Interview & Giveaway with Lauren Grimley, author of Unbridled

Unbridled

Lauren Grimley

“Think Law and Order SUV meets The Breakfast Club” was Ellie’s trite explanation of what Alex had been dragged into. Add a few fangs, Fifty Shades of Oversharing, and a dash of Dr. Phil, and she was in for quite a Thursday night.

Alex couldn’t deny she had become the pint-sized poster child for PTSD lately, but she didn’t exactly expect to find a support group for teachers turned vampire chew toys in Bristol, MA. Listening to the tales of the four other females gathered to help her heal, however, she accepts that perhaps both the worst and the best of life can blossom from the unexpected.

Unbridled is a novella-length collection of four connected stories focusing on the unlikely friendships and less likely lovers of the female characters from the Alex Crocker series.


Proceeds from the sale of these stories are being donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and V-Day. See the author’s website for more information: www.laurengrimley.com
“Grace and Dignity”
Even a female whose mating has been arranged most of her life still thinks about what she wants in a mate. Not one of the qualities Sarah had hoped for were easily evident in her betrothed, the future Regan of the Rectinatti coven. Perhaps, though, there were more layers to Darian than he liked to reveal, but how does a subject unmask a prince?

“Rules and Recollections”
You can’t fall in love with someone you barely recall, but that, Vivian supposed, was the point. After a terse meeting with the Knower, a mind reader, memory manipulator, and the coven’s most notorious lecher, Vivian isn’t herself. She can’t shake the feeling that the solution to her mood lurks just below the surface of her consciousness. Only plunging into darkness, though, will bring everything to light.

“Blood and Secrecy”
The shared need for blood brought them together, but individual desires for secrecy are keeping them apart. Each already left behind a life of privilege for reasons the other likely couldn’t understand. Now both Rocky and Ellie need to decide if they’re willing to open up about their pasts in order to ensure a future.

Well we made it to another Monday everyone!  Glad to see you here!  Today I have an extra special post for you because proceeds from the sale of this book are being donated to the Breast Cancer Research Fund!  How awesome is that? And on top of the interview I did with author Lauren Grimley, she is also hosting a really cool giveaway! I tell ya, I could drink my coffee out of one of those mugs!  I hope you enjoy the post, and be sure to enter :)  Good luck!
Liz

****

Interview

**** 

Hey Lauren! Come on in and sit down for a bit! Thanks for meeting with me today!

So we are here to talk about Romance For A Reason. Can you tell us a bit about it?

Sure. Romance for a Reason started as a whim sometime last fall when I was first drafting Unbridled. I realized I was writing about women (or female vampires, but close enough) who had almost all been victims of violence, so I thought perhaps when the time came to publish I could donate some proceeds to charities that worked to help such women. Then as I was finishing the draft my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. One of the worst things about such a diagnoses is the feeling of not being able to help. It wasn’t my body and I wasn’t a doctor, so what could I do? Last time I raised money and ran a triathlon; it gave me a sense of purpose. My knees weren’t feeling that this time. But here I was sitting on a story about strong, courageous women. I knew then I wanted to combine these efforts. Less than a year later I had a completed book ready to publish, two great charities chosen, and some ideas for related posts on strong females in fiction—that became Romance for a Reason. Did I mention I also had Mom cancer-free again and by my side cheering me on? *All smiles!*

That is excellent news!  I'm so glad to hear it!  Can you tell us about Unbridled?

Unbridled has probably been my favorite work to write so far. It’s a collection of connected short stories from my Alex Crocker series focusing on the romantic tales of three of the other couples. I’m a backstory junkie, so getting the opportunity to tell the stories of some of my favorite characters and how they met their lovers was exciting. Then when I started to put it together with a fourth tale about the various difficulties the females in the series faced, I realized I had something unique. It’s not technically a novella (the word count is just shy of a novel), but it’s certainly not just a collection of separate short stories, either. But it works, I think, because it is different, yet has something to offer most readers. It’s paranormal, without focusing too much on the fantasy. It’s set in contemporary times, but has two historical stories within. It’s romance, but it’s also a tale of friendships. It’s part steamy, but humorous, part dark—and one hundred percent about kick-ass females!

How about the rest of the Alex Crocker series?

