This week the avid gardener, blogger and author
Marta Acosta is my guest on Amberkatze's Book Blog. Marta already has 2 books under her belt and her third release is due out next week. If you haven't already read any of the
Casa Dracula
books then be sure to check them out. The mix of chick-lit and paranormal goes down well in this funny series.
Not only does Marta write books but she also keeps people up to date with the vampire world via her blog
Vampire Wire. If you ever feel the need to know who is writing what, what is worth watching or what paranormal goodies are on offer then
Vampire Wire is worth checking out.
After the interview there is a contest so keep reading because it is time for
Casa Dracula's leading lady Milagro to have a little bridal shower here on Amberkatze's Book Blog!
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Amber - Marta it is great to have you here on Amberkatze's Book Blog! To start things off could you tell us a little bit about your
Casa Dracula series?
Marta -
Hi, Amber, it’s great to be here! I’m not very good at coloring within the lines, so my books are romantic comedies with mystery, adventure, and paranormal elements. They are classified as contemporary fiction, and readers can find them in the General Fiction section of their bookstores. Milagro de Los Santos is a funny, smart, sometimes impulsive young woman who finds herself among a group of people with a genetic anomaly that some would call vampirism. She’s something of a freak magnet, so no matter what situation she resolves, another loony comes along with another problem. Her main romantic interest is Oswald Grant, a very decent and hard-working doctor, but she’s constantly tempted by Ian Ducharme, who has a very murky background. Amber -
The Bride of Casa Dracula
is the third book in the series and will be released on the 16th of September. Is that the end of the series or are there more books about Milagro to come?
Marta -
I’ve sold the fourth Casa Dracula book, and it will be published in 2010. That seems a long way off, but somehow deadlines rush up on me. Amber - Did you have to do a lot of research for your books? Milagro is a writer like yourself but she is also a gardener. Do you like to potter around in the garden?
Marta -
I do garden, but I didn’t originally conceive of Milagro as a gardener. I was trying to think of a job that her father might have and decided on landscape work, since I was familiar with a few landscapers. I thought it would be nice if Milagro had learned some skills from her father’s business. Amber - How did you come up with the idea for the series? Was it something that came to you over night or more of a long drawn out process?
Marta -
I came up with the idea in a moment when I was complaining about stereotypes and clichés in fantasy and sci-fi. But then I had to think my concept through. I’ve always loved romantic comedies, especially in the form of comedies-of-manners, such as Jane Austen’s work. So, in classic comedy form, I put two disparate things together and tried to find the humor. Amber - Is Milagro (also a writer...maybe a gardener?) or any of the other characters in the series based on yourself or people in your life?
Marta -
Milagro was very much a conscious construct. I wanted a character who resembled the characters I loved in my favorite books. I thought about the traits that made them special to me: humor, intelligence, decency, self-reliance and a bit of cluelessness. They’re not whiners or cheaters or purposefully cruel, but they do make mistakes and try to fix them. When people tell me that they want Milagro for a friend, I know I’ve succeeded. Amber - When did you decide you wanted to be a writer and why? What advice would you give to anyone who wants to become a writer?
Marta -
I can’t remember when or if I make a decision to become a writer. I wrote stories and poems from childhood. I think that writers write. It’s the way we express and entertain ourselves. My advice to anyone who wants to be a writer is to read extensively and write. I think that many people like the idea of being a writer more than actually sitting down and writing. Amber - What are some of the best moments you have had so far as a writer?
Marta -
There have been a lot! Recently my first novel, Happy Hour at Casa Dracula, got picked up as a book selection by the Russian Harper’s Bazaar, and that was a thrill – thinking that people are reading my book in Russia. I love getting emails from readers. The fact that someone took the time to look up my email address and send me a note means so much to me. Amber - Are you working on any other projects other than the
Casa Dracula series?
Marta -
I’ve finished up a Young Adult novel, a gothic story set at an exclusive all-girls school, and I have that very happy feeling I get when something is right. It’s with my agent now. I’m also finishing up a romantic comedy/social satire about an event planner and her fall from grace. That will be published by Simon & Schuster next year. Amber - You also blog alot and have a wonderful site '
Vampire Wire.'. How did that come about? Please tell my readers a little about it ;)
Marta -
I’d been visiting various blogs and trying different approaches to my own blog when I realized that there was no comprehensive paranormal entertainment site. I came up with the idea of a blog which had daily updates on reviews, news, and stories. I made a decision not to review books, but to help promote other authors. At first Vampire Wire. had just a few links a day, but people started noticing the blog and sending me books and news. Now I run contests on a regular basis and have a great group of regular visitors. Amber - What films do you like to watch? TV? Any favourites?
