Recently I had the opportunity to meet a wonderful up and coming author Georgia Cates. You will absolutely D I E over her gorgeous cover. Her first book Blood of Anteros is sexy and has a new vampire twist, you’ll find yourself up all night with this page turner in hand.
1. Where did you come up with the idea for Blood of Anteros?
I pulled it out of my....imagination. I knew I wanted to do a vampire romance, which is certainly overdone, but not always done well. This is the book I searched to find, as a reader, and it didn’t exist. I wanted the reader to experience the story from the male point of view, seeing his emotions and internal thoughts about Chansey, the enigmatic woman he can not understand.
2. What character was your favorite to write? Why?
Curry is my favorite character. (And I do have a crush on him, but don’t tell my husband.) Again, this story is told in first person, from his point of view, and his personality shines. Because the reader hears his thoughts and feelings, she can’t help but fall in love with him.
3. Do you have a certain process you do to get the creative juices flowing?
I absolutely have a ritual. I am a huge music head and there is rarely a time when I don’t listen to music. I listen to music to brainstorm and I have a huge playlist that plays the entire time I write. When I hear an inspiring song, I listen to it over and over as I see the scene of the book playing out in my head, like a movie.
4. How long did it take you to write Blood of Anteros?
I “toyed” with the idea of writing Blood of Anteros for about 2 years before I finally sat down and became serious about it. It is my first book and I kept thinking, “I’ll do it one day.” It evolved several times during those 2 years before it solidified into what it is today, but it really took about 3 months to write and edit once I actually got started.
5. What is one thing about you that your fans don’t know about you?
Besides being a nurse and writer, I am also a part time graphic designer, so I have a leg up when it comes to graphics. I designed my own book cover, which a lot of writers do, but not very well. I am married to the world’s best graphic designer, so I was taught by the best.
6. If you had one super power what would it be?
I would want to grant wishes, like a genie. People’s desires reveal who they really are and it would make it easy to see who was a real friend.
7. Would you prefer going to the park for a relaxing picnic or are you an amusement park roller coaster person?
I’m a total adrenaline junkie and worse than any child I know about loving rides. The faster, the better and I’ll go to the park and picnic when I have a condition listed on the “Don’t Ride This Ride If” sign.
8. What are the last five books you’ve read?
Craved by Stephanie Nelson
Blood Rites by Quinn Loftis (To be released on Nov. 30 to the public)
Prince of Wolves by Quinn Loftis
Laney by Joann I Martin Sowles
The Dark Lands Series by Autumn Dawn
9. What author has inspired you the most on your journey?
Autumn Dawn has inspired me more than any other author. Her very candid and honest blog about her journey as a self publishing author has encouraged me to reach for the stars instead of the cookie jar. I really don’t think I would have ever left that place called “I’ll do it one day” if I hadn’t discovered her.
Thanks, Autumn, for being so real about your journey and how you made it to where you are today.
10. What is the story behind your title and cover?
I didn’t give my book a title until it was completely finished because I didn’t want to feel like I was locked into something that would influence the story. I toyed with ideas, but it was the mystery behind what Chansey is that influenced the title and to explain it further, would be a total spoiler.
My cover is how I envisioned Chansey through Curry’s eyes. I altered her eyes to the description Curry gives us the first time he makes eye contact with her. It took months to find “the look” I wanted because her character is beautiful, yet I didn’t see her as a super model. She is naturally pretty without the work. I really dig hair accessories, so she had to have one.
11. What do your order at your favorite coffee shop?
Without doubt, it would be a White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks. I love to try new things in all aspects of my life, but when it comes to my drink, I am a ritualistic.
12. Is Blood of Anteros a series or a stand alone book?
It is the first book in The Vampire Agápe Series. I am currently working on the second and it is completed in my mind, I just have to get it down. I currently see this as a 3 book series, but we’ll see where it goes. If it takes a different avenue, I’m cool with that.
13. Do you have a book trailer?
I currently do not have a book trailer, but I am married to the world’s greatest computer ninja, so when I’m ready to tackle it, he is at my disposal.
14. There are some pretty spicy scenes in the book without getting too graphic, what can your adult readers expect?
The relationship between Curry and Chansey is complex, but their feelings for one another are not. The reader experiences the evolvement of their relationship, told from Curry’s point of view, which is highly sensual. As a vampire with heightened senses, his description of intimate moments brings the reader something they won’t find in any ordinary romance novel.
15. Final question! If your book were made into a movie, who would be your dream cast?
Ooooh....That’s a toughy. I totally see Curry being Oliver Goodwill. You probably don’t know who he is. Oliver was that totally yummy guy in Evanescence’s music video “Call Me When You’re Sober.” I still dig him, 5 years later.
My perfect Chansey would be Kristin Kreuk. I love her naturally exotic, wholesome beauty and her hazel eyes are perfect.
Solomon would definitely be Jonathan Rhys Myers, from The Tudors, because that’s who I pictured when I wrote about him.
