Hunting Human Character Interview with Author Amanda E Alvarez

Author: Amanda E. Alvarez

On sale date: Mar 28, 2011
Category: Paranormal Romance, Shifters
eISBN: 9781426891434

Description

For two years, Beth Williams has run from the past, and the beast that dwells inside her. She is haunted by memories of being kidnapped and the savage attack that killed her best friend. Now Beth finally thinks she's ready to move on...with Braden Edwards, a charming, irresistibly sexy man who tempts Beth to embrace the present.

But the past lurks closer than Beth realizes. Markko Bolvek, one of the werewolves who kidnapped her, has tracked her to Portland, Oregon, his pursuit fueled by a hunger for vengeance. Only Braden, a werewolf himself, senses the danger shadowing her steps. The Edwards and Bolveks have been enemies for centuries—and despite the instant connection he feels with Beth, Braden isn't sure which side of the war she's on.

With suspicion at odds with their attraction, Beth and Braden must learn to trust one another to stop Markko for good. Can Beth accept the wolf within—and love a man who embodies everything she fears?

84,100 words Carina Press

Read an Excerpt

Hi Everyone! As an author, I’m always getting questions about my characters. What they are like, who they are, how they act, etc. So I thought it might be fun if I conducted a series of interviews with the main and primary supporting characters from my recent release, Hunting Human. If you’ve already read the book, hopefully these interviews will be fun and interesting. If you haven’t read the book yet, hopefully the interviews will pique your interest.

My first interview was with my heroine, Beth Williams, and can be found HERE.

My second interview is with my hero, Braden Edwards.

I’ve kept the questions the same so as to give a parallel look into the characters thoughts and backgrounds.

Q: Hi Braden! Please describe yourself in a few words.

A: Solid, loyal and normal.

Q: What is one of your happiest moments?

A: Labor Day, the year I shifted for the first time. Most of the summer had been really uncomfortable, we were adjusting to Chase and he was adjusting to us. But that Labor Day was the best. My dad had been grilling all afternoon, steaks the size of your head. Caleb and I kept arguing about who got the bigger one and right as my mom served them up, Chase snatched the largest one up. We got to shoving, then shifting and finally chasing. Mom turned the hose on all of us. But it was the first time Chase had ever initiated anything with us. It was a turning point and a good day.

Q: What has been the defining moment/decision in your life to date?

A: The decision to go away to college. I’d always planned to attend of course, and like most kids, I couldn’t wait for that taste of freedom. A lot of that changed when Chase came to live with us. It took us a long time, but Caleb, Chase and I got really close. And as the decision to go away to college got closer and closer, I started to have second thoughts. It would be the first time I’d be alone on the full moons. The first time I wouldn’t be able to goof around with my brothers. But I did, eventually, decide to go. And that was good too – it allowed my brothers to grow up and allowed us to redefine our relationship some.

Q: Can you tell us a few of your strengths and a few of your weaknesses?

A: I value my family. I’m the oldest of four kids and my parents really pushed the idea that we’re a unit. That we succeed and fail together. We’re all really close and we all work to stay that way. But having said that, my parents also raised me to be independent, so as I mentioned before, I’m not afraid to make my own decisions and walk my own path. I think that’s a strength. As to weaknesses… I have to admit I’ve got a bit of a temper. And I sometimes – okay, more than sometimes – jump to conclusions. Trust is really important to me so if I feel that my trust has been broken, I can snap before I assess. I’m working on it.

I know that you’re a werewolf, how about a few questions about that part of your life?

Q: How old were you became a werewolf?

A: Typically in my family the bite is passed down on our sixteenth birthday. But when Chase came to stay with us my father gave me the option of turning a year early. I learned to manage the shift in the summer between my freshman and sophomore year of high school.

Q: When you shifted for the first time, what went through your head?

A: I honestly don’t remember it was so long ago. I think for me, it was like the first time your dad tosses you the car keys. You remember the yearning to drive – or in my case shift – and you vaguely remember the excitement. But I don’t remember much beyond that.

Q: What is the best thing about being a werewolf?

A: The extra senses are amazing. Food tastes better, mountain air smells cleaner. Fart wars with your brothers are a lot more fun. Sorry, Mom. And we do tend to be more athletic. Our metabolisms run higher and exercise comes more naturally. I do tend to get really restless if I don’t hit the gym regularly but I think a lot of people feel like that regardless. It’s such a normal part of my everyday life; it’s hard to give you a best thing.

Q: What is the worst thing about being a werewolf?

A: I was raised with it, so it never really bothered me. It’s normal. So normal in fact that sometimes I forget that it’s not just another muscle, another skill. I forget that most people can’t relate. That part’s hard. Most people have secrets, and I think everyone wonders what would happen if people found out. But for us, it’s just different. Dating for instance is complicated. At what point in a relationship is appropriate to tell someone you occasionally shift into a wolf? You constantly have to balance being realistic with acknowledging that you may freak someone out bad enough that they’ll run and never look back.

How about a couple of quick, fun questions to get us back on a lighter note?

Q: What is your favorite color and why?

A: Green. I spent a lot of time in the woods as a teen, goofing around with my brothers and my father. When we hunt, and I’m running full out, the surrounding forest starts to blur into this one, deep patch of green. The color always manages to make me feel relaxed and energetic at the same time.

Q: Favorite food?

A: Red meat is always on the menu in my house. Steaks on the grill, cold beer and the game on the tube… perfect afternoon.

Q: Movies or theater?

A: Movies. I really can’t sit still long enough to enjoy the theater.

About the Author:

Amanda was born and raised in Texas - and due to an unfortunate three year stint in Michigan - doesn't plan to ever live anywhere where flip-flops and sweatshirts don't constitute winter attire. Often audacious and adventurous, she tends to find herself in a slew of dangerous (and hilarious!) predicaments (law school and fighting raccoons in dumpsters) and thankfully has many friends ready to lend aid (while they laugh.)

When not lawyering, writing, or thinking about going to the gym Amanda is often caught sampling local cupcake offerings and planning to someday co-open an evil bakery and sell dastardly desserts. She currently lives in Dallas, Texas with one regular-sized cat and one jumbo-sized cat, and can be seen writing in public places frequented by hot guys (strictly for research purposes, of course!) with her friends and fellow writers Killer Cupcake and Pantherista(names omitted to protect the not-so-innocent).

You can find Amanda: On Facebook, On Twitter, On the Web