Tag Archives: Jessica McClain

Amanda Carlson-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

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Amanda Carlson-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

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Amanda Carlson WEBSITE
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With the release in latest in the Jessica McLain series-FULL BLOODED we would like to introduce the author AMANDA CARLSON

 

TRC: Hi Amanda and welcome to The Reading Café. It is a pleasure meeting new authors.

Amanda: Thanks for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.

TRC: Please tell us something about yourself?

Amanda: Sure. My name is Amanda Carlson and I’m married to a great guy and we have three awesome kids. I was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. It’s cold, but despite the nasty winters, it’s a great place to raise your family. The kids do lots of winter activities, so that makes it more enjoyable.

TRC: Your bio states you started writing after your second child was born-sending email to family and friends about the daily lives of your children. What or who inspired you to write your first novel?

Amanda:After I began writing stories about the kids, I decided to try my hand at fiction. I began taking classes at a literary center nearby and joined my local writing chapter. It’s been a long journey for me to get here and I wouldn’t change it for anything. It’s made me the writer I am today.

TRC: Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?

Amanda: LOL, what’s not challenging! It’s all challenging, but also tons of fun. Writing is the hardest job I’ve ever done. Piecing together a story, getting the voices right, making sure it’s balanced and the pacing it perfect is so much work, but so rewarding when it’s all done. It’s the best job in the world, but one of the most stressful.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas between friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Amanda: n the beginning it was my beta readers exclusively. My husband was the natural choice, but urban fantasy with a female lead is not his genre of choice. Now, I chat with my agent and other authors, as well as my betas. I’m happy to say my husband, after years of training, has become a wonderful editor. He is currently reading my third book a few chapters at a time and we’re having fantastic dinner conversations about the books. How should this guy die? What creepy monster is next?

TRC: BLOODED is the introductory novella in your new Jessica McClain series. Please tell us something about the premise?

LINKS TO ORDER:
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook
KOBO

Amanda: BLOODED starts seven years before FULL BLOODED. Jessica is fighting for her freedom off the Compound she grew up on. It showcases her plight and gives additional character depth. It’s not essential to the novel, but most readers think it’s been great to start with the novella, because it gives a greater glimpse into her life and her motivation.

TRC: Did you base the lead heroine of Jessica McClain on anyone in particular or is she a culmination of several people or ideas?

Amanda: None of my characters are based on anyone in particular. They usually come fully formed with names and personalities into my brain at full speed. I love that.

TRC: BLOODED is a novella and introduces several characters and the premise of the series, yet it does not overwhelm the reader. Did you find it difficult to write a short story as your introduction to the series?

Amanda: Not at all. I sold the series before I wrote BLOODED. We all decided it would be a great idea to showcase Jessica and my voice before my debut. I wanted to pick a pinnacle point in her life so the reader understood her motivations in the novel. There was nothing more pinnacle than her fight for her freedom, thus the story evolved. I really wanted it to be just a snippet—not long drawn out back story. I think it worked well!

TRC: FULL BLOODED is the first full-length novel in the Jessica McClain series. What is the premise behind Full Blooded?

LINKS TO ORDER
Amazon Paper Books
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook and Paper Books
The Book Depository

Amanda: The novel starts out with a wicked wake-up call and Jessica’s life changes in an instant. The entire novel showcases her growth and the community reacting to the first female werewolf on the planet. It’s meant to be a fast-paced action adventure full of snark and some heart. I’m not writing any dark fantasy. Jessica is surrounded by family and friends, who all have a certain place in her world.



TRC: HOT BLOODED is the next instalment in the series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Amanda: In HOT BLOODED, Jessica is on the journey of her life. She has to find her man, fight her foe and figure who and what she is. It’s non-stop action and full of mythological baddies. It was a blast to write.

LINKS TO PRE-ORDER:
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Paper Books
The Book Depository


TRC: What challenges have you faced with publishing your first novel and series?

Amanda: Most of my challenges have been very minor, and for that I feel lucky. I was out on submission for three months. It was nerve wracking, but I was working on projects so it wasn’t so bad. I think the biggest surprise for me was that deadlines came on top of deadlines. This may be a no-brainer for many, but I like to “plan” for a set schedule in my head, but that doesn’t happen very often in this business!

TRC: How many books have you planned for the series?

Amanda: I have at least five in my head, but I’ll write as many as they’ll contract me for.

TRC: Do you believe you have a specific writing style?

Amanda: I’m beginning to figure it out, but it keeps morphing and changing. I’m a pantser, meaning I fly by the seat of my pants. I write better in the morning than in the evening. Other than that, I’m still figuring it out.

TRC: What are your currently writing?

Amanda: COLD BLOODED, book three in the series.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: A cheeseburger from 112 Eatery in Minneapolis. It has melted brie and it’s on an English muffin.

Favorite Desert: Tres Leche Cake

Favorite TV Show: Battlestar Gallactica

Favorite Movie: The Princess Bride

Favorite Song: Can’t You See by the Marshall Tucker Band

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Milk chocolate

TRC: Thank you Amanda for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you all the best.

