Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Sara Humphreys to the blog today to talk about her upcoming release UNTAMED.
Sara, can you please share with us a little about yourself?
SH: Sure! I’m 42 years old. I’ve been married to my college sweetheart for just over 18 years and we have four sons, ages 17, 14 and 11 yr old twins. I am a sci-fi dork and my daydreaming used to get me in trouble in school but now I use it to make a living. I quit my day job three months ago and now write full time.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
SH: I’ve always loved to create stories and when I first started college, I wanted to write for film and television but once I got bitten by the acting bug…all bets were off. I focused my creative energy into the acting world for many years but then marriage and kids took center stage. A few years ago, I began writing again because I needed a creative outlet. I adore creating stories that carry people away from their troubles for a little while.
Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
SH: There are far too many to list here but my two biggest influencers would be Christine Feehan and Lori Handeland. They’re both brilliant authors and lovely people to boot!
How did you get into writing in this specific genre? Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?
SH: I love the paranormal but I am branching out into contemporary romance. I have a new series in the works, Holding Out for a Hero, which features men in uniform. I’m super excited to jump into a new genre.
What are some of your writing rituals?
SH: It all starts with daydreaming and listening to music. Once I have the inspiration, then I sit down at my computer and write. I can’t listen to music during writing but before and after is very helpful. Sometimes I’ll put on instrumental music and my noise cancelling headphones are a great help too.
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
SH: I’d love to! Untamed is the third book in the Amoveo Legend series and features two characters that readers have met previously. In the first two books, the heroines didn’t know that they were human-Amoveo hybrids but the heroine in Untamed knows exactly what she is. Layla Nickelesen is half human and half Amoveo from the Cheetah Clan. She was raised by a foster family in rural Maryland and has two adopted sibliings, Raife and Tatiana, who are also half Amoveo. Layla has lived in fear that an Amoveo man would come along and drag her off like a caveman. She cherishes her independence and is terrified that her fate could be out of her control. The hero in Untamed is William Fleury, a pure blood from the Gyrfalcon Clan who is known for his cold, calculating demeanor. He doesn’t believe in love and thinks the concept is silly. However, when he meets Layla his orderly, uptight world is rocked. The poor guy is simply befuddled and doesn’t know what to do with the spirited woman that fate has brought him.
How did you come with the idea for this story?
SH: William has been a part of the series from the beginning and he’s so flippin’ uptight that I couldn’t wait to give him a spunky woman to loosen him up. I wondered what would happen if he ended up with a woman who was his total opposite. I also asked myself what would happen to a hybrid who actually knew what they were but only knew bits and pieces. I wanted to know what that would look like and we get up close and personal with a situation like that in Untamed.
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
SH: You bet! I’m working on the copy edits for Undone, the fourth Amoveo novel (in stores May 2013) and I just turned in the manuscript for my upcoming vampire series. Tall, Dark, and Vampire (August 2013) is the first book in the Dead in the City series which is about a coven of vampire chicks who live and work in NYC. The heroine in Tall, Dark, and Vampire is introduced in Undone, which is a “crossover” book and will give readers a taste of the vampire world.
What would you be if you were not an author?
SH: A frustrated actor.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
SH: I am dying to read Julie Ann Walker’s Black Knights series and Terry Spears’ new Jaguar series! Also, Olivia Cunning’s latest novel in her Sinners on Tour series. Shall I go on?
Is there anything else you would like to add?
SH: I just want to thank my readers! Thank you for coming with me on this journey and I hope that my books make you smile.
UNTAMED
BY SARA HUMPHREYS
IN STORES NOVEMBER 2012
|An ancient race of shapeshifters has lived secretly among humans for thousands of years…they are…the Amoveo
HER WORST NIGHTMARE IS COMING TRUE…
Layla Nickelsen has spent years hiding from her Amoveo mate and guarding a devastating secret. But Layla’s worst fear is realized when the man who haunts her dreams shows up in person …
HE HAS FINALLY FOUND HER…
William Fleury is as stoic as they come, until he finds Layla and his feelings overwhelm him. She won’t let him get close, but then an unknown enemy erupts in violence and threatens everything Layla holds dear…
Praise for the Amoveo Legend series:
“Compelling… Deft world-building and sensuous love scenes make this paranormal romantic thriller an enjoyable journey.” —Publishers Weekly
“The characters haunted my dreams…I thought about this book constantly.” —Long and Short Reviews
“I loved the book. I’m looking forwards to many more in this series.” —Night Owl Reviews, Reviewer Top Pick
“Fast-paced paranormal romance with fantastic world-building.” —The Book Girl
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sara Humphreys has been attracted to the fantasies of science fiction, paranormal, and romance since her adolescence when she had a mad crush on Captain Kirk. An actress and public speaker, Sara lives in Bronxville, NY, with her husband, who is very considerate of her double life, and four amazing boys. For more information about her books and to join her street team, please visit www.sarahumphreys.com or follow her on Twitter, @AuthorSara.
Hi Sara!! I recently discovered the series and I love it! This is a fresh new story line that I’ve never read before and I really enjoy the way you plot the mystery of the “who done it.”
My questions are, how many books do you have planned for the series? Will we be seeing some new male Amoveo shifters in this book? Thanks for the interview and for the chance to win!
ehaney578 at aol dot com
Hi Elizabeth-You meet a few new shifters in this book. We have two more full length novels coming and one more novella. Undone (#4) will be out in May 2013 and that features Pete Castro and Marianna Coltari. Unclaimed (#5) will be out in December 2013 and features two characters who are introduced in Untamed. I’m so happy that you’re enjoying the series!!
would love to win & read
PICK ME!!
Hi Pam–Thanks for coming by today 🙂
thanks for the great post and giveaway! Congrats to Sara on the newest release! I’ve been lusting after this series 🙂 Definitely want to read!
