Kathleen : Hi Niina!
Clark : Howdy Niina. Thanks for having us.
Niina : My pleasure. Now let’s get started! Can you tell my readers here 4 fun unknown facts about you so we can break the ice?
Kathleen : One: I hate Muppets. All of them. Miss Piggy. Kermit. Ridiculous. Why do people like them? Baffling. That’s not something I share with too many people. I worry about hate mail.
Two: I am a geologist by training. Blood and Whiskey was especially fun because we wrote about sunstones, a gemstone form of plagioclase feldspar found in eastern Oregon, that has a profound influence on vampires.
Three: Intermissions profoundly irritate me. Whenever we go to plays, that’s the first thing I check. They exist to sell drinks for the theater.
Four: I love to ride my bike along the banks of Willamette River. Last week as I rode by, I saw a big bald eagle sitting on a log floating by. It was beautiful. An exquisite moment of joy.
Clark : One: I love graphic novels. The more graphic, the better. Lost Girls by Alan Moore, for example. Great, highly erotic storylines and beautiful art.
Two: I once shot myself in the leg while wearing a light blue rented tuxedo. Seriously. I was very lucky. The tux was ruined, my leg wasn’t.
Three: At a book expo, I met Patrick Macnee from the original Avengers TV show and got so star struck, I couldn’t speak. Kathleen had to ask him to sign my copy of his book for me.
Four: I am currently addicted to the new album Arrow from Heartless Bastards. Seriously addicted.
Kathleen : One of my favorite parts in Blood and Whiskey is the way we focus on the Meta. It’s an external, shared consciousness where vampires go, where their “souls” go, when they die at dawn. Actually, it’s where all consciousness goes at death, it’s just that humans don’t experience it until, you know, the very end. It’s the opposite of the embodied conscious mind. The Meta has implications for human spirituality because it’s where the “self” goes when you die and forms the heart of classic near death experiences.
Clark : I like the the focus on the landscape of the American West. Along with describing life in a small rural town in the modern west, and plenty of chances to talk about how beautiful and rugged it is in Wyoming and Oregon, we introduced a bad-ass character straight out of the pages of the real old west, a sheriff named Henry Plummer. He had a quite a reputation in Montana, Idaho and California. Depending on who you ask, he was either a murderous bandit who ran a vicious gang of cutthroats, or he was an honorable lawman who was unfairly executed for crimes he didn’t commit. In our book, his motivations are pretty clear.
Niina : Like the idea of the Meta a lot myself and who doesn’t love the landscape of American West! What chapter and character did you most enjoy writing and why?
Kathleen : One of my favorite chapters was when Lizzie and Elita race back to the trailer on horseback to try and beat the sunrise, which will kill them, of course. They have just suffered through a terrible ordeal and there are strained friendships, shared intimacy, fear and the possibility of betrayal all hovering in the air as they gallop through the frosty night. As much hangs on what they don’t say as on what they do say. As for characters, I like Lizzie because she is strong and confident, or at least hides it well when she isn’t, and thinks about things I think about, like political systems and anarchy.
Niina : Anarchy, checked, disgruntled porcupines… that could be interesting, checked! (I actually share some interest in conspiracies with Lenny, so he’s a wacky fave of mine) So, how did you find your cover and if you didn’t take part in the search, what is your opinion of it?
Kathleen : We were very active in the cover design and worked with a talented artist. (Need a cover artist? Let us know, we’ll connect you.) We wanted to make sure the cover fit in with the first book in the series, The Cowboy and the Vampire, so readers would recognize it immediately, but we also wanted to take it a new direction. We think the Blood and Whiskey cover is sexier and a little more “country” compared to the first book. I love the polka-dots.
Clark : I’m really happy with the way it turned out. There’s something about the way she holds herself, the way she seems to be suppressing the very beginning of a smile. She’s strong, confident and sexy. And, judging from the blood on her lips, chances are pretty good she just fed on someone.
