Thursday, February 27, 2014

Introducing Nina Croft's Double feature & WIN an Amazon Gift Card




Talking with Nina Croft

Is there a genre you’d like to write? Is there one you’ll probably stay away from? Why?

I’m a strong believer that you should write the sort of stories you love to read, but as I love reading most genres, it doesn’t narrow things down much. Up to now, all my books have had a strong element of romance, but beyond that, they encompass a number of sub-genres: contemporary, paranormal, science fiction, thrillers… Also, I love mixing up the genres within a story, so my current release, Death Defying, is actually a mix of science fiction, paranormal and romance.

One genre I love to read but have never written is historical. I think I’ve steered clear of it because of all the research involved (I like making things up!) but maybe one day.


Please tell us about your newest release and where the idea came from.

I have two new releases, and both books are part of a series. Bittersweet Darkness is book 3 in my Order series and Death Defying is book 3 in my Blood Hunter series. With both, the initial idea evolved from one of the characters in the previous books.

When I’m writing a story, there are always secondary characters who are clamoring for a book of their own. This was definitely the case with Asmodai (hero of Bittersweet Darkness) and Tannis (heroine of Death Defying). Then it’s just a matter of finding the perfect partner for them—whoever will cause the most explosions!


What kind of research did you do for this book?

Very little. One of the things I love about writing speculative fiction is I can make it all up. Though I have done quite a lot of research for the Blood Hunter books in general. The stories take place in the future after man has fled to the stars, and I spent a lot of time on space sites looking at black holes and reading up about quantum physics—fascinating stuff!


If this book was made into a movie, who do you see playing the main characters?

Hmm, I think Angelina Jolie for Tannis and Christian Bale for Callum.


How do you come up with characters names?

I tend to use baby name sites and just go through the lists until I find a name that resonates with the character. I do have a tendency to get fixated on names though. After I named Callum, the hero from Death Defying, I realized I had three other stories with a Callum in them. Some had to go.

Occasionally, I’ll use names that have meanings relevant to the character. For example, Tannis is a variant of Tanith, which means serpent lady, and Tannis is part snake (only a little bit!)


What do you do in your free time?

Obviously reading. But I also have a horse and go riding most days, and three dogs so I do lots of walking. I also spend a lot of time lying under fig trees, drinking wine, and admiring the scenery.


How much of your own personality bleeds into your characters?

My immediate response is…none. But thinking about it that’s maybe not exactly true. I’ve had comments on reviews where the reviewer has said, “The author obviously believes…” and I’m like—no I don’t, that’s the character’s beliefs not mine. Then I stop and think—okay maybe a little bit of mine. I think writers tend to write about things we feel passionate about—so personal views and personality traits are bound to slip in.

Also my heroines have a tendency to be somewhat snarky and I’m pretty sure they get that from me!

Do you have a list of movies like me that you are itching to see or have seen? What about ones coming up? Any that draw your eye to it?

I used to love going to the movies, but there isn’t a cinema anywhere near me (I live on a remote mountain in southern Spain) so I’m a little behind. I tend to save up films until I have a few I want to see and then order them off Amazon and have a film-fest. On the list at the moment: Ender’s Game (loved the book), Catching Fire (loved the books and the first film), The Hobbit, and a film I saw the trailer for on Facebook – A Winter’s Tale (love Colin Farrell!)

What is next for you? Anything you want to mention?

The main thing for me right now is my Blood Hunter series. Books 4, 5 and 6 will be releasing over the coming months, and books 1, 2 and 3 are releasing as mass market paperbacks later in the year. But I also have a contemporary romance, Out of Control, releasing with Entangled’s Brazen line next month, and I’m working on my third Brazen right now.  



Title: BITTERSWEET DARKNESS
Author: Nina Croft
EBook: 251 pages
Release Date: February 24, 2014
ISBN: 978-1622661138

There are no monsters, only good guys and bad guys. That’s the creed by which Detective Inspector Faith Connolly has always lived.

When Faith discovers she has a time bomb counting down in her head, she has one goal: to solve the murder case she’s working on and gain closure. Her investigation brings her in contact with Ash Delacourt, who is definitely one of the bad guys, albeit a stunningly gorgeous one.

As payment for a debt, Asmodai, AKA Ash Delacourt, finds himself working with the Order of the Shadow Accords. He’s the demon representative on the newly formed committee for the integration of mankind and well…everything else. It’s a chance to be near his daughter, make a new start, and—once he’s met the delectable Detective Connolly—maybe have a little fun.

But as Faith’s investigation deepens, her beliefs are eroded and for the first time, she is falling in love—with one of the bad guys. How can she ever let Ash close when her time is running out…?



Title: DEATH DEFYING
Author: Nina Croft
EBook: 400 pages
Release Date: February 24, 2014
ISBN: 978-1620610220

Captain Tannis of the starship El Cazador is part snake, part human, and—according to some—all bitch. She is one job away from her lifelong goal—to achieve the immortality she craves. The assignment: protecting the most powerful man in the Universe.

After five hundred years, Callum Meridian, founding member of the Collective, is bored out of his mind. Until he realizes he’s physically changing—into what, he isn’t sure. Callum is determined to discover the truth, but his own people will stop at nothing to prevent it from coming out.

With a coup brewing and the crew of El Cazador close to tossing him off the ship, Callum turns to Tannis. Sparks fly as they work together to make it out alive. But can Callum really trust the one woman hell bent on using him? Defying death has never been more dangerous, more sexy, or more fun.

Tour Schedule

2/24/2014- Dear Brighton
2/25/2014- Simply ali
2/26/2014- The Book Swarm
2/26/2014- Books & Bells
2/27/2014- Bea's Book Nook


About Nina:
Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of 9-5 work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain.

Nina's writing mixes romance with elements of the paranormal and science fiction.

If you'd like to find out about new releases then sign up for my New Release Newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/rZ5rz
 

Giveaway Details:
1 $25 Amazon Gift Card will be given to one winner. Fill out the raffelcopter below to be entered.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I like the contrast in style and concept between the two books!

vitajex(at)Aol(Dot)com

Behind the Scenes with Kelli Wilkins: Loving a Wild Stranger

  Behind the Scenes: Loving a Wild Stranger (A Historical Romance) By Kelli A. Wilkins www.KelliWilkins.com     This “Behind the ...