Saturday, February 25, 2012

Interview and Giveaway with author Laurie London

We have author Laurie London with us today to talk about her Sweetblood series and her most recent installment, Tempted By Blood.

Make sure to keep reading after the interview to learn how you can win a signed copy of Tempted By Blood.



For those who are new to your books, what is your Sweetblood series about?
The Sweetblood series is set primarily in the Pacific Northwest and is about two vampire coalitions who are battling it out for supremacy: Guardian enforcers sworn to protect humanity, and Darkbloods, rogues who sell Sweet on the vampire black market. Sweetbloods are humans with a very rare blood type that is highly addictive to vampires.

How have things changed in your series since book one?
While the romance between the hero and the heroine are always at the forefront of the Sweetblood books, the stakes between the Guardians and their enemies have been increasing steadily with each installment. The villain has an overall character arc that spans through book four.

Can you tell us about your latest release, Tempted By Blood?
I had such a great time writing Jackson and Arianna’s story. Readers familiar with the first two books know that Jackson is the playboy, the charmer. Rarely does he spend a night alone. However, as I got to know him, quite a few things about him surprised me. Because I wrote the book to stand on its own, if someone hasn’t read the first two books, they won’t be lost.

Lately, Jackson’s dark urges have been getting stronger and harder to control. He believes he’s on the verge of reverting back to the violent ways of his ancestors. And if that happens, he’ll be branded a traitor among the Guardians and put to death.

When Arianna gets into harm’s way, Jackson is assigned to protect her, but she awakens in him a need much stronger than anything he’s ever encountered before. And that’s when the trouble begins…

What 3 words would you use to describe Jackson? How about Arianna?
Jackson: fun-loving, charmer, hungry
Arianna: blogger, loyal, tenacious

Did you always plan for Jackson and Arianna to end up together or did their relationship start to form as you wrote the series?
I didn’t know Arianna before I wrote the book, however I did know her cousin. (Minor spoiler: Jackson rescues her at the end of book 2.) I knew that the love of his life had a tie to the young girl he saved.

Without giving away too much, what is your favorite scene or line from Tempted By Blood?
Here’s a little excerpt of one of my favorite scenes. Arianna has just learned that Jackson is a vampire.

His stomach growled. Loudly. A laugh burst from her lips. Startled, he looked over at her. “Well, that was unexpected,” he said.

“That better not be because of me, because…well, that’d just be wrong.”

If you could go on your dream date with your choice of Dominic, Alfonso or Jackson, who would you pick and what would you do on your date?
What a tough question because I love them all. Dom and I would go to an art gallery. Alfonso would play his guitar for me. Jackson would take me dancing and then we’d get matching tattoos.

If the decision was yours, would you rather see your books made into a movie or T.V. series? What actors would you pick to play your characters?
I’d probably pick TV (HBO or Showtime) because it’s not just one big story that happens, but several stories, which would be better served with an ongoing series. Dom would be played by a tall, muscle-y Rodrigo Santoro. Alfonso would be played by someone who looks a little like Keith Urban. Jackson would be played by an actor who looks like model Tommy Dunn.

What else can we expect to see from you in 2012?
In addition to Jackson’s book, Santiago’s book, SEDUCED BY BLOOD, is scheduled to come out in July.

Readers can find me online here:
www.LaurieLondonBooks.com
www.facebook.com/LaurieLondonAuthor
www.twitter.com/LaurieBLondon
My newest obsession, Pinterest. www.pinterest.com/LaurieLondon
If you want to check out Arianna’s blog, go to www.Paranormalish.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for having me on today!!!


Thank YOU Laurie by stopping by. Laurie is giving one lucky winner a signed copy of Tempted By Blood. Open to U.S./Canada residents only.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

46 Comments:

Joanne said...

Hi Laurie. Thanks for the great interview. How many more books will there be in the series? Can't wait to read Tempted By Blood. Thanks for the giveaway.

e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

booklover0226 said...

I read Bonded by Blood and loved it. I'm behind in reading the series but I'm ready to play catch up.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

Michelle Bledsoe said...

Good Morning Laurie.
I was so happy to hear that you wrote Jackson's story. He is my favorite from the series. I love his out there personality...LOL
Thanks for the chance to win a copy of his book.
Michelle

koonie2888 at yahoo dot com

Victoria said...

I think it's so interesting that you didn't even know the character Arianna before you wrote the book. I don't really know how to word this but how did she develop for you then?

vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

sac402 said...

I love Jackson and am looking forward to his book!

zcb257 said...

I haven't read your books yet, although they sound right up my alley. I'm addicted to UF/PNR!

Are your books stand alone, or would I need to read them in order?

zcb257 at shaw dot ca

ahz1 said...

I enjoyed Hidden by Blood and I'm looking forward to reading more of your books.

crazycatlady58 said...

I am not familiar with your books but will check them out now. I love your interview.

JenM said...

Just those couple of lines that you posted from the book caught my interest. It sounds like there's some humor in it and I always love that.

SacredmOOn said...

I haven't read anything from this author yet. Great interview. Thank you for the chance to win!
DeAnna Schultz

Megan@Riverina Romantics said...

This is an absolutely fabulous series! I'm constantly stalking Laurie.

Natasha said...

Thanks for the great interview!! I've been wanting to read this book! Count me in:)

natashajennex(at)gmail.com

Kristy said...

Great interview! I haven't read any of your books yet, but I'll be sure to check them out soon. Thanks for the giveaway!

Melissa said...

Thanks for the interview!! I am new to Laurie's books and by reading this great post now I will be looking for a new author!! I love all things vampire/paranormal romance and this is something that I will love!!!

melissalamb(at)musfiber(dot)com

YzhaBella's BookShelf said...

