Contest & Conversation with LIQUID LIES: The Elemental Serie's Berkley Sensation Author Hanna Martine

LIQUID LIES

INTERVIEW WITH

BERKLEY SENSATION

AUTHOR

HANNA MARTINE

Hanna a few months ago I was flipping through one of several RT magazines. While chowing down on my favorite veggie lover’s pizza I came across a truly exciting article by Liz French, Stephanie Klose, Faygie Levy and Elissa Petruzzi titled “Legacy of Love.”  In short, the article explained about how the market might be changing but romance, which I agree whole heartedly, is forever.  My curious readers and I would love to know your thoughts on what you believe are the “Legacy of Love.”

I adore veggie pizza. I'm not allowed to have it in my house--my husband claims it "taints" the meat and cheese side--so good on you!

If a legacy is something passed down through generations, then love is probably the greatest legacy of all. I find it hard to believe that love has changed much across time. True, the circumstances surrounding love have altered drastically, but the core emotion is the same. It's why I'm always so astonished when books or novelists or reviewers spout disdain for showing love or centering a storyline around a relationship (and having it end positively). Isn't searching for love the most classic of motivations? Isn't love something we all share?

You’re in the beginning of your new The Elemental series; can you tell us more about it?

It's about a hidden layer within modern society that wields elemental magic. Liquid Lies introduces this world through the eyes of the Ofarians, the water elementals. Each book will delve further into the various races and the issues they deal with, romantic and otherwise.

Hanna, I am manic about your books and become completely addicted to your characters.  You give readers a powerful emotional love story with engaging characters that rips readers hearts out  while making them root for a happily ever after.  Can you tell us more about LIQUID LIES?

That's so great to hear you connected with the characters. I read a lot--in nearly every romantic genre, and some outside it (gasp!)--but I always connect the strongest with character-driven stories. Angst. Love angst. The greatest authorial and reader journeys I take consist of showing each stage of a character's emotional development. There are no shortcuts, no summarizations in between action sequences or whatnot. I love being in a character's head, showing how their thoughts process. Showing their obsessions and insecurities and weaknesses and powers (literal and figurative). In Liquid Lies, I wanted to show the big picture of the problems between the Ofarians and their human counterparts, but also what would happen should a human, ignorant of magic, find himself involved with those with extraordinary abilities.

Is there any part of your personality that bleeds into your characters while you write?

I think the way my books' dialogue comes out sounds very much like how I speak. In fact, that's one of the keys I use to create natural-sounding dialogue. If I can't imagine myself (or my husband, or my friend, or the guy down the street, etc.) actually saying it--if it makes me cringe or makes me think they're reading off a script--it gets changed. I also read the book out loud, to make sure the sentences are able to be spoken without sounding clunky.

What inspired you to start The Elemental series?

I wanted to write a kidnapping story, believe it or not. But I didn't want it to be a cut-and-dry Stockholm Syndrome story. So I made up a world of magic to surround it.

 

What was one of your favorite moments when writing LIQUID LIES?

A big moment for me was when I knew I'd nailed the opening chapters. Not many people know this, but I completely rewrote the first chapters right before I sold the book. Like completely, totally, nothing-remotely-similar-to-the-original rewrote. It gave me a good feeling about the book. It gave me a measure of confidence I hadn't had before.

As for a favorite moment within the book? I love the scene when Gwen tells Reed what she is. It's a bit gritty and non-sensationalized. Things aren't perfect, and I love what it says about them both as people.

Okay, I want to give a warm welcome to, Gwen and Reed (Waving franticly, trying to get the besotted couple’s attention). I know you two have gone through a lot to get to your happily ever after so I will try to be brief. (Blushes scarlet as she catches the intimate glance between the newlyweds, clears her throat).

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I’m curious. Gwen what was your first impression of Reed?  Reed, I would love to hear your thoughts about the first time you laid eyes on Gwen.

Gwen: I thought he was incredibly sure of himself. That he knew exactly who he was, what he was capable of. So few Primaries--I mean, humans--I've come across possess that.

Reed: I was shocked she wasn't more scared. That asshole had her up against a wall, hand around her throat. But she was more pissed off than anything and I couldn't turn away from that. I wanted to help her get her revenge.

Was it love or lust at first sight?

