Interview Author Stephanie Julian + Giveaway

Filed in Giveaways , Interview , Stephanie Julian , The Geeky Lover Posted on July 1, 2011 @ 6:00 am 33 comments
We are very happy to welcome author Stephanie Julian here at Book Lovers Inc again. Today is the release of What a Goddess Wants, the first book in Steph’s new series The Forgotten Goddesses. I fell in love with Steph’s writing a while ago and I devoured What a Goddess Wants (you can read my review here). 
Please give her a warm welcome. And check out the end of the post for the surprise we prepared for you. *wink*


Susi: Steph, can you please tell us a bit about yourself?
Steph: I’ve been lucky enough to be a professional writer since I graduated from college with an English degree and no idea what I was going to do with it. I got lucky and landed a job at a newspaper, where I worked cityside before moving to lifestyle. I got to do movie, theater and music reviews as well as write features to my heart’s content. When I had my first son, I left to become a freelance writer so I could work at home. I started writing romance after the birth of my second son and sold my first two books to Avalon. Those were sweet romances but I really found my groove when I started writing erotic romance for Ellora’s Cave in 2008.
I’ve always loved to read and my first real romance was Kathleen Woodiwiss’ The Flame and the Flower. You never forget your first. I snitched it from under my mom’s bed. Today, I love to read Nalini Singh, JR Ward, Virginia Kantra, Stacia Kane and Lora Leigh, among many, many others. I’m a very slow runner and have a big-ass cruising bicycle that I love to ride. I’m the mother of two teen sons and wife to a Springsteen fanatic (currently in mourning for Clarence Clemons). I have a thing for bad-ass, tattooed rockers and pale, skinny alt rockers who wear guyliner. I love watching Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, Supernatural and any original show on Syfy. And I absolutely love live theater.
Susi: Describe a typical day of writing? Are you a planner or pantser?
Steph: A typical day of writing for me starts around 7:30 a.m. when I roll out of bed and stumble to my office and my desk. Unless it’s my run day, then I roll out of bed, throw on my run clothes and slog through three or four miles before I drop into my chair and clean out my email then open whatever project I’m working on. I try to write at least five or six hours a day but that just depends on what I’m doing. If I’m editing, I still try to write a few hours.
I used to be a pantser but when you sell on proposal, you kind of have to know the story ahead of time, so I’ve been forced to become a plotter.
Susi: What do you think is the difference between a reader and a real Book Lover?
Steph: A reader can pick up a book, read for a few minutes then put it down and not think about picking it up again for a few days. A Book Lover can’t put it down because they have to finish it, even if they’re not really enjoying it.
Susi: Your new Forgotten Goddess series is set in the same universe as your Lucani Lovers. For all the newbies to your world tell us about what makes your world tick?
Steph: Magic makes my world tick. Old magic. The Etruscans have been around for several millennia, and although their numbers have been dwindling, they’ve managed to maintain their culture. There are witches (streghe), werewolves (lucani), fairies (folletti) and elves (linchetto), along with gods and goddesses and Salvatorus the salbinelli.
Susi: I always loved that your books are all about the Etruscans. It such a refreshing setting and, at least for me, free of prejudices and set minds as lets say the Roman one. Why did you choose this mythology as a focus for your work?
Steph: My dad is first-generation Italian and, when I decided I wanted to write about a magic, I looked for a tradition that would tie into my heritage. Since there was so much known about the Romans, which meant I didn’t have a lot of leeway to play with facts, I went back a little farther in history to the Etruscans.
Susi: As the title of your new series suggests we will meet the Forgotten Goddesses in your series. How did you research them and how did you decide which goddess you want to highlight with a book?
Steph: When I started to research the Etruscans, the first book I bought was Etruscan Roman Remains by Charles Leland Godfrey and I just devoured it. That book provided a wealth of information and ideas. It had sections on all the ancient Etruscan gods and goddesses and from there I was able to search out other books on Etruscan religion and culture and lifestyle.
I chose Thesan as the first goddess because I had a very clear idea of what her conflict would be. Light vs dark. And because I’ve been writing about the lucani, I knew I wanted to do Lucy’s story.
Susi: What can we expect of What a Goddess Wants?
Steph: A fun, sexy adventure. I write erotic romance so you can expect a lot of hot, sexy loving but readers will also find a strong emotional journey and a plot that will hopefully keep you turning pages.
Susi: Thesan, Etruscan Goddess of Dawn is the heroine in your book. Tessa is a strong woman but she has to carry a burden in the present time. I loved her for the person she is, even though life wasn’t always fair to her. She changed much through the times her existence. How would you explain her way of accepting change? And how would you describe her as she is now?
Steph: In her heyday, Thesan guided the sun through the sky. But then that Roman cow, Aurora, usurped her position. Thesan had to learn how to make herself useful throughout her very long existence and she was able to use her other skills to create a new life for herself. Now, she’s fallen into a rut. She’s not really content and she’d love to have some fun in her life but she never thought she’d be running for her life. But Tessa’s not a quitter. She’s not going to lie down and let Charun take her. She’ll do everything she can to survive.
Susi: Caligo of the Cimmerians is one alpha male. I loved to learn more about your take on their culture. Are you secretly a Conan fan or what was the reason for choosing them as Cal’s people?
Steph: I can honestly say I’ve never read any of the Conan books but I have seen the movies. When I was searching for a bad-ass hero to save Tessa from Charun, I knew he’d have to be strong, confident, smart and able to take on an underworld god. I also had a list of liabilities he needed to ha ve. At the same time, I was researching Atlantis for an idea I had floating around my head and stumbled over a mention of Cimmerians by the ancient Greek writer, Homer, who mentioned them in The Odyssey and said they lived in a land of shadow and fog at the edge of the world and the entrance to Hades. SCORE!!
Susi: Which 4 characteristics should a perfect hero have and does Cal fit that bill?
Steph: He’s got to be able to kick ass and takes names. He’s got to have a sense of humor. He needs to be able to perform well under pressure and he’s got to have the capacity to love deeply and well. Cal absolutely fits the bill.
Susi: Will there be more books in this series? Which Goddess will be our next heroine?
Steph: There are three books contracted in the series. Up next is Lucy, Goddess of the Moon, who finds her perfect mate in Brandon, a minor league hockey player with a secret even he doesn’t know. Then you’ll meet Amity, Goddess of Health, and her mates, Rom and Remy. AS you might have guessed, that one’s a ménage.
Susi: What is next on your schedule? Are they any more The Fringe books planned (please say yes *puppy eyes*)?
Steph: LOL. Next up for me is Grace in Moonlight, the fifth book in the Lucani Lovers series. Then in December, the next Forgotten Goddesses book will release. And yes, I am working on the next Fringe book. Andy is just so… hmm…
Susi: Now to the mean questions: Can you tell us 3 reasons why people should read your books?
Steph: They’re fun, sexy and emotional.
Susi: Can you summarize What a Goddess Wants for us twitterstyle (140 characters or less)?
Steph: 

