Friday, August 24, 2012

Interview with Sky Purington




Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?

Born in raised in New England, I suppose it was just a given that that I lived in an old house, one that had been around for generations upon generations. Naturally, nearly all of them had a little something extra… that extra being paranormal activity. Naturally, I carried on my experiences loosely through my paranormal books. *grins*

What is it about the paranormal, in particular vampires, that fascinates you so much?  

I wish I could explain exactly what it is about vampires that makes my heartbeat pick up. It’s certainly not the horror that they’re privy to. No, it’s always been the deep, intellectual side. The side that speaks to the mere mortal. For some reason I’ve always been overly eager to connect the dots between the undead and the living, most especially vampires. They possess an intensity and yes, romanticism, I  can’t get enough of. I’m a HUGE Ann Rice and Bram Stoker fan. If I go modern with vampires, it’s straight to the movie Underworld. If a vampire’s history isn’t going to be traced, don’t bother trying to sell him/her to me.

What inspired you to write this book?    

Well, there are about ten answers to this question but I’ll keep it simple. I love the paranormal. I enjoy ghost hunting. I always loved creatures of the night. Number one on the list… vampires. When I wrote The Victorian Lure I’d already started a vampire series where the vampire is the hero. The thing is? I’d published a few vampire stories already where the vampire is the hero. As difficult as it was for me, I’m a big believer in trying out new things. This time, my vampire needed to be the nemesis. He needed to truly be the bad guy. In its own way,  the concept was sorta hot. *winks* With all ideas lined up, my first hero warlock was born. Because God forbid my good guy be… too good? So this novel turned into a Warlock vs. Vampire saga. Worked out great in the end!

Please tell us about your latest release.  

My latest release is actually a re-launch of an older title called, Darkest Memory (Forsaken Brethren Series- Book One). This book’s hero is a sexy British Vampire. Super wealthy, he’s long awaited the return of his one true love, Calah. When she’s reborn one stormy night in the twenty-first century, the story takes off. Heart of Vesuvius (its sequel) is available as well.

Do you have a special formula for creating characters' names? Do you try to match a name with a certain meaning to attributes of the character or do you search for names popular in certain time periods or regions?

          Honestly, I let the name come to me and it always does within the first or second paragraph. I make a point of not overthinking names. The only rule (as I write a lot about the Medieval period) is that the name is time appropriate.

Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another? 

Yep, and he was Ferchar, the hero from the second novel in my MacLomain Series. He was pretty tormented. Helping him resurface from the dark place he’d taken himself took finesse. I’d like to think that he and I made it.

Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?

          It will always be a toss-up between Ferchar (as aforementioned- from Destiny’s Denial) and Seth, from The Tudor Revival (Book 3 in my Calum’s Curse Series) two books after The Victorian Lure. Ferchar was tormented so (yep, call me strange) I enjoyed helping him crawl out of his dark ‘mental’ cave. Seth? Well, he’s a dare-devil, cocky American. How could I have not enjoyed writing about him? The guy needed to be taken down a peg or two. *winks*

Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?

I’d be betraying my characters if I tried to sketch or develop them too soon. While in ‘real life’ I’m a planner by nature when it comes to writing I’m completely spontaneous. My characters tell me what they want when they want it and man do they develop unique personalities along the way!

What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?

Great question! Interestingly enough, my favorite scene in The Victorian Lure was not one of the paranormal scenes or even the vampire scenes but a small moment that the hero and heroine had together. A moment where they truly broke through their purely sexual attraction and aggravation with one another and started to really be attracted…

He could do better. They could do better.

Balling his hands into fists he raised his head and stared out the window again. They could do better. He just needed to figure out how. No matter what happened, they’d get out of this alive.

“You’re not so bad yourself.”

Leathan kept his gaze on the steady snow. “None of this has been right for you and me.”

“I don’t think it’s been right for any of us,” Dakota said softly from behind him.

“I can’t stand to let any of you down.”

“Your parents didn’t want you to become a paranormal investigator, did they?”