Unforeseen and Unveiled, the first two books in the series, are definitely more urban fantasy, although with a strong paranormal romance subplot. They focus on Alex, a twenty-five-year-old, who is literally dragged into a world hidden within her own. She learns she’s a Seer, a walking emotion detector and, more dangerously, manipulator. For this so-called ‘gift’ she’s being hunted by a rogue coven of vampires, the Vengatti, who’d love to use her or kill her, depending on the day. The Rectinatti coven, who refrain from snacking on humans (or Seers) are willing to help keep her alive, but, of course, they have their own agenda, which doesn’t always agree with Alex’s sense of right and wrong. Her struggles with her new life, love, and power make up the plot of the first two works.

Lauren, how come these charities?

I did my homework. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is one of the highest ranked charities in the country, currently spending 91 cents of every dollar collected directly on research and awareness. This money goes to fund a variety of studies at top research universities across the globe, and recently they’ve also expanded to helping support awareness and prevention programs, which are key to increasing survival rates. Like the BCRF, V-Day is also a highly-rated charity, which uses 86 cents of each dollar donated to directly end violence against women. It also balances global programs in countries where women have few rights and fewer advocates, with funding and leadership programs that create and sustain local charities and support groups. As an author, I was also drawn to V-Day because they believe as I do, that “Art has the power to transform thinking and inspire people to act.” V-Day began with Eve Ensler’s play The Vagina Monolgues, and her realization that her art not only had the potential to give women a voice, but also to act as a platform for social change. From one playwright’s pen sprang forth a movement that has aided thousands of women world-wide. How could I not choose this charity?

I think they sound like awesome choices, I'm glad you are bringing them to light here today!  

What is the best thing about being an author?

When someone tells you that your book kept her up at night. I definitely judge a book by whether it can make me break me self-imposed 9pm bedtime (I’m a teacher, so I have an excuse), so to hear that someone else got so lost in a world I created means a lot.

The dress code’s pretty sweet, too. If it weren’t for teaching, I wouldn’t own anything but jeans and hoodies!

If there was one message or feeling you wanted readers to get from your books, what would that be?

I’d like to say I knew the answer to this when I set out to write my books, but I didn’t. For me, anyways, the characters came first, then the story. It wasn’t until I was completely done that I realized I’d worked in a few themes. I think given the whole focus for Romance for a Reason, the one that’s most important to me is that real strength comes from being true to yourself, no matter your age, size, strength, or gender, and that bad things can effect even the strongest of people but it doesn’t make them any less fierce. You can be victimized, without forever becoming a victim.

Time for some fun stuff? 

Good, things were getting deep there for a minute!

If you had to be a cartoon villain, who would you be and why?

Um. Confession: I never watched too many cartoons growing up, or if I did they’ve slipped my mind. As far as other fictional villains go, though, I’d have to pick Captain Hook. Every version I’ve ever seen of him I’ve fallen for. I guess I appreciate his willingness to admit he’s a sleaze. Besides, I could totally see myself at the helm of a pirate ship, in a fancy coat, captaining a crew of petty criminals and misfits—it actually sounds a lot like teaching middle school, and I’m pretty decent at that!

What is your favorite type of candy?
Cadbury Crème eggs, for sure. What’s not to love about all that goo? And they now have them out for Halloween, which means I get my fix twice a year!
If there was one book out there you would recommend - not your own - what would it be?
One book is really tough, because I’m tempted to give a classic, but that’d be haughty and hypocritical from someone who rarely reads classics for enjoyment. So I’m going to list a new contemporary find of mine that’s great for book club discussions and a fantastic model for writers attempting to write from a first-person, adult male’s perspective: Defending Jacob by William Landay.

And if you were stuck on an island, which author (dead or alive) would you like to be stuck with?
J. K. Rowling. In addition to having a tremendous imagination (which very well could save us), she just seems like a genuinely nice person. Besides if she were trapped with me, she’d be forced to answer at least some of my burning HP questions—and I could thank her for turning me on to my favorite genre of reading and writing!
Thanks so much for sitting with me today, Lauren! It was great getting to know you :)

Genres: paranormal romance, vampire series, urban fantasy, short stories
Release date: October 1, 2013
Available formats: ebook & paperback (184 pages)
Website page: http://www.laurengrimley.com/Unbridled.html

Purchase links: 
Amazon US: 

Unbridled: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FIS0KF4

Or for those who want just a bite, three of the individual stories are available as well:

“Grace and Dignity”: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FIS0VCQ

“Rules and Recollections”: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FIS1FIA

