I got to know Lara Nance via a different online route. We both had the same agent for a while, and there was a Yahoo group that everyone used to communicate with each other. I enjoyed Lara's posts to the loop, and we soon started our own separate email exchanges. What can I say? We're mavericks! I've even had the chance to chat with Lara on the phone a few times and she has the softest, sweetest voice, with a personality to match. It's hard to imagine this sweetheart can write stuff so scary I'm afraid to read it! Please welcome Lara to Friday (the 13th) Friends today!
Of all the characters you've created, which one is your favorite? (Characters, cover your eyes!) Why do you love them best?
Talia from my DraculaVille series. She’s tough and prickly in the beginning, but learns to open herself to love. She has a wicked sense of humor that I loved writing. Her character goes through the most changes and challenges of all my heroines and she becomes a better person for it.
You know I love a wicked sense of humor! What's your go-to "writing avoidance" technique? (You can never have too many avoidance mechanisms.)
Facebook !!!
Hmm, I don't waste AS MUCH time there, but I can see how it happens. If you were able to go on a writing retreat, where would it be? (I wonder if I need more suitcases. . .)
A cabin in the mountains with a hot tub.
*throws bathing suit into suitcase* You had me at hot tub. What's the word you love to use (and abuse and overuse, so you have to take it out of your book during edits)?
“but”
Such an essential word! Name the first thing you'll do when you make a million dollars from your books.
Quit my day job and set sail on my sailboat to the islands.
Make sure you send postcards from each port of call! Next is a lightning round we'll call The Tasty Ten, where we get to know you in a speed dating kind of way:
Coffee or tea? Coffee!
Drafting or revising? Drafting
Twitter or Facebook? Facebook
Winter or Summer? Actually I’m a spring and fall kinda gal.
Werewolf or vampire? VAMPIRE!
Morning or evening? Evening
Land or sea? Sea
Early or late? Early
Beer or wine? WINE – red.
Biter or licker? (Hey! I'm talking ice cream cones here!) Biter
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Author Bio:
Lara Nance grew up and lived in many cities throughout the South. She loves to write in a variety of genres within the scope of women’s fiction. But the basis of all her stories is a tale that will entertain and intrigue.
If you want to escape and lose yourself in a novel, you’ve come to the right place. Choose your genre and settle in to be entertained. From thrilling mysteries and steampunk tales, to paranormal romance and adventure, Lara’s willing to explore a variety of compelling stories full of danger and suspense, with a touch of romance.
Her first paranormal romance, Memories of Murder, won RWA’s New England Chapter’s readers’ choice award in 2012 for Best Paranormal Romance, as well as an award of merit as Best Book from a Virginia Author in the Holt Medallion contest. In 2013, her novel DraculaVille – Discovery in New York, won the Rudy award for best novel with romantic elements.
Having initially gone the publisher/agent route, she’s now a happy self-publisher with ten novels out along with two short stories. Five of these are now also in audio format and the others soon to follow.
Having been on the fencing team in college and now living on a sailboat convinces her that she was a pirate in another life, or possibly kin to Errol Flynn… However, due to the unfortunate demise of the romantic pirates of the past, she lives out her fantasies, thrills and adventures in her stories.
Currently docked in Norfolk, Virginia (until the wind changes) Lara enjoys living on her sailboat and spends time reading, of course writing, indulging a variety of artistic endeavors, cooking and sailing with her husband, Joe and their Yorkie, Rio.
Social Media Links:
Facebook ~~ Twitter ~~ Goodreads
Blurb for DraculaVille I – Discovery in New York
When Advertising Executive Talia Quinton takes on the unwelcome job of promoting the country of Romania, she has no idea it will involve rescuing a real vampire and being thrust into a conflict among warring vampire factions in New York.
She and her rescued vampire, Drake, must fight for their lives to protect their growing love for each other and escape capture in time to present Talia’s campaign to the Romanians.
For Talia’s groomed Drake to become Dracula, the spokesperson for a multi-billion dollar project to build an adult fantasy theme park/resort in Transylvania called….DraculaVille.
Excerpt:
“Until you strip away all the absurd layers of meaningless crap from your life, you’ll go on being lonely, friendless, and without love.” He came to the sofa and ran a finger over her bracelet. “Nice bracelet, by the way. dZi beads if I’m not mistaken. To ward off evil, right? Want to know why they don’t work against me? It’s because I’m not evil, Tal. I’m not evil.”
Buy Links:
DraculaVille II – Danger in Los Angeles was released this past Saturday.
DraculaVille III – Destiny in Transylvania will be coming out after the first of 2014.
Hey, Donna! *waves*
So good to have a chat with you this Friday. I have enjoyed our talks about books, publishing and our trials and tribulations as writers.
It's so important in this business to make connections that are uplifting since there are so many rejections and downers thrown at you. Donna is definitely uplifting, especially if she's drinking coffee!! LOL
I hope your readers enjoy this story and the rest of the books in the series. Vampires are still hot and full of conflict, so they make great stories. ENJOY! Lara XOXOXO
Posted by: Lara Nance | September 13, 2013 at 09:30 AM
Oh, wow! I don't know where to start. It's great to meet you, Lara. I love the book cover, blurb and excerpt! Definitely going on my TBR list. I love the sound of this one!!
And you've got such an interesting life between the fencing background and living on a sailboat. My brother and his wife did that for a year, but eventually moved onto land (after going to various ports of call). I also like the fact that you write in multiple genres. A lady after my own heart :)
Posted by: Mae Clair | September 13, 2013 at 09:33 AM
Lara, I'm glad you're here! It's always great to have friends who understand the crazy world of being a writer. :) And you've been uplifting for me!
I'm looking forward to this story. I love the premise, and this vampire sounds like a sexy one!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | September 13, 2013 at 10:29 AM
Mae, I know you're a werewolf kind of gal, but I'm glad this vampire story intrigues you. :) And Lara has such an interesting life, doesn't she? I definitely need to work on my bio--without fictionalizing it. LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | September 13, 2013 at 10:30 AM
Fun premise! I do love a sexy vampire... *sigh*
Posted by: Lorraine Paton | September 13, 2013 at 10:33 AM
Thanks, Mae and Lorraine! I appreciate the nice comments.
Living on the boat is definitely an adventure! But I love the freedom and having waterfront property anywhere I go. LOL.
Thanks for stopping by! Lara
Posted by: Lara Nance | September 13, 2013 at 11:21 AM
I agree with Lorraine--fun premise! And a fun interview, too. I loved ". . . talking ice cream cones here!"
Lara, I wish you much success with Draculaville. :-)
Thanks for sharing, Donna!! :-)
Posted by: Teresa Cypher | September 13, 2013 at 11:23 AM
LOL, Lara, about the waterfront property wherever you go. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | September 13, 2013 at 12:05 PM
Teresa, thanks for stopping by! I'm glad you liked the interview (the ice cream one is a fave -- LOL)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | September 13, 2013 at 12:06 PM
Thanks for the good wishes, Teresa!
Totally thinking about ice cream cones now....
Posted by: Lara Nance | September 13, 2013 at 02:14 PM