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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Author Interview & Contest with Molly Harper

Today is the last but one Author event for this month! Please welcome Molly Harper back to Amberkatze's Book Blog!

Molly's new book, How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf, was released yesterday and I can't wait to get a copy! Plus we lucky fans can look forward to the second book next month! The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf will be released in March! Woohoo!!!

Enjoy the interview and make sure you enter the contest! Molly is giving away a copy of her latest release!

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Amber - Welcome back to Amberkatze's Book Blog! How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf is due out this month and you have another book, The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf due out next month! How did that come about? Busy much? ;)

Molly – Hi, thanks for having me! And the answer is, I do not sleep. I finished the books, one right after the other, after I finished AND ONE LAST THING. My publisher thought it would be neat to release it as a one-two punch. And I like the idea that readers won’t have to wait very long for the sequel!

Amber - So tell us about the two new books! Obviously there are werewolves involved but what else?

Molly - The books are centered on the werewolves of Grundy, Alaska. It’s my first series based outside of Kentucky! The first book, HOW TO FLIRT WITH A NAKED WEREWOLF, is about Mo Wenstein, a woman who moves from Mississippi to Alaska to get away from her hippie helicopter parents. Even in Grundy, it’s unusual to find a naked guy with a bear trap clamped to his ankle on your porch. But when said guy turns into a wolf, Mo has no difficulty identifying the problem. Her surly neighbor Cooper Graham—who has been openly critical of Mo’s ability to adapt to life in Alaska—has trouble of his own. Werewolf trouble.

For Cooper, an Alpha in self-imposed exile from his dysfunctional pack, it’s love at first sniff when it comes to Mo. But Cooper has an even more pressing concern on his mind. Several people around Grundy have been the victims of wolf attacks, and since Cooper has no memory of what he gets up to while in werewolf form, he’s worried that he might be the violent canine in question. Mo is convinced that Cooper is not the culprit, but who is?

The sequel, THE ART OF SEDUCING A NAKED WEREWOLF, is about Cooper’s sister, Maggie, and her struggle with her feelings for a human paranormal researcher. Maggie, the pack’s Alpha, resolves to chase him away, even if doing so takes a quick bite on the butt. What a pity that researcher Nick Thatcher turns out to be so drool-worthy, and that his kisses make Maggie want to sit up and beg. Maggie just can’t seem to convince Nick to leave . . . and even worse, she can’t convince herself to stay away from him. Cross-species dating is problem enough for a harried alpha female, but on top of that, a rival group of werewolves is trying to move into the valley. With interpack war threatening, Maggie can’t afford to be distracted. Combining romance and a career can be tough for anyone; for a werewolf in love with a human, it may be disastrous. . . .

Amber - I am sure a lot of people ask you this but will we see more of Jane Jameson?

Molly - Oh, did I not mention there will be a fourth ‘Nice Girls’ book? There’s no publication date yet, but I’m very excited about the story. I got to plan Jane and Gabriel’s wedding and you know that didn’t go smoothly.

Amber - How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf and The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf are really cool titles. How do you come up with the titles for your books? Do you always go with the first title or is it hard to come up with the right one?

Molly – My suckiness at picking titles is legendary. I write a book and attach a title. My agent suggests an alternative. We submit it to the publisher. My editor asks for a list of better alternatives. I send her the list. She asks a panel of experts (I’m pretty sure they’re interns who are cooler and hipper than I am) what they think of the list. They suggest something better, and then she selects something they approved. Rightly so.

Amber - Is there a paranormal creature you just don't like, and would never use in your books?

Molly – Zombies. I don’t know why, because they’re very similar to vampires - animated dead people. But all zombie movies give me horrible nightmares. Even Shaun of The Dead, which I thought was hilarious and really well-done. I thought, oh, this won’t scare me because it’s funny! But I think having my emotional shield lowered by humor made the impact that much worse. When AMC was showing The Walking Dead, I couldn’t channel surf anywhere near it for about three months.

