Thank you Rachel for agreeing to this interview, I have been a fan for quite some time and I totally did a little dance and squealed when you said yes to my request. Thankfully no one else was in the room with me at the time. Congrats on the release of Shift, it seems each book you write is better than the last.

Rachel: Thanks! I certainly hope I’m getting better.

Shift, book 5 of the Shifters series is in stores now and Alpha, the last book in the series is set to release in October 2010. When you first started writing this series, did you have a set number of books in mind? If so, were you contracted for all of them from the start?

Rachel: Yeah. One. Seriously, I originally wrote Stray as a standalone, but then my mentor said she thought it could be the start of a series, so I went back and adjusted the manuscript, then wrote Rogue. The series sold in two separate contracts for 3 books each.

For any of my readers who may not be familiar with the series, can you tell us a bit about Faythe and the world she lives in?

Rachel: Faythe is a werecat shapeshifter who lives in our world, which doesn’t know anything other than humans exists. She is a rare female werecat (a tabby) in a strongly patriarchal society, which has no choice but to depend on her to provide the next generation of children for her Pride. But Faythe has other ideas. She’s just finished her undergraduate degree when the first book opens, and has no intention of going back home to get married and have kids. Fortunately, her parents are much more considerate and open-minded than most of the other Alphas and Dams. But even they can’t change the necessity of procreation for survival of the species. So over the course of the series, Faythe struggles to find her place in the werecat world, trying to find some compromise between what society needs from her, and what she wants for herself. Along the way, there are murders and kidnappings to solve, deaths to avenge, loves to sort out, and the ever-evolving influence that human society and technology exert on a culture older than the United States.

I like to think it’s a fun ride, and Faythe learns and grows with each book.

When plotting out a book, is there usually one part of the story that comes first for you (romantic events, bad guys, etc)? Additionally, my geeky mind wonders if have a giant flow chart hidden in your office somewhere?

Rachel: I actually don’t have a flowchart on paper anywhere. I do just about everything online, and only print out my receipts these days.

After the first book in a series, I tend to start sequels by organizing any plot threads left over from previous books. The story kind of grows from there, and the hardest part is always the main plot. That part feels like starting from scratch every single time. It involves a lot of post it notes and whiteboard action, and usually a lot of fajita dinners.

I know by your blog posts that Prey was difficult to write, did you find Shift any easier? I can say it certainly was not any easier to read! My heart was in my throat the entire time!

Rachel: Shift was also hard to write (though not as hard as Prey), but it was much, much easier to rewrite and polish, because unlike Prey, the plot in Shift didn’t need a huge overhaul. So it went much more quickly and smoothly. Fortunately.

Ever since the release of Prey, it seems fans have been very vocal about a couple of major plot points. I have a feeling you took a bit of heat because of a certain character’s death, though I think it took balls and I respect you for not taking an easy road. Did you ever have second thoughts about it, before or after the release?

Rachel: I did have second thoughts, in fact. That death was originally supposed to occur at the end of Pride, but when it came time to write the scene, I couldn’t do it. So I put it off, and it became even more heart wrenching than it would have been in the first place, because in Prey, Faythe spends the entire first half of the book with the doomed character, and we really got to see him shine. Right before he died. People were very, very upset about the death, and bunches of them demanded detailed reasons why it had to happen, and why it couldn’t have been anyone else. But in the end, the other controversial issue (not to mention the cliffhanger) seem to have outlasted the death is the most discussion-worthy topics of conversation.

Along with “the death”, fans have been pretty up in arms over Jace/Faythe/Marc. Did you expect the romantic subplot of the series to jump forward to center stage the way it has? Have any of the reactions surprised you?

Rachel: I didn’t expect it, and in fact, I was completely surprised that people do seem to see it as the focus of the books now. I never intended that. Each book still has a strong plot, which would stand unharmed if the romance were completely removed from the book. Faythe’s still finding people, and rescuing people, and fighting bad guys. She’s still doing what she’s always done best, but the emotional arc of the stories is what’s really grabbed people. That’s been an eye-opening revelation for me.

