Today I'm turning the spotlight onto Author Maya DeLeina's new release from Ellora's Cave. Maya is a breakout novelist whose cast of vampires will ignite your passion and pull at your heartstrings. Thank you so much for stopping by for an interview, Maya.
Your vampires are different
than the 'typical' vampires—can you explain how?
All I write about are vampires, which can strike a challenge in the
creativity department. So, to make the
storylines distinctive, I play around with folklore on what vampires can and
cannot do. Some of my vampires can eat and walk in the sun, some of them do not
reflect in mirrors. Others project synthesized worlds for mortals, while others
have color-changing sclera. Vampires are
vampires- fangs, blood, immortality…yada, yada, yada, you can’t change much
with that. But, it’s their inherent traits, abilities and structure that draws
the conflict in the story. This makes for fascinating plots and submerges a
reader into that paranormal world. And while I’ve been known to push the
envelope with their characteristic makeup, I always have an explanation-
something either scientific from an advanced technology perspective or
something embedded during the physical transformation from human to immortal.
For example, my Ambrose Heights Series is all about a family vampires that
manufactures and distributes ‘Defender’. ‘Defender’ allow vampires to walk in
the sun. How? Defender is a manufactured serum composed of synthetic melanin.
It is mass-produced as an injection that resembles insulin for diabetics and
last for 6-hours. I’ve read stories where there was a unique twist on the
vampire trait but they never explained any of it and it drove me batty (Get it?
Bat? Vampire?) I vowed to always explain the “why” in my stories to alleviate
any “battiness” for others. J
Tell us briefly about your
new release and what you feel is the most important topic/sub-message you share
(if there is one).
All of my books deal with the subject of the afterlife because of the
immortality. This book, Dark Companion, however, completely delves into the
afterlife. Where do we go? What do we see? Is there a heaven? Is there a hell?
The other aspect I bring into this book is the power of the natural world to
lay the groundwork for some of the inherent cycles that play into the afterlife
I created.
Oh, and this is the first time I wrote Vampires as guardian angels.
Vampires as guardian angels? I really love that concept.
Why erotic romance rather
than a more mainstream approach?
Well, damn. This is going to sound so wrong…but erotic romance is what
really got me into reading and holding my interest. Yes, I know what you’re
thinking… how sick is she? LOL! Just think of it this way….reading is an escape
from reality. Reading about these steamy situations characters find themselves
in is a little slice of taboo and a guilty pleasure that erases the world for
me. No matter that the same text is read, each reader will visualize the scene
differently and the emotional outcome will vary. This is why I love reading in
this genre and hey…they say to write what you love to read!
Have you always been
interested in vampires?
Absolutely. Growing up in Hawaii- the sunshine, palm tree landscape and
beaches, it’s pretty hard to imagine how vampires could be of interest to me.
But on the drive to a town called Wahiawa, there was Mt. Ka’ala in the
distance. On top of the mountain is the Mt. Ka’ala facility which is controlled,
I believe, by the Hawaii Air National Guard and FAA. There is a giant tower
that can be seen for miles. From as far back as I can remember, I was convinced
THAT was Dracula’s tower. So even as I was half melting from the heat and
humidity as my dad and I drove to North Shore to go snorkeling, I would
side-eye that giant tower and my mind would be absorbed in thinking about
vampires.
Then there was “Lost Boys”….that rekindled love for vampires as a
teenager!
Are there any other aspects
of the paranormal that interest you? Would you ever consider incorporating
those into your writing?
In addition to vampires, I have always been fascinated with witches. In
fact, I have a plot in my head for a coven story and thinking of starting this next
year.
It has
been my experience, some things come quite easily (like creating the setting)
and other things aren’t so easy (like deciding on a title). What comes easily
to you and what do you find more difficult?
I agree. Settings are always the easiest
for me. I can easily visualize what kind of environment I want to be absorbed
in, so without a doubt, location and scenery is quite effortless. The
difficulty, I find, is when the book is finished and I have to write a
synopsis. Sometimes that is harder than writing the book!
Yes, and blurbs always give me fits. It seems I rewrite those and am still not thrilled with the end result. Why is it we can write novels and then get tripped up on the little things?
Let's talk inspiration. What inspires you?
Travel and music are my primary sources of inspiration.
I have seen many amazing and rousing places that I have adapted into
stories or used a little piece of reality to create a fictional world. Case in point, my girlfriends and I had a very
memorable trip to a tree house in Colorado. When we arrived, the photos we saw
online of the place didn’t do it any justice. The tree house was simply
magnificent. A good balance of man-mad materials and natural elements made up
the tree house. For my story, I thought more along the lines of something
almost “hobbit-like” so I incorporated natural elements more so than
man-made.
As far as music is concerned, I could be in the middle of a blizzard in
Colorado, but feel like I’m walking along dry and dusty earth in a Marrakesh
bazaar, my eyes absorbing the bold, jeweled-tone colors of fabrics and taking
in a healthy whiff of the exotic spices. Typically, I have Pandora tuned to my
stations to provide inspirational settings that takes me halfway around the
world without leaving the couch. Check it out:
Maya’s Gypsy Groove Station: http://www.pandora.com/station/1335009332057028278
Maya’s Arabian Dream Station:
When
they write your obituary, what do you hope they will say about your books and
writing? What do you hope they will say about you?
That I had
a lively and active imagination with a good sense of humor.
