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Sunday, February 6, 2011

Author Interview & Contest with Tracey O'Hara

February is turning out to be a busy month on Amberkatze's Book Blog. Instead of just one author guest a week I have two! I hope you can all keep up!

Please welcome author Tracey O'Hara, a new author to me but maybe one you have come across before. I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy of Death's Sweet Embrace and really enjoyed it. Now I hope to read Tracey's debut, Night's Cold Kiss.

Enjoy the interview and don't forget to enter the contest at the end. Tracey is very kindly giving away a signed copy of her new release.

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Amber - Welcome to Amberkatze's Book Blog! It is great to have you here as a guest! Could you start things off by telling my readers a little about your Dark Brethren Series?

Tracey – Thanks so much for having me as part of my tour. The Dark Brethren series is a world where humans live knowingly alongside what I refer to as parahuman races. These races have vampiric type beings, shapeshifters, shape morphers, Mer-people and a whole lot more that I have yet to go into fully myself.

Amber - The second book in the series, Death's Sweet Embrace, has just been released. Can you tell us a little about the story?

Tracey - DEATH’S SWEET EMBRACE is the second Dark Brethren novel. It continues on from the first with a new protagonist -- Kathryn “Kitt” Jordan, a parahuman medical examiner and a snow leopard shifter (an Animalian). She has just lost her brother, the only family she’s had in the last 20 years, to a psychopathic killer and had her world turned completely upside down.
Now a sadistic killer is murdering young Animalians but cutting out their still betting hearts while they are alive. Kitt must join forces with a team lead by her brother’s closest friend to help solve this mystery. Problem is, her ex lover who she hasn’t seen for many years is also part of this team.

We also get to follow some of the characters from the first book, especially Oberon and Antoinette and are introduced to some new ones as well.

There is a glossary of terms on my website to explain some of the terms I use.

Amber - Now I haven't read the first book, Night's Cold Kiss, but didn't have a problem keeping up with Death's Sweet Embrace. Did you want the books in the series able to stand alone? Will readers need to read the books in order?

Tracey – I describe them as being like a TV series that follows a key group of people. Each story is a standalone story with the main character focus changing from book to book, but there will also be a overall thread that will be apparent in the books too.

Amber - How did you come up with the idea for the Dark Brethren series? Was it a long process or did it just come to you?

Tracey – First there was Antoinette, then Night’s Cold Kiss, and then half way through writing that book, the idea of the Dark Brethren came as a big bad that manipulates events from afar. This started to make things fall into place, and while I did not completely understand what the Dark Brethren were, I knew they were there. As I write each book, I am discovering more about them and what drives them.

Amber - What kind of research have you done for your books? Anything interesting or is the research boring?

Tracey – I researched forensic pathology stuff, particularly autopsies. Since I live in Australia and I set my books in an alternate version or the US, I try to make that city as realistic as I can. And even though I make up my own lore, I at least research traditional lore on vampire, shapeshifters etc so I can engage readers in the familiar as well.




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

Tracey – Well Antoinette was called Antoinette because her mother was French and her father Romanian. Petrescu is a Romanian name. Christian was always Christian. Oberon was called Oberon because Oberon means bear. Kitt was always going to be Kathryn Jordan, even before I picked her species. And Raven Matokwe just came to me, it sounded real cool and heaps mysterious.

Amber - Did you always wanted to be an author? Why did you pick the Paranormal Urban Fantasy genre?

Tracey – Actually no. I only started writing about 7 years ago. And paranormal urban fantasy found me. I have always liked horror, fantasy and sci-fi. It was the story that came first, then I worked out what genre it was.

Amber - I am sure that being an author has its ups and downs. What experiences have you had so far?

Tracey – One thing that found out is how totally different it is to what I expected it to be. I love having my books out there and being enjoyed by people, but it also opens it up for me and my writing to be ridiculed and dismissed. Working full time and trying to balance everything has also been a challenge. But having someone come up and say how much they really enjoyed my story is a pretty awesome feeling.

Amber - Alot of authors have 'soundtracks' for their books. Is there any music influenced your books?

