Sunday 17 August 2008
This week I am proud to be a part of something big! This weeks guest here on Amberkatze's Book Blog is author Joy Nash who is giving away 50 of her books over 50 days! Amberkatze's Book Blog is one of the sites taking part and you all have a week to enter the contest!

To find out more about the contest keep reading to the end of this post. However before the fun starts here is your chance to find out more about Joy Nash and Immortals: The Crossing, the book she is giving away!

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Amber - First I want to thank you for taking the time to be interviewed for Amberkatze's Book Blog! Maybe you can start things off by explaining a little about 'The Immortals' series?

Joy - The Immortals series, a multi-author series written by Jennifer Ashley, Robin T. Popp, and myself, takes place in an alternate version of our contemporary world. In the Immortals world, magic and magical creatures and races are common and accepted by humans. The world can only exist if there's a reasonable balance of life and death magic. In the first four books of the Immortals series, the balance of magic is threatened, with death magic quickly overtaking life magic, threatening the world's existence. The human witches of the international Coven of Light quickly realize that humanity's only hope lies in the legend of the Immortals, ancient magical warriors who once protected mankind from death magic. The witches come to believe that these warriors aren't legend at all, but real flesh and blood demigods who, for some reason, have disappeared from earth. In each of the first four Immortals books, a human witch locates an Immortal Warrior and convinces him to re-join the battle against death magic.

The initial series was so popular--all the books hit the USA Today bestseller list! Three more novels and a novella were contracted. Round two kicks off in Sept with Jennifer Ashley's The Redeeming, the story of Tain, the rogue Immortal Warrior villain from the first Immortals books. My book, The Crossing, and Robin Popp's The Haunting, follows. My hero, Mac, and Robin's heroine, Mai, were extremely popular characters from our first Immortals books. Round two of the series concludes with the anthology The Reckoning, in March 09.

Amber - Your contribution to 'The Immortals' series is called 'The Crossing'. What is your book about and how does it fit into the series?

Joy - The hero of The Crossing, Mac, is an immortal Celtic demigod who appeared as the Immortal Kalen's friend in my previous Immortals book, The Awakening. Mac is one of the most popular secondary characters I've ever written - readers were asking for his story from the first week that The Awakening was released! I was so pleased to have a chance to move Mac to center stage. In The Crossing, Mac, who is half divine/half Sidhe and fascinated by human culture, finally meets the human woman who is his match when he pursues the fugitive witch, Artemis Black, on a race leading straight into Hell.

Amber - How closely did you work with the other authors? Obviously you had to read their books but did you all get together and decide how the series would run?

Joy - For the first four Immortals books, Jennifer, Robin and I worked very closely with Jennifer's initial concept of the Immortals world and develop it into a complex place in which to set our stories. We brainstormed constantly online about the rules of magic, the magical races of the world, the Immortals and their heroines, and the common villain we all had in our separate stories. Since books 2,3 & 4 take place simultaneously, we also kept a close watch on our timeline. Collaborating this way added a lot of positive energy (as well as a good bit of extra time!) to the process of writing a novel.

The second round of Immortals books are not so closely interwoven as the first four were. The books all take place in the Immortals world, with many characters from the first round of books, but each of this year's novels are stand-alone stories.


Amber - There are a lot of magical beings in 'The immortals' series and your book has a Celtic demigod. Did you have to do alot of research to write this book? How did you pick your celtic names?

Joy - My editor invited me to do a Celtic contribution to the Immortals series largely because of my Celtic historical paranormal series for Dorchester, the Druids of Avalon series. So I was already pretty well versed in Celtic lore, though I did more research on the Sidhe and Unseelie Host while writing the Immortals books. Celtic names are tricky, because so many are difficult to pronounce for someone who doesn't know Gaelic. I used several historical sites and also baby name sites to pick many of the names. But I didn't make up a name for my hero in The Crossing--Manannan mac Lir (Mac) is a real figure in Celtic mythology. As in my book, Mac is the son of the Celtic sea god, Lir. However, all his adventures are straight out of my imagination!

