Chloe: Hi, everyone! *Waves* Thanks for having us!
Being such a successful writer and managing to still work a regular job must be very difficult. How do you manage to balance it all?!
Chloe: Thank you very much! It's definitely a challenge, but it helps that I love both jobs. It's a lot easier to make yourself get up and go to work in the morning when you like the place you have to go. Ditto for writing, which is a lot of fun when Merit is involved.
Cliffhangers... What is about them that you love to keep your fans on edge waiting for the next book?
Chloe: Personally, and although I know lots of fans feel differently, I don't feel like I use cliffhangers. But I do try to set up the next book at the end of the previous book so that fans have a sense of what's coming down the line. I like to remind them that the Chicagoland Vampires and Dark Elite books are series, and that there will be more adventures to come.
Merit maybe the major character we follow in this series. But there's a ton of other stuff that occurs outside of her. There are political and familial plots as well. How do you keep track of it all?
Chloe: Sometimes, not very well. :) But I have a great editor and two very good continuity editors who help me keep things straight.
How would you say Merit has evolved from SOME GIRLS BITE? What have been her major hurdles?
Chloe: Merit is generally a very timid person--content to take the back seat and not be in the spotlight. I think she's become a lot braver as the books have gone along.
I love that Merit has her best friend, Mallory to lean on. It's nice to see a relationship in books that are not always romantic. How is it writing about them?
Chloe: Thanks! Like any friendship, they definitely have their ups and downs, as DRINK DEEP shows. I really hope to see them in a more solid place in the future, if Merit can get Mallory squared away.
A new species is introduced in DRINK DEEP. What was the most fun thing to write about them?
Chloe: I LOVE introducing new species, as it's a fun chance to think about the other beings that populate Chicago and how they draw on mythology and fairy tales.
Have you had the ending of Chicagoland Vampires planned out since you began writing, or do you write with plans for just one book at a time?
Chloe: I have a general sense of where I want the series to go, but the individual mysteries are plotted out with each distinct book.
Merit, your best friend, Mallory, is dating one my favorite mages. Give us some dirty details about Catcher Bell! Do you think she'll let me borrow him for a night? *waggles eyebrows* For a magic lesson of course!
Merit: Thanks! I think she would punch you for suggesting it. *Grins* She doesn't like other girls touching her things. As for the dirty details, I've seen him naked, but really tried not to look. He is Catcher, after all.
Which other heroine would you like to have the opportunity to meet and be friends with?
Merit: Maybe Eve Dallas from J.D. Robb's IN DEATH series. She's pretty kick ass. And Roarke is hot!
If you were having a night in with a nice warm glass of blood and some popcorn to throw at the TV, what 2 films would you watch?
Merit: Kill Bill and Pride & Prejudice (the A&E version).
Battle of the sexes! In a match between Jonah and yourself, who would win?
Merit: Hmm. I don't really know that one yet. I'm definitely getting some skills, but I'm not sure yet how he would measure up.
What does Catcher think of Lifetime remaking Steel Magnolia?
Merit: Oh, my god, they are? Maybe that explains all the weird stuff going on in Chicago lately. Magical spillover from his attitude issues or something. ;)
Now that you've had some time as a vampire, if you could turn back time and avoid becoming one, would you?
Merit: *Thinking* Life would be easier in some ways, but a lot less rich. So no, I wouldn't. Thanks for having us today!
Thank you so much for stopping by ladies and participating in UTC After Dark.
Ms Neill is graciously giving away a copy of Drink Deep and The Dark Elite. Drink Deep is her latest release in the Chicagoland Vampires series, read our review here. The Dark Elite actually has Firespell and Hexbound from her YA series. Yes you get both! Open internationally.
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Great interview with Chloe and Merit! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletee.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Loved the interview!
ReplyDeleteHi! Nice interview! I love to read about new species : I really enjoy myths and fairies too! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletegreat interiew and thanks you for this international giveaway
ReplyDeleteLove the interview! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteDeb T
mammy3114 AT yahoo DOT com
This is a great interview. I always feel like I have a better insight into the characters in an author's arsenal after I've had a chance to know a little more about the author as a person.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the giveaway!
Aw, so she wasn't teasing people- just setting up the next good read. Love getting the author's thoughts on their books and characters.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the posting and giveaway opportunity.
Thanks for the great post! I love reading these type of interviews, as you get great tidbits and "insider" info :)
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate enough to be able to attend a signing and I got all the Merit Books and I can't wait to start reading!
Thanks again and Happy Holidays!
Great interview. Chloe is a new author for me and always looking for new books and authors to check out. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
ReplyDeletechristinebails@yahoo.com
Nice interview.... But really...maybe a bit more about Catcher in the Raw.... LOL
ReplyDeleteDid I miss something??? I love UTC After Dark...you'll be missed.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chloe and Merit for the interview...
I love me some Ethan and Merit!!!
Awesome giveaway!!
Cindy
ctrim at wi dot rr dot com
Thanks for the great interview and giveaway. I'm sorry that After Dark is going away.
ReplyDeleteI havent read the series yet, but is on my TBR mountain. ;-)
~Poison
pickedbypoison@gmail.com
Awesome interview.
ReplyDeleteI think Merit has been doing a pretty good job dealing with all the stuff that has been dumped on her since she became a vampire. Can't wait to see what supernatural crisis she gets involved in next.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Stellar giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the fun interview today and for the awesomely generous giveaway opportunity :)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. Thanks so much for the giveaway. I just finished reading Hard Bitten this afternoon and, boy, did I blart like a baby. I'm not even sure I'm talking to Chloe Neill right now.
ReplyDeleteAwesome interview! I really enjoy hearing from the authors and learning their perspectives of life and writing. TY for the giveaway chance!
ReplyDeleteDeAnna @SacredmOOn1
sacredmoon1(at)gmail(dot)com
I love this series so thank you so much for the interview! I really enjoy reading it :)
ReplyDeleteLoved the interview! It was nice to hear how being a writer is all about the balance. I'm a fan of series books,but love when the end of each book is as Chloe said, not a cliffhanger but a hint at what is coming next. Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview and giveaway! Thanks for introducing me to a new author/series! I guess all good things must come to an end...sorry to see it go....But it was sure FUN while it lasted!!! :)
ReplyDeletebarbbattaglia@yahoo.com
Thanks for this awesome interview and the bonus giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAnya
This was a great interview! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview!
ReplyDeleteI've so been looking forward to checking her books out and haven't had a chance yet. Thanks for the interview!
ReplyDeleteI've heard so many great things about these books and can't wait to try them!
ReplyDeletelove these books! eagerly awaiting the next book to arrive at the library!
ReplyDeletealainala @ hotmail dot ca
Realy enjoyed the interview.Thank you for the chance to win two of my most wanted books
ReplyDeleteflanagan@mebtel.net
Great interview! When I read the first Chicago Vampires book - I was hooked, and it became a must buy! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great interview and giveaway. I love the cover on The Dark Elite.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! Awesome contest too!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome interview! Any time I'm asked to pick my favorite bad ass heroine, it's always Merit!! I love her! Thanks so much for the great interview and giveaway!!
ReplyDeletejwitt33 at live dot com
cool interview!:)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview and both books sounds cool. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletemythic021@gmail.com
I still need to finish these books. Love this world.
ReplyDeleteAwesome interview with Chloe and Merit..thats for the fantastic giveaway!!
ReplyDeletevanesmatethebookaholic@yahoo.com
Awesome! The interview was great.
ReplyDelete