Sunday, October 07, 2007

COMMENT on this post for a chance to win one of 3 PRINT COPIES of Unbound by Lori Devoti.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Lori Devoti grew up in southern Missouri and attended college at the University of Missouri-Columbia where she earned a Bachelor of Journalism. She, however, made it clear to anyone who asked, she was not a writer; she worked for the dark side—advertising. Now twenty years later, she’s proud to declare herself a writer and visit her dark side occasionally by writing dark paranormal romances and urban fantasy novels with a little death and a lot of adventure.

Lori lives in Wisconsin with her husband, daughter, son, an extremely patient shepherd mix, and the world’s pushiest Siberian husky.

Visit her website at: http://www.loridevoti.com


INTERVIEW:

Why did you become a writer? Was it a dream of yours since you were younger or did the desire to write happen later in your life?
Strange as it sounds, I don’t think I was ever hit with what I would call a desire. It’s more like a challenge I decided to take on. I hadn’t gone back to work after my daughter was born and my husband suggested I write a book—so I did. I discovered I enjoyed writing and then really threw myself into it.

What do you love about being an author? Is there anything you dislike?
I like coming up with ideas. I also kind of like the revision stage. There’s a lot less pressure, at least for me, in taking something you’ve already created and improving it than there is in the original creation. What I dislike is when I know an idea isn’t holding...when there is something wrong and I can’t put my finger on it. That is just torture.

How do you balance your personal and writing time?
Right now I write in as little as five minute spurts. With two small children, that’s how I’ve written all my books. But this fall both of my kids will be in school so I will have full hours to write. I can hardly imagine it!

How do you write? Do your characters come to you first or the plot or the world of the story?
I usually say characters, but I think the characters and their world are so closely interwoven for me that it is a combination of the two. The plot is definitely something I have to work at creating though.

What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?
My first manuscript was an amateur sleuth mystery. My first two published books were romantic comedies. Right now I’m writing dark paranormal romances for Silhouette Nocturne, and have an urban fantasy out with editors. But I also have about every variety of paranormal—light/dark, romance/women’s fiction, sexy/no sex in my proposal file. I could see me writing any of the three big genres: mystery, romance or fantasy. I read and love all three—why not write them?

What is the biggest misconception about being an author?
I don’t know. There are so many. I think for people who are working at getting published that being published will change their lives and make selling another book and another almost a given. This is a tough business and you have to stay on your toes. And I don’t know that it is a misconception, but I’m always amazed at how people are impressed when they find out you’re published. This is completely unfair of me, because when I first met published authors I was really impressed too—but that wears off. (grin)

Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?
My first two books, the romantic comedies, were set in small towns like the one I grew up in and there were a lot of characters similar to the “type” of people I knew. But with my paranormals they are all out of my head. Maybe it is the different genre, or maybe it just shows I’ve matured as a writer.

Out of all the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why?
I think Kol who is the hero of my next Nocturne. He’s sexy and alpha, but he is also a protector and believes in the strength of the heroine, and he’s sexy (did I mention that?).

If you were writing a script for the big screen, who would you want to act in your movie?
I have no clue—but I think Unbound would be an excellent graphic novel—maybe a movie.

What would you want readers to take away from your books?
I just want them to enjoy them—to really enjoy them. And strangely enough if they don’t enjoy them, I’d rather they hated them. What I don’t want to do is write books that get the “it was okay” review from people. I’d much rather be loved by some and hated by some than just shrugged and pushed aside.

Do you have any advice for beginning writers in regards to writing a book?
Just write. Don’t get sucked into things happening on the Internet or writer group politics—just write. And when you have finished your manuscript, don’t undersell yourself. And by that I mean, don’t assume you can’t get the top agent or sell to NY. Don’t settle for something easy—go for the brass ring first.

Who are your favorite authors?
Connie Willis, Neil Gaiman, Kim Harrison, Kelley Armstrong and a ton of others.

What are you reading right now?
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman. Next on my night stand is Lord Sin by Madeline Hunter. I have never read one of her books, and I’m looking forward to it.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

BLURB:

Risk Leidolf is a hellhound—a legendary, otherworldly creature who is both man and beast. For centuries, he’s been bound to do the bidding of an immortal witch. But after being ordered to destroy novice witch Kara Shane, the man within him rebels. And the beast within him is held at bay—for now.

Fiercely drawn to each other, Risk and Kara soon form a passionate alliance as they set out to find her missing sister—and the key to his salvation. For the power unleashed by the twin witches could free him from the immortal witch’s bondage. But that freedom comes at a steep price. For the fierce battle will put more than one soul at stake…and two hearts on the line.


EXCERPT:

It was the fear he smelled first, a pheromone-laden scent almost irresistible to the hell hound within him. She was here–somewhere.

Risk Leidolf spun on one worn boot heel, searching the dim interior of the bar for his latest assignment. He didn’t have much information: young and pretty, Lusse had said. She hadn’t bothered to tell him anything more. It didn’t matter. Whatever Lusse’s latest target brought to the fight–talents or temptations–she would be no match for him.

They never were.

The room was a kaleidoscope of sounds, smells, and emotions–an onslaught that would be overwhelming to a less experienced hunter, but sadly for his prey, it would barely slow Risk down. He inhaled, dissecting the surrounding scents. Stale beer and human sweat. He shoved them aside.

Emotion was what he sought. What he craved.

A tinge of desperation wafted toward him. He ignored it too. Despair and what followed, guilt and sorrow, held no appeal for Risk. No, much as he wished it different, adrenaline was what lured him–fear, anger. They called to him, making him a slave to urges he wished he could forget.

Clearing his senses, he concentrated, listening to the low murmur of voices around him. It was quiet for a bar, but an undercurrent ran through the place, a vibration of danger humming around him like a tuning fork held to his ear.

