Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Gabi Stevens to the blog today to chat about her upcoming book Wishful Thinking.
Q1) Gabi, can you please share with us a little about yourself
Hmmm, how to make this interesting? After growing up in Southern California, attending boarding school in Colorado, college in New York, California, Germany, and Illinois, I live in New Mexico with my husband of mumbelty-some years. I have three incredible daughters, two dogs (boy, will my kids love being in the same sentence with the dogs), and dreams bigger than my house can contain. I love language and languages—I’m fluent in three and know Latin—and spent seven years teaching middle schoolers the joys of literature. I play all kinds of games from computer to board to volleyball, love to read, hate to cook (although I’m the default chef in the family), and, of course, I write books.
Q2) Have you always wanted to be an author?
No. When I was a kid I thought I wanted to be an actress, but my temperament wasn’t suited to that life. I studied literature instead, and when I had my children, I realized I needed to do something for myself to keep my brain from liquefying. I grabbed a pen (yes, a pen) and a notebook and wrote down one of those many stories whirling around in my head. And I realized I’d found what I was meant to do.
Q3) Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
It’s long list, but I won’t bore you with the entire thing: Mark Twain, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Agatha Christie—seriously, each of these authors inspire me to do better; they were so brilliant in so many ways. In the romance genre: Teresa Medeiros, Eloisa James, Jill Barnett, Jennifer Crusie, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Lori Wilde and Jodi Thomas. Other writers: Christopher Moore, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Malcolm Gladwell.
Q4) How did you get into writing in this specific genre? Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?
I’ve read romance since I was sixteen. My mother handed me my first romance novels. She didn’t (and still doesn’t) like them and wondered if I might be interested. Well, they became my go-to reads. And I’ve always loved paranormal stories. From the time I was a kid and read the Oz books, I’ve loved stories with magic and the supernatural. I became a big science fiction fan in high school, and when Harry Potter came out, well, I read them before my kids. But I have written in a different genre. My first published novels were historicals (under a different name—I’m hoping to get the rights back and re-release them electronically. I have one out now under the name Gabi Anderson.) However, paranormals are truly my first love.
Q5) What are some of your writing rituals?
I don’t think I have many. I love to chew gum furiously and loudly (which is why I work in a room alone) when the juices are flowing (uh, sorry about the choice of the word “juices”), I sometimes listen to music, sometimes I write on paper instead of the computer. Mostly what I do is pay attention to the movie in my head and write down what I see and hear. Can you tell I don’t do much plotting? Makes for a messy rough draft, but I love revision, so that’s good for me.
.jpg)
Q6) Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
WISHFUL THINKING is the third book in my trilogy about fairy godmothers, but they’re not the ones you remember from Disney. Their role is more one of protection, although they do also grant wishes. In Wishful Thinking, free-spirit Stormy Jones-Smythe lives in a loving community of artists, but when she is chosen as the third fairy godmother, the Arcani world forces its boundaries and expectations on her. The first two godmothers have gone rogue, and the Council assigns her a full time guard to prevent her from doing the same. Luckily even a rigid and strict bodyguard can’t contain her exuberance.
Hunter Merrick doesn’t appreciate the babysitting job he’s been given, especially when Stormy proves as chaotic as her name implies. But a threat forces Hunter to choose which side deserves his loyalty and both choices have dire consequences.
And if Stormy can defeat the greatest enemy the Arcani have seen since the time of Merlin, maybe she can rescue a bit of happiness for herself too. If she survives.
Q7) How did you come with the idea for this story?
I have always loved the Grimm fairy tales. I even studied them in college. So when the time came for me to write a paranormal novel, I wanted something new and different. Fairy godmothers were just the right subject. The number three is one of the magic numbers in the fairy tales (as are seven and twelve), so I knew I wanted three stories about three women. And one of my favorite themes is doing the right thing no matter the cost. And there you have my plot. Okay, it wasn’t quite that easy, and I didn’t write to the theme, I just told the story, but that’s the major theme that came out of the story.
Q8) Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
Right now my agent is pitching a series about a town filled with people who have special abilities, and currently I’m working on a historical paranormal, combining my two favorite genres of romance. And lately, in the back of my mind I have two very different stories brewing. I’m waiting for them to ripen before I write them.
Q9) What would you be if you were not an author?
Definitely a teacher. I taught for seven years and left the profession a year ago. I loved dealing with the kids, showing them how to think, write, and yes, read (they all thought they knew how—silly children). I did love it, but I was a writer first. And I’ll spare you my rant about the education system in general.
Q10) What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
I don’t have much of a TBR pile because I read too fast, but I’m looking forward to the book following A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore, and Jill Barnett’s return to historicals (I believe this fall).
Q11) Is there anything else you would like to add?