“Blood and Secrecy”: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FIS15SK

For the other books and stories in the series see Lauren’s Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007Y5ZZSG

Amazon UK:

Unbridled paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0615861113

Kindle edition: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FIS0KF4

“Grace and Dignity”: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FIS0VCQ

“Rules and Recollections”: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FIS1FIA

“Blood and Secrecy”: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FIS15SK

Barnes & Noble:

Unbridled : http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unbridled-lauren-grimley/1117001983?ean=2940148813262

“Grace and Dignity”: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/grace-and-dignity-lauren-grimley/1117001984?ean=2940148813279

“Rules and Recollections”: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rules-and-recollections-lauren-grimley/1117001985?ean=2940148768425

“Blood and Secrecy”: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-and-secrecy-lauren-grimley/1117001986?ean=2940148768432 

The reason: Cancer and violence suck (and not at all in that sexy vampire way)

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, two issues close to my heart. As a daughter of a two-time breast cancer survivor and the teacher, friend, and aunt to so many beautiful and strong women who I never want to see suffer, I chose to use the release of Unbridled to help support two terrific charities that help women.

Romance for a Reason is enabling me to use my tales of strong heroines, fanged though they are, as a fundraiser for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and V-Day. I’ll be donating the proceeds from the collection to these charities, and hopefully, through bringing these issues to readers’ attention, can also inspire others to reach out in their own ways. Women facing illness or abuse can feel like they’ve had not just their health, strength, and beauty sucked from them, but also their essence, their spirit. It’s time we bite back and fight back—for me that fight started with a pen and some fangs. How will you help?

How you can bite back:

Read some romance. Proceeds from Unbridled will be donated to the two charities listed here.

Donate. Make your own individual donation to these two charities or choose a local charity supporting these and other causes affecting women in your area. To learn more about each charity and my reasons for choosing them, visit the Romance for a Reason page. Or click through to donate directly.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

V-Day

Party hard. Gather the women (and men!) of your book club or just a group of friends for a Romance for Reason party. Party ideas? Check out my blog for ideas on how to plan your gathering. Then download the Romance Reading Questionnaire and/or the Body Lingo Bingo for some fun party activities!

Share. Tweet, status update, review, or just chat with friends about the books, the tour, and the charities (mine or yours)!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview & Giveaway with Lauren Grimley, author of Unbridled

Unbridled

Lauren Grimley

“Think Law and Order SUV meets The Breakfast Club” was Ellie’s trite explanation of what Alex had been dragged into. Add a few fangs, Fifty Shades of Oversharing, and a dash of Dr. Phil, and she was in for quite a Thursday night.

Alex couldn’t deny she had become the pint-sized poster child for PTSD lately, but she didn’t exactly expect to find a support group for teachers turned vampire chew toys in Bristol, MA. Listening to the tales of the four other females gathered to help her heal, however, she accepts that perhaps both the worst and the best of life can blossom from the unexpected.

Unbridled is a novella-length collection of four connected stories focusing on the unlikely friendships and less likely lovers of the female characters from the Alex Crocker series.

Review: Sweet by Erin McCarthy

Title: Sweet
Series: True Believers #2
Author: Erin McCarthy
Published: October 15, InterMix
Format: Galley provided by NetGalley and Penguin/Berkely NAL - Thank you!

Jessica Sweet thought going away to college would finally make her free of her parents’ constant judgments and insistence she play chastity club role model for their church events, but if anything, the freedom has made her realize she can’t go home and be a hypocrite anymore. Tired of dodging their questions, she stays at school over the summer and lands in an unexpected crash pad: Riley Mann’s house.

Sarcastic, cocky, and full of opinions, Riley is also sexy personified with tattoos and biceps earned from working as a roofer all day. Not the right guy for her even if Jessica was looking for a relationship, which she is definitely not. But Jessica knows that Riley hides the burden of having to raise his younger brothers behind that grin and as she helps him get his house in order for a custody hearing, they begin to fall hard for each other, and she is forced to question what she’s hiding herself.

Jessica has never had a problem getting naked with a guy, but when it comes to showing Riley how she truly feels inside, her fear of rejection may just ruin the best thing—the best guy—to ever happen to her…

Sweet was awesome! This was my first book from Erin McCarthy, and I found her writing to be engaging with a nice smooth flow. I easily found myself absorbed into the story of Jessica and Riley. I haven’t read the first book in this series – yet. But I didn’t find myself lost in this world at all. Each book focuses on a different couple, so it is really easy to pick up anywhere in the series.


