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Sunday, February 5, 2012

Author Interview with Terri Garey (Contest Included!)

My author guest this week is Terri Garey! Her new gorgeous looking release, A Devil Named Desire is out now and I already have my copy waiting for me on the Kindle.

I love Terri's Nikki Styx series and was really surprised at how much I enjoyed her last release, Devil Without a Cause. Terri is definitely a must read author and I hope that if you haven't already had the pleasure of reading her work that you will give it a try after reading the interview.

So enjoy finding out all about the new book, series and the author. I hope you all enjoy the interview and take the time to enter this weeks contest. You could win a copy of one of Terri's great books!

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Amber - Welcome back to Amberkatze's Book Blog! It is great to have you here again as a guest! Could you start things off by telling us a little about your second book in the Devil's Bargain series, A Devil Named Desire ?

Terri - A DEVIL NAMED DESIRE is the of the Archangel Gabriel, who is the keeper of an ancient text known as the Ars Goetia, the Key of Solomon. The words of the Key hold unspeakable power, but can only be translated by someone pure of heart. When Gabriel's old friend and onetime brother, Samael the Fallen (better known as the Devil) forces a desperate young woman to translate the Key in return for her sister's life, Gabriel is driven to stop her in any way possible, even if it requires he become human to do it. What he doesn't know is that Samael is out to prove that he's not the only angel who can be led into temptation, and that when temptation comes in the form of a beautiful woman, it can be impossible to resist.

Amber - The first Devil's Bargain book, Devil Without a Cause, was a spin-off from the Nicki Styx series. Does this new book also fit into that world?

Terri - Yes. In Devil Without a Cause, Sammy Divine (the Devil) was offered a chance to learn a lesson by playing guardian angel. In A Devil Named Desire, Sammy turns the tables on his old friend Gabriel, and attempts to teach him a lesson regarding the nature of temptation.

Amber - How did you come up with the idea for the Devil's Bargain series? Was Sammy dying for his own set of books?

Terri - :) Sammy has a very strong personality, and his character became stronger in stronger in each subsequent Nicki Styx book. He has his own story to tell regarding his original fall from grace, and isn't quite the same as the one that the world is used to hearing. I really enjoyed patching together my own version of his downfall, and the world he inhabits, with a mixture of biblical stories, myth and legend. Sammy's kingdom is a dark one, full of shadows and secrets, strange creatures and strange landscapes. He rules it all --Lord of the Abyss, High Prince of Darkness -- but aches for the simplicity of what he's lost. I guess you could say he's a bit complex. :)

Amber - Where is Nicki? Is she ever coming back?

Terri - Nicki is coming back - she makes an appearance in A DEVIL NAMED DESIRE, actually. :) I'm currently working on a novella centered around her wedding to Joe that will be available in e-version sometime in 2012.

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?

Terri - Each book takes about 9 months to write. I've never been the fastest writer in the world, and quite frankly, I don't want to be. I don't want rush it when I'm writing a book; it's a creative process that requires a lot of effort and imagination on the author's part, all designed to make it an effortless read for the reader. I start with an overarching concept, a clear image of my characters and their motivations, and an inciting event - a spark that sets the book in motion. Then I plot and plan several chapters in advance, letting the story evolve, but always knowing where I want to end up.

Amber - How do you pick the names for your characters? Do they have any special meanings?

Terri - Names are critical! I can't fully visualize a character unless I know their name, but once I do, the creative juices start flowing. I remember driving along one day, thinking about this story idea I had for a spunky young woman who saw dead people, and wondering what her name might be. I brought up a visual image of what she would look like, and BAM, there was Nicki Styx: funky, fashionable, and a bit of a smartass, straddling the world between the living and the dead just like the River Styx divides the Underworld. She wouldn't be Nicki without her name. :)

Amber - 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?

Terri - I've been very lucky with my titles, and they usually come to my mind first, before I write the book. I've only had to change two of my original six, but even then I got to choose the alternate titles as well. DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY, YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I HAUNT, DEVIL WITHOUT A CAUSE and A DEVIL NAMED DESIRE were all original titles that were kept.

Amber - How much say do you have in the book publishing process? Eg. Do you get to pick the cover?

