Books-n-Kisses is pleased to have Karina Cooper on the blog today to chat about life, Merri Destefano and her newest book One for the Wicked.

Karina, can you please share with us a little about yourself

Hi! Thanks so much for having me today! My name’s Karina Cooper, and I’m a writer. I have paranormal romance books out and a steampunk urban fantasy series. I tend to be all over the place, creatively and otherwise. I’m a steampunk, a gamer, and all around twitter-holic.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

In a roundabout way? Yes! I started writing for fun when I was in high school, little short stories designed to give friends of mine happily ever afters. I even had a little form for them to fill out detailing their ideal man. I was a smooth operator, right? … We’ll go with that.

Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

Some of my favorite authors are Neil Gaiman—naturally!—and Merrie Destefano. Interestingly enough, I have long said that Merrie’s prose is very fluid and lyrical, much like Neil’s, and I’m often left thinking about their books long after I put them down. I also enjoy books by Ilona Andrews, I’m loving Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid series, and Victoria Dahl always gets my engine started. I’m not sure if I can say if any of them influenced my writing—I think I’m too close to the subject. Maybe readers could tell me who I remind them of, and I’ll say whether or not I’ve read them! I get a lot of comparisons to JR Ward, which is ridiculously flattering, but I have to admit, I’ve never had a chance to sit and read her. Please don’t burn me!

How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

I started writing PNR because I’m heavily influenced by the supernatural—I love paranormal stories, from the classic vampires to human magic-users to aliens to steampunk alchemy to even stories of angels and demons. However, I don’t stop there! I write a steampunk urban fantasy, and I’m currently developing projects outside the romance genre and steampunk themes. I believe in writing the stories that want to be written, and a lot of times, that journey takes an author outside established genre lines. I’m all for that.

What are some of your writing rituals?

I only really have one: hot drinks. No matter what’s going on, or where I am, if I’m sitting down to work, I have a hot cup  of something near at hand. Usually? It’s coffee. Because coffee, man. But I’ll have hot apple cider, hot tea, even hot emergen-C if I’m not feeling well. Regardless, that hot drink is near at hand or I’m not writing a word. It’s a terrible crutch, but it’s one I can live with.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

One for the Wicked is the finale to the Dark Mission series. It follows Kayleigh Lauderdale, the daughter of the enigmatic leader of the Holy Order’s Sector Three, and the man who’s out to achieve revenge no matter what the cost. Shawn Lowe has it out for the Lauderdale family in a big way, and nothing’s going to get in his way. Except, what happens when you actually start to like the person you’re supposed to hate? The stakes are at their all-time highest as the root of the greatest conspiracy the new world knows is finally exposed.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

A sick day watching the Discovery channel! At the very least, that’s what started the whole story, anyway, right back to Blood of the Wicked. Shawn and Kayleigh’s story is a culmination of 7 books—four full lengths and three novellas—of conspiracies, cover-ups, betrayals and bloodshed. Really, I didn’t have to do a lot of dreaming up for this one. These were seeds sowed over the past two years, and in a lot of ways, I just had to hang on for the ride.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

Currently, I’m in between projects! (Gasp!) but starting Monday, I’ll be beginning work for the fourth in my steampunk urban fantasy, whose title is not yet decided. I’m also going to be working on edits for Corroded, which is the third book in that series. And tells the story of Cherry St. Croix as she works to achieve revenge for a terrible crime committed below the filthy, smoggy drift.

Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.

Okay, let’s see! I turn to a scene wherein Shawn is in trouble, and the only person who can help him is Kayleigh Lauderdale—the woman he’s kidnapped. She’s nobody’s fool, and she’s definitely cautious, but she’s also aware that her chances of survival are extremely low without Shawn’s help. It’s a stand-off, and she’s going to have to make a decision: help him now, knowing it could put her at risk later, or leave him to rot—and risk rotting herself.

What would you be if you were not an author?

I have zero idea. Writing is such a fundamental part of who I am that I can’t imagine what I’d be. I was always a bit of a profession gypsy—I stayed at a job just until I mastered it, and then when it became commonplace, I moved on. I imagine I’d be kind of drifting.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I definitely am looking forward to the continuation of Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid series, and I can’t wait for Ilona Andrews’ next Kate Daniels book. I kind of stalk Victoria Dahl, I’ll admit it.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just a huge thanks for having me today! I hope you’ll come frolic in my ongoing worlds and new projects, and that you loved the story of New Seattle as much as I did writing it. I bid these characters a fond farewell, and hope I left you with so many great memories.

Avon (@avonbooks) will be having a twitter chat on Monday, 4/29, from 3-4PM EST, with Karina Cooper (@KarinaCooper), and we’d love for you to participate! It will be using hashtag #WickedOne, and we’ll be chatting about all kinds of things—namely, witches! We’d love it if you shared your favorite witches (from books, movies, TV and beyond), but we’re also keen to hear about your favorite epic endings, favorite moments in the Dark Mission series—and don’t forget, Karina will be answering questions, so please do join us! Here’s the cherry on top of our paranormal Sundae (err…Monday): anyone who tweets using #WickedOne will be entered to win the complete Dark Mission series!

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