GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Lisa Kessler Inteview + Giveaway | I Smell Sheep

Monday, August 15, 2011

Lisa Kessler Inteview + Giveaway

Today the Sheep welcome Lisa Kessler to talk about her debut novel Night Walker and ask the some thought provoking questions like: does she know any real vampires and which does she prefer Coke or Pepsi. (you knew we had to ask )


Here is the blurb from Night Walker and please don't try to lick the cover, people will stare and you will have to clean the computer screen ;)

He gave up his soul for a second chance to love her…
Two and a half centuries ago, Calisto Terana lost everything when a zealous priest murdered the woman he loved. Now, desperate for another chance to love her, he wants redemption for the mistake that cost her life.
She’s haunted by dreams of her own death…

After catching her fiance with another woman, Kate Bradley returns to San Diego to clear her head. The last thing she needs is romance, but after meeting Calisto she’s drawn to him in ways she doesn’t understand.

They’ve waited in the shadows for centuries…

Calisto has no doubt Kate is the reincarnation of his lost love, but the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo has a new watcher with dark ambitions of his own. As old enemies reemerge and a new threat arises, the betrayal that enslaved Calisto to the night might destroy the only woman he’s ever loved again.

Sharon: Hello Lisa! Thanks for stopping by I Smell Sheep. Tell us about Night Walker and why did you chose reincarnation of a lost love for the plot.

It all started with wanting to write a novel with immortals, but set it on the west coast. Since the Mission de Alcala is the oldest building in San Diego, it seemed like the perfect place to start.

While researching, I discovered the peaceful Kumeyaay tribes actually attacked the Mission in the 1700’s, burned it to the ground and beat the head priest so badly he could only be identified by the rings on his hand.

All we have are theories as to what could have provoked such a vicious attack from a peaceful group. I made up my own theory that a young native girl was murdered. Once I had that worked out, I knew she had to be reincarnated in order for me to tell the story in contemporary times.

How’s that for a long answer? LOL

Sharon: I love it when an author takes historical events and twists them into their story. 10 coolness points for you!

Sharon: Is incorporating actual events into your plot something you plan or did it just present its self to you?

I’ve always enjoyed making paranormal stories seem as realistic as possible, and I think the more you stick to the actual facts, the more believable the story becomes. I tried to keep all of the known history intact and only add the paranormal explanations when there wasn’t a factual one available.

Katie: What has been the best part of writing this series for you?

I have had a blast developing a vampire series that has such a unique twist to the mythos! I loved researching the Mayan people and the Kumeyaay tribes. During my research, I even took a trip down to Chichen Itza to see the Mayan ruins for myself. Super fun stuff!

Katie: And how many vamps did you bump into on your adventure?

Ha! You know I complained to my guide… I didn’t find a single Night Walker or vampire! *sigh*

Katie: Oh drats! I smell refund! lol

Sharon: How many books are planned for the Night Walker series? The next book is called Night Demon (squee! I love me some Demon) What can you tell us about the Night Walker series as a whole?

There are 3 novels and a novella planned at this point. The overarching story is really a trilogy and the novella is like a prequel to the three novels. Night Demon is probably going to surprise you. Not your typical fictional demon at all… LOL

Katie: Aside from Demons what about my lovers the vamps? What do you have in store for someone like me who can never get enough! Lol

You’ll get to meet many more Night Walkers in Night Demon, and in the novella, Night Thief, you’ll also meet a European vampire who is more along the traditional romance vampire. However he’s no match for Kane…

Katie: You intrigue me with these…..

Oh good! Muahahaha! *ahem* I mean, that’s my goal…

Sharon: You mention on your website you like to write villains. What kind of villain do you like? So evil there is no turning back or one with the possibility of redemption?

I’m an equal-opportunity villain lover! LOL I enjoy them all. My favorite villain is the Evil Queen from Disney’s Snow White. She was a woman with a goal and a plan, and when her original plan didn’t work she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty and handle the problem herself.

(Sharon: I think she is one of the scariest of the Disney villains!)

I’ve written completely twisted villains, like Jose in Night Walker, and villains with a skewed view of the world. In my werewolf shifter series, I have a villain who plays on both sides of the fence depending on when it suits him. I think he’ll be redeemed by the end of the series, but we’ll see.

I think a good villain who has a good reason for being bad, not just to help move the plot along, is always a fun character to watch. They’re the ones with a plan of action while the hero is usually stuck reacting…

Sharon: this is my favorite kind, and a shifter to boot? Sign me up!

Yay! I’ll let you know when the werewolf series finds a publisher… *fingers crossed*

Sharon: Your facebook profile picture is of you dressed as Cruella de Vil. Do tell!

