Monday, February 25, 2013

Interview with Bella Forrest!

WELCOME TO THE BLOG, BELLA! :)



I've been telling stories pretty much since I could talk. Instead of having my parents read me bed-time stories, I would prefer to share with them my own made up tales.

As I grew older, I developed a passion for the fantasy genre. I'm an incurable Potterhead.

My debut novel,
A Shade of Vampire, was released on December 14, 2012.
The book became a Number 1 Christmas Bestseller in Vampire Romance, Paranormal and Fantasy
on Amazon.
 

 
Where to Find Bella:


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The_Book_Queen: Hi Bella! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? By the way, I love how on your GR bio, you call yourself an “incurable Potterhead”. You're not alone—that's me, as well! :) 

 
Bella: I’m always happy to meet a fellow Potterhead!

Well, I’ve written ever since I can remember. I was probably about 5 when I started creating short illustrated books. Creative writing was my favorite subject when studying and I’d always use any free time I had to sit down with a notepad and pen.

However, it wasn’t until recently that I decided to actually publish my work.



TBQ: I know writing is your dream job, like for many authors. But if you couldn't write, what else would you  do? Do you have a secret desire to try something else?

B: I’d probably want to own a cozy cafĂ© or restaurant. I love food and cooking.

 

TBQ: Ah, I love the idea of a cozy cafe like that! Your debut, A Shade of Vampire, came out in December. Can you tell us a little bit about this book, and why readers are going to love it?

 
B: I find it hard to talk about my own book without feeling like I’m blowing my own trumpet.

Readers who don’t normally like vampire books have written to me saying they’ve enjoyed it.

Many of my readers are Twilight fans, but I’ve had just as many anti-Twilight readers compliment my book.

I’ve been told it’s a fresh and original take on the vampire genre with a non-whiny heroine and a not-so-sparkly hero.

 

TBQ: Hehe. :) I'll admit that, yes, I read Twilight, and at one point I wast a Twihard. But now I'm all for non-Twilight vampire books. Are there other genres you would like to write about?

 
B: For the next few months I will be finishing the sequels to A Shade of Vampire which are Young Adult. But after that, I’d love to explore New Adult genre.

 

TBQ: Oh, I can't wait! :) I know we all hate this question, author and reader alike. :) But I have to ask: What are a few of your favorite books and/or authors?
 
B: I’ll list three:

Pride & Prejudice – Jane Austen

Harry Potter – JK Rowling

The Chronicles of Narnia – C.S. Lewis (my childhood favorite).

 
TBQ: Will I be shunned if I admit I've yet to get through any of Austen's books? Also, I've never read Lewis' books, no clue why.... We've all fallen for a hero (or two, or three, or....ahem).  Tell us one hero that you've fallen for—who is he and what drew you to him?

B: Mr Darcy! Who wouldn’t fall for him? He’s everything a gentleman ought to be. *Swoon*.

 

TBQ: What's next-- Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming releases or WIP?

 
B: I’m currently working on the sequel to A Shade of Vampire.

 

SPEED ROUND:

 

A day on a secluded island OR a day at the spa?
I’d have to say a day on a secluded island – as long as it wasn’t the vampire island from my story.

 
Reading a spicy romance novel OR a sweet “my-heart-skips-a-beat” one?
I like both! It depends on my mood too. Today I’ll go with: a sweet “my-heart-skips-a-beat” one.

 
Which would you rather have an affair with: a sexy highlander OR a devilishly handsome English lord?
A devilishly handsome English lord. The word highlander just brings images of kilts to mind … which are not my personal idea of sexy. (Tsk, tsk, tsk. I'll forgive you, though I'm baffled by non-sexy kilts... )

 
Hot summer days OR cold winter nights?
Hot summer days.

 
Where would your dream house be: in the city, where all the action is OR nestled in the mountain where you can enjoy the quiet and the wilderness?
Both are lovely. But most of the time I’d say: in the city with all the action.

 
If you could live in any time period, past or future, which one would it be?
Future.

 
Cover Lover OR Blurb Fan?
Cover lover.  

 
Quick—name the one food that you cannot live without?
I love tacos!

 

And finally, tell us 3 unique/wacky/fun things about yourself:

 

1) I have vampirish writing habits. I write during the dark hours. From about 1am until 9am. Then I go to sleep.

 

2) I don’t have a TV at home.