Gwen: (laughing) Neither. Try fear. I was scared, you know.

Reed: (grinning) Speak for yourself.

Gwen, when was the moment you knew that Reed was for you?

Without hesitation, when he found me in the bar. When he knew the name of my favorite artist. I was lost, forbidden or not.

Reed, name one thing about Gwen that you believe changed your outlook on love.

I saw in her a permanence. A staying power. Like I could never get tired of talking to her. And I wanted to talk to her more than I wanted other things. I'd never felt that before.

Gwen did you have any apprehension about getting involved with Reed?

(nodding) That's all I had: apprehension. The whole time with him, in the beginning, I was scared of what could become of us. There were too many consequences.

Reed, what about you?  Did you have a sliver of doubt about becoming involved with Gwen?

(gazing at her) No. Does that surprise you? It wasn't my doubt that caused problems; it was circumstance. I never doubted I wanted to be with her, but we had to work around it.

Do you, Gwen and Reed, believe that love conquers all?

Gwen: Now that is a tagline for a romance novel. No, I don't think it conquers. But I think it helps.

Reed: What she said.

One more thing before I let you go.  Do you believe that everything you two went through to find one another, fall in love and finding your happily ever after was worth the price you had to pay?

(Gwen, silent, just looks out the window, her lips drawn tight.)

Reed (pushing her hair behind her shoulder): The price was high, let's just say that.

Now back to Hanna.

How did you mark the occasion of finally finishing LIQUID LIES?

Finishing? It probably involved wine or champagne. That's pretty safe to say.

What do you hope readers walk away with after reading LIQUID LIES?

I hope they are happy with taking a chance on a new author, with a new story to tell, in a new paranormal world.

You’re clearly very busy.  What do you do in your limited spare time?  Are you reading anything right now?  Any reading recommendations while we wait until your next release in your, The Elemental series?

I read alllll the time. I'm a mom, but even when being mommy-ish I have a book in hand (or a Kindle). I'm embarrassed to say that I just now started reading Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series, and the world has blown my mind. I am crazy about Harper Fox--just finished Scrap Metal and it made my soul hurt. I heartily recommend anything by her. Karen Booth and Karen Stivali wrote this incredible book that's basically the world's greatest and longest Meet Cute, with the best flirtation and most lovable hero ever. It's called Long Distance Lovers. Holly McDowell's King Solomon's Wives, the new serial novel from Coliloquy, is high concept speculative fiction and wonderfully gripping. Can't wait for the next installment.

Hanna, please share with desperate readers where they can connect with you in cyber world. =)

I'm everywhere!

Twitter: @Hanna_Martine

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HannaMartineBooks

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5335920.Hanna_Martine

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/hannamartine/

Tumblr: http://hannamartine.tumblr.com/

Hanna, you rocked RCJR eZine blog and its readers.  Thank you so much for stopping by to dish about Gwen and Reed from LIQUID LIES in the Elemental series released by Berkley Sensation.

LIQUID LIES

BOOK ONE IN THE ELEMENTALS SERIES

Now Available!

Magic is Corporate America's best-kept secret

Gwen possesses the unique ability to pick up any language in an instant—a power that will globally expand the profitable family business. As dutiful future leader of her race of water elementals, she'll do anything to protect her people's secrets and bloodlines—including enter an arranged marriage. Inside, however, she yearns for forbidden human men.

Reed is a mercenary addicted to the money and adrenaline rush of his work. After he inadvertently saves Gwen's life, he ignites her taboo desire for men without magic—and with bodies of gods. Just as things heat up, Reed discovers that Gwen is exactly who he's been hired to kidnap. He resolves to put work before lust, yet her luscious beauty and fiery spirit unravel him...

But there is a terrible truth behind Gwen's family business—and now, caught between the kinsmen she no longer trusts and an enemy bent on vengeance, the only ally she has is her abductor...

Read an excerpt

Read Gwen's interoffice memos

CONTEST 

THE PRIZE: Two (2) lucky readers will win a copy of LIQUID LIES by author Hanna Martine.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment for Hanna Martine including your email address (Email address are required for ALL entries.) 

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*Connect with RCJR eZine at:

 

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Contest is open to ALL

It will runs until July 16,2012

I will contact the winners directly on July 17, 2012

HAPPY READING! =)