Thanks so much for sharing, Laurie! And thanks for the chance to win!

deanna said...

Great interview. I love this series. Thanks for the chance to win

Deanna P
dpostell2 at gmail(dot)com

Danielle Gorman said...

Thanks for sharing. I adore this series and I am in love with Jackson's cover.

Vivien said...

Excellent interview!! I'm really looking forward to this next release from this series. Great cover as well!

Danielle @ Romance Book Junkies said...

I think your date with Jackson sounds the best I would go with him. lol

romancebookjunkiesdanielle at yahoo.com

Mary said...

You're a new author to me but you write exactly the type of books I like to read. Really looking forward to reading this.

miztik_rose@yahoo.com

June M. said...

I can't wait to get a copy of this book. I do love a good paranormal, and especially a vampire book. I have loved each of the excerpts that I have read from this book.
June
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

Patsy said...

I can hardly wait to read Temped By Blood! I love the beginnings of a new series! I get so into them, I am on pins and needles for the next book to come out!
mom1248(at)att(dot)net

Tore said...

Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

Tammy said...

Hi Laurie, I unfortunately havent ready any of your books and cant believe i have missed out on this series. This is my kind of reading and I now have to find them to read. I love books in a series, and these I am excited to say I so want to read. Thanks for the chance to win, and congrats!
your new fan, Tammy
jfarms74338@gmail.com

Diane said...

I've read Embraced and Bonded, now a third is out, great news.

dsadler53 at yahoo dot ca

lindalou said...

I've not read any of your books... but obviously need to since so many really like them... I'm glad you were here today!
lindalou(at)cfl(dot)rr(dot)com

erin said...

Thanks for the lovely interview and giveaway!

laurie has been on the top of my wishlist but I haven't had a chance to read her yet :( I'm very intrigued and love the premise of the series!

Na said...

I think going to an art gallery with Dom would be a lovely date. Actually all your characters sounds great and I look forward to their stories.

Laurie London said...

Wow, you guys. Thank you for the awesome comments! xxoox

@Joanne I just turned in Santiago's book, but I'd love to write more in the Sweetblood world.

@Victoria I usually develop the heroes in my books first. I know his fears, his most secret desire. Then, the perfect woman for him foils him like no one else can. She tests him, pushes him past his comfort zone. Because of her, he changes and grows. This is how Arianna's character developed.

@zcb257 I specifically wrote them to stand alone. Although you'll see familiar characters and settings from book to book, the hero and the heroine are different in each story.

@Megan LOL Megan!!! Thank you!

Aurian said...

Thanks for the interview, the word that catched my attention was: blogger.

Carol L. said...

Laurie, I loved Embraced y Blood and look forward to reading book 1 , Bonded By Blood as well as Tempted By Blood. Love the cover.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

Laurie said...

Laurie-You are new to me, but these sound right up my alley. I'm going to go back to the beginning and start there. Thanks for the giveway!
lfacchini(at)tampabay(dot)rr(dot)com

Kimberley said...

Great interview! I love this series. I can't wait to read this book!
kcnrhtx (at) charter (dot) net

Ollie said...

Hi Laurie!

I Love the series and the story with Jackson sounds like it is going to lots of fun! Knowing Jackson we should have lots of sexy time! :) Quick question we will hear a little bit more about Dom and Mac with the baby or how Alfonso is doing?

Thanks for this giveaway!

redfirewood888(AT)yahoo(DOT)ca

Ollie aka DarkBloodyVamp

Tina B said...

Great interview! This books sounds awesome! Thanks for the opportunity to read it.

Ce-Ce said...

I have heard a lot of good things about this book! Thanks for the givaway!

latishajean said...

This sounds like a great book can't wait to read it love Vampires! What a great giveaway thanks for the chance!
tishajean@ charter.net

Proserpine said...

Hi! I never read a book from Laurie London but after reading this interview, I think I should have try earlier! Thanks for this chance!

Laurie London said...

@Ollie Hey stranger! I haven't seen you online lately. It's that darn job, right? Regarding your question, you'll see Dom AND Mackenzie AND Miguel in Jackson's story. It's one of my favorite scenes. :-)

Thanks, everyone, for your kind comments. I'm having the best time writing the series. I pinch myself daily that I get to do something so fun. This morning my friend was here while I was feeding the horses, so I bounced a few ideas I have about the next book. She thinks I'm on the right track, so I can't wait to get started.

Julianne said...

Hi Laurie, this sounds like a fantastic series. I haven't read any of yet, but would love to. How did you get the idea for this series?
luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

Sarah Cruzツ said...

Hi Laurie, I read Embraced by Blood and I loved it!!! I can't wait to read Tempted By Blood.
Great Interview:)
Thanks for the giveaway!!

Barbara said...

Hi, Laurie...another GREAT interview! I can't wait to get my hands on this series! I LOVED A Vampire For Christmas...so I have no doubts, I'll love the Sweetblood series too! Thx for the giveaway op! :)

barbbattaglia @ yahoo.com

lisagkendall said...

I loved the scene that you picked and can't wait to read the story. lisagk(at)yahoo(dot)com

Barbara said...

Wow,I hadn't discovered this author yet and can't with to read one of these books. Winning would be a terrific bonus.

Bjkuhl@gmail.com

GzNKz4evr said...

The more I read about this book, the more I want to read it! Can I tell you that I love that Arianna is a blogger? Might just make that fantasy a bit more identifiable for some of us. *winks* Can't wait to meet her.

Kendra @ Reader's Edyn
kendraedens@gmail.com

elaing8 said...

Great interview.Tempted By Blood sounds really good.Love the covers too.