Interview with Nancy Gideon, author of HUNTER OF SHADOWS

When I read Nancy Gideon's blurb for her latest book, HUNTER OF SHADOWS, I knew I had to host her on the blog. Hellooo! The Moonlight series is set in NOLA (New Orleans) and I think it's a sign for me to visit soon since I've been seeing NOLA in book blurbs and shows I watch. Nancy is not only an author but she's listed on IMDB (my complete movie info bible) as an extra and a writer. Let's give Nancy a warm welcome to the blog today:

HOWDY NANCY!

MEET NANCY:

With over 50 sales to her credit since her first publication in 1987, Portage, Michigan author Nancy Gideon’s writing career is as versatile as the romance market, itself. Her books encompass genres from historicals and regencies to contemporary suspense and the paranormal. Her works have been published overseas in Romanian, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Danish, German, Icelandic and Chinese, among other languages.

Also listed on the International Movie Database (IMDB), she collaborated on the indie horror films In the Woods and Savage with screenwriting and ADR script credits, and even played the character “Bar Extra.”

A national speaker on writing in general and romance in particular, Gideon is a Western Michigan University honors grad with a major in journalism and minors in history and communications. She’s a member of Novelist, Inc. and the Mid-Michigan, Greater Detroit, PASIC and FF&P chapters of Romance Writers of America®, and is former vice-president, published author co-liaison and award-winning newsletter editor for MMRWA.

While the pace is often hectic, Gideon, a Gemini, enjoys tackling diverse projects. One month it’s researching the gritty existence of 1880’s Texas Rangers only to jump to modern themes of intrigue and possibly a legal thriller or two. Then, it’s back to the shadowy netherworld of shape shifters, vampires and movie serial killers. When not working on her latest plot twist before sunrise or arranging medical depositions, she enjoys indulging in Netflix, hosting her critique group, and feeding a variety of wildlife on her fourth-floor balcony including a yearly family of raccoons. And, of course, reading.

WHERE TO FIND NANCY:  Author Site | Facebook | Twitter | Blog

Q&A: 
Kati: Who is Nancy Gideon? (author, mother, reader, Netflix junkie...)

Nancy: I’m a Type-A going in every direction at once Gemini, ADD with OCD rising author of 50+ novels from historicals and contemporary suspense to dark paranormals and a new venture into non- fiction writing how-tos, with several horror screenplays thrown into the mix. I’m the mother of two grown sons (one of whom is still clinging to the nest), obnoxiously proud of my first grandson, and enabler of all things feather and fur. I’ve been right-hand woman in a law office full time for the last eleven years and when I’m not setting depositions, sending out subpoenas, and calming the fears of the injured, I’m at my keyboard or tucked up with my cat either feeding that Netflix addiction or getting lost in my Kindle app on my iPad. Lately, I’ve been boldly edging out of my comfort zone to embrace (and surprisingly enjoy!) Social Media with blogging, FB and Tweets (Oh my!) The secret to my non-stop pace? My Keurig coffeemaker.

K: Tell us about your book. [no copy and pasting blurb :)]

N: HUNTER OF SHADOWS is the fifth book in my dark, edgy BY MOONLIGHT shape-shifter series for Pocket Books. It’s set in New Orleans so I’ve added a little lagniappe, a little something extra for the paranormal reader—a dash of suspense, a dab of the underworld criminal element, a liberal dose of spice, blended into the unfolding mythology of a preternatural clan of Shifters living, unseen, within the human world.

Though many of the underlying plots and previous characters are woven through it, HUNTER OF SHADOWS breaks from the first four books, which all featured the same hero and heroine. Although Max and Cee Cee are in this installment, the main focus is on a new couple. Here’s how Publishers Weekly summed it up:

“Gideon introduces complex new characters. Sparks fly immediately. Vivid writing, intriguing plot twists, and a satisfying ending will keep readers coming back to Gideon’s magical NOLA.”

K: Tell us about your hero and heroine.
N: I LOVE Silas and Nica! They’re both such strong, passionate characters, made enemies by circumstance yet ensnared by emotions they can’t control. He’s an undercover cop for the NOPD with a flair for cards and a hidden agenda—to restore his family’s position within the Shifter hierarchy no matter what the personal cost. But the same sense of honor that drives him also
becomes his greatest obstacle. She’s a cool assassin who can’t resist the intense detective determined to get in her way, any more than she can fight the unknown hand that directs her deadly purpose. Their struggle against that dangerous attraction to one another was so much fun to write. Expect plenty of surprises, edge-of-your-seat action, some heartbreak tempered with humor, and lots of heat.

K: Do you have any writing rituals? (blasting music, eating chocolate, drinking wine...)
N: The aforementioned Keurig is a must. Can’t wake up that creative muse at 5:00 a.m. without it. I started writing over 25 years ago, so I’ve had to learn to be VERY flexible with my writing routine. Do what works, is my motto. I’ve jotted dialog long hand in a spiral notebook while watching my boys in the sandbox, and have had love scenes interrupted by diaper changes. I’ve finished chapters during naptime and around school activities. After typing my first six books up on a manual Smith Corolla, I was dragged kicking and screaming into the computer age, and now I can’t image not having one. I’ve composed plotlines on a plane, in a hotel room, cleaning the bathtub, waiting for the light to change, and have written them down on the backs of receipts, on restaurant napkins, while watching my guys fly RC planes or over the roar of the 360 game system. After 15-years as a stay-at-home writer, I re-entered the work force and had to restructure my productive keyboard time round a 9-to-5. I’ve met deadlines while going through divorce, selling a house, and moving into the loft apartment I love. Through it all, it’s always been “Butt in Chair, Hands on Keys” as Nora Roberts so aptly put it. Surroundings and rituals don’t matter. When the keyboard lights up, I’m at work. Nothing distracts me except the clock. Or an empty coffee cup.