Amber - 'The Crossing' is due out on September 30th but you are currently doing a 50 Days 50 Books Giveaway (which I am honoured to be a part of). How did that idea come about and who else is involved?

Joy - I came up with the idea while I was thinking of ways to get the word out on the Internet about the return of the Immortals series in advance of the release of The Crossing. It's my hope to reach a lot of readers who enjoyed the first Immortals books, as well as readers who are hearing about Immortals for the first time. International readers will be happy to know that news about the first translation rights of Immortals has just come in. So far, Immortals is scheduled to be released in German and Norwegian language versions sometime in the future.

Amber - What other books have you written, paranormal or otherwise? What is your favourite so far?

Joy - I mentioned my Druids of Avalon series with Dorchester, which is near and dear to my heart. That series grew out of my first mass market release, Celtic Fire. The first Druids of Avalon book, The Grail King, won a Reviewer's Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine. The next Druids book, Deep Magic, received many glowing reviews and a Psyche Award from The Romance Studio. The Druids series is the story of the Celtic and Roman ancestors of King Arthur, and lays the groundwork for many Arthurian legends. I've had a wonderful time weaving real history, real legend, Druid magic, and my own imagination in writing this series. I've even been lucky enough to travel to England to visit the sites for many of my scenes! You can read about the Legend of the Druids of Avalon on my website, along with excerpts of the books and free short stories that take place between the books. The next book in the Druids of Avalon series, Silver Silence (which I'm writing now), will be out in October 2009.

Amber - What kind of environment do you need to have to write? Any particular items you need to make the writing flow easier?

Joy - I write on my laptop on the couch in my living room--a room which doesn't get much other use in my house. I prefer to work in the mornings, in a quiet house, when my teenagers are in school or sleeping late. I normally make a second cup of tea after breakfast, set it on the coffee table in front of the couch, and start writing. My tea is always cold by the time I finally get around to drinking it!

Amber - How did you get into writing? Did you always want to be an author?

Joy - As a child, I loved to read, and always thought about being an author, but as I grew older, I wasn't encouraged in that area and developed other interests. I ended up going to architecture school and becoming an architect, a career I enjoy and still practice part time. I started writing when I was a full time mom with three toddlers. I needed a creative outlet, and the chance to be in total control of my own story world (unlike my life) was very appealing! About a year later I joined a local writers' group and started thinking seriously about my chances of being published, something I doubted was possible when I started! So if you're an aspiring writer, be assured that your dream of publication is completely possible. If you could read some of the stuff I wrote just eight years ago when I got started, you would know that for a fact :-)

Amber - What are your writing plans for the future? Any new projects?

Joy - Currently, I'm working on Silver Silence, a Druids of Avalon book. But I'm also looking forward to my contemporary romance debut in 2009 under a new pen name. A Little Light Magic by Joy Rizza, set in a small town on the New Jersey shore, will be a fun, fast summer read. Check my website in the coming months for details and an excerpt!

Amber - If you got stuck on a desert island. Which 5 items would you want to have with you?

Joy - Hmmm, that's a tough one. Hopefully my desert island will be friendlier than the one on the TV series LOST. Though I wouldn't mind having a crashed airplane with about a hundred changes of clothes in exactly my size, a hot American doctor with an endless supply of medicine, a hot Asian guy who conveniently grew up as a fisherman, a hot Middle Eastern guy who knows eighty-seven ways to kill whatever threatens me, and an *extremely* hot, blond, wise-cracking Southern con man with a lifetime supply of prophylactics!



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Contest time!

Joy is giving away a signed copy of her upcomming release Immortals: The Crossing. That means this book is not yet for sale!!! So if you win this contest you will get it before the 30th of September release date!

To enter the contest just comment on this thread telling me which writers you would like to see writing a series together. No full answer to the question no entry!

