Good afternoon everyone!! For the Love of Books, Book Monster Reviews, and LITERAL ADDICTION are very pleased to welcome Indie author Zoe Winters to our sites today.
Zoe Winters writes quirky (and sometimes dark) paranormal romance, and is the creator of the Preternaturals series. Her favorite colors are rainbow and clear.
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| My idea of what Zoe looks like….. Amazing right? |
When asked, “What’s your goal as a writer?”, Zoe replied with: “I want to write a book that makes you almost pee your pants because you don’t want to put it down long enough to go to the bathroom. I want to write a book that you miss meals for. I want to write a book you miss bathing for. I want to grab hold of you and not let go until the very last page, where you crumble to the floor in a blissful heap, ask for a cigarette, and say: ‘Damn, was it good for you too,’ then tell 300 of your closest friends about it on Twitter.” J LOL!
Now if that doesn’t make you want to go out and find her books ASAP, we’re not sure what will! That said, let’s find out more about Zoe’s Preternaturals series and take a brief look at each of the books.
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Blood Lust: The first book in the Preternaturals series, which is actually a compilation of 3 different novellas (all available for individual purchase on Amazon), Blood Lust gives readers a snapshot look at the world of the Preternaturals. Here are brief synopses about each novella:
1) KEPT (also available free. Click HERE): As a cat therian (shifter), Greta’s blood is already sought after to enhance spells and potions, but due to a quirk of her birth, her blood is potent enough to kill for. When her tribe plans to sacrifice her, Greta must ally herself with Dayne, the dangerous local sorcerer, and the only person strong enough to protect her.
2) CLAIMED: For a vampire, Anthony isn’t a picky eater, but he’s drawn to Charlee’s blood more than any other. Like a fine wine saved for a special occasion, he’s denied himself this pleasure. But one night, high from the potent magical blood of another, he claims his prize and loses control. Ashamed of almost killing the one woman who means anything to him, he wipes her memory of the event. When Charlee awakens with complete amnesia, Anthony is the only one who can clean up the mess he’s made.
3) MATED: Because of the vampiric blood that has run through her veins since birth, Jane has been a target for vampires who resent a human being “kindred.” She’s forced to disguise herself as a vampire groupie to appease them and safeguard her life. When she’s abruptly given to Cole, the leader of the werewolf pack, to satisfy a gambling debt, she discovers the blood running through her veins has a far greater impact on her destiny than she ever imagined.
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The second installment of the Preternaturals series was released on January 31, 2011 and has gotten rave reviews from fans. Let’s take a brief look at what Save My Soul is all about: All he’s asking for is her soul . After buying the antebellum home she’s fantasized about since childhood, Anna Worthington discovers Luc, a dangerously seductive incubus who has been trapped in the house by a fifty-year-old curse. To rid herself of her problem house guest she’ll call on a priest, gypsies, ghost hunters, and the coven of witches from lust bunny hell. All she has to do is resist him long enough to break the spell so they can go their separate ways. If she doesn’t, she could die. And that would be the best case scenario.
Now that we’ve learned more about Zoe’s books, let’s get to know the author behind the Preternaturals a little better.
For the Love of Books/Book Monster Reviews/LITERAL ADDICTION/ Hi Zoe!, We’re very happy to have you with us today! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to drop by and spend some time with us!
Zoe: Thanks for having me. 🙂
1) How/when did you start writing?
Zoe: I know I was writing novels by Jr. High but I honestly don’t remember if I was writing before that. I know by that time I was getting serious enough about it that it was what I wanted to be when I grew up.
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2) Can you please explain for those of us that don’t know much about it, what being an “Indie author” really means?
Zoe: It just means that I’m independent. Just like an indie band or filmmaker. No one else controls my art but me.
3) In your opinion, what are the two biggest pros & cons to being an Indie writer?
Zoe: For me there are no cons. I’m not saying everything is perfect and wonderful all the time, only that I don’t really look at it in those terms and the pros can be summed up as: Full creative control. I don’t want to be someone else’s serf.
4) Do you use social media to help connect with your readers and promote your work?
Zoe: Yes. I use Twitter, Facebook, and my blog. Though I don’t use any of the above as much as I used to. I’m shifting slowly from being pro-active and “out there” to interacting with the readers who come to me. I guess you can say I’m becoming rather hermit-y.
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5) Are there ways that an Indie author can deliver a satisfying reading experience better than a traditional publisher? If so, what do you feel they are?
Zoe: I’m not really sure how to answer that. I don’t like to create an “Us vs. Them”. I’m sure I did at one time, whether intentionally or not, but yeah, I don’t want to go down that road again. I have personal feelings about certain things with regards to indie vs. trad but I don’t want to keep fighting that fight. I think I should be celebrating indie rather than constantly looking back to the other path and ‘what’s wrong with it’.
6) What is your favorite supernatural being (or as we sometimes like to call them, “Supe Group” – i.e Vampires, Shifters, Weres, Fae, etc)?
Zoe: Hehe I like “Supe Group”. Either vampires or demons (incubus specifically).
7) What are some of your favorite television shows and movies?
Zoe: Anything Joss Whedon had a hand in. Firefly, Buffy, Angel, Dollhouse. I feel like I’m leaving out a Joss Whedon series, but maybe not.
