Month of Love: Author Gena Showalter visits the dollhouse and…Giveaway!
Today the Dolls welcome Gena Showalter – we are so excited to be able to include her in our Month of Love feature and would like to send out a special thank you as we know this has been a hectic and difficult time for her…
Gena Showalter has always believed in love. An avid romance reader, she decided to try her hand at a story of her own and is now the New York Times bestselling author of sexy paranormal romances, including The Stone Prince, The Pleasure Slave and Heart of the Dragon. She is also the author of Awaken Me Darkly, the first in the darkly seductive Alien Huntress series. Her wildly sensual page-turners have mix of humor, danger and wickedly hot sex, a combination sure to enthrall. She is universally acknowledged to be “made of awesome.” Visit her Website for more!
PBD: As this is the Month of Love, what would you say is essential to writing a love story?
GS: For me, it’s a hero who is willing to die for his woman if necessary, and…well, that’s the main ingredient. All other details can change, but the hero either wins the battle or sinks the ship.
PBD: In The Darkest Secret you focus on Amun, Keeper of Secrets. As most fans know – Amun is the dark silent type who never opens his mouth because one word would drive all in his immediate vicinity insane! And as if that weren’t enough, he falls in love with a former Hunter named Haidee, who also murdered one of his closest friends. Either you love a challenge or you are a glutton for punishment. This book was amazing! Did you have any idea it would be so exciting when you first imagined the story?
GS: First, thank you so much! When I started the book, I knew I’d have some challenges—most readers hated Haidee with a passion–but The Darkest Secrets was one of those books that flowed…I wouldn’t say “easily,” but maybe “smoother than usual.” In past books, I hadn’t revealed much about either character, so I had a lot of room to play—and play I did, pairing two people who were never meant to be together but couldn’t seem to stay away from each other.
PBD: In Spring 2012 you will be releasing THE DARKEST SEDUCTION, the story of Paris, Keeper of Promiscuity. Paris has practically been losing his mind throughout the last few books ever since he meets the Hunter, Sienna Blackstone. Can you share some scoop on this new installment?”
GS: Unlike the Darkest Secret, this book was one of the biggest challenges of my writing career. Paris had played such a big part in so many other books, and so much had happened in his life—after losing the only woman capable of breaking his curse, he went from being the life of the party to being a drug addicted Debbie Downer–I had to stay the course, even though that meant wringing myself out emotionally. Because yeah, all that darkness had to be dealt with and I was the one who had to do it.
PBD: You are one of the most prolific writers in PNR/UF. You write for both adult and young adult audiences. At any given time it seems that you are working on 20 things at once – video interviews of other authors, series development with other authors including anthologies, developing new series of your own and writing new installments in your existing series. I would really like to understand where your inspiration comes from? And your delightful energy?
GS: I’m happy to say I’ve slowed down quite a bit. I was working seven days a week, never taking vacations, and that began to take its toll. So, I desperately needed a break. And now I’m taking one! I’m only working six days a week, but I’m taking time between books, as well as my first vacation in a decade. From now on there will be less books released each year but I’m healthier and happier than ever, with time for outside activities, so I consider it a fair trade. And I do not recommend living the way I did. It was so unbalanced and I eventually paid the price (I became very ill).
PBD: You have so much experience with writing Happy Ever Afters and bringing heroes and heroines together – what would you say is your favorite love story/hero/heroine?
GS: I am soooo looking forward to my three upcoming releases this year (apart from The Darkest Seduction of course) Wicked Nights, Alice in Zombieland and Last Kiss Goodnight. I poured so much into these books. More blood, sweat and tears than ever before, and felt more inspired than I ever had in my life. I am so proud of these books, and cannot wait to share them with the world.
Thank you so much Gena! And Gena has also been kind enough to share a signed copy of Ecstasy in Darkness with one lucky follower – good luck!
Related posts:
- Month of Love: Author Emma Cane (AKA Gayle Callen) visits the Dollhouse…and Giveaway!
- Month of Love: Author Laura Lee Guhrke visits the Dollhouse and there’s a giveaway!
- Month of Love: Author Paola Calvetti visits the Dollhouse!
- Review: The Darkest Surrender by Gena Showalter
- Month of Love Guest Blog: Smart Bitches, Trashy Books’ Sarah Wendell visits the Dollhouse!
Looking forward to reading your books Gena!
Sounds really good can’t wait to read it.
I love Gena Showalter’s books I would be so happy if I won this one :D
I cannot wait to get this book and start reading!!
Gena love the LOTU series, those books are magical. Thank you so much for writing them.
Keep up the good work, Gena, but don’t get ill again! We’d rather deal with less books (though always equally amazing as the last) then with you getting sick! Love all your books and can’t wait for Paris’!
I love your books. Thanks for giving me Maddox :).
From your little video blogs you look like one heck of a fun person to go out with. What were you like in college? I can’t imagine ;).
I can’t wait to get the new books that are coming out this year…I have no doubt that they will all be incredible as usual
I love all your books and you are honestly my favorite author. Every time a new LOTU book is released I can’t keep still because I’m so excited every single time.
I love all of your books. I seriously can’t wait to get my hands onto The Darkest Seduction when it comes out Tuesday. I’m always excited and looking forward to the next LOTU books.
Zombies! Omg, they must be divine betwixt the sheets!
