Kirsten was kind enough to answer my questions about Eternal Ones and I also am thrilled to let you know that I have two ARCs of this fab book to give away!! Just leave a comment below and you'll be entered in the giveaway :)
Thanks so much for taking part in this Q&A, Kirsten!
1. I'm going to start with the cover (I LOVE it!) because I've always been fascinated by the symbol of eternity vis a vis the snake eating its tail. What is your take on the cover image?
I love it, too! We must have gone through a million covers before we reached the final image. (OK, a bit of an exaggeration.) But the moment I saw the ouroboros, I knew we had the perfect cover. It’s so sleek and sexy and strange. I literally couldn’t be happier. (And anyone who writes knows how rare that is!)
In The Eternal Ones, a silver ouroboros (snake swallowing its own tail) is the symbol of the Ouroboros Society, a secret society that says it’s devoted to the scientific study of reincarnation. Of course, that’s just part of a much bigger (and darker) story . . .
2. I was enthralled by the places I traveled while reading this book - I loved the juxtaposition of Snope City and New York. Can you talk a little about the role that setting plays in your writing? And also, did you get to visit Rome for research?
Thanks! Well, I grew up in a small Southern town and moved to New York when I was seventeen, so I know both of those worlds quite well. But here’s a scoop (I haven’t told anyone else) . . . I went to Rome on my honeymoon, so it has a special significance for me. Also, the fact that it’s the “Eternal City” seemed to make it the perfect place for my two lead characters to get “reacquainted.”
3. The romance in Eternal Ones is wonderful. What do you think makes for good romantic tension between characters?
Thanks, again! Well, I falling in love is incredibly dangerous—whether your life is actually in jeopardy or not. I think romantic tension is a kind of fear. (Not the kind that makes you want to throw up, but the kind that makes you tingle all over.) It’s the fear of leaping into the unknown. The fear of putting your heart on the line. The fear that your love won’t be reciprocated.
Falling in love for the first time would terrify even the toughest of heroines. (By the way, you capture this phenomenon very effectively in Nightshade, which I enjoyed a great deal.) But even the toughest of heroines needs a soft spot here and there, don’t you think?
4. I was equally captivated by the mystery in this book. When you came up with the story, did you think of it as a romance or a mystery or something else entirely?
Good question! When I was writing, I never really thought about labels. Now, I think the book should be what the reader wants it to be. If you’re the kind of person who likes a good romance, there’s certainly plenty of that. But if you’re the kind of person who prefers a thriller, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed at all. I’ve never thought of myself as a “romance” reader (though I certainly enjoy them), so I would probably pick up The Eternal Ones for the mystery and see the romance as a big bonus.
5. I love Haven's name - what inspired that choice?
My sister came up with it! I wanted a name that felt “Southern,” whatever that means. And I wanted a name that felt unique. (Though I know there’s another heroine with the name Haven out there.) My sister (who lives in Atlanta) knew a girl named Haven, and I thought it was perfect for the character.
6. What is your favorite part of writing?
When I’m writing a book, there’s always a point when I feel like I’ve finally crested the hill. It’s a struggle until I get there, and then the book almost feels like it writes itself. I love that moment.
7. What's up next for you? (More Haven, please??)
I just finished the first draft of the sequel to The Eternal Ones, so there will certainly be more Haven! Now I must finish the third book in my Kiki Strike series. Once that is out the door, I have absolutely no idea what I’ll do next!
(Oh yeah, and if someone doesn’t send me the ARC for your sequel to Nightshade, I will not be held responsible for my actions! I’m dying!)
Thanks so much, Kirsten! I'm dying for An Eternal Ones sequel too!!
Great interview. I too have always loved the imagery of and meaning behind the ouroboros, so I rather like the cover (and concept for the story!) myself. I can't wait to read it. (Romance AND mystery? Count me in!)
ReplyDeleteAnd the chance to win an ARC as well? Awesome. :)
I've seen this book around A LOT now and I can't wait to read it! Count me in for a copy! Thanks so much! XD
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting this book so bad! thanks for the giveaway! :)
ReplyDeletebooks_are_lif@yahoo(dot)com
The book cover does look pretty cool. Simple but eye catching.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview.
I've heard a lot of good things about this book in the past week. I really want to read it now! Thanks for the chance. ^_^
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds interesting. The cover's sort of mysterious, and I like it! :) Great interview and thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, interesting to find out why the cover was picked. Plus, I love the name Haven too! I've seen some good reviews for Eternal Ones, I'd love to read it.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! I can't wait to read this book :)
ReplyDeleteWOW! Sounds like a fabulous book!! Would love an ARC!