Tracey – I listen to metal, heavy rock, pagan rock and some classical. It depend on what scene I am working on and the mood I am after.

Amber - Will there be more books in the series? Which other characters do you see telling their story?

Tracey – The next book is about Bianca Sin – the white witch. I like to see each of the characters have their own book – but I would want to do it only if I can come up with a good story for them.

Amber - What books do you enjoy reading? Do you have any favourite authors/series?

Tracey – I love reading. Unfortunately the last couple of years I have not had time to read as much as I want. I read a little urban fantasy. Vicki Pettersson is one of my favourites. But I also love George RR Martin, Raymond E Feist, Stephen King and Anne McCaffrey.

Amber - Have to say that I totally loved the were snow leopard ;) But if you could be any paranormal creature, what would you be and why?

Tracey – I think I would like to be a witch. I would love the power.

Amber - Thanks for being a guest! I hope you will pop by again some other time!

Tracey – It was my pleasure and I would love to.




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Contest Time

The lucky winner of this giveaway will get a signed copy of Death's Sweet Embrace!

How To Enter

Just answer the question!

What is high on your To Be Read Pile?

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 Sunday 13th of February 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.

47 comments:

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

The book highest on my TBR pile is Jennifer Rardin's "One More Bite"

http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/34340249094070272


(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Cindy McCune said...

Bite Club by Rachel Caine...
\m/.(^.^).\m/

debbie said...

The one that is up there is full dark, no stars by stephen king.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

The one that is up there is full dark, no stars by stephen king.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

heatwave16 said...

Tracking the Tempest - the 2nd in Nicole Peeler's series.

heatwave96(at)hotmail.com

http://twitter.com/Heatwave316/status/34455368142692352

throuthehaze said...

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins is highest on my TBR pile at the moment.

throuthehaze at gmail dot com

JenM said...

Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews. I've had it since it came out, but I wanted an uninterrupted day to read it and I haven't had one yet.

jen at delux dot com

Pam P said...

Series sounds great, will definitely have to get and read, Tracey.

Going to get Angel's Consort tomorrow I hope, so that will be up very top of my TBR for sure.

Dawn M. said...

Alpha by Rachel Vincent. I can't wait to see how the series ends. :0)

librarygrinch at gmail dot com

Tracey O'Hara said...

wow there are great books here to read. I definatly have the Jaz Parks series on my TBR pile - RIP Jennifer Rardin. (Lisa - lived that little critter).

I've not read any Rachel Caine either. But Stephen King is one of my favorites.

I've heard a little about Nicole Peeler's book but hadn't heard of Rachel Hawkins.

Ilona Andrews is great - and is is the fabulous and fantasic Nalini Singh, her books are an auto buy for me.

Rachel Vincent is also great.

Anonymous said...

High on my too-read list is Karen Marie Moning's 'Shadowfever' since I Loved her series and Alisa Valdes Rodriguez 'All That Glitters'

faefever25 AT hotmail DOT com

+ 1 entry on Twitter http://twitter.com/Parakiss25
+ 1 entry on Livejournal
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ArtemisG said...

House of night series by P.C.Cast

Thanks you!!!

artgiote@gmail.com

jen7waters said...

Right now, Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare ;)

Jessica @ a GREAT read said...

Ascension by Sable Grace and Unseen by Rachel Caine. And the list can go on and on!

Have banner on blog: a GREAT read

jessbess2505[at]yahoo[dot]com

Julie S said...

I really can't wait to read the Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter book.

juliecookies(at)gmail.com

Mervi said...

The book highest on my TBR pile is Hunted by the Others by Jess Haines.

musmekipi at gmail dot com

Becky said...

The book highest on my TBR pile right now is Wendy Corsi Staub's "Live to Tell"


+1 entry at
http://beckyqward.blogspot.com/
+1 entry at
http://www.facebook.com/beckyqward
Not sure if I posted the one on FB correctly or not.

Becky
beckyqward@gmail.com

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

I have a huge amount of books but I just found one I am about to read called The Heat by Heather Killough-Walden.

Brittanyg@gmail.com

Sharon S. said...

