Monday, October 24, 2011

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop!


Welcome to my stop in the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop, hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and The Diary of a Bookworm.

I am giving away a copy of Dead on the Delta, SIGNED by author Stacey Jay! 
This was one of my favorite reads of this past year! It's a dark urban fantasy with a great mystery plot. And the main character is all kinds of screwed up, which you know I love. Stacey graciously offered to do an interview as well, so read on and then enter to win!


Dead on the Delta (Annabelle Lee, #1)Once upon a time, fairies were the stuff of bedtime stories and sweet dreams. Then came the mutations, and the dreams became nightmares. Mosquito-size fairies now indulge their taste for human blood—and for most humans, a fairy bite means insanity or death. Luckily, Annabelle Lee isn’t most humans. The hard-drinking, smart-mouthed, bicycle-riding redhead is immune to fairy venom, and able to do the dirty work most humans can’t. Including helping law enforcement— and Cane Cooper, the bayou’s sexiest detective—collect evidence when a body is discovered outside the fairy-proof barricades of her Louisiana town.

But Annabelle isn’t equipped to deal with the murder of a six year- old girl or a former lover-turned-FBI snob taking an interest in the case. Suddenly her already bumpy relationship with Cane turns even rockier, and even the most trust-worthy friends become suspects. Annabelle’s life is imploding: between relationship drama, a heartbreaking murder investigation, Breeze-crazed drug runners, and a few too many rum and Cokes, Annabelle is a woman on the run—from her past, toward her future, and into the arms of a darkness waiting just for her. . . .


Welcome author Stacey Jay to the 'pack'!
(Giveaway and Linky at the bottom)

*Goldilox: In Dead on the Delta, Annabelle has some issues with alcohol and pills. What inspired you to create a protagonist with a substance addiction? And how challenging is it to make such a flawed character still likable for the readers? 

*Stacey: When I first decided to write a mystery series, I read a lot of old school mysteries, written mostly by men with male protagonists. These hard boiled detectives were usually troubled, and at least seventy-five percent had an intimate relationship with the bottle. This made me think…

What would it be like to write a woman struggling with similar problems? An alienated, borderline alcoholic with intimacy issues? Would readers be as accepting of that in a woman as they are in a man? Turns out the answer is “no.” But I expected that. I’m a feminist, but I’m also a realist.  :)

But honestly, the majority of reader feedback has been positive. Most readers can see that Annabelle’s got a good heart, and that covers an abundance of sins in fiction (as it does in life).

There’s also a personal angle here for me. It’s no secret to those who read my blog that I’ve struggled with insomnia for about eight years, and had a nasty time getting off prescription sleeping pills that my doctor swore were “non addictive.” That wasn’t the case for me. The fight to “get clean” while still getting enough sleep to be productive at work, and at home with my children, was brutal. (Sleep is necessary to life. It’s not something you can just go without.)

The experience made me think about addiction in a way I hadn’t before. It enhanced my empathy, which I believe is a good thing. Empathy makes for a kinder world.

*GoldiloxCan you share if Tucker plays a larger role in the next book? 

*Stacey: Oh yes, I can… And oh yes, he does. That is all I can share at the moment.  :)

*Goldilox: Where did you come up with the idea for the mutated fairies? It’s such a unique concept in a genre inundated with vampires, shifters, zombies, the fae, etc.

*Stacey: I lived in the south (or deep south) for most of my life, and dealt with the accompanying mosquitoes every time I stepped outside. It really wasn’t that big a stretch to go from the West Nile Virus scare to something even scarier. I chose the Fae as my winged menaces because the folk tales about fairies have always fascinated me.

*Goldilox: Will there be more Annabelle Lee books after Blood on the Bayou?


*Stacey: I certainly hope so. I’m very attached to these characters. They are dear friends, and I want to see what happens next for all of them! As for now, however, I’m not sure. Sales of the first two books will be a strong determining factor for my publisher.

*Goldilox: In the acknowledgements of Dead on the Delta it says thank you to Stacia Kane, who is another of my favorite authors. Chess from Kane’s Downside Ghosts series and Annabelle have a lot in common. What would you think about a possible friendship between these two?

