Interview and Giveaway with Author Clarrissa Lee Moon

Please join me, WildAboutBones, in welcoming author Clarrissa Lee Moon as we talk about her Nightwolves Series and other goodies.



Clarrissa's Bio:

Clarrissa Lee Moon would like to live like a tumbleweed going from different states often. An avid reader and owner of more books and DVD’s then any used book shop; she also enjoys Martial arts, swimming, riding Harleys and raising pure bred Japanese Chins. She has written as a journalist for two E-magazines. Author of Memoirs of The Nightwolves Series and Celeste Nites Novelettes. She considers herself unique, unusual and unconquerable!



Would you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a single mom of three boys who are all grown now. Still single and loving it? I stay active with my dogs, swimming and martial arts. I have a lot of hobbies such as making jewelry, painting and dancing. I plan on doing a lot more traveling now and seeing more of the world. Especially tropical places?



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

I have to play a computer game to relax my mind. I need my coffee, some snacks and my player music list of specific songs, in order, to get me in the ‘mood’.



How did you come up with the idea behind the Nightwolves series?

The year I started writing novels in a more serious manner, I was bored out of my mind. I had bills and a whole host of things going on in my life that just weren’t very fun. I was playing a computer game, but the other half of my mind was thinking about some grand adventures I would rather be doing. If I was a vampire what would I do? Who would the bad guys be? How would I defeat them? Would I have partners? Night after night, the story grew in my head and then I decided to write it out in my word program. That’s when it all flowed out like water. Nightwolves Coalition and Nightwolves on the Prowl were written in the month of March 2010. And now the adventures continue!



There seem to be several different themes, conspiracies and other things going on in each book, how do you keep track of them all?

Once all seven books are written you’ll see where it all actually ties into one grand conspiracy. It’s just separate sections all working towards the same goal. New World Order. There are sub-theme and plots going on because life itself isn’t just black and white. In real life, there are many things going on where some are affecting the job and some are just taking up time, but this is real life. Rarely is there just one thing going on in a person’s life. I wanted Nightwolves to seem as real to life as possible, so I added many complexities to the storyline.



What you think readers will like best about this series?

Oh I hope they like it all actually. The main thing? The fact that there are sub-plots talked about that aren’t in most mainstream books. Issues that some people really do have to deal with such as homosexuality, alternative life-styles and tolerance for different beliefs systems. This series isn’t your run of the mill series. Sure there is action, violence, sex but there, under it all, are real little known about problems some have to deal with and I hope Nightwolves can enlighten those who aren’t familiar with these situations.



Of the Nightwolves series books you’ve written so far, do you have a favorite hero or heroine? If so, who and why?

Wow, hard to pick just one. Each has their own personality traits that makes them stand out from one another. Cat is absolute in her protection of her children. Demitri is absolute in being there for Cat, no matter what else is going on. Antonio understands her mental issues and does everything he can to heal the mental wounds. Andre is always watching her back or her children. Her Kla’ din mates too, are always there for her in their own special ways. O’Hara has his own brand of honor which is very admirable. Shamus is crotchety but serves Cat with every ounce of his powers. It would be really hard top pick just one above all. Each of them is very special in their own ways.



I love that Cat, the female lead, is in her 40s. Please tell us another quirky thing about her.

Because she is in her forties, mentally speaking now (since the vampirism brought back her youth) most 40 something’s have a soapbox they like to get on and Cat is no different. Luckily, her soapboxes are interlinked with the whole New World Order thing, but we don’t find that out until later in the series?



What is your favorite scene in the series which you would never consider cutting?

In Nightwolves on the Prowl, Cat just got done fighting Ja’ Callum and O’Hara is baiting her. He says she cheated, she disputes it. It’s a very funny scene and should always be kept in there to show the camaraderie between the two leaders.



Who are some of your favorite authors and what are some favorite books you’ve read?

I have a very eclectic taste in reading. I read everything from sci-fi to paranormal to text books and news articles around the world. But for the sake of this question I will pick my favorite author in the paranormal industry which is Sherilynn Kenyon and her Dark Hunter series. I also enjoy Charliane Harris (everything she has written) and Christine Feehan, her Dark Carpathian series.



What name have you been dying to use as a lead character, but haven’t found the right fit for yet?

I have such a huge cast of characters that this has not been an issue?



Can you tell us a little bit about what you’re working on next both with the Nightwolves and Celeste Nites series?

I am working on Nightwolves Dawn to Dusk- The Semi Prequel which has been a real challenge. I use a slightly different writing technique in each book but NDTD is especially challenging because it goes from past to present often. It is very hard to keep the sub-plots flowing evenly and keep track of who did what, when and how exactly it is affecting one another. Once you read this particular book you’ll understand the ‘echo’ effect. It has made this book very hard to write and very complex- more so then the first three books.

Celeste Nites Second Trilogy is almost done! Celeste is pushed up against the wall in some of her decisions and has to flee to France in the hopes of getting some help. She still doesn’t believe her current lovers are up to the task. In trying to find help she actually gains more problems. And her love life gets even a bit more complicated. And steamier….if THAT’S possible after the infamous limo scene in Hunting Celeste LOL It’s a very exciting trilogy both in the loving department and action!



Fun Questions:

Spoilers or no spoilers in reviews? I think spoilers are great actually. They are like snippets which can get someone interested in the series if it’s a scene that’s intriguing enough!

Boxers, briefs or commando on your hero(s)? Oh Commando most days, but those silk briefs can be very sexy too. Andre likes those from time to time?

Prefer Cats, Dogs or Ferrets? Dogs.

What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in? I love pirate romances the best. I have a fantasy of being abducted by a pirate and making love in the captain’s quarters- oh yeah!

What are you currently reading? I am actually re-reading my own work and writing down the sub-plots so I can tie up loose ends nicely. I am trying to find time to read the latest Sookie Stackhouse book by Charliane Harris.

What is your favorite movie and/or TV show? Kung Fu Panda! Underworld trilogy, The Mummy’s Trilogy and Indiana Jones Trilogy. For TV…it’s been banned in protest of the greedy profiteering gluttons and lying news casts. I haven’t paid for cable for over 10 years now. I use the money instead to buy the DVD seasons and watch with no 20 minutes of irritating commercials to get me out of the mood of watching a show. HA!



What do you do to unwind and relax? Read a book! Have my coffee, make cookies!

Do you have a favorite food or place to eat? Sushi Gardens is the bomb! I also enjoy very rare meat!



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



WildAboutBones' Reviews of Clarrissa's Books:

Nightwolves Coalition

Nighwolves on the Prowl

Nightwolves Siren Song

Celeste Nites



Videos: http://clarrissaleemoonauthor.webs.com/apps/videos



Find Clarrissa at/on:

http://www.clarrissaleemoonauthor.com

http://clarrissamoon.blogspot.com

http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com/clarrissaleemoon.htm

http://www.authorsden.com/clarrissalzamora



Clarrissa's Books Purchase Links:

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ClarrissaLeeMoon

World Castle Publishing: http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com/adultonlywebstore.htm#747912341

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Clarrissa+Lee+Moon&x=0&y=0

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=clarrissa+lee+moon&x=0&y=0

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/clarrissa-lee-moon

GIVEAWAY

Giveaway and Contest Policy

Giveaway open August 19 - 21, 2011 (midnight)



Clarrissa Lee Moon will be giving away a copy of her Nightwolves Coalition eBook to three (3) lucky winners. This is an International giveaway.



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

Good luck, everyone!