K: What can readers expect next from you?
N: SEEKER OF SHADOWS is the next book in the BY MOONLIGHT series. Jacques LaRoche’s story will be on the shelves June 26, 2012. In the meantime, I’ve got a huge backlist of books I’m going to be reintroducing to readers, as well as putting out installments in my “GETTING IT OUT THERE: PR and Social Media for Writers” digital series through Tell-Tale/Wise Words Publishing. Check up on my progress at http://nancygideon.com or http://nancygideon.blogspot.com And then, of course, there’s Netflix . . .

Thanks Nancy for taking the time out of your day to talk about your latest book!

HUNTER OF SHADOWS:

GENRE: Paranormal
MASS MARKET PAPERBACK: 416 pages
PUBLISHER: Pocket Star (November 29,2011)
ISBN: 9781439199507

Transferring to the New Orleans Police Department, Detective Silas MacCreedy has a hidden agenda: to secure his clan’s place once again in the Shifter hierarchy.What he didn’t count on was stumbling upon a sexy assassin who could shred his best intentions and lead him into a dangerous dance that threatens to engage his heart.

Monica Fraser knows just how to make a man beg—for his life. But she has no clue how to fight her attraction to the fiercely intense detective who seems determined to get in her way, both professionally and intimately.

When emotional attachments to the past and an unexpected glimpse of a different future have her questioning her deadly purpose, Nica must discover the truth about her secret abilities in order to free herself from the forces that control her. But that freedom comes with a price—trusting those she’s been ordered to eliminate. (source)

Where to Buy: Amazon | Kindle | B&N/Nook | Book Depository
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt 

OTHER BOOKS IN SERIES (click on covers for excerpts):



So dear reader, have YOU ever been to NOLA? What's sexier than a Shifter cop?

A huge thank you to Nancy for stopping by the blog and Pocket Star for providing the review copy.

Review: Hunter of Shadows by Nancy Gideon

HUNTER OF SHADOWS by Nancy Gideon
FORMAT: Paperback
GENRE: Paranormal
MASS MARKET PAPERBACK: 416 pages
PUBLISHER: Pocket Star (November 29, 2011)
ISBN: 9781439199507

The secrets he knows about her could get him killed.
Transferring to the New Orleans Police Department, Detective Silas MacCreedy has a hidden agenda: to secure his clan's place on again in the Shifter hierarchy. What he didn't count on was stumbling upon a sexy assassin who could shred his best intentions and lead him into a dangerous dance that threatens to engage his heart.

But the ones he doesn't know...
Monica Fraser knows just how to make a man beg--for his life. But she has no clue how to fight her attraction to the fiercely intense detective who seems determined to get in her way, both professionally and intimately.

...could kill them both.
When emotional attachments to the past and an unexpected glimpse of a different future have her questioning her deadly purpose, Nica must discover the truth about her secret abilities in order to free herself from the forces that control her. But that freedom comes with a price--trusting those she's been ordered to eliminate. (source:back cover)

Where To Find Nancy:Author Site | Facebook | Twitter | Blog
Where to Buy: Amazon | Kindle | B&N/Nook | Book Depository
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I loved it.

OTHER BOOKS IN SERIES (click on covers for excerpts)


REVIEW:

Hello! What a heart pounding read. This was my first Nancy Gideon book and I got plopped into the thick of things. First off, the heroine in this book has no qualms about having sex or lusting after the hero even though she's only known him for a short time. She's very comfortable with her sexuality and I find that refreshing.

Silas MacCreedy is all sorts of yummy. He's been transferred to the New Orleans PD and on the hunt for something that could restore his family from lowly nothings to honored members of their clan. If everything goes according to plan, he won't have to stay too long in New Orleans.

Dun dun dunnn. Monica (Nica) Fraser puts a giant kink and a bit of kinkiness into his plan. She's been hired by an unknown person to kill someone, tie up loose ends so to speak. She's ready to get in, do her thing and leave, no one the wiser. Well, acting the helpless woman by luring four unsavory characters who attacked a friend of hers, she goes about her business eliminating them until Silas happens upon the alley. He tries to do his whole hero business but soon realizes that this woman is a badass and can take care of herself.

There's more to Nica than meets Silas's eyes. She's keeping a secret that he will do anything to uncover starting with keeping an eye on her. Silas develops an uneasy and suspicious alliance with Max Savoie (Bound by Moonlight) in order to get closer to the person he needs to kidnap to restore his family name. He has a hidden agenda and as he gets to know Nica more, he begins to question whether he's willing to hurt her to fulfill his mission or if he will throw it all away just for the love of this extraordinary woman.

Nica must figure out if she is willing to betray not only Silas but all the other people she's come to know and have treated her kindly just to gain her freedom. She must use all her mental strength to keep the demanding blood thirsty voice from trying to control her and make her succeed in killing the person she was meant to kill. Time is running out and Silas must find a way to keep this unknown being from taking over Nica's mind in order to save her and those around them.

FAVORITE QUOTE: 

"Her handsome protector had just become a major inconvenience."

OVERALL: There's quite a few stories woven in this book and at times I became a little confused (it may have been due to the fact that there were screaming children on the plane while I was reading) but the story flowed well. Nancy Gideon has a way to making the reader want more, need more and when you think you know what's happening, TWIST! From their first meeting until the end of the book, Silas and Nica scorched the pages with their sexual chemistry, induced laughter during their witty and sharp banter and made me sigh during their tender moments. The magic of NOLA shines through the sizzling and sultry kisses, the danger, the intrigue and mystery of the city. I'll be putting the rest of the Moonlight series on The List.


***review copy provided by J.Gruenspecht at Pocket Books***