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* 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

Saturday 3 November 2012

Interview and Giveaway with Jacqueline Carey

Jacqueline Carey

After the huge success of her KUSHIEL series, Jacqueline Carey is testing the urban fantasy waters with her new series AGENT OF HEL.  Dark Currents, the first book, came out last month and has had already massive success.  Definitely one you won't want to miss.  We had the pleasure of getting to ask Jacqueline some questions and we are excited to share them with all of you today.
Welcome to UTC, Jacqueline.  After the success of the KUSHIEL series, how did you feel about stepping away from the genre and into urban fantasy?

It’s always a little scary to make a big change, but I’m excited about it, too. I think artists in any field need to take on fresh challenges to maintain their creative vitality, and urban fantasy is such a fun genre. It’s a treat to be able to view the familiar through the lens of the fantastic, to play freely with pop culture references.

If you had to introduce the Agent of Hel series to a new reader what would say? And if you were introducing it to your KUSHIEL fans, how would you tell them it’s different?   

To a new reader, I’d say it’s an engaging urban fantasy featuring Daisy Johanssen, reluctant hell-spawn, and it blends whimsy, wonder, and creepiness. To KUSHIEL fans, I’d say that while this is more light-hearted and humorous in tone, it has the same attention to detail in terms of worldbuilding and characterization that you’ve grown to love in those books. 

What did you have the most fun with while writing DARK CURRENTS?

Juxtaposing the mundane with the fantastic to create vivid, memorable images was a ton of fun. I’m especially fond of the introduction of Lurine the lamia, half-woman, half-serpent, lolling in a swimming pool in her backyard; but then I also adore that character. In terms of imagery, the frost giant driving a dune buggy is a close second.

What was your favorite quote or scene from DARK CURRENTS?

For some reason, this line just tickles me to no end: “Oh, great. A Canadian werewolf on the down-low was playing the morality card with me. “

Daisy to me was a great heroine, in part because she felt very real. What do you think is the best thing about Daisy (other than her cute tail)?

Despite the fact that her father happens to be a demon, I think Daisy is eminently relatable. She was raised by a single mom. She struggles with the same things many of us do; trying to keep her temper under control, a falling out with her best friend, a childhood crush that just won’t quit. It’s just that for the rest of us, unlike Daisy, giving in to our worst natures doesn’t run the risk of unleashing Armageddon.

From the beginning, there is one guy that is the obvious crush or love interest. As the story progresses you introduce not one, but two other possible options. What can you tell us about this upcoming and brewing love entanglement?

While all three possible love interests remain in the picture, the second volume begins with Daisy dating the one guy she thinks doesn’t come with complicated supernatural baggage. It turns out she’s very, very wrong!

There are many supernatural creatures in this story. Any one in particular that you are most excited to have included in the story?

I’m partial to the ghouls, which are my own contribution to the pantheon of supernatural beings. I enjoyed the process of introducing them as creepy emotional predators, then gradually shifting the perception of them—well, some of them—to one of tragic figures, rejected by heaven and hell alike and condemned to subsist on the emotions of others for eternity.

DARK CURRENTS had an amazing blend of paranormal, small town charm, humor, mystery and relationships. What can we expect of the next book in the AGENT OF HEL series and when will it come out?

Thanks very much for the kind words! The next book is due to come out in October 2013. It will contain the same mixture of paranormal, small town charm and humor, although this time, the central conflict isn’t a mystery, but rather a challenge to Daisy’s authority from an outside source. There will definitely be more romantic entanglements. And sex! 

Do you have any other projects in the works?

There are a couple of side projects I’m excited about! One is UNFETTERED, an anthology featuring an amazing array of fantasy and SF authors. The proceeds will go to alleviate medical debt accrued by the editor, our friend, fellow author, and two-time cancer survivor, Shawn Speakman. The other is a Literary Pin-up Calendar, featuring twelve pin-up style depictions of iconic female characters created by another amazing array of authors, proceeds to benefit Patrick Rothfuss’s Worldbuilders charity, which raises money for Heifer International.

Good causes!

Jacqueline Carey, New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed Kushiel’s Legacy novels, presents an all-new world featuring a woman caught between the normal and paranormal worlds, while enforcing order in both. Introducing Daisy Johanssen, reluctant hell-spawn…

The Midwestern resort town of Pemkowet boasts a diverse population: eccentric locals, wealthy summer people, and tourists by the busload; not to mention fairies, sprites, vampires, naiads, ogres and a whole host of eldritch folk, presided over by Hel, a reclusive Norse goddess.

