* Jacquelyn Frank: Author Override | UTC Reviews
* Skye Warren: Author Override
* Narrator Lorelei King: Interview
* Stephanie Tyler: Interview
* Carolyn Crane: Author Override | UTC Review
* J.T. Geissinger: Interview | UTC Review
* Men and Women of the Military Giveaway Hop
* Keri Arthur: Interview | UTC Reviews

Monday 21 November 2011

Interview and Giveaway with Vivi Andrews


Sexy shifters, paranormal investigators and good amount of humor.  Maidens, come meet Vivi Andrews!  We recently had the chance of chatting with her about her books and we are very excited to have her here with us today.  So let's welcome her to UTC After Dark!

Sexy shifters mixed in with just a dose of the "cowboy" world. What made you combine these two?

It started when I was looking for areas in the US where I could plausibly hide a shape-shifting lion pride. The open spaces and mind-your-own-business cowboy culture seemed like a perfect fit. Giving my lions a ranch to play with was a surprisingly natural choice. And an alpha lion in a cowboy hat? How could I resist?

In Serengeti Sunrise you introduced a group of people kidnapping and testing weres, The Organization. How will this change the storylines in future books, as it seems it can broaden the possibilities for conflict?

In the original Serengeti stories, we never strayed far from the pride. The stories were more tightly focused on the inner workings of the shifter culture, but with the introduction of the Organization, I have an excuse to broaden the focus of the books and play with larger plotlines that can impact the entire shifter-human world. The next books I have planned for this world will be longer (novels rather than novellas) and feature additional shifter species as well as the ongoing debate about whether the paranormal creatures should “come out” to human society.

Serengeti Shifters has some sexy alphas. Who would you say is your favorite one?

I have to pick a favorite? I could punk out and say I love them all equally – Landon as a leader, Caleb for his strength & Michael for his passion – but the truth is Tyler’s my favorite. Nothing sexier than a man who will do anything to take care of his family.

If the Serengeti Shifters could form an alliance with a pack from another series, which one will they choose?

Oh wow, that is an amazing question. I would say Nalini Singh’s changelings – specifically Lucas’s panthers – but they have way too many enemies I’m not sure I want to tangle with. I’ll go with Vivian Arend’s Granite Lakes Wolves because those boys up north know how to party. We could organize an exchange program.

What made you write about cat shifters rather than wolf?

I love a wolf as much as the next girl, but to me it’s the difference between hot and cool. Cats have always felt like heat and passion to me, while wolves are more cool and calculating. Both are dangerous and exciting, but I wanted to play with that warmth and the reckless side of instinct. And, growing up in a place where we have wolves, the big cats felt more exotic to me.

What can you tell us about your Karmic Consultants series?

The Karmic Consultants are a group of paranormal problem solvers – mediums, exorcists, and psychics of various types – who have a tendency to get into various mishaps… and fall in love in the process. The stories are lighter and more playful than the shapeshifter series – just pure paranormal fun.

Do you have a writing process? Do you have to listen to music, have complete silence, write only on a full moon?

Well, after I light homemade candles and dance naked by the light of the Aurora Borealis… No, nothing elaborate. ;) I can pretty much work anywhere I have my laptop. Silence/background noise, day/night, private/public – it makes no difference. My only Achilles heel is loud music with lyrics. If I start singing along, the words end up sneaking through my fingers into the book, so I try to avoid catchy tunes.

Fun questions! You just found out that the paranormal world is real! What would be your first reaction?

First priority: Find a big badass paranormal dude to protect me from all the paranormal baddies. And buy stock in a company that makes silver bullets. ;)

If you were a shifter, what would you like to shift into?

See, this is why I like writing, because I don’t have to pick just one. I get to explore being a lion today and a hawk tomorrow. But considering my love of the water, if I had to commit to one form to shift into, I think I would pick an otter.

Tell us the first thing that comes to mind:
* Shifter –
All instinct all the time
* Vampire – Anemia (I have a little problem with blood loss…)
* Tattoos – Lick-able (Have I mentioned I love ink?)

