Cynthia Eden-Interview with the Author
With the new release of ANGEL BETRAYED (The Fallen), The Reading Cafe is pleased to welcome Cynthia Eden.
TRC: Hi Cynthia and welcome to The Reading Cafe. We would like to start with some background information. Please tell us something about yourself?
Cynthia: I’m Cynthia Eden—I’m a southern girl…I love horror movies and happy endings. 😉 I write romance novels about demons and vampires and fallen angels. I also write romantic suspense novels that can contain some very dark killers.
TRC:Your bio outline states that you have a degree in Sociology. How has the study about the interactions of people helped with the different storylines and novels?
Cynthia: My sociology major turned me into what I think of as a “people watcher”—okay, that sounds weird but…in sociology, I learned a lot about observing behavior. I learned the meanings of non-verbal behavior, and I definitely use those non-verbal behavior cues in my books. When I want to “show” what my characters are thinking or feeling, I always fall back on my sociology studies.
TRC: What was the catalyst that sparked your desire to write?
Cynthia: I was the kid with the hyper active imagination. I was always dreaming up stories, and, for as long as I can remember, the only thing that I’ve really wanted to do was write.
TRC: Which genre do you prefer to write and why?
Cynthia:I prefer to write romances because the main goal of my writing is to entertain readers. To make them happy. I figure that real-life is depressing enough. We need the guarantee of a happy ending that comes from romance novels.
TRC: Have you ever considered writing a series of Young Adult storylines?
Cynthia: I’ll confess—I have! Years ago, one of the first novels that I seriously shopped around was a young adult novel. That book didn’t sell, but I still have the desire to break into the YA market. I’ve actually recently completed another YA story (the first one I did—seriously, like 18 years ago—was a YA horror). The recent one that I’ve written is a YA paranormal about a werewolf. I guess I just can’t get away from my shifters!
TRC: THE FALLEN is your latest series of books. What have been the challenges bringing this particular series to publication?
Cynthia: I’ve been really lucky with this series. When I presented the proposal to my editor, she loved the series. Kensington has been incredibly supportive of my Fallen books. The biggest challenge was doing the research, but, since I love visiting New Orleans (the main setting for these books), the research truly wasn’t a hardship.
TRC: Would you please tell us about the premise behind The Fallen? LINK TO: ANGEL OF DARKNESS (The Fallen #1)
Cynthia: When an angel falls from heaven, his (or her) wings burn in the fall. As the wings burn away, the angel also loses his inability to feel emotion. In a way, the wings were like armor, protecting the angel from all the dangerous emotions that humans feel. So my angels go through their entire existence, never knowing emotion…until they fall. Once an angel falls, he is hit with every emotion out there, and that sudden rush of emotions can be dangerously overwhelming.
In the Fallen books, I wanted to show how my powerful angels of death would deal with human emotions. I wanted to see if those emotions would drive them insane or if emotions could actually make them stronger beings.
TRC: ANGEL BETRAYED is your latest release (June 2012). Would you please tell us about the premise?
Cynthia: Thanks so much for asking about ANGEL BETRAYED! ANGEL BETRAYED focuses on a very dark angel, Sammael (Sam for short). Once upon a time, he was the leader of all the fallen angels, but Sam broke the rules. He killed, when it wasn’t his time to take souls. He fell from heaven as punishment, but, since that fall, Sam has been enacting his own brand of justice on humans and paranormals. Sam pretty much thinks that he is invincible…then he meets the heroine of the book, and everything changes for him.
TRC: ANGEL IN CHAINS will be released in November 2012. Would you please tell us about the premise?
Cynthia: ANGEL IN CHAINS is the story of Azrael (Az), an angel who makes an appearance in both ANGEL OF DARKNESS and ANGEL BETRAYED. Okay, let me be honest—SPOILER—Az doesn’t just make an appearance in those books. He’s a very bad angel in those books. Almost evil. (Almost?) ANGEL IN CHAINS is the book in which Az tries to seek his redemption, even as he falls in love with a mortal woman.
TRC: How many books do you have planned for The Fallen? If the series becomes extremely popular with the readers, will you consider extending the series?
Cynthia: I’ve written four books in this series. If readers should want more, I’d definitely be open to writing more. I’ve had a great time with my angels, and there are a few more stories in that world that I’d like to explore.
TRC: The BOUND stories are a series of short storylines. What was the factor or decision in writing a series of short stories instead of full-length novels?
Cynthia: The main factor was timing. I’d been wanting to write a series of fairytales with a paranormal twist (or, rather, with a vampire and werewolf twist), but due to contract deadlines, I knew I wouldn’t have time to make these stories into full-length novels. So, I decided to write them as novellas. I love writing novellas—writing these books actually relaxes me—so once I started writing them, I found myself addicted to the ideas. I didn’t want to stop!
TRC: Do you have plans for any of the characters and storylines to overlap within the BOUND series?
Cynthia: That is a great question. I wish I had a good answer for you! I’m actually not sure. I will say overlap could be a possibility, but I just don’t want to promise anything on that aspect yet.
TRC: Bound by the Night is the most recent release in the BOUNDS series. How many novellas do you have planned for the series?
Cynthia: I had originally planned to do four novellas for the series (focusing on my 4 favorite fairytales), but I am giving very strong consideration to writing a full-length Bound book.
TRC: Which do you find more difficult to write- short stories where the plot and conclusion must be reached within a short period of time –or- a full-length novel?
Cynthia: I think both are equally hard, it just depends on the story itself. There are some stories that flow so quickly that writing is like a dream. But then there are other stories that make me fight and claw for every single word.
TRC: Speaking of novellas-HOWL FOR IT-your anthology with author Shelly Laurenston will be released in September 2012. What is the premise behind WED or DEAD?
LINKS TO PRE-ORDER Howl for It:
The Book Depository
B&N Nook and Paperbook
Amazon Paperbook
Amazon Kindle
Cynthia: For WED OR DEAD, I wanted to do a Little Red Riding Hood story, with a twist. (Can you tell I like twists?) My Red is a hunter, and she has just married herself to the big, bad wolf (literally).
TRC: You and Shelly have been included in many anthologies together. Is this something that is planned with your publishers or are you friends and make the decision together?
Cynthia: The anthologies are a decision that Kensington makes. The editors group different authors together for different projects. (Though I will say that I think Shelly is an amazing lady!)
TRC: Many authors bounce ideas and information between each other, and family and friends. With whom do you bounce ideas?
Cynthia: I bounce ideas off my husband. When I do that, he mostly just nods at me. 😉
TRC: On what are you currently working?
Cynthia: I’m writing the third book in a phoenix shifter series for Kensington Brava (I turned in the other two books in this series earlier this year). My phoenix shifters are dark and dangerous, and they sure like to play with fire.
TRC: Would you like to add anything else?
Cynthia: I would just like to say thank you very much for the interview! It has been a pleasure!
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Dessert: Chocolate anything
Favorite TV Show: Castle
Favorite Movie: The Mummy
Last Movie you Saw: Brave
Dark or Milk Chocolate: Milk chocolate
Favorite Song: Take Me Out To The Ballgame 😉
TRC: Thank you Cynthia for taking the time to answer our questions. We are looking forward to all of your new releases this year. We wish you all the best.
NOTE: Do NOT click on the giveaway post below to enter the contest. It will only take you to the picture. Please post a comment-click replies-thank you