I’m really excited by how involved people are getting with my characters, because it means that I’ve written them well enough that readers think of them as real people. At least, I hope that’s what it means. But I have taken a LOT of backlash for this element. Evidently I’m breaking a couple of sacred tenets of romance. Which is interesting, because I didn’t know I was writing romance. I’m thrilled to have caught on with so many romance readers, but I’ve always thought of the series as urban fantasy, at its heart.

I try very hard to make sure that Faythe’s choices, while not always brilliant, are realistic. Real people often make very big mistakes and discover very important things about themselves and others in the grip of fresh grief. And that’s what happened here.

But not everyone’s happy about that. Multiple readers have written to politely (and not so politely) request that I kill off Jace, to make life easier for Marc. It’s been fascinating, watching the fervor build, and it’s necessitated quite a bit of peace keeping in my discussion group, where two different camps have formed around the details of Faythe’s love life, and they’re often at each other’s figurative throats.

On that same note, back in June of 2009 you did a release party Prey over at Bitten By Books. I posed the question to you in the comments – “were you ever tempted to let the Faythe and Jace chemistry go further?” — to which you replied yes, with a winky face. Did you always plan for Faythe to wind up in this little love triangle, or was it something that came about as you got further into the series?

Rachel: It was actually supposed to happen earlier. But I don’t think of it as a love triangle. I think of it as Faythe having two genuine options, and one very, very difficult decision.

In a world where authors don’t always get a say in their covers/titles, you seem to have been blessed by the cover gods. Each one is beautiful tho I think the covers for Shift and Alpha are my favorites so far. How much say did you have in them? The same question for titles…. were the titles of each book your own or suggested to you?

Rachel: Thank you! I have been very fortunate! The titles are all mine, and were all submitted with the original manuscripts. As for the covers, I’ve filled out forms for the art department, telling them where Faythe’s latest injuries are (and that’s generally where her scratch marks will show up) but the rest of the credit has to go to Mira’s art department. They came up with the clawmark branding, and the scratch patterns, and other bits of continuity. For Alpha, I told them that Faythe needed to look powerful and dangerous, and I may have mentioned the Alpha chair. And boy did they deliver! I can’t believe how powerful they made her look, without sacrificing any of her femininity. They didn’t resort to feet-spread power poses or weaponry she doesn’t use. No butt shots or exposed stomach in this one either, yet she’s never looked more beautiful, confident, or competent. Not to mention powerful. I am so far beyond thrilled with this cover!

With the Shifters series being 1 book closer to an end, are there any plans for other books in the werecat world?

Rachel: No. Right now, we’re not talking about more Shifters books. Faythe’s story is over, and I have a short story coming out early next year that features Abby. But no new Shifters novels have been discussed.

Lastly, any hints as to where Faythe and her crew go from here? It is going to be a long 8 months until Alpha’s release….

Rachel: Oh, it’s only seven months away! And hints… Let’s see…

The entire council will convene again. Old characters will return. Both sides will suffer losses. Faythe will make a decision in her personal life (though the road will be very rocky). We will finally meet someone we’ve only heard about before. And the civil war will be fought, and it will change the werecat world forever. For better or for worse.

But more important is what we will not see: Faythe will NOT get pregnant. That was never the goal of this series. Her love life decision will not be taken out of her hands. Neither Marc nor Jace will back down or die before she can make her decision. She’s not gonna get off that easily.

Thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions! Good luck with the release and congrats on all the positive reviews so far!

Rachel: Thank you so much! And thanks so much for having me!

	Title: Stray (Shifters, Book 1) Release: June 1, 2007 Purchase this book: Amazon | Kindle Version | Book Depository | FictionWise
	Title: Rogue (Shifters, Book 2) Release: April 1, 2008 Purchase this book: Amazon | Kindle Version | Book Depository | FictionWise
	Title: Pride (Shifters, Book 3) Release: February 1, 2009 Purchase this book: Amazon | Kindle Version | Book Depository | FictionWise
	Title: Prey (Shifters, Book 4) Release: July 1, 2009 Purchase this book: Amazon | Kindle Version | Book Depository | FictionWise
	Title: Shift (Shifters, Book 5) Release: March 1, 2010 Purchase this book: Amazon | Kindle Version | Book Depository | FictionWise
	Title: Alpha (Shifters, Book 6) Release: October 1, 2010

Related posts:

• Review: Shift by Rachel Vincent
• Review: Alpha by Rachel Vincent
• Teaser Tuesday: Shift by Rachel Vincent

He’s the last man she should ever want. She’s the last woman he can ever have.

