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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

PSC: Interview and giveaway with Amanda Carlson

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Our PSC guest today is Amanda Carlson. She's come onto the urban fantasy with a roar thanks to her Jessica McClain stories and I'm so glad she was able to take time out of her schedule for a quick interview. She's also been kind enough to offer up a copy of BLOODED, her e-novella that gives us a glimpse into Jessica's life several years before the events in FULL BLOODED. Welcome, Amanda!

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Hi, Amanda, and welcome to Tynga's Reviews! To start, could you please introduce our readers to Jess McClain and her world?

Jessica is the only female born to a pack of werewolves. She’s born human and the wolves fear her, thanks to a certain myth that emerges after her birth, thinking she will be the end of her race. BLOODED, the novella, starts out with her at nineteen, fighting for her own life off the Compound. FULL BLOODED starts seven years later and we see the world has something very different in store for her than what she expected.

What are the first three adjectives that pop into mind when you think about Jess?

Snarky, funny and tough.

How did you come up with your werewolf mythology and the Cain Myth? (I love that your werewolves are so superstitious even though they are supernaturals.)

My wolves needed something concrete to feed their fears. The Cain Myth was a great place to center that fear. The wolves in my book parallel current human behavior for me. Many of us fear what we don’t understand. My wolves are no different. Introducing something that couldn’t possibly happen was the basis for my world and I went from there.

FULL BLOODED is focused on werewolves but you also mention vampires, goddesses, and other types of weres. Just how big is this world? What types of supernaturals will we see down the road?

It’s a big world! Filled with almost any supe you can think of, even if I don’t mention them directly. If one can exist, why can’t they all? Jessica is in contact with witches, sorcerers, shifters, vamps, demons, imps and more. There are some really fun ones coming up in HOT BLOODED, which releases in April of 2013. I had so much fun building this world!

You've created a really great cast of characters but my favourites are Tyler, Nick, and Marcy. Will we see more of them in future stories?

YES!

You end FULL BLOODED on quite a cliffhanger. Can you give us any exclusive tidbits about what's to come?

LOL, nope! I can’t write any spoilers, but I will say, across my entire series Jessica will have her happy ending. I strongly believe in a strong family unit, and Jessica has that in spades. She’s not a jaded heroine. She has support and love all around her and they will continue that support to the end.

And now for a couple summer camp-related questions:

You told me that you've been both a camp counselor and a camper. Do you have any stories you'd care to share with us?

I was actually a camp counselor twice at two very different camps. One was out east and catered to an elite crowd. The kids came for two months straight. I taught softball and it was a blast. We had a camp bus and the whole nine yards. The second was a camp for deaf kids. I was studying to be a sign language interpreter at the time. The best part of both experiences was the interaction with the kids. No matter where you’re at: camp is camp. There’s laughing, swimming, camp songs (yes, even with the deaf kids, though we used our hands), crafts and happiness. Camp is full of happiness for all involved. I loved my experiences as a camper and then as a counselor.

What are your your top three DOs and DON'Ts for an amazing summer camp experience?

DO participate in the talent show
DO go on a rustic overnight if you can
DO prank your counselors

DON’T leave food out in your cabin (bugs & rodents, oh my!)
DON’T go off trail. Nobody needs poison ivy.
DON’T get homesick (if you can help it). There are amazing people to lean on at camp and they are just waiting to help you.

Hope everyone has a fantastic camp experience this summer!

Thank you so much for joining us today, Amanda! It's been a treat. =)

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More about FULL BLOODED:

Amanda Carlson Full Blooded After living in hiding for the last twenty-six years, Jessica wakes up to find she's become a full-blooded werewolf — claws, fangs, fur, everything. It was never supposed to happen: female werewolves don't exist.

When a mercenary killer comes looking for her, her Pack finds themselves caught in the middle of a war. They must rise up to protect her, but no one knows if she's means the end of their race-or just a new beginning.

Jenn's thoughts

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

 

Other books by Amanda Carlson:

Amanda Carlson Blooded

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giveaway

To enter the giveaway, fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Open internationally

Ends Wednesday, September 5th, 2012
(like all of our Paranormal Summer Camp giveaways)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Amanda CarlsonAmanda is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, with a BA in both Speech and Hearing Science & Child Development. She went on to get an A.A.S in Sign Language Interpreting and worked as an interpreter until her first child was born. She enjoys playing Scrabble to an unhealthy degree, shopping trips to Ikea and has a great weakness for tropical beaches. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and three kids.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

Jenn

Born and raised in the Toronto area, Jenn moved to St. John's, Newfoundland, eight years ago for school. She's still in school (thankfully on another degree!), now trapped in her dissertation. When she's not dissertating, which happens more often than it should, Jenn spends her time reading, watching movies, playing volleyball, travelling, and enjoying the local music scene. Her latest addictions: yoga and Almond Crunch cereal.

