Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Felicity Heaton, Heart of Darkness. Author Interview, Book Review, Book Giveaway, Swag item giveaway.

Aleksandr Nemov won't stop until the last of the vampire hunter’s progeny is wiped from the Earth. Each kill has stolen a piece of his humanity, pushing him towards the black abyss all vampires hold within their hearts. Now he is teetering on the edge, close to devolving into a beast, and time is running out as he tracks the last hunter to Prague. There he finds a beautiful woman who could be his one chance for salvation, but is it already too late for him?

A vampire guard who will do whatever it takes to protect those she loves...

Elise is dedicated to her duty. It's the only thing she has left. All that changes when she meets Aleksandr in Prague and her master grants him permission to stay at her bloodline's mansion. She knows all about Aleksandr but none of it prepares her for how she feels when the legendary prince's hunt becomes one for her heart. Elise battles him with all of her strength but can she stop herself from falling for the handsome hunter? When he reveals the depth of the corruption in his soul, will she have the strength to face the pain in her past and do whatever it takes to save him?
My Review:

Heart of Darkness is a paranormal romance with a dark and troubled hero. *Yum!* Aleksandr was born of royalty but renounced his title so he could hunt down and kill the vampire hunter who killed his sister. He has killed many vampire hunters along the way. Each kill brings him closer to remaining as the beast that he feels growing more dominant inside.

While tracking the hunter, Aleksandr has a run in with Elise. She is a part of the guard unit in her bloodlines household. She is strong, beautiful and loyal. She is a modern age woman and does not need to be or want to be coddled or doted upon. She isn't interested in wearing dresses or taking dance lessons. She is much more comfortable in her guard uniform with a weapon in her hand.
Aleksandr has never before met such a woman. She intrigues him from the start. He knew immediately that he wanted to win her over.
Heart of Darkness is the perfect title for this book. Aleksandr has so much darkness built up inside, he has almost lost himself to it. Elise is his light, his shining hope. He feels that he so far gone, only she may be able to pull him from the depth of the darkness that surrounds his heart.

Elise is afraid to let herself fall for Aleksandr. She has suffered a loss in the past and has not ever thought of love or companionship. It was A LOT of fun watching Aleksandr and Elise's relationship grow.

This book truly has it all! There are moments of humor. The romance is built up at the perfect pace. The sexual tension is smoldering HOTT!! *CAUTION* You may burn your fingers if you don't turn the pages quickly enough!! The action is exciting and thrilling. The characters are absolutely lovable! Honestly, if you have not read Heart of Darkness yet, you are MISSING OUT! Run to your e-reader or your nearest books store and make sure to grab this one up!!

Author Interview

Please welcome to the blog today, Felicity Heaton!
Could you tell us a little about yourself?

Sure. I’m a paranormal romance author and I’ve been writing for eight years now. I was first e-published back in 2005, and in 2006 I decided to become an indie author and go the self-publishing route. Since then, I have published over forty stories, around 30 of which are still available in ebook format, with some of them in paperback format too. I write a mixture of stand alone stories and series. The series I write as Felicity Heaton are my best selling angel romance series, Her Angel, and my new Vampire Erotic Theatre series of vampire romance novellas. As F E Heaton, I write the popular Vampires Realm series. Last year, I signed a translation deal for my Her Angel series books with a large Spanish publisher for their imprint Booket. I’m dedicated to providing top quality paranormal romances that will really grab the reader and take them on an emotional journey packed with heart-wrenching moments, passion, tension and action.

What inspired you to write your first book?
My husband and a fellow author friend of mine both cajoled me into writing something original back in 2005. Before then I was writing fanfiction and really enjoying it, and I wasn’t sure I could write something original where I had to create my own characters, but I found my courage somewhere and gave it a go. The first books I wrote were picked up by an e-publisher, and received enough love from readers and reviewers that I was encouraged to write more. It’s the support of my readers and the joy I get out of writing that really drives me to keep going and keep dreaming up new worlds.

Which authors influenced you before you became an author yourself?

Funnily, I never read a paranormal romance before I wrote one, unless you count Dracula. I used to love reading the classic romances such as Jane Eyre, Persuasion, and others, and also loved reading fantasy novels and books by Terry Pratchett. I would say any of those authors influenced me as such, but I really enjoyed reading their stories and losing myself in their worlds.

I see that you've written about angels, shape-shifters and other paranormal beings. What made you decide to write about Vampires?
Vampires are my first love. Anyone who knows me can tell you that. I have loved vampires since I was very young, in single digits and just starting out in reading. My love for vampires, and most things paranormal like witches, werewolves, monsters, stayed with me throughout my formative years. I would watch movies that featured them and daydream about a world full of vampires.

I think that world was my creative side shining through. I was creating my own characters and building my own world without knowing it at the time. It feels very natural to me when I’m writing vampires. I find them so amazing and enthralling, and it only takes a tweak here and there to create something fresh and new.

What is your favorite paranormal creature to being to write about?

Vampires! Although, I really am enjoying writing angels at the moment too.

What sparked the idea for Heart of Darkness?