Terri - No, I don't get to pick the cover. My editor is great about asking what my ideas are, and she then communicates them to the art department, who does their own creative thing. :) Authors have very little say in their covers. I did ask for graveyards, which I've gotten in various forms on each cover, so I've been lucky.

Amber - If the series was going to be made into a TV series or Film, who would you like to see playing Sammy and Nicki?

Terri - Zooey Deschanel would make an awesome Nicki, and I've always seen Sammy as a cross between Simon Baker (The Mentalist) and Billy Idol.

Amber - Are you working on any other projects? What is next? Maybe some YA like other authors?

Terri - I've thought about YA, but I'm not really sure I have the voice for it - right now I'm finishing up Nicki's wedding novella, and working on the third Devil's Bargain book, which is all about Sammy!

Amber - What have you been reading, watching and listening to lately?

Terri - I've been on a bit of a movie binge, actually, and listening to a lot of Florence & the Machine.

Amber - Who has been your biggest inspiration in life?

Terri - My mom. She had seven kids and a fairly tough life, but she was always kind and loved to laugh. She died too young, but handled even that with grace and dignity.

Amber - If you could live anywhere in the world. Where would you live?

Terri - Oo, tough one. I haven't seen enough of it yet to decide!

Amber - Thanks for stopping by again!




Nicki Styx Series

#1 - Dead Girls Are Easy
#2 - A Match Made in Hell
#3 - You're the One That I Haunt
#4 - Silent Night, Haunted Night

The Devil's Bargain books

#1 - Devil Without a Cause
#2 - A Devil Named Desire

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Contest Time

I am giving away one of Terri Garey's book, winners choice! So you can get the new release or pick a Nicki Styx book.


How To Enter


What are you reading?!


No Answer = No Entry


'Please enter me' posts will NOT be counted as an 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!

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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.

Free Delivery on all Books at the Book Depository

The contest will stay open until Sunday 12th of February 2012 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.



40 comments:

blackroze37 AT yahoo.com said...

i love nikki and sammy! im glad i have followed terri since the first nikki book

Birgit said...

I just finished "Enclave" by Ann Aguirre and it was a bit of a letdown. Not bad, mind you, but it had much potential, but due to its shortness it unfortunately lacks detail and depth. Oh well, so today I picked up "Ashes" by Ilsa Bick and so far it's great - fast paced and adventurous!

Liked you on FB and shared (but don't I always, ha): http://www.facebook.com/birgit.horvath.muck/posts/267948256612301

Advertised you on my own blog too:
http://the-book-garden.blogspot.com/p/austrian-and-german-book-bloggers.html

Diane said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Diane said...

I am reading Lucky Penny by Catherine Anderson; I love her books , they always seem so realistic!



dsadler53 at yahoo dot ca

Stephanie said...

I'm reading Grave Peril by Jim Butcher.

Skk25@aol.com

Libri Vermis said...

I'm reading several books right now - The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, and the Hedgewitch Queen by Lillith Saintcrow are two of them. I am enjoying both of them.

Victoria said...

Stephanie Tyler's DIRE NEEDS. It's an ARC I won on her site. It arrived yesterday and I've just begun but it is SO good already.
I love the title to Terri's books. She's a new author to me but I'm sure I'm going to enjoy her work. Thank you.

vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

Barbara E. said...

I've enjoyed the Nikki Styx series and I'm looking forward to starting the Devil's Bargain books.
I'm reading Hellbent by Cherie Priest and it's fabulous.

Vickie said...

BOCD in the car: ECHO PARK: Harry Bosch Novel- Michael Connelly

Purse book: TRACKING THE TEMPEST: Jane True Novel #2 - Nicole Peeler

Bedside Nookbook: AREA 51 - Robert Doherty, sci-fi

donnas said...

I really liked the Nikki Styx series and am looking forward to the new ones.

I am reading 77 Shadow Street.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

Beverly said...

I am reading Oath of Office by Michael Palmer. Thanks for hosting. I would love to win A Devil Named Desire.
bsharp88@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Right now I'm reading several books at the time: Busted in Bollywood by Nicola Marsh, Body Temperature and Rising by K.D. Grace and Too Good to Be True by Kristan Higgins :-D

All are great and different from each other :-)

Thank you for the generous giveaway I've had my eyes on Terri's books for some time now, crossing my fingers and toes then ;-)

stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

Dovile said...

