Thank you
to Two Ends of The Pen for hosting
the Monsters & Angels blog tour!
Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book?
Monsters & Angels is the
story of fledgling nurse Sorcha Alden’s journey into the unknown. Only days
after graduating from nursing school in New York City, Sorcha suffers a tragic
personal loss. The drive to honor her family’s heritage takes her on a railroad
adventure across America, a voyage over the Pacific Ocean and a trek through
the brutal jungles of Nepal.
Sorcha
stumbles into the brilliance of young love one night and the path of a deranged
killer soon after. Set against the backdrop of 1930’s New Orleans, her
unplanned future is graced with friends, family and the counsel of a charismatic
mentor. She’ll need every one of them to survive the cutthroat, mystical
underworld of the Crescent City.
Do you have a favorite character?
Dr. Raimond
Banitierre was always planned as one of my leading men. He is a former French
soldier and Sorcha’s charming mentor. Dr. Banitierre has managed
to balance his human and vampire sides well enough to remain the medical
director of a major hospital. His role grew and changed so much during the
writing of Monsters & Angels that
I’ve nearly finished a novella, The
Vampire Raimond, based on his compelling backstory.
I firmly
believe that setting can play a leading role in any story. I’ve been intrigued,
mesmerized and enchanted by New Orleans for many years. She may be my ultimate,
favorite character.
Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a
major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?
Steven
Banitierre started out as an unplanned, minor character. Initially I wrote him
as one of Sorcha’s flashy, funny friends. By the time Monsters & Angels was finished, he became the center of several
plotlines. Steven struggles with his sexuality, childhood demons and severe
asthma that mysteriously didn’t disappear when he became vampire. Steven has
the potential to become a New Orleans power-player.
If you used a graphic designer, how involved were you
during the creative process for your cover?
I teamed
up with cover designer and graphic artist Magali
Frechette of Storm Owl Art . I discovered Magali’s page through a Facebook
author group. As soon as I saw her work I knew I wanted that look for my cover! The concept and vision was sparked by a
picture of me (taken by my husband Scott), looking down night-time Royal Street
from a lace-iron balcony.
I was very
involved with the cover from start to finish. Magali is a pleasure to work with
and I’m absolutely thrilled with the result!
Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped
improve your writing?
I had
several critique partners and beta readers for Monsters & Angels. Without the input of my critique partner,
Raquel, this novel would still be a messy manuscript jammed in a drawer.
Going
forward with the sequel and my standalone novel, I’ve been invited to
participate in a more formal critique group, but Racquel is still getting the
first look!
Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript
before publishing?
I would
never have been able to complete Monsters
without the help of editor Jordan
Rosenfeld . I met Jordan through an on-line, creative writing workshop. She
edited my manuscript twice. The first was a developmental edit, when she
suggested I change from first person POV, to third person. That advice allowed
me to incorporate my large cast and multiple POVs. She also did my final
copy-edit. I believe having extra eyes on your manuscript is absolutely
essential.
What kinds of marketing are you involved with for
promoting your book?
I’m
currently promoting my book through Twitter, FaceBook, Instagram, WattPad,
GoodReads, my WordPress blog and Xpresso Book Tours.
Besides writing, do you have any other passions?
My
passions outside of writing include, music, sports (mostly baseball and
football), and spending time on our boat Glory
Days at the New Jersey shore.
Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer –
1. Dogs or Cats? I love all pets, but we have 2 beautiful cats, Duncan and
Tempe.
2. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate. Vanilla is a waste of
calories.
3. Coffee or Tea? If I had to choose one beverage to drink for the rest of my
life, it would be coffee. Strong, New Orleans coffee.
4. Talk or Text? Text. Who talks anymore?
5. Day or Night? Night. There’s a calm power in the dead of night that is
nowhere to be found during the day.
What’s next for you?
The ending
of Monsters & Angels—Sorcha’s
final word—is the perfect set-up for a sequel. I’m hard at work on that sequel,
with a working name of Blood & Diamonds.
I’m also a
contributing author in Dan Alatorre’s
scary story anthology, The
Box Under The Bed !
Monsters & Angels
Anne Marie Andrus
Publication date: October 11th 2017
Genres: Historical, New Adult, Paranormal Romance
Fledgling nurse Sorcha Alden knew she had the skills to save lives, but she never dreamed that her own life would be the one in danger.
Driven by tragedy to honor her family name, Sorcha embarks on a journey that takes her from the bleak but familiar streets of New York, through the sultry and seductive city of New Orleans, and into the brutal jungles of Nepal. Forging friendships and carrying on her mother’s mission of healing was her dream. Plunging into a love affair with the mysterious Dr. Ashayle could have been a fairytale.
Being murdered and waking up as a blood-thirsty monster—became her living nightmare.
Torn away form a life that had just begun, Sorcha returns to New Orleans as a newborn vampire, forced to start over in a cutthroat underworld of devilry and decadence. Complicated politics, bitter rivals and jealous ancestors stand between her and the promises she’s still determined to keep.
In a realm where the boundary between good and evil is as murky as the Mississippi River and immortal does not mean invincible, will Sorcha ever risk her shattered heart and love again? Can the magical harmony of the Crescent City give her enough courage to fulfill her eternal destiny?
Author Bio:
Anne Marie has been an equestrienne, chorale singer, candy-striper, EMT, and baseball fan. Roaming the back roads of New Jersey with her family, she found great respect for antiques, historical locations and the stories they hold. Her current list of favorite pastimes include coffee, bourbon, and Les Miserables--which requires more bourbon. She has been known to attend sporting events just for the flyover. The boat she and her husband christened Glory Days, is her escape from the chaos of everyday life.
The inspiration for Anne Marie's debut novel, Monsters & Angels, is her fascination with vampires and her passion for everything New Orleans. When she isn't writing, she can be found working nights with the critical care team in a busy trauma center.
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