The Vampire Relationship Guide, Vol 1 Winner

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Q&A with Evelyn LaFont & Giveaway **CLOSED**

Please welcome author Evelyn LaFont to P.S. I Love Books!

Evelyn is a full time writer living in Florida with her perfect orange kitties and totally alpha hubby. Her debut paranormal romance series, The Vampire Relationship Guide, is a four-novella series that takes a satirical look at what it would be like if a clueless human chick really dated a vampire.

Welcome Evelyn! I appreciate you taking the time out to visit P.S. I Love Books while on your blog tour.

Thanks for having me!

Can you tell us a little bit about your book The Vampire Relationship Guide: Vol 1: Meeting and Mating?

The book takes a practical and satirical look at the paranormal romance genre while still giving good story. It’s about a woman named Josie who’s obsessed with having sex with a vampire. Vampires are “out” in her world, but up to this point, most of Josie’s vampire education has come from popular culture rather than vamps themselves. Unfortunately, this limited understanding works its way into some new relationships she develops and things get a little bit complicated.

What was one of your favorite and least favorite things about writing it?

My favorite thing was getting the story out so the characters could stop having conversations in my head. My least favorite…hmmm…typing. Lotsa typing.

Which of the characters did you enjoy working with the most?

I love Josie. She’s funny but a bit clueless and open (maybe too open), but not abrasive. She’s also willing to admit when she’s made a mistake. I also love writing Walker, he’s such an antagonist.

If you had the chance to do it all over again would you change anything in Volume 1?

I love this book, and I think it fits in perfectly with my plans for the next three in the series. That said, I think there are always things you wonder if you should have done differently.

What do you think of the cover?

I love my cover! The concept art that I submitted to the designer was…wow, it was terrible. It was a stick figure drawing that I had done in MS Paint of a man and a woman at a café table, the woman drinking coffee and the man drinking from a blood bag. It’s a great concept, but my sample was ridiculous. The cover designer (who I happen to be sleeping with, so I think I got special treatment) took the concept and ran with it, then bettered it. He used the Chilton car manuals as a model and created this worn looking cover like a beat up guidebook that some chick has referenced over and over. It’s fantastic.

*Evelyn's cover idea*

When did you first realize that you wanted to write?

I’d been writing corporate stuff for years before I decided to strike out on my own as a freelance writer. That happened after I wrote a few funny essays and realized that I could write for entertainment, not just sales and training stuff.

If The Vampire Relationship Guide was made into a movie who would be your ideal cast for the main characters?

I’m so scared to answer this question because I don’t want to ruin the mental picture readers develop of the characters. I know I’d want Kate Hudson as Josie, I think I see Ashley Judd as Alena…as for Walker and Gregory—I’ll let readers fill in their own blanks there.

If you could write a book about absolutely anything with any other author (dead or alive) what would it be about and who would you choose?

I would choose Marta Acosta because her books crack me up, and you gotta know it would be a vampire romance!

I’m always looking for books to add to my ginormous TBR (to be read) pile. What books are you currently reading or have read recently? Any good recommendations?

I’ll stay on point with the previous question and recommend Acosta’s Casa Dracula series. It’s funny, heartbreakingly romantic, and completely unexpected.

What are some of your favorite things to do when given a break from the writing life and other work-related things?

Would you believe me if I told you I’ve forgotten? I know I like watching movies and documentaries, laying on the beach, drinking…oh, and reading too!

Are you currently working on any projects that we may see from you in the future?

I’m pretty focused on getting the next three VRG novellas done, then I have another PNR series I’ll be starting and possibly some zombie chick lit—say what?

Thank you so much for stopping by Evelyn! Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

http://www.evelynlafont.wordpress.com/

Want to win an ebook copy courtesy of the lovely Evelyn LaFont?

Simply fill out this form to enter!

Giveaway ends May 24th!

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Review: The Vampire Relationship Guide, Volume 1: Meeting and Mating

The Vampire Relationship Guide, Volume 1:

 Meeting and Mating

Evelyn LaFont

Series or Stand Alone: The Vampire Relationship Guide series, volume one

Release Date: March 2011

Publisher: Helios Media, Inc

Pages: 140 (ebook)

Author Site: http://www.evelynlafont.wordpress.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from The Bookish Snob Promotions

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

Josie wants what she's never been able to have--sex with a vampire. When she receives an invitation to a party thrown by one of the world's richest vamps, she doesn't stop to question her luck; she just jumps into her favorite stilettos and heads out to the event of a lifetime, secretly hoping that she'll come home with a party favor in the shape of a sexy coffin dweller.

But the great undead, much to Josie's chagrin, aren't just pale sexbots with pointy teeth waiting to satisfy her carnal desires; they are dangerous--and sometimes cranky. With a single-minded focus on fulfilling her sole sexual longing, Josie unwittingly entrenches herself in the twisted and sometimes antagonistic world of vampire relationships with no one to guide her, but herself.

Review:

Even with all the hype that vampires have received over the past few years I don’t think I’ll ever truly get tired of them. I especially enjoy authors that try to re-invent vampire lore or add unique twists to spice things up. Evelyn LaFont has successfully written a funny, inventive, sexy, and addicting tale that I’m really looking forward to continuing.

Josie may be a little single-minded but she’s really funny. She has a great inner monologue and says things that would normally come out of my mouth. She even calls herself a teenage boy in one part of the book because all she wants in life right now is a date and some hot sex with a vampire. So although we don’t have that little tidbit in common I find that I really enjoyed her personality. There were times when she was somewhat ignorant and naïve but its hard to stay mad at a woman like Josie.

Her two vampire love interests are complete opposites. Gregory is tall, dark, and handsome…and when I say dark I mean it quite literally. Gregory is one of the few vampires who enjoy a good spray tan every now and then. He’s also very wealthy but still decent enough to be a kind person – or vampire. Walker is the epitome of bad boy… complete with asshole-ish tendencies with sweet moments sprinkled randomly in. He’s sort of got a bi-polar disorder where he’s semi-nice one moment and a complete jerk the next. But he’s also sort of irresistible. I feel Josie’s pain… I loved the sexual tension between Josie and both vamps. I found it yummy and completely understandable. Josie’s got a lot on her plate and it’s full of sexy vampire man trouble.

I was actually very surprised at the craziness that was the end. It had a lot of depth to it that I wasn’t really expecting to find. It added a somewhat serious undertone to an overall funny read. I refuse to give anything away because you’ll really want to read the ending for yourself. I know I’m definitely going to be reading the next volume in The Vampire Relationship Guide. Josie is sure to find herself in more trouble and I’ll be along for the ride.

P.S. (cover talk)

It’s very fun! If you hang around and stop by tomorrow on Evelyn’s blog tour you’ll see Evelyn’s cover idea. The basic concept is the same but it’s funny how the two differ! There’s also a ebook copy up for grabs so be sure to come back!