Interview and Giveaway with Author Claudy Conn

Please join me, WildAboutBones, in welcoming author Claudy Conn as we talk about her ShadowLove Stalkers and other goodies.



Tell us about yourself?

Putting pen to paper came easy. I needed to write—I loved to write, thus, writing was a given. Going through the process of creating a story—putting it together into a first novel and then presenting it to the world—quite another thing. Just out of school and painfully shy (and I really still am) knocking on doors and asking someone to read my book was (for me) a death defying feat.



I loved English—Irish—Scottish history and had traveled just enough to know the ‘look and feel’ of their beautiful countries. Hence, my regencies such as "Spring Gambit", "Sunday’s Child", and “Myriah” were born. Out of my regencies came my larger and sexier historical romances, such as “Cassandra”, “Blades of Passion”, and “Fire & Desire”, most of which were published by Fawcett. Many of my other titles can be checked out when you go to the links listed below.



I am a multi-published author of more than 40 mass market bestselling regency and historical romances. Took a break that lasted a few years and when I came back it was to the genre of paranormal/fantasy. Love it!



While I have a fanciful imagination, I am a Capricorn—‘sure and steady’, and the obvious conflict leaves me jumbled. I have a computer, yes (invaluable), but I still jot down ideas on a scrap piece of paper, or a napkin in a restaurant. My imagination follows me wherever we go and sees so much more than meets the eye, and very often my husband will ask, ‘where are you now, baby?’



My dad was the one who clicked into my brain early on, and opened my mind to a world where a girl/woman could be so much more than ‘pretty in pink’. He told me to soar, and soaring for me, was writing.



We love horses and riding and when we migrated from New York to North Carolina we brought our barn with us—and yes, I’d rather muck out a stall than clean a house!



My Irish, blue-eyed husband had to have a wolf and so we brought in our little hybrid wolf pup to our home. She is ¾ wolf/ ¼ German shepherd (honey colored), and we named Cherokee. Her 3 yr. old son (Rocky) is huge and eats everything and anything he can find and weighs more than 170 pounds!



Do you have a process or any special rituals in your writing routine?

I day dream and everything I see turns into a story in my head.



What is/are your favorite type(s) of paranormal character(s)?

I love the Fae of Ireland and there is a world of information about the history/legend of their coming to Ireland.



You write several different genres. Which is your favorite genre to write and why?

A few years ago, I would have said historical. Now, contemporary paranormal/fantasy is what I am in love with. It allows so much more creativity.



How did you come up with the idea for ShadowLove Stalkers?

It is funny because people will ask me that question and the truth is, when I write, I start with researching a subject such as vampires, vampire movies, etc. and when my research comes together and begins to click off different scenarios in my mind…a story is born. I don’t make an outline, but I have characters who tell me who they are and then I let them be who they are as the story evolves.



There are quite a few intriguing characters in this book. Can you tell us a little bit about what’s next for this series? Who, from the book, might get the lead in upcoming books?

Damon has the lead in the next book, Shadowheart-Slayer which will be out in September. He and the heroine Nikki are very strong characters at the opposite end of the poles…he is a vampire, she is a slayer.



Out of the books you’ve written so far, do you have a favorite hero or heroine? If so, who and why.

Yes, I love Prince Breslyn and he appears in a few of my Legend series. Why—you will have to read my Legend books, Spellbound and then Shee Willow and then you will know why. He is the ultimate male in every imaginable way. I will, in fact, be giving him his own series. He has insisted I tell his story which spans the centuries, and I have agreed to allow him to author only the Prologue of each of the 4 novellas I will write about him! LOL



Are you working on anything else right now you can tell us about?

Yes, I am just finishing up Free Falling-Legend which is scheduled for October release, working on Breslyn’s novellas and I have a book called, Darklove which The Wild Rose Press will be releasing in November. Very exciting year.



Who are some of your favorite authors and what are some of your favorite books? And which has made the biggest impact on your writing career?

I love Karen Marie Moning, her Highlander series and her Fae series. I love Georgette Heyer and her regencies. Nora Roberts is a master author. Dean Koontz, S. King and James Patterson. I am all over the board.



Is there something you’d like to tell your fans that no one ever asks you in an interview?

Yes—I love them—hearing from them, finding out what they like best, so yes, want them to know and whenever they want they can contact me at my email: claudyconn@centurylink.net or get my news at my website, http://claudyconn.embarqspace.com



Some quick fun questions:

What are you currently reading? Witch Born by Aimee Maguire

What’s the first book you remember reading? Nancy Drew

What’s your favorite cartoon character? I like the old Disney movies…and of course Daffy Duck.

What would your occupation be if you were no longer a writer? Easy, I would work as a zoo keeper.

Dog, cat or ferret person? I love dogs and have a wolf and her son who is half German Shep. Love cats and just lost my 22 year old sweetie. Have horses and love to ride.

Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it? I am coffee in the morning, maybe tea in the afternoon especially if you offer a pastry to go with it.



Boxers, briefs or commando for your hero? I like boxers…black for my hero. But hey, commando ain’t bad.



What’s your favorite movie of all time? Hmmm. Hard one, because I love the classics—so many of them, but as a series, I adore the Harry Potter (I have never grown up). I loved the Twilight books and I thoroughly love the movie series as well. The Pirates of the Caribbean, Scent of a Woman…I love the Ghost and Mrs. Muir and always cry…



What name have you been dying to use as a lead character, but haven’t found the right fit yet? Wow—that is difficult because I always know the name as soon as my character presents his resume to me! But, I will tell you that I love the name Storm for a hero and haven’t yet decided to use it. Will, I think though, soon… Would love suggestions for hero names!



Thanks so much, Claudy, for taking the time for this interview.



WildAboutBones' Review of ShadowLove Stalkers



Claudy Conn's website



Purchase Claudy's Books

GIVEAWAY

Giveaway and Contest Policy

Giveaway open August 20 - 22, 2011 (midnight)



Claudy Conn will be giving away a PDF copy of her eBook Spellbound-Legend, the first of the Legend series, to a lucky winner. This is an International giveaway.



To enter, be a follower and make a comment and/or ask Claudy a question, along with your email address so we can contact you if you win. Good luck, everyone!