Ha! That’s my “Power Suit”… I made that costume for Halloween one year, and then wore it the next year at Disney World and people kept taking their picture with me! LOL In the end I used the Cruella picture on MySpace just for fun because I love villains, but eventually that was how most people recognized me online so I’ve stuck with it…

Katie: Do you like costumes and cosplay in general?

I love Halloween! I dress up every year! My daughter is big into cosplay and she made me my Evil Queen costume for last year’s Halloween! I love how it turned out… I look wicked! LOL

Sharon: My kids and I make a big deal for Halloween too! We did a quarantined insane asylum theme last year What costume plans do you have for this year?

The insane asylum sounds so cool!!! I make a haunted porch every year… I haven’t had a chance to plan my costume just yet… (Too much writing and book promo! LOL) I might be the Evil Queen again, you never know!

Sharon: You are also a professional vocalist. performing opera as well as musicals. Has this been a life long passion and does it filter into your writing?

It’s been a life-long passion for me. I’ve been singing since I was a little kid, and left high school with the Outstanding Musicianship Award. I went on to sing in college and in musicals and Operas.

Music definitely filters into my writing. Calisto and Kate are both musicians in Night Walker, and I’m very proud of the scenes of Calisto playing piano. I think his passion pops off the page… I hope! LOL

Katie: Do you watch shows like American Idol or The Voice?

No, I’m actually a HORRIBLE television watcher. I work full-time so the nights are for writing. Not much tv time for me.

Sharon: I have read your short story Across The Veil and loved it. I was amazed how you managed to get a complete and satisfying romance with world building to boot in so few words. Are there plans to do another short or even a novel set in this world?

I really loved writing Keth and Talia because I love being able to weave in magic into the story! I hope that one day I’ll be able to expand Across the Veil into a novel. I’d love to go deeper into Summerland and see what was happening in the five years while Talia was a television actress in our world.

Thanks for checking out the story! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

Sharon: Can you tell us about your journey to getting published? Were there many rejections and how did you handle those?

There were lots of rejections. Night Walker is a unique novel that mixes time periods and it’s pretty dark too, so while I got lots of full reads from publishing houses in New York, they weren’t sure what to do with it.

At one point I gave up on Night Walker and set it aside to write a new series. (The Moon Series) But while those were tied up in a contest, Entangled invited me to submit. All I had left was Night Walker, so I held my breath and sent it off.

I really believe it was all meant to be. Night Walker found the perfect home with Entangled and I’m really excited about the rest of the series…

Katie: When did you know you wanted to become a writer?

I’ve always written, but just for fun. About 10 years ago I took my first trip to New Orleans. While we were there I visited a palm reader. I’d never had a reading before and I thought it would be cool, so I went inside. She gave me a spot on reading, gave me a few thoughts on the future ahead which puzzled me and then walked me out.

When we got to the door she said, “Can I ask you something?”

I said, “Sure.”

She asked, “Are you a writer?”

I shrugged and said, “I write every night, but it’s just for fun.”

She smiled and her eyes sparkled. “You’re going to be a famous writer one day.”

I left in a daze and within a few months I had published my first short story, Immortal Beloved, and it went on to be a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.

I’m not famous yet, but I think she nudged me toward my calling. I’d love to be a full-time novelist…

Katie: WOW. What an amazing encounter. I see fame and fortune coming your way Lisa for sure!

Sharon: I will have to quote Katie on this one “WOW” . Here is to following your dreams

Thank you!!! Getting my book published was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done! LOL I’m just grateful I didn’t give up!

Sharon: If you could go back in time and give a young Lisa advice, what would it be?

Don’t be a doormat for anyone.

Sharon: Where did the name of your hero, Calisto, come from? I’m gonna say right now, it rolls off the tongue in a most smexy way ;) And what kind of hero is Calisto?

When I was writing Night Walker, I knew he was Spanish with an accent like Antonio Banderas in The Mask of Zorro. (That’s what he looked like in my head too! *swoon*) I went to a Spanish baby name site and started reading names out loud until I stumbled across Calisto. I knew the moment I said it that was his name…

Calisto is sophisticated, dangerous, and passionate. Like an Edward who drinks human blood and has sex! LOL

Sharon: snort! 10 coolness points for that comment. You can never go wrong with Antonio ;) Did you see him in Evita? (swoon)

Or in Assassins with all that hair… Yum! I kept picturing the tango scene from Zorro when he danced with Catherine Zeta-Jones while I wrote Calisto… *fanning self*

Katie: Open a box of chocolate, which one would you be?

A milk chocolate cup with peanut butter inside. (aka Reeses! )

Sharon: You also have The Moon Series which has me very excited. I recently came out of the woods about my shifter preference ;) Could you tell us a little about these books? Have you thought about self-publishing them?