Alright, let’s start with the characters. First we have Jessica. When I think of Jessica I want to do one of those low whistles that shows “whew, this girl has a lot of issues!” She has issues with control, and giving up control. She’s a bit naïve at only twenty years old, but I think that worked in her favor. Jessica has a strict religious upbringing, and she has HAD it. She wants some “me time” and she creates this lie to tell her family so that she can stay in town, work, and just live the life that she wants to live. While there were moments that Jessica got on my nerves, ultimately I really liked this girl. She’s like a cinnamon jawbreaker candy. On the outside she’s hot and she can make you a bit uncomfortable, but on the inside she’s got this sweet center that makes you think you need more.

And that brings me to Riley. Come on ladies, you KNOW I loved Riley. As the oldest of the children in his family, he gave up his path to care for his younger brothers once his parents were gone. Kind of like The Outsiders with a modern twist. Yep, so instantly I’m in love with him. And of course he is tattooed and built, and pretty much personifies sex on a stick. But wait, there’s more! Riley has emotions! And there are times in this book when he is heartbroken and scared, and it just really fleshed this man out for me. He’s got a smart mouth and a platinum heart, he’s a protector. And really, that’s all you really need to know about him. To me, he kind of felt like a young Henry Rollins. Smart, sexy, a bit mysterious. Yeah, I was digging him.

Jessica and Riley have this awesome banter back and forth, but when they first meet up they aren’t romantically attracted. Heck, I’m not even sure they were friends. But Riley does Jessica a solid and gives her a place to stay for a short period of time, and of course that is going to lead to some sparks. They way these two interact with each other just had me weak in the knees. There is the banter, but there is also this deniability that they both have. Neither wants to admit to themselves or the other that there is something growing. The whole thing is a major turn on.

Sweet really packs a punch. There are underlying issues with Riley’s family. His brothers don’t have an easy life, and Child Protective Services is in the mix. Jessica has her own issues with her family. And let me just say right here, I don’t like ANY of her family. They can all suck it. The other people from this series are in the book, but they don’t really play any major parts.

By the end of Sweet I was just really enamored with the whole thing. I love Riley’s approach to sex, it was a nice change of pace to not just jump into bed and do the naked noodle dance. This turned out to be one of those stories that I loved so much, I didn’t even bother to write many notes or quotes. I think fans of the New Adult genre will really love this book. It’s got passion and heart, and tons of drama. I am definitely anxiously waiting the next book in the series!

Find Erin McCarthy Online

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Website

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Review: Sweet by Erin McCarthy

Title: Sweet
Series: True Believers #2
Author: Erin McCarthy
Published: October 15, InterMix
Format: Galley provided by NetGalley and Penguin/Berkely NAL - Thank you!

Jessica Sweet thought going away to college would finally make her free of her parents’ constant judgments and insistence she play chastity club role model for their church events, but if anything, the freedom has made her realize she can’t go home and be a hypocrite anymore. Tired of dodging their questions, she stays at school over the summer and lands in an unexpected crash pad: Riley Mann’s house.

Sarcastic, cocky, and full of opinions, Riley is also sexy personified with tattoos and biceps earned from working as a roofer all day. Not the right guy for her even if Jessica was looking for a relationship, which she is definitely not. But Jessica knows that Riley hides the burden of having to raise his younger brothers behind that grin and as she helps him get his house in order for a custody hearing, they begin to fall hard for each other, and she is forced to question what she’s hiding herself.

Jessica has never had a problem getting naked with a guy, but when it comes to showing Riley how she truly feels inside, her fear of rejection may just ruin the best thing—the best guy—to ever happen to her…

Sweet was awesome! This was my first book from Erin McCarthy, and I found her writing to be engaging with a nice smooth flow. I easily found myself absorbed into the story of Jessica and Riley. I haven’t read the first book in this series – yet. But I didn’t find myself lost in this world at all. Each book focuses on a different couple, so it is really easy to pick up anywhere in the series.

Dark & Dangerous Box Set

Hey everyone!!  I just wanted to do a little promo for a boxed set that I recently picked up myself.  There are some really terrific authors in here!!!  DARK AND DANGEROUS: Six-in-One Hot Paranormal Romances Boxed Set featuring six books by six best-selling authors is out now in ebook and, for a limited time only, it’s just $0.99 / 99p!

