because he could play anybody because he is that talented, Hugh Jackman-an aussie like me, or James Lafferty-maybe not so much, but i've been watching lots of one tree hill.... :P

bianca.riot.08(@)hotmail.com

mariska said...

I hope My pick is right, David Boreanaz. He's so good looking and so cool :)

I post on FB : http://tinyurl.com/ygu6y7m

i tweeted : http://twitter.com/becunique/status/10511745322

cait045 said...

I agree with a lot of people saying Johnny Depp hes a brillant actor and can play any role.

usignolc(at)yahooDOTcom

elaing8 said...

I haven't read the series so I'll pick any actor I guess..How about Ben Affleck

elaing8 said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/elaing8/status/10515153813

elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

tetewa said...

This si also a new series for me, my pick is Ryan Reynolds! tWarner419@aol.com

SandyG265 said...

I have to agree with Johnny Depp. I think he'd be great as Felix.

sgiden AT verizon DOT net

plhill2000 said...

I would select Esai Morales. I loved him in NYPD Blue.

plhill2000 said...

I would select Esai Morales. I loved him in NYPD Blue.

Melissa said...

Another vote for Johnny Depp. How can you go wrong?

melissapascarelli at gmail dot com

u2canpew said...

I think Benicio Del Toro would make a good Felix.
He has cred as a fantasy horror star aka the most recent Wolf Man movie.
he not only can act but he can get behind the camera.

BrigidsBlest said...

I'm torn between either John Cusack (who is really good with the wry, wise-cracking roles like Felix) or Nicholas Gonzalez (Melrose Place, Mental, The O.C.)

Unknown said...

I can picture Benjamin Bratt in the role. He looks good hairy!!

Aimee said...

I haven't read the series yet, though I bought it. It's next on my to-read list, I swear! Anyway, so that makes it hard for me to pick an actor.

It's probably totally off, but I'm kinda obsessed with Gerard Butler right now, so I'll say him. :p

StyleVamp said...

Hands down, I'd say Benicio Del Toro...I can't see anyone else playing Felix..

jellybelly82158 said...

I haven't read any of these books yet but if Felix Gomez is Latino then I think Antonio Banderas would be good.

jellybelly82158 said...

I placed this on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=100000594583971&ref=nf

jellybelly82158 said...

Tweeted about this giveaway here

http://twitter.com/jellybelly82158

Benita said...

I'd like to see Andy Garcia play the role.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Mario Acevedo said...

All good candidates. I'm disappointed no one suggested me.

Sue Brandes said...

I would say hugh Jackman or Johnny Depp.

stevebrandes(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Great contest, thank you!

My first thoughht was Hugh Jackman, he is so versatile and can have a bit of a rough side to him.

I tweeted about the contest here: http://twitter.com/Stella_ExLibris/status/10561754504

stella.exlibris (at) gmail DOT com

Jeanne Stein said...

I fight dirty? For any of you who follow the blog, you know I do the IMPORTANT stuff, like REAL book news and anything Joss Whedon... Well, let me tell you, there has been more than one occasion when I open the Blog and Mario has STOLEN one of my clips...STOLEN, I say!! It happens when he runs out of BSP and has to find something to fill up the space. That doesn't happen often, I admit, because Mario REALLY likes to talk about himself...

And, here's a wave right back at you, Amber!!!

XO J.

Brenda Hyde said...

Oh, I SO know who should play Felix. Lou Diamond Phillips! He's got this reoccurring role on Numbers and he's a snarky FBI guy. He'd be perfect as Felix.

Jeanne Stein said...

I forgot to answer the Felix question--how about Mario himself? Or Danny DeVito, whoever is taller....

J.

Sue A. said...

I'm thinking Robert Downey Jr. He's a great actor, a little dark, humorous, and has charisma. And he's handsome, but not a pretty boy.

alternate email from blogger
magenta 2 red [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

*snickers*

Nice to see you here Jeanne!

Great suggestions so far.

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking a young Jack Nicholson would do a great job. I just really love Jack Nicholson :-)

Anonymous said...

Rudy Reyes would make a good Felix Gomez.


Skk25@aol.com

heatwave16 said...

I would have to say Johnny Depp. The man can do just about anything...creepy, fun, and dashing. :)

posted on twitter - http://twitter.com/Heatwave316/status/10633401176

on facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/hcreely?ref=profile

heatwave96(at)hotmail.com

nimrodiel said...

Nathan Fillanon?

I'm not sure, it's a hard question. As I've only read part of the first book (had to set it aside for required class reading).

nimrodiel (at) gmail (dot) com

donnas said...

Johnny Depp. I can seriously watch him in anything and hes always great. Anything from Pirates to Willy Wonka to Dillinger. He has a great range.

post - http://donnasbloghome.blogspot.com/2010/03/contests-found-317.html
sidebar - http://donnasbloghome.blogspot.com/
tweet - http://twitter.com/DonnaS1/statuses/10649125259

bacchus76 at myself dot com

Vickie said...

