Blog Tour: Interview with Annie Nicholas + Giveaway!

WELCOME TO THE BLOG, ANNIE! :)

Annie Nicholas hibernates in the rural, green mountains of Vermont where she dreams of different worlds, heroes, and heroines. When spring arrives the stories pour from her, in hopes to share them with the masses one day.

Mother, daughter, wife are some of the hats she happily wears while trudging after her cubs through the hills and dales. The four seasons an inspiration and muse.

 

 
Where to Find Annie:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

 

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The_Book_Queen: Hi Annie! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Annie: Hey, thanks for hosting me today. I am a quirky French Canadian transplanted in the beautiful mountains of Vermont. For as long as I can remember I've been plagued by characters in my head but it never occurred to me to write their stories until recently. Besides writing, I'm a mother of two busy boys and been a nurse for over twenty years.

TBQ: What made you decide to start writing? Why romance?

A: I’ve always been a avid reader (still am), but it never occurred to me to write a book until a few years ago. I was housebound for a few months with an illness. After reading everything I and the local library owned, I decided to write a novel to keep from going crazy.

 

While on leave one of my co-workers dropped off a huge box of books at my place. Every single one of them a romance. Let's say they inspired me. ;-)

 

 

TBQ: Koishi, which kicks off your GateKeepers series, comes out last week (Congrats!).  Can you tell us a little bit about this book, and why readers are going to love it?

 

A: Koishi and Sandra have great chemistry. There's lots of humor and banter. Koishi, like any self-respecting dragon, is obsessed with gold. He falls in love with Sandra's heirloom necklace. When he discovers she's looking to meet the dragon he uses his human form as a go between and acts as his own human servant.

TBQ: What made you decide to write about a hot dragon? (Note: I approve. Very much. :D )

A: I didn't realize I had a choice. :-/

The night Koishi formed in my mind, he kept poking at me to write him. Dragons are a pain in the ass. We wouldn't want them any other way. LOL

 

 TBQ: So true! :) Are there other genres you would like to write about? Other paranormal themes?

A: I have quite a few shifter books and a few vampire. I really enjoyed writing a dragon and plan to write about Koishi's mother one day. (Once you meet her you'll understand why.) I also would love to expand into sci-fi.

 

TBQ: 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?

 

A: I have four authors on auto-buy Nalini Singh, JR Ward, Jim Butcher, and Darynda Jones.

 

TBQ: I've not read the last two, but totally agree with Singh and Ward! Now, 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?

A: Dmitri.

He's 1000 year old vampire in Nalini Singh's Archangel series. *rawr* There's something about a bad guy with a soft spot that gets me every time.

 

TBQ: Yes, yes there is....*daydreams* Oh, sorry. Ahem. :D What's next-- Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming releases or WIP?

 

A: I'm just finished writing the next installment of The Vanguards series and I'm in the process of writing Release, the third Angler book.

 

SPEED ROUND:

 

A day on a secluded island OR a day at the spa?

Island

 

Reading a spicy romance novel OR a sweet “my-heart-skips-a-beat” one?

Spicy

Which would you rather have an affair with: a sexy highlander OR a devilishly handsome English lord?

Highlander

 

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?
Mountains (it's where I am now. lol)

 

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

Future

 

Cover Lover OR Blurb Fan?
Cover

 

Steamy Novella OR Sweet Novel? (aka, Quickie or Slow Build Up?)
Slow build up.

 

 

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

• Secretly my fat hound is trying to take over the world one nap at a time.

• I love to hike but I'm terrified of wild animals.

• I'm the only Canadian who can't ice skate.

 

 

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

 

Annie: Do  you Pin? (Pinterest) What are your favorite things to Pin?

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Koishi by Annie Nicholas

Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc. (January 30, 2013)

Series: GateKeepers, 1

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Never make a deal with a dragon.

 

Sandra’s sister is dying. Doctors say nothing can be done, but she refuses to give up hope. She has depleted all their resources searching for a cure, when a little bird whispers in Sandra’s ear about secret worlds, gates, and the keepers who protect them. A dragon gatekeeper, who hoards magical treasure within his volcano home in Japan, possibly owns an item capable of curing her sister.

 

Gates choose their keepers, and Koishi thinks his did an excellent job in picking him. Not many dare to cross, and none who try survive. However, one tiny human female with either the courage of an army or the intelligence of a gnat has arrived on the island asking for him. Curious, he waits for the locals to steer her to his human servant—actually him, in man form.

 

Let the games begin…

 

 

CONTENT WARNING: Goblins, mayhem, and sushi await you with hot dragon sex and Koishi’s odd sense of humor 

 

 

Where to Buy*:

Kindle | NOOK

More Info:

Add it on GoodReads! | Find the Series

Koishi by Annie Nicholas

Excerpt

“Thank you.” Sandra shifted the weight of the pack on her back and marched toward the street.

The stranger twisted as she passed him, his gaze weighing heavily on her. “It’s about a three hour walk to the nearest hotel. If you run, you might beat the storm.”

