Interview: Waking Up Immortal by Rachel Carrington

UFI welcomes Author Rachel Carrington. Thanks for Joining us!!

What can you tell my readers about yourself that they might not know from looking on your bio or reading in another interview?

I’m pretty much an open book and have listed a lot of extra information on my bio page at my website as I’ve included some Fun Facts (http://dawnrachel.com/meet-rachel) Here are a few things I haven’t mentioned before:

I’m barely 5’1 tall.

Due to several foot surgeries, I can’t wear flats ever again which is actually a good thing.

I’ve been called intimidating in spite of my height.

I’m a speed reader and have read five books in one night before.

I’m a paranormal addict.

I don’t really have a favorite food, but my favorite drink is Coke.

I used to run track in high school and played a pretty mean game of soccer. Volleyball, on the other hand, never worked out for me. Neither did softball or basketball.

What do you enjoy doing on your down time?

So many different things. I love to read, watch old television shows on DVD, put jigsaw puzzles together, go to the movies with my friends, go shopping, and go to concerts and plays just to name a few.

What is your Favorite part of writing?

Immersing myself in my characters’ worlds. I can imagine what I would do if I were in that situation.  

Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write?

Other than being in bed with my laptop and something to drink beside me, no. I’ve written other ways before, but in bed is my preference.

What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Genres?

I love, love, love Christine Feehan’s Carpathians. I don’t think there will ever be a series that will measure up to that one. I still re-read those books.

I also love MaryJanice Davidson’s Undead series. I always enjoy comedy along with romance.

Recently, I discovered Sarra Cannon who writes the Peachville High Demons series. It’s young adult but has enough oomph for the adults.

How would you explain your writing style?

Fast and almost frenetic. When I start to write, I don’t stop until I reach a point in the book where I’m questioning myself. That always tells me it’s time to put the book away for the night.

Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book?

My latest book is coming up on September 20^th, and it’s Waking Up Immortal, a first-person paranormal/science fiction blended romance. It’s part of the Universal Security series and sets the stage for the next two or three books (still uncertain of the number of books I’ll be writing in this series).  Here is the official book description:

I could die today, and it wouldn’t matter. I’d still wake up tomorrow. Some people might consider that a good thing, and the time I took my first bullet, well, I can’t say I complained when I woke up, but that’s the middle of the story.

At first I didn't want this "gift" which led me to a long search for my father. I thought he could help me. Turns out my father was in prison, and I just happened to get on the bad side of his warden—a huge, cyborg type of guy who could body double for Sylvester Stallone. He didn't want me to see my father, and he was a pretty big obstacle for me to overcome.

So here I am trying to convince this guy, Kier, to let me see my father when all hell breaks loose. Then I suddenly learn I really didn't want to see dear old Dad after all. My life isn't in danger, but how I spent the rest of my immortal existence was. The only thing standing between me and certain torture was the cyborg that I'd suddenly grown very attached to.

You write books in a few different Genres, what has been your favorite?

It’s a toss-up between paranormal and fantasy. I love writing in both of these genres as they give me so much more room to explore and create.

Which character was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about?

I’d have to say my latest character, Chloe, was one of my most favorite characters to write about. She discovered she was immortal, found out her father is in prison, and met a half-man, half-machine all in the same week. Needless to say, she’s a little testy.

I think the hardest character to write about was Karyn in my now out of print book, With Love from Sam. She’d lost a child due to a car accident in which she’d been the driver, and her marriage was on the rocks as a result. It was very difficult to write those types of emotions and make sure you do them justice.

What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you?

On October 20th, A Vampire’s Fury will release. In Vampire Betrayed, I introduced a vampire named Devlin. This is his story.

On November 20th, Souls Divided, the prequel to my Spirits series will release. 

I also have two romantic suspense novels under contract, but I’m not sure of the release dates yet. 