Marta -
I love comedies and independent films. My TV watching is all over the place, but I’m a big fan of “Dr. Who,” “Torchwood,” and “Supernatural.” They’re that mix of smart, funny, scary that really appeals to me. I love “Project Runway” and “Ugly Betty.” Amber - Your
Casa Dracula books are paranormal, romance and a little chick-lit. What books do you like to read?
Marta -
I read the classics, natch, but I like to wander around the bookstore and I’ll buy whatever takes my fancy. In my current TBR pile are Connie Willis’s Doomsday Book (sci-fi), Julia Spencer-Fleming’s I Shall Not Want (mystery), Kathleen Givens’s Rivals for the Crown (historical fiction), and Nancy Mitford’s Don’t Tell Alfred (literary fiction). Amber - Do you have any favourite music/bands? Any you listened to while writing the
Casa Dracula series?
Marta -
I listen primarily to rock and punk, but I like old soul. Right now I cannot get enough of the Dandy Warhols. Lately, I’m listening to Death Cab for Cutie and the new Coldplay album, which is odd because I usually hate Coldplay. My iTunes has everything from Placido Domingo to Terrence Blanchard to the Velvet Underground.
When I was writing Midnight Brunch
, I listened to the Eagles’ “Hotel California” and Andrew W.K.’s “Party Hard” a lot. I listened to Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick singing Burt Bacharach songs for Happy Hour at Casa Dracula.Amber - If
Casa Dracula was going to be made into a TV series or film who would you like to see playing in the production and as what character?
Marta -
I shall leave Milagro to your imagination, but I could see Jude Law as Oswald and I’ve always thought that someone like Holland Taylor would make a wonderful Edna. You can watch the trailers I made for my novels on You Tube! The quality is terrible, but I like them anyway. Amber - You are stranded on a desert island....who would take with you and what 3 items must you have to survive!?
Marta -
I would have to take my fabulous husband Miguel, who is very practical and can hunt and fish and never gets tired of having ridiculous conversations with me. And my dogs. I would take a library of books (yes, that counts as one thing!), my laptop, and a waterproof tarp.
Thanks, Amber, for having me as a guest! Amber - Thank you Marta for taking the time to answer my questions and for your support!
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My review of Happy Hour at Casa Dracula
My review of Midnight BrunchMy review of the Bride of Casa Dracula -----------------------
Contest time!!
The Bride of Casa Dracula is due out on September 16th so the theme for this contest is 'Weddings'!
I want to hear about your funny, interesting or outrageous wedding related stories! The best 2 will win the following prizes!
One US winner will win a copy of
The Bride of Casa Dracula from Marta herself!! While the other winner (international) will win their choice of book from the
Casa Dracula series from me!
To enter the contest you must make a comment on this post telling me and Marta your wedding story! No story no entry! You must also state if you are in the US or not!!! Anyone who doesn't add a note about being in the States will not be entered for Marta's prize ans will only be entered to win my prize. People in the States will be entered for both prizes.
The contest will stay open till Thursday the 18th of September 8pm CET. Please come back and check if you won!!! I don't always have time to hunt down the winners.
Enter away! I can't wait to read the stories ;)
Oh and make sure you go over to
Vampire Wire because Marta is also giving away a copy of her new book there and posting about her other contests she has open ready for the release of new book.
Labels: Author Interviews, Contests, Marta Acosta
The contest is now closed and the randomizer has spoken! 
by Richelle Mead was my favourite read so far this month so I want to make sure it travels on to someone else. You can find out more details about the book 
is on schedule and should be hitting the shelves in December. So go pre-order your copy of 
or put it on your wishlist! 
has been making waves and it was only released last week!
which doesn't come out till the 30th of September!!! 
! Linda is over there giving some copies away! 
by Carolyn Jewel. I haven't read this one yet or even have a copy but my friend Kimberly over on 
was just as fun as the first '
by Kelley Armstrong
