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Friday, July 01, 2011

Interview with Kasey Mackenzie & Giveaway - July 1, 2011

Please welcome Kasey Mackenzie to The Qwillery.

TQ:  What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Kasey:  Hmm, I’m not sure how interesting it is, but I often write longhand in notebooks with teal or turquoise pens whenever I get stuck. For some reason, that always helps me get past whatever mental block I have going on. The fact the pens have to be teal or turquoise would be the “quirky” part and is probably a result of my OCD.

TQ:  Are you a plotter or a panster?

Kasey:  Most definitely more of a pantser.

TQ:  What inspired you to write the Shades of Fury series?

Kasey:  As much as I love good vampire and werewolf stories, I wanted to write about a lesser-used supernatural creature. I’ve always been fascinated by mythology of all types, especially Greek and Roman, so it only seemed natural to turn to those myths to find inspiration. I actually struck upon the idea of writing about Furies for an online query-writing contest. I sat down and whipped out a pretty cool query for a story I hadn’t yet written—the kicker is that it wasn’t for Marissa’s story, but rather, Cori’s. I actually got to the second or third round in that contest, and had to write the first chapter for the second round, but I found my interest kept wandering from Cori and her story to her Aunt, Riss, and the story that happened chronologically before—the story of how Riss tracked down the person responsible for abducting Cori’s other aunt, Vanessa. I’m so glad I listened to my muse because that is obviously the story that won over my agent and editor. Cori’s story is still kicking around in the back of my brain and I definitely plan to write it down someday.

TQ:  Why did you set the series in Boston?

Kasey:  One can write stories set in the same setting so many times before one goes slightly batty. At least, that’s been my experience. While I was born and raised in St. Louis and am back in that area now, I lived and worked in Boston for a year in my early 20’s. At the time I sat down to write Red Hot Fury, Boston hadn’t been used in many urban fantasies and it seemed to me like the perfect setting for mine. Boston is an awesome city and will always hold a special place in my heart. In fact, I make it a point to get back there whenever I can.

TQ:  What sort of research did you do to create the world in the Shades of Fury series?

Kasey:  I refreshed my memory on several Greek and Roman myths, especially those dealing with Furies, Harpies, Nike, Nemesis, and Orpheus (just to name a few). I have researched other cultures and mythologies as well, including Ancient Egypt, Celtic myths, Norse myths, Hindu culture, African history, culture, and religion, and too many others for me to think of off the top of my head. I’ve done more mundane forms of research like refreshing my memory on Boston neighborhoods and the MBTA (subway/commuter rail line in Boston), learning how the Boston Police Department operates in general, deciding which type of gun seemed a good fit for Riss to carry, and figuring out which cars suited certain characters’ personalities. This is by no means an exhaustive list, of course.

TQ:  Describe Green-Eyed Envy in 140 characters or less.

Kasey:  140 characters? You’re killing me here! Haha, okay, how about, “Modern-day Fury Riss Holloway goes undercover to stop a serial killer before the killer’s green-eyed gaze turns to her lover, Scott Murphy.” Woo, did it!

TQ:  Without giving anything away, what is/are your favorite scene(s) in Green-Eyed Envy?

Kasey:  I have a couple favorite scenes in Green-Eyed Envy. One is when we see just how much like her aunt Riss Cori Holloway can be. Another is when Riss finally figures out for sure who the killer is, and proceeds to go all Fury on that person.

TQ:  In Green-Eyed Envy, who was the most difficult character to write and why? The easiest and why?

Kasey:  I’ll reverse the order because Riss is far and away the easiest character for me to write because she has such a strong and distinctive voice. Love her or hate her, she definitely doesn’t just fade into the background. I also have to say that none of the characters are particularly difficult for me to write—I even enjoy writing about the villains because I try to make them fully-fleshed characters in their own right. Now, specific scenes can be extremely hard for me to write, but not usually particular characters.

TQ:  Who should play Marissa ‘Riss’ Holloway if the books become movies?

Kasey:  In mortal form, I always envisioned Riss as a taller, curvier version of Kristin Bell. Her face and honey blonde hair are spot on.

TQ:  Is there a playlist for Green-Eyed Envy and what is it?

Kasey:  I always listen to music when writing but have very eclectic musical tastes and rarely make up a specific playlist for any particular book. I listen to everything from country music to Celtic music to rock, alternative rock, pop, dance music, R&B, movie soundtracks, and some hip hop.

TQ:  How many books are planned for the Shades of Fury series?

Kasey:  I don’t have a specific number in mind. So far the publisher has contracted for three books but I hope they buy more. I try to keep each book a self-contained standalone that has overarching themes that can be continued on from book to book. Eventually, I would love to do tie-in novels such as a YA telling Cori’s story and novels from Trinity’s or Harper’s POV. I really love what Jeaniene Frost is doing with her Cat and Bones series tied in to the standalones telling the stories of other characters in her world. I also love how Kelley Armstrong’s stories are set in the same world but tell the stories of many of the characters, and how we often get to circle back around to the POVs of favorite characters we haven’t heard from in awhile.

TQ:  What's next?