Amber - What other paranormal creatures would you like to write about besides the ones you've already written about?

Molly – I have an idea for a haunted house book, so I’d really like to write a ghost story. That’s definitely next on my “bucket list” of book ideas.

Amber - A lot of authors are writing YA series. Have you considered writing a YA book?

Molly – I have one YA book idea, but I’m a little leery about my voice, plus intimidated by the idea of making sure the humor is appropriate. It may take me a while to approach it.


Amber - As you know I loved your novel 'And One Last Thing ...' Totally not paranormal but an amazing story. So is there any other genre you have not tried that you would like to?

Molly - Thanks. I miss lovely, human Lacey and her lovely, human problems. I don’t see myself writing serious horror or suspense. I would like to write something post-apocalyptic sometime. I like to think I could come up with interesting ways for people to survive.

Amber - Do you have a favorite character that you've written, one you wish you could revisit or add a couple of chapters about?

Molly – Favorite characters are like favorite children. Any mother or author who says she doesn’t have one is LYING. Jane Jameson will probably always be first in my heart because she was the first character I got published. And she’s the closest to my own personality. But I will say that I wish I could write a book that focuses entirely on the romance between her friends, Andrea Byrne and Dick Cheney. They’re just so cute together. And I love writing for Dick Cheney. He gets all of the good lines!

Amber - Would you ever be able to write a book together with another author? If yes, which author would you like to work with and why?

Molly – In the tradition of Dwight Schrute, I’m a “lone wolf” when it comes to writing. I just don’t think I’d be able to share control of the characters, the setting, the dialogue.

Amber - How long on average does it take you to write a book? Do you have a process you follow? or do you just start at page one and see what happens?

Molly – I’m averaging two books a year, so six months. I start with a general outline of how I want things to go. I write the first chapter and the last, and then I fill in everything in between.

Amber - So what comes next? Will there be more werewolves or vampires in the future? Any new projects you can tell us about?

Molly – I’m contracted to write two “spin-off” titles for the Half-Moon Hollow universe, focusing on people who are connected to Jane somehow. But Jane won’t be the main character. I’m excited because I’ll get to revisit Jane and her friends, but still do new things. Until then, you can find the Naked Werewolf books as paperbacks, e-books, and audiobooks, wherever books are sold!

Amber - Being a recent purchaser of a Kindle 3 just wondering if you own an e-reader yourself and what you think of e-books? Do you think they help ncrease an authors audience base?

Molly – I’m always the last one to jump on the technology bandwagon. I was literally pulled onto Twitter and Facebook, kicking and screaming. So I just got a Kindle for Christmas. I had about 60 public domain books loaded onto that thing within 24 hours. I like that I can get books without having to wait for them to be shipped or go to the store. (The other shoppers frown when I show up at the bookstore in my jammies.) I like that I’ll be able to take it on vacation and have one little object instead of packing my usual six or seven paperbacks. (My husband is looking forward to fewer checked bags while flying.) I miss the smell of the pages. I miss being able to see a whole page’s worth of text. It takes some getting used to.

But anything that makes people more enthusiastic about reading is a good thing.

Amber - What are you listening and watching lately? What books have you read recently?

Molly - I’ve been listening to a lot of emo music lately, I’m not sure why. The Fray, Duffy, Natalie Merchant and Sia’s “I’m in Here” and “Breath Me.” Which is funny, because I’m pretty happy right now. I just finished a big project and I’m making long-term plans with my publisher. Maybe my brain is trying to find balance.

And someone sent me this list of 100 Books the BBC says you have to read to be a well-read person. I’ve read about half of the titles, but I noticed a shocking lack of Dickens, Bronte and other classics on my part. So I’m working through it. I just finished Nicholas Nickleby and I’m starting A Tale of Two Cities right now.

Amber - You have written about vampires and werewolves. So in the ultimate battle, who gets your vote: vampires or werewolves? Edward or Jacob?

