Friday, October 23, 2009

Linda Wisdom Guest Blog and Giveaway

Today we once again have the wonderful author Linda Wisdom
as a guest here at Fang-tastic Books.




About Linda:

Linda Wisdom has published more than 70 novels with 13 million copies sold worldwide including traditional, paranormal, humor, action/adventure romance, and romantic suspense. Her bestselling books have been nominated for Romantic Times awards and the Romance Writers of America Rita Award. She lives with her husband in Murrieta, California.

Her newest release is:


Hex in High Heels—in stores now!

Fourth in the popular, light paranormal romance series by an author whose books have sold 13 million copies

In this sexy, funny paranormal romance by bestselling author Linda Wisdom, it's all beautiful witch Blair Fitzpatrick can do to keep a lid on her talent for revenge spells, but things are about to get a lot more complicated...

Blair loves running her vintage shop and hanging out with witchy friends Stasi and Jazz. She's forever had a crush on hunky carpenter Jake Harrison, whose Were nature (he's a Border collie) makes him loyal, lovable, and fierce when need be. Just as sparks are beginning to fly, Blair is served with a big surprise when Jake's mother shows up along with his pack leader, who threatens to make Jake heel! When the alpha does the unthinkable, Blair is pushed over the edge. No one messes with her boyfriend-to-be, even if he does shed on the furniture!


(By the way, I think this is so awesome, one of my review quotes is on the cover of this book!)

Now onto Linda's Guest Post and Your Chance to Win a Copy of Books 3 and 4 in the series: Wicked by Any Other Name and Hex in High Heels


It’s A Magickal World
By Linda Wisdom


A mega thank you to Fang-tastic Books for having me here to talk about creating worlds.

Since rumor has it that the preternatural communities don’t really exist – although, I’m still convinced that vampires are living in Hollywood :}, I’m going to discuss the world I created for my witches. Or maybe I should call it the world they created for themselves. Because I don’t think I could have accomplished it without their help.

And yes, with that statement, I’m sure those with psychology degrees are muttering, “hmm, we must have a talk with her”.

Still, if you’re going to create a world where the supernatural and mortal co-exist, then you need to believe in what you’re crafting.

Although, just how different would it be?

Perhaps the grocery store would have a refrigerated section carrying synthetic blood? Butcher shops carrying ultra large cuts of meats for the shapeshifters who are on strict protein diets. Cute witchy boutiques that only magick users can enter where they can pick up those special spell ingredients and other supplies.

And what about houses and apartments that offer cells in case the shapeshifters don’t want to go out of town during the full moon. Windowless rooms or heavy-duty blackout draperies. Houses with two kitchens, so spells wouldn’t be brewed up in the same kitchen you cook a roast.

I like to call it the little things. Jazz lives in Santa Monica near the boardwalk where the Midway is run by Weres and her vampire lover, Nick, owns an art deco building that holds his Civil Defense shelter turned lair and office. She deals with mortals a lot since they seem to be the ones who are cursed and spends her evenings driving members of the preternatural community who don’t want to have a car. Not to mention a ghost haunts her classic T-Bird. There’s a little bit of everything in the world and it works because I try my best to make it fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.

Stasi and Blair live in a small mountain town they’ve inhabited off and on since the mid 1800s. The locals know they’re witches and aren’t bothered by it. Maybe because the witches do their magickal best to keep the mountain safe from developers. And they know about the Weres, but have no idea that the ghosts of their ancestors visit the town every Samhain. Maybe it’s a good thing that they ease into the idea of a little bit of everything existing up there.

The fun part of writing a paranormal world is that you basically make your own rules. I consider that you still have to make the world sound logical and believable. Let the magick and the normal world co-exist without any hitches. Although … some hitches could make it even more interesting and has my imagination thinking overtime on that.

What do you think? Can the two worlds blend well together or do you think they should be entirely separate?

