Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Interview and Giveaway with Lydia Dare - authors of The Taming of the Wolf

I'd like to welcome the writing duo of Tammy Falkner and Jodie Pearson, also known as Lydia Dare, authors of a fantastic historical paranormal romance series. I had a few questions and they were more than willing to answer:

In the third book in the series, The Wolf Next Door, Dash was quite the villain. In your current release, The Taming of The Wolf, he is the hero. I didn’t think I’d like Dash but I really did! I also loved that Cait didn’t just accept him and fought him every step of the way. Is it difficult to come up with new scenarios to create conflict between the hero and heroine?

Lydia/Jodie – Thanks, Patti. I’m so glad you ended up liking Dash after all. I don’t think we’ve had any issues with coming up with new scenarios yet. I think all of our heroes have been different from each other and the same goes for our heroines. And for me, that makes the story easy to write. Dash will react differently in any given situation than Ben or Simon would, so the story will be different because he’s the main character. Same goes for the heroines. Cait will make a different choice than Elspeth would, and so on.

Lydia/Tammy – Running out of conflict is impossible, in my opinion, especially when you have meddlesome coven-sisters to help it along should you get stuck. Those ladies are an endless supply of trouble.

Lydia Dare is actually two authors working together - I’m always interested in how a writing team works. How did you meet and begin writing as a team? Did either of you write alone before you became Lydia Dare?

Lydia/Jodie – We both belong to Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, based in Raleigh NC. Tammy and I both joined at the same time and became friends a few years before we decided to try writing together. I have a handful of finished manuscripts that are solely mine, but before writing novels, I was screenwriting.

Lydia/Tammy – We were both writing solo. I had one book published with a small press and was writing a contemporary paranormal when I met Jodie. We started writing these books kind of like a game of round robin, and I don’t think either of ever thought anything would come of it. But two months after we started, we had a complete manuscript. Not long after, we’d sold the series and we now have ten books coming out with Sourcebooks.

Have you always known the storyline from the beginning or do you just write as it takes you? Do you know how many books will be in the series? We’ve already met wolves and witches, and coming up we’ll meet vampires. Are there any other supernatural creatures lurking around?

Lydia/Jodie – We never know what will happen in a story, just that it will have a happy ever after ending. We know who our characters are when we start the book and we know what conflict we’re starting off with, but no idea how we get to the end. :) As of right now there will be a total of 10 books in the series. The four that came out 2010, three scheduled for release in 2011, and three more that we’re just starting on for 2012. Anything can happen after that. As for other supernatural creatures, we’ve talked about a couple different options, but we haven’t seriously considered anything else yet.

Lydia/Tammy – In Tall, Dark and Wolfish, Ben mentions that witches aren’t real. And the thought of going out to find one to heal him is ludicrous. So, even though there were witches and Lycans in our fictional world, they didn’t know of one another’s existence. The same goes for vampyres. In light of this, I think there could definitely be other beings in the Regency period.

It looks like the next two books will feature vampires and the witches. Will we still see the wolves around?

Lydia/Jodie – Actually the next three books will feature vampyres and the remaining witches of Caitrin’s coven. Benjamin Westfield has a cameo in each book as his wife is part of the same coven and therefore connected to the other witchy heroines. Poor Ben, those witches do love to torture him.

Lydia/Tammy – There’s nothing I like more than a cameo from a former hero and heroine in a series. I like to see how they’ve wizened and how they’ve grown. I also like to see them have children or otherwise live happily ever after. So, I think you’ll see more of all the original “cast” before this series is over.

In your Wolf books, the wolves mate for life and only change at the full moon; are the “rules” for vampires the traditional ones that follow common folklore or do you add any twists?

Lydia/Jodie – I think our vampyres follow the common folklore for the most part. No walking in sunlight unless you have a special piece of jewelry, etc. There is one major difference, but it would be a complete spoiler, so I can’t reveal it.

Lydia/Tammy – I think they’re completely different from the stereotype. But only OUR vampyres are different in that way. A former generation of the Còig set the stage for our vamps to be quite special. And I hope the readers find it to be a refreshing change.

What types of books do you like to read for fun? Do you read books in your genre or do you prefer to stay away when reading for pleasure?

Lydia/Jodie – I used to read ALL the time, and mainly historical romance. Tammy likes to say I live in the 19th Century, and that’s kind of true. These days, we’re so busy that I really only have time to peruse research books. I need a vacation with a stack of books so I can get caught up on the latest offerings of my favorite authors.

Lydia/Tammy – When we’re writing wolves, I try to stay away from wolf books. When we’re writing vampyres, I stay away from those. I want to try to keep our characters and their world as unique as possible and always afraid something I’ve read will seep into my writing. But I love historicals. I read a lot on my iPad, when I can find the time.


Thanks so much ladies for stopping by; I love the wolves and can't wait to meet the vampyres!