I've just started The Conquest by Elizabeth Chadwick.

off2europe2005 said...

I am reading I Am Four. Great book. I know, months after the movie, but saw it the other day. Waiting to read the next one.

Sharon Stogner said...

i have all Terri's books! Love her voice and I have been Team Sammy for a long time ;) I must say, Gabriel caught my eye in Devil Without a Cause I am am looking forward to more of him.
I hadn't heard the story behind Nicki's name before. How cool :)

I am reading A Game of Thrones (graphic novel), Wild, Wild, Death - Casey Daniels. Thanks!

Unknown said...

I am reading Fateful. It is a pretty good read. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read these books. Tore923@aol.com

Mary Preston said...

I'm reading A FEAST FOR CROWS by George R R Martin.

I love terri's work.

FB: Mary Preston

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

SandyG265 said...

I'm reading Cinder and really enjoying it.

sgiden at verizon.net

CrystalGB said...

I am reading Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione. Love her books.

Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

felinewyvern said...

I am currently rereading Honor of the Queen by David Weber on my e-reader whilst crocheting a blanket for the bed.

Jessica @ a GREAT read said...

Currently I'm read Tempest by Tracy Deebs, the ARC format.

GFC Follower
Email Subscriber
Have Headline Animator in my blog roll--a GREAT read

jessica(DOT)agreatread(AT)gmail(DOT)com

miki said...

i'm reading Chicago vampire book4 by Chloe Neill

thanks you for this giveaway ( international?) i don't know this author so it would be a great opportunity to discover theses books

thanks

gfc: miki
email suscriber

isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com

Alicia0385 said...

goddess interupted by aimee carter

aliciahall0605(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

parakiss25 said...

Thanks for the interview, I love Nikki ^_^
I'm reading right now The Darkest Secret by Gena Showalter

SandeSaid said...

I am currently reading ASSASSIN"S HEART by Monica Burns. Great story

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I love when authors do spin offs!

I'm read A Million Suns by Beth Revis

Advertised you on my own blog- right sidebar of
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/166740572453867520

FB- Lisa Ann Richards

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Linda said...

I'm currently reading a historical romance Twice Fallen by Emma Wildes.

thumbelinda03@yahoo.com

Mirela said...

I am reading The Hunger Games
like facebook: mirela nedelcu
gfc: mirela_8923
email: lulu_mirela90@yahoo.com

Amy said...

I'm currently re-reading Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series. She is one of my very favorite authors!

wanda f said...

Im reading Honor Bound (The Witchblade Chronicles Book #1) (An Elizabethan Historical Paranormal Romance) at the moment very good read so far.
flanagan@mebtel.net

JoAnna said...

I reading Wolf Tales 8 by Kate Douglas! Thanks for the giveaway!

Beckerjo at Verizon dot net

hippo said...

I'm reading Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

sienny said...

currently.. i'm reading hungry for you by linsay sands, survivor in death by JD Robb and deadtown by nancy holzner :D

Unknown said...

Currently I am reading That Old Black Magic by Michelle Rowen and The Wish series by Mindy klasky! They are all great books!!!

I tweeted you: https://twitter.com/#!/harley_chick883/status/167949974296997888

Shared on facebook also: Kristina Miller Parmenter

kristinaparmenter51(at)gmail(dot)com

Debi Murray said...

I am currently reading Die Buying by Laura Disilverio. It's very entertaining.

I love Terri's books and have read all except the latest Sammy release.

djmrtrm at sbcglobal dot net

Nickie said...

I am currently reading Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton. I haven't read either of Terri's series, but they are definately being added to my tbr pile!

Laura said...

I'm currently reading Deadly Decisions by Kathy Reichs and The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield.

Cathy M said...

I just started reading Something About Witches by Joey W Hill.

caity_mack at yahoo dot com

Barbara said...

I'm reading Spirit Bound by Christine Feehan.

Following via GFC/FB/email
barbbattaglia @ yahoo.com

clynsg said...

bincJust started Devious by Lisa Jackson.

cgclynsg0 at gmail dot com