Molly - I’m Team Jasper, and sometimes Team Emmett. I know, I’m weird. Something about Southern accents and general badassery do it for me. (Oh, and a LACK OF WHINING.) I love werewolves. But thanks to the corrupting influence of Joss Whedon, I will always be a vampire girl at heart.

Amber - Thank you so much for coming by again! Good luck with the new releases!

Molly - THANK YOU!



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Contest Time

Molly is giving away a copy of her latest release - How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf!

How To Enter

Is there a paranormal creature you just don't like?

No answer = No Entry

Earn more entries for each link you place about 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! However please do not make individual postings for each entry. Please post all your entries in one post.

Advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog on your site and get an extra entry for this and every other contest!



Amberkatze's Book Blog


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 Bookdepository.com and Amazon.com links/Banners below and around the site!



The Book Depository


The contest will stay open until Wednesday 2nd of March 2011 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.

45 comments:

Stephanie said...

I don't really care for goblins.

Skk25@aol.com

SandyG265 said...

I don't really like gremlins.

sgiden at verizon.net

Ina said...

to be honest I can't connect with zombies - yeah, they are kind of dead, but there are better ways to show that...
greetings, Ina

inale87 at gmx dot at

Blodeuedd said...

What do I not care for...they all have good things and bad things about them, but I do Always hate zombies

blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com

Barbara E. said...

Ghouls are kind of creepy, so I don't like them too much. And of course zombies are similar in that they're very creepy.

Mariee said...

I really don't like zombies!

Tweeted about the giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/marieimy/status/40574572457627649

marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

shaunesay said...

Hi Molly! Thanks for visiting us today!

I would have to say zombies are my least favorite, I'm just not getting the craze for them lately. Sounds like that's going to be a popular answer from reading the other comments! lol! At least I know I'm not alone!

Thank you for the contest, this book sounds great!

shaunesay at gmail dot com

Martha Lawson said...

Zombies! I just can't see the the appeal. Great contest, please enter me.

follow on gfc

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

donnas said...

I really just dont care for zombies.

tweet - http://twitter.com/#!/DonnaS1/status/40612733774725120

bacchus76 at myself dot com

Beverly said...

I have to say that just don't like zombies - they gross me out. I can't read about zombies without picturing some creature dropping parts along the way as I read about them:(

Thanks for hosting - creative contest - it was fun seeing what others don't like!
bevsharp@desch.org

Meredith said...

Zombies. I don't get the fascination with rotting corpses.

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Llehn said...

Gnomes.

Llehn said...

Gnome.

Mardel said...

The only supernatural creature that I don't feel so great about is Zombies...I don't mind reading a book where people are dealing with Zombies, and I've read Mark Henry's first Amanda (The zombie) book. But the whole idea kind of grosses me out. ugh.

Aurian said...

Great interview, I look forward to reading your books Molly. I don't like anything scary, and I was really repelled by the vampires LA Banks created in Minion. Never read another book by her again.

ArtemisG said...

I don't really like zombies because they are dead, scary and ugly.
Thanks for the giveaway!!!

artgiote at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I don't really care for zombies. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Unknown said...

I don't like Ghouls...I don't see the point in them.....

Great Interview!
BrittanyG@gmail.com

Pauline MIlner said...

I am afraid of ever seeing any kind of ghost. I enjoy studying the paramormal, but seeing a ghost would definitely freak me out and cause an immense amount of anxiety. I think that is the reason I have never considered going near an Ouigi Board. Goodness knows what I would conjure up!

Thanks for the giveaway.

dod@rogers.com

JenM said...

Like everyone else, I'm not a fan of zombies and I don't normally read zombie books although I did just read Married With Zombies and it was pretty funny. Another one that I just don't get is the fallen angel craze.

jen at delux dot com

lilypad98010 said...

First thought when I read the question, Zombies". I'm just not a zombie person.I think of the Michael Jackson music video "Thriller".

Victoria said...