Oh I’m so in love with the Moon Series! It really blends the pacing and action of Urban Fantasy with the sexy heat of Paranormal Romance. My wolf pack in Reno lives among mortals, while secretly keeping jaguar-shifter assassins out of their territory. When the Alpha’s oldest son falls in love with a jaguar on the run all hell breaks loose.

I haven’t considered self-publishing them at this point. I have a few publishers interested in the series and I want to see how it all pans out… *fingers crossed*

Sharon: got my toes crossed too! Love me some shifters!

YAY! Thank you!

Sharon: What supernatural creature do you like to fantasize about?

I love vampires and werewolves the most.

Katie: *shakes head in agreement*

Now is time for our infamous…er famous Rapid Fire round. So sit back, take a deep breath and don’t worry. It only hurts if Katie needs to hit the buzzer. Ready, set, GO!

Sharon: Vampire or Shifter?

Vampire

Katie: Hands down. Lol

Sharon: :P

Katie: Johnny Cash or Bob Dylan?

Johnny Cash

Sharon: Unicorns or Dragons?

Unicorns

Katie: Country Boys or Rock Boys?

Rock Boys

Sharon: Mother Goose or Brother’s Grimm?

Brothers Grimm

Katie: Coke or Pepsi

Iced Tea!

Katie: Okay, tea aside if you HAD to pick one of those sodas which one would it be? We are deep in a Pepsi vs. Coke war Lisa! lol Sharon: well, I have to agree with the sweet tea (especially with hushpuppies and BBQ), but you must pick…

If I have to pick a soda I’d have to go with Pepsi

Katie: Ok never mind she already said Iced Tea so that answer doesn’t count! Lol

Sharon: whispers under breath *snort*

Sharon: Megatron or Optimus Prime

Megatron (love me some villains)

Sharon: But O.P. is so sexy!

Katie: Professor X or Magento

Magento (see above! LOL)

Sharon: Disney World or Disney Land?

Disneyland!

Katie: Old School Muscle Car or New?

New

Sharon: Sweet Tea or Coffee?

Hot Chocolate!

(okay, now you are just trying to be difficult )

Katie: Crunchy or Smooth?

Smooth

Sharon: Comics or Manga?

Manga

Sharon: Do you have a favorite series?

My daughter introduced me to Priest! Pretty cool series with Priests and Vampires…

Katie: We reviewed that movie here as well, not as good as the Manga, but Paul was hot *winks*

Sharon: you should try Vampire Knights or Trinity Blood

Sharon: Spring or Fall

Fall

Thanks for visiting us today! Where can the readers find you over the coming weeks?

I’ll be guest blogging all over the internet to promote Night Walker. I’m also on Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads…

Just in case you need links, here they are…

http://lisakessler.wordpress.com

http://twitter.com/LdyDisney

http://facebook.com/LisaKesslerWriter

http://facebook.com/NightSeries

http://Lisa-Kessler.com

Give Away!!!

Lisa is giving one commenter an ecopy of Night Walker and a set of signed Night Walker Trading Cards! *drools*

Just leave your name/email (double entry for being a follower) and answer this question in the comments...

Lisa loves her Villains! Who or what is your favorite Villain?
Contest ends Aug 21 at midnight

30 comments:

  1. Julie Newberry
    julienewberry@btinternet.com
    I really am truly excited about Nightwalker, The cover is drooltastic, oohhhh those abs, lol, Thank-you for the great interview,
    Lisa's favourite villain is the Evil queen from Disney's Snow White,

    ReplyDelete
  2. Loved the interview! And this book sounds awesome. I definitely want to read it.
    My Favorite villian? Well in the movies it would be Dark Vader. In the books the High Mage in C L Wilson's Tairen book series.
    Thanks for entering me!
    +1 GFC: LadyVampire2u
    LadyVampire2u AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  3. i would love to read this it sounds amazing
    this was a great interview i enjoyed it and laughed alot
    lisas favorite villain is the evil queen from snow white
    im loving the cover of the books thanks for the advice not to lick the comp screen
    i have a few favorite villains but i do like scar from the lion king

    jenny needham
    madsheepno1@yahoo.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  4. DON'T COUNT ME IN!
    I'm not entering, i already own an ecpoy, but boy... This interview was Fun! Thanks! :))

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  5. I can only pick one?!
    Ehm... Hmm....
    Imhotep (the mummy), from The Mummy and The Mummy Returns.

    sullivanmcpig(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. My favorite villain is Dexter. He is a serial killer but I can't hate him. The truth is I really like him. He's good with kids, he's a great brother to his sister, and he's loyal and understanding.This character clearly suffered as a child, and he's struggling to understand his demons. He's a man in pain and needs healing and, hey, that's hot!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    artgiote at gmail dot com

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  7. my favorite villain would have to be Myrnin from Morganville Vampires....what not to love

    thanks for this giveaway

    Misty T
    darkangel_011012@yahoo.com

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  8. You guys have some good villains...but I don't know the High Mage. I actually have the first book in that series sitting on my shelf. Need to find time to read that one.

