Interview/Giveaway w/ Katie Salidas

Hey Book Lovers,

We have a special treat today. I was lucky enough for author Katie Salidas to answer a few of my questions. Also I recieved a copy of her book Immortalis Carpe Noctem for review, so keep an eye out for that coming soon. Sit back, relax and enjoy!


What inspired you to write you first book?


The inspiration for my first novel, Immortalis Carpe Noctem, came from a desire to explore what it would actually be like to turn into a vampire. I think most authors gloss over that aspect and focus on the after excitement. But really, that transformation is huge. Think about it. You’re a normal human being, a good person for all intents and purposes, and in one night you become part monster. You have to kill others to survive. You have to say goodbye to your human existence. Your family and friends can never know what happened to you. That’s a really traumatic thing, losing everything so suddenly. Learning to cope isn’t just something that happens overnight, and that’s where the focus of Immortalis Carpe Noctem is.

What books have influenced your life the most?

I started with Anne Rice, and that’s where my love of the gothic, deeply emotional and self-loathing vampire begun. Beyond that there were so many other authors who colored my image of what a vampire should be. I’ve enjoyed a wide variety of authors: Tanya Huff, L.J. Smith, Laurel K. Hamilton, Charlaine Harris, etc… The list could go on forever. I try to read any vampire book I can get my hands on.

Who is your favourite author & what is it that really strikes you about their work?

For me, it’s too hard to pick one specific favorite. Each author has their own flavor and style. Their perception too of the vampire world can be so vastly different. I find each time I pick up a new book or series, I want to say “this one is my favorite,” but really, every book and every author who wrote them has a special spot in my heart.

What was the most surprising things you learned in writing your books?

For me, it was that following the rules meant my muse would go on strike. I’m not talking about grammar and punctuation rules, I’m talking about all the rules we are taught in school about plotting things out and making outlines. The more I tried to plot and pre-plan the more I found myself writing my characters into the corner with no way of escape. Once I learned to let the story flow organically, I found my characters were pretty smart and could escape the traps I put in their place. Then the words would flow and it was like the story was writing itself.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

If you asked an 8 year old Katie what she wanted to be, she would have said a veterinarian. I’ve always loved animals. But as I got older, I learned that wasn’t the job for me. Sometimes the vet has to put an animal down and I could never do that. Thank goodness for writing, right? That’s really where my passion lies.

How did you come up with the main characters?

Some of the characters are based on close friends and one is based on my own husband. He hates his character. He thinks I made him out to be a jerk. Oddly enough, most of my readers have loved his character. What I try to do, is take personality traits I see in others and embellish them. My husband, for example, is not a jerk, but he’s got a quick wit. He’s always got a comeback. So I made that a strong character trait. His character sharp, quick witted, and sharp tongued. He’s not a man you want to go toe to toe with, but ultimately he’s on the side of good so if you can deal with his arrogant attitude he’s an excellent ally.

What do you like to do when your not writing?

When not writing… hmmm. Good question. Sleeping? Between writing and my wonderful family, I don’t have much free time. And we’ve got another little munchkin on the way. My days and nights are about to get even more packed. I do sneak off sometimes and draw a hot bubble bath and sink down into the water with a steamy vampire book to read. It’s my one guilty pleasure.

Which of your books is your favourite and why?

That’s an unfair question. My books are like my kids. You wouldn’t ask a mom to pick a favorite child, would you? LoL. The best way I could put it, is my current favorite is always the one I am working on at the moment. Writing is fun so that naturally makes the current WIP my most enjoyable for the moment.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Always have a WIP. Never stop writing. Seriously, that’s the best advice I can give. Some people focus on one story and that’s it. But to make a career of writing you have to have more on the back burner. Always have something else to work on.

Do you have anything you'd like to say to your readers/fans?

Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. When I see that someone has read and enjoyed one of my works it truly makes my day. It spurs me on to keep going. Writing is hard work. In many cases thankless work. But just a simple thing, like seeing a good review, or seeing someone stop by my facebook page to say hello and tell me they read one of my stories makes it all worthwhile!


Light or Dark chocolate?


Ooooh Dark!! I love it.