To Daisy Johanssen, fathered by an incubus and raised by a single mother, it’s home. And as Hel’s enforcer and the designated liaison to the Pemkowet Police Department, it’s up to her to ensure relations between the mundane and eldritch communities run smoothly.

But when a young man from a nearby college drowns—and signs point to eldritch involvement—the town’s booming paranormal tourism trade is at stake. Teamed up with her childhood crush, Officer Cody Fairfax, a sexy werewolf on the down-low, Daisy must solve the crime—and keep a tight rein on the darker side of her nature. For if she’s ever tempted to invoke her demonic birthright, it could accidentally unleash nothing less than Armageddon.
Penguin is graciously offering a copy of DARK CURRENTS to one lucky US maiden!
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

32 comments:

Ann S. said...

I haven't read Dark Currents, but I like the idea of Daisy being half incubus. This book sounds like a good mix of paranormal and mystery. Thanks for the great interview.

Rebe said...

I've heard great things about this book, so I can't wait to check it out!

Wicked said...

I so can't wait to read this book!

Amanda said...

I LOVE Jacqueline Carey! Her other series was fantastic! So I'm sure this one will be just as great!

KenderMama said...

This sounds like it will be a really fun series! I will have to check it out.

KenderMama said...

This sounds like it will be a really fun series! I will have to check it out.

Unknown said...

This sounds awesome. I'm a huge fan of the Kushiel series, and I can't wait to check this out.

erin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Christine Rains said...

Fantastic interview! I've already read the book and I loved it. It's original and funny.

Anonymous said...

The KUSHIEL series is one of my all-time favorites. I will definitely be checking this new one out. Thank you for telling us about it!

Heather
hafowler at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

@erin: you can enter now. At least I changed it now for this one so it's including Linky as a Follow option. If I get a chance I'll do the same with the other ones and we'll be using this as an option from now on. Thanks for pointing it out!

Kassandra said...

I thoroughly enjoyed the KUSHIEL series and look forward to more great work from Carey!

Kassandra
sionedkla@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Very excited! Jacqueline Carey is one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to immerse myself yet again in to one of her worlds.

Unknown said...

Very excited! Jacqueline Carey is one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to immerse myself yet again in to one of her worlds.

Unknown said...

Love Kushiel's series and Namaah's Looking forward to Hel's.

wanda f said...

This sounds like a realy great book I cant wait to read about Hel’s enforcer .Thank you for sharing with us and for this chance tow in.Have an amazing week.

Michelle said...

I can not wait to read this new book. It sounds wonderful!

ELF said...

Wow, great to see a new title from a talented author. I look forward to reading a new series although I did enjoy the Kushiel books greatly! Thank you for the interview.

Allison W said...

This sounds really good! and I love the cover!

Remmy said...

Jacqueline Carey is my favorite author! I can't wait to read her new book :-)

Remmy said...

Jacqueline Carey is my favorite author! I can't wait to read her new book :-)

Remmy said...

Jacqueline Carey is my favorite author! I can't wait to read her new book :-)

lorimeehan said...

Loved the interview I've not read any of Jacqueline's books. I'm looking onward to it though.

Barbara E. said...

I really enjoyed the interview and the chance to learn more about Jacqueline Carey and her books. I think Dark Currents sounds like a fantastic story and I'm looking forward to reading it.

Jen B. said...

I read everything from Jacqueline Carey. I love that she says that in book two there will be ... sex. Ha! Kushiel's is kind of sex driven so I would expect some sex in all of Jacqueline Carey's books. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

Beatrix said...

Everything by Jacquline Carey is gold. Her writing is just...Lush.

Beckey said...

Thanks for sharing the post and good luck on the upcoming projects...

Beckey

Lady D said...

I've not yet read the Kushiel series, although its' been on my backlist for a while. I'm thoroughly intrigued by this series, and can't wait to check it out! :)

erin said...

Thanks for the fun post and giveaway! I'm really looking forward to this book, it's gotten great buzz and I love the original take on supernaturals :)

Unknown said...

Very much looking forward to Dark Currents.

AnnotatedLA said...

I love, love, love Jacqueline Carey's books, so much so I've gotten 3 friends hooked and am working on the conversion of a few more. This new series looks like fun and I like fun!

Unknown said...

i have not read and of jacquelyn's book however, i have a couple in my library!! thanks for the giveaway!!!
jaimela77 at gmail dot com