*Stacey: This is a funny question to me, as I don’t personally think Chess and Annabelle have that much in common aside from drug/alcohol abuse. I think Annabelle is a lighter character in many ways, and she’ s certainly not as successful or badass as Chess (who is a kick butt witch with great control over her power).

But yes, I think that Annabelle and Chess could be friends. They’re both fairly easy going at their cores. They would likely be pleasant acquaintances, however, not dear friends the way Stacia and I are (we were baby writers together long before either of us were published). I think you have to be willing to be vulnerable in order to have a close friendship, or relationship of any kind.

*Goldilox: You dedicated the book to your father that passed away ten years ago while he was writing Dead On The Delta. Is this the direction he was planning to take the book in ten years ago?

*Stacey: Not at all. My dad’s book was an old school mystery written in third person from three points of view. At first I tried to edit the ten chapters he finished and then move on from there, but I couldn’t. He was a sixty-five year old man raised in the Depression, I was a twenty-eight year old woman who was a teen during the grunge movement. Our voices weren’t compatible. But the heart of the story is similar—a jaded person finding healing by helping solve the murder of a little girl.

*Goldilox: I just finished reading Juliet Immortal, your newest YA book. I was wondering what inspired you to do such a unique retelling of Romeo and Juliet?

*Stacey: It came to me in one of those “bursts of mental lightening” moments. “What if Juliet didn’t die? What if she and Romeo lived on to become immortal enemies?” I dropped what I was doing and wrote an outline right away. (I’d like my brain to give me another one of those bursts. Now would be nice. I have a partial due in a month.)

*Goldilox: I know that you are currently working on the sequel to Juliet Immortal. Can you tell us a little bit about it and if there will be more books in this series?

*Stacey: The sequel, ROMEO REDEEMED, will release in Fall 2012. It’s primarily Romeo’s story, though Juliet does make an appearance. It’s also a love story, one I’m very proud of. I can’t say more than that, but I can answer the last question: No. There will not be more books. These two stories were designed to be companion books from the beginning. After that, I’m exploring new ideas.

*Goldilox: When you’re not writing, what else are you doing? What are some TV shows you are engrossed in, movies you’ve loved lately, hobbies you indulge, etc.?

*Stacey: I have two small children so I’m often at the playground, driving to cub scout meetings, helping with homework, trying to potty train (which I am ready to be DONE with, I tell you!), giving baths, etc, etc. I also have an amazing husband. I’d say he’s my hobby. Spending time with him—date nights when we can get them, hikes with the kids, watching Parks and Recreation on the couch—is my favorite thing to do. (Though I also enjoy cooking and do so almost every night. Life is too short not to eat good, homemade food. Preferably with cheese on it.)

Here are some of Stacey's books, both adult and YA, if you are interested (and you should be!):
Dead on the Delta (Annabelle Lee, #1) Blood on the Bayou (Annabelle Lee, #2)  Juliet Immortal You Are So Undead to Me (Megan Berry, #1) The Locket

Giveaway:

And now, time to try and win a little goodie!!! Enter below on the Rafflecoptor form to win a signed copy of Dead on the Delta. Stacey Jay will be signing and shipping the book to the winner.  :) 
You must live in the US and be 13 or older to enter. Best of luck my little weres!
After you enter, check out the linky with the GAZILLION other blogs participating and offering awesome giveaways!!!










Check out all the other blogs and their giveaways! Happy Halloween!

37 comments:

  1. Holy Cheese and Crackers!! Thats a LOT of blogs!! I really hope I win this one!! Great giveaway chicky!!

    Vanes Mate The Bookaholic

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  2. I love Stacey Jay! Juliet Immortal was amazing. (:

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  3. Love your blog title! Got your button!
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    -Heather @BookStacksOnDeck

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  4. I doubt I could rewrite any book, but maybe Divergent?

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  5. Yeah to you for doing this! Love the interview with Stacey! I still have to read Juliet Immortal, though!