He kept looking out the window. “They believed in financial security. I may be a Stewart but believe me, the royal name has no grand dollar amount attached to it anymore. It’s but another old as time Scottish name.”

“I think they would be very proud of you right now.”

If only he could be sure. “Would they really? Doubt it.”

“Have you helped anyone in your current occupation?”

“Aye, here and there.”

“How does that make you feel?”

He closed his eyes. “Better than any computer application I ever wrote.”

“Exactly.” Dakota rubbed his shoulder. “You really are way too hard on yourself, you know that?”

Turning, his gaze fell to hers. “So I’ve been told.”

As seemed to be the way with them lately, their eyes held. A strange sort of gripping exaltation filled him. But along with such an intense and good feeling came a new level of terrifying fear for her.

He’d never felt anything quite like it. In fact, at that moment, Leathan knew without question, the thought of her potential death because of this house scared the living hell out of him. Would he be able to protect her?

Shaking her head, Dakota backed away. “Don’t do that. Don’t look at me that way. Please.”

Was the pain and fear that obvious? “What way?” He grabbed her hand before she could get too far. “Please, don’t be afraid. As I said before, I will protect you, with my life if need be, Dakota.”

She tried to pull her hand away. He wouldn’t let go. “That’s not what I was talking about and you know it.” Slowly, step by step, he reeled her in. “So you see I’m developing feelings for you? Trust me; it’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s not like I’m saying I love you but I definitely like you. Do you deny feeling the same?”

“Never trust someone who says trust me.”

But she allowed him to pull her closer.

“All right, don’t trust me then, if it makes you feel better,” he said.

“But I do.”

Leathan pulled her against him, wrapped one arm around her waist and tilted her chin up with his free hand. “You do trust me?”

“Yes,” she murmured.

“We’re allowed this, you know.” He brushed his thumb over the curve of her jaw.

Her eyes drifted shut and her lower lip quivered slightly. “I’m not so sure. I find it hard to believe that anything started in this house could achieve a happy ending. I try, I do. Just last night, I was strong for Andrea. Now, talking about this with you, I feel as fearful and unsure as I did before.”

“I’m flattered.”

Her eyes shot open. “Why?”

“Because you chose me to share your true feelings with. Because you want a happy ending with me.”

A medley of emotions flickered within her teary gaze. “For all I thought you a diehard pessimist at the beginning, I’m starting to have my doubts.”

“Good.” Leaning down, he dropped a chaste kiss on her lips. “I want you to promise me something.”

“Oh, that’s never a good idea. Life, and this damned house, is too unpredictable to be sure I’ll be able to live up to it.”

Did you find anything really interesting while researching this or another book? 
 
The entirety of research connected to this book was based on my own paranormal experiences through life. So yes, the ‘research’ was very interesting! J

What is the most interesting thing you have physically done for book related research purposes?  

I ghost hunted! I have an EVP and EMF detector. Loved every single second of it! And yes, I got results but that’s being saved for a future Halloween blog post. *winks*

Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world? 
 
The world building was based on the simple belief in the afterlife and ghosts. A parallel plane so to speak. As to the vampires… I had to try writing a story where they’re the enemy and not the hero. If you truly love vampires as much as I do then you know representing them from every angle is… essential.

With the book being part of a series are there any character or story arcs, that readers jumping in somewhere other than the first book, need to be aware of? Can these books be read as stand alones?  

These books can most certainly be read as stand alones. I would, however, recommend reading them in order as it’ll offer the full flavor or the series. And YES, there’s an arc, a wizard from my MacLomain Series becomes a character in these books, but he’s a ghost now. So… kinda cool.

Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they? 

In the Victorian Lure, no. If you read Darkest Memory, Calah and I have the writing, looks and lust for vampires in common. If you read Destiny’s Denial from my MacLomain Series, you’re reading about me to a T, down to the Iced Coffee. ;-)

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?   

Yep, when I do I walk away for a week or so. I focus on promo and everything else that goes along with writing. By the time I return to my MS my mind’s typically refreshed and the block’s gone.

Do you have any weird writing quirks or rituals?  