Coming from a family with psychic gifts, Derek Gabriel was aware of but separate from the dangers of the supernatural world, until a rogue wolf shifter stripped away his humanity. The change he barely survived didn’t drive him insane, but the cultural bias against him as an inferior transformed wolf might. And it doesn’t help that he’s fallen for the daughter of the most powerful wolf in the country.

Almost from the moment she was born, Nicole Peyton started planning her escape from the strict confines of elite shapeshifter society, an old-fashioned world where women are valued only for their bloodlines and bank accounts. In New Orleans she has a bar she loves, friends in decidedly low places, and a smoldering sensual tension with an incredibly attractive and deliciously unsuitable man.

Their forbidden longing erupts into unbridled need—until Nick’s sister burns into town with a strike team hard on her heels. Saving her means Nick has to play by the Conclave’s rules…and give up the man she is growing to love.

Unless Derek does something completely crazy—issue a challenge that could shake the foundations of their world.

I am going to go ahead and ask the question I am sure you get all the time, how did you two meet and decide to start writing together? Was it writer-love at first sight where you knew you had to write as a team, or something you kind of grew into?

Bree: Oddly enough, we knew each other for a long time before we decided to start writing together. We met about ten years ago, online. We were both pretty big fans of the new X-Men movie.

Donna: Mmm, Hugh Jackman.

Bree: Scruffy Hugh Jackman! But even though we met ten years ago, we didn’t decide to start writing together until 2007, and even then it was kind of a whim.

What was the first thing you wrote and sold to a publisher together?

Donna: The first thing we started writing was actually Crux–even though, as a full-length book that took months to finish, it wasn’t the first thing we sold.

Bree: In fact, part way through Crux we stopped and decided to write some short stories and novella and see if we could learn a thing or two about the market first. The first stories we sold were Moonshine and Kamikaze. Moonshine is currently available for free on our website!

Are there set roles in your writing partnership? Or do these roles change based on the books?

Donna: Driver picks the music!

Bree: Ha! We change back and forth. The only constants are the cops and the techies. Donna writes the cops, I write the techies. Well, and Donna does the edits and I do the websites.

So far, I have only had a chance to read your novels, but I hear your shorter work is S.T.E.A.M.Y! Do you have a preference when it comes to length? (of the story of course *looks around for pervy blog readers*) 

Bree: I love the long stuff. (I said that just for you pervs.) But in reality, I love them both. I love getting to write short, campy stories full of naughty sex, and I love the chance to tackle sweeping adventure and action.

Donna: Sometimes the short stuff is fun, and it’s better for the sanity sometimes because you can finish it more quickly, check it off the list, and say, “Hey, accomplishment!” But my heart will always belong to the great, sweeping complicated plots of longer books.

It must be a very exciting time for you two ladies, Crossroads is releasing in ebook format tomorrow, February 9th and positive reviews seem to be coming at you from all angles! Can you tell us a bit about the Southern Arcana world?

Donna: It’s a world where magic exists and supernatural creatures might live next door.

Bree: You’ll just never know it, because they hide really well. Unfortunately, being outside the law can mean things get unfair fast, so life isn’t always very pretty.

Crux featured Jackson, a smooth and sexy wizard. Crossroads features Derek, a passionate and powerful wolf shifter. Was one easier to write than the other?

Donna: Every character belongs to one or the other of us, and we take charge of his or her background, motivations, thoughts and feelings. Since Jackson was my character and Derek was Bree’s, I’ll say Jackson was easier.

Bree: Oh yeah, Jackson was totally easier because I didn’t have to write him. (Ha!) Writing Derek was a little trickier, but even he is a walk in the park compared to writing Alec.

Can you describe both Jackson and Derek in just 3 words each?

Bree: Hmmm… Jackson is smart, charming and stealthy-dangerous.

Donna: Derek is loyal, lovable and determined!

We all know that I already have Andrew’s name tattooed on my backside, he is mine…. but I am curious if either of you have a favorite Southern Arcana male and why?

