To put an end to the Halloween weekend of events here on Amberkatze's Book Blog I have one last author interview to post. I am very honoured to have Award winning author Lori Handeland here as my guest! Her new book and first in a new series called Any Given Doomsday is due out this week! Her Nightcreature novels helped my book addiction evolve and if you haven't come across her work then I highly recommend that you rectify the situation ;)

Keep reading till the end because Lori is giving away a copy of her new book!

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Amber - Welcome to Amberkatze's Book Blog! I have been following your Nightcreature series since it started and can't wait to read your upcomming release. Maybe you can start things off by telling us a bit about 'Any Given Doomsday'?

Lori - The Phoenix Chronicles begins in Milwaukee—my hometown—and travels to many urban cities—New York, New Mexico, Detroit, Los Angeles. You see, the world is coming to an end and there are demons all over the place. Elizabeth Phoenix discovers that the Grigori, the fallen angels of Biblical Legend mated with humans and produced a legion of supernatural creatures known as the Nephilim. They’ve been here since the beginning of time, wearing human faces but beneath they are all the monsters of legend—vampires, shape shifters and more. There’s a secret society that fights them and she’s just been put in charge of everyone.

Amber - Any Given Doomsday sounds like it is going to be a great read. How does it differ to your Nightcreature novels?


Lori - The world of The Phoenix Chronicles is similar to my Nightcreature world in that I use supernatural elements and actual legends of other lands and cultures. There’s romance and action, snappy comebacks, both humor and horror, steamy sex and conflicting relationships.

However the Nightcreature Novels were romances. Each book had a heroine and a hero whose romantic story was resolved in that book along with a legendary mystery. Continuing characters, such as Edward Mandenauer, the leader of the Jager-Suchers, or Hunter-Searchers, strolled through each volume, but the story belonged to one hero and heroine.

The Phoenix Chronicles is Liz’s story and it continues from book to book. Liz has psychic abilities and her powers increase as time goes by. She is torn between two men. She loses people she loves and she meets new people, as well as un-people, with each subsequent book. Liz is like us, but she’s also very different. We want to be her—smart, savvy, funny, special—and then again, we don’t. Because in Liz’s world people die badly and she’s in charge of the ground troops.

Amber - What kind of research did you have to do for Any Given Doomsday?

Lori - I did a lot of research into Biblical Prophesy, Revelation, the Navajo, and scores of other ancient legends of every culture. It was fascinating.

Amber - How did the idea for this new series come about?

Lori - The concept for Any Given Doomsday came to me several years ago when I was researching another book and came across the legend of the Grigori. It fascinated me. I bought a bunch of books on prophesy, Revelation, angels, demons and read them whenever I had the chance and an idea started to nag at me—one of those ideas that captures an author and won’t let go.

In between contracted projects, I spent whatever time I had in the world of The Phoenix Chronicles. I loved it there! I showed the first few chapters to my agent, who flipped and gave it to my editor, Jen Enderlin, at St. Martin’s during a lunch meeting. Jen read the first page and said, “I love it!” An author’s dream come true!

Amber - The second book in this series called Doomsday Can Wait is due out in
May. How many books are planned for the series?

Lori - Right now there are 4, but it is still open ended.

Amber - So the Nightcreature novels...for anyone who is reading my blog who
hasn't come across them before...could you tell us a bit about them?

Lori - The Nightcreature Novels began with Blue Moon and tells the story of a secret group of monster hunters called The Jager-Suchers, or Hunter Searchers. During WW2 Hitler commissioned a werewolf army from Dr. Mengele, then when the Allies landed, they released them. This group has been fighting the results ever since.

Amber - Will there be any more Nightcreature novels or is that series over?

Lori - I am still hoping there will be more Nightcreature Novels but at
present there are none scheduled.

Amber - Are you working on any other projects at the moment?

Lori - Right now I'm finished the third book in The Phoenix Chronicles, Apocalypse Happens. I'm also hoping to begin another paranormal romance series if the Nightcreature Novels are indeed finished.

Amber - What books do you like to read when you have time? Any favourite
authors or series you can't wait to get your hands on?

Lori - I'm a huge fan of Janet Evanovich and Stephanie Plum. I count the days until the new one comes out. I also love Harlen Coben, Stephen King, Lisa Gardner, Tami Hoag.

Amber - Alot of authors have playlists that go with their books. Do you have
any musical influences or favourites that correspond with any of your books?

Lori - I'm afraid I need complete silence when I write. Music, or any noise, distracts me.

Amber - What are some of the best moments you have experienced so far as an author?

Lori - My first sale, winning a RITA for Blue Moon and then again for The Mommy Quest, meeting readers at signings and talking about books!

Amber - You are stranded on a desert island. What 5 items do you have with you
to help you survive?

Lori - A lighter, antibiotics, a knife, my husband, a flare gun.

Amber - Thank you so much for your time! Good luck with the new release and I hope you will stop by again sometime in the future!



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Contest Time!

Lori has kindly said she will give a signed copy of her new book 'Any Given Doomsday' to the winner of this contest!

So to enter comment here and tell us what special powers you would like to have? If you could have them ;)

No special powers mentioned, no entry!

You can earn yourself an extra entry by posting about this interview & contest somewhere on the internet and leaving me a link so I can confirm your post.

This contest will be open until Sunday 7th of Novemeber 4pm CET and all entrants should check back to see if they have won. I will draw a new winner if the prize is not claimed within 7 days.

Enter away and enjoy!

Labels: Author Interviews, Contests, Halloween, Lori Handeland