 

3) I have a mild addiction to this website: www.canhas.cheezburger.com

 

 
The_Book_Queen: Thanks so much for stopping by, Bella, and please know that you are welcome back anytime! Do you have any questions for our readers—something to spark a good discussion? :)
 

Bella: Thanks for having me!

I have a question for your readers: do you prefer the traditional blood-thirsty vampires? Or the softer, more modern ones?

 

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A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (December 17, 2012)
Genre: YA Paranormal

On the evening of Sofia Claremont's seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake. 

A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood.

She is kidnapped to an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine.
An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains.

Sofia's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is the one selected out of hundreds of girls to join the harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal Prince.

Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.

Will she succeed? ...or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?
 

 
 Where to Buy*:
More Info:


 A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest
Excerpt

 

I’d been meandering along the shore for about an hour when I suddenly sensed that I wasn’t alone. Someone was approaching me from behind. My heart leapt. I was so sure it was Ben, that when a stranger showed up beside me, I couldn’t hide my disappointment.

He must have noticed, because a smirk formed on his lips. “Were you expecting someone else, love?”

I eyed him suspiciously, remembering how many times my father had told me not to talk to strangers. I looked him over, taking in his appearance. My eyes widened. I couldn’t find words to describe how fine a man he was. He was almost beautiful. The first thing I took notice of was how his blue eyes were about three shades brighter than any I’d ever seen before. It was such a stark contrast to his pale – almost white – skin and dark hair. Standing beside me, he was easily more than half a foot taller. His height, broad shoulders and lean build reminded me of Ben, but he had a presence that was far more imposing than my best friend’s.

My gaze settled on his face.

I realized that he was inspecting me just as closely as I was him. His eyes on me suddenly made me feel uncomfortably vulnerable. I gave my father’s advice a second thought, but quickly canceled out all notions of heeding to his counsel when I reminded myself that he stopped caring a long time ago.

I straightened to my full height and mustered all the courage I had to keep myself from running away from this stranger.

Big mistake.

The confident smirk didn’t leave his face for even a moment.

“Like what you see?”

“A bit full of yourself, aren’t you?” I scoffed, annoyed by his audacity.

He stepped forward, closer to me, and leaned his head toward mine.

“Don’t I have the right to be?”

He knew he looked good and wasn’t about to act like he didn’t.

“Whatever,” was my oh-so-brilliant comeback.

My shoulders sagged with defeat as I took a step back, unsettled by how close he was now. I rolled my eyes and did a one-eighty, not quite in the mood to play whatever game this stranger was proposing.

I would soon realize that I was about to play his game whether I liked it or not.

He grabbed my arm and turned my body to face him. This motion alone made every single internal alarm I had within me go off in a frenzy.

This man was danger and I knew it. I tried to wriggle away from his touch, but I was no match for his strength.

“Tell me your name,” he commanded.

I was about to refuse, but was horrified to find myself blurting out my name in response.

“Sofia Claremont.”

As soon as I revealed my name, his eyes lit up with a kind of sinister approval. Then he reached for my face and traced his thumb over my jaw line.

“Hello, Sofia Claremont. You’re one stupid girl for taking a walk alone at this time of night. You never know what kind of evil a pretty little thing like you could happen to come by.”

I found myself wondering exactly what kind of evil he was. But I was suddenly overcome by the sensations that were surrounding me. My senses took in everything at once. I heard the waves, felt the sand, smelled the ocean salt, tasted the flavor of cherry and saw the stranger’s manic appearance as he stuck a needle to my neck. The effect was instant. I was barely able to gasp, much less scream. I went from sensing everything to sensing absolutely nothing.

My last conscious thought was that I may never see Ben again.

 

You can also get an exclusive FREE “sneak preview” of the first 6 chapters by clicking here!: http://forrestbooks.com/sneakpeek.html

 
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Thanks for stopping by today, Bella, I enjoyed our interview and I look forwarding to reading this book, it does indeed sound like a new vampire story!

Don't forget Bella's question:

I have a question for your readers: do you prefer the traditional blood-thirsty vampires? Or the softer, more modern ones?  









Enjoy!   




Until Next Time,


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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

1 comment :

Kamla L. said...

For romance heroes, I like my vamps some where in the middle. Too far on the blood-thirsty side and I'm more likely to end up dead than sharing and enjoying his bed. Too far to the softer side and they just lose most of what was so alluring ...that lethal dangerous edge that says you're playing with fire.
A Shade of Vampire sounds like an edge of your seat riveting read and the excerpt adds to the intrigue. I'm looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the great interview.