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  9. Great interview. It's hard to pick one villain but I might have to go with Cernunnos from Lisa Beth Darlings book Heart of War.

    chamblinh@gmail.com

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  10. I'm also a GFC follower: heatherc

    chamblinh@gmail.com

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  11. Ok, the screen is cleaned off so I can type now...HOT cover!!! Thanks for a great interview and giveaway!

    GFC books4me

    books4me67 at ymail.com

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  12. great cover and book sounds like a good read. the scariest villian I can remember was the guy from Silence of the Lambs. Way to smart and vicious to boot.
    scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com

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  13. Thank you so much for this wonderful interview and great fun today, as well as the giveaway opportunity. There is so much to admire about this lovely author - and I don't just mean the covers of her books LOL. My favorite villain is from James Bond - Ernst Stavro Blofeld - gotta love the name and also love his white cat - the mastermind from SPECTRE.

    GFC - Denise Zaky

    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

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  14. Hi everyone -

    Thanks for stopping by today!!! It's great to see so many comments, and fabulous villains too!!!

    Scar, Imhotep & Darth Vader!!! NICE!!! :)

    Lisa :)

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  15. What fun! I love that story about the unidentified body and how you twisted it to inspire your story. :)

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  16. Thanks Chris!!! :) I love wondering "what if" when no one has a real answer...

    Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

    Lisa :)

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  17. One of my favourite villain is Sebastian from "Devil in Winter" by Lisa Kleypas. Actually one was a villain in one book and later become the hero of another, therefore he reformed. Not all villains reformed but that doesn't mean I won't like them. They have to have character.

    I would love to read "Night Walker" =)

    Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  18. My favorite villian would have to be Hannibal Lector from Silence of the Lambs! Love him and especially Anthony Hopkins playing him.
    GFC follower: June M.
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

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  19. There are some awesome villians out there.. Heath Ledger as the Joker in batman is one i found to be one of my favs..

    i am a follower and just added the group on facebook!
    Alaina
    alainala@hotmail.ca

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  20. Darth Vader! His breathing gives me the goose bumps

    Damn! *wipes drool off screen*

    thumbelinda03@yahoo.com

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  21. Hi Na & June! *waving*

    I hope you both win books! THanks for stopping by so many of my blog stops this month! You rock!!!

    And Alainala I agree with you about Heath Ledger as the Joker. He was a fabulous villain!

    Hee! And Linda you crack me up!!! LOL Darth Vader is a classic villain... Love him! :)

    Thanks for commenting everyone!

    Lisa :)

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  22. So many good ones to choose from! I love Heath Ledger's Joker, Gary Oldman's Dracula, Rutger Hauer's Martin in Flesh & Blood (anyone remember that obscure Paul Verhoeven flick?), and Eric Northman from True Blood before he became all sweet & gooey.
    Yes - I'm a follower!;-)
    wandre3000@yahoo.com

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  23. Thank you for the giveaway!
    Tough question, so many come to mind. I have to say Hannibal Lecter is one of my favorites. He only killed/ate the rude.

    gfc - jbronderblogs
    jbronderblogs at aol dot com

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  24. Oh the struggle to pick a favorite villain....
    Myrnin from the Morganville Vampires --- I have such a love/hate relationship with him. Sometimes he makes me giggle (bunny slippers with fangs!) and makes me irate (biting Claire, double crossing her, etc.)

    I'm an old follower as Sapphyria.
    saphsbookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. The interview was great ladies! I've seen this book a lot recently. It sound really good.

    Sharon you need to read CL Wilson's Tairen Soul series! It's fantastic!

    My favorite villain is Gargamel from the Smurfs. I still remember his evil laugh and his cat's yowl.

    Old GFC Follower

    rootml1 AT hotmail DOT com

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  26. Great interview! If this is an international contest please count me in =)
    My fave villain....hmmm, this is a hard one....I guess there are tonnes. I know back in the day I adored Spike from TV's Buffy. He was such an awesome villain in the beginning (kinda) and I'd totally think about going over to the dark side for him, hehe ;)

    rachybee101@live.com.au

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  27. Thanks for all the fabulous villains!!!

    I agree about Spike & Eric from True Blood. I liked them both better as bad guys than the sweet gushy heroes... Oh well...:)

    And Gargamel made me laugh! He was a great villain! :)

    THanks for commenting everyone!

    Lisa :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Just one? Darth Vader

    (\___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  29. the wicked witch of the west (wizard of oz)

    I'm a stalker (opps sorry follower on fb) :D

    ticklebear2 (at) yahoo dot com

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  30. contest closed! Winner is wrenandre!!! I will be sending you an email :) Congrats.

    ReplyDelete