VBT Pit Stop and Giveaway with Tamara Rose Blodgett - Death Whispers

Tamara Rose Blodgett

Welcome to the Round Table Tamara, we are so pleased to have you with us today. May I offer you a drink?

Yes, thanks so much. I'll have a Zesty Zombie of course!

Coming right up Tamara.

Thank you for bringing Tamara her drink Zar! Enjoy!

BK:  Please tell us a bit about yourself....

I'm a happily married mother of four sons (fodder for novels) and now that the raising of them is drawing to a close (the boys, not the husband), I've found I can really concentrate on my writing. It's been a journey, with a lot of great people I've met along the way...

BK:  What inspired you to pen this novel?

My sons, who are voracious readers, complained about the lack of YA books that featured boys that talked/behaved like "real" boys. I took that as a personal challenge!

BK:  What draws you to write in this genre?

To be honest, it comes [the most] naturally to me. With having been around teens for the last several years, and consuming an embarrasing amount of YA lit, it was where my head was at. 

BK:  How do you keep your writing different from all the other novels in this genre?

It's not an effort to write different material for me (I'm grateful I can); I get crazy ideas and type them out as fast as I possible! A few reviews I've received have said just how unique DW is, and I'm thankful. That was my ultimate goal: an entertaining and unique read.

BK:  Who is your favorite character and why?

I'm all about Jonsey! He was born without a "filter," and simply does not grasp consequence! He was easy to write and I wish I could be him sometimes!

BK:  Which character would you most invite to dinner?

Ali (Caleb's mom) *lives* to cook and bake and she could whip me up something (I could talk her into it with some great wine).

BK:  What is your favorite part about writing?

When the characters "come alive" in my head like real people, and I voyeuristically watch their lives, cataloging it for the reader(s).

BK:  Did you find any particular challenges during the writing of this novel?

The revision and editing process was really difficult. That's probably true for a lot of authors...

BK:  Did you learn anything about yourself as a result of wiriting this novel?

Yes. I have more patience than I thought I did...and became more detail-oriented (against my will!). And, there's a room for improvement! Lol!

BK:  Are you currently working on any projects?

Yes, I am on the final edit of my YA paranormal romance, "The Pearl Savage," which by the time this blog is posted, will have been published. I continue to write book two of the Death Series, "Death Speaks," which will publish late July/early August.

BK:  Any advice for new aspiring authors?

The same thing all those great, Kindleboard authors told me: Keep on, keepin' on!

Edit. Then, edit again!

BK:  Where can readers find you?  

Blog: http://tamararoseblodgett.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://tinyurl.com/5szrf27 

Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/3mcajfl 

Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/6e26gvr 

Shelfari: http://tinyurl.com/3wh6c3t 

Amazon.com: http://tinyurl.com/3nw2na9 

Amazon.com.uk: http://tinyurl.com/6xvolh3 

Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/6d7uz4o 

Smashwords: 

BK:  What inspired your book to be a series?

The characters in my series have the entirty of high school to experience, mysteries to solve and drama that will unravel. I see Caleb growing up as a reluctant leader , which is one of the talents that blossom for him...

BK:  How difficult is it to write a series?

It's not. "Death Speaks," flows as naturally as Death Whispers did. Better...because maybe, just maybe, writing is getting easier with practice! (That's what I'm hoping, anyway!) 

BK:  Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Real life and my daydreams in a macabre combination.

BK:  How did you come up with the title for your series?

Caleb hears the dead and they sound like "whispers." However, as the series progresses and his power grows...they'll beccome much louder( Death Speaks, Death Screams [#3]).

BK:  What do you like to read when you're not writing?

I mainly read YA paranormal but I love anything that is in the, "can't-put-it-down" category which lately has been John Locke and J.A. Konrath; both of which are adult.

BK:  Do you have a favorite author/book?

The Stand by Stephen King.

I'm also a *nut* about Laurell K. Hamilton's books ( Anita Blake series, 1-10)

BK:  What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to know about you?

I do a fair job of finish carpentry and all manner of painting.

BK:  What do you like to do for fun?

Read, garden, *create* useless stuff with my hands (sometimes useful); spend time with the Fam.

BK:  What is your favorite food and restaurant?

Banzai Burger at Red Robin. I would *die* for that!

Fun Facts:

BK:  Fantasy or Horror?

Horror!

BK:  Day or Night?

Night!

BK:  Favorite Drink?

Michilda.

BK:  Favorite Movie?

Last of the Mohicans.

BK:  What is a must have to write?

Playlist with all the "screamers" blaring in the background.

BK:  If you could possess a supernatural power,  what would it be and why?

Healer. Because one could do so much...for themselves and everyone else.

BK:  Favorite Song?

Dragonfly by Shaman's Harvest.

BK:  Favorite Saying?

I'm a little wounded, but I am not slain; I will lay me down to bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again. - John Dryden.

BK:  Sometimes while reading a book we visualize a certain actor/actress playing the part.  If your book were being made into a movie,  which actor or actresses do you see playing the part(s)?

A young Jennifer Connely for Jade. 

BK:  What is the craziest thing you've ever done?

Gone on the "waterslide-from-Hades," with a 60 foot drop ( yeah, I paid for that).

BK:  If someone could describe you in one word,  what would it be?

Outspoken.

Thank you so much for being at the Round Table today.  It's been such a pleasure chatting with you and I wish you much success in the future.

Thank you for having me, it's been a lot of fun~! ;)

Almost fifteen-year-old Caleb Hart is a Cadaver-Manipulator in the year 2025.

When teens receive a government-sanctioned pharmaceutical cocktail during school, paranormal
abilities begin manifesting... making the teens more powerful than the adults.

After Caleb discovers he has the rare, Affinity for the Dead, he must do whatever it takes to hide it from a super-secret government agency whose goal is exploitation.

Caleb seeks refuge in his new girlfriend, Jade, until he realizes that she needs as much protection from her family, as he does from the government.

Suddenly, Caleb finds that hiding his ability while protecting Jade and his friends is a full time job; can he escape the government, protect Jade and lose the bullies that are making him miserable?

Giveaway:

Tamara is so kind to offer you guys an E-copy of Death Whispers. Simply leave a comment and tell Tamara what you love about the dead! Don't forget to leave your email address so we have a way to contact you should you win. 

Tamara is also running a contest on her blog and you can win a print copy just for following her entire tour. So stop on over for even more chances to win, because her tour ends today.