And besides the books already scheduled for release, I have the following series that I’m working on:
Deju-Vu—a delicious new paranormal romance series with reincarnation twists and sensuality. Three stories. Six couples. All looking for the happily ever after that has eluded them.

Elemental Shifters—Three (or possibly four) stories of special siblings who become part of the elements. Their journeys will take them through the sewers of New York City and into the dangerous mountainous firestorms…all in the name of love.

Inner Demons-Demon Hunters who are on the trail of unsuspecting half-demons, to catch them before their powers erupt and they cause havoc. Definitely at least three stories.

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Rachel Carrington began her career writing fantasy romances of powerful wizards and wicked witches. Since then, she has branched out into contemporary romance and romantic suspense and has had books published with Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing, Red Sage Publishing, and more.
 
Currently, a freelance editor/writer residing in historical Charleston, South Carolina, Rachel has written non-fiction articles for Absolute Write, The Writer’s Journal, Writing for Dollars, Writer’s Magazine, and Writer’s Weekly.

Because she likes staying busy, Rachel has also taught classes for Suite 101 and for author groups regarding promoting, writing, starting your own business, and editing.

When not writing, Rachel loves to read romantic suspense (Lisa Gardner and Roxanne St. Claire are two of her favorites), rework old furniture, cross-stitch, cook, and drink lots of coffee.

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Find Rachel and her books

Website / Twitter / Facebook

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 Waking Up Immortal
October 20 2012 

I could die today, and it wouldn’t matter. I’d still wake up tomorrow. Some people might consider that a good thing, and the time I took my first bullet, well, I can’t say I complained when I woke up, but that’s the middle of the story.

At first I didn't want this "gift" which led me to a long search for my father. I thought he could help me. Turns out my father was in prison, and I just happened to get on the bad side of his warden—a huge, cyborg type of guy who could body double for Sylvester Stallone. He didn't want me to see my father, and he was a pretty big obstacle for me to overcome.

So here I am trying to convince this guy, Kier, to let me see my father when all hell breaks loose. Then I suddenly learn I really don't want to see dear old Dad after all. My life isn't in danger, but how I spend the rest of my immortal existence is. The only thing standing between me and certain torture is Kier.

I don't doubt he'll protect me, but being so close to him makes me forget about things like safety. And the first time he kisses me turns into heat up the windows type of scene in the front seat of my car.

My immortal existence is safe with Kier. My heart is on shaky ground. Only I could fall in love with a cyborg while my life is going to hell in a handbasket.

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Guest Blog, Review & Giveaway: Goddess on the Run by Marne Ann Kirk

UFI welcomes Marnee Ann Kirk Author of Goddess on the Run. Thanks for Joining us!!

Today’s Vision of The Goddess

First, thank you so much for letting me come play on your blog today. I am so happy to be here talking about something as exciting as today’s vision of the goddess. What a great topic! I must confess, right now, this is a hot topic for me. I love exploring new-to-me ideas, philosophies, and religions—so, discuss some ideas, shall we?

When you hear the phrase, “the goddess,” what are the first two words that come to mind? Wiccan? Mythology, maybe? Power? 

If you had talked about the goddess when I was young, I would have pictured Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. I was raised in a conservative protestant household, though, and was only exposed to Greek mythology through Clash of the Titans or Star Trek. And, let’s face it, in the 1981 movie, Clash of the Titans, Ursula Andress (Aphrodite) was a lot prettier than Claire Bloom (Hera). Who wouldn’t instantly go to Aphrodite as goddess with an actress like Andress playing the part?

