For What It's Worth


Monday, November 15, 2010

Zoe Archer: Interview and Contest!


Rebel (The Blades of the Rose)



Zoe Archer is back at For What It's Worth to discuss Rebel - the third book in her Blades of the Rose series. In case you missed her the first time around, click HERE to read Zoe's guest post introducing her exciting, sexy new series!

This time we're discussing Rebel, playing favorites, food and sexy Hellraisers!

*The Blades of the Rose series has been released one book a month, starting with Warrior in September and concluding with Stranger’s upcoming release in December. As a reader I’m thrilled to have a series wrapped up in four consecutive months but as author what has it been like? A whirlwind of publicity? Stressful? Fun? All of the above?
Zoe: Definitely all of the above. I'm currently under contract, so I have to find time to promote whilst making my word count, which isn't the easiest thing to do. It's important, though, and I can't complain too much because, hey, four books in a row! It's what I like to think of as a good problem. Besides, I spent years at some pretty awful day jobs, doing work I hated. I can't mind putting in long hours for something I love.

*All of the books have a blend of genres; historical romance, paranormal, action adventure, but Rebel seems to have the most paranormal elements to it. Without giving too much away can you tell us a little bit about Rebel, it’s hero Nathan Lesperance and of course another tough, smart beauty – Astrid?
Zoe: The paranormal elements increase from each book, so that by the time we get to REBEL, and then STRANGER, there is a lot more magic. But at bottom, every Blades of the Rose book is a romantic adventure. REBEL is no different. This time, we journey to the rugged, beautiful and dangerous Canadian Rockies, a place full of myth and legend. Nathan Lesperance is an attorney in Victoria, but he's more than just a lawyer. Nathan was taken from his Native family as a child and raised in a government school. Instead of becoming a carpenter or taking up some other manual labor-based employment, he fought his way to become the only Native attorney in the area, and perhaps in all of Canada. He's a born fighter, and determined as hell to prove himself. So he takes a dangerous assignment that leads him into the wilderness, and that's where he meets Astrid Bramfield.
Astrid was once a Blade of the Rose, and she and her husband worked side-by-side to study and protect the world's magic. But her husband was killed in action--he actually died in her arms. Grief-stricken, Astrid turned her back on the Blades and has lived for years as a solitary frontierswoman in the Canadian wilderness. When she meets Nathan, the attraction between them is immediate. But for Astrid, the attraction is also unwanted. She's deeply wounded, fiercely solitary, and determined never to give her heart again. Unfortunately for Astrid, but fortunately for us, the fight for the world's magic won't let her continue in her solitary state forever.
What follows is a lot of action, adventure, danger, ancient legends, dastardly villains, and some super hot love scenes!

*My favorite thing about this series (besides the seriously sexy guys) are the female characters. All of the women come from different backgrounds, and different experiences but they are all intelligent, brave and complicated. Why was it so important to you to write your female leads this way?
Zoe: I am the first to admit I'm a card-carrying feminist. That means it is very important for me that I like and respect the heroines I write. Having watched adventure films and read adventure stories where the heroines are incompetent, shrill liabilities constantly in need of rescuing, I was determined to create heroines in adventures who not only carry their own weight, but can kick ass and do some rescuing of their own.
If there is an element of wish fulfillment in every book, then what I want for myself is not to be taken care of and saved by a big, strong man. Instead, I want to be his equal, just as strong, just as capable. And the perfect man sees this strength as something both admirable and desirable. Fortunately, that's exactly how my husband feels, and while I can't shoot a rifle or ride a horse, there are other ways I show my strength, and he appreciates that.

*Although the series follows the same theme – The Blades saving the world’s magic from evil forces, each book takes place in a different location with different main characters. Which was your favorite to write?
Zoe: I can't play favorites! The books will get jealous! But if I had to pick a favorite, I'd say it was a toss-up between SCOUNDREL and STRANGER. SCOUNDREL was just so fun because Bennett, the hero, is the embodiment of fun: witty, sexy, doesn't take himself seriously, determined to enjoy himself no matter what he's doing. Yet I also really enjoyed writing STRANGER because I adore the hero, the inventor genius Catullus Graves. I'm not sure if it's right for an author to fall in love with their own creation, but, honestly, I think Catullus is seriously crush-worthy. Shy inventor genius with a love of waistcoats and freckled women! Who could resist that?
Every Blades book is a book I loved writing. These were stories I had wanted to tell for years, and I was finally telling them. Some days were challenging, some books were challenging, but I never lost my excitement, every time I sat down at my computer.

