Contest & Conversation with UNTOUCHED, Paranormal Romance author Sara Humphreys

UNTOUCHED
The Amoveo Legend #2

by

Paranormal Romance

Author

Sara Humphreys

Why do you write?

SH: To keep from going bonkers. J Several years ago, I realized that I had to have some kind of creative outlet or I felt stifled. Writing allows the freedom to create and explore the nooks and crannies of my imagination.

Name one eye-opening thing you learned from your book research.

SH: Cheetahs don’t roar—they make a chirping noise or a growl to communicate with each other.

Do you have a favorite motto?

SH: You can’t control how other people behave, all you can do is control how you respond to it.

Do you have a favorite fictional hero? 

SH: In my own books? Dante and Steven. Dante, the hero in UNTOUCHED, is fiercely protective and all alpha. Steven is a jokester and never takes anything seriously. He’s that little boy who never wants to grow up.  From another author, it would be two men from Christine Feehan’s Ghostwalker series—the Norton twins.

Which fictional character would you hang out with? 

SH: Kerry, the heroine in Untouched. She’s sassy, spunky and a lot of fun. I’d love to go out and have drinks with her.

What is one of your favorite book covers, your own or someone else’s? 

SH:  There are so many good ones out there…it’s hard to choose just one. Sourcebooks does a beautiful job on their covers. I love all of the Amoveo Legend covers, perhaps UNTOUCHED is my favorite of the three so far. I really like the covers of Elisabeth Naughton’s Eternal Guardian series. Enraptured is her latest release and it’s hot.

What would readers be surprised to learn about you? 

SH:  I work as a public speaker but when I was in high school I was terrified of speaking in public or getting on stage. I didn’t find my voice until college.

If you could go backward or forward in time which would you chose?  

SH: Backward. I’d like to experience one day in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. I’m fascinated by the Tudors.

Sara, please share with us more about UNTOUCHED released by Sourcebooks. 

SH:  The hero and heroine in UNTOUCHED were introduced in UNLEASHED but you don’t have to have read book one to read book two. (Although, I hope you do.) Kerry has the gift of second sight but she doesn’t think it’s much of a gift because one touch brings visions and horrible pain. The only person she could ever touch without pain was her friend, Samantha and when she touched her the only vision she saw was a wolf. When she meets Dante, the attraction is overwhelming but she figures it will never be able to go anywhere because of the inevitable pain. However, one touch from Dante brings nothing but pleasure…..

I noticed that UNTOUCHED is a sexy sensual paranormal romance.  What is it about this genre that piqued your curiosity?

SH: I think paranormal heroes are particularly sexy because they’ve lived along the outskirts of traditional society. They’re usually wounded and guarded…there’s nothing sexier than getting  a tough guy to reveal his sensitive side.

Name one or two fascinating things you learned while researching and writing UNTOUCHED.

SH: I enjoyed reading out the bayou area of New Orleans and researching some of the houses in that area. I bought a book about old plantation mansions and all kinds of ideas came from that. One of the houses in that book became a primary location in the book.

Okay, I want to give a warm welcome to, Kerry Smithson and Dante Coltari. (Waving frantically, trying to get the besotted couple’s attention). I know you two have gone through a lot to get to your happily ever after so I will try to be brief. (Blushes scarlet as she catches the intimate glance between the newlyweds, clears her throat). Okay, so you two are still in the honeymoon stage, I see. I would like to know what each of you thought when you first laid eyes on the other.

Was it love at first sight?

Kerry: Holy Hotness, Batman. I mean look at him, the man is freaking gorgeous. However, instead of jumping his bones, I was horrible to him and tried to scare him off. Lucky for me, he’s stubborn as hell.

Dante: I couldn’t quite believe my eyes. I knew she was my mate from the moment I set eyes on her but I also realized she was a hybrid like Samantha. And she’s stunningly beautiful, as anyone can see.

When you met, did you believe in true love? You can both answer. I’m quite curious to know both of your opinions.