She spun around. “What?” she wanted to smack that stupid grin off his face. The trip across the strait had been harrowing enough. She wasn’t in any shape to hike in a storm. “Do you have cabs?”

“Yes.” He approached her. “During tourist season.”

“Then how do people move around the island? There have to be buses.” She peered at the storm clouds, which appeared closer than before. She hadn’t considered the consequences of rushing here. Time was running out and she’d jumped on the first flight out to Japan.

“They walk or bike. There are a few buses, but I don’t know their schedules.” His gaze lowered to the opening of her blouse. “Maybe we could come to some kind of arrangement.”

Gasping, she clutched the edges of her blouse shut. “I don’t think so.” She must look better than she felt or smelled. How could anyone be interested in her in this state?

He rolled his eyes. “I meant your necklace.”

“Oh.” The heat of her mortified blush almost blistered the skin off her cheeks. Of course, he wasn’t making a crude pass at her. He was only trying to swindle her. Nice.

He gave her a crooked smile as if he knew exactly what she’d been thinking. “The gold reflects the light very nicely.” Reaching for her jewelry, he bypassed her swatting hands until he held the small heart-shaped pendant in his palm.

She yanked it away. “It’s not up for trade. My mother gave it to me.” She’d died in her sleep a year earlier after a long, happy life. Out of all the things from her estate, Sandra had only wanted this necklace. Her father, who’d passed years ago, had given it to her mother when they’d first met.

“It has a nice weight to it and is well crafted.” His gaze lingered on her necklace for a second longer before meeting her stare. “I have a truck. I could drive you into town where you would have a pick of fine hotels.”

“That’s very kind of you.”

“For the necklace.”

She growled like a rabid dog. Yes, it had been that kind of day. “I said no. Nain!”

“Nine?”

“What?” She threw up her arms and abandoned all hope of help.

“That’s what you said. Nine what? Rides? I usually don’t play taxi for tourists, but…” His gaze grew heavy with darker promises. “For you, I’d offer a ride on me.”

She blinked. Did he understand what he’d just said? “I think we lost something in translation.” In both their cases. “I’ll manage on my own.” Stalking to the road, she ignored his laughter and pulled out her phrase book. Lost and tired, all she wanted was a room. Maybe she could stay in someone’s home for the night. But how did she ask? These sentences were more tailored for people who had already arrived at their destination. Where is the bathroom? Where is the phone? She didn’t see a Can I spend the night? written anywhere. Then again, that could translate improperly and she’d end up in a worse situation.

Reaching the road, she turned right and kept searching for some kind of help. Another American tourist, an embassy, or even a flipping McDonald’s would be welcome.

A pick-up truck slowed next to her and the window rolled down. “Maybe you have something else to trade?”

The stranger had followed her and she gave him a what-the-hell look.

“I’d hate for you to walk all that way after such a harrowing boat ride.” He winked at her.

“That’s very kind of you.” She stopped walking, forcing him to slam on the brakes to maintain their conversation. Could she trust this stranger who exhibited a touch of stalker tendency? Flashes of serial killer music sang through her thoughts. She glanced around at the mostly empty road. What choice did she have? At least he spoke good English so when he murdered her she’d understand his evil monologue. “Maybe you could offer to drive me for free?”

He stared at her with mock surprise. “There’s such a thing?”

“Yes.” She dropped her pack to the ground, her shoulders already aching, and tried her best to not smile back at the jerk.

Leaning forward, he tilted his head to the side. “Why?”

She shook her head. “It must be a cultural thing.” Kneeling, she rummaged inside her bag and pulled out her wallet. She was on a tight budget. All her savings had gone to purchasing information. “How much?”

“Money?” He grimaced. “I don’t like paper. Don’t you carry anything valuable?”

“Most people would consider money valuable.” She mumbled under her breath as she shoved her wallet back into her pack. With a little more digging, she found her small carrying case and held out two silver earrings. “That’s all I’ve got. Take it or bug off.” She laid them on his outstretched hand.

He sniffed at the metal. “There’s not much silver in this.”

“How can you tell?” Her shout echoed over the water.

“I just can. Get in. I’ll give generosity a try.”

She climbed inside the old cab with peeling leather seats before he could change his mind. “It’s only charitable if you don’t keep the earrings.”

He dropped them in his breast pocket. “Believe me, this is charity.”

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Annie's giving ONE e-copy of Koishi to

 

a lucky commenter on this stop!

 

 

How to Enter:

• Leave a comment below--answer Annie's question, or ask one of your own!
 

 

Giveaway ends Feb 23!

 

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 Thanks for stopping by today, Annie! :) I wish your dog luck in conquering the world--sounds a bit like my cats. Hehe. I'm in the middle of Koishi as we speak, enjoying it so far (why, life, must you interrupt my reading?).
 
 
 Don't forget Annie's question:

Do you Pin? (Pinterest) What are your favorite things to Pin?

Enjoy! 






Until Next Time,



 


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