Thursday, April 28, 2011

Author Interview: Elizabeth Amber & GIVEAWAY!


(Italian style Satyr)
Thank you so much for being the first author to do an interview for my blog. Would you like to start off by telling us a little bit about yourself?
Thank you for inviting me, Vanessa. It’s a huge honor to be your first interview! The scoop on me is that I’m a Kensington Aphrodisia author of erotic historical paranormal romances. The first four are about a clan of half-satyr/half-human men in 1820s Tuscany: Nicholas/Raine/Lyon/Dominic. And the new trilogy is about a similar clan in 1880s Rome: Dane/Bastian/Sevin. The series is titled The Lords of Satyr and my May release is Bastian. All the titles are stand-alones.
What is one thing about you that your readers would find surprising or never guess about you?
Ooh! Good question. That I sometimes wear a wig? I have short hair: chop-cropped in the back and longish in front. Not long ago, my older sister and I went shopping and bought matching long wigs that are multicolored (browns and blacks.) My sister talks me into trying quirky things. I love that about her.
Would you like to share a favorite fact or piece of fascinating information about your upcoming book Bastian that is out on Tuesday April 26, 2010?
Here’s one fact: It’s the first book I’ve written that brought tears to my eyes at one point as I was writing. I’m wondering if it had that effect on any readers, or if it’s just me? And can readers guess what brought me to the brink of tears?
Here’s another bit of information: Silvia (Bastian’s love interest) is a former Vestal Virgin—now an Ephemeral—who tricks Bastian into discovering a set of relics in the Forum ruins so that she can use them for her own purposes. It’s historical fact that these relics were under the guardianship of the Vestal Virgins, and that the relics were believed to protect all of Rome from harm. No one knows what the relics were, however, or what became of them during the destruction of the pagan temples in the 4th century A.D. So I was free to decide what form the relics would take and what power they hold.

(Vesta's Temple)
Nicholas, Raine, Lyon and Dominic are set in 1820’s Tuscany wine country. Dane, Bastian, Sevin (coming soon) and Lucien (coming soon) are set in 1880’s Rome. Do you hope to give readers a set of Satyr’s set in modern times or are you going to stay historical?
Wow! I actually LOVE this idea, Vanessa. I may have given it a passing thought, but I’ve never focused on the possibility of moving the series into the present with another trilogy. I enjoy a challenge, and I like both historical and contemporary. My agent says I have a dark Voice, so that would lend continuity if I brought the series into the present. Just as moving the new trilogy up in time fifty years and setting it in Rome helps to keep Bastian and his brothers’ stories fresh for me and for readers.
Who is your favorite Satyr and why?
Nicholas is my favorite because he was the first hero of the first novel I ever wrote. And that cover--wowza! Bastian is my second-favorite cover. Like Nicholas, he’s an eldest brother. Alpha older brothers are so attractive, don’t you think? To lend a sense of command to the Bastian character, I made him the lead archaeologist in the excavations of the Roman Forum in the 1880s. Did you know that by the 1880s, the Forum ruins were buried under about sixteen feet of silt that had slowly built up over the centuries? Nineteenth century Romans used to picnic and treasure-hunt on idle afternoons in these ruins. Lonely, half-buried arches and columns must’ve made this an eerie landscape.
Was one of your Satyrs more difficult to write than the rest or did you find that one was more pleasant and easier to write than the others?
Nicholas was the easiest to write because it was my first impulse. Still, I obsessed over his book and every book since. I never want to retrace the same territory or write books that are interchangeable. I want to surprise myself and challenge myself with unusual characters, settings, and situations.
Do you have any upcoming signings or appearances? It seems like I’ve seen your name on one of the conventions author list and I cannot remember which one.
I’ll be attending Lora Leigh’s Readers’ Appreciation Weekend in October Readers Appreciation Weekend and I’m the guest author at her book club on July 23rd in Maryland. She is one of my favorite authors, and when she called me out of the blue last summer to invite me, I quickly accepted.
Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?
You are making me admit all of my secrets, Vanessa! Let’s see. I need silence and I like to be alone when I write. Which rarely happens. My dream writing spot is a lonely picturesque beachfront vacation house. Someday maybe I’ll actually get to write in such a place, undisturbed. Maybe.
Can you share anything interesting about a current work in progress?
I have another series idea that my agent really likes, which I plan to begin work on this summer, after I finish the next satyr manuscript—Sevin, The Lords of Satyr. Sevin is the middle brother—between Bastian and Dane. He’s the owner of the Salone di Passione, an exclusive club where Satyrs and other ElseWorld beings can pursue physical pleasures away from the prying eyes of Humans. Developments at the end of Bastian create new business opportunities for Sevin. Perhaps there’s money to be made in a club where Humans and Satyrs mingle?
Do you have a favorite series you read, or perhaps author or genre?
These are exciting times in romance with all the cross-genre writing. I’m reading steampunk, dystopian YA, romantic suspense, paranormals, and historicals. I’m enjoying Gail Carriger, Anna Campbell, Kresley Cole, Nalini Singh, Maya Banks, and dozens of other authors.
On your website you mentioned that “I’m also a museum junkie and am intensely interested in history and archeology. When I was an art history major at university, I became fascinated with Greco-Roman artifacts. I’ve visited many archeological sites and museums in Italy and Greece. All those ancient urns, frescoes, and amphorae decorated with satyrs (the carnal followers of the Roman god of wine, Bacchus) and maenads celebrating the annual grape harvest inspired The Lords of Satyr novels.”
Was there anything you saw or read that gave you the idea for the Calling dual penis or is this strictly the creative mind writing a steamy erotic romance?
It was definitely the latter. I’m probably not the first person to ever think of this idea, but I never saw anything in art or read about this phenomenon anywhere. The idea just popped into my head as a way to emphasize the carnality of the Satyr Lords.