Kasey:  My agent is currently shopping a YA urban fantasy featuring djinn (genies) and I have a few other projects in various stages of completion, ranging from urban fantasy to post-apocalyptic YA and steampunk.

TQ:  Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.


About Kasey's Books

Red Hot Fury
Shades of Fury 1
(Ace, June 29, 2010)
Introducing a sizzling new urban fantasy series featuring Marissa Holloway, an immortal Fury who doesn't just get mad...she gets even.

As a Fury, Marissa Holloway belongs to an Arcane race that has avenged wrongdoing since time immemorial. As Boston's chief magical investigator for the past five years, she's doing what she was born to do: solve supernatural crimes.

But Riss's investigation into a dead sister Fury leads to her being inexplicably suspended from her job. And to uncover the truth behind this cover-up, she'll have to turn to her shape-shifting Warhound ex for help.


Amazon : B&N : Book Depository : Borders


Green-Eyed Envy
Shades of Fury 2
(Ace, June 28, 2011)
When the bodies of cat shape-shifters start piling up in Boston's magical underbelly, Chief Magical Investigator Marissa Holloway finds one common thread that ties the victims together: all were old flames of FBI Agent Harper Cruz. And since Marissa's lover Scott Murphey once enjoyed a one-night stand with Harper, the Fury has twice the incentive to crack the case wide open before the killer's green-eyed gaze turns in Scott's direction.


Amazon : B&N : Book Depository : Borders










About Kasey

Kasey Mackenzie is the author of the Shades of Fury urban fantasy series from Ace Books. Red Hot Fury debuted last year and Green-Eyed Envy releases on June 28, 2011. Kasey lives with her husband and son in St. Louis, Missouri; home of the Gateway Arch, the baseball Cardinals, and the world’s greatest thin-crust pizza. Kasey was one of those students who always had her nose in a book—so no big surprise when she was voted “Teacher’s Pet” in her high school yearbook. Today, she is a voracious reader of fantasy, romance, suspense, and “soft” science fiction.

Kasey's Links:

Kasey’s Website: http://www.kaseymackenzie.com
Red Hot Fury, Shades of Fury 1: http://www.kaseymackenzie.com/wp/books/red-hot-fury/
Green-Eyed Envy, Shades of Fury 2: http://www.kaseymackenzie.com/wp/books/green-eyed-envy/


The Giveaway

THE RULES

What:   One commenter will win signed copies of Red Hot Fury (Shades of Fury 1) and Green-Eyed Envy (Shades of Fury 2) from Kasey. Please note the giveaway is limited to mailing addresses in North America (US/Canada).

How:  Leave a comment answering the following question:

Who or what is your favorite 'person' or creature from Greek mythology?

Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.

You may receive additional entries by:

1)  Being a Follower of The Qwillery.

2)  Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.

3)  Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.

There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.

Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.

Who and When:  The contest is open to all humans with a North American (US/Canada) mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Friday, July 8, 2011. Void where prohibited by law.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*

24 comments:

  1. My Favorite Mythological Creature would have to be either Hades or Persephone. I just love the story of Hades and persepohne. Thanks for the great giveaway!

    mybookishfairytale@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. My favorite person/creature from Greek mythology would have to be Poseidon. I love anything having to do with the water - mermaids, sea witches, etc.

    Good reading ~ Escape by Fiction :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, this series looks fantastic! I really want to meet Marissa and see what she is all about, and of course see her fury in action. I'm still in awe of the covers :)

    My favourite person in Greek mythology is Athena (she is the goddess of wisdom and courage). This should come in handy when facing fears. I do like all the gods and goddesses though, they all have strengths to offer.

    +1 comment, +1 follower
    Cambonified{at}yahoo{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  4. My favorite would have to be Poseidon cause he is god of the sea. I love water and to me he just seems very powerful.

    alycia@thejeepdiva(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. http://twitter.com/#!/btrflytats/status/86829856691724288

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow... I love the covers for this series.

    Now choosing a favorite mythology character is hard since most of my knowledge of them comes from TV (Herc & Xena) and current books (Dark-Hunters). I never really studied the mythological tales. But, since I need to pick one, let's go with Dionysus since I'm in the mood for a drink (ready for the holiday weekend to get going).

    Thanks for the great interview and contest.

    Jen K.
    GFC follower as Romancing the Book
    admin.bookblog AT gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hmmmm, that's a hard one. I like Thor and the Fates...I'm sure there are more, lol

    mybookishways[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow this series looks incredible and just up my alley. Thank you for the wonderful interview and giveaway opportunity. I have to choose Persephone simply because I was part of a women's group at one time that did a complete reading and one of the presenters actually had some wonderful art work and figurines to share with us.
    GFC
    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  9. My favorite mythological creature is Pegasus, the beautiful winged horse! How cool would that be? I'd take it :)
    Thanks so much for this great giveaway!

    jwitt33 at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the Pegasus from Greek Myth. This looks like a great one!
    GFC
    terilhack at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love Athena! So strong and wise, strong women need to be more prevalent in literature. GFC Krystal Larson edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom facebooked http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=238360266192233&id=100000547840483#!/profile.php?id=