Interview & Giveaway with Love at Stake author Kerrelyn Sparks

I am very excited to have author Kerrelyn Sparks joining me today for an interview!

Welcome Kerreyln!

Thank you for inviting me!

You write a fantastic paranormal romance series about vampires and shifters called Love at Stake. For someone who isn’t familiar with the series how would you describe it to them?

Basically, they are romantic comedies, so they appeal to anyone who loves to laugh. The last thing I want to do is bore the readers, so you can expect some suspense and adventure, along with some sizzling hot romance. To see if the series is your cup of tea, please visit my website, www.kerrelynsparks.com where you can read excerpts from each book.

Was there anything specific that inspired the series?

You mean like bills to pay? LOL I’ve always loved the funny vampire movies (like the ones with George Hamilton and Leslie Nielson), but I also loved the sexy, mysterious vampire hero like Frank Langella. If I could just mix the two together, funny and sexy, it would be the perfect world for me. So I imagined a sexy, suave, mysterious vampire—Roman Draganesti—then I imagined the silliest thing that could happen to him. Losing his fangs? Or better yet, just one fang, so he would be in danger of being a lopsided eater for all eternity! And so, the first book in the series, How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire, was born.

Vampire Mine, the highly anticipated story featuring the Scottish vampire Connor, was released yesterday. Can you tell us a little bit about what we can expect in this installment?

Everyone who has been following the series knows that Connor has some serious issues. But no one knows why. For the first hundred pages or so while I was writing, I kept thinking “Sheesh, Connor, get a grip!” And he would respond, “Sod off.” He was a tough hero to crack, and I knew it would take a really special heroine to get past his rock-hard defenses to touch his heart. Marielle was perfect for him, and when he finally succumbed, he fell hard and fast.

Thing your heroine, Marielle, would never be caught dead saying:

Marielle, as an angel, is all about love and hope, so she would never say something like “Give up,” or “You’re not worthy of love.”

Each book in the series features one main couple, is there a character or couple that was harder to write then the others? If so who and why?

Not really harder, just different. I would say that Heather was probably the easiest heroine for me to write because she has so much in common with me. I’m a Texan and former high school teacher like her, and I was also a single divorced mom with a young child like her. You would think that a character like Vanda (in your face and angry) would be more difficult for me to write, but I really enjoyed all the yelling and throwing furniture. I guess there was a hidden spark of anger in me that enjoyed being set free. And there was a part of me that enjoyed being Caitlyn and traveling to exotic places and being loved by a were-panther. I’ve enjoyed being in the shoes (and beds) of all the heroines. And the heroes—I fall in love with all of them. I’m terribly fickle that way.

How do you come up with the right hero/heroine for your characters? Is there a process or do they just come to you while writing?

In some cases, like Phil and Vanda, I already have two characters made up, and their chemistry is already highly inflammable. But for the most part, I have a lonesome hero who needs a heroine, so I design one who will be perfect for him. I ask myself what does the hero want more than anything in the world? What does he really need? What is he the most afraid of? Then I ask the same questions about the heroine. Then I ask myself—what can the heroine give him that he needs desperately and no one else can give him? And vice versa, what can the hero give her that no one else can?

Do you have anything you are working on now that you can share with us?

I just finished revisions on book 11, titled Sexiest Vampire Alive. The hero is Gregori, and a heroine is currently top secret. The book will go on sale September 27^th, 2011.

You’re running off to Gretna Green in Scotland, which of your vampires are you running off with?

LOL, I would probably pick Connor.

Quickies:

Night Owl or Early Bird? Night owl

Dog Ears or Bookmarks? bookmarks

Hot or Flirty? flirty

Vampire or Werewolf? Grr, that’s a tough one. Vampires.

Angels or Demons? Angels. Assuming the demon is truly demonic.

Coffee or Tea? Tea

Thank you, Kerrelyn, for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by! Do you have any last comments or words for our readers?

Thank you for all the support! Please visit me on my website forum or on Facebook or follow me on Twitter! I love to hear from readers! And good luck on winning a signed copy of How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire!

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Giveaway Time!

Kerrelyn has graciously offered a signed copy of How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire, the first novel in her Love at Stake series, to one lucky reader!

To enter, just answer this question: If you were running off to Gretna Green to get married to one of your favorite book boyfriends (or girlfriend), who would it be?

Open Internationally! Giveaway will end at 11:59 pm on April 13th. One winner will be chosen using random.org and contacted via email so please make sure to leave your email address with your comment. Winner will then have 48 hours to respond before a new one is chosen.

Good Luck!