Tea or coffee?

Tea please! With a little lemon and sugar. Yummy!

What's your favourite colour?

Teal. I just love the richness of the green and blue put together. Such a beautiful color.

Sunrise or sunset?

Sunset! Sunrise is just too early in the morning. LoL.

George Clooney, Brad Pitt or my fellow Aussie Hugh Jackman?

Tough choice. They all have their charms. I am partial to the Aussie men though, so I’ll go with Hugh Jackman. If I could add one to the list. Eric Bana… Yummy!!!




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Oooo Hugh Jackman & Eric Bana. Yes, great choices!


Thank you so much for joining us Katie and thank you for answering my questions.

Here's more info about Katie's amazing books...

Immortalis Carpe Noctem

                         Book One in the Immortalis Series

Click Here to Read the Sample Chapter

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Becoming a vampire is easy. Living with the condition... that's the hard part.

Bleeding to death after brutal mugging, twenty-five year old Alyssa is rescued by the most unlikely hero: the handsome and aloof vampire, Lysander.
His gift of immortal blood initiates Alyssa into a frightening, eternally dark world filled with: bloodlust, religious fanaticism, and thousand-year old vendettas.
With Lysander as her guide, Alyssa will have to learn what it takes to survive in the immortal world. She'll have to find the strength to accept her new reality and carpe noctem; or give in, and submit to final death.

Hunters & Prey

Book Two in the Immortalis Series
Click Here to Read the Sample Chapter

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Becoming a vampire saved Alyssa from death, but the price was high: the loss of everything and everyone attached to her mortal life. She’s still learning to cope when a surprise confrontation with Santino Vitale, the Acta Sanctorum’s most fearsome hunter, sends her fleeing back to the world she once knew, and Fallon, the friend she’s missed more than anything.

Alyssa breaks vampire law by revealing her new, true self to her old friend, a fact which causes strong division in the group that should support her most: her clan.

Pandora's Box

Book Three in the Immortalis Series
Click Here to Read the Sample Chapter

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After a few months as a vampire, Alyssa thought she’d learned all she needed to know about the supernatural world. But her confidence is shattered by the delivery of a mysterious package – a Pandora’s Box.

Seemingly innocuous, the box is in reality an ancient prison, generated by a magic more powerful than anyone in her clan has ever known. But what manner of evil could need such force to contain it?

When the box is opened, the sinister creature within is released, and only supernatural blood will satiate its thirst. The clan soon learns how it feels when the hunter becomes the hunted.

Powerless against the ancient evil, the clan flees Las Vegas for Boston, with only a slim hope for salvation. Could Lysander’s old journals hold the key? And what if they don’t?

And how welcome will they be in a city run by a whole different kind of supernatural being?

Werewolves…

All three novels are also available in an omnibus edition.
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Smashwords.com

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KATIE SALIDAS

Katie Salidas is a Super Woman! Endowed with special powers and abilities, beyond those of mortal women, She can get the munchkin off to gymnastics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, and swim lessons. She can put hot food on the table for dinner while assisting with homework, baths, and bedtime… And, She still finds the time to keep the hubby happy (nudge nudge wink wink). She can do all of this and still have time to write.

And if you can believe all of those lies, there is some beautiful swamp land in Florida for sale…

Katie Salidas resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mother, wife, and author, she does try to do it all, often causing sleep deprivation and many nights passed out at the computer. Writing books is her passion, and she hopes that her passion will bring you hours of entertainment.

Website - http://www.katiesalidas.com/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Salidas-Author/214780936916
LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=58814031&trk=tab_pro
Twitter - http://twitter.com/QuixoticKatie


On with the giveaway! Katie has donated a signed copy of Immortalis Carpe Noctem and also some great swag for a couple of runner up prizes.

To enter to win these amazing prizes please share this post so we can get more people onto these great books. On the front cover of Immortalis Carpe Noctem the quote reads : "Becoming a vampire is easy. Living with the condition, that's the hard part."

Answer this question..

How would YOU handle living as a vampire?   (leave answer in your comments.)

This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL and ends 9th October.

We hope your all having a fun and safe weekend.

Happy Reading!