Niina : Which way are you going with series? Please tell me there will be more!
Kathleen : There will definitely be more. At least two more, in fact...
Niina : *blogger squeal of joy * Um… sorry, do continue.
Clark : We’re excited by the concept on the drawing board for book three. In Blood and Whiskey, we moved some of the action to our home state of Oregon, but in the next book, we’re thinking about spending some time in Washington, DC, where Kathleen was born and raised, and exploring the Meta more fully. I think it’s only fair that Tucker has to deal with big city life after Lizzie has spent so much time in LonePine. Plus there will be plenty of romance, action, horror and comedy. And more Rex.
Niina : I’m excited to read more, umm… obviously revealed above, and I like the little teasers, it’ll be interesting! Flirting with the idea of bringing a new mythological/paranormal creature to page, what would be exciting to write about?
Kathleen : We’re working on a concept for a genetically modified plant creature. It’s sort of a Frankenstein’s monster for a new age.
Clark : Along with that, I would like to write a classic ghost story. Writing about the Meta really got those neurons firing, and I already enjoy reading about the age of spiritualism – séances and table rapping and ectoplasmic manifestations, etc. — so a ghost story goes on my list. After the next two books in the Cowboy and Vampire Thriller Series. And our plant creature book.
Niina : LOL! Sounds good. What’s the best compliment you’ve received on your writing? And who complimented you?
Kathleen : We were pretty pleased to get a great review on Blood and Whiskey from Kirkus Reviews. That made my heart beat a little faster. And when a reader called The Cowboy and the Vampire “a damn good read,” that was pretty awesome too.
Niina : Now to more personal questions! What is your signature dish?
Kathleen : I’m a vegan, so my favorite meal is a tempeh reuben with lots of sauerkraut. Clark does most of the cooking, I’m lucky that way. The only think I can cook is vegan split pea soup, my mother’s recipe.
Clark : My favorite food is pizza, but I try to not go overboard. I also like Kathleen’s split pea soup. And really cheesy Mexican food — enchiladas. I like to cook and I tend to get creative but since I never write down the recipes, I don’t really have a signature dish. A recent soup I made that turned out pretty well was cream of sweet potato ( made with coconut milk ) with spicy roasted garbanzos beans spooned on top.
Niina : Now I’m hungry! And I’m on a diet damn you two. ;) Seriously though, sounds delish! What is your favorite guilty treat/pleasure?
Kathleen : Dark chocolate with nuts.
Niina : What’s the sexiest article of clothing on a guy, or a woman?
Kathleen : A well-tailored suit. Or tight blue jeans.
Clark : I’ll go with blue jeans. And, at least for a woman, a Future Farmer’s of America jacket and nothing under it. ( You’ll have to read Blood and Whiskey to understand why I say that. )
Niina : LOL! What’s the number one thing you like to do when you are not writing?
Kathleen : Read.
Clark : Kathleen got me an iPad and when we’re not writing, or working on marketing, I use it to stay caught up on magazines. I also have several books I’m reading. I’m almost finished with Immortality ( Cave ) and about one third into The Egyptian ( Waltari ) which was sent to us by one of our favorite Finnish bloggers ( you! ). I had a little problem with my vision that kept me from reading for a few months — it was torturous — but I’m all better and getting back into it.
Niina : *all proud* Yes, quite right reading is the best way to spend free time. :) What's a typical day like for you two?
Kathleen : Go grumbling to work, come home late and tired, do some creative writing or marketing, then rinse and repeat until the weekend. We watch movies, or series. We were addicted to Battlestar Galactica and watched it obsessively for two months, but other than that we mostly write or read.
Clark : On the weekends, I too sleep late, and read in bed in the mornings. We walk in Forest Park ( we live just a few blocks from one of the largest urban forested areas in the country ) or take a bike ride. Now that it’s spring in Oregon and has stopped raining every day, getting outside is a priority. Our life is pretty simple. I like it that way.