You can also get yourself another entry to the contest by posting about this contest somewhere on the net! Please make sure you post the link in your entry!

The contest is open till Sunday the 24th of August 4pm CET. Please check back to see if you have won! If the winner doesn't claim the prize within 7 days I will draw another winner.

So enter away and don't forget to check the other sites who are taking part in the 50 books in 50 days giveaway!

A big huge thanks to Joy for letting me be a part of this and for taking the time to answer my questions!

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posted by Unknown at Sunday, August 17, 2008 |


43 Comments:


At 17 August 2008 at 10:00, Blogger Daelith

Thank you for the interview Joy and Amber. Always great to get a little more background from the author.

As for what writers I would like to see writing a series together - paranormal of course. Raven Hart, Kim Harrison, Yasmine Galenorn and J. F. Lewis. There are so many to chose from but I think they would be a interesting combination.

 

At 17 August 2008 at 10:07, Blogger Terra57

Hi Amber,
I posted this on my blog for you.

As for authors writing together...hmm....Linda Wisdom, Annette Blair, Katie MacAlister, Mindy Klasky and Vickie Lewis Thompson. I think they would make a wonderful off the wall anthology together.

 

At 17 August 2008 at 11:05, Blogger Susan Helene Gottfried

Just letting you know I've posted this at Win a Book. It's a great interview, once again. I hope you get lots of people who will read it; that answer to the desert island question is awesome!

 

At 17 August 2008 at 11:42, Blogger Cathy M

I love paranormal stories, and would love to see a series written by Anna Windsor, Kathleen Dante and Karen Chance.

 

At 17 August 2008 at 11:57, Anonymous Anonymous

Hmmm... I would be really curious in seeing what Charlaine Harris and Laurell K. Hamilton would write together! That should be interesting! :-)

Thanks for the interview and the contest!
cheers
Tanja aka Morgaine77

 

At 17 August 2008 at 12:28, Blogger Raonaid Luckwell

I'm gonna put this on my myspace blog (and bullentin) and livejournal. If I knew how to do it on facebook I would.

Myspace - http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=155633569&blogID=425028932

Livejournal - http://morriga.livejournal.com/

Which writers would I like see doing a series together?

I could really see Vicki Pettersson and Kim Harrison and or Lillith Saintcrow doing a series together. That would be one heck-of-a-series full of paranormal-goodness which could be a movie or series.

Lara Adrian and Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Though I'd love to see Kenyon as MacGregor and Nash writing a series together. Perhaps something like MacGregor's Lord of Avalon mixed with Nash's celtic knowledge.

I would love to see Deborah Cooke and Allyson James do a dragon series together. Those two gave me a great appreciation for dragon shape shifters.

Heck, even Nash and Karen Marie Monings. I bet that series would be full of hotness.

Ugh, those were the main ones that stuck out at my head that I would love to see do a series together.

 

At 17 August 2008 at 12:35, Blogger Patricia Altner

Wonderful interview!

I would love to see MaryJanice Davidson and Marta Acosta write together.

 

At 17 August 2008 at 12:35, Blogger Estella

Christine Feehan, Cheyenne McCray and Sherrilyn Kenyon.

 

At 17 August 2008 at 12:51, Blogger tetewa

My picks would be Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Sherrilyn Kenyon and Christine Feehan. Now that would be sweet!

 

At 17 August 2008 at 13:08, Blogger Minding Spot

Thanks for the interview ! I would probably say Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Vincent, and Kim Harrison.

 

At 17 August 2008 at 13:15, Blogger Unknown

Wonderful interview! I enjoyed reading it very much!
I´d like to read a series written by Jenna Black, Stacia Kane and Karen Chance..
Inara

 

At 17 August 2008 at 13:28, Blogger Kathy

I think I'd like to see Melissa de la Cruz and Stephenie Meyer write something together. Their vampire series - Meyers "Twilight" and deLaCruz's "Blue Bloods" were both so amazing. Can you imagine what them together would be like?