One. Need to have a candle burning.


Do you write in different genres?   

Yes.

Do you find it difficult to write in multiple genres?  

No, I love it. It’s because of my love for variety that I knew Vampires had to not only be my pro but my con.

When did you consider yourself a writer? 

 The minute I saw the proud look on my Mom’s face when I won the New Hampshire Young Author award at seven. I saw me through her eyes.

What are your guilty pleasures in life? 

Beer? *grins* No, but I do like a good ale. My number one guilty pleasure is Macaroni and Cheese. I LOVE it. It doesn’t always love my thighs though. Sad sigh.

Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?  

Well, I’m a closet case when it comes to fashion (clothing) and interior designing. Love clothes and redesigning the rooms in my house. Yep, I spend too much time watching HGTV. Tee hee.

What was the last amazing book you read?  

The Secret by Rhonda Burns. It changed my life. And I don’t ever read non-fiction, folks. This one’s worth checking out.

Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot? 

 Guess I fall into the ‘Brady Bunch’ category either by design or necessity. My son’s six and in my bed is the only time I can read. But I anticipate years from now that I’ll do the same. There’s nothing quite like snuggling down beneath my down comforter in bed with a good book.

What can readers expect next from you?  

My little one is off to 1st grade the last week in August so I anticipate my readers will hear a lot more from me. I’ll be busy working on two projects. The first, Highland Defiance from The MacLomain Series- Early Years and a Children’s books series.

Where can readers find you on the web?  

Everything you need to know about me can be found at www.skypurington.com. I love to hear from readers so pop on over and email me!

Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?  

I did earlier in the interview so no. If you like the paranormal, fantasy and vampires, The Victorian Lure should keep you thoroughly entertained. And it’s okay… you can root for the vampire! J


The Victorian Lure

Sky Purington
Calum’s Curse Ardetha Vampyre - Book 1

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
ISBN: 1601549903
ASIN: B00654CY2W

Number of pages:  310
Word Count:          80,000 words


Book Description:

Is it true love...or is the magnetic pull just another part of the Victorian's lure?

Dakota Allerton depends on no one but herself, but then she's never needed a ghost hunter. When her dream home becomes a house of horrors that is holding her hostage, her only hope is a Scotsman who investigates the paranormal.

The supernatural is nothing Leathan Stewart can't handle. However, trapped in Dakota's cursed Victorian home, he finds himself falling back in time. Only those who persevere can survive the dark domination.

Fear has a way of drawing two people together...but so does the need to be loved. Dakota and Leathan must fight against unknown enemies, discover the secrets of Calum's Curse and defeat a vampire bent on finishing the legacy it began.

Author Bio:

Best-selling author, Sky Purington lives in southern New Hampshire with her son and husband. The written word has been her obsession from the very beginning. Purington writes time-travel paranormal/fantasy romance heavily influenced by history. 

From Irish Druids to Scottish Highlanders many of her novels possess strong Celtic elements. More recently, her vampire stories take the reader to medieval England and ancient Italy. 

Enjoy strictly paranormal romance? Sky's latest novels follow three haunted houses in New England and the sexy ghost hunters determined to make sense of them. Make no mistake, in each and every tale told you'll travel back to another time and revisit the romanticism history holds at its heart. 

Sky loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at Sky@SkyPurington.com Interested in keeping up with Sky's latest news and releases? Visit Sky's Website, www.skypurington.com to download her FREE App on iTunes and Android. 



A Writer’s Mind Blog: www.skypuringtonwrites.blogspot.com






a Rafflecopter giveaway

4 comments:

Sky Purington said...

Thanks for having me over. I really enjoyed the interview! :-)

Alisia said...

great interview.
ghost hunting?! thats so cool!

Sherry said...

I really enjoyed the interview.

Wolfmajick said...

Loved the interview

 
BLOG DESIGN FOR FANG-TASTIC BOOKS BY BARBARA.
RED CORSET © HALAQUINN ARCADIAS. GOTHIC NIGHT © ASHEN SHARROW.