Niina : Battlestar Galactica, I was so obsessed with it, I absolutely loved the last episode, so freaking epic! Before we finish, here are some Quick Fire Questions:
Ladies first, Kathleen…
Pick-up or Mini-van? Pick-up. Red. Old.
Boots or Heels? Boots with heels. With motorcycle flourishes.
Beer or Wine? Oregon Pinot Noir.
Cocktails or Shots? Cocktails – preferably a very dry vodka martini with three olives.
M&Ms: With or Without Peanuts? Without.
Treats: Sweet or Salty? Love salty stuff.
Date: Going to Park or Going to Movies? Park followed by movie. I like long dates.
Winter or Summer? Summer, by the ocean.
Jewels or Chocolates? Dark chocolates.
Men: Alpha-male or Submissive? Alpha males that I can make submit.
Men: Clean Shaven or Stubble? Stubble.
Men: Bad boys or Good guys? Good guys for the long haul.
Tattoos or Piercings on a guy? Not so much either. If I have to pick, hidden secret tattoos.
Brunettes or Blonds? Silver.
Romance: Vampires or werewolves? Vampires.
Romance: Fallen Angels or Sexy Demons? Sexy demons; angels sound boring. Like Muppets.
Romance: Cops or Cowboys? Cowboys, of course.
Time-Travel or Sci-fi? Sci-fi.
Romance or Erotic Romance? Just erotic enough to engage the mind but not too obvious.
Male POV or Female POV (Point Of View)? Female. I like strong female characters. Like Lizzie.
And then your turn Clark…
Pick-up or Mini-van? Pick up.
Boots or Heels? On ladies? Heels. On me? Boots. Cowboy boots.
Beer or Wine? Beer. Oregon micro-brew.
Cocktails or Shots? Shots. Or, more accurately, whiskey, light rocks.
M&Ms: With or Without Peanuts? With.
Treats: Sweet or Salty? Sweet.
Date: Going to Park or Going to Movies? Movies, they are romantic and private.
Winter or Summer? Winter.
Jewels or Chocolates? If I’m giving, chocolate because it’s cheaper. If I’m receiving, jewels; why not?
Women: Self-sufficient or needing help (like, install my DVD player)? Self-sufficient but able to ask for help when needed.
Women: Curvy or Slim? Curvy.
Women: Nice girls or bad girls? Bad girls with a heart of gold.
Tattoos or Piercings on a woman? Not so much.
Brunettes or Blonds? Brunettes.
Romance: Vampires or werewolves? Vampires.
Romance: Fallen Angels or Sexy Demons? Depending on why they fell, and where, probably angels.
Romance: Cops or Cowboys? Cowboys. Cops have too much to worry about for romance.
Time-Travel or Sci-fi? Sci-fi.
Romance or Erotic Romance? Erotic romance (Dear Penthouse, I never thought this would happen to me…)
Male POV or Female POV (Point Of View)? Female; obviously, I like strong women as well.
Niina : Thanks for visiting the For The Love of Reading, Kathleen and Clark! Any news would you like to share with your readers, or websites they can check out?
Kathleen : Please check out our website www.cowboyandvampire.com. And follow us on twitter @cowboyvamp.
Clark : We have a lot of fun on facebook www.facebook.com/cowboyandvampire. Come visit.
Saturday 28th Day 2 ~ Guest Blog by Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall!
Includes a Cowboy top 5 and City Girl's top 5!
Sunday 29th Day 3 ~ Author Interview with the creators of Cowboy and Vampire novels,
Kathleen McFall and Clark Hays!
+2 for commenting on the Review, +2 for commenting on the Guest Blog and +2 for commenting on the Interview!
Everything is right there in Rafflecopter ready and easy to use! And don't be squeamish to comment, the authors will be dropping by this weekend!
The Giveaway is Open Friday 27th - Monday 30th! ( nice of us to give one extra day right, we are just awesome like that! ;) )