~Linda

Answer Linda's above question in the comments section for your chance to win a copy of books 3 and 4 in this hexy series:


Wicked by Any Other Name and Hex in High Heels


1 winner will be chosen, open to residents of US and Canada, please leave contact info so you can be reached if you are chosen as the winner

37 comments:

Ellz said...

I think they can blend, especially with great writing. It gives readers the thrill that maybe, just maybe their is something out there.

Great interview. I love your Magikal world, although I have not read the last few books yet.

zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom
Elie (Ellz Readz)

Witchy Woman said...

He,he,he Witchy Boutiques? I have been needing some extra wool of bat.(LOL) IMHO, the two worlds should intermingle. They've been doing it successfully for years in tv/movies, why not literature. It's fun reading both elements together, makes for a better read. Isn't that what we readers are looking for? Thanks Linda for sharing & Roxanne for hosting. :)
Must fly off on my broom, in search of coffee and Witchy Boutiques. (wink)

Email info: On my blogger profile & I'm also on Roxanne's Yahoo group.

cait045 said...

I think the two worlds should blend it would be so much more interesting.

usignolc(at)yahooDOTcom

Linda Wisdom said...

Thanks all!

I love blending the two worlds.

Such as some of their underground clubs are down at the docks, so by day ship loading and offloading, by night, anything can show up there.

And now I feel the two worlds are together so much that it's very real for me.

Linda

jeanette8042 said...

I think the two worlds can blend together because in ways they are similar and stories wouldn't be interesting without a little magic to shake it up!

CCRiley said...

Hmmm, I think that both ways are effective.

I love authors who write stories that are completely and entirely of their own design, like T.A. Barron's The Great Tree of Avalon series. Being able to picture things in my mind, solely off of the author's descriptions gives me the freedom to exist in this world, alongside my favorite characters.

On the other hand, I love it just as much when magical and everyday normal exist alongside each other. Sometimes, like in the Harry Potter series, the worlds exist on the same plane but stay separate, and sometimes, like in your books, the two world coexist. Both of these ways allow readers to allow themselves to entertain thoughts of it actually happening. How could you not?

So I guess my view is that it depends on the story, and on the characters who exist in whichever world you choose to create or at least develop.

penney said...

I think they should separate! Too many people do not believe and it does causes fights. Great blog today!
Penney
luvhistoricalromance at gmail dot com

CCRiley said...

Hmmm, I think that both ways are effective.

I love authors who write stories that are completely and entirely of their own design, like T.A. Barron's The Great Tree of Avalon series. Being able to picture things in my mind, solely off of the author's descriptions gives me the freedom to exist in this world, alongside my favorite characters.

On the other hand, I love it just as much when magical and everyday normal exist alongside each other. Sometimes, like in the Harry Potter series, the worlds exist on the same plane but stay separate, and sometimes, like in your books, the two world coexist. Both of these ways allow readers to allow themselves to entertain thoughts of it actually happening. How could you not?

So I guess my view is that it depends on the story, and on the characters who exist in whichever world you choose to create or at least develop.

I forgot my contact info... =)
cc@ccriley.com

Lisa Kessler said...

Ha! I love the picture of you Linda! :)

Fun blog too! :)

I love the blending of worlds so that sometimes you start wondering "What if..."

Lisa :)

Unknown said...

Hi :)
Thanks for having Linda here today.
I love how urban fantasy and paranormal romance blend the supernatural with the modern world. It has been a favorite genre of mine before it was even a genre. Anne Rice and Tanya Huff are two of my favorite precursors to this genre, as well as Thorne Smith who did Urban Fantasy in the 1920s.
Thank you for sharing Linda,
Love & Best Wishes,
RKCharron
xoxo

kalynnick said...

I think they can blend together.

kalynnick AT yahoo DOT com

Meljprincess said...

I think blending anything together pretty much creates good results. *wink*
Happy Halloween, Linda. Your book covers are so cute.

Meljprincess AT aol DOT com

Linda Wisdom said...

