BookView with Marie Lavender, author of Second Nature

I always wanted to write about vampires, and fate kind of handed it to me when I resurrected a story scene from one of my writing archives.

Marie Lavender – 11 June 2015

The Back Flap

She never expected it…

Desiree Edwards has a problem. She’s been attacked, kidnapped and forced to get along with a vampire of all things. It’s something right out of the story books she reads, or her worst nightmare. But, sometimes he’s not the monster he appears to be. He seems so humanlike that she can’t help it when her emotions betray her, when her body betrays her. To make matters worse, she finds out more about herself than she ever wanted to know.

She was unlike any other…

Alec has a problem. The animal in him wants Desiree. But, so does the man. The more he learns about her, the harder it is to deny what he wants. But, he’s a freak, and she’s just a human. The two species don’t mix that way. Then an old enemy surfaces and Alec is forced to make a choice. His life or hers.

Can Alec’s soul be saved by this unique human? Or will it be far too late?

About the book

What is the book about?

Second Nature is book one of the Blood at First Sight Series. It is about a young woman, Desiree, who accidentally stumbles into the world of vampires, the world of the Others. It’s not only about how she deals with it, but also how she reacts to some new things she learns about herself.

When did you start writing the book?

Technically, I began writing the book years ago when one of the scenes came to me, but I started focusing heavily on it last year.

How long did it take you to write it?

The time it took me to write and perfect it was probably about three or four months.

Where did you get the idea from?

I always wanted to write about vampires, and fate kind of handed it to me when I resurrected a story scene from one of my writing archives. I just knew then that it would be perfect for a vampire tale, and the plot began forming in my head from there.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Well, only when it came to one section about the Civil War that I needed to research. It took me time to find that crumb of information.

What came easily?

Desiree’s outrage against her situation came pretty easily. I just imagined how I would react in that situation and went from there. Of course, I had to add all of her quirks and background.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Yes, my characters are fictional. Desiree and Alec weren’t based on anyone I know, though I can identify pretty well with Desiree. If the hottie, Alec Sullivan, was based at all on someone in real life, I think I’d be in a lot of trouble. LOL. No, I’m kidding, but he is very appealing as a vampire and a gentleman.

Do you have a target reader for this book?

Any woman or man over the age of 18 who is open-minded and doesn’t mind escaping into a world that is not of our current world.

How was writing this book different from what you’d experienced writing previous books?

Every project is different, carrying its own obstacles. I was very drawn to Baltimore with this book, especially the harbor. I had half of a mind to drop everything and go there for research. I also enjoyed getting into Desiree and Alec’s heads during the writing process, but then, I always do with my characters. Overall, I would say that the writing flowed very well this time.

What new things did you learn about writing, publishing, and/or yourself while writing and preparing this book for publication?

Oh, yes! I did learn that there would be a series. The ideas just came to me one day after I was done with writing Second Nature. I’m planning the other two books now. I also learned that you need to have a specific timeline in mind for a series. Because of how Second Nature is set up, Blood Instincts and The Bloodseer Legacy may end up being futuristic, possibly dystopian, as well as paranormal romance/urban fantasy. I’m still work it all out.

I also learned that I need to tackle one project at a time. Though I may have multiple ideas, everything flows more smoothly if I’m not pulled in so many different directions with writing. So, I usually try to focus heavily on one project at a time. What else? Oh! I also learned to never limit myself with regards to story ideas or genres. The characters and the story will always direct a writer where he or she needs to go.

End of Interview:

For more from Marie, visit her website, or check out not just one, but two, make that three blogs, each with a different focus. You can also follow her on Twitter, like her author Facebook page, or if you’re feeling especially friendly, friend her on Facebook.

Get your copy of Second Nature from Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amazon UK (paper or ebook).