An Interview with Linda Poitevin

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An Interview with Linda Poitiven


Linda Poitevin is the author of the dark urban fantasy series, The Grigori Legacy, from Ace/Roc Books. Linda lives near Ottawa, Canada’s capital, and in her other life is wife, mother, friend, gardener, coffee snob, freelance writer, and zookeeper of too many pets.

Linda is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, Quebec Writers’ Federation, Romance Writers of America, RWA Futuristic Fantasy Paranormal Chapter, and Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association.

Interview
TRC: Linda, we would like to thank you for visiting us today and answering our questions. We are always happy to know about the authors we have read and what they are doing.

Linda: Thank you so much for inviting me! Believe me, I’m equally thrilled to meet the readers who are enjoying Alex’s story! 🙂

TRC: Please tell us something about yourself?

Linda: I live near Canada’s capital of Ottawa, I’m happily married and have three mostly grown daughters, and I’m a sucker for animals. We have a very (VERY) large husky/shepherd/Great Dane cross dog, 2 cats, 3 rabbits, and a bearded dragon lizard.

TRC: When did you start writing?  Have you always been interested in writing?

Linda: I’ve been writing pretty much since I learned how! A lot of poetry in grade school and high school, and a few very bad attempts at short stories (they kept wanting to turn into novels) for English class. After school, I continued writing for myself when I discovered that it was the only way to keep the voices satisfied J. So yes, I think the interest was always there, although the drive to seek publication came much later.

TRC: How does it feel to see your work available for others to purchase?

Linda: Amazing. Scary. Exciting. Terrifying. Wonderful. All those and more…I can pretty much sum it up as absolutely, utterly thrilling. 🙂

TRC: Tell us how you came up with the idea for your series The Grigori Legacy? How did you come up with mixing a homicide detective and supernaturals in this world. 

Linda: The angel part of the story came from a single ‘what if’ question that popped into my head while I was listening to Sarah McLachlan’s Angel song. The lyrics, “you’re in the arms of the angel, may you find some comfort there,” made me wonder what if someone didn’t find comfort, but something else entirely? The seeds of the story led me to some wonderful discussions with a good friend who was very knowledgeable in angel lore, and that led to research, and before I knew it, I had a whole series in mind.

As for the homicide detective component, just about every heroine I’ve written (or tried to write) in the last 20 years has been a cop. I think it comes from having wanted to be one myself when I was young – and from marrying a cop! 🙂

TRC: For those of our members who are not familiar with this series, can you give us a brief description of the first novel in the series, Sins of the Angels.

Linda: As you pointed out, Sins of the Angels marries angel mythology with police procedural in a dark urban fantasy that I like to describe as Supernatural meets Law & Order SVU. Alexandra Jarvis is a Toronto homicide detective tracking a serial killer who turns out to be a fallen angel. When Heaven assigns its own hunter to track the same killer, Alex struggles to come to terms with a new reality that brings old memories back to haunt her — and to prevent the killer from triggering the Apocalypse. 

TRC: On March 27, Sins of the Sons, the second book of the Grigori Legacy series was released. Tell us about this book.

Linda: When Sins of the Son picks up, Alex finds herself thrown into the role of protector over the divine being who is supposed to save humanity — only to find herself in opposition to the same heavenly hunter she worked with in the first book.

TRC: How did you come up with your lead characters..Alexandra..Aramael? Are they based on anyone?

Linda: Alex is probably best described as a composite of the many female police officers I’ve been privileged to know over the years. She may be tough and professional, but she’s decidedly human, too. I like to think there’s a little of me in her as well.

Aramael is entirely a figment of my imagination…which my husband finds somewhat disconcerting. 🙂

TRC: What are your plans for this series?  How many books do plan to write?

Linda: I have a series of four books planned and am currently working on the third, Sins of the Righteous but have no publication date yet.

TRC: The Grigori Legacy is considered Urban Fantasy. Do you have plans for writing other genres?

Linda: Not at this point, no. I have another series in mind for when I finish The Grigori Legacy, but it will also be in the UF genre

TRC: Are you working on any different series?

Linda: Just subconsciously. 🙂

TRC: When you write, do you use a computer or first put pen to paper? 

Linda: Computer all the way. I can type much faster than I write and a pen just can’t keep up with my thoughts when I’m on a roll.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Linda: Just a huge thank you again for having me to visit today. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your questions, and if readers have anything they’d like to ask as well, I’ll be happy to answer.

LIGHTNING ROUND

FAVORITE FOOD: Cherries

FAVORITE MOVIE: Iron Man

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Sorry, can’t pick just one! Castle, The Mentalist, Rizzoli & Isles, Fringe, Grimm, Once Upon a Time…there are so many! 🙂

LAST BOOK YOU READ: The Hunger Games

FAVORITE AUTHOR: Jim Butcher

FAVORITE BOOK SERIES: The Dresden Files

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: Can you believe I don’t like/watch/follow any sports? How awful is that? LOL!