Donna: Hmm, that’s a tough one. There are so many, and each has his own awesome qualities. I like Alec for his broody man pain, Jackson for his Southern good ole boy charm… I will say this: Alec’s heroine has a pretty sexy brother who’ll be showing up.

Bree: It would have to be a toss-up between Derek and Andrew for me. Derek is strong and steady and can cook fabulous dinners as well as build houses, but Andrew…well, Andrew is geek-girl kryptonite. I can’t wait to show everyone why in future books.

(note from KV – geek girl kryptonite?!?! I don’t know if I can take it *swoon*)

In the interest of being fair to the ladies of your books, who are all strong and formidable characters, do you have a favorite Southern Arcana female?

Donna: Mine will always be Mahalia. I want to hang out with her.

Bree: I love Nicole. She is probably my favorite character, though if I had to pick one to hang out with, it’d be Kat. Even if she would kick my butt at video games.

Speaking of Andrew (or maybe that was just in my head), boxers -briefs – or commando? Ok and because I know a few bloggers who would kill me if I didn’t ask…. Same question for Alec!

Donna: Andrew wears boxers, definitely.

Bree: Alec would wear briefs a lot more regularly if he weren’t always rolling out of bed on his way to deal with the latest crisis. Some days he’s lucky he’s wearing pants at all.

(note from KV -*perk* unlucky for us….)

Book 1 of the Southern Arcana series is Crux, Book 2 is Crossroads…. we now know that Alec will get his own book, titled Deadlock. Do you have a set number of books in your head for the series? Can you share how many are contracted so far?

Donna: We signed the Deadlock contract last month. It’s another tale of Conclave politics and forbidden love for Alec, though it’ll be vastly different from Nick and Derek’s story. We’re also hoping to get started soon on the fourth book–which, rest assured, is Andrew’s.

Bree: In Deadlock, you’ll be meeting a firefighting wolf with dark eyes and psychic powers, and possibly a magically amplified human who rides a motorcycle and hunts rogue supernaturals. Which is my way of saying we have plenty of books left to write.

One of my favorite things about this series is the way you blend high action urban fantasy plots with sizzling romance without either appearing weaker than the other. Your books actually forced me to create a blog category for Romantic Urban Fantasy. Is this the genre you prefer to write in and have you always known it?

Bree: I think this can be blamed on the fact that Donna grew up reading romance and I grew up reading urban fantasy. We both ended up in the same place, in that hazy spot between both, but we both brought our love of our respective genres with us. I think we come down a tad bit closer to romance, most days, but we walk that line.

Donna: I think that line really is pretty blurry these days, and I don’t mind falling on either side of it occasionally.

Do you have any writing/story rules? If not, can I suggest one? Andrew must appear shirtless, in nothing but low slung jeans or less for all future book appearances. oh and he should growl, a lot.

Donna: Growling, he can handle. But I’m making him wear clothes…mostly.

Bree: I’m pretty sure he’ll be shirtless at least once during the course of Deadlock. Other than that…well, we’re not much for rules.

I have no idea how you two find the time to write so much, I know how often you are on twitter(!), but you have a pretty large collection of books/stories available…. something for everyone. If you each had to pick one that was your favorite, what would it be?

Bree: My favorite rarely seen book of ours is Sexual Healing. It’s just a tiny story in a stand-alone world, but I love it. It’s our psychic space hookers story.

Donna: Actually, I think Crossroads is my favorite. Derek and Nick are so ready to do what they have to do. It’s hard not to love them together.

Any chance you can torture us with a few hints into what is coming up for Alec in Deadlock? Will he be able to outwolf Derek?…. the forest scene in Crossroads is stiff competition (*eyebrow waggle*)

Donna: I think, depending on what you like about that scene, it’s possible. LOL

Bree: I’ll just say that everything that happens in Deadlock will be bringing his alpha wolf side out in a serious way–politically, emotionally, and yeah…sexually.

Besides Southern Arcana #3, what else can we look forward to from Moira Rogers in the next year?

Bree: We have a lot of exciting book releases in our Red Rock Pass series in 2010! In April the first two books come out in one print volume, in June the fourth book comes out in digital, and in July we are starting our new adventure–a spin-off novella set during the Great Depression with bootlegger and smuggler werewolves.