The series idea began like this, more or less: 1. I studied Greco-Roman mythology, learned about the satyr, and saw them depicted on amphorae, urns, and frescoes. 2. I’d been reading romances forever, and I considered the satyr as possible romance novel heroes. I knew they would have to be highly sexed in some unusual way, since they’re the carnal followers of the Roman god of wine, Bacchus. And I thought they should all dwell in a fabulous vineyard and olive groves in the heart of wine country—Tuscany and Rome. 3. The idea of the physical changes that the satyr undergo in their sacred glen and in the Salone di Passione came into my head out of nowhere. It refused to leave. I began spinning the tale of Nicholas in my head. Finally, I began taking notes. Then I started writing. I could hardly believe I was writing a novel with such erotic content, but I didn’t worry about what an editor would think or what my mother would think—okay, maybe I did occasionally. But I forged on, determined to write the story I wanted to write. I showed it to my bff who pronounced it kinky and enjoyable, and who agreed that I should submit to a publisher. I went to an RWA conference and learned that erotic romance was a hot trend. I submitted to Kensington Aphrodisia. After six months, I got a call from Audrey LaFehr with an offer. I was stunned and SO excited. She offered for a trilogy (Nicholas/Raine/Lyon) and later for four more books. I’m loving working with her and with Kensington. So far so good!
As for the GIVEAWAY. Yay, we have a copy of Bastian. All I need is for you to follow me, leave a comment below with your email address. A matching bookmark will also be included. I am shipping the book to US addresses only. I will announce the winner on Monday May 2, 2011 after 8pm.



Elizabeth Amber (homepage)

Dane review by theJeepDiva

Bastian review by theJeepDiva

It has just been brought to my attention that my followers and readers are having commenting issues. If you are experiencing this please email me & I will put you name in that way. I want everyone to have the chance to win this book.     vanessa (at) thejeepdiva (dot) com

15 comments:

  1. Such a great give away thank you!

    loveangel132@yahoo.com

    GFC Follower- Loveangel132

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  2. Great interview and giveaway Jeepdiva.

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  3. Hi Vanessa!

    Thank you so much for the interview. Your questions were so much fun, and I'm glad you decided to include that last one after all.

    I did have some trouble commenting, but didn't email to let you know because I thought it was only me and was getting help for remedial bloggers like me.

    Felicia, LA, Peace, and Ruth--thank you all so much for stopping by Vanessa's blog! I love that photo of you on the jeep, Vanessa. It always makes me smile.

    ~ EA

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  4. Hi Elizabeth, I learn more and more about you as I follow you to blogs and on FB !

    Wishing ya the best with your new release, I cant wait to read about Bastian !

    WOW, a wig ? Do you do hair extensions ? Ive never done either..but would love the option to change my look more :)


    Vanessa, really nice first interview :)

    kym
    krykym(at)fullchannel.net

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  5. first that was a awesome interview with some great answers. you asked the one i was curious bout to. which was which one was her favorite. i like how your sister has you try things or do things. its a good quirk in sisters. i should know mine does it to me. i enjoy each new interview of yours Elizabeth. there fun to read.

    Vanessa you did a great job for a first interview.

    thanks for this awesome interview and giveaway.

    i follow this blog ~ Lindsey Hutchison

    babydoll82959307(at)aol(dot)com

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  6. Me me pick me! LOL...Can't wait to read the whole series.

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  7. mrsrony@yahoo.com
    plllleeassee

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  8. Something new everytime!! Love it!!

    GFC Follower - Toni Steiner

    tsteinerid (gmail.com)

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  9. This sounds like such a great book. I like emotionally powerful stories and am intriqued that Elizabeth was brought to tears in the writing of Bastien. I look forward to checking out this series.

    rjofus AT gmail DOT com

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  10. Please pick me! Because I'm Italian and I think satyrs are supah hot. :-D

    jademermaid at gmail dot com

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  11. Love this series! Would love to win! Thanks for a great post today!

    evjochum[AT]aol[DOT]com

    new GFC follower

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  12. me, pick me, me me me me pick me!

    laura at lauramedeiros dot com

    and my captcha word verification word is:
    epurl
    (starting to track these cause they crack me up)

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  13. Vanessa, I was one of the people who could not leave a comment for Liz. Great Interview! And congrats on your first, I just had my first as well!

    I am glad I checked back. I am now following your blog :-D

    I have all of Liz's books. and I was lucky enough to win Bastian. For anyone who has not read it yet...I will not reveal anything but as usual Liz has outdone herself.

    I hope you will enjoy! Great job Vanessa!

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