If you want to know more about Linda, you can follow her from her following sites:

Website:         http://www.lindapoitevin.com/

Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/LindaPoitevin

Twitter:          https://twitter.com/#!/lindapoitevin

Goodreads:    http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3340475.Linda_Poitevin

Pinterest:   http://pinterest.com/lindapoitevin/

                                        

                                   *************GIVEAWAY**************

LInda has graciously offered a giveaway to a member of The Reading Cafe, a signed copy of either Sins of the Angels or Sins of the Son.  The winners choice. 

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe.  If not, please register today, using the social log-ins or at the bottom of the page.

2.  Giveaway is open to CANADA and U.S. only


 


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37 thoughts on “An Interview with Linda Poitevin”

  2. Thanks for stopping by Linda, I have actually seen book one at B & N and it really pulled at me!! Now I know why!!! I am SO going back today and picking it up! I’m from a law enforcement background too and my dream heroines can all kick ass! Well, if you are going to dream, dream big!! Once Upon a Time and Castle are two of my favs too! I can’t wait for The Avengers to come out this weekend, more Iron Man and Thor! *giggles*

  3. Hey Linda, thank you for this wonderful interview. I love Alex, and Sins of the Son was great. Do you have any idea when you are projecting Sins of the Righteous to be released? I’m glad you are staying in Urban Fantasy, as I have been loving that genre.

    Now to the important thing. 🙂 Fringe was renewed for 13 episodes, to end it all next year. Love that show. We do have others in common, I love Castle, and can’t wait for Castle and Beckett to finally get together. I watch Rizzoli and Once Upon a Time too.

  4. Great interview!! Thank you so much for sharing your insight with us Linda!! I’m always curious how the seed of a story gets planted for different authors. I’ll definitely be adding your series to my TBR list!!

    Great job Barb!!

  5. Hi Linda,
    I enjoyed your interview and I am planning to buy your books, especially after reading the Sins of the Son review. I too watch Castle. Great show

  6. Another book that sounds great. Loved this interview. Linda, since your husband is a cop, were you able use him in creating the detective storyline and Alex?

  7. Great interview even though I knew the answer to most questions already! (does that make me a stalker? :p) I love your books Linda and I cannot wait for book 3!!

    Alex

  8. Linda is your character anything like Rissoli love that show and The Mentalist. I think i will try your first book in the series it sounds very interesting. Great interview Barb.

  9. Great interveiw Barb! Nice meeting you Linda! I will diffenitly read your series now! Loved in the arms of an Angel, could I get a tissue please! lol Alex sounds intriging! I have a dare college friend who became a motor bike ploice officer! She’s tough, yet sweet and kind!!! My son is taking criminal justice classes to became an officer! You are now on my must read list!

    • Nice to meet you, too, Georgie! And that is so cool about your son — you must be very proud of him. 🙂 Your friend sounds like many of the female cops I know…they have to be tough on the outside, don’t they? It’s a matter of survival out there, sadly. I’m happy that you’re going to read The Grigori Legacy, too…enjoy! 🙂

  10. I enjoyed reading the interview!! It was totally worth taking a homework break for! Your Grigori Legacy books sound like they are totally worth reading since I do love mystery, suspenseful and forensic-like books. You totally had me sold when you mention Law and Order SVU, I love that show!

    I am a music nut who always leave my music on when I do homework, chores or just lounging….so I was wondering what type of music do you enjoy Linda Poitevin?

    • So glad you liked the interview, Xtina! I love Law & Order SVU, too…but I’m so sad that the characters are changing. It won’t be the same without Elliott & Olivia. 🙁

      When it comes to music, I always have something playing while I’m writing and it has to suit the story. My playlist includes The Tea Party, AWOL Nation, Breaking Benjamin, Nirvana, Our Lady Peace, Linkin Park, Muse, Metallica, Apocalyptica, The Who, Garbage, Guns N’ Roses, Incubus, Finger Eleven, Coldplay, Civil Twilight, City and Colour, Bush, Big Wreck, Moist, The Offspring, The Pack A.D., Pearl Jam, Rise Against the Machine, 30 Seconds to Mars, and many more. Any of those familiar to you? 😉

  11. Great interview Barb, as usual… interesting combination, a friend of mine was just telling me about this series a couple of days ago. She was rather impressed and I was thinking of looking into it, though I don’t often read book about police much, but it did sound different. Thinking now that it might be time to take a closer look.

  13. Now that I’m done with my superficial comments, shame on me! :D, I can say with total honesty that I am SOOOO interested in this series. Angels and modern day police officers fighting on the same side. Does Alexandra respond without hesitation to Aramael? I take it he’s the heavenly hunter? Is there attraction? I want answers! 😀 Thank you for a great interview. I look forward to reading all about this wonderful world.

    • Alex certainly responds to Aramael, Carmen, but not necessarily in a good way, lol…at least, not at first. Yes, he’s the heavenly hunter, and yes, there’s attraction and sexual tension (in spades)…though it’s not necessarily fulfilled (translation: no sex). I hope you’ll give the series a try! 🙂

  14. I don’t read many urban type books, but saying that, my mother was a cop up to her passing many years back. So pairing a female officer with an angel? Hmm, I just may have to check this one out. And since it is early in the series this is a good thing.
    Wonderful interview Ms. Linda. Thank you for taking the time to share with all of us. Going to look for your books now.

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