Donna: We’re also working on some secret projects, as well as our first anthology contribution. This fall, we’ll have a short story (set in the Southern Arcana universe) in the Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 from Running Press (Constable & Robinson in the UK). It’s very exciting for us–and there are loads of other really awesome authors who will be part of it, as well.

Ok, and lastly, I am going to ask this question because I simply can not resist. Will there be any fleshlight appearances in any upcoming books or stories? (Readers, beware, google at your own risk and only when you are alone).

Bree: I would say “no” if it weren’t for the fact that Derek & Andrew’s office manager, Mariko, is totally capable of buying one for Alec just to piss him off. If pissing Alec off was an Olympic sport, Mari would have a lot of gold medals.

Donna: Things could get interesting if Alec’s heroine finds it…but that’s a whole different kind of book!

Thanks again to Donna and Bree for stopping by and putting up with me and my Andrew obsession! Double thanks for being kind enough to give away a copy of Crux here on the blog! *drumroll* I am happy to announce the winner of a free e-book version of Crux is….

Marquetta (lovetoreadforfun)
Congrats Marquetta! We will be in touch

Be sure to pick up Crux, now available in both e-book and print format. Crossroads is available today in ebook format and will be in print format in November!

	Title: Crux (Southern Arcana, Book 1) Release: March 3, 2009 Purchase this book: Amazon | Kindle Version | Book Depository | FictionWise
	Title: Southern Arcana (Southern Arcana, Book 2) Release: February 9th, 2010 Purchase this book: Kindle Version | MBaM

Related posts:

• Contest: Celebrate Release Day with Moira Rogers!
• Review: Crossroads by Moira Rogers
• Fan Letter to an Author: Moira Rogers (with shocking new pics!)

WLP: KindleVixen & I are pleased to have none other than zombie extraordinaire, Amanda Feral here today. Amanda is the host of her own reality show out of Seattle. Thanks for stopping by today Amanda.

Should be interesting. (eyes the hosts) Perhaps. if you don’t bore me. You got in booze up in this shithole?

WLP: I finished your latest memoir, Battle of the Network Zombies, was it hard to write it? I mean you’ve been through hell and back, all in wicked shoes of course.

Hard to write it? Um. No. I have a great memory and whatever I don’t recall is probably too boring to mention, so I just make that shit up. Dialogue and whatever. ::sighs:: But yes, it’s been rough, thankfully I have my friends close by in case I need someone to ridicule. That always lifts my spirits.

WLP: Speaking of shoes, what are your go to “come fuck me shoes”?

Well, this year, to pronounce my willingness to procreate, I’m rocking Louboutin Pigalles. I find that men respond to seeing dead python on a nicely arched foot, please don’t skimp on a pedi, ladies–you don’t want those toes looking like you cling to branches with them.

KV: Since WLP already covered the “come fuck me shoes” – I might as well dive into what we all really want to know. Have you found a lube that works with the zombie lady parts? Maybe the KY warming? 

Listen. You don’t really want to know what lubes me up these days, do you? Let’s just say, after a couple of years rotting from the inside, a certain…natural…lubrication occurs. Now, that’s not to say that the reapers don’t provide me with some vaginal freshening—they do. But in the meantime, I get no complaints and far as I’ve seen…no dicks have been harmed—except for the ones that end up as snack food. Next question!

WLP: We know you love your designer clothing, so who is the designer of the moment?

Alexander McQueen definitely. Distorted herringbone is the new pattern. Make a note of it.

KV: I want to ask about Martin. Now that you confessed to eating him…. do you regret it? Did he taste any different being someone you cared about? Did you at least get a good orgasm from him first?

That! Was a mistake. In fact, it all happened so quickly how can I even be sure it happened at all? If you bitches are trying to rile me. It’s not working. ::sucks at her teeth::

WLP: I have to ask, is Wendy still sporting diapers? Can you at least get her into designer ones?

Oh poor Wendy. She can’t seem to work through that pesky eating disorder of hers. And while I’ll admit to a few indiscretions with a shot of espresso, a maxi pad seems to sop that coffee off my twat like a biscuit on honey.

KV: In Road Trip of the Living Dead you make an unexpected trip to an adult sex store where you introduced me to the wonders of the Fleshlight. Did you grab any souvenirs for yourself?

