DRINK DEEP Blog Tour: Interview with Chloe Neill

Chloe has taken the time to visit the blog and answer some questions on the Chicagoland Vampire series and her upcoming release, DRINK DEEP. (For the full blog host list on the DRINK DEEP TOUR, click the tour button on your right.)

Everyone please join me in welcoming Chloe to the blog today!

1) What was your biggest challenge with writing Drink Deep?

Mostly just finding the time to get it done. We were on a really tight schedule in publishing two Chicagoland Vampires
and one Dark Elite book in a single year, and I still have a full time job. There were a lot of late nights!

2) Do you have a favourite Chicagoland Vampire character? If so, who?

Merit is my favorite, mostly because I relate to her the best. We have the same sense of humor, so I get her--and I
think she gets me--pretty well.

 3) Your fans were given a HUGE shocker in Hard Bitten, without revealing any spoilers, what can Chicagoland Vampire fans expect from Drink Deep?

I think they'll find a great mystery and they'll see Merit learning to cope with the new circumstances in which she--and
the rest of Cadogan House vampires--find themselves. As for anything else, no spoilers from me! ;)

4) We know that Merit is a Cubs fan, do you have a team you're rooting for in the world series?

I'm actually not a baseball fan, so I couldn't tell you who's in the World Series right now! :)

5) I understand you have 7 Chicagoland Vampire books under contract, do you think you'd ever write a spin-off series?

I would love to, but my work and publishing schedule don't allow it right now. I think it would be great fun, though.

6) If you did write a spin-off, which character would you choose to narrate the story?

Probably Luc and Lindsey or a new couple introduced in DRINK DEEP that I think have a very interesting back story.

7) If Chicagoland Vampires ever hit the big/silver screen, who would you cast to play your characters?

I have a lot of folks in mind, although authors have no input on those kinds of decisions. They are made solely by the
movie/TV producers. But you can see who I think looks like the characters on my web site
(http://www.chloeneill.com/?page_id=771).

Thank you so much for your time Chloe and congrats on the upcoming Drink Deep release! :)

Thanks for having me!

Make sure you grab your copy of DRINK DEEP on November 1st

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads: 

Clouds are brewing over Cadogan House, and recently turned vampire Merit can't tell if this is the darkness before the dawn or the calm before the storm. With the city itself in turmoil over paranormals and the state threatening to pass a paranormal registration act, times haven't been this precarious for vampires since they came out of the closet. If only they could lay low for a bit, and let the mortals calm down.

That's when the waters of Lake Michigan suddenly turn pitch black-and things really start getting ugly.

Chicago's mayor insists it's nothing to worry about, but Merit knows only the darkest magic could have woven a spell powerful enough to change the very fabric of nature. She'll have to turn to friends old and new to find out who's behind this, and stop them before it's too late for vampires and humans alike.

Myth Week Day 5- Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Don't forget to enter my contest to win an ARC of Starcrossed! Go here to enter. Today I am happy to review Starcrossed and interview Josephine Angelini

Pub Date: May 31st/11.
Publisher: HarperTeen

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:

How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

My Review:

A compelling and unique twist on one of the oldest myths and love stories...

Helen was a complex character for me- I wasn't sure at first if I truly wanted to root for her, because I was just as conflicted as Helen was with herself. Helen couldn't begin to understand her unusual emotional and physical reactions to Lucas and his family. This proves what a great writer Angelini is, to be able to write such a complex character that can trigger such thoughtful emotions from her readers. On a side note I was rooting for Helen by about a third of the way through the book. :)

Lucas, o my, Lucas where can I even start. This is a great hero in the making. He's strong and brave, but gentle and understanding where Helen is concerned. I wouldn't mind if he wanted to take for a "ride" one night.

The romance between these two was electrifying. A pair of Starcrossed lovers you'll want to root for. The build between these two was perfect in the sense that they start out literally wanting to kill each other, but in the end, are unable to deny themselves each other. Readers beware the ending will of this novel will only leave you wanting more- So please, read at your own risk! :)

I'm happy to say the Josephine has taken the time to come visit the blog today to answer some questions on her newest release. I would like to add that I have had the pleasure of conversing with Josie over email, twitter and such, and she is one of the kindest, most appreciative, down-to-earth authors I've ever had the please to email :) Don't be afraid to tweet or leave a comment on her blog cause she is right on it and always responds! 