Kerry: No. I never dreamed that there was anyone out there for me. I couldn’t touch anyone without wanting to puke from the pain, so I didn’t exactly think there was love of any kind around the corner.

Dante: Of course. We are Amoveo and we all have that one true mate. I never doubted I would find her but I’m grateful that I did.

Kerry, name the one thing about Dante that you believe won your heart.

Kerry: His heart…it’s the sexiest thing about him.

Dante, name one thing about Kerry that you believe changed your outlook on love.

Dante: Once I found Kerry, I realized that I would have to earn her trust and her love. It quickly became clear that she simply wouldn’t fall into my arms.  It was not as simple as I thought it would be but it was worth it.

Now back to Sara.

Sara, what is more difficult to write: an intense sexual scene or a heart-wrenching emotional scene? Why? 
SH:  I think the emotional scenes are challenging to write because I’m worried they’ll seem smarmy or forced—and there’s nothing worse than that.

When you were writing “UNTOUCHED” did you have music playing in the background?  If yes, what type?  Does music play an intricate part in your writing? 

SH: Music doesn’t play when I’m writing because it’s too distracting. I play music before I write and when I’m driving so that I can get ideas. Music is a big part of my writing process and I create a soundtrack for each book.

Which do you find is most important to you as a writer, voice or story? Why? 

SH: Story. No story. No book.

Sara, please share with desperate readers where they can connect with you in cyber world. :)

SH: They can find all the information they’re looking for on my website. http://www.sarahumphreys.com or on facebook http://www.facebook.com/Amoveo  or on twitter @authorsara. I have a monthly newsletter that folks can sign up for and you’ll find the form on my website.

I know this is a difficult question with there being so many amazing authors out there to choose from but who are some of the GOT-TO-HAVE authors in your TBR pile? 

SH: Christine Feehan. Lori Handeland. Carolyn Brown. Terry Spear.

What’s next in the works for you? When can readers expect to see it out on shelves in their local bookstores?

SH: UNTAMED will be out in November 2012 and then in 2013 the fourth and fifth books in the series will be out. I also have a vampire series that’s coming in 2013.

Sara thanks so much for stopping by and chatting with Over the Edge readers and myself; it has really been a blast getting to know more about you and your books.

UNTOUCHED BY SARA HUMPHREYS – IN STORES APRIL 2012

She should be seen, but never touched…

Kerry Smithson's modeling career ensures that she will be admired from afar, which is essential since mere human touch sparks blinding pain and terrifying visions.

Every good model needs a heavenly bodyguard…

Dante Coltari is hired to protect Kerry from those who know who she is—or more importantly what she is—and want her dead because of it. Nothing could have prepared him for the challenge of keeping her safe. But, strangely, his lightest touch brings her exquisite pleasure rather than pain, and Dante and Kerry have an otherwordly connection that might just pull them through.

“Red-hot love scenes punctuate a well-plotted suspense story that will keep readers turning pages as fast as they can.”

—Publishers Weekly Starred Review

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sara Humphreys has been attracted to the fantasies of science fiction, paranormal, and romance since her adolescence when she had a mad crush on Captain Kirk. An actress and public speaker, Sara lives with her husband--who is very considerate of her double life--and four amazing boys, in Bronxville, New York. For more information, please visit http://sarahumphreys.com, Like her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Amoveo and follow her on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/authorsara.

~ CONTEST~

Over the Edge, RCJR eZine along with Sourcebooks are proud to present the next enticing installment in paranormal romance author, Sara Humphreys's The Amoveo Legend series, UNTOUCHED which released earlier this month.  I'm sure after getting know more about Sara and her work you will be come a devoted fan. 

THE PRIZE: Two (2)  eCopy of UNTOUCHED is up for grabs.

To enter:  Please leave a comment for Sara Humphreys, including your email address

(ALL entries must have an email address for contacting the winner)

*Connect with RCJR eZine at:

 

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Contest is open to ALL

It will runs until April 30,2012

I will contact the winners directly on May 1, 2012

HAPPY READING! =)