Very true, jeanette8042. Always good to shake things up.

Linda

Linda Wisdom said...

CC,

Parallel worlds work very well too. I can't remember the author's name, but I recall a book about an underground London.

Linda

Linda Wisdom said...

Hey Lisa!

I'm so glad you stopped by.

What if is always fun. I tend to do it a lot.

Linda

Linda Wisdom said...

I didn't know about Thorne Smith RK. I'll have to look that up.

Of course, look at what HG Wells wrote. You have to love an imagination that can look far ahead.

Linda

Linda Wisdom said...

Thanks Penney,

And there are those who claim not to believe but do in private.

Linda

Linda Wisdom said...

Thanks meljprincess,

I'll be celebrating my Halloween with a book signing, but we're dressing up and have live music, so a party along with my signing.

Linda

Estella said...

I think the two worlds can blend.
It is so much more interesting wondering if a magical being is standing or working beside you.

Anonymous said...

I think they can blend. It just depends on the author's ability to make it believable. Thanks for stopping by.

Sue
okibi_insanity[at]yahoo[dot]com

Alicia0385 said...

I have no doubt that two worlds can blend. I think it makes everything exciting!!

aliciahall0605(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Amy1225 said...

I think that blending always makes for a better read!!

amyturci(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Karen Michelle Nutt said...

Blending the two worlds is the perfect recipe for a magical tale. There's a pinch of fantasy and a touch of realism to make it all believable.

Words are an incantation to open the imagination to new possibilities!

Loved the post.
kmnbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com

Linda Henderson said...

I think they can blend together. As long as it is in some way believable.

seriousreader at live dot com

Karen W. said...

I enjoyed your interview, Linda.

I love urban fantasy precisely because I LOVE the blending of the normal, "every day" world with the paranormal. (Ala "Buffy.")

Thanks for the contest!

karenwitkowski AT aol(dot)com

Linda Wisdom said...

I love all your comments that you enjoy the blending, because for me, that's the most fun.

We used to have a very arrogant neighbor who usually wore a green velvet robe in the mornings. She pretty much hated everyone around here and we weren't too fond of her. I always thought she'd make a great villain because of that arrogance and something about that green robe.

Linda

Martha Lawson said...

Sure, I think they can blend!! Makes things more interesting...

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Asylumgirl said...

I think both are possible, but I kind of like when they are separate. The belief that something else is out there and we really have no clue.

Deidre
deidre_durance at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

I think they can. I know I enjoy the books that have the supernatural "out and proud" more than the books that have them hiding their true natures.

jennsicurella at verizon dot net

booklover0226 said...

I've heard so many great things about this series; I look forward in reading these books.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 AT gmail DOT com

Linda Wisdom said...

Thanks all.

What I've also done is have people who refuse to believe the supernatural is out there.

No matter what, you will have people who don't want to believe in something they can't understand.

Linda

Meljprincess said...

Linda,
Where is the signing and what are you dressing up as? Ooo, it sounds like some serious fun! Hope you have a great time and sell all your books.
If I didn't know who you were I'd buy those books for the covers alone.

Meljprincess AT aol DOT com

mrsshukra said...

I'm a Bewitched fan so yes, the two worlds can co-exist beautifully! Can't wait to read Linda's novels!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Misty said...

Yeah, I think it would make things more interesting if they are blended.
I believe it makes things more exciting...
misty_labean@yahoo.com

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

Much more fun blended!

heatheranne99 at hotmail dot com

katsrus said...

I agree with everone else saying they can blend. Your book cover are very cute by the way. You are a new author to me and I am going to find one of your books. Sounds like books I would really enjoy. Happy Halloween and thanks for coming.
Sue
katsrus@gmail.com

T. said...

They could definitely blend, especially if the witches used their spells/powers for helping to protect. I would love to have one or more living in my neighborhood. That would be awesome! Move 'em in! Thanks, T. finalcutediting@yahoo.com

 
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