Wednesday, February 9, 2011

NAKED WEREWOLF DOUBLE BOOK GIVEAWAY: AUTHOR INTERVIEW AND BONUS ENTRIES

GIVEAWAY ENDED
AUTHOR INTERVIEW: MOLLY HARPER
                     

1. Welcome, Molly Harper, and thank you for agreeing to an interview for BOOKIN‘ WITH BINGO. I believe before we start, I have some brief information from your "official bio" to share with my readers. I am sure they want to know more about the author of these books, HOW TO FLIRT WITH A NAKED WEREWOLF and THE ART OF SEDUCING A NAKED WEREWOLF!


Molly Harper worked for six years as a reporter and humor columnist for The Paducah Sun. Her reporting duties included covering courts, school board meetings, quilt shows, and once, the arrest of a Florida man who faked his suicide by shark attack and spent the next few months tossing pies at a local pizzeria. Molly lives in western Kentucky with her husband and children.

2.  Where did you get the inspiration or idea for this book?

I wrote a good bit of the initial notes for HOW TO FLIRT WITH A NAKED WEREWOLF during the January 2009 ice storm. Thousands of homes in Kentucky, including mine, lost power. And you have to understand that in my hometown, one flurry fluttering through the sky sends people into a “Must hoard milk and bread!” panic. With no light, heat or hot water, my family had to camp out at my inlaws’ house in front of their fireplace. David is a police captain and was working twelve-hour emergency shifts. This left me with our six-month-old and five-year-old.  All day long.  They were cold and fussy and bored. And my daughter seemed to think I was an idiot because I wouldn’t turn on the TV. It was either come up with a new book or just go crazy.  By the time the power came on a week later, I had about 20 pages of notes for HOW TO FLIRT WITH A NAKED WEREWOLF.

3. How did the title of your book come about?

My lack of titling skills are legendary.  I suggest a title on my original draft, which generally sucks. My agent and I come up an alternative. We submit it to the publisher and my editor suggests an alternative to the alternative. I come up with a list of possible replacements and then they’re submitted to panel of people at my publisher. (I suspect that they’re interns who are younger and hipper than me.) They eliminate the worst of the bunch, and then I throw out a final suggestion in desperation… and that’s the one my editor likes.

4. Do you see yourself in your characters? Which characters are easiest or more difficult to write?

Jane Jameson, my vampire librarian, is shamelessly similar to me, from our social ineptitude to our love of trivia and inability to speak in public.  She’s very easy to write because I’m basically using the voice I used to write my column when I was working for the newspaper.

On the other hand, I always find it very difficult to write to my “heroes.” They always end up sounding like my husband, which isn’t bad, because my husband is dead sexy and funny as all heck.  But you don’t want to feature the same guy over and over. I tried to make Gabriel Nightengale a lot more formal-sounding on purpose.  But Monroe from AND ONE LAST THING… that’s all David.

5. What are you currently reading?

I’m reading Water for Elephants. I’m only a few pages in, though. I’ve heard such good things, I’m very excited.

6. What is the next or current book/project you are working on?

I writing spin offs of the Jane Jameson series. I can’t tell you about the plot, but I can say that the characters will be living in Half-Moon Hollow and they will know Jane.

7. What is something about you that you would want people to know about you that we probably don’t know?

I have coulrophobia, fear of clowns. And zombie movies make me cry.
  
8. Do you own an eReader of any kind and how do you feel about their impact on books, as well as you as an author?

I just got a Kindle for Christmas. I’m not sure how they’re going to impact the publishing industry at large. I do know that I buy way more books now. When you’re standing in the bookstore, holding a half-dozen paperbacks, you have to decide which one you’re going to buy.  But when you’re clicking on your Kindle, it doesn’t even feel like a financial transaction.  

9. What is your advice to anyone, including young people, who want to be writers?

Writers write. I know it sounds cliché.  But joining writers groups, taking classes and reading books on writing technique, those are valid use of your time, but sitting down and writing every day is what builds your story.

Thank you so much for the interview. I know we all can't wait to get out hands on your books. 

Here is some fun from Molly's Website. Listed under "Fun Stuff" are some recipes relating to Molly's characters. I thought my readers might enjoy one from HOW TO FLIRT WITH A NAKED WEREWOLF so FROM mollyharper.com (not me!) is...
 ***********************************
Mo's "Game" Meat Loaf

In HOW TO FLIRT WITH A NAKED WEREWOLF, Mo Wenstein moves to Grundy, Alaska to get away from her intrusive hippie parents.  She ends up working at the Blue Glacier Saloon as a short order cook and one her more popular menu items is making meatloaf out of the wild game that her neighbors bring in. In my house, we don't get moose meat that often. We prefer our meat loaf to be ground turkey, because it's lighter and healthier. But if you'd like to make this recipe with venison, I would recommend blending about 1/2 cup of root beer or cola into your meat before you start adding other ingredients.  It takes away a little of that gamey taste.  