Tessa needs a hero. Cal fits the bill but he’s had his fill of spoiled goddesses. Luckily Tessa can warm the coldest heart, including Cal’s.

Susi: If you had to choose a favorite side character from one of your books who would it be and why?
Steph: Ooh, that’s so hard. Can I pick a few? Cat, of course. She’s just such a sweetheart. And then there’s Sal. He’s a hard ass with a heart of gold. He always has an answer and sarcastic comment to go with it.
Susi: If you would have the chance to meet one author (dead or alive) for a private dinner, who would it be and why?
Steph: I’ve always been a Shakespeare. In college, I took every class they had on the subject. I would love to spend a few hours picking the man’s brain.
Thanks so much for having me!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*~*Giveaway*~*~


Steph generously offered a copy of What a Goddess Wants to TWO lucky commenters for US/CAN citizens 
and
 because I love our international readers I will add a THIRD copy of What a Goddess Wants(shipped by The Book  Depository).

All you have to do is leave a comment/question for Steph. And tell us if you are US/CAN or international.
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)

Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email address or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).

This giveaway is open worldwide- but as I said above please tell us if you are US/CAN or INTERNATIONAL!

Giveaway ends on Saturday, July 16th and we will announce the winner on Sunday.

Good luck!
Copyright 2010-11 Book Lovers Inc.