Amanda: Thanks so much for hosting me for my debut! It was great to stop by and chat. If anyone reading decides to give the series at try, I hope you enjoy it!

Amanda Carlson is offering a Kindle copy of her e-novella BLOODED to two (2) lucky members at The Reading Cafe. BLOODED is the introductory novella to her Jessica McClain series.

1.  You must be a registered member at The Reading Cafe to qualify.  If you are not a member, please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in, please add your email address to your comment as Twitter etc does not allow for an email address.

3.  Please answer one of the LIGHTNING ROUND questions.

4.  Giveaway open to US and Canada only.

5.  Giveaway runs from September 14-17, 2012 

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FULL BLOODED (Jessica McClain #1) by Amanda Carlson-a review

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FULL BLOODED (Jessica McClain #1) by Amanda Carlson-a review

FULL BLOODED (Jessica McClain #1) by Amanda Carlson

FULL BLOODED is the first novel (September 2012 release) in Amanda Carlson’s new Jessica McClain series focusing on the life of the only female werewolf in existence. There is a pre-quel novella BLOODED (released April 2012) introducing Jessica and her pack and the stories surrounding the Cain Myth-foretelling that a female werewolf would be born as the ‘daughter of evil’. Only Jessica McClain was born to be so much more.

On her own for the past 7 years, Jessica has kept under the radar working as a PI since leaving the pack for her own protection.  With only her family and a couple friends aware of her location, Jessica will find she is all alone when her inner-wolf decides it is time to come out and the ramifications will be sensed and felt within the supernatural world, letting the ‘others’ know that she truly exists. Now she is the ultimate prize in a war between the sects.

Jessica’s existence is an anomaly.  No females were ever conceived let alone should exist, but the prophecy had foretold of a female to be born with powers that were to be feared.  The history and lore of the ‘were’ would reveal a story of a werewolf with powers so similar to Jessica’s, that even many of her own pack mates feared her presence. And now, an ancient warrior, a were of a different species, had found Jessica and their connection would throw both of them into a world of chaos and need.

Running from her own kind was only the start of Jessica’s troubles. Multiple packs with tentative treaties will declare war against each other for the right to possess and destroy the Alpha’s only daughter. Vampires, witches and a sorceress converge in a battle that will see the wolves turn against one another, a sorceress spurned, a horde of vampires following the demands of their Queen and a wolf’s mate revealed to the pack.

Full Blooded is told from the heroine’s POV, and the continuous internal battle with her wolf is both comedic and intriguing.  Amanda Carlson takes the reader into the mind of a shape-shifter as she discovers the little nuances that both separate and bind them together.  A father’s love for his only daughter and a brother’s love for his twin will ensure that Jessica is protected at all times, but sometimes love is not enough when there are more powerful players in the game. FULL BLOODED is a fantastic novel by a talented first time author.  If you are a fan of Kelley Armstrong or Patricia Briggs, you will recognize the familiar.

LINKS TO ORDER
Amazon Paper Books
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook and Paper Books
The Book Depository

Reviewed by Sandy

Copy supplied by the author.

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BLOODED (Jessica McClain series) by Amanda Carlson-a new release review

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BLOODED (Jessica McClain series) by Amanda Carlson-a review

BLOODED -Jessica McClain series (a novella) by Amanda Carlson

BLOODED is the introductory storyline (April 2012 new release) to Amanda Carlson’s new Jessica McClain series. As the human-born daughter of werewolf alpha Callum McClain, Jessica has been the target of jaunts and threats since the day she was born. Werewolves never sired females, but Jessica was an anomaly. Now that every member of the pack knows she will never be able to shift, the Cain Myth is coming true. Foretold that the a female would be born as the ‘daughter of evil’, a ‘witch’, Jessica’s days are numbered. Believing the daughter of evil will bring an end to the wolves, the pack members have targeted Jessica for destruction.

Hoping to prove herself capable, Jessica challenges alpha-male Mitch to a fight. Although her father has been the alpha of the pack for over 500 years, Jessica knows that even his laws will not prevent her possible death. But her fight with Mitch only results in pissing off the other wolves. Surviving against the odds, Jessica has now put herself into a position as an even bigger target. But when Mitch’s friend Sean seeks to end her life, using more than just his abilities as a wolf, Jessica realizes it may be too late to save herself. This fight may be her last.

BLOODED is a great introductory story for Amanda Carlson. She packs plenty of information into a short story without overwhelming and burying the premise. A wonderful story with a kick-ass heroine who knows what it is like to be different. In a world shifters, a mere human is always a threat. I am looking forward to reading FULL BLOODED later this year.

LINKS:
AMAZON Kindle: BLOODED by Amanda Carlson
B & N NOOK-BLOODED by Amanda Carlson
KOBO-BLOODED by Amanda Carlson

Reviewed by Sandy

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