Ingredients
2 pounds ground turkey
1 cup salsa
2 eggs slightly beaten
1 cup bread crumbs
1 cup shredded Colby and cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ tablespoon oregano
½ tablespoon basil
½ tablespoon onion powder
½ tablespoon garlic powder
(Makes two loaf pan sized meatloafs)

Heat your oven to 350 degrees.  Ground turkey is sort of stringy and hard-to-manage by hand, so I mix mine in a standing mixer. Mix the meat with the salsa and then the cheeses until thoroughly combined. Slowly add bread crumbs. If you think your mixture is getting too dry, add a bit more salsa. Add spices and let the mix blend.

Separate the mixture into halves and mold them into two loaf pans. Sprinkle more Parmesan cheese on top of the loaves. Bake at 350 for at least 45 minutes - until the internal temperature of the meat reads at a safe level as determined by your kitchen thermometer.


YUMMY! Thanks, Molly! 

Now for my readers who want to enter to win the set of both of Molly's books, HOW TO FLIRT WITH A NAKED WEREWOLF coming out on Feb. 22, and THE ART OF SEDUCING A NAKED WEREWOLF being released on March 29, first go HERE to read my first post about the giveaway as well as reading Molly's Guest Post. 

Then after you enter there, come on back here and enter for these Bonus Entries below. YOU could be one of two lucky winners to win a set of these two books, thanks to Molly as well, of course to Ayelet and the nice folks at Simon & Schuster!
   
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY
HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY:
COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT MOLLY'S INTERVIEW ABOVE
 
+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING INTERESTING, OR PERHAPS ANOTHER OF MOLLY'S BOOKS YOU'D LIKE TO READ, AFTER VISITING HER WEBSITE HERE!

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, MARCH 1!
  GOOD LUCK!!!

59 comments:

jeanette8042 said...

I found it interesting how Molly said she's similar to her vampire character Jane.

lilazncutie1215[at]yahoo[dot]com

jeanette8042 said...

I've already read all of Molly's previous releases so I'm definitely looking forward to this new werewolf series. I love the covers too, even though I generally am not a fan of the cartoonish type covers.

lilazncutie1215[at]yahoo[dot]com

debbie said...

I liked the idea of coming up with the plot during an ice storm. The meatloaf recipe sounds really good,too.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I would like to read her book, nice girls don't date dead men.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/35343033931284480


I'm an old follower on GFC-Lisa Richards.

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I too loved the idea that Molly was like Jane.

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I've read all of Molly's other books, and love, love her Jane series. If you want to laugh till you pee yourself be sure and read her Jane Jameson series. The scene where the drunk hunter mistakes Jane for a deer was priceless. I too like in a very small community and I can so see this happening.

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Connie said...

Hi! I found out that she has a fear of clowns which I found interesting. I was also enjoyed the free meatloaf recipe as well. Thanks for this giveaway! :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

traveler said...

Her imagination is very creative. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

She has a very creative imagination which is wonderful saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I would enjoy any of her books. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

Her books interest me since they are unique. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Her books are so unique that I would enjoy them greatly. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Her sense of humor is apparent. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I found it interesting that she is afraid of clowns.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Actually, the whole Jane Jameson series sounds good. I would like to read those.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shannon said...

The author is afraid of clowns, but is okay with werewolves. =)
tiredwkids at live dot com

Shannon said...

I loved And One Last Thing and hope the author will write more books like that one. =)
tiredwkids at live dot com

Jo said...

I'm so excited to hear there will be some spin-offs of the Jane Jameson series.

It's interesting that others find it easier to buy books for Readers. I still haven't brought myself to purchase a single ebook. Instead, I look for freebies offered through Sony, the publishers, and authors.

jump_up_thrice [at] hotmail [dot] come

Jo said...

Tweeted about it here: http://twitter.com/#!/PonderingBks/status/35697457358835712

jump_up_thrice [at] hotmail.com

Jo said...

I've already read the Jane Jameson series, and of course I'd love to win and read the Naked Werewolf series, but in the meantime, I've yet to read AND ONE LAST THING...
I'll have to try it.

jump_up_thrice [at] hotmail.com

Tea said...