That’s right, you can get these 6 hot paranormal romance books by Felicity Heaton, Jennifer Ashley, Bonnie Vanak, Caris Roane, Laurie London and Erin Kellison for under a dollar right now at Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, Kobo Books and Apple iBooks / iTunes.
Whether you like shifters, werewolves, vampires, fae, magic or secret portals, there's a sexy story here that's sure to tantalize your darkest, most dangerous desires!

Grab the ebook boxed set now at the special discounted price from:

Amazon Kindle US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FUMPU1C/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FUMPU1C/
Amazon Kindle CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00FUMPU1C/
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-and-dangerous-jennifer-ashley/1117116152
Kobo Books: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/dark-and-dangerous-six-in-one-hot-paranormal-romances
Apple iTunes USA: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781909306998
Apple iTunes UK: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/isbn9781909306998
Apple iTunes Canada: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/isbn9781909306998
Apple iTunes Australia: https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/isbn9781909306998
Apple iTunes New Zealand: https://itunes.apple.com/nz/book/isbn9781909306998

Books in the Dark and Dangerous Paranormal Romance Boxed Set are:

HARD MATED by Jennifer Ashley
A USA Today bestselling book!
Spike, a wildcat Shifter and the champion fighter of Shiftertown, is stunned when Myka, the best friend of a dying human woman, announces that Spike has fathered a cub. What's more, the mother is giving the boy to Spike to protect and raise. A USA Today bestselling book! Spike, a wildcat Shifter and the champion fighter of Shiftertown, is stunned when Myka, the best friend of a dying human woman, announces that Spike has fathered a cub. What's more, the mother is giving the boy to Spike to protect and raise. 

Spike is torn between the cub and his duties as tracker to the Shiftertown leader, and begs sassy and sexy horse-training Myka, the only person who understands, to help him. When Spike's job puts his cub and Myka in danger, Spike is forced to choose between those to whom he's pledged his loyalty and his need to protect the woman and cub he's come to love.


THE MATING HUNT by Bonnie Vanak
After a childhood trauma left Arianna Sanders terrified of sex, the only man the pretty Lupine werewolf desires is her fiercely protective guardian. But the sexy, mysterious shifter harbors a dark secret, one he’s determined to hide from Arianna.


Kyle Morgan hungers for the voluptuous Arianna and dreams of consummating the passion smoldering between them. When he’s forced into mating with her to save her life, he must tame the savage, sexual beast inside him before taking the virgin he’s vowed to protect from those hungering to claim her, including himself…


EMBRACE THE DARK by Caris Roane
Will she fall to temptation and give herself to a vampire…
Abigail doesn’t mind doing business with the realm-world, until she discovers she’s a rare commodity called a blood rose, something designed to satisfy the deepest needs of a mastyr vampire. She wants nothing to do with that kind of power and servicing a vampire is just wrong. But Mastyr Gerrod’s resistance to her gift, as well as his hot hunkiness in his Guardsman uniform, soon turns her head and she bends her neck to receive a sharp pair of fangs. Mind-blowing sex, ecstasy, all good things follow. But how can she give up her human world to serve as a blood rose the rest of her life?

Will she fall to temptation and give herself to a vampire…
Abigail doesn’t mind doing business with the realm-world, until she discovers she’s a rare commodity called a blood rose, something designed to satisfy the deepest needs of a mastyr vampire. She wants nothing to do with that kind of power and servicing a vampire is just wrong. But Mastyr Gerrod’s resistance to her gift, as well as his hot hunkiness in his Guardsman uniform, soon turns her head and she bends her neck to receive a sharp pair of fangs. Mind-blowing sex, ecstasy, all good things follow. But how can she give up her human world to serve as a blood rose the rest of her life?


ASSASSIN'S TOUCH by Laurie London
Two worlds. Two enemies. One fated touch.


Former fashion designer Neyla Trihorn had the perfect life until a deadly accident revealed her latent para-abilities—now she's the army's hottest asset in their fight against invaders. Rickert D'Angelus, the dangerously sexy assassin from Cascadia, leads a group of warriors into New Seattle to stop enemy soldiers from finding the Iron Portal into his world.


When he captures the beautiful Protection-Talent, a passionate vision appears and stirs something deep inside him. Rickert must decide if it's a Talent trick, designed to foil the enemy…or the answer to his deepest desires.


