PSC: Interview and giveaway with Amanda Carlson

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:

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:

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Amanda 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.

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Posted by jenn at 07:00

 Amanda Carlson, Hachette, Interview, Paranormal Summer Camp, werewolf  39 People left their mark

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.