Glad to hear you’ve slowed down, Gena. I thought you must not sleep, to write so many books a year, lol. And every one better than the last. Congrats on your latest, and your upcoming releases!
So much to look forward to! Have a great weekend and Thanks for the giveaway.
A hero who is courageous and willing to risk his life for his love is definitely my kind of hero :)
Thank you for the giveaway. I love Gena Showalter! She is one of the authors that I buy automatically.
Ever since I read the Alien Huntress series, I got hooked right from the beginning. Gena Showalter is indeed a brilliant author!
Thanks alot for having this giveaway!
I can’t wait for the new books to come out.So excited!!!
I love the Lords of the Underworld and I’ve been collecting the Alien Huntress books so I can get started on that series as well.
just finished listening to Darkest Secret after reading it twice since it came out. Can’t decide which way I like them more. Your books are always a joy to read and I look forward to each one no matter the series.
I LOVE Gena Showalter! I read every series that she has and own almost all of her books. The Alien Huntress series & The Lords of the Underworld are two of my favorites!!!!!! She is by far a MUST READ Author! She always puts a fresh spin on whatever she writes!
Hello Gena!
I love that after all of your success, you still sound so excited about your upcoming books. I will add your upcoming releases to my calendar.
hello gena..
iam fans your book…i love it LOTU series,,,ecspecially Lucien and maddox..
i cant wait to read a paris stories..^^
thanks for the giveaway
Hi Gena, thank u for this awesome giveaway.
Now I’m in the middle of reading your book, Stone Prince. I love the heroine, Katie. A tall and tough girl. I didn’t find much about a tall heroine in other romance books, they usually tiny and slender and something like that, but not Katie :)
Thank u for this giveaway.
I’m a fans of Gena’s book, love to win her book
I love all Gena’s books, especially The Prince Stone. It’s makes me laugh out loud, and people stared at me confuse what I’m laugh.
By the way, thanks for the giveaway for International.
Hi… Gena
Love all u book ^^
Thanks for giveaways
congrats on the new book. and i hope i’ll be able to read it soon
Thanks for the great post and giveaway! I’ve really wanted to read this author. Thanks for the chance!
Thank you so much for the opportunity to win a book from this author. I haven’t read any of her work yet but I hear her books are wonderful.
Gena, thanks so much for the interview and giveaway today! I’m so glad to hear that you’ve slowed down a bit – as much as I love your books, I would much rather have you happy and healthy when you are writing them! I’m really psyched to read this book since I’ve loved everything else I’ve read of yours and I’m sure I’m going to love this one, too :D
I can’t wait to read this book. It sounds very good.
I’ve never read Gena’s books, but I’ve heard a great deal about them. Thanks for this interview!
hi gena., thanks for share the giveaway. very anthusiasm for all of your books. i love maddox in darkest night. and cant wait for story of paris, soon.
Wow! Great giveaway!
Wish could win your Gena’s signed book! :D
I want to thank you for the great post. I am looking forward to reading more Gena! I love your books.
Thanks for the chance to win.
musicalfrog at comcast.net
Your books are all great! Looking forward to your new releases!
I love Gena Showalter’s books! Thanks for the giveaway. I even posted it on Facebook!
Thank you, Gena for your spectacular.series LOTU! I am counting the days for.Paris to come to me!
I am very excited for your new books coming out, especially Darkest Seduction! I am also interested in your new spin-offs. I wouldn’t mind an Atlantis spin-off, though. :-D
Thank you Gena foe helping me go to my happy place. As a military wife, and mom I usually am going 100 mph with my hair on fire. When I need to slow down and run away for a bit, I turn to your books.The world and characters you create are fabulous. I am looking forward to Paris and Sienna’s story.
Love ya books gena .. so far almost finished the atlantis series and have the first of the Lords of the underworld series coming .. plus have read a few of ya other stand alones and LOVE them .. would love to win this
i love ya style of writing and how ya pull ya readers in :)
Love the giveaway and Gena´s writing, =) this is def. going up on my TBR list! Keeping my fingers crossed for a win. Do you sign via Kindlegraph yet? Love that feature *sigh*
best wishes, Linda xo
hello Gena!
i just finished Stone Prince few days ago. love all the brothers’s of Katie. haha..
i really love all your books printed in Indonesia edition, especially LoTU’s and Atlantis series ^^
can’t wait to read you new books!
thank you for the giveaway!
Gena I just love your writing!! Can’t wait to read your new books!!
I love Gena and all of her books. I just got the newest The Darkest Seduction and I can’t wait to sit down and read it.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Gena’s books always take me to the edge and back again. I never know what to expect except hunky, hot, page-tunring characters who blow your mind away with all the wicked things they do :p And I know that if I want my daily dose of hunk, Gena’s books are the place to get it. Once I pick one of her books I can’t put it down until I’m finished. And if that means staying up all night to read it then so be it.
can’t wait to read your new book..
now i’m still waiting for my the darkest seduction book to come..
thanks for the giveaways.
Started reading The Darkest Seduction at Midnight this morning! Incredibly Good, so far, Gena!!!
Yay! I’m really looking forward to this book. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
I love your books and can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!
I can’t wait for Paris’s book!
~Krista
It’s been a while since I read one of Gena Showalter’s books but I really am looking forward to reading Ecstassy In Darkness!
Thank you for the giveaway!
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