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  6. Great blog, great giveaway! But as for your question...sorry, but I have no idea. I'm drawing a complete blank...hate it when that happens!

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  7. Since I can't write worth a darn, I wouldn't re-write any famous book. But if I could write, I would re-write Dracula.
    Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win.

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  8. I would probably rewrite if I could that is The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

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  9. Hmm...Tough question. I think if I could rewrite any book it would be Homer or the Iliad.Why no idea, those are the books that popped into my head.

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  10. I don't want to rewrite this story but I would like to expand on it, the myth of the capture of Persephone. I would just love to write about how she actually falls in love with Hades.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  11. wow... me rewrite something, now that is funny. lol... I can not think of anything I have read though that I would really want to change. :-) Maybe a few series that I would want more books in but not rewrite anything. :-)
    april@pinebelt.net

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  12. It would be very cool to see a altered version of The Three Musketeers! I just think there is a lot of potential to add some other paranormal or even steampunk elements to the story.

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    rae.gwendy(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. I've been toying with doing a version of Sleeping Beauty. Problem is, I have lots of ideas roaming around in my head. Thanks! Gloria Schumann

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  14. Oh wow. Hmm. Maybe an updated version of Jane Eyre... one where Mr. Rochester isn't quite such a creeper. OR maybe written from the POV of Bertha.

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  15. What a great interview, sounds like a labor of love picking up the book from your father. Love the setting too.

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  16. Thanks for the giveaway and for participating in this blog hop! I'm a fan of fairy tale remakes so one I haven't seen remade yet is "Goldilocks and the Three Bears".

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  17. I don't think I would want to re-write and famous stories. They are famous for a reason and me rewriting it would just mess up the reason its famous.

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  18. I would not want to rewrite a story! thank you for the great giveaway!

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  19. I would rewrite Jane Eyre and make it a little more happy and a little less gloom and doomy:)

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  20. I'd rewrite Wuthering Heights and not have it be so bloody depressing. I know, I know, that would ruin the story and blah blah blah (no it wouldn't) but I'm okay with that lol

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Jess

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  21. I would rewrite Cinderella with Loads of Zombies and Vamps...and Were's LOL

    SupaGurl

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  22. I don't know. Maybe Sleeping Beauty make them...vampires or something.

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

    Mary

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  23. Robin Hood into a vampire. Oh yeah! Thanks for your spooks giveaway!

    Susie Tyler

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  24. hmmm, maybe adapt Where the Wild things are into a YA or Adult book.

    I am actually a big fan of Stacy Jay. I was upset that the Undead to Me series was not picked up for more books.

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  25. The fact the the book is already famous says that I probably should leave it alone. Also the fact that I am not creative would prevent me doing it. You've heard people say those who can't do, teach? Well in my situation it's those who can't write, read!! Thanks

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  26. Mmm, that's hard. I guess I might re-write the ending to The Time Traveller's Wife! ;) Make it happier!!!!!!

    Liza @ Book Crook Liza

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  27. The Princess and the Pea, I wonder what modrn twist I could put on it :)

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  28. I would rewrite Dracula! prettyhaydengurl@yahoo.com

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  29. I would like to rewrite Goldilocks and the 3 bears- that would be fun. Thanks for the giveaway.
    GFC- Christine A.
    your1chef at aol dot com

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  30. Great Blog! I love the name of your blog!
    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  31. I would rewrite Beauty and the Beast. I would make the Beast a female.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

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  32. It would be fun to write my own version of Red Riding Hood. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  33. I would love to rewrite the tale of sleepy hollow. Thanks for the giveaway and Happy Halloween!

    germaine.dulac(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  34. I don't know about rewriting any books out there, but I would like to change the ending of some of them.

    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

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  35. But the good books are so wonderful the way they are...it might be interesting to see Kill a Mockingbird from a different POV...hhmm...

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  36. Beauty and the Beast is my fave would re'wright it if I had the talent to wright.
    sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com

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  37. Definitely Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. She knows the guy for less than a week, and she kill herself over him. I'd rewrite it so she gets on with her life.

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