I never really know what sparks the ideas for my books because it’s always a combination of things— some that I’m aware of and some that take place in the far recesses of my mind and I don’t notice them. With Heart of Darkness, I really wanted to explore a vampire on the edge, and a new world where vampires have strove to achieve their humanity but that humanity can easily be damaged again, allowing the darkness within them to creep back into their hearts and start to reclaim control of them. It’s quite a dark story, with a very rakish hero (although he does learn the error of his ways and change himself to win the heroine) who is on a collision course with losing his humanity as he seeks to end his four century old mission to wipe out the line of the vampire hunter who killed his innocent sister, and a heroine who could be his only hope for salvation.

In Twitter fashion, use 140 characters or less, sum up Heart of Darkness for us.

A vampire prince out for vengeance. A guard determined to protect those she loves. Can Elise save Aleksandr from his Heart of Darkness?

Could you tell us what your favorite scene is in the novel?

I have several favourite scenes in this novel but I think most of them are spoilers so I can’t really talk about them. One I do really like is when Elise finally gives up her fight against her feelings and makes a move on Aleksandr, using healing his wounds as an excuse to touch him and torture him by forbidding him from touching her in return. It was really fun to write that scene and have such a powerful male at the heroine’s mercy.
I must ask, if you could chose any actor to portray Aleksandr on the big screen, who would it be and why?

That’s a really difficult one. I’ve often said that I would probably want unknown actors to portray my characters as I feel that’s probably the only way I will get a really good match for them. I can’t actually think of anyone who would match Aleksandr well enough to play him. Perhaps Michael Fassbender. He’s yummy.

Was there anything particularly challenging about writing this book?

I always find writing is a challenge because I always strive to improve with each book. Writing Heart of Darkness was no exception, especially since it involved creating a whole new world of vampires and realistically portraying them, and exploring how Aleksandr’s growing darkness would affect him.

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

I will say I was pleased with it but that’s just because I design all my own covers.

Just for fun ;)

Milk chocolate or dark chocolate?
Dark chocolate all the way.

Coffee or tea?

Tea, but I need coffee first thing in the morning and I am a complete vanilla latte addict.

Light side or dark side?

Dark side.

What is the last movie you went to see?

A double header, as me and my husband call it. We went to see Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. We see around four movies a month.

If you could be any character from one of your books for a week, who would you chose to be and why?

I think I would like to be either Prophecy from my Prophecy Trilogy in my Vampires Realm series, Lauren from Love Immortal, Amber from Forbidden Blood or Elise from Heart of Darkness. My reason? Because I would get to spend time with one of my four favourite heroes and would get to be a vampire.

Thank you Felicity Heaton for being here with us on WVR today! I hope you've had as much fun as I've had. Thanks to all the readers for stopping by and checking out Heart of Darkness!!

Heart of Darkness is currently available in e-book from my website, Amazon Kindle Stores, Apple iBookstores, Barnes and Noble Nook Store, Sony Reader Store, Kobo Books, All Romance eBooks, and Smashwords. It is also available in paperback at amazon.com and will soon be available at other Amazon stores worldwide and Barnes & Noble.



One Lucky winner will receive one e-book. Also, another lucky winner will receive a signed swag item *includes cover, post cards, book marks and trading cards* Just leave a comment along with your email address for the author. * International Giveaway.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

Be a Member 
Leave a comment for the author 
Leave your email Or give it privately on the sign up sheet in the "Winners Page" 


Heart of Darkness
A vampire prince on a four hundred year old mission to avenge his murdered sister...
Aleksandr Nemov won’t stop until the last of the vampire hunter’s progeny is wiped from the Earth.
Each kill has stolen a piece of his humanity, pushing him towards the black abyss all vampires hold within their hearts. Now he is teetering on the edge, close to devolving into a beast, and time is running out as he tracks the last hunter to Prague. There he finds a beautiful woman who could be his one chance for salvation, but is it already too late for him?

A vampire guard who will do whatever it takes to protect those she loves...

Elise is dedicated to her duty. It’s the only thing she has left. All that changes when she meets Aleksandr in Prague and her master grants him permission to stay at her bloodline’s mansion. She knows all about Aleksandr but none of it prepares her for how she feels when the legendary prince’s hunt becomes one for her heart. Elise battles him with all of her strength but can she stop herself from falling for the handsome hunter? When he reveals the depth of the corruption in his soul, will she have the strength to face the pain in her past and do whatever it takes to save him?

