Thursday, May 5, 2011

Amanda J. Greene: Giveaway, Author Interview, Book Review

Caressed by Moonlight is the first within my new series, Rulers of Darkness. This novel is a mixture of paranormal and historical romance, taking place in the early 1800s. Dorian Vlakhos is no ordinary aristocrat. He is a vampire king, who will do anything to save his clan from complete annihilation, before an ancient curse can claim his immortal life.

Penniless and orphaned, Victoria Kingston has nothing to bring to a marriage, yet she must shackle an unsuspecting gentleman into marriage by the end of the month or forfeit her rights as guardian of her younger sister. With the help of her dearest friend, Victoria begins her hunt, and vows to stay far away from the dark, mysterious, Prince Vlakhos.

 After meeting the beautifully innocent Miss Kingston, Dorian had to have her. He would do absolutely anything to make Victoria his. One sweet stolen kiss would bring them together while a force, more powerful than any vampire would bind them for all eternity. But treachery, war, and death rule Dorian’s dark world and Victoria would be fortunate to survive.


The new edition of Caressed by Moonlight will be available on Kindle, Nook, and All Romance Ebooks on the 12th. However, it will take about another month or so for it to be updated in print.



Review: Caressed by Moonlight
Amanda Greene

Don’t you just love a book were the world in which it is created is amazing, and practically lifelike. Where you can just sit and feel every emotion. Do you enjoy a book that can make you laugh? I mean really laugh with that witty humor that makes a book worth reading. How about if we mix all of that with Originality, a delectable world, and a storyline that makes you crave more? Like what you hear? I found all of that in this stellar book! Even the pace was awesome. There is not one thing I did not like about this book. I recommend you get this book. (and if you can. preorder all the ones to come!)

My Rating: 5 Stars!


Interview Questions

Can you tell us a little about yourself?
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I’ve recently married an active duty member of the military and will be graduating with my B.A. in history in a few months.



**Please tell your husband, My Family and Myself thank him for all that he does. As well as to you. Its not easy to be a military wife. There are sacrifices on both ends. We are very grateful to the both of you.



Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?


I began writing when I was in middle school after I became hooked on the vampire genre.

What surprised you the most about the writing/publishing process?


I was not expecting the publishing process to take so long.

How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?


My stories/characters begin with a scene or two. Most of my ideas come to me while I’m driving. I commute a lot for work and school and do my best thinking/brainstorming while on the road.

I don’t follow any strict formula, just the basic rules: the main characters meet, sparks fly, a problem exist that they need to work out or over come (a characters internal issues or an outside force), they have a “black moment” where it looks like they might not end up together, and then a happy ending (if realist). Usually, I create a rough outline for my plot, but most of the time I find it hard to stick with the plan. Once I get to know my characters, I allow them to dictate and move the story along. I want the characters, their world, and their storyline to be believable.

What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

In my opinion, the most important elements of good writing are: plot and character development. An interesting storyline and real characters drive a good book. I love romance novels that can make you laugh, cry – feel all kinds of emotions and that is what I aim for…though I’m not sure I’ve accomplished it.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I am currently working on the second novel within the Rulers of Darkness series, Caressed by Night. This book will be different from the first. I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say share this, the remaining books will be set in the present.
In addition to Caressed by Night, I am working on my first young adult novel, The Darkest Light.

In Twitter Fashion use140 characters or less, sum Caressed by Moonlight for us.

Dorian, a vampire king, will risk all for his people. Victoria is a beauty fallen on hard times. One kiss will bring the together and plunge their love into a world of darkness.

That was really tough. I had no idea what to say or how to say it to make it interesting and short.

LOL! I get that a lot. How did you come up with a story that was such a whirlwind of events?

I don’t remember how I came up with the idea of the story. Believe it or not, I wrote the first draft of this book when I was in middle school. About two years ago, I was going through my closet and found the three-ring binder I kept the hand written story in, and decided to give it a rewrite and some polish.

How long did it take you to write it, and did you have any writer’s block along the way?

I hit writers block when it came to the ending. I could not decide how or when I should finish it. All in all, it took me about a year to rewrite the story, then almost another year with the editing and publishing process.

Will we be seeing a following book to this story?

Defiantly! I am currently working on Caressed by Night, the second novel within the Rulers of Darkness series. The series will consist of a total of five books.

How did you come up with the character Victoria?

Victoria was a strong character from the beginning. During the rewrite, I imagined what type of person she would have to be in order to face the obstacles in her life. Like most people, she had her moments of doubt, self-pity, and sadness, but she was not about to let them consume her. There were things she needed to accomplish, like finding a suitable husband, and feeling sorry for herself would get her nowhere. I wanted her, along with all my other characters, to seem real.

I always must ask if you could pick one actress/Actor to portray Victoria/Dorian on the big screen whom would it be and why?

I think Hugh Jackman would do Dorian justice and I can see Natalie Dormer as Victoria.



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Was there anything you find particularly challenging when writing this book?

Writing the ending was challenging. It took me a few months to figure out how I should bring Dorian and Victoria’s story to a close.

What were your feelings when you first saw the cover of your finished book?

A friend of mine created the cover for me. She is an amazing artist. The painting she gave me blew me away; she had managed to capture my characters perfectly from reading pieces of the rough manuscript.
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12 comments:

tears_of_fire said...

This book sounds good :) I have found that I love the combination of Historical and paranormal. I am adding this tmo my to be read list.

Sharon S. said...

I also gave this book 5 stars. It has everything I love in a UF/PNR. I have an ecopy, but I would love to win a paper copy to keep on my shelf. It is easier to go back and read my favorite parts with a paper book! Congrats, Amanda. You are going to be a player in this game!

Victoria said...

This sounds very good. I was wondering who your cover artist is? I really like it.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

Toni said...

This sounds like a wonderful story. I love the cover with the dark undertones. Your cover artist did wonderful!! Congrats on your recent marriage.

Jolene and Family said...

Wow, this sounds like a great read and I loved your review. I would really love to get my hands on this and I'm so excited that it sounds like it has everything I look for in a book. Can't wait to read this

Gabby said...

This seems like a pretty intriguing read! I've only read two books that would be considered a paranormal-historical novel and they were both really good!

Good luck with your new series Mrs. Greene!

booklover0226 said...

I enjoyed the blurb, review, and the interview. I checked out Amanda's site and see she has several books listed in the series. Great news, indeed; I look forward in reading a new series.

I'm a follower.

Thanks,
Tracey D

RFTC Blog said...

I would really love to read this book. This definitely sounds like something I would love. I am a big fan of historicals mixed with paranormal elements. I will be definitely putting this one on the wishlist.

iqb99@yahoo.com

Jen B. said...

The book sounds really interesting. I was getting excited, loved the interview and then you said Hugh Jackman could be Dorian. That's it, I'm sold :)
Thanks for the giveaway.

lindalou said...

Wow! An historical paranormal and you picture Hugh Jackman as the hero! I'm sold! I've not read any of your books but I now have you on my must-read list! Please enter me in this give-a-way!
Linda T.
lindalou(at)cfl(dot)rr(dot)com

J. said...

Great interview. The book sounds great, even better picuring Hugh Jackman as the hero!

Anonymous said...

Nice cover art! And the book sounds awesome, I love the mix of vamps and historical.

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