Tell my fans a little bit about yourself
and your books.
Hi, thank you for having me.
I’m from Houston , Texas
I love fiction. 99.7% of the books I read are fiction. I will only read a
nonfiction for research, to learn something, or if the book is highly
recommended. As a kid, I read nonfiction, only if it was forced. I wasn’t
allowed to read or watch anything with magic, fantasy, or mythical. So
naturally, I craved them. I still cannot get enough of reading them, so now I
write them too.
How would you introduce your books to
someone that has yet to read them?
I write
fantasy, paranormal and historical romance. The
Garnet Dagger is about an Elvin vampire who must find a witch and kill her
for his cure. However, he falls in love with her instead. A Warloc sends blight
to the Elvin lands and strives to capture her magic through her death.
Viking Fire is a historical romance with a touch of
magic. What happens when a Viking must woo a feisty Irish lass?
What inspired you to start writing? What
age did you start?
I have always been a storyteller. I remember being in Elementary school and
the neighborhood kids coming up to me asking what we were going to play. I
created the plot and characters. Once we played ‘Space Vampires’ (yes I know it
sounds silly now, but to a second grader it was revolutionary) and so that the
kids did not bite each other, I told them their fangs were their first two
fingers.
When I grew up, I could no longer ‘play’ out my characters. Since I had
written poetry when I was fourteen until my early twenties, I tried a couple of
times to write a novel, but life got in the way. After not writing for years,
my Muse got tired of waiting and handcuffed me to her until I wrote my first
completed novel in my early thirties and I have not stopped since.
What do
you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?
I love reading in
the same genres I write in: fantasy, paranormal and historical romance. I am
also a gamer. Give me a hack-n-slash, magic-wielding, dungeon crawler game and
don’t expect me to remember you are there. However, because video games are so
addictive now, I’ve had to put them aside to get other things done like
cleaning house, laundry, cooking, etc. Of course, that does not stop me from
daydreaming about winning the lottery so I can pay someone to clean house and
cook dinner, freeing me up to play.
What
advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Read. A lot. What you hate (know
why you do) and love (again, know why). Write. Repeat. Join a writers’ or
critique group. Repeat. If you are a writer, it won’t matter if you get
published, you will have to write because you have no other choice. The words,
stories, and characters are taking over your life J
What’s
your favorite scene/line from your works?
I love them all, but I’ll give a
scene from Viking Fire:
“The bedchambers are upstairs.”
“Lead the way, then, my lady.” He grinned. His smile did not
falter her resolve to be rid of him; instead, she stomped each foot on the
stone steps.
“Our room.” She waved her hand as she stood at the
threshold.
He moved passed her and into the room. “Tis the first you
admit we marry.”
“No. I said no such—”
He pulled her in his embrace and she went rigid. She opened
her mouth to scream, but as she drew a breath, his lips crushed hers. Tingles
of warmth crept from inside her to the tips of her toes. Her mind raced,
demanding she be free, while her traitorous body melted in his arms. His kiss
became gentle and sparked a craving inside her for more. His mouth opened,
offering her to taste secrets. She slackened against him as his tongue played
across her lips, stroking, and numbing her thoughts. He did not force his way further,
but ended the kiss with her lips yearning for his. Then he stepped back.
“Your lips and eyes speak of your love.” He beamed at her
frown. “Now I am sure of your passion for me.”
“No.” That was enough! He had overstepped his bounds with
his arrogant assumptions. “You are mistaken; I wish to never marry you.” She
would not fall in love with him. No matter his handsome face. She must not
allow herself to acknowledge that she liked it when he kissed her. She would
never be free if he became the laird over her.
“Aye, your kiss spoke more than you know.” He chuckled and
held her hand kissing her palm. “In time the rest of you will agree as well.”
What's
the hardest thing about writing?
Getting the
word out about my books. It’s a noisy world out there with everyone shouting
for attention.
What are you currently
working on?
I am working on revisions to Son of Dragons Book 2 in The Garnet
Dagger series. I’m also working on a YA paranormal romance.
What books did you read as a child?
Are my parents reading this?
Nothing with magic or fantasy. (Looks around) Oh, good, they aren’t – anything
and everything I could get my hands on that had magic, fantasy, paranormal,
etc. in it. However, I never read Tolkien, Lewis, or Martin until after I wrote
three books in the Garnet Dagger series. I was too guilt-ridden to read them.
How has
your life changed since you began writing?
I would say my life hasn’t changed much since I started
writing. Since I’ve been published though, its crazy busy with blogging, guest
posts, interviews, etc. Now I hardly have time to write my novels. I’ve thought
about a software program (since I love multitasking) where I could speak my
story while cleaning the house. I’d get so much done J
Do you listen to music
while you write?
Sometimes. It depends on my mood
and what I’m writing.
What's
been your favorite moment as an author?
My favorite moment was being published and a reader telling
me they loved my story and asked when the next one was coming out. I will never
get tired of that.
Out of all of your characters, who is
your favorite?
I love them
all, but I’d have to go with Brock, my Elvin Vampire, since he was my debut
novel, The Garnet Dagger. And he
inspired me to write three more stories with him.
What do you want readers to take away
from your books?
Entertainment,
and that love is worth fighting for.
Do you have any
interesting dreams or goals?
I have vivid dreams and…oh, wait you mean like goals
(hehehe). Yes. I would love to have more books published and fans. Perhaps even
have my stories turned into movies or even a TV show.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I see myself
dropping off my daughter to kindergarten and my son to fourth grade, then
giddily driving back home to work on my latest novel (without kids under foot
and feeling guilty). In addition, scheduling a flight for later in the week to
go to my book signing.
Where can fans find you?
Everywhere. Here are a few places:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndreaRCooper
Check out Andrea's books and read excerpts here:
http://kristinasbooksandmore.blogspot.com/2014/01/authorbook-spotlight-andrea-coopers.html
Growing up in Houston, Texas, Andrea has always created characters
and stories. But it wasn't until she was in her late twenties that she started
writing novels.
What happened that ignited the writing flame in her
fingers? Divorced, and disillusioned by love songs and stories. They
exaggerate. She thought. Love and Romance are not like that in the real world.
Then she met her husband and realized, yes love and romance are exactly like
the songs and stories say. She is now a happy wife, and a mom to three kids
(two boys and a girl).
Andrea writes paranormal and historical romance. When not
writing or reading, one may find Andrea dancing in Zumba.
She believes in the power of change and counting each moment as a
blessing. But most importantly, she believes in love.
Buy Links:
Thank you for having me.
ReplyDeleteIn celebration of Valentine's Day, both of my ebooks and 348 other Crimson Romance Titles are on sale at Amazon this month for $1.99 each! Amazon search link: http://goo.gl/VOnRXg