Share This Post

Subscribe and stay up-to-date

Via E-Mail:

Follow us via RSS, twitter and facebook:

33 Comments

Join the Discussion
  • Heather S July 1, 2011 at 7:12 am

    This book sounds awesome! I love story lines that play with different mythology from around the world. Plus, the cover is absolutely beautiful. Please count me in. I can't wait to read it!

    heather.scarboroATgmailDOTcom

    Link
  • Birgit July 1, 2011 at 7:44 am

    Ohhh mythology! Sounds promising to me!!
    I wonder, as this is goign to be a series, have you already decided which goddess to pick for your next book?

    International

    danaan at gmx dot at

    Link
  • Chele Blades July 1, 2011 at 9:24 am

    i am a fan of mythology..guilty pleasure was percy jackson…this sounds like a great book..

    Congrats on the release. great interview & review

    US

    seachele71@hotmail.com

    Link
  • Victoria July 1, 2011 at 11:20 am

    I also love mythology. This sounds like a great read. Thanks for the giveaway.
    vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

    Link
  • van_pham July 1, 2011 at 12:30 pm

    This book sounds very intriguing! Looking forward to read it. Great cover too!

    US resident
    Van
    Littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Link
  • Bookwyrm369 July 1, 2011 at 1:06 pm

    LOL! So true about readers not being able to put a book down 🙂 It has to be REALLY terrible before I'll give up on a book! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂

    smaccall AT comcast.net

    Link
  • Stephanie Julian July 1, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    Thanks so much for stopping by on my release day everyone! It makes everything so much more special. I will be back later when I can find some wifi for my laptop.

    Link
  • Estella July 1, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    Happy release day Stephanie!
    I love books based on mythology.

    kissinoak at frontier dot com
    USA

    Link
  • Emily July 1, 2011 at 3:47 pm

    This book just came on my radar and now I'm super excited to read it! I love stories that expose me to new mythologies. Thanks for offering the giveaway!

    Emily
    whatbookisthat at gmail dot com

    Link
  • Jen B. July 1, 2011 at 8:53 pm

    I love books that use mythology as a base. I am new to your books. Which book would you recommend I read first?
    jepebATverizonDOTnet

    Link
  • Barbara E. July 1, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    What a Goddess Wants sounds like a wonderful book and I'm looking forward to reading it. I always enjoy a sexy Alpha male and a strong heroine.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com
    USA

    Link
  • marybelle July 2, 2011 at 2:20 am

    Mythology is just fascinating & your novels make me want to learn more. "What a Goddess Wants" is on my list & the rest of the series & so is Stephanie.

    International

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    Link
  • Tore July 2, 2011 at 10:33 am

    I am a USA citizen and I love reading all different types of love stories. Your book sounds really great. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

    Link
  • elaing8 July 2, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    This book sounds so good.I can't wait to read it.Thanks for the great interview.I will have to check out more of Stephanie's books.
    Thanks for the chance to win.

    Canada
    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

    Link
  • StacieDM July 2, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    I had to chuckle when you mentioned cimmerians and Conan. My husband is a huge fan of the books and movies. I'm actually looking forward to the new movie with Jason Momoa (whoa boy!).

    I studied the mythologies of several cultures in college and found it thuroughly fascinating. It's amazing how many common themes there are in so many different mythologies.

    Congratulations on the new release!

    user1123 AT comcast DOT net
    US

    Link
  • JenM July 2, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    I love mythology, but I don't know much about Etruscan beliefs. When we were in Italy, we visited Volterra and went to the Etruscan museum there. I was fascinated by the lids of the cremation urns which depict the dead person usually attending a banquet. It looks like they really knew how to party!

    Best wishes on the book – I'd love to win a copy.

    jen at delux dot com

    Link
  • Tatiana L. July 3, 2011 at 1:29 am

    Talking about being Shakespeare…. have you tried writing sonnets?

    I would like to win a paperback copy

    tatiana_lwg(at) yahoo.com

    Link
  • Cathy M July 3, 2011 at 12:20 pm

    Hi Stephanie,

    Your Lucani Lovers series is already one of my favorites, and I can't wait to dive into the mythology of your new Forgotten Goddess series.

    us reader
    caity_mack at yahoo dot com

    Link
  • Cecile Smutty Hussy July 3, 2011 at 12:41 pm

    Ohhh I have to say that I am a fan of Ms Stephanie!!! I absolutely love your work… it is a great escape! I would love a chance at winning this one!!! Who doesn't want to be a Goddess!!!