I love that you’re lusting for it 😉
Sounds like an interesting addition to the series! Can’t wait to read it.
Thanks! I hope you’ll enjoy it.
I really enjoyed the last book in this series and need to go back and read the first ones! I loved the characters and cannot wait to read Untamed!
Yay! I love hearing that, Annie!
This series is in my TBR pile. Thanks for having this giveaway!!
kandj7299 at verizon dot net
Cool! I hope it makes it to your read-it-and-loved-it pile!
Ive only read one and i loved it. All the rest are on my TBR list.
Thanks, Angel! That’s wonderful.
Enjoyed your interview. I haven’t read any of your work yet, but plan on putting your books on my TBR list. Four boys, wow, you have your hands full. I have 3 kids, oldest daughter is 22, only son is 19, and youngest daughter is 11. Love being a Mom. Thank you for the giveaway and good luck in your future endeavors! 😀
Hi Kyla,
I love being a mom too! It’s the best gig out there.
Congrats on the new release. This book, this series, sounds fantastic. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the great interview and giveaway. Do the books have to be read it order?
Hi Joanne-They can be read as stand alone books but just a heads up that you’ll get some spoilers that way. I hope you’ll enjoy the world of the Amoveo.
You’re new to me but I love shifters. The model on the cover is similar to what I picture as my ideal guy. So this would draw my attention and get me to read the back of the book. I’m sure there are many more like me out there ;). Thank you so much. I look forward to checking out your books.
Thanks, Viki! The art department at Sourcebooks does a phenomenal job and every cover is prettier than the next. Hope you’ll enjoy it!
This book sounds great, love the cover. The whole series sounds awesome. All the covers are very sexy ones.
My questions for Sara are: What is your favorite genre to write? To read? How many books total are going to be in this series? And do you write under any other names besides Sara?
Thanks for the great giveaway.
Hi Chris– Paranormal romance is my fave to read and write but I’m branching out with a new contemporary romance series. There will be 5 novels and another novella. I only write under Sara Humphreys 🙂
Your TBR pile sounds a lot like mine! Paper or e-books?
Hi Texas Book Lover–My TBR is a hybrid with a bit of both. I love ebooks for traveling but I’ll always love the feel of a book in my hand.
I loved the books in this series so far, can’t wait to read this one.
miztik_rose@yahoo.com
Hi Mary! I can’t wait to hear what you think of this one.
Wow! !! Hi! ! Loos like a great read and contest! !! 🙂
Hi Ebony! Thanks for coming by today.
Hello Sara! I just recently read about your Amoveo series and I am looking forward to read them. Congrats on your new release.
Hi Eniko–It’s alway nice to meet new readers. I hope you’ll enjoy the series.
Love the cover, looking forward to starting this series. Thx for the giveaway.
blinkysthebest at aol dot com
Hi Lona–Thank you for swinging by today! Enjoy.
Congrats on the new release Sara! I have to admit though that I have not had a chance to start the series yet, but they look fantastic! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Hi Barb–I do hope you’ll have a chance to check out the series. You can download a free enovella called UNDENIED on Amazon. It’s a great way to check out the series.
Is this book part of a series and do I nee to read them in order?
Hi Diane-It is the third in the series but they were written to be read as stand alone books as well.
I really want to read this series. I have have on my Amazon wish list for awhile now. I told my husband that I needed an Amazon gift card for my birthday so I can buy my wish list! Thanks for the chance.
Hi Sheryl–I hope you’ll enjoy it. You can download UNDENIED (an novella) for free on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Undenied-Amoveo-Legend-ebook/dp/B009CWWFB4/ref=la_B002DEQFYQ_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1352079999&sr=1-7
I love the cover to this your latest book. I look forward to seeing what is between the covers. Question: With so many men in your house, how do you get any writing done?
Lynn
lareynolds0316@gmail.com
Congratulations!
Hi Lynn-I love the cover too! Sourcebooks does such a lovely job. I write when they’re at school or late into the night.
I would love to read your books. T hey sound really good. Thanks for the giveaway. Tore923@aol.com
Thanks, Victoria! Enjoy 🙂
Your book sounds great and that cover is yumtastic.Gonna grab this one asap.Have an amazing week
Thanks, Wanda and have a great week too 🙂
I am definitely going to have to get my hands on all this series. I do have one or two books in my TBR pile. Do the books need to be read in order, or can you read each as a stand alone?
Hi June-They can be read out of order–enjoy!
Hi Sara and Kelly!!! Sara, love the books and really looking forward to this latest! I am also dying for the new ‘witchy girls’ series too cause it just sounds so great! Terry Spear and Julie Ann Walker are also on my TBR list.. 🙂 Thank you for shat=ring with us in this interview and Kelly, thank you for bring her to us!!
I recently found your book and I am in love with it already………another great series for me to get into!!
This series sounds soooo good and I can’t wait to start reading it! And Sara I was just wondering if you have any one character that is your favorite to write?
I cannot wait for this book. I’ve read both Unleashed and Untouched and really enjoyed them but I kept waiting and hoping that William’s book would come out. I absolutely love him.
Awesome interview. Thanks so much for the opportunity!
Beautiful cover! Thanks for the giveaway!
hi sara….i can’t wait to read ur books…
i love shifter ..they are hot *lol*
thx 4 the chance of winning ur book 🙂
This looks to be a very interesting series, will check it out thanks!
Also, congrats on the latest release!
Your books sound great! While I haven’t read any yet, I’ve got them all on my list.
Sexy hot cover, love a new author to follow. Sounds like a great book
GREAT GIVEAWAY!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
oooh – a Cheetah! I’ve always thought they were gorgeous cats – and that transformation is scrumptious too!