I don't care for zombies. They kind of give me the creeps. Funny, I'm okay with ghouls :).

vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I have to say I'm not crazy about trolls.

tweeted here: http://twitter.com/Parakiss25
blogged here:
http://faefever25.livejournal.com/11075.html

justpeachy36 said...

I like most paranormals but I don't care too much for Zombies... just not my thing LOL...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Michele said...

I guess I would agree with Molly, on the Zombies...Haven't read many Zombie books!!

Posted on FB
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000279517109

Thanks for the chance to win!!

jmluker@winco.net

Vickie said...

I can watch zombies, but I can't seem to read zombies. Watching zombies for a little bit of time and I can move on. Reading about them, I get queasy.

Amy said...

I don't like zombies or gargoyles.

angeldream3(at)gmail(dot)com

mariska said...

I don't like zombies.

uniquas at ymail dot com

Dovile said...

I really don't like zombies, because I find them creepy. And I also don't care for ghosts.

Andra Lyn said...

I love all paranormal creatures. Sure zombies can be icky...buy its how they are dealt with, how they came to be zombies, are they infectious, can they be ressurected, etc that makes them so interesting! There isn't a lot of material out there about creatures such as trolls, goblins, banshees, hags, etc...I feel like I'm less attatched to them because of that...But if I find them in a good series then I usually adapt pretty quickly :) Goblins for instance, are really interesting creatures in Laurell K Hamilton's Merry Gentry series. They have thier own culture and everything.

hense1kk AT cmich DOT edu

clynsg said...

It's a bit like humans--it depends on their personality. I don't think I dislike any particular group, but I do dislike the ones that are definitely in the anti-friendly group.

cgclynsg0 at gmail dot com

Alicia said...

I'd have to say I don't really like zombies. They're never very cute and really kind a gross.

aliciacald at gmail dot com

debbie said...

I am not thrilled with leprechauns.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Audra said...

I am a anti- ZOMBIE girl I hate them and totally agree with Molly.

Cynthya said...

There aren't any paranormal creatures I find scary or particularly icky, but there is one I don't like reading about--angels. I don't know why but I've read a lot of books with angels as characters and none of them have been very interesting. I love werewolves, though, and look forward to reading How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf.

lisagkendall said...

I have a hard time reading a book where the lead character is a Fairy. I tend to stick to vampires, were folk, and witches. I'll read others, but not as quickly. The books has to really pull me in. thanks for the giveaway. lisa gk at yahoo dot come

cranepuffin said...

Trolls - ugh! They are just NOT your friend!

kim-dan@comcast.net

LSUReader said...

I have to admit, I read them all. Now, on personal preferences, I'll side with the "zombies are not really my friends" camp.

Calliope said...

I think I'd have to say...um...well...

So, I was GOING to say goblins, but then I thought of Lisa Shearin's Tam.

Then I was GOING to say banshees and thought of Rachel Vincent's Kaylee.

So, I think I'll just say that I dislike it when those paranormal creatures with human forms go completely feral and bloodthirsty - I prefer them to have some humanity to them, regardless of it being good or bad.

vaderfangirl(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Anonymous said...

I guess it's Zombies for me as well. I always think of them as slimey and rather nasty creatures.

Natasha Areena said...

Answer : Yes. Medusa, raza'ac and the multiple headed dog that guards the entrance to the underworld.

thebookish96(at)gmail(dot)com

Sharon S. said...

I have heard such great things about this book! It is a must read for me :) I wouldn't say there is a paranormal creature I don't like. If they fit into the story well I like it. Now if we are talking romance partners then the zombie gets the boot, cause...ewww!

Pink Panther said...

Zombies. Green skin? No thanks!
You can reach me at luvpinkpanther@gmail.com

A'lina said...

For awhile I didn't care to read about angels in paranormal romance because I found it hard to think about angels getting busy, if you know what I mean. I could care less now that I've read a couple good books about 'em but their still not really a fave.

Unknown said...

I'm getting fed up with vampires, I need a break it seems. But can never tire of werewolves and other yummy shifters :-D

Thank you for the generous giveaway!

stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com