SHADOW BOUND by Erin Kellison
Dark fantasy meets modern fairy tale…


Adam Thorne founded the Segue Institute to study and destroy his monster of a brother, but the key to its success is held in the pale, slender hand of a woman on the run. There is something hauntingly different about Talia O'Brien, her unknowing sensuality, her uncanny way of slipping into Shadow. Twilight is the place between life and what comes after—a dark forest of fantasy, filled with beauty, peril, mystery. And Talia is about to open the door.


SEDUCE by Felicity Heaton
Enter the dark, sinful and seductive world of the vampire owners of London's premier vampire theatre, Vampirerotique. 

Bloodlust runs in Antoine’s veins, a dark master waiting for the day it will reign over him. Now a woman with a pure soul and wicked intentions has him in her sights and is determined to crack the ice around his heart, and she might save or damn him. But when Sera discovers the shocking truth about his past and the darkness that lurks within him, will she be strong enough to seize his heart with both hands and win him forever or will she lose him to the ghosts that still haunt him?

Dark & Dangerous Box Set

Hey everyone!!  I just wanted to do a little promo for a boxed set that I recently picked up myself.  There are some really terrific authors in here!!!  DARK AND DANGEROUS: Six-in-One Hot Paranormal Romances Boxed Set featuring six books by six best-selling authors is out now in ebook and, for a limited time only, it’s just $0.99 / 99p!

Nikki Noffsinger Interviews Nyx, from Cursed Awakening

Cursed Awakening

Nikki Noffsinger

Ivy Morgan has re-invented herself and is looking forward to the future for the first time, in a very long time. Since fleeing for her life from an overzealous religious cult, she is able to be a modern woman that is gaining her independence; so taking up with a sexy stranger named Nyx is the last thing she needs. Or, is it?

Nyx Wahpeton can’t stop thinking about the young woman he’s met. It couldn’t have come at the worse possible time with the clans meeting and his family wrapped up in a centuries old war that’s nothing short of what horror movies are made from. He’s been a protector of his people and those that reside at the Reservation. There’s betrayal and evil at his front door; but, in his heart he knows Ivy is the one for him. She’s surrounded by secrets that he’s vowed to unlock, as well as her heart. However, can he keep her safe from his own secrets?

Happy Friday!!  Today I have Nikki Noffsinger to the blog, with an interview she did with mc Nyx.  It's pretty awesome!!  Hope you enjoy :)
*Liz

         

Nikki Noffsinger: Hi Nyx, I see you got your Skype up and going. How have you and Ivy been?

(Nyx looks into the camera a bit awkward at first before two of his brothers run in and moon the web cam before being chased out by an older woman with a broom)

NW1: For the moment I’m wondering why my parents didn’t eat their young.
(Laughter comes from both echo through the computer speakers)

NN: Oh, I think we all have at least one of those in every family.

NW1: Yeah, well I have four; I think we are over our quota. (He laughs before continuing) Ivy and I are doing great! She rocks my world and has been showing my brothers up lately, so naturally, we all adore her. It’s hard to believe that just over a year ago, I was ribbing Xander for being such a lovesick pup, and here I am…a totally wrapped around Ivy’s finger.
NN: Well I am glad to hear things are going so great for you both. I have some questions from some readers if you don’t mind answering them. I promise you they’re quite painless.

NW1: Sure, I’ll answer anything that I can. Shoot!

NN: Okay, all the way from Nova Scotia, Canada, Denyse B. asks, “What’s it like shifting into a wolf?”

NW1: You know I have never thought about it really. As children we shift naturally in between forms and it’s like any other reflex. I guess if I had to compare it to anything it would be like making the decision to run or walk. I simply think and the next thing I know I’m a wolf. My grandfather, Night Horse says that our animal spirits are one with our own. Being in my wolf form is indescribable. Its freedom and experiencing the world through a different perspective, you know.

NN: Sounds pretty cool! Any cons to being a wolf?

NW1: Well aside from having to worry about things like hunters and chupas. Having to go shopping with my sisters and Ivy is more hazardous to my health than fighting off chupas. (laughs)

NN: (laughs) I think you might want to keep that one on the down low. Angela McIntire, from Inman, SC, wants to know, “Are you considering ever going professional with your art? Maybe open a gallery or something?”