*Authors often speak of the “writer’s cave” when they are nearing a deadline. It seems that there is a massive intake of caffeine & chocolate, very little showering and angry outbursts…..lol. Since both you and your husband are writers, how does that work in your household? Does it help that someone understands the process so you both have a person to bounce ideas off of?
Zoe: We both totally get the "Can't talk, writing!" stage, so we respect each others' space. He and I share an office, and it works out fine. He puts his headphones on and I listen to my music, and we just write. We're each others' critique partners, so we read and give notes on our respective work. He also helps me tremendously with the plotting phase (Team Plotter!), as well as fight choreography, weaponry, and technical matters. He has been writing for years, but has recently started writing sci-fi romance as Nico Rosso and will have a book out on November 22 from Liquid Silver Books (plug, plug). From me, he learned about the romance genre, and he's embraced it whole-heartedly.
Being married to my critique partner is wonderful. We respect each others' voices and goals, and help to make sure we make our work as strong as it can be. I'm very, very lucky.

Karen here: To continue the plug for Zoe's DH - Go HERE to find out more about Taken to the Limit by Nico Rosso - release date November 22nd by Liquid Silver Books. 

*Onto the important stuff!

*I follow you on Twitter (@Zoe_Archer) and you tweet about baking a lot. (Which I must say is kind of mean, since you’re talking about fresh baked donuts and I don’t even live close enough to stalk you.) The holidays are coming up – do you have anything special that you make every year? Can it be sent safely to Florida? Hint….hint.
Zoe: For Thanksgiving, I usually bake up a batch of pies. My step-father loves pumpkin pie, so I always bake that, but then I try and do something a little different for myself. I'm thinking this year of trying an espresso chocolate chunk pecan pie. It's not dessert unless there's chocolate. Also, I usually give baked gifts to my in-laws, so I spend about a month beforehand combing through my sizable cookbook collection to pick out something delicious. It might be chocolate-covered biscotti this year, but I'm not sure. Again with the chocolate. Detect a theme?
Tell you what, send me a ticket to Florida, and I'll make something fresh in your kitchen. Any requests?

Karen: I like your theme! Anything chocolate sounds good to me! Your ticket to FL is in the mail....

*You also seem to have a thing for boots. How many pairs do you own?
Zoe: Yipes! That's a good question. I have hiking boots and weather boots (yes, we have weather here in Los Angeles), but for fun boots, I think I have about five pairs. Not very many, really, but I always want more. If it comes to the knee and has buckles on it, I want it!

Karen: From the way you tweet about boots - I thought you would have a closet full of them! Five is not bad at all. In fact I may have more than you.

*I’m skipping waaay ahead but this series sounds so good that I have to ask – What is your Hellraisers trilogy about? (releasing in December of 2011) I hear there will be sexy dark brooding men and leather involved.
Zoe: Oooh, The Hellraisers! They are some bad, bad boys. The premise is this: A group of 18th century English rakes inadvertently free the Devil from his prison and literally raise hell. Each of them is given a special power: the ability to control luck, being able to see the future, reading minds, or the ability to persuade anyone to do anything. They are not the clean-cut do-gooders that the Blades are. In fact, in many ways, they are both the heroes and the villains of their stories. And, because it's a Zoe Archer book, the heroines are pretty kick-ass (and those that don't start out as kick-ass become so over the course of their respective stories). Naturally, the heroes will be sporting tall leather boots. That is also a requirement of any Zoe Archer book.
Thank you so much for having me here today! Readers, please leave a comment and you will be entered to win a signed copy of REBEL (US and Canada only).
 
 Karen: Thanks for stopping by Zoe! Because I'm a BIG fan of the Blade's series and it's the holidays I'm throwing in a copy of Warrior & Scoundrel into the prize pack!
 
Warrior (Blades of the Rose)
Scoundrel (The Blades of the Rose) 
 
 

CONTEST TIME!!

Win a signed copy of Rebel from Zoe Archer
&
Warrior & Scoundrel from me....

TO ENTER:
*Leave a comment
*You must be 16 or older to enter
*US and Canada only
*All entries must be received by Sunday 11/28/2010 11:59 pm EST
*Winner will be posted on this blog Monday 11/29/2010 -
it is your responsibility to check back to see if you won.
•The winner has 7 days to email me with their address or I will pick another winner.


Extra Entries:
+2 follow the blog
+2 Follow on Twitter - @teamsheltie
+2 If you're willing to put in a little effort:
 Go to my pal Lena's blog Addicted to Novels or her Twitter account at @Lena1xoxo and leave the phrase "Gobble Gobble" on any of her posts or on her twitter.
 LEAVE A LINK!