Now please join me in welcoming Josie to the blog today!

1. Was it hard for you to get Starcrossed published?

I know this is an annoying thing to say, but no.  It all happened so fast I was still patting myself on the back for landing a manager and agent.  I was thinking to myself, great!  If nothing else comes of this, at least I’ve taken that first major step and gotten representation.  Then, like, a week later my agent, Mollie Glick, had a preemptive offer from Harper Collins lined up, and a few days after that the team at the Foundry was getting preemptive deal overseas as well.  The thing that I kept thinking was, “how the heck did they all read it that fast?” 

I got unbelievably lucky, and I am so thankful for that.

2. You've spun so many unique twists on the myth of Helen of Troy, what
inspired your version?

Homer, Shakespeare, and John Hughes.  Haha!  Seriously, I saw a copy of Romeo and Juliet sitting next to my mom’s ancient version of The Iliad and a light bulb went off in my head.  I couldn’t think of anyone doing a modern day take of the Helen of Troy story (probably because in Homer’s version she isn’t very likable) and I wanted to try it. 

3. If you could fly away with Lucas anywhere, where would you go and what
would you do? (Let's keep this PG13 haha)

I’d ask him to take me to Cadiz, Spain.  I’d want to see where he’d lived for the last six years.  I bet he has a ton of stories he’d like to tell me about it.  Mostly, I’d like to go there with him because I bet he misses his old home. 

4. You kept some characters from the original story (Helen, Hector) why did
you decide to leave Paris out?

Did I leave Paris out?  You sure?  I didn’t leave anyone from the Iliad out.  That’s why the cast is so large, and why in the next few books it gets larger.

5. If you could be one God/Goddess, and have their abilities, who would you
be? Why?

Oh-la-la!  I thought you said you wanted to keep this PG 13? 

6. Why do you think Greek Mythology is having such a strong emergence in the
YA genre recently?

Zeitgeist.  It’s a funny thing.  When I started outlining Starcrossed the only Greek book out there that I knew of was the Percy Jackson series.  I took a different tack—instead of utilizing a mix of the Greek myths like Riordan did I focused on the Iliad, confident that my take was entirely different from his.  It was even aimed at a different age group.  But while I was writing about Greeks, so were others.  I guess we all caught the same bug at the same time, and in a way I’m glad we did.  It’s nice to know that readers will be familiar with the Greek themes and maybe get more out of my story that way. 

7. How far do you plan to take your Starcrossed series?

Three books, and that’s final.  For now.

8. Without getting too spoilery, what can readers expect from Starcrossed
#2?

The second book, Dreamless, is darker, and has more action than the first book.  Helen goes into the Underworld and grows even more as heroine as she learns to claim even more of her power.  There is a lot more danger, and a new character named Orion, who I hope everyone loves as much as I do.

9. Will Lucas and Helen make it the full mile? (I know you can't really
reveal this but it's worth a shot haha)

Actually, I don’t mind revealing this.  They both live through the trilogy.  But are they together at the end?  *sigh* 

10. Do you have any advice for those starting out in the publishing
industry?

I’m just starting out in the publishing industry!  I should be asking you for advice!  J

Myth Week Day 4- Daimon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Hello all, today I will be discussing Daimon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Pub Date: May 10th
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
It's a free novella guys- go here to download your own copy.

Synopsis curtesy of Goodreads:
For three years, Alexandria has lived among mortals—pretending to be like them and trying to forget the duty she'd been trained to fulfill as a child of a mortal and a demigod. At seventeen, she's pretty much accepted that she's a freak by mortal standards... and that she'll never be prepared for that duty. 

According to her mother, that’s a good thing. 

But as every descendent of the gods knows, Fate has a way of rearing her ugly head. A horrifying attack forces Alex to flee Miami and try to find her way back to the very place her mother had warned her she should never return—the Covenant. Every step that brings her closer to safety is one more step toward death… because she's being hunted by the very creatures she'd once trained to kill. 

The daimons have found her.


My Review:


Alex is kick a$$! I loved her sarcastic demeanour and the fact that she can take care of herself. She is a strong female character that doesn't let ANYONE push her around.