The bar held secrets, but Risk was unconcerned. He had one job tonight, to retrieve the female for Lusse, and save himself from another period of service in the kennels. Torture he could handle, but being forced to live with the other hounds, fighting daily just to survive, perhaps even losing the small piece of territory he had secured for himself in this world, that would surely drive him mad.

He laughed, a dry hollow sound. Like a hell hound could ever be called anything but mad, soulless according to his owner.

Thoughts of Lusse caused his jaw to tense, brought him back to his purpose. Enough. Get on with it.

Adjusting his dark glasses down his nose until he could peer over their tops, he studied the room. Grizzled men and timeworn women filled battered tables around him. Not sparing them more than a glance, his gaze shifted to the back, where the shadows grew deeper. Instinctively, he knew that was where he would find her.

She might think the gloom would disguise her, but it offered no protection from Hel’s hunters. With a sigh, he continued his scrutiny. The booths were empty–save one. Huddled in the cubby furthest from the door was a small lone figure. His prey. Even with Lusse’s vague description he couldn’t miss her. Young, pretty and fresh. She stood out in the place like an angel dropped into a pit filled with vipers.

Leaning against the rough paneling on the wall behind him, he took a moment to study her. Petite, probably only one hundred and ten pounds, and with dark hair that fell past her shoulders, she seemed lost in thought. Her hand hovered over a shot glass of amber liquid and a crumpled paper was smoothed out on the table in front of her.

Now that he had her pinpointed, he focused on her fully. Fear. The strength of it caught him off guard. Placing his hand on the unfinished wood, he inhaled, nostrils flaring. How did one so small contain so much emotion? Willing himself to stay controlled, he turned to her again. Yes, fear, but there was sorrow too, and…she plucked the shot glass off the table with her finger and thumb and tossed the liquid to the back of her throat…determination.

This one might be afraid, but it wasn’t for herself.

This one was a fighter.

A sliver of respect sliced into him. With a shake of his head, he tamped it down. Let her fight.

A lot of good it would do. The cynical thought should have urged him to action, but he waited still. She would be easy to capture–why rush? The female slid the empty glass across the table and signaled the waitress for another. As she waited, she ran a pale hand over the crumpled paper in front of her, caressing it, as if trying to gain reassurance or knowledge from its length.

The waitress returned and his prey looked up to thank her, but her gaze wandered to Risk instead. Startled, he stepped sideways, further into the gloom. Could she see him? He had guarded himself carefully tonight. Perhaps Lusse was right. Perhaps his human half was growing too strong, weakening the hell hound, weakening his hunting powers. And, as Lusse was fond of pointing out, weakness equaled only one thing–death.

He peered back at his prey. Did she see him?

Her gaze passed over him, and he relaxed. Just coincidence, but still…he hesitated. There was something different about this female, something that made him reluctant to deliver her to Lusse, the witch who kept him chained in her service.

He shook his head. This was insane–he should just be done with it, lure the female to the parking lot, Change and carry her to Lusse. The female downed her second drink, picked up the paper and stood to leave. This was Risk’s chance. One husky whisper in her ear, and it would be over. Another soul, another power, in payment toward his eternal debt.

The female strode past him, close enough he could smell the undertones of spice in her perfume, and he let her pass.

He pushed his glasses back into place, hiding eyes that almost surely glimmered red by this time. What was wrong? Why was he reluctant? Why did a piece of him almost wish she had seen him–proven he was more human than beast. Why did the thought of destroying one more life seem a much bigger price than the torture and loss he faced if he didn’t.

Cursing, he concentrated on that loss. This female was nothing to him, but he, he had an eternity to suffer.

Damn Lusse, and her quest for souls.

He forced his hand to the silver chain around his neck, letting the ancient metal links dig into his palm. This was who he was–property, nothing more. Pulling his coat more closely around him, he turned to follow.


REVIEWS:

Top Pick, Romantic Times Magazine
“Lori Devoti’s UNBOUND (4 1/2) delivers a truly unique, fast-paced and sexy adventure. Risk is so hot that you’ll be using the book to fan yourself as you read!”(Read Full Review HERE)
-- Alexandra Kay, Romantic Times Magazine

5 Angels!
This tale filled with Norse mythology, shapeshifters and witchcraft was a total delight. Unbound takes you to another dimension and this is a joy ride you don’t want to miss. As the adventure begins the characters come to life swelling with emotion, you feel their pain and anger and yet you also celebrate their happiness as it evolves. Lori Devoti has written an awesome paranormal and all I can hope is that she keeps them coming. I would love to hear more about Venge. (Hint, hint) (Read Full Review HERE)
-- Dana P, Fallen Angels Reviews

“Unbound is fabulous! Ms. Devoti takes on an entirely new genre with this paranormal adventure, and truly makes it her own. She has done an excellent job of crafting a world and a story that is entertaining, yet believable. Risk and Kara are characters that capture the reader’s attention from page 1 and don’t let go. She is a perfect heroine, unsure but brave, sassy and full of spunk. Risk is a wounded, deliciously Alpha-male, and completely in love with Kara, making him THE perfect hero. The passion and attraction between these two burns hot and readers will be totally caught up in every twist and turn in the story. ... I eagerly anticipate more stories of these sexy hellhounds and the woman who can bring them to heel. Brava, Ms. Devoti on this fantastic new series!!” (Read Full Review HERE)
- Meagan Hatfield from PNR


Unbound by Lori Devoti
ISBN: 0373617658
ISBN-13: 978-0373617654
Publisher: Silhouette Nocturne
Release Date: June 1, 2007
Genre: Paranormal Romance
$5.25 from Amazon.com


Purchase Unbound by Lori Devoti HERE!!!