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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Interview with Author Candace Havens and Giveaway


Today I would like to welcome to RFTC author Candace Havens. Candace is celebrating the release of her book Take It Like a Vamp, and has stopped by to chat. Before I give the floor over to Candace, lets get to know her a bit.

Bestselling author Candace Havens has written six novels for Berkley including, Charmed & Dangerous, Charmed & Ready, Charmed & Deadly, Like A Charm, The Demon King and I and Dragons Prefer Blondes. Her books for the Blaze line at Harlequin include Take Me If You Dare, She Who Dares, Wins, Truth and Dare, and The Model Marine. She is also in the anthology Spirited, and the proceeds go to help literacy. In addition to Take It Like A Vamp, she has the steampunk novels Iron Demon (Oct. 2012) and Iron Blood (April 2013) from the Maisy Clark series debuting with Entangled Publishing.

Her books have received nominations for the RITA's, Holt Medallion and Write Touch Reader Awards. Model Marine is a National Readers Choice Finalist. She is the author of the biography Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy and a contributor to several anthologies. She is also one of the nation's leading entertainment journalists and has interviewed countless celebrities including Tom Hanks, Nicolas Cage, Tom Cruise, George Clooney and many more.

Her entertainment columns can be read in more than 600 newspapers across the country. Candace also runs a free online writing workshop for more than 2000 writers, and teaches comprehensive writing class. She does film reviews with the Dorsey Gang on New Country 96.3, and is the President of the Television Critics Association.

Places to find Candace:


First off, can you tell us a bit about you? 
I’m an author. My latest book is Take It Like A Vamp. I’m also a television and film critic for print and radio. And I’m married with two kids, two dogs and a fairly understanding husband.

Did you always want to be a writer? 
I’ve been a journalist since college, and I’ve written for newspapers or mags since about 7th grade. I didn’t start writing fiction until about nine years ago, but it’s something I have always wanted to do.

What kind of writer are you? Panster or Plotter?
I’m definitely a pantser. I always have been. But some of my editors like to see a synopsis with a first chapter, so I usually have to at least sit and think about the book before I begin.

Where do your ideas come from?
Everywhere. Honestly. Take It Like A Vamp, came out of a short conversation with my publisher at Entangled. We were talking about something else, and she mentioned that she wanted to launch the Covet line, but she needed a vampire book. And she wanted something fun like a friends to lovers story. And boom! Instantly Nick and Casey’s story played out in my head. I wrote it in four days. I couldn’t get the words out fast enough. But I’ve had ideas from a sentence of dialogue that popped into my head and later became a book.

A la Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less.
Take It Like A Vamp is a best friends to lover story with a Vampire and a girl next door. Light, fun, paranormal.

What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read? 
Lately, I’ve been reading the other covets, but my tastes vary. I love contemporary romance, which I write for Harlequin Blaze. I love steampunk, which I’m also working on and paranormal. But I’m equally happy with the classics. Give me some Austen, Bronte or Dickens and I’m a happy girl.

Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it? 
To Kill A Mockingbird. Atticus Finch was the first time I realized what a hero really was. Almost every hero I write has a bit of AF in him.

What are the scenes that are the hardest for you to write?
It depends on the day. Dialogue comes fairly easy for me.

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why? 
First of all, I couldn’t pick just three. But to be safe, it would be some of my dear friends.

Last question, are you working on anything right now? 
This made me laugh. It might be easier to say what I’m “not” working on. (Smile) I’m in the middle of another paranormal. I have another Marine book, and two steampunk novels I’m working on, as well as a young adult novel. Did I mention it’s a little hectic around here?


Vampire Nick Christos might have been born in the Middle Ages, but those days seem tame compared to the last eight years spent ruling the Supernatural Council. The only respite in his long days of governing is with his sweet neighbor Casey Meyers. Sure, he’s forced to take a cold shower after every encounter, but no way will he risk anything more with a human. Not with his blood thirsty ex on the prowl and out to ruin Nick’s life.

But when said crazy ex shows up at the ball and flies her freak flag high, Nick has more to worry about than keeping his hands off his neighbor. He’ll have to stay closer than ever if he hopes to keep her alive, but will she want to leave him forever when she learns the truth?

Places to Purchase:

1 lucky commenter will win a eBook copy. 

To Enter:
  • Leave a meaningful comment for Candace. 
  • Fill out the Rafflecopter form below.  

Good Luck =)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

21 comments :

  1. I usually love girl next door stories and adding paranormal aspects makes it all the better!

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  2. Congrats on the new release. This book sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it. Thanks for the great interview. You sure are busy. What do you like to do for fun?

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  3. Flies her freak flag high, Thats funny, Gotta love the crazy ex's. Thx for giveaway.

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  4. Thanks for a fun post and giveaway! Congrats to Candace on the new release!

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  5. Hi Candace love your books Take It Like A Vamp is a must read for me the cover is just gorgeous and hooked by the blurb.Have a fantastic day .

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  6. The book sounds wonderful, can't wait to read.

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  7. Hi Candace!
    It sure does sound like you've got a lot of writing projects going on right now:) I love that whole best friends to lover storyline, so I am definitely reading this one!

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  8. Sounds really good!! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  9. This book sounds great and is already on my must buy list. I love the friends to lovers theme and you add a vampire in there and it def something I have to read :)

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  10. Vampires are my favorite paranormals and I think Take it Like a Vamp sounds like a great story. I'm looking forward to reading it.

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  11. Take it Like a Vamp sounds fantastic! I have read a few of Candace's books and loved them! I can't wait to read this one, besides gotta love them vamps!! bpatrick64113@sbcglobal.net

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  12. Fantastic giveaway. Congrats on the release of Take It Like A Vamp. Are you thinking of making the book into a series? If you could be any heroine in any book, who would you like to be?
    Take It Like A Vamp looks like a great read, I can't wait to read it.
    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

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  13. congrats on the new release! I love new twists on vampires!

    What is the works now? An addition to this book...a series, perhaps?!

    books4me67 at ymail dot com

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  14. Hi Candace,

    I just wanted to say that I follow Entangled and remember way back when I read that you wrote this book in 4.5 days. As an author myself, I know how difficult that is. So I just want to say congrats! I'm sure you're still riding the resulting high.

    Best of Luck,

    L.

    lbelow(at)lbelow.net

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  15. wonderful blog piece. i really enjoyed reading it!

    parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

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  16. It is amazing to me how you authors keep coming up with new ideas for books! But I sure am glad you do!

    I love the name of this book!

    Thanks so much!
    mmafsmith AT gmail DOT com

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  17. Hi! Congrats! Your book sounds awesome! Ive heard a ton of good and ive been looking forward to read it. Cant wait! I love the cover too! Draws me in. :) Thank you!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. Congrats on the new release! Looking forward to reading it.

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  19. Nice interview. I like books with vampires.

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  20. Great interview Candace. I have read several of your books and have really enjoyed them. I love vampire romance stories.

    kscathy@yahoo.com

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