Interview and Giveaway with Anya Bast

Anya Bast

Maidens, we are very excited to have with us today the talented Anya Bast.  Her paranormal worlds are a bit dark and sexy and she's recently released the first book in a new series called Embrace of the Damned. 

Welcome to UTC, thank you so much for stopping by today!

Hi! Thanks for having me. :-)
Congratulations on your release of Embrace the Damned. I have to say that I love the concept of Hell being cold instead of hot and bloodsuckers breaking into shards of glass when they are killed. How did you come up with such a new idea?
That idea came from my research into Nordic myth and legend. In Nordic myth, Hel is a both a goddess and a realm. Hel (the being) rules there and it’s very cold. So, basically, I just pulled it from a legend.

Well, actually, the bloodsuckers that burst into ice are mine. I twisted in that part on my own. ;) In my story, Hel can reach down, take a ball of snow, create a demon (vampire) and send it to earth. She’s building an army that way.

Where did the idea of the Brotherhood of the Damned series come from?
I wanted to do something with Nordic myth, since it’s an interest of mine. I began researching it and the world evolved from there. I’ve wanted to do something with a Viking theme for a while and this series is my big chance.

How many books do you have planned in the Brotherhood of the Damned series?
I hope to write at least three in the series, but it depends on how much people enjoy it. If it’s well received, I’ll write as many as people want to read.

You recently released the fourth book in your Dark Magick series about a water fae. Will there be any more books in that series? What's next? And by the way those are great covers! 
That series is finished for now, but I may pick it up again in the future. I set it up for a spin-off series. I don’t have any plans for it as the moment, but I really loved that world and there may come a time in the future I might want to play a bit more in it.

Can you give us one tidbit about your upcoming books that most readers wouldn't know? 

I’m writing an urban fantasy that’s tentatively titled Smoke and Bone. The heroine is a half angel (Nephilim) and she’s up against some serious evil. Luckily, she has an immortal Druid and a badass biker who has escaped from hell on her side. This is my WIP (work-in-progress) at the moment and I’m really excited about it.

What has been the hardest book to write for you so far?
They’re all hard in some respect or another, but, overall, Jeweled was probably the hardest book for me to write to date. I can’t really pinpoint a specific reason, but I fought with the characters of that book for the longest time, trying to figure what I was doing wrong, why the story felt forced. It took me much longer than usual to finish that book and I did a fair amount of rewriting. I really think I nailed it in the end, however, and I’m really proud of the work I did.

Are any of your heroines like you in some way?
Most of my heroines start out weak and become strong through the course of the story. In that way they’re a bit like me. I started weak in my life and over the course of my life have become strong.

What are some things that you find influence your writing? 

The research I do influences my writing most. I take a legend or a myth and re-imagine it for contemporary times. I twist it to build my world and create my characters. Also, everyday life influences it. I write paranormal romance, but that doesn’t mean I don’t use every day non-paranormal events and behavior I observe.

You write in a lot of different genres, do you have a favorite that feels natural for you?
Anything paranormal feels comfortable to me. I like to build my own world and write characters with abilities and skills that don’t occur in nature (well, at least, our nature). I have written stories that aren’t paranormal and I may write more in the future, but they’re not my favorite kind of story to tell. I like the creativity that paranormal romance allows me to express.

Can we expect to see more in your post-apocalyptic series Doomsyear anytime soon? 

Yes. I’m writing a sequel to The Twisted Kiss right now. This next book will tell Carolyn’s story. She played a very minor role in Twisted.

What does your writing space look like? Spotless and organized or messy and requires a maid service? Any visual would be great!    

My office is an add-on to the house. It has lots of light, a small wooden desk, and a bunch of bookshelves lining the walls. It usually has a couple dogs and at least three cats in it at any given time. ;-)

Thank you so much for coming to UTC Anya, can't wait to read more of your work!
Thanks again for having me!

A damned Viking warrior.
Centuries ago Broder Calderson committed murder. As punishment, he was given over to the dominion of Loki, the Trickster God, made part of the Brotherhood of the Damned and condemned to an immortal life of battle against the Blight, blood-drinkers from Hel.

A mysterious woman he can’t resist.
One thousand years to the day he was damned, Loki allows him a woman as reward for his good service and repentance of his crimes. Once Broder sees Jessamine Hamilton, he is overcome with need. But Jessa is no ordinary woman, and the truth of who—and what—she is could have dangerous consequences.

A tormented man she can’t deny.
Though a future together is impossible, the warrior’s touch ignites an irresistible passion in Jessa. But every heated kiss pushes them closer to destruction. Forced to return to the brutality of his Viking past to protect her, will Broder surrender forever to his darkest impulses

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