Imogene's Imaginings: An interview with... Amanda J Greene

Good morning Amanda. Thanks for joining me on my blog.

Thank you for having me here today.

Can you tell me a little about the non-writing parts of your life?

Well, I live in Southern California with husband and our super cute cocker spaniel (she is my writing partner, always at my side or sitting on my feet). I’m currently working on my B.A. in history and attend school full time. When I’m not busy typing away and working on my next book, I’m spending time with my wonderful, loud, Italian family.

Vampires. You seem to love them. Why?

My love affair with vampires began when I was about twelve or thirteen. I read my first vampire novel, Companions of the Night by Vivian Vande Velde. I fell in love with the leading man, Ethan. I think I love vampires so much because I find alpha’s sexy and I have a thing for the bad boys.

If you had to think of one defining moment in your life, that brought you to writing, what would that be?

I began writing for fun when I was in middle school. I would type up chapters and hand them out to my friends. I can’t say if there was a defining moment that brought me to writing. However, there was a defining moment (more like a defining period of time) that made me decide to become an indie author. I had tried numerous times to find a publisher or an agent. When I was 21, about two years ago, my grandfather passed away and my husband was in Iraq. It was a hard time for my family and me; we were all very close to my papa. When anyone passes it can get you thinking about how short life is and that if you have a dream you must make it happen. I knew I wanted to be a writer, I knew I had some great stories to share. So, I did some research and…here I am. Working on publishing and promoting my first book, Caressed by Moonlight (Rulers of Darkness #1), helped take my mind off of everything that was going on. It gave me something to focus on while my husband was deployed.

Tea, Coffee, Chocolate or something a little stronger?

HUGE coffee fan! I can drink it any time of the day.

5 books on a desert island - what would you choose?

Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss

Fires of Winter by Johanna Lindsey

Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward

Companions of Night by Vivian Vande Velde

Dark Needs at Night’s Edge by Kresley Cole

What would you call your guilty pleasure?

Cheesecake! I love it.

Tell us something no one would guess about you.

Let’s see…I’m about 5’5” and no one would ever guess that I used to play basketball and kicked butt.

Do you have a few words of advice for aspiring writings, reading this blog?

Why did you decide to self publish and would you recommend it to others as a first choice and why?

Going the indie author route is tough. When I started, I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t know how to get my books review or who to design my cover, etc. I figured everything out along the way and I’ve shocked at how well my Rulers of Darkness series is doing. I never expected to have such success, at least not right away. I’m slowly yet steadily building a fan base and getting my name “out there”.

I decided to self-publish because I felt I my book, Caressed by Moonlight (Rulers of Darkness #1) was solid romance. I wanted to share my work the world and help bring people the feeling I get whenever I read a fantastic book.

I would recommend self-publishing. It takes a lot of work: writing, editing, marketing, promotions, etc. If you are well organized and a confident person then go for it. With the resources and networking systems we have today, there is nothing to hold you back. I’m proud to be an independent author.

BLURB

Dimitri Arsov, the last remaining pure vampire, was thought to be dead for the past four hundreds years. Now, he is back and has a score to settle with the traitor that had tried to kill him centuries ago. But as he waits for his prey to blindly step into his carefully laid trap, his overwhelming hunger for blood is triggered when he saves a beautiful art historian.

Kerstyn Ingmar’s life was normal and straight up boring until the night she is rescued by the dangerously sexy, powerfully mesmerizing, Dimitri. Unable to resist his diamond blue eyes and intense kisses, she is drawn into his world of darkness and closer to her impending doom.

While their desire consumes them, Dimitri is haunted by images of a bloody and deadly future. As his enemies draw near, he must find a way to save his mate from her destiny before fate destroys them both.

EXCERPT #1

“You’ve healed,” she whispered. Her voice was rough and her throat ached from her screams. “Your wounds are gone. That…that is impossible.”

“Not for me,” he grated.

Her eyes narrowed. “What are you?”

He dropped his head. Why now? Why did it have to happen this way? He cursed, damning Fate for the tricks she played. He hadn’t wanted it to happen this way. He wanted them to take their time, to get to know one another before he shared his secret with her. Now he was cornered. He had to tell her or―no. He would not erase her memory; he could not disrespect her that way. He would not take the coward’s way out.

He had to tell her.

His heart clenched. What if she rejected him? What if she hated him? What if he repulsed her? She was his mate, but that was no guarantee that she would understand, that she would stay with him or that she would love him.

“What are you?” she demanded again, her voice shaking.

Her thoughts screamed at him. Vampire. Vampire. Vampire! He forced his gift aside, shoving it back into the darkness of his mind.

“I think you already know,” he said before pulling his shirt closed.

BUY LINKS

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Caressed-Night-Rulers-Darkness-ebook/dp/B007EUKIBU

Barnes & Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/caressed-by-night-amanda-j-greene/1109156490

ARe

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-caressedbynight-722414-139.html

Erotic Escapes Ebooks

http://www.eroticescapesebooks.com/catalog/Caressed_by_Night_1.html

Lulu (Print)

http://www.lulu.com/shop/amanda-j-greene/caressed-by-night/paperback/product-20017792.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amanda J. Greene is an erotic paranormal romance author. When she is not writing, she can be found playing the role of a full time university student, who works part time. She lives in Southern California with her very supportive, military husband and their sweet cocker spaniel.