Uh no. Scott’s rough enough without injecting vibrating equipment into the equation. Something might fall off down there. And I’m fond of my nasty nugget, thank you. Though. I know a certain pixie who can’t for the life of her stop talking about Fleshlights. I think she’s been watching demonstration videos. Got one on order for the beau? Sicko.

WLP: Have any good Gil gossip; since he wasn’t around much in Battle of the Network Zombies, I’m a nosey bitch. I need to know more about Gil & the fleshlight! Did he get one?

Wasn’t around much? That’s just ridiculous. That I share my book with him, at all, is to show how generous I am. But yeah. Gil’s got himself this boyfriend, while I find the guy totally creepy in an ew-you’re-a-gross-insect kind of way, he’s totally into him and they make out in public until I want to vomit on them just to stop it. But he’s happy, I guess and that’s what matters, right?

KV: Now that you have been a zombie for a while, and are presumably adjusted…would you choose this life for yourself or is there another supernatural you would rather be?

I don’t really have any regrets. Would I prefer the cheaper self-healing of a vampire? Sure, of course, I would. Who wouldn’t? But there are advantages to my situation, not the least of which is an ability to shop at the beginning of trunk sales, while it’s still daylight.

WLP: What do you say to those readers who think you are “gross & disgusting”?

I say look in the mirror, bitches! I don’t pretend to be perfect, nor am I anyone’s “heroine.”

KV: Something I have been wondering…. obviously, and thank god, zombies can shower – but can you take baths? Or does that give you wrinkly old person skin permanently? 

I do prefer to stay out of the water. Particularly since seeing that 20/20 episode about the little fish that the Chinese use to eat dead skin on people’s feet. I suppose it’s the same response people had to the movie Jaws in the 70s.

WLP: How is Feral Inc. going? Is it still going? Should we start a charity?

I’m always happy to accept charity, my bar tab is usually quite extensive. But the business is still up and running. We’re in the entertainment industry now, as you might have guessed.

KV: Considering your bad luck with donut boxes and the nasty consequences of eating a donut as a zombie…do you still splurge in the bakery goodness on occasion? Just asking… some things are worth it.

That’s Wendy’s schtick. Sure. I still think about food. All the time, but donuts are strictly off limits. Now…donut shop customers, that’s another story.

WLP: What kind of human tastes the best?

The one’s that make it into my mouth. Mmm. (wait that sounded dirty) ::shrugs::

KV: In Happy Hour of the Damned it seemed that pre-zombie you were more of a loner, why do you think becoming a zombie changed that and drove you to create your own supernatural A-Team?

That’s tricky. Because it’s true, I was very much focused on my work and my social life was very…limited. But there was something…whether it was that I was so lost and clueless initially or that I’d lost my precious control and actually needed others to help me through for the first time, it’s hard to say. But it’s funny how that happened, huh?

WLP: What do you think of Mark Henry’s Save Amanda campaign?

He can do whatever he likes. I’ll continue to live my life whatever happens to the books. If it all goes tits up, I might put him out of his misery. That’s probably for the best, even with all the fat and gristle.

KV: How is it writing with Mark Henry? If he suddenly keeled over and died…. is there another author you would want to write your memoirs?

No. Not a chance.

KV: To say that you have a potty mouth is an understatement….. what is your favorite curse word?

Cunt. No, just kidding. I love saying that one, because it gets people going and I love to do that more than anything but, really, I’ve got to go with the old standby: FUCK.

WLP: Thanks for stopping by Amanda and more than likely causing irreparable damage to our readers, I wouldn’t have had it any other way!

Be sure to pick up the re-release of Happy Hour of the Damned, in stores now! Thanks to Nat for always being there to help me avoid my homework and inviting me to join her on this interview. She thinks we should tag team more often, I agree…. tho next time can we tag team a sexy man at least?

	Title: Happy Hour of the Damned (Amanda Feral, Book 1) Release: February 2, 2010 (re-release) Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
	Title: Road Trip of the Living Dead (Amanda Feral, Book 2) Release: March 1st, 2009 Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
	Title: Battle of the Network Zombies (Amanda Feral, Book 3) Release: February 23rd, 2010 Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version

Related posts:

• Review: Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark Henry
• Review: Road Trip of the Living Dead by Mark Henry
• Review: Battle of the Network Zombies by Mark Henry