8) If you could have any super power at all, what would it be and why?
Zoe: Teleportation. I’m not sure I can say why without just restating the power LOL. It’s fairly self-explanatory haha.
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9) What was the inspiration behind the Preternaturals series?
Zoe: I’m not sure there is any one inspiration for the series because it didn’t start out as a series idea. I’d written Save My Soul. Then I wrote Kept. Kept wasn’t even supposed to be connected. It was supposed to be a contest entry but I didn’t make the deadline. I released Kept to try to start building a fan base. At that time I had the vague idea that Save My Soul might be the start of a series, but I had no specific series plans until I came up with the idea for Claimed, the second novella that eventually became part of “Blood Lust”. By the time I had the second one done, I had an idea for a third one.
I figured out a way to tie the third book into Save My Soul so it could all be one world. And having three novellas gave me enough for a print release. So I made that book one and Save My Soul book 2. Of course by this time, I have about 10 books planned, and I have a much more solid world. It came together in a rather haphazard way, but there is nothing haphazard about it now.
10) Do you have a time frame as to when the third book might be released?
Zoe: I’m hoping by the end of the year.
11) Can you give us any insight into some of the things we can expect as the series progresses, and how many books are planned for the series?
Zoe: Right now I have ten planned. I may go over that. It just depends on how I feel about it and how the fans feel about it when we get there. There is nothing worse than a series that has passed its prime that just keeps getting crappier and crappier. After book 10 if it’s still strong and fans are still excited about it, I’ll keep going. As the series progresses Cain will get his own book (and will have a mate). We’ll also travel into a future world where everyone knows about the preternaturals. Things start getting weird by book 4, and really weird beyond that. Right now a lot of things that are happening are setting up future stuff.
12) Do you have a writing routine? Certain things you must have with you for the process to begin, etc?
Zoe: No, I really just sit down and write. I try not to get too ritualistic or precious about it.
13) What are the best and worst parts of writing for you?
Zoe: I like it all. Except when I don’t. LOL. There is no one part that I always like or always hate.
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| Short Story of Greta going to heat. Order Here |
14) What have you always wanted to be asked in an interview but never were? And could you answer that for us?
Zoe: I’m not sure I’ve ever had a question I wished someone would ask but never did. People generally ask all the pertinent questions about the series. Anything beyond that would be spoilers which I can’t do. And I generally don’t answer personal questions in interviews.
15) So, what’s next for Zoe Winters? What do you have planned in the upcoming months?
Zoe: Trying to get books 3 and 4 finished so I can release them.
16) Is there anything specific you would like to say to your readers while we have you here today?
Zoe: Thanks for reading. Without readers it’s all pretty much textual masturbation.
FTLOB/BMR/L.A.: Zoe, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer our questions! We wish you the best of luck with the Preternaturals series, and all of your future endeavors. We would love to have you back when you’re ready to promote the thirdPreternaturals book if you’re free! J
Zoe: Thanks for having me, that sounds great!
Giveaway Time:
Zoe has be very generous in offer one lucky follower a signed copy of Save My Soul (book 2). To enter please leave a comment or question along with your email address.
Giveaway will be open until August 1st.. Winner will be announce on August 3rd.
Extra Enteries:
+1 Be a follower of my blog (click join over on the right side)
+1 Follow me on Facebook
+1 Follow Zoe’s Facebook
Want an extra chance to win a signed copy of Save My Soul books head over to
Want to learn more about Zoe and her books? You Can find her here:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/zoewinters
I've heard great things about this author and series. Would love to read these books.
juliecookies(at)gmail.com
GFC follower
FB "lik" both your site and Zoe's fan page.
(+3 entries)
I always love reading new authors would love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sorry forgot email k2sgal@aol.com
Looking forward to reading these books!1
liesa008@comcast.net
Thank you for the interview!!! loved it!!
missyb0103@yahoo.com
Yep, she's already on my list! Heard great things about her! Awesome interview and giveaway!!
I follow all three 🙂
awesome interview would love to to read this series. its now on my list. another awesome giveaway.
These books sound really good!
areeths @ new dot rr dot com
GFC follower
Follower on FB
I really enjoyed the interview. Would love to read these book. I've heard really good things. Would love to win.
kll@surfacezero.net
Zoe's books look great!
I am a follower as Robin D under robindpdx (at) gmail (dot) com.
Robin D
robindpdx (at) yahoo (dot) com
I read a lot of dark paranormals but quirky ones are new to me. I would like to chance to read one.
GFC follower
Cambonified[at]yahoo[dot]com
These books have been on my wish list for a while now.
Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
blog follower
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elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
Now this sounds like a series I could get my teeth into! I love the covers, very sexy!
Thanks for the interview and giveaway 🙂
I'm a blog follower
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I'm a Zoe FB follower
legallycaz@yahoo.co.uk
Loved the interview, can't wait to read these book thank you.
frys.family@bigpond.com
I haven't read any of Zoe's books before but after reading about them I am going to have to. Them seem very interesting.
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+1 Blog follower on Facebook- username Amy Stogner
truebloodfan(at)rock(dot)com
I haven't read any yet, but that is going to change!
+1 GFC follower
+1 Blog follower on Facebook- username Patti Conn Paonessa Pusateri
musicalfrog at comcast dot net