NW1: (smiles shyly) No, I’ve never thought about it. I suppose I could. I love sketching and I’ve started painting, thanks in part to Ivy. A few months ago I painted a few landscapes and portraits to raise money for New Hope and for the Native American Heritage Association, which helps feed, educate, and preserving the Native American Indian ways of life that is lacking in many reservations throughout the country. My family works hard to keep New Hope thriving and not a lot of reservations have that. Many are in severe poverty and are basically slums. Our country has to do more for those who live either on or outside of reservations. Our history has to be preserved.

NN: That sounds great that your family is trying to get the word out and help spread awareness about the plight of the Native American people of our country. It is really sad to hear that reservations are in so much need. What can people, like me and the readers do?

NW1: Well first off, educate yourselves. Next, write letters to your elected state and federal officials. Spread the word. Next, if you can, donate to organizations like Native American Heritage Association and NRC, both help out reservations nationwide. Another thing one can do is support Native American businesses, performing arts, writers, and don’t buy into anything that exploits Native American culture. Just remember, there’s nothing wrong with buying a jewelry or a pot from someone’s shop or whatever, but what’s wrong is having the mindset that there’s not been hours of hard work that went into that item and that the person who made it, even if it’s food; someone is trying to feed their family and they deserve to be paid a fair price for it.

NN: Those are some really great tips, and I’m sure the readers will keep them in mind. I got tons of questions, but I’ll only ask one more. This one comes from Canada again, Elizabeth Smith-Babcock asks, “What is up with your two eldest sisters, Khloe and Lahni? One is a doctor and one is in a band?”

NW1: My sister Khloe is a doctor for White Water but she’s mated to Cinjin, who is psycho but she loves him and he’s kinda grown on all of us. Khloe and Cinjin are definitely polar opposites. She’s quiet, reserved, a little OCD, and loves watching the DIY channel. Cinjin, on the other hand, is loud, obnoxious, looks like he could be a cast member for Sons of Anarchy, lives for a good fight, and refuses to miss one episode of Full Throttle Saloon and Game of Thrones. I know it’s crazy, but some insane way-they fit. Personally, I don’t see what she sees in him, but she assures all of us she’s got him house trained. I almost believe her. The other day, Bodhi got up to pull on his boots and found they’d been pissed in. Cinjin seemed to be grinning a lot all morning at the noon meal. (Laughs hard) Lahni, (he sighs), now there’s a complicated tale right there. Lahni has always been the wild child and lately she’s been in a series of bad moods. I think it has a lot to do with Cinjin’s pack leader, Shiloh Red Cloud. Few people know this but for many years Shiloh lived right here and both he and Lahni were quit close growing up. Then he left when his father died, and it’s like the two of them can’t stand to be in the same room with each other. (There’s a noise in the background and he winces) Well I hate to cut this short but something is going on down stairs. It’s been nice chatting with you, and I hope we can do it again soon! Tell all your readers thanks for the questions and keep them coming.

NN: Thanks Nyx and tell everyone I said “Hi!”

NW1: No prob and will do. Here are some pictures.

                        
Night Horse Wahpeton      








                  My mother and grandma-   We miss her!
My brother Dakota





                                                                                   

                             We call him Prince Lovely Locks     



                                                                   
 Big sister Khloe, even though she’s “elf” at barely 5ft 2in.


 Her big lunkhead of a mate, Cinjin          



and the best for last, the girl who holds my heart and soul, my Ivy. 

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To learn more about author Nikki Noffsinger stop by her official web page and blog:

                                                                http://nikkinoffsinger.webs.com/

Cursed Awakening on Goodreads

Nikki Noffsinger Interviews Nyx, from Cursed Awakening

Cursed Awakening

Nikki Noffsinger

Ivy Morgan has re-invented herself and is looking forward to the future for the first time, in a very long time. Since fleeing for her life from an overzealous religious cult, she is able to be a modern woman that is gaining her independence; so taking up with a sexy stranger named Nyx is the last thing she needs. Or, is it?

Nyx Wahpeton can’t stop thinking about the young woman he’s met. It couldn’t have come at the worse possible time with the clans meeting and his family wrapped up in a centuries old war that’s nothing short of what horror movies are made from. He’s been a protector of his people and those that reside at the Reservation. There’s betrayal and evil at his front door; but, in his heart he knows Ivy is the one for him. She’s surrounded by secrets that he’s vowed to unlock, as well as her heart. However, can he keep her safe from his own secrets?

Happy Friday!!  Today I have Nikki Noffsinger to the blog, with an interview she did with mc Nyx.  It's pretty awesome!!  Hope you enjoy :)
*Liz