In reality, Aphrodite was a lesser goddess, right? Not the most powerful of goddesses. In fact, by the time Aphrodite came around, she was part of the Greek gods and goddesses doing this play of Who is Who on the power list, like an America’s Weekly Top 40. It signaled the fall of the goddess in the majority’s esteem. Then the Greeks lost to the Romans, the Romans took on Christianity, and the gods and goddesses became myths…

Fast forward from 146B.C. to now… 

I would like to think we are relatively enlightened, as a people. We are learning compassion, tolerance, understanding and a yearning for knowledge. Maybe it’s just there’s more information available to us about different beliefs and customs through history, because of our information system advancements. Whatever the reason, the goddess as an ideal, or part of a spirituality basis, or as a religious icon has grown, I think. She is back in the picture, people are more willing to talk about “what is the goddess?” today than they have been in a long time.

Is it because we are in a place again, where the female is seen as powerful, seen as vital, seen as important to intellectual, spiritual, and physical wholeness? I’d like to think so. I think I’ve always been drawn to the power women wield, just by the nature of being female. When I think of the goddess, and I think a lot of people today think this way, I think power of the feminine. I hope these thoughts and ideas, of women having power, being beautiful and intelligent, sexual creatures who create everything of beauty in this world, I hope this comes across in my novels. 

Goddess on the Run has a Celtic mythology flavor to it; but it also celebrates the power of the female in creation and in life. I hope, if you read it, you enjoy the story.

 

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Marne Ann Kirk grew up wild, exploring the vast high deserts and mountains of the West with her family as a child. Marne Ann loved making up stories and, well, lied about just about everything. Thankfully, she grew out of the lying stage...now she calls it story-telling.

Her debut novel, “Love Chosen: Book One of The Fae Dragon Chronicles,” is available now. “Love Dared: Book Two of The Fae Dragon Chronicles,” is coming soon. “Goddess on the Run,” a paranormal romance, will be available September 17, 2012. You can find out more about Marne Ann through her publisher, Crescent Moon Press, or visit her at: www.marneannkirk.com  or www.cowboysndragonscafe.blogspot.com 

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Find Marne Ann and her books

Website / Twitter / Facebook

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Goddess on the Run 
The Holy Water Warriors' Tales #1

All Fomorian Hells are about to break loose on earth, making human souls the daily special, if the Tuatha de Danaan can't stop it.

Teagan, a Celtic demi-goddess hiding from her destiny in small-town Colorado, wants nothing to do with her mother's forgotten realm or the drama of a battle of the gods. And Merric is forbidden fruit she's too smart to taste.

Merric, leader of the Tuatha de Danaan warriors, has other plans. Teagan holds the key to salvation, for both him and their worlds, whether she wants to or not. He'll do whatever it takes to convince her of her duty.

But can he find the key to her heart?

Teagan has been on her own for a while. She wants nothing to do with her mother or her destiny. On top of that she isn't only hiding herself and when the Tuatha de Danaan warriors finally catch up to her she has a lot of explaining to do.

I had absolutely zero trouble getting into GODDESS ON THE RUN. From the first chapter the book was full of action, snark and a bad ass alpha female not taking crap from an alpha male. Katie was easy to enjoy and I loved all the twists and turns that were thrown out involving her. You will have no clue about what I'm talking about until you read the book but the shower scene cracked me up. There is so much build up to the moment and for Teagan to react the way she did had me smiling, wincing and laughing out loud. The plot was great and had a nice easy flow to it. The secondary characters were fun to meet and played a nice part in the story as a whole. I'm really hoping that the other books in the series will feature Teagan again. I enjoyed getting to know her and I want to know what will happen with her next but I have a feeling the focus will be on someone else =( Either way I'm going to read on and im sure I will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed GODDESS ON THE RUN.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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Personal Demon
Laws of the Blood #6
September 25, 2012; Ace
ISBN:  0425254720
ISBN13: 9780425254721

Vampire Enforcer Christopher Bell is in Chicago to investigate rumors of a revolution, but when he comes across vampire hunter Ivy Bailey being followed through dark streets, what he finds is a ghost from his past. Over a century ago, Christopher fought the vicious London serial killer Jack the Ripper—and won. But now, the Ripper’s tainted soul is back—on the hunt once more.

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