Read an excerpt at my website:
http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Heart%20of%20Darkness

Available in e-book from:
Author's website: http://http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Heart-of-Darkness-ebook/dp/B005WK6E58/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325897323&sr=8-2

Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005WK6E58/

Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B005WK6E58/

Amazon Kindle France: http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B005WK6E58/

Apple iBookstore USA: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781466173286

Apple iBookstore UK: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/isbn9781466173286

Apple iBookstore Australia: http://itunes.apple.com/au/book/isbn9781466173286

Apple iBookstore Canada: http://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/isbn9781466173286

Barnes and Noble: http:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heart-of-darkness-felicity-heaton/1106991833?ean=2940032823049&itm=1&usri=heart+of+darkness%2c+felicity+heaton3

Kobo Books: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Heart-of-Darkness/book-

HeGd5zCcvkKln2bD9EkMdw/page1.html

Sony Reader Store: http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/felicity-heaton/heart-of-darkness/_/R-

400000000000000534302

Smashwords:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/97624

All Romance eBooks: http:http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-heartofdarkness-620972-139.html

Available in paperback from:

http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Darkness-Felicity-Heaton/dp/1466452897/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325897633&sr=8-1


Biography:

Felicity Heaton is a romance author writing as both Felicity Heaton and F E Heaton. She is passionate about penning paranormal tales full of vampires, witches, werewolves, angels and shape-shifters, and has been interested in all things preternatural and fantastical since she was just a child. Her other passion is science-fiction and she likes nothing more than to immerse herself in a whole new universe and the amazing species therein. She used to while away days at school and college dreaming of vampires, werewolves and witches, or being lost in space, and used to while away evenings watching movies about them or reading gothic horror stories, science-fiction and romances.

Having tried her hand at various romance genres, it was only natural for her to turn her focus back to the paranormal, fantasy and science-fiction worlds she enjoys so much. She loves to write seductive, sexy and strong vampires, werewolves, witches, angels and alien species. The worlds she often dreams up for them are vicious, dark and dangerous, reflecting aspects of the heroines and heroes, but her characters also love deeply, laugh, cry and feel every emotion as keenly as anyone does. She makes no excuses for the darkness surrounding them, especially the paranormal creatures, and says that this is their world. She’s just honoured to write down their adventures. If you want to know more about me, or want to get in touch, you can find me at the following places:
Paranormal Romances with Passion

Website: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk

Twitter: http://twitter.com/felicityheaton

Blog: http://www.indieparanormalromancebooks.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/feheaton


Author of:

Heart of Darkness -- a heart-wrenching action-packed vampire love story

Forbidden Blood -- a dark vampire romance tale of love, betrayal and revenge

Love Immortal -- action-packed, passionate, and dramatic vampire romance novel

Her Angel -- best selling acclaimed angel romance series

Vampires Realm -- critically acclaimed paranormal romance series

Sons of Lyra & Daughters of Lyra -- best selling science fiction romance series

17 comments:

Unknown said...

I love reading about vampires. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Felicity Heaton said...

Thanks for having me at your wonderful blog! I had a blast answering all those questions... good luck to everyone who enters the giveaway!

Victoria said...

Great interview - I'm dark chocolate all the way too :) Thank you!

Follower - Victoria

vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

Shelley B said...

Great interview! I love vampires too. They are cold on the outside, but hot on the inside. I would love to read your book! Thanks for the giveaway.
srbagby50@gmail.com

SacredmOOn said...

Vampires are naturally my favorite supernatural creature by far. This book looks amazing to say the least. Thank you for the giveaway!
Follower ~ DeAnna Schultz
sacredmoon1(at)gmail(dot)com

moonglitter said...

I'm not entering the giveaway...I just wanted to say Thanks for being here Felicity!! I absolutely LOVED this book!! Your interview was SO much fun!! I hope you'll be coming back to WVR soon!! Huggs ♥

booklover0226 said...

Hi, Felicity.

I've read some of your works and really enjoyed them I look forward in reading more.

I've added Heart of Darkness to my must have list.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Felicity thank you so much for giving us the interview and synopsis of HoD. I'm finding the best of fantasy reads here at WVR, and thanks to this interview, now know to look for your work.

- Nancy
smith
nanc
at
gmail
dot
com

mirrormera92 said...

Awesomeness! Love the cover, and dark chocolate is my fav too. :)

mirrormera92 at aol dot com

~Mera

Jen B. said...

Wow, you hadn't read a paranormal before writing this. Most authors talk about reading lots of books from the genre they are writing. This book sounds really interesting. Thanks for the giveaway.
Email on Giveaway Info Form

Lisa D said...

Thank you Felicity, I just got an Ereader for Christmas and your books on special were the first I downloaded. Have not got a chance to start them but they sound fantastic!!!

lldpod(aat)sbcglobal(dot)net

slappylilly said...

I love strong female characters. Thumbs up.

pamblakekenlilly@yahoo.com

Pommawolf Emeraldwolfeyes said...

What a great blurb and cover!
Thank you for the giveaway as I would dearly love to read the book...*S8
Thank you!

Darcy
pommawolf @hotmail.com

Liss Martz said...

My heart went bum! bum! bum! when i was reading the blurb and your review! This book sounds awesome! Humour, romance, action, sexual tension..?? Perfect for me! Count me in, please! Thanks for the interview and the giveaway!

Lissette_125 at hotmail dot com

Krysykat said...

Lol, dark side, lol. May the force be with you :P

Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

Natasja said...

This book sounds interesting, definitely something I want to read.

Great giveaway.

pitch_black75@hotmail.com

Read Between the Lines said...

I want in on this giveaway PLZ wow love the cover

berrylicious_cutie(at)hotmail(.)com

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