"I am ready to meet my maker. Whether my maker is prepared to meet me is another matter."
-Winston Churchill

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Romance and Vampires? Interview with Susan Hanniford Crowley



Please give a warm welcome to Susan Hanniford Crowley.  Thank you so much for being with us today.

Please tell us a little about yourself.....

I'm a paranormal romance author, originally a crossover author from science fiction and fantasty.  I expanded into paranormal romance which combines everything I love from science fiction and fantasy with romance.  I've been married to the same romantic guy for 31 years and have two grown daughters and a dog named Pete.  Recently we added two kittens Bella and Buffy to our family.

What do you see as your influences on your writing?

I've been influenced by some classics like Marion Zimmer Bradley (who had been my editor when I wrote fantasy) and Charlaine Harris.  Right now I'm more influenced by up and coming authors like Bianca D'Arc,  Stella and Audra Price, and a.c. Mason.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Time.  I'm an author who still has a day job.  I write every possible moment I have, and I usually think that's still not enough.

Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?

I would like have writing as my sole job.  I would like to make enough money to travel and do some more research.

How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?

I dream all my plots and characters.  Sometimes I get it all in one dream or dreaming over a weeks.  Sometimes it takes months.  I have no set formula.  The story is what happens.

What drew you to write about vampires/paranormal romance?


I write about vampires and a variety of rare supernaturals.  The attraction to vampires has been since my childhood.  I loved Dracula and was a big Dark Shadows fan.  When I dreamt about Laura and David in THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS, their story was so compelling and so passionate I had to write it.




Here's a little taste:

"It's a funny thing." She paused, one hand resting on her breast. "When you're
near me, my heart feels full. It never felt that way when I was mortal." Laura tangled her hands in his hair. "I feel like I have always known you. I've missed you forever."

He smiled. It was such odd thing to say, but it felt true. "I've loved you forever."
He didn't know how she'd take that admission. How could you love someone you hadn't met yet? But in the darkness of his life, he had loved the thought of her, the hope of her, and the dream of her. Her expression was so enigmatic. Then she smiled and pulled him down to her face. They kissed tenderly at first. Then each breathless caress of the lips became frantic and hungry. He pressed his mouth against hers and his tongue invaded. She moaned. Her hands moved down to his shoulders. He ripped the buttons off the shirt, and his tongue lavished one breast and then the other. Tiny pants shuddered throughout her body. He kissed her stomach and she giggled. He did it again. She giggled like it hurt. David couldn't help but add his tongue.

"No." Laura pulled his hair. "You're breaking the mood."

He tickled her again, and she giggled. But her eyes smoldered begging him to
continue. Please. He loved hearing her voice in his head.

Pulling off her panties, he flung them to who knows where. She gasped, as his
head disappeared between her legs. Each sweet taste of her led to another. Laura cried and whimpered. Please, I need you.

THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS (part of The Vampires in Manhattan series) is available at: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thestormylovelifeoflauracordelais-374695-139.html

In Kindle at Amazon Books and I'm awaiting the print date any time now.

The other books in the series are:
WHEN LOVE SUVIVES
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-whenlovesurvives-362921-143.html




A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-avampireforchristmas-387184-139.html





How do you keep your writing different from the vast variety of stories (in your genre) out there today?


It's the interplay of rare supernaturals that make my plots unique.  Plus I've centered my vampires around the secret society in New York called the Arnhem Society.  The Arnhem Knights, the society's police arm, are dedicated to preventing human deaths by vampires and aiding other supernaturals in trouble.  I love have a supernatural world that exists when our contemporary world.


How did your title come into play?

The title of THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS is sort of an inside joke between myself and my readers.  To understand the nature of Laura Cordelais and her powers is to get the title. LOL

Can you tell us a little bit about the main characters and/or the plot in your book?

Laura is in a desperate way and ends up clinging to the railing of the Brooklyn Bridge.  David has just asked God to take pity on his loneliness.  When Laura changes her mind, she slips and falls into the East River.  David has a vision of her falling and jumps into the river to save her.  But she is mortally injured and he only has one choice.

When David falls in love with Laura, he doesn't know he's doomed them both to an underworld of sorcery and voodoo from which no one escapes.  Is he willing to die to save her?
 

What were your feelings when you first novel was accepted for publication?

I was so excited I cried.  THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS is my debut novel.  After years of writing short fiction, writing a full length novel and getting it published was a dream fulfilled.

I absolutely love working with the staff at Tease Publishing LLC.

Who is your favorite author? What genre of books do you read?
Are you working on any projects right now?


I have several favorite authors, so it wouldn't be fair to say one.  I read paranormal romance, urban fantasy.

I'm working on a steampunk story and a Greek God story.  Neither are part of the Vampires in Manhattan series.

If you could leave readers with one legacy, what would you want it to be?

Never give up on a dream, no matter how long it takes.  If you truly believe in something and you work at it everyday, don't give up.

What advice would you give to writers just starting out in this genre?


Do your homework.  Read your genre like a maniac so you know what's been done.   Get Leslie Wainger's book Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies.  Join the RWA and a local chapter.  The education in RWA is the tops.

Any last comments you would like to add?

My next ebook release will be VAMPIRE IN THE BASEMENT—tentative release date July 15.

I will be participating in the Authors After Dark Romance Unlimited Convention in Secaucus, New Jersey, September 16-19.  There 's still time to register.  There will be tons of fun events, panels, workshops, parties, and giveaways.  Here's the link:
http://authorsafterdark.blogspot.com/p/aad-confrence-info.html

Is there a website that readers may find you at?
Readers can always find me at http://susanhannifordcrowley.com
My romance blog:  http://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/SHCrowley
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Susan-Hanniford-Crowley/629298868


 Thank you so much for chatting with us today Susan.  I absolutely love the covers of all of your books.  Susan is also on virtual book tour,  so please be sure to leave her a comment here today for your chance to win a copy of one of her fantastic books.


Thank you for having me.

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