Stalk her:
* Blog
* Twitter
* Facebook
* GoodReads

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Vivi is giving away an ebook copy of her hot off the press, brand new post-apocalyptic release, Reawakening Eden.  Open internationally.

  Reawakening Eden
When life is a struggle, love is the ultimate luxury.

Librarian Eden Fairfax knows exactly where to find books about survival. None of them mentioned how to manage in the aftermath of a worldwide epidemic—with two young orphans in tow.
On a journey south to warmer climes, she finds sanctuary for all three of them among a community of survivors in Seattle. Until she realizes the children are the centerpiece of their bizarre new religion. There’s no choice but to run as far and as fast as her stolen car will go.

Former Army Ranger Connor Reed had planned to live out the end of the world in peace. Yet he can’t stand by and do nothing while a lone woman defends two children from an armed thug. Even if doing something means taking the trio in.
Eden’s not sure if the armed hermit is her salvation or an even more dangerous threat. A blizzard forces her to trust him with their lives, and in Connor’s arms she remembers what it’s like to live.
Just beyond the edge of the storm, though, the cult leader awaits his chance to get his hands on the children—and make Eden his next sexual sacrifice.
Warning:This book contains a strong, silent action-hero, a tough, tenacious heroine, a pair of steal-your-heart kids, and a pony-sized dog named Precious.

To enter all you have to do is:
1. Be a follower of this blog
2. Fill out the form below

15 comments:

Sariah said...

I really like the sounds of this book. I haven't read any books that talk about kids in tow. I will be putting this on my wishlist. Thanks for the chance.

sariahwalters at gmail dot com

Irene Jackson said...

Sounds good to me! Liked the storyline very much should be an interesting read.
irgl7(at)bonzo15(dot)plus(dot)com

Timitra said...

This book sounds really, really good!!!

Unknown said...

Cool, a new Vivi Andrews book. I have all the Serengeti Shifters & Karmic Consultants books, love them. Will Reawakening Eden be a stand alone, or do you think you'll spin it into another series?

drainbamaged.gyzmo at gmail.com

felinewyvern said...

I love these kinds of books and look forward to reading this one when funds allow :D

Leeann Barker said...

Sounds great! I'll read her books!

Sophia Rose said...

What a fun interview! Enjoyed the explanation of lions vs. wolves.

Glad for the giveaway opportunity for your post-apocalyptic style story. Those quiet 'leave me alone type' heroes sure make for some good humorous moments when you toss in kids and a large dog. Sounds good!

Anonymous said...

Great interview, the book sounds awesome, will be added to my wishlist.

Vivi Andrews said...

My thanks to Under the Covers for having me round to visit!

Kathryn - I don't have immediate plans to turn this one into a series, but I never say never. Sometimes the perfect sequel pops out of nowhere. (And it helps that my editor loves post apocs.)

Anonymous said...

Hello Vivi,
Thank you for spending time with your Fans & for the Great Interview. I really enjoyed the "Serengeti Shifters Series" & "Reawakening Eden" sounds like another excellent read. Thank you for the opportunity to enter your giveaway.
Take Care & Happy Writing,
Renee'
paranormalromancefan@yahoo.com

erin said...

Thanks for the great post and giveaway! I've just acquired the first couple of the Shifters series and I can't wait to start them! :) I hadn't heard of this book but I'm going right over to Amazon to add it to my wishlist!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Barbara said...

Great interview and giveaway! Thanks for introducing me to a new author and series....she had me at: Sexy shifters mixed in with just a dose of the "cowboy" world. And lion shifters to boot (get it...to boot), ya know I gotta check it out!

barbbattaglia@yahoo.com

Tala said...

Great interview. Added the book to my to be read list.

Vanessa N. said...

I've only read a couple post apocalytic stories so far and this one sounds cool. Adding it to my TBR pile. Thanks for the chance.
mythic021@gmail.com

lindseye said...

Do not want to see the end of the world only want to read about it.