Is there any particular book when you read it, you thought,
"I wish I had written that?"
Not one book, but the entire Forbidden Series by
Samantha Sommersby
Who or what inspires your characters and/or plots?
Characters are
typical developed from imagination, but there are some physical traits that
derive straight from photography I have on men, the photo album aptly named
“muses”. Okay. They’re just a collection of good-looking men. What can I say? I
am a fan of the male body and facial features.
For character
personality, it’s a combination of imagination and incorporating some traits
from men that I actually know. I have a
handful of great friends that are male and every time I am quiet in a
conversation, they say, “Lord. This is going in a book or something, right?”
Tell us about your writing space. Do you need any
'must haves' around you before you start writing?
I sit in the
same spot when writing at home. My spot is on a leather sofa, right next to a
wall of windows that showcases all of the treetops I have in my yard. Between
the canopies of trees, glimpses of Pikes Peak come into view. The walls of the
room are painted in a warm green tone, think two shades lighter than an
avocado. The accents, from pillows to throw blankets are bronze, gold, burnt
orange, copper with splashes of crimson. Accents are all in different shades of
wood and metals. I have three themes going on in the room-Hawaii, Moroccan, and
Bali that blend quite well together. Within the space, my must haves are lit
candles, incense burning and Pandora playing softly in the background.
What happens before sitting down to write? (Explain
your creative process.)
My writing is
typically done at night or early morning. If I happen to write during the day,
it’s usually because it is in the middle of a snow or thunderstorm. The time of
day and what the weather holds really plays a key role in inspiration.
When I sit down
and write, I read back on the last chapter written or skim through the
chapters. I close my eyes to envision the scene, as if a movie. I don’t work
with an outline- most times I don’t know where I am going with a story until I
sit down and I “see” where I want to go. All in all, I read to escape reality.
Because of this, my goal in writing is to create a world that is vivid enough for
the reader to sense it all around them as they read to the point that their
immediate environment vanishes.
Do you do a lot of research for your book(s)?
It’s usually
medical research that I perform since I want to explain some of the structure
changes in the body that occurs for a vampire’s existence. I’ve researched
general information on diabetics, how insulin is made, advances in
brain-machine interfaces for patients with neurodegenerative disease, blood
oxygenation and altitude influence on the body.
Is there anything you'd go back and do
differently now that you have been published, in regards to your writing
career?
I would’ve started writing earlier in life.
Do you have any book
signings, tours or special events planned to promote your book that readers
might be interested in attending? If so, when and where?
I have done conventions such as RomCon, Blissfest and Jimmy Thomas’
RNConvention in Vegas. For 2014, my focus is on writing. I will plot out conventions
for 2015 and also hoping to do events locally with some fellow Colorado muses
that I know (LOL). All events that I will attend will be listed here: http://www.mayadeleina.net/events.html
We look forward to seeing you out and about. Good luck with your new release and thank you so much for taking the time for an interview. Now let's look inside "Dark Companion." I'm sure this one will be an instant best seller.
The blurb…
Joseph’s
Protector at the moment of her birth. Four decades later, he struggles to hide
the love he harbors for his charge. When the time comes for her to learn of
Warwick’s existence, lust is a beast he can’t contain, nor can Isla fight her
instant attraction to this mysterious “stranger”. The pair comes together in a
frenzied feast of flesh.But their intimacy has consequences. Consequences for Isla, when she discovers her lover is a vampire…for the team of Architects, who are struggling to save her from a horrific future…for Warwick, when he’s forced to wipe every trace of himself from Isla’s memory.
Isla, Warwick and the Architects will soon discover love isn’t so easily erased. And while fate may have dark designs for Isla…destiny has other plans.
And the characters take the stage for their introduction…
Warwick Dark
Isla Joseph
Zirah
Dorian
Cassian
Early reader reviews…
5 stars
I bought this book and read it from front to back. I simply couldn't put it down. This is a totally unusual and unique vampire story that has you wondering what in the heck is going on at the end. Easily one of my favorites from this author.
Book and series trailer…
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/4pIX9F_gLTs
Series Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeB7DwLk1Y0&list=PL8C2BBA29762C8316&feature=share&index=2
What are you waiting for? Buy it now!
Barnes and Noble-http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-companion-maya-deleina/1119571148?ean=9781419944949
Ellora’s Cave-http://www.ellorascave.com/dark-companion.html
Google- http://books.google.com/books?id=16GaAwAAQBAJ&dq=dark+companion+maya+deleina&source=gbs_navlinks_s
More about Maya…
Maya DeLeina is a multi-published
Erotic Vampire Romance Author with Siren , Evernight and Ellora’s Cave
Publishing. Her current series includes Ambrose Heights Vampires, My
Naughty Vampire and Vampire Architects.
Not only does Maya have theatrical book trailers that bring her vampires to life, all of her vampires were featured in Singer/Songwriter Jill Cohn's music video "Blessing Moon".
Not only does Maya have theatrical book trailers that bring her vampires to life, all of her vampires were featured in Singer/Songwriter Jill Cohn's music video "Blessing Moon".
Website-
http://www.mayadeleina.net/
YouTube
Channel- https://www.youtube.com/user/mayadeleina
Twitter-
https://twitter.com/vampauthormaya
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/maya.deleina
Fan Page
Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/EroticVampireAuthor
Goodreads-
https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard
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