Oh.....Anthony LaPaglia would be good... John Cusack I think I saw someone post above...he just might work....

I want to know when Mario is going to Vegas and what the title of that Felix adventure would be...

katayoun said...

Gerard Butler!! i think he'd be great!

clynsg said...

I haven't read any of the series, so have to go with some of the earlier comments about the type of actor to play the role. If he is really a wry, wise-cracking type, then I agree with John Cusack as a possibility.

cgclynsg0 at gmail dot com

Katie said...

The first actor that popped into my head after I read the question was Ben Affleck. I'm kinda scared of that...

Thanks for the interview and contest!!!

cheesygiraffe said...

I'd have to go with Benicio del Toro too. I love Johnny Depp but he's better at character acting weird people.
Another one is Lou Diamond Phillips. Although he might be too old.

Ellz said...

Great interview. I love the covers to these books.

Orlando Bloom or Eric Bana.

zenfoxflower@yahooDOTcom

Jackie Uhrmacher said...

Benicio is close, but still not close enough. I'm thinking maybe Carlos Gomez from Desperado and Fools Rush In.

SiNn said...

so many people are saying Johnny Depp but i just dont see it awesome interview


Adam Rodríguez would make a great Felix or Jensen Acklessimply because well hes awesome in every thing he does


mortalsinn@ yahoo.com

doreen lamoureux said...

I think Tom Cruise would do a fabulous job.

dorcontest at gmail dot com

Heather (DarklyReading) said...

I'd say Javier Bardem or maybe Hugh Jackman..both yummy!

Pamk said...

I am going to say Colin Farrell, or Viggo Mortenson
posted on
http://twitter.com/Pamk258/status/10702211911
http://www.myspace.com/Pamk258

Eva S said...

My choice would be Hugh Jackman or...Johnny Depp, he can play any role.
Thanks for the great contest!

eva.silkka at gmail.com

Blodeuedd said...

Haven't read the book and kind of hard to make up my mind from just blurbs.

I always did like Bobby Cannavale after having watched Kingpin :)

Lol, I did find an actor named Felix Gomez, that would be cool

blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com

BreiaB said...

Although I LOVE Johnny Depp, I have to go with Javier Bardem for the role of Felix.

Jen D. @ Not Now...I'm Reading! said...

Thanks for the great interview and contest!

I'm going with Benjamin Bratt. He's played a detective before and damn it if he isn't easy on the eyes.

Jen
iiiioneloveiiii(AT)gmail(DOT)com

D Q said...

I think maybe Viggo Mortenson.
djeanq(at)gmail(dot)com

Kimberly B. said...

What a great interview! And thanks so much for the awesome giveaway! I must admit, I haven't read the Felix Gomez series yet, but I really want to. I don't know how old Felix is, but I'm going to suggest Esai Morales because I have been enjoying him so much in Caprica lately.

Anne said...

I pick Jeremy Renner, he was great in the Hurt Locker.

ajolly1456 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Féliz Gómez should play Felix Gomez! :D

(http://www.felixgomez.es/)

wookieecookie7 at sbcglobal dot net.

linett said...

Simon Baker would be my choice, thanks

Persephone said...

I have not read any books by this author, but I would love to! I would suggest the actor Benicio del Toro, I loved him in Things We Lost in the Fire.


patronus89013 at yahoo dot com

Darcie K. said...

Definitely Johnny Depp.
dmkayes at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I guess Hugh Jackman really might be a good choice.

Ina said...

def Johnny Depp - he is so multi-talented!!!
thanks for being here Mario!

Deirdre said...

Benicio Del Torres sounds like a good choice or John Cusack, possibly Colin Farrell who would probably have entirely too much fun!

Mario Acevedo said...

Wow, so many great choices. Thanks for the suggestions.

Lori said...

A very cool interview.

I think Brandon Routh would be perfect to play the role.

Lori
ladyrogue(at)ymail(dot)com

Cathy M said...

I agree with Van P, and pick Timothy Olyphant. He is starring in a new series, Justified, and is very sexy and totally watchable.



caity_mack(at)yahoo(dot)com

TazMarie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Wendy said...

I think that a more brooding actor would be great playing Felix. Maybe Sean Penn!

DemonLover said...

How about Jude Law, he can play anyone. He's handsome and versitile.

I shared this on Facebook.

demonloversblog@gmail(dot)com

DL

Jamie said...

I'm thinking Eric Bana. I just love him.
Thanks for the contest.
samnstacyATmeDOTcom

Bookie said...

I think Robert Downey Jr could play him. He's a good actor who's funny and versatile.

dawnpnr(at)aol(dot)com