ReplyDeleteI've heard sooo much about this book and I neeed it.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! I love that it's not just a romance/mystery/etc but a mix of things. Make it more interesting that way! And I love the name Haven =) Can't wait for this one to hit shelves!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this interview! I'm excited about this book because it contains a setting in Tennessee, where I live now.
ReplyDeleteAngela
This is a great interview! I've had this one on my list to read and now I'm even more excited about it. Thanks!
ReplyDeletei think the cover couldn't be more perfect, lovely interview, and i think its quite cool your sister came up with her name, this is what i love about interviews, getting all this insightful information that we never would have guessed. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteWow great interview! I can see the cover being a really cool necklace.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteis the giveaway international?
ReplyDeletewell, anyway, i loved the interbiew! the cover is AMAZING!
I have been waiting to come across this book, or see it in a giveaway. I am so anxious to read it.
ReplyDeletebkwhisperer(at)bluemarble(dot)net
I will totally duke it out with Kirsten for the sequel to Nightshade. MUHAHAHAHA! :P
ReplyDeleteAwesome interview. I borrowed an arc of The Eternal Ones from someone...can't remember who. It's awesome. I didn't know there's going to be a sequel. Me likey. Me wanty! :D
Great interview. I really want to read this book.Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteelaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
Great interview! A thriller with romance? Sound perrrrfect! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this book. The cover is really interesting. Great interview.
ReplyDeleteEternal Ones looks really good! I just added it to my reading list. Great interview! Thanks for the chance to win an ARC!
ReplyDeleteScoot
seescootread[at]gmail[dot]com
Fascinating cover and interview. I'm quite intrigued. ;)
ReplyDeletesleuthwood (at) yahoo (dot) com
I am looking forward to reading this one! :)
ReplyDeleteEmily
ebdye1(at)gmail
So excited for The Eternal Ones! It looks amazing!! =) Great Interview!! So glad that there will be a sequel to the book!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this great interview! :) I'm soo excited for this book I can't wait tor ead it!
ReplyDeleteEternal Ones arc? Yes please! Can't wait to read this one :)
ReplyDeletecegluna(at)hotmail(dot)com
The eternal ones sounds really interesting, can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteVan
Littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com
This is great! I just heard about The Eternal Ones yesterday and was completely intrigued. Thanks for the author interview!
ReplyDeleteAh what a great interview! Loving this more and more!
ReplyDeleteXD My friends and I split the Penguin Five box and she took The Eternal Ones. I'd love my own copy :3
Wonderful interview! I can't wait to read The Eternal Ones! I am so excited about the Penguin 5 this year--they all look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI do love the name Haven and I can't wait to read this
ReplyDeletesportsDOTerikalynnATgmailDOTcom
Thanks for the great interview, Andrea! Kirsten, can't wait to read your book. And YAY for contests!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview!
ReplyDeleteI'm dying to read this book
Please sign me in
juiceb0xx at hotmail dot com
Thanks for posting this awesome interview! I'd love to read The Eternal Ones!
ReplyDeleteaikychien at yahoo dot com
Excellent interview! I really like the name Haven and can't resist the idea of a mystery/romance. I love your answer regarding romantic tension and fear. Thanks for sharing this interview and hosting this giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice interview ! I agree, I love the cover of this book too :D
ReplyDelete~Alison
lostinbelieving@yahoo.com
I loved reading the interview. Sisters always know good names :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the cover for this book and the interview was awesome! Please sign me up!
ReplyDeletercchildrenslibrarian(at)yahoo(dot)com
Great interview! I'd love to win a copy!
ReplyDeletethenerdswife(at)gmail(dot)com
This book sounds so fantastic! Thank you both so much!
ReplyDeleteAmazing review! The Eternal Ones looks so good! I adore the cover :)
ReplyDeletexicecreamsjx@aol.com
Thanks for the great interview! The cover is what grabbed my attention right from the start as well. How appropriate!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance,
Jules
onebookshy at yahoo dot com
Great interview sounds like a great book heard so much about it around the blogs. can't wait to read it great giveaway thank you very much!
ReplyDeletetishajean@charter.net
wow! i honestly hadn't heard too much about Eternal Ones or what it was about til this, and im dying to read it now :D
ReplyDeletebells(dot)franco(at)gmail(dot)com
Loved the interview! can't wait for more!
ReplyDeletecrazypplrok@gmail.com