Visit Zoe: Zoe Archer
On Twitter: @Zoe_Archer

Buy the books!

30 comments:

  1. Great interview! I really like hearing out how her and her husband help each other, it sounds so blissful!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the interview!

    Katie
    bigferret at email dot com

    +6 as I am a follower of the blog (bigferret) and on twitter (thebigferret) and I have gobbled Lena - http://addicted2novels.blogspot.com/2010/11/in-my-mailbox_14.html?showComment=1289831797458_AIe9_BFKQvaZnbb-ejqRrLa1aNfZm1IDonAV4js0aGegsLvX0CahY9EB3-FzL2wzKXqbc3mED9zqa3pO7VpZQlnGLTsQGG6bSqNTQrV3l_47J9ekdR73SRpu6dKr3UZdZKxmtnbDthv0SpFi9JEWhyUy1tubJjCBzcClVad01zyBBzfiR81nOZ-HvZGmjUx2bOZC4quiw3heQiiy2xy5ZXghMTQMcLpNg2Fy9AvuqfRRBV9IXq9jme84KBCppDGYdb_19Y2AEhU1JhQ3fllnBJSDpbnjhTc6JyYniIGG0F3Pju5cC5Gczc3g1KOZCfyWfCRGGwpCI4hmdrR9E6Xr4ZqO5DZBADThuGPppW5tb7JcuP6qS1slfCpPG6fDfEkejbcmtnkBSo-AWduukzhVvuQx5MwzyzYdbQ#c410833432450644564

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have to say that I'm alway entertaine by Zoe's tweets. She's always willing to interact and have fun with the crowd. Also, these are all on my Christmas list for hubby. Have to make it easy on him.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm so looking forward to the Hellraisers, although they sound sort of stinky, lol.

    +6 for me - follow on Twitter (bjswalker), here (B. Walker) and posted at Addicted to Novels in the Sunday, Nov. 14th post w/my Blogger acct. (B.): http://tinyurl.com/34fo2bz

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fabulous interview Karen, you asked really great questions and I loved her answers. I especially loved what she said about her heroines and it being important that she respect the women she writes, I'm not a fan of the incompetent heroines either. Thanks so much for the giveaway too!

    I'm a long time follower +2
    I follow you on Twitter +2

    supernaturalsnark@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I enjoyed the interview with Zoe, and from her tweets about boots, I too thought she'd have a closet full. Admirable restraint Zoe!

    Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com
    +2 GFC blog follower

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great interview.Zoe is a new author to me.I went back and read her guest post..it sounds like a great series.

    +2 follow the blog
    +2 Follow on Twitter-@elaing8

    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  8. All of the 'Blades of the Rose' tour stops have been very cool & interesting. I've had my eye on this series ever since my favorite bloggers have raved about this great adventurous series.

    +2 Blog Follower (via GFC & Blogger)
    +2 Twitter follower (@scorpio1m)

    jenma76 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great interview!! I would love to read these books, thanks for the giveaway

    +2 GFC follower

    myra0502@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sounds like an awesome series. Can't wait to read from the first book. These are added to my TBR list.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am definitely looking forward to reading this series and can't wait for your Hellraisers trilogy (especially after reading about the special powers thing - that will be really interesting!).

    +2 Blog follower
    +2 Twitter follower
    +2 Gobbled Lena - http://addicted2novels.blogspot.com/2010/10/blogoversary-giveaway.html?showComment=1289877447474_AIe9_BG_bCo11NbNPy1UlOAqpirwjhxJCS2QZdMKlVJPffeNpG2cxNYcwbgL3RX8w9ksg2HpYs_yB3zifQ59P0vyCsQwGfPNYc6hZNTW9VS9FDAViQJwZlBMsDOuMpG_g1OP0zhE1UE75chx-lgh64amqKrskL9dyruVL-WH4uXBKIme_0p7L7tdETVyCTWOgMNnQ1O_4lsgIm0nRTwrQyLDe3rlG3FAkg2lN_Qqf6Ymg3Qu2hj9xzR_uGcX3XihqFmnnd4xG8X_y1aTf37cp0pBsrb3EGRgGqAR5R1QdpsfNZ3PGfJlS-1HbP5rqfurB89KYnlz2BK7gZFbUZUqh9NrAA3llK6zraYSqOHfqJePYv2t0JVATWOa_aKJXTgxNmGTwtZchmPhfOTPUMmCgv_p8kvtV6jgDvAyrw05bO-suv1B8JwhSDY#c6954270691944516245

    Total: 6

    abbydillon16@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love that Zoe sets her books in far-off places that are not normally used as settings for PNR. I just read her prequel to this series in Half Past Dead, and was very impressed, so I'd love to win these.
    +2 GFC follower
    jen(at)delux(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is a new series for me and I would love to win this...thanks for the chance!