    US Addicted reader!!
    cecile.boudreaux @ yahoo.com

    Link
  • latishajean July 3, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    What a great interview thank you so much for sharing! This sounds so good can't wait to read it great giveaway thank you so much!
    Live in US
    tishajean@ charter.net

    Link
  • Ju Dimello July 4, 2011 at 12:33 pm

    Hi Susi, Fab questions!

    Hi Steph,
    It was great to meet you 🙂 And to know about your books too 😉 I love the "twitter" style blurb of "What a Goddess wants"

    I guess I'm a book lover by your definition 😉 LOL! And here I thought I was just a reader 🙂

    Thanks for the fab giveaway. Count me in! judimello AT gmail DOT com

    Link
  • Chelsea B. July 4, 2011 at 5:27 pm

    I enjoyed the interview! This book sounds awesome! I'm really looking forward to reading it!

    justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

    Link
  • JessS July 4, 2011 at 9:44 pm

    What A Goddess Wants sounds really good, and I like the cover. It seems really interesting thay you book's based on Etruscan mythology, I like that it's different but I don't really know much about it. Thanks for the giveaway. I'm international, and thanks for offering a copy for us too, I'd love to read this.

    jessicamariesutton(At)msn(dot)com

    Link
  • Alison July 8, 2011 at 11:59 am

    I haven't read any of her books yet, but they sound like something i'd really like because i love mythology!!
    I'm from the US

    rebellovesong8(at)gmail(dot)com

    Link
  • June M. July 9, 2011 at 1:00 am

    This book sounds great. I love reading books based on Greek mythology and the hotter the better! Thank you so much for sharing and for the wonderful giveaway!

    June M.
    US resident
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

    Link
  • Ren July 9, 2011 at 9:21 am

    Hi Stephanie! Thanks for the interview.
    I want to read What a Goddess Want, since I never hear about Etruscan myth before. I love aany mythology, like Greek, Norse, Celtic, Sumerian. So it good to know about new myth (for me). Since you said Etruscan is Roman myth, I'm intrigue enough to know what the difference with Greek Myth, since all that I know, Roman people is adapted Greek Myth to their own culture.

    Thanks for the giveaway too
    I'm international 🙂

    sawamura_foxman AT yahoo DOT com

    Link
  • Prisca Pires July 10, 2011 at 4:11 am

    Thank you so much for including us international readers.

    International

    piresprisca (at) gmail (dot) com

    Link
  • janhvi July 10, 2011 at 6:36 am

    thanks for the giveaway and for making it international!!this book sounds awesome!

    i'm an international GFC follower-Janhvi Jagtap

    justjanhvi at gmail dot com

    Link
  • Aik July 10, 2011 at 12:19 pm

    I love to read about gods, goddesses and myths. This book sounds interesting! I'm international.

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    Link
  • Pamk July 10, 2011 at 6:52 pm

    book sounds fantastic and the cover rocks.
    scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com

    Link
  • Na July 11, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    What a Goddess Wants is on my wishlist. I think a story comprised of gods, goddesses and warriors is sure to be a fastinating and passionate story. I read a lot about dark, fallen otherworldly creatures like vampires, but not many about gods/goddesses which to me Ithink of as majestical beings.

    Canada
    Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Link
  • Jeanne July 14, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    Goddess? That sounds awesome! I would like to read this book 🙂

    international

    Rathouska.jana@gmail.com

    Thank you so much for the chance to win!

    Link
  • Anonymous July 16, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    The good thing about blogs is that they can introduce readers to authors or books that are new to the reader. The bad thing? It's financial – What a Goddess Wants sounds so interesting, and it's set in the same world as the Lucani Lovers, that obviously I had to buy one of those books even before I commented. Obviously…

    So well done on the interview, since it made me want to buy and read your books!

    Mickie T
    US reader
    mdturett at juno dot com

    Link
Previous Post
« Next Post
»
© 2011 - 2024 Book Lovers Inc. Powered by Wordpress
Luvo designed by Internet Marketing In conjunction with Template Wordpress , R4 DS , Best SUV.