We're Talkin' Sexy Alphas - Interview with Angela Addams
I’m delighted to introduce a writer friend of mine, Angela Addams, author of The Temptress, Assassin and Ghost Bride. She just recently released a new title, Going the Distance. First, a quick glimpse of the book and its cover: 
Here is the blurb for the book:
He’s been in love with her since they were teenagers, Steph Randall, the most wanted woman on the planet. Pierced by Cupid’s arrow as teens, Ronan fell hard for Steph, he had plans for them, even bought a ring, only to discover that her ambition was stronger than their love. Cupid had failed to win her heart and join the couple. Now Cupid needs to fix things, an incredible boon if he can succeed. All he has to do is show Steph what she is missing.
As an award-winning actress, Steph has a mind of her own and is blinded by her ambition. Yet, for all her money and fame, the only time she truly finds peace is when she is in Ronan’s arms. She thinks that all she needs is a friend with benefits, but with a little Cupid intervention, Ronan suddenly finds that he can’t tolerate it any longer and Steph is forced to choose. What will she risk losing for her ambition? And what is Ronan willing to give up to get his girl?
Angela is giving away an ebook copy of this beauty...continue on to find out how YOU can enter to win it!
Now, to get down and dirty with some questions...er, not dirty...just down. Ok, nevermind. Here is my interview with the lovely Angela:
First Angela, I follow your blog and came across a recent post where you and author Anne Michaud discuss being goth. In it, you mentioned the movie, The Crow. I nearly spewed the sip of water I’d just taken when I read this. I believe this movie was a turning point for me. I’d always written dark poems and stories about death and vengeance, but at such an impressionable age, this movie put it out there and made it cool. Suddenly, I didn’t feel like a freak about my love for the dark and twisted. What influenced your love for goth or do you feel it’s always been an inherent part of your DNA?
Thanks for having me on your blog, Keri!
I have always been interested in the paranormal, from the time that I was a little kid until now. I devoured Anne Rice’s Witching Hour series as a teen and immersed myself into vampire lore and literature soon after that. I can’t say I’ve always written paranormal stuff because that didn’t really come until a friend pointed out that that’s what I really should be writing…and then I had this light bulb moment where I was like, “Duh! Of course that’s what I should be writing!”
I was a goth as a teen, still am one at heart ;-) Loved being different in my small town and sending out that creepy vibe to all the normal folk. There was an element of danger, and of course a big eff u to the “cool” (boring), normal looking, popular groups. It was awesome!
Haha! Flipping the boring cool kids off...Why do you think women are drawn to paranormal romance? What is it about these books and movies that make being seduced by a vampire, werewolf or demon so much more appealing than the average Joe Schmo?
I think what draws us to these creatures is partly the element of danger, and partly the fantasy of an exotic, feral, wild alpha male who is usually characterized as being intensely passionate, possessive, and protective. It’s the allure of eternal life and venturing into the unknown. These heroes are the epitome of bad boy and you know how we all love the bad boys ;-)
Oh God…excuse me while I collect myself. You just used ‘exotic’, ‘feral’ and ‘wild alpha male’ in the same sentence…the power of words. Must stop fantasizing about running naked through the woods with this sexy beast! *cough* Ok Angie, I have a feeling I’m going to know the answer to this question before I even…finish…typing it. Your female characters – tough as nails or sweet and demure? Why?
I’d have to go with tough as nails…for the most part. In The Temptress, Assassin and Going the Distance, my female leads are strong seductresses who know what they want and go after it. That doesn’t mean that they all carry swords and kick ass, but each has her own way of getting results. In Ghost Bride my female lead is softer, more innocent…although she does kick some pretty serious ass in her own way at a certain point. I respect strong women and I can guarantee that all of my mc’s are going to have, or discover that they have, strength in some way. I was raised to believe that a strong woman is a worthy woman and that girls can do anything. That doesn’t mean that I write my characters as stone cold females, but I do give them an edge so that they don’t take things lying down…or at least they don’t for long.