I think it's interesting that the author has a fear of clowns. I might have heard of the fear of clowns. I never knew the name for the phobia. So I've gained another vocabulary word.

teakettle58(at)yahoo(dot)com

Tea said...

I have put the book badge on my sidebar. It links back to you.

http://readwithtea.blogspot.com

Tea said...

Well, I can follow the author on Facebook and on Twitter. I took action (buttonsandpins).

mamabunny13 said...

I find it interesting that Molly has coulrophobia, a fear of clowns and zombie movies make her cry.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

tweet http://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/35745144976183296
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I would like to read "Nice Girls Don't HAve Fangs"
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I find it interesting that someone that is so creative has a hard time coming up with a title for her books.

suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I found a playlist of music that the author listened to while she wrote "How to Flirt..." on her website---should be fun to listen while reading the book.

suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

samantha35 said...

I love that she is scared of clowns- they are creepY

drakebdog@gmail.com

samantha35 said...

Would love to read And one last thing
drakebodg@gmail.com

Kimberly Sue said...

I entered "The Naked Werewolf" 2 book set as well!

kimbers10[at]yahoo[dot]com

holdenj said...

What a great interview, I really felt as if I got to know a lot about Molly. I think she'll be able to mine her reporter/columnist background for ideas for a long time if the shark/suicide story is any indication.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I'd love to read one of her other books, like And One Last Thing. It seems to be more rom com. Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Pamela Keener said...

I found it interesting that she cries while watching zombie movies. I can hardly bring myself to watch them as I get weird dreams.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

Molly's Jane Jameson series sounds interesting too.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Anonymous said...

i would like to read 'and one last thing'. i love the art work for her books. to me the visual appeal is why i may first pick up a book that i don't know anything about. and the artist who drew her covers really makes me want to laugh.
charlcr(at)aol.com

Meredith said...

Naked werewolves! Isn't that interesting enough? That meatloaf recipe looks good too!

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

She has a whole bunch of books that sound great!

NICE GIRLS DON'T HAVE FANGS, NICE GIRLS DON'T DATE DEAD MEN, and NICE GIRLS DON'T LIVE FOREVER.

meredithfl at gmail dot com

bison61 said...

she has coulrophobia, fear of clowns. And zombie movies make her cry. I also do not like clowns and neither do my grandsons

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I also like that Molly is similar to her vampire character. I found that very interesting. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

donnas said...

I like that shes writing a spinoff to the Jane series.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

donnas said...

tweet - http://twitter.com/#!/DonnaS1/status/38434944384499712

bacchus76 at myself dot com

donnas said...

I would also like to read And One Last Thing.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

bloggingmom said...

I think that Molly sounds like a very interesting person. I also think that her method of writing and source of inspiration are fascinating. I can't wait to read these books.

bloggingmom said...

I would love to read "Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men." It sounds fun and funny. I have never read a romance about either werewolves or vampires. I would like to check out the genre but I don't really want to get into reading the Twilight series. Molly's books sound much more appealing to me.

Laura H. said...

I found it interesting that she has a fear of clowns and zombies but apparently is okay with vampires and werewolves! :-)

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Tweeted giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/MamaHendo3/status/39379889329016832

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

I found Molly's "Character Graveyard" on her website interesting. It's kind of like reading the deleted scenes on a movie.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

February FB fan bonus (Laura G. Henderson).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

YWLiang said...

What I find interesting: Zombie movies make Molly cry.
(Zombie movies make me scream)


Email: yiliang0124[at]hotmail.com

YWLiang said...

I would love to read Molly's And One Last Thing! Sounds like a great book and seems to be getting a lot of good reviews :) Plus the storyline is my favorite!


Email: yiliang0124[at]hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I like that she admits one of the characters is very much like her

MRWriter said...

She's a self-admitting bad titlist!
AlexDean03(at)yahoo.com

MRWriter said...

I'd like to read her "Nice Girls Don't..." books especially "Date Dead Men." Good tip. (-:

AlexDean03(at)yahoo.com

Allison said...

I thought it was interesting that the author has coulrophobia. Clowns are creepy!

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

I like her character graveyard.

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Mona said...

I enjoyed the humor in the interview. Molly has a great sense of humor. I smiled at the part when she said her daughter thought she was an idiot when she wouldn't turn on the TV.

I also found it interesting that she cries at zombie movies.

monagarg@yahoo.com

Mona said...

I visited her site and loved the idea of a character graveyard. I'm sure other authors have them too but never thought to put them on their site.

It would be interesting to have a title graveyard too. I, for one, would love to see what the alternative titles of books were.

monagarg@yahoo.com

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