There has been much online buzz over Armentrout's Covenant series, and after reading Daimon I can honestly say that she deserves all the praise she has received. Her writing is so fluid- and the world she builds around Alex is so conceivable and enjoyable- I wanted to join Alex on her journey.


Alex not only faces physical road blocks, but emotional ones as well. I enjoyed the relationship between Alex and her mother. The bond these two share is realistic and heartwarming. 


The action in this novella was non-stop and this combined with Armentrout's dialogue, makes for a quick and intense read. Once you've finished this story you will dying for more- I know I am!

The free download comes with an excerpt from Armentrout's upcoming release Half-blood the first full-length novel in the Covenant series. And can I just say Aiden = Yum- MORE PLEASE JENNIFER!

Jennifer is holding a giveaway of an ARC of Half-blood on her blog to enter go here









Jennifer has been kind enough to stop by and answer some burning questions about her upcoming and latest release. Please join me in welcoming Jennifer to the blog today!

Have you read Daimon yet? Are you planning to? Leave a comment and earn extra entry points in the Starcrossed ARC contest. Haven't entered yet? Enter here.


Happy Reading Everyone!

1. Was it hard to get Half-blood published?

Breaking into the publishing business is not easy, and I think every writer has a different experience. I actually started writing Half-Blood (under a different title) in 2008 and i thought it was great. It was actually really lame, like most first drafts of novels are. But I didn't know any better. It took about 60 rejections to realize I needed to do an overhaul. Many rejections and requests later, I finally got THAT call. Everything pretty much moved fast after that. The funny thing is that I had shelf'd Half-Blood when I got the call, so it almost never made it.

2. Daimon was an AMAZING novella! Did you originally write Daimon before or after Half-blood?

Thank you! I actually wrote Daimon at the beginning of this year. I always had in mind what happened leading up to the situation Alex found herself in at the beginning of Half-Blood so it was really easy to write. I pitched the idea of a free novella to the publisher and they loved it. 

3. What is your favourite Greek Myth?

Oh my, there are so many. I always loved the one with Cupid and Psyche. Then there is Hades and Persephone (Aimee!!), and all the poor mortals that Apollo got turned into trees or flowers. The actual myth of Medusa is also very interesting, and very little people know the actual story behind how she turned into a gorgon. 

4. If you could be one God/Goddess and have their powers, which would you be? Why?

Artemis. Mainly because she was a kick ass hunter. No one messes with Artemis. 

5. What can readers expect from Half-blood? 

Adventure, a twist on the demigod myth, romance (been told it's sizzling), humor and a few people have cried. You can expect a stratified society, modeled after Ancient Greek and the gods in Half-Blood do not bring the warm and fuzzies. I think one thing that has surprised people about Half-Blood is the plot twists and the recreation of two major myths. I can't really give anymore details than that, 'tis spoilery. 

6. What inspired the character, Alexandria?

I love snarky heroines that are flawed. And Alex has one heck of a snarky internal dialogue going on, which was really fun to write. But as far as to what inspired her? I really don't know. She is polar opposites from my very first draft of Half-Blood, but if I had to pick any fictional character, I'd go with Buffy. 

7. If you could cast one actor to play Aiden, who would it be? Why?

Oh Geez, I've asked myself that question and really can't pick one. Aiden is such a complicated character who can come off as standoffish but has a really sweet personality and a sense of humor once you get to know him. The actor would have to be able to pull that off. I always picture a young Ian Somerhalder in my head. It's the eyes. 

8. Why do you think that Greek Mythology has had such a strong emergent the Young Adult genre?

I think it's something new to readers right now, especially after all the vamp, werewolves, and angel books. But everything is a cycle. What's popular two years ago will be popular again in another two years. I personally love the vamp and angel books. I also think there is so much you can do with the Greek Mythology, from retelling old myths to creating new ones. There's a lot of versatility there. 

9. Do you have any advice for those starting out in the industry?

Don't give up. Prepare yourself for rejection at every level of the game, but if you don't give up, you'll make it. Read. I cannot stress that enough. Reading can teach you how to write.

Thank you so much Jennifer for stopping by the blog, I can't wait to devour Half-blood.

Thank you for having me!!