Girls rule!! *clears throat* Sorry for that. What is your writing routine? Any odd habits or rituals that you simply must perform in order to kick start your muse or do you just dive right in?
I don’t have a muse. Sorry, it’s just not something I believe in. I control my writing process and refuse to allow the notion of needing some outside influence in order to get to work. I treat writing as I do my day job. I outline, I set my word count target and I write. Period. Not very romantic, I know, but that’s the way I am. I’m very goal oriented and efficient. With an idea of where I’m headed via my outline, I can pump out what I need. I have never missed a quota target that I’ve set for myself. (Usually 10K a week when I’m working on a project).
Oh man…the second I try to outline, it’s over. You’re a machine! Of all your published titles, which character is your favorite and why?
Oh, no, nope, won’t fall for that one! I love them all!!! Equally, just like my kids ;-)
I will say, just between you and I, that I love Ronan and Steph from my newest release, Going the Distance. They aren’t picture perfect, in fact, they both have some hurtles to overcome, but their chemistry is incredible! I love reading their story (and not just because I wrote it ;-)
Imperfection is what makes a great story, IMO. Who is (are) your biggest literary influence(s)? What book could you read again and again?
I have to say that without the amazing, Kelley Armstrong, I wouldn’t have made it as far as I have! She not only opened the doors to urban fantasy in Canada, but she is also one of the most helpful, personable and talented writers I’ve had the pleasure to interact with.
I will also say that Anne Rice, Kresley Cole, D.B. Reynolds, Rhyannon Byrd and Karen Marie Moning are all incredibly talented storytellers who inspire me to write sexy erotic romance. Any of their books are ones that I will read repeatedly.
Wonder if chains are on sale at Home Depot this week? *straightens in seat* Ahem, my apologies, you mentioned Kresley Cole…just having a Rydstrom moment. Moving on. Are you a coffee, latte or tea drinker?
I’m a coffee and latte drinker. I love the flavored coffees, Caramel Macchiato, Peppermint Mocha…yum! But on a day-to-day basis I brew my own at home!
Mmmmm…Peppermint Mocha. My favorite! Of all the supernatural beings (vampires, werewolves, ghosts, demons, zombies, shifters, etc), which is your favorite to write about? Why?
I love to write about witches actually, although I haven’t yet published a novella about witches ;-) I’ve been working on an urban fantasy with my agent that deals with my love of witches quite well though!
For my erotic romances I love vampires, werewolves, ghosts…oh my! Do I really have to pick just one? They’re all so yummy! Strong alpha males with delicious, hot bodies, mmmmm…yeah, do you really have to ask why I’d love to write about them?
Well, I was actually asking why you preferred a certain species over another, but since you love them all, think I can guess why ;)…hahaha! For me, its those lovable badboy demons. Oooh. Incubi. Or angels with a dark side *winks* Sexy as hell… What is the release date of Going the Distance and where can readers purchase the book?
Going the Distance was released on Dec. 28 and you can find it at Evernight Publishing
http://www.evernightpublishing.com/angela-addams/
BONUS QUESTION: Lestat de Lioncourt or Eric Northman?
Ohhhhh, that’s a tough one. I think I’ll have to go with Eric simply because he is so masculine and sooooo sexy! Lestat is great and all, but he’s not savvy with the times like Eric is, and I don’t think he’s quite the alpha that I need ;-)
Eric is pretty yum, though I must admit, I'm 100% Team Alcide.
I HAD to post this because I don’t know that I’ll conduct another interview where I’d get the pleasure of throwing in a Trent Reznor song at the end of it.
Ahhh….one of my favorite NIN songs:
Want to know more about this talented writer and her 'exotic', 'feral' and 'wild alpha males'? Check out the links below!
THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF ANGELA ADDAMS
Thanks for letting me pick your brain, Angela. I wish you success on your newest release, Going the Distance!
WANNA WIN AN EBOOK COPY OF Going the Distance???
Simply leave a comment below. Winner will be randomly drawn next week!!