Books With Love Hop

Welcome to my blog and the Books With Love Hop hosted by Good Choice Reading!! I'm so excited for this giveaway because it's one of my favorite books. Just look at my Slideshow at the top of my blog!! My Valentine's Day is not going to be filled with love because teenage boys suck.....But this interview with the wonderful Beth Fantaskey and a giveaway of her book, Jessica's Guide to Dating On The Dark Side, is helping my wounded spirits!!

Interview:

So, pretend we're in school and have to do one of those annoying ice-breakers, what are a few things you'd tell us to get to know you better?

Hmm... I’ve been in a doctoral program for about eight years now, studying mass communication. I am fiercely competitive at the gym. If you run fast on your treadmill, I will run FASTER. And I have two – soon to be three – daughters, so I spend a lot of time waiting at school bus stops. That’s about it!

Did you name Lucius by his name becuase he's so luscious?? lol

Actually, I picked that name because it sounds a little bit wicked, like “Lucifer,” but actually means “light.” So along with seeming very masculine to me, it also suited a vampire who struggles with the light and dark aspects of his nature. The fact that it’s close to “luscious” didn’t strike me until I had one of his classmates nickname him “Luscious Lucius.”

In Jessica's Guide, what kind fo research, if any, did you do to write such a wonderfully romantic book?

The research part wasn’t very romantic. I mainly looked up things about Romania, Romanian food, vegan recipes, etc. Very practical stuff. One of my favorite things to research was “The Little Red Riding Hood” story that Lucius quotes near the end of the book. I was so happy to find that the original tale was very grim, which fit my story line very well!

Do you have a comfort book? You know, one of those books you pick up when you need to feel better? If not, what do you do for a pick me up?

When I feel sad, I read James Thurber’s “My Life and Hard Times.” It always makes me laugh, and gives me this wonderful sense of comfort and family. My copy, which I’ve had since high school, is completely falling apart.

What one book would you recommend to every reader?

“The Count of Monte Cristo.” I think a lot of people look at it and go, “Ancient classic... yawn!” But it’s incredibly gripping, and the hero is so dark and funny and charismatic. I love that book.

As an aspiring author and reader, I've always wondered if authors are inspired by their favorite authors?

I am more intimidated than inspired. I don’t even pretend to try to live up to my favorite authors. I just read them with awe and appreciation, then go about doing my own thing as best I can.

How long did it take you to start writing your novels after you got the idea formed in your head?

I wrote Jessica’s Guide as soon as the idea hit. I was on a long car ride from Georgia to Pennsylvania, and I started developing the story, scribbling notes on all of these napkins my husband keeps stuffed in his car’s glove compartment. When I got home, I started writing the next morning.

What was your reaction the first time you saw your book in a store?

It was strange. I was so excited, and yet almost intimidated. It’s hard to explain. You’re standing there thinking, “Gee, this is real. I hope some people like it.”

Do you have any future plans for anymore YA or adult novels?

I’m working on one more YA paranormal romance right now. After that, I have no idea what I’ll be doing... aside from waiting at bus stops!

Just a few quickies:
Favorite Movie: A tie between Harold and Maude and The Princess Bride

Favorite Book: The Count of Monte Cristo

Favorite Band: Ooh, toughie! Probably Coldplay

Favorite TV Show: America’s Next Top Model is my guiltiest pleasure

I saw this question on the 30 Days of Insight posts I participated in and loved it. A memory that never fails to make you laugh: Oh, gosh, there are so many! I’m going to randomly say the time my sister opened a jar of chocolate malt powder and it inexplicably exploded all over her face. There was a big “poof,” and a cloud of chocolate, and when she turned around, she was covered in fine, brown dust. Stuff is always funniest when it happens to your sibling, right?

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