39 People left their mark' :

  1. Great interview ladies! Amanda Carlson rocks! I have a girl crush on her I think... I can't wait for Hot Blooded; I need me some more Jessica McClain!

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    1. Thanks, Carmel! I, too, am dying for some more Jess! :)

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  2. I can't wait to read this book - it's had great reviews! I would answer the question, but I didn't see one, so I'll just say that any heroine who is snarky, funny, and strong sounds right up my alley.

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  3. I couldn't find a question other than camp related. I remember my one and only camp experience quite well; we were having a great time until half of the class including me became very sick, something we ate, we were told later , and ruined the rest of our trip!!!

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  4. I never did summer camp myself. Got homesick a lot.

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  5. I don't see a question either. But I was never a camp person ;).

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  6. Holy crap! I'm studying to be an ASL interpreter right now! And I want to write! How awesome!

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  7. thanks for the giveaway!! I never did summer camp myself

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  8. I've never been to summer camp.

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  9. I love camping and my three do's are:

    Do roast marshmallows and make smores
    Do sing tons of camp songs
    Do prank counsellors in all cabins

    My three don'ts:

    Don't leave food out (totally agree!)
    Don't sleep walk and terrify the camp counsellors
    Don't get stung while taking a shower! (ouch!)

    Thanks for the Giveaway!
    Love the cover :D

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  10. I know that I went to camp, but I don't really remember too much about it. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

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  11. Do-Bring sunscreen
    Don't-make out with everyone

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  12. I've never been to summer camp, but I would definitely make sure I brought sunscreen and bug spray, learned about what wildlife to avoid while out in the woods and kept a look out for poison oak and ivy. I ran into poison oak as a kid and it wasn't pleasant, I always ended up with it on my face, ouch.

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  13. Do have a campfire. Dont getting eaten by bugs

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  14. Never been to summer camp but I reckon you must never leave home without your insect repellant! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  15. Great interview, thanks ladies, I enjoyed reading this. And I am looking forward to reading the books.
    Don't go swimming directly after you have eaten. Don't forget the marshmallows. Do have fun!

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  16. DO go to camp! I had the best summers of my life as a camp counsellor at a super low budget overnight camp. I made friends there that I am still friends with today. DON'T leave food outside or you risk GIANT RACCOONS!

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  17. In Australia we really don't do summer camps. We just go to the beach. So my advice would be to find any places that do summer camp in the first place...

    Can't wait to get my hands on this book!

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  18. Don't be mean to the other campers and definitely do wear sunscreen!

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  19. DO have a good time.

    DON'T die!!

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  20. Thank you for the awesome interview and giveaway! I have never been to summer camp but for camping I would say DO's would be smores and hotdogs on the fire and DONT get stuck out in the rain or lock yourself out of the car. lol

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  21. I've never been so I don't really have any do's or dont's. Probably would just recommend getting off one's tush and get involved.

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  22. For summer camp you should wear bug repellent, have fun and be safe. What you shouldn't do is do pranks and don't go to the woods alone if you don't know what you are doing. You might get lost.

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  23. Bring sunscreen and bug spray and don't go anywhere alone. Have fun!

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  24. I've never been to summer camp. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  25. I never went to summer camp, I have gone camping a few times. I would say bug spray and sunscreen. Thanks for the chance.

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  26. I never went to summer camp so I have no dos or donts

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  27. I never went to summer camp, but I think sunscreen and insect repellent would be must haves.

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  28. Have never been on summer camp!

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  29. I am dying to read this book. I have never been to Summer Camp, but I would say don't touch the poison ivy!!!

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  30. I've never been to summer camp but I imagine bug spray would be a "do" - not sure what the don't would be.

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  31. Only one: I DON'T go to summer camps. Ever! XD

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  32. I've never been to summer camp.

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  33. I've never been to summer camp.
    But I think that probably my DO's would be bring a lot of bug spray and DONT's don't risk my life away the area I don't know! Racoons attack.

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  34. I've never been to summer camp, so this is what I found when I searched on google.
    Do: bring a swimsuit (I saw on tv that in most cases you will get wet)
    Don't: play in the poison ivy
    I hope that's a god enough answer.


    Nazish @ Nazish Reads

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  35. Don't forget the bug spray, and don't go off on your own!! Do stick with a buddy (or two) at all times! And even if you know how to swim, ALWAYS wear a life jacket when you are in a boat!

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  36. Do have fun and don't forget to drink water! Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  37. Never went to summer camp but I would advise to bring the right shoes, tennis shoes or something like that.

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  38. Great interview with Amanda, Jenn. :) I've loved both the novella and novel and can't wait (already) for the second book! LOL

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