 

At 17 August 2008 at 13:47, Blogger katayoun

i would love to see a book by martha wells and patricia mckillip.

 

At 17 August 2008 at 17:03, Anonymous Anonymous

I would love to see Maggie Shayne & Kelley Armstrong do a series together or Shiloh Walker & Lora Leigh.

 

At 17 August 2008 at 21:00, Blogger Michelle

Definitely an attention grabbing series.

 

At 17 August 2008 at 21:03, Blogger catslady

Great interview. I would like to see Allison Brennan and Karen Rose. Thanks for the contest.

 

At 17 August 2008 at 21:03, Blogger catslady

Great interview. I would like to see Allison Brennan and Karen Rose. Thanks for the contest.

 

At 17 August 2008 at 21:28, Blogger Kimberly B.

I'd like to see Katie MacAlister, Christopher Moore, and P.C. Cast doing a series together. It'd be a hoot!

 

At 17 August 2008 at 21:45, Blogger yaya

As I love Jodi Picoult so much, I love seeing her writing some series books out of her previous characters.

I also like to see Billie Letts writing her series books, maybe a sequel from Where the heart is or Shoot the moon :)

 

At 18 August 2008 at 00:13, Blogger DawnM

Thanks for the interview.

Favourite collaborations, that's an interesting idea.

I'd be interested in a collaboration between Sherrilyn Kenyon, Tanya Huff, Patricia Briggs and Laurell K Hamilton for paranormal. Jayne Castle, Linnea Sinclair and Robin Owens for futuristic. And Amanda Quick, Julie Garwood and Katie McAllister for something with a slightly humorous historical bent. Actually, there's someone missing from that combination, but I've gone a complete blank on the author's name. Ahah, Katie Michaels, that's who I was thinking of.

 

At 18 August 2008 at 03:52, Blogger LadyVampire2u

I would so love to read this book as I have enjoyed the others in this series. COngrats on its upcoming release!
Okay so authors I'd like to see write together? Hmmm Dakota Cassidy, MaryJanice Davidson, Charlaine Harris, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Jeanine Frost, Jim Butcher and Keri Arthur. I bet it would be a very interesting and fun anthology.

 

At 18 August 2008 at 08:40, Blogger Ruth Schaller

I'd love to see MaryJanice Davidson, Jeri Smith-ready and Christopher Moore do a book together. I think they will do great together with a book.

Good times!

 

At 18 August 2008 at 08:51, Blogger CrystalGB

I would like to see Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon and Keri Arthur do a book together.

 

At 18 August 2008 at 15:54, Anonymous Anonymous

I would absolutely love to see Stephen King and Dean Koontz write a series together. I would be all over that!
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

 

At 18 August 2008 at 16:18, Blogger Deirdre

I'd love to see Nora Roberts collaborate with C E Murphy. I'd also like to be in the room when Katie finds out!

 

At 19 August 2008 at 02:08, Anonymous Anonymous

This is a great interview and fun question! My "dream team" of authors to write a series would be Laurell K Hamilton, Lilith Saintcrow, Kelley Armstrong, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jennifer Rardin and Adrian Phoenix. Woot Woot, that would be a really awesome series!! :)

 

At 19 August 2008 at 02:08, Anonymous Anonymous

This is a great interview and fun question! My "dream team" of authors to write a series would be Laurell K Hamilton, Lilith Saintcrow, Kelley Armstrong, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jennifer Rardin and Adrian Phoenix. Woot Woot, that would be a really awesome series!! :)

 

At 19 August 2008 at 09:12, Blogger Liviania

I've heard good things about this series.

I'd like to read a series written by Neil Gaiman, Jennifer Estep, Perry Moore, and Austin Grossman.

 

At 19 August 2008 at 09:20, Blogger Katie

Thanks for the interview, Joy and Amber!!

