Sheep Interview: Christina Henry + Give away

Today we have author Christina Henry. The third book in her Black Wings series, Black Howl comes out February 28th! Stick around till the end and enter to win a copy of Black Howl.

Something is wrong with the souls of Chicago's dead. Ghosts are walking the streets, and Agent of Death Madeline Black's exasperating boss wants her to figure out why. And while work is bad enough, Maddy has a plethora of personal problems too. Now that Gabriel has been assigned as her thrall, their relationship has hit an impasse. At least her sleazy ex-fiance Nathaniel is out of the picture--or so she thinks...


Hello! And welcome to the blog. Have a seat and don’t worry about all the duct tape…you know how some authors are…”let me go home…please stop feeding me moon pies” yadda, yadda, yadda *eye twitches*


Sharon: For our readers who are new to you, could you tell us a little about the series in general?
Christina: Madeline Black is an Agent of death, which means that she helps ferry the souls of the dead to the Door. Presumably there’s some kind of afterlife beyond the Door, but Maddy doesn’t know anything about it. As an Agent, she’s not allowed to know. The Agency is a giant bureaucracy, and Agents are pretty much cubicle workers. In the first book Maddy discovers that she’s the daughter of a fallen angel, and that she’s got more power than she ever knew. Of course, discovering her lineage brings a whole new set of problems.


Sharon: What about the romance? Is this going to be a slow boil type of thing?
Christina: I think a slow romance (with lots of surprises) is more interesting when you have time to do it. Since this is a longer series I have the time I need to develop the relationships and give them lots of angst.

Katie: I do love some Angels that walk on the bad side; how far into the evil zone will you take the characters you write about?
Christina: There is some serious evil in these books, and Maddy herself can stray into a gray zone even when she has the best intentions. I like characters that walk that edge of darkness.
Katie: Bad can be sooo good. I know you feel me on this one. *winks*

Sharon: I’ve read the first book Black Wings and loved it, especially the clever twist you put on the angel/Lucifer mythology. I know you hear this all the time, but Beezle, Maddie’s gargoyle side kick is a blast. Why a gargoyle and one with his disposition?
Christina: I wanted a character that would hang around the house all the time – basically, one that would be available when I needed him. A roommate or spouse can come and go, and a pet doesn’t talk (usually). So I came up with a character who would always be there - a home guardian. And I came up with his particular disposition because Maddy is serious, and her job is pretty dark. I needed a character who could lighten the tension.
Katie: If he needs any help with knock-knock jokes then I'm your gal!
Christina: Beezle’s more of a cutting-remark kind of humorist.


Sharon: Should readers start with the first book Black Wings or can they just jump right in with Black Howl?
Christina: I think that it’s always better to read the first book of any series. You can see the world being set up, and experience the evolution of the character as they go through each book. I think BLACK HOWL would probably be a little confusing to someone who hadn’t read the first two.


Katie: If you HAD to date one of your characters who would you choose and why?
Christina: Gabriel. He’s pretty much my ideal hero – strong, silent, tormented.
Sharon: And tasty, let’s not forget tasty ;)
Katie: What does he taste like? Spare no detail here Christina!
Christina: Katie, I am a little worried about you. Do we need to schedule some kind of intervention wherein we discuss the difference between fantasy and reality?
Sharon: but her world is so much more fun ;)

this is my favorite cover!!

Sharon: How many books do you see for your series?
Christina: Right now there will be at least six books. After that there may be more if it seems that there is more story to tell.


Sharon: that is one of the cool things about writing a story. It is very fluid and who knows where it will take you. Has the story already taken a turn you hadn’t planned up to this point?
Christina: I write chronologically, so very frequently I find things happening that I didn’t plan. I like to just go with it and see where the story takes me.


Katie: What’s something you do that people may think is weird or odd?
Christina: I run marathons. Believe me, everyone I know (except other marathon runners) thinks I’m crazy!


Sharon: Anything else you would like the readers to know? Upcoming appearances, signings…
Christina: I will be attending the RT Booklovers Convention this year in Chicago from April 11-15. I also will be signing copies of BLACK HOWL at the Barnes and Noble in Schaumburg on February 29th. If you live in the Chicagoland area I would love to see you there!


This is our famous Rapid Fire Round – they don’t hurt…most of the time…


Sharon: Brass or woodwinds?
Christina: Woodwinds.

Katie: Phish Food or Half Baked?
Christina: I demonstrate my lameness by admitting I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Sharon: *whispers- I didn’t know either*
Katie: WHAT?! This is Ben & Jerry's ice-cream flavors ladies! Geez.
Christina: I’m more of a Dairy Queen girl, myself.
Sharon: SONIC for me

Sharon: Coke or Pepsi?
Christina: Green tea. I don’t drink soda.
Sharon: well we sort of have a competition going, so which one has the prettier can?
Christina: I think Pepsi is more aesthetically appealing.
Sharon: SCORE!
Katie: I do not accept this as an answer. Let's just pretend this question was not asked!

Katie: Doritos or Fritos?
Christina: You’re killing me…again, I must admit I don’t eat either!
Katie: Fear not, I'll stock us up with junk food from the local 7-11.
Christina: Are we getting ready for the zombie apocalypse?
Sharon: Of course, it is the "in" thing to do

Sharon: Tic-Tac or gum?
Christina: Gum.

Sharon: Favorite flavor or brand?
Christina: Spearmint.

Katie: Bunny hop or Chicken dance?
Christina: I banned both of these dances from my wedding.

Sharon: Man on a Harley or man on a horse? (don’t go there Katie!)
Christina: Horse.

Katie: Kilt or Toga?
Christina: Kilt.
Katie: Ah yes, so true. So. True.

Sharon: y’all or yous guys
Christina: I’m originally from New York, yous guys!
Katie: That's hella cool. *winks*

Christina: Thanks so much, Sharon and Katie!

Be sure to find Christina online

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CONTEST

Penguin is offering a paper copy to a winner (US only)

1. Leave a way to contact you

2. Tell me which of the 3 Black Wing covers is your favorite!

3. Do you follow the blog? If so you get double entries.

Contest ends: February 29th at midnight