The Giveaway: Thanks to Sourcebooks, I have 1 set of the 4 Lydia Dare Books (A Certain Wolfish Charm, Tall Dark and Wolfish, The Wolf Next Door and The Taming of the Wolf)to give away - 1 winner, US and Canada only, please.

To enter, leave a meaningful comment below with your e-mail address. Extra entries:
+1 Tweet (leave link)
+1 blog or sidebar post (leave link)

Contest ends Friday, December 3.





THE TAMING OF THE WOLF BY LYDIA DARE—IN STORES NOVEMBER 2010
A fresh and imaginative world of noble werewolves, each of whom encounters nearly insurmountable problems in his quest to live a normal life among England’s Regency society.

Dashiel Thorpe has grown up with the sobriquet “The monster of Eynsford.” Each full moon, when he turns into a wild beast, he has been chained to the wall to protect those around him. He has never before encountered a creature like himself, until he goes to visit his university friend and encounters a family of Lycans living just next door.

When the full moon turns the pack of them into wolves, Dashiel’s feral ways bring him to near-disaster, and when he bites Caitrin McLeod he unknowingly sets off a chain of events that could lead to his ultimate destruction.

Banished to Scotland to find a mentor and get trained in how to be a proper werewolf, Dashiel must also find Caitrin and persuade her that she’s his only chance for salvation…

About the Author
Lydia Dare is the writing team of Tammy Falkner and Jodie Pearson. Both Tammy and Jodie are active members of the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers and live near Raleigh, North Carolina. They are working together on their next paranormal historical trilogy as Lydia Dare, which will be released by Sourcebooks Casablanca in 2011! For more information, please visit http://www.lydiadare.com/.

34 comments:

  1. Lovely interview ladies and I am loving your cover art as well...

    I love how you two work together and just click..

    Congrats on your releases..

    E.H>

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  2. I just love this cover. Congrats on the release.

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

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  3. I think these books look hot! I have them on my list to get now! I can't wait to read them! I'm looking forward to some vampire stories! Great interview and thanks for sharing!

    evjochum@aol.com

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  4. Not entering, but I'll mention it Friday!

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  5. Ooh, I love when the anti-hero gets a HEA :-) Sounds like a great series!

    smaccall @ comcast.net

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  6. Just checking in, since I have read all the books :=)

    Ok so vamps up next..but any possibility of getting to know what happens then? Since there seems to be a lot of books coming, yay

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  7. Don't enter me.

    That was a great review! Ack, I can't wait for the vampyres...

    and I am still dumbfounded that Lydia Dare is a writing-duo!

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  8. * interview

    Stupid spelling stuffs.

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  9. EH ~ Thanks so much! We did click as far as writing goes, which is more than surprising in that we are SOOOO opposite in real life.

    Bethie ~ Thanks! :)

    Johanna ~ I'm so glad you like the covers. It was an interesting switch to vampyres. I hope you'll like them.

    Sarah ~ My favorite hero is the reformed villain. We had such fun with Dash - so much that he will make an appearance in a couple of the vampyre books next year.

    Blodeuedd ~ You are always so sweet to us! So a sneak peek at what comes after vampyres, huh? Well - since you've read TAMING, I can tell you that there is mention of three gentlemen with whom Dash shares a connection. That trio will be introduced next year and then they will each star in their own stories in 2012. We are just starting to work on the first of that trilogy right now. :)

    Danielle ~ LOL! You should see the typos I end up with whenever I use my iphone. They make me cringe! I'm so glad you're excited about the vampyres.

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  10. I'm curious to find out if there are any topics that one of you might want to tackle, but the other one does not.

    lenikaye@yahoo.com

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  11. Great interview. I can't wait to start this series. I have read so any great reviews for these books.

    tweeted http://twitter.com/elaing8/status/7207105790484480

    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

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  12. I enjoyed the interview.
    Sounds like you ladies have a great partnership going.

    kissinoak at frontier dot com

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  13. Leni ~ Not yet. :) But who knows what the future has in store for us.

    Elaing ~ Thanks. I hope you get the chance to read them.

    Estella ~ Thank you. It works for us so far.

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  14. EH - Thanks, aren't they great?

    Bethie - It's gorgeous!

    Johanna: They're great!

    Chris: Thanks!

    Sarah: Me too!

    Blodeuedd: yeah vamps!

    Danielle - I'm looking forward to the vampyres too!

    Lydia - thanks so much for coming by, this was fun!

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  15. Leni - great question!

    Elaing8 - it's a great series ;)

    Estella - I love their writing!

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  16. I'm in the middle of A Certain Wolfish Charm right now and loving it. Simon is my perfect werewolf hero - really gruff, growls a lot, and is head over heels for Lily. I'd love to win the whole series. Best wishes with the vampyres.

    jen(at)delux(dot)com

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  17. Hi :)
    Thank you for the excellent interview. I hadn't known that Lydia Dare was a writing duo like Moira Rogers.
    All the best,
    RKCharron

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  18. I enjoyed the interview, it's nice to know how you work together. I really like stories with witches so I would love to read this series.