This Side of the Grave and Pale Demon are the next two I am standing in line for . And now I have discovered a new genre (m/m) of books to add to my list!

I have Death's Sweet Embrace on ebook and would love to have a hard copy cause it is just that awesome!

elaing8 said...

Alpha by Rachel Vincent is on top of my TBR pile.

tweeted http://twitter.com/elaing8/status/34644613264318464

Andra Lyn said...

I've been making progress in Stephen King's books. I wanted to read them in order that they came out so I've just got past the Shining. I also Have to read the Riley Jenson series by Keri Arthur. Its been up there for a while.

http://twitter.com/#!/hense1kk/status/34647418129616896

hense1kk AT cmich DOT edu

Anonymous said...

I am currently working my way through the Psy/Changeling series by Nalini Singh, but afterwards "Nightshade" by Andrea Cremer is on top of my TBR pile.

btw: your contest on my blog: http://kattefrue.blogspot.com/2011/02/contest-amberkatzes.html

Cathy M said...

The book at the top of my list is Shadowfever. I know it's a long one, and I am hoping to set enough time to really get into it in one sitting.

caity_mack t yahoo dot com

justpeachy36 said...

The top of my TBR pile has the second book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood on it... Lover Eternal.

Please enter me in the giveaway.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Barbara E. said...

I have quite a few books that I just bought, and I've been waiting to read them, so they're high on the TBR pile. They are: The Darkest Edge of Dawn, Blameless, Web of Lies, Venom, Earl of Darkness and I'm reading Killbox right now.

Audra said...

Alpha By Rachel Vincent
audie(at)wickerness(dot)com

Stephanie said...

Pale Demon by Kim Harrison is high on my list right now.

Skk25@aol.com

Ladytink_534 said...

I think I may read When Rose Awakes by Christopher Golden next.

Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

Ladytink_534 said...

I advertise on my website: www.ladytinksblog.blogspot.com


Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shelbycat said...

High on my TBR pile atm is "A Discovery of Witches" by Deborah Harkness.

Desmond said...

On the top of my list right now is the Elvenbane series by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey.

dwarzel at hotmail.com

SiNn said...

is ahard list since well ihave sooo many in my tbr pile id have to say tho Darkness Captured by Delilah Devlin

then of course other ones there slong list really some ive won i nee dtor ead others i owe for review

Rhonda said...

Kathy Reichs-Spider bones
I love forensics
rhondastruthers atyahoo.ca

Meredith said...

Shadowfever!

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Beverly said...

Foresight, Last Sacrifice, and Bayou Moon are all close to the top or on the top of my TBR.
Thanks for hosting!
bevsharp@desch.org

Ina said...

on top of my TBR pile is Karen Marie Monings Shadowfever - haven't had the time to read it yet, but will change that now *g*
greetings, Ina

inale87 at gmx dot at

Jenn S. said...

The book highest on my TBR pile is The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa.

jas8929 at gmail dot com

clynsg said...

Right now I am working my way through Feehan's Drake Sisters series--next up is Safe Harbor.

cgclynsg0 at gmail dot com

saturdaynightfever said...

"The Imperfectionists" by Tom Rachman!

edgenemmers@gmail.com

Calliope said...

My TBR pile is about a mile high but next up is Allison Pang's A BRUSH OF DARKNESS and Doranna Durgin's STORM OF RECKONING.

Magaly Guerrero said...

The top of my TBR pile is currently being monopolized by things Terry Pratchett's Witches.

crystletellerday said...

more books from lisa gardener crystletellerday@yahoo.com

Mysteriousrose said...

I have a lot of books on my TBR pile and many of them have been there for awhile, it seems to grow every day!
Lords of the Fading Lands by C. L. Wilson is one of them.
Thank you for this giveaway:-)

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Total entries: 12

forceofstars(at)yahoo(dot)dk

AEKZ2 said...

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.

annettekz2@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

High on my list is Night Road by Kristin Hanrech. garrettsambo@aol.com

Becky said...

Funnily enough I do have a PILE by my bed of to be read stuff..I think right now on the top is the second in the Wicked Series..Son of a Witch..butI mustadmit I read your comments and got some on my list to go get now.