Real life is so serious. We all have issues or problems or obstacles that we have to face (And lets not even talk about the political atmosphere in this election year). I hope my books provide an escape from all that. I want my books to bring laughter, a few tears maybe, and cheers at the end. I can think of no nobler goal than bringing joy to people.
Thank you so much for having me here at Books-n-Kisses. Now I have a question for you readers:
What was the last book that made you sigh with complete satisfaction at the end? (Hey, I’m always looking for new things to read myself) Please leave the title in your comments, and one responder (and yes, I’m willing to ship international) will win a copy of The Wish List or As You Wish, winner’s choice.
I love reaching out to readers and having them contact me as well. You can find me at www.GabiStevens.com, www.GabiStevens.blogspot.com, Facebook– facebook.com/gabi.stevens, or Twitter– twitter.com/GabiStevens.
To enter for a chance to win a copy of The Wish List or As You Wish please answer Gabi’s questions and fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
The last book I read that was completely satisfying was If I Die (Soul Screamers, #5) by Rachel Vincent.
The last book that I read that I was completely thrilled with was The Witness by Nora Roberts. I went in a bit skeptical as her books are hit and miss for me, but this book was awesome!
This is so serendipity! I just picked up The Wish List and was planning on reading it this weekend 🙂 Thanks for the great giveaway!
Thank you for the interview, I enjoyed reading this. Funny how so many authors used to be teachers. The last book I loved the most, especially the ending: Suzanne Enoch – Always a Scoundrel.
The last book I read that I was completely satisfied with was an older book by Jennifer Crusie called Bet Me.
See? I knew I would get a reading list if I asked this question (although I have read Bet Me and loved it.) Thanks for answering.
I just finished Hotel Vendome by Danielle Steel. I really enoyed it.
I sighed at the end of Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward! Loved that book. I have already read it twice and it just came out! LOL! Thanks for a great interview with Gabi today!
evjcohum[AT]aol[DOT]com
The book I read that was completely satisfying was Celebrity In Death by JD Robb.
A Perfect Storm by Lori Foster had me sighing and well satisfied when it ended (and completed the series).
Wendy/books4me
The last book that made me sigh with complete satisfaction at the end was Cherie Priest's Hellbent. Loved the book and was completely satisfied with the whole story, including the ending.
I would have to say that Kiss of Snow was the last book I sighed with satisfaction when it was over. I love Nalini Snow's writing style and her Psy/Changling series is a favorite. Thanks for the giveaway!
Unclaimed by Courtney Milan. It was SO good!
Love's Rhythm by Lexxie Couper… a rock star reuniting with his old flame who just happens to be a kindergarten teacher and she has a huge secret that will change his life. An awesome story!!!
yadkny@hotmail.com
The last book that I finished that made me sigh was actually a re-read. I was in a kind of reading slump and usually i go for a romantic comedy when that happens but this time I went for a fantasy/sci-fi romance – Tinker and Wolf Who Rules by Wen Spencer. It got me out of my slump. Thanks for the giveaway!
By A Thread by Jennifer Estep was soooo satisfactory.
Dreams of a dark warrior by Kresley Cole
I just finished reading Destiny by Carly Phillips. Love her books and this series. Can't wait for Karma. Thanks for the giveaway.
Something Blue is soooooo graet! 🙂
I have been reading Thea Harrison's and I absolutely love it! Thanks for the fantastic giveaway!
GAME OF THRONES by George RR Martin, did that for me.
I love historical romance & just finished reading Tessa Dare's "A Night to Surrender" which is the 1st in the Spindle Cove series. It was really good but then all her books are good! Some parts fairly smoldered, I'm sure the pages were smoking =)
Heir of Danger was the last one that made me do that.
The last book that made me sigh with satisfaction was Sins of the Son by Linda Poitevin, until I read the epilogue! She stirred up things and left me witha cliffhanger so now I'm biting my nails auntil I read the next book in the series, lol 😀
Thank you for the chance!
I just finished the new Rachel Morgan book A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison. It is book ten in the series and it just keeps getting better. Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us today. I would really love to read this series and am looking forward to it:)
The last really satisfying book I read was The Darkest Seduction. Paris is oh so yummilicious….multiple sighs!!! *sighs*
andieleah78@gmail.com
i just finish Her Angel series by Felicity Heaton,
thanks for a chance to win ^^
sunshine_pinkystar(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would have to say it would be Tempting the Best Man by J.Lynn
So many. many great ideas. My TBR pile will grow for sure. Thank you everyone.
I just finish Immortal Sea by Virginia Kantra. thats so awesome..
thanks Gabi for makin INT.
sisilia83athotmaildotcom
i just finish Archangel's Blade , by Nalini Singh..i love this book…
thanks for the giveaway, and success for you ^^
icha09 at gmail dot com
"Fever" by Joan Swan and "Rainshadow Road" by Lisa Kleypas