    +1 Tweet http://twitter.com/BookOwner/status/7311985045671936

    seriousreader at live dot com

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  19. I loved when you were talking about the third book because I really enjoy reading about a villian coming into his own. I must have these books, they sound amazing. Please enter me

    june111@att.net

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  20. I like when series have a few different paranormal creatures in it. Do you have a favorite?


    Stephanie G
    sgradel(at)gmail(dot)com

    Paranormal Haven

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  21. oh i'd love to read these. I'm a big paranormal fan but i've never read historical paranormal Big historical fan though)so that's new for me and i have not read any Lydia Dare although i have heard about the name alot. My list of authors i need to read is always growing. I love the cover. It's one of the first things that usually draws me to a book and i love the excerpt.

    Lisa B

    modokker at yahoo dot com

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  22. Thanks for having us, Patti!

    Jen ~ I'm so glad you're enjoying A Certain Wolfish Charm. We had so much fun writing Simon.

    RK ~ Thanks!

    Linda ~ I hope you enjoy our witches. They are a blast for us.

    Jolene ~ Thanks! The reformed villain is my most favorite sort of character. There is so much to work with as an author.

    Stephanie ~ They're all so wonderful in different ways. The wolves are so playful and loyal. The witches are so strong and independent for the time period. The vampyres are so resolved and gentlemanly. So, a favorite would probably depend on our mood at the moment. ;) What is your favorite?

    Lisa ~ I'm so glad you like the covers and I hope you get the chance to read the series. If you enjoy both paranormal and historical, I hope you'll get enough of each to make you smile.

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  23. This series sounds right up my alley! My girlfriend has read them and said they were good. I definitely want to read them.
    Thanks for the great interview.

    +1 tweet:
    http://twitter.com/beckerjo/status/8277304497147904

    +1 Sidebar:
    http://beckerjo.blogspot.com/

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  24. I've only read A Certain Wolfish Charm and I have to say I'm hooked! I'm really looking forward to read the rest of the series and I can't wait to read about the vampires!

    Twitter: http://twitter.com/jmspettoli/status/8286970992140288

    spettolij AT gmail DOT com

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  25. These books sound great and I've seen them around, but have yet to get my hands on them!

    yadkny@hotmail.com

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  26. I am quite intrigued by the delectably dark and delicious heroes offered by Lydia Dare. Wildly Wonderful Weres are soon to be accompanied by Valiantly Villainous Vamps! The ladies are having great fun spinning sexy supernatural tales ; )

    US Resident, GFC Follower, Subscriber

    gcwhiskas at aol dot com

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  27. I enjoyed your interview. All of the books in this series look and sound fabulous! The covers are so attractive. The paranormal genre is my favorite and I love to read about wolf shifters, witches, and vampyres. Am going to have to read this entire series! :)

    Do you prefer to read ebooks or print books?


    TOPSAIL246(at)aol(dot)com

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  28. Great post & interview. I'm crossing fingers & toes to win these books ;D I have read ALOT of other posts, who had you guys on and talked about these books & well.. my luck hasn't been good, but these books sound awesome. So now I'm trying my luck here to win. You guys are new to me. I am wondering how many more books do you guys think you'll write in this series? Is it planned to end after book four or will you guys write on? I ask because I'm a huge fan of reading series books. I've added them to my buy list for when I go shopping, I can't rely on my luck ;)
    Stephmartin71(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  29. Oops, I'm sleep deprived, being on call sorta sucks the eyes out of your head. I missed that you guys wrote this below & answered my question already:

    Lydia/Jodie – Actually the next three books will feature vampyres and the remaining witches of Caitrin’s coven. Benjamin Westfield has a cameo in each book as his wife is part of the same coven and therefore connected to the other witchy heroines. Poor Ben, those witches do love to torture him.


    Now, I know that their will be more books to come, sorry. It's been a rough few days around here. Holidays tend to bring out every type of criminal in droves & now suicide cases are starting to increase. So, now I'm off to bed to get much needed sleep before the next callout ;)
    Stephmartin71(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  30. Loved the post ladies. And definitely love what you ladies create together. I have only read A Certain Wolfish Charm and love Simon and can't wait to read about the brothers. And there are Witches and Vamps coming. Great !! I love your writing. Got my fingers crossed and good luck everyone.
    Carol L.
    Lucky4750@aol.com

    GFC follower under Lucky47
    subscriber.

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  31. It is sad to admit, but I used to hate seeing so many variations on Vampyre and werewolf mythology. But as authors got more creative and started thinking outside the coffin, the lore just got better and better, and now I love seeing little differences here and there.

    I think it would be fun to see how these authors take on the mythology.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    missie at theunreadreader.com

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  32. I Love Werewolf Books but only Read one other that Was Historical Sounds Like a Great Series.I would love to read them.
    sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com

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  33. great review, made me hungry for more

    Thank you for hosting this giveaway

    Louis
    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

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  34. This giveaway is now closed. Will announce winners soon. Thanks for entering!

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