Let's see. I would like to see Ann Aguirre, Rachel Caine, and Jeri Ready-Smith work together. That would be one interesting read!

Thanks again!
Katie

 

At 19 August 2008 at 09:20, Blogger Katie

This comment has been removed by the author.

 

At 20 August 2008 at 00:27, Blogger Caffey

Hi Joy!! So excited about this series, I too wonder if its possible to talk to you 3 into writing more books again of this series? :) Too great on more of the Druids of Avalon's and too a contemp that I'm looking forward to hearing more about!

Its hard to see anyone else doing this series but Joy, Jennifer and Robin! But for like a series of those who write some great fantasy at Dorchester too, I'd love to see Kathryn Kennedy, C. L. Wilson, and Karen Whiddon, all write on a magical story, a fantasy that they all write great reads!

Also will post on my blog at
caffeys-reads.blogspot.com
Would love to share about these books!

 

At 20 August 2008 at 05:49, Blogger Susan B.

I would love to see Lora Leigh, Maya Banks, Bianca D'Arc & Lauren Dane do a series together. Love their shape-shifters. Looking forward to this book.

Thank you,
Susan B.

 

At 20 August 2008 at 19:34, Blogger macbeaner

Writers whom I'd love to see write a series together...

Stacia Kane, Mark Henry, Dakota Cassidy and Caitling Kittredge. I think they'd have a blast together :)

I look forward to reading your book. It sounds neat!

 

At 21 August 2008 at 05:46, Blogger Jeremy F. Lewis

Great interview, Amber!

I'm tempted to post a writer combo I'd like to be a part of, but I think I'll mention an impossible dream team instead...

Though he's no longer with us, I'd like to see Roger Zelazny, Neil Gaiman, and Walter Jon Williams do a final Amber series.

 

At 21 August 2008 at 13:38, Anonymous Anonymous

I'd love to see Marie Treanor, Maggie Nash, Ellen Ash and Melissa Schroeder do a paranormal series together.

Valerie
valb0302@yahoo.com

 

At 21 August 2008 at 21:58, Blogger Unknown

I would love to see Joy team up with Simon R. Green (author of the Nightside Series). They both have such vivid ways of describing scenes and they've both based book in "other" worlds. My second choice would be to have Laurell K Hamilton and Maggie Shayne join forces for a series. I'm certain the paranormal will reign supreme with that pairing.
Les SLusarczyk
nightcrawler_1836@hotmail.com

 

At 23 August 2008 at 04:26, Anonymous Anonymous

Thank you for the interview. I am really excited.

As far as which authors I would like to see write a series, i pretty much think all my fav. authors already do. I wish Sidney Sheldon would have thought about writing a series. But alas, that's not possible anymore.

 

At 23 August 2008 at 12:55, Blogger LMcLendon

I am celebrating my birthday today!
Thanks for the interview with Joy.
Thanks for the chance to win this autographed ARC.
As for two writers, that would make for an interesting pair, my vote is for Joy Nash and Stephenie Meyers.

 

At 23 August 2008 at 14:16, Blogger Rebekah E.

I would love to see Nora Roberts and Lisa jackson do a book together. I think they write great mysteries and would to see what they could come up with together.
Rebekah E.

 

At 23 August 2008 at 17:15, Blogger J

I'd love to see Lisa Kleypas and Teresa Medeiros do a series together.

 

At 24 August 2008 at 03:34, Anonymous Anonymous

Sorry for the double comment. Bit I think I got the question wrong.
To answer the question correctly, I would really love to see Joy Nash and Nora Roberts come up with something.

 

At 24 August 2008 at 06:46, Blogger Meljprincess

Bryan Smith, Max Allan Collins, Brian Keene, and Tim Waggoner.
These guys could write the best horror series. Disgusting, scary and fun!

Mel K.

 

At 24 August 2008 at 07:30, Blogger Unknown

This contest is now closed and the winner will be posted on the blog.

 






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