    +2 Blog follower

    ReplyDelete
  14. This was an excellent interview. Can't wait to read all of The Blades of the Rose and very much looking forward to The Hellraisers, too. I'm also surprised Zoe only has five pairs of boots as often as she talks about them, but I'm still jealous of her five pairs. I've only got the two, and one pair is only a little above the ankle. More boots, especially tall ones, would not go amiss.

    +2 follow the blog
    +2 Twitter follower
    +2 Gobble Gobble: http://addicted2novels.blogspot.com/2010/10/blogoversary-giveaway.html?showComment=1289929807380_AIe9_BEBcTwPMshZOiJc1zJjKzxGrk7H5aI06IVme9ftTKfdOvdGgUTDZagWasFDu3SmQZyNVnm-08J2pp1LPoHg5rBKMkjo6lLPDb7FnUat4uxVnqJiuQgqPecI7rqP0ST8R2vJXfh9OAON6jJmdZUQQWxGy8qwwh15XFa9VbJo--lnftI6HQPT3YavcKTLPmFMjnZEGdCmJr3T0cNKv_twT5KGBtKs4Q8kpA56Qa5URcbhA6dIgFMAuscQH5hncEJBDwBYlozgO3wbU_r_DehJgq5_oCYEYKPtCtmcZh6r9ckWgxA8BqfyQbNIjGUUpKifU3Lh6FSF2vklfo5s6jlZhMkJoHUiMxclPTWl1GKi-YobYvoUbXVlNwpEx9WH6WQ8LlSoUh8A-ycTOZfOk-jhkY3ywZ__yJrOyhNzOnjrcNzfgNxhGcU#c7155631219426497047

    ntelhiard@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I've been really wanting to try her books!! thanks so much for the contest!!

    +2 gfc follower
    +2 twitter follower
    +2 posted on this post: http://addicted2novels.blogspot.com/2010/11/teaser-tuesday-wither.html

    Thank you!!

    inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great interview! I've been wanting to read these books, because they sound exciting.
    +2 GFC follower
    +2 twitter follower @mbreakfield
    +2 posted gobble gobble here http://addicted2novels.blogspot.com/2010/11/waiting-on-wednesday_17.html
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Fantastic interview and giveaway! YAY!

    +2 GFC follower
    +2 Twitter follower
    +2 I Gobbled on twitter:D
    http://twitter.com/#!/Daymstephens

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nice post! I'd love a chance to win her book, sounds really good. I really liked the sound of the Hellraisers trilogy though. Such a long wait...sigh. Thanks for the contest!
    +2 follow your blog as Tanyaw1224
    +2 Follow you on twitter as @Tanya1224
    Tanyaw1224(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. please sign me up for the giveaway!
    +2 follower

    thanks!
    ninefly(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you for the giveaway!

    +2 Old Follower
    +2 Follower on Twitter (@jmspettoli)
    +2 Gobbled: http://twitter.com/jmspettoli/status/7550853531570176

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
    wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I follow your blog publicly through Google Friend Connect.
    #1
    wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I follow your blog publicly through Google Friend Connect.
    #2
    wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I follow you on Twitter - @lemonslippers
    #1
    wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I follow you on Twitter - @lemonslippers
    #2
    wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Great interview. The books sound great. Thanks for the amazing contest!! I'm a +2 twitter (@chickenherder) and +2 gfc follower.
    chickenherder@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Just started Warrior and was planning to pick up the other books.
    Followed this blog, your twitter (@ barbekresla), and gobbled @ Lena.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Great interview you two.. I so want these books. They sound like a perfect mix of genres.. They are on my wish list no matter what. So are the Hellraisers, what a long wait for those.. lol
    Completely agree w/ the chocolate ingredient. I usually do different versions of pudding pies. It's amazing what combinations you can do with those.
    I bet Zoƫ has more boots than that, bet she has more boot sites favorited than that. :)
    Crossing my fingers for these.. good luck everyone. Thank you 2 very much for the chance to win the blade books.
    +2 follow the blog
    +2 follow both of you on twitter
    +2 tweeted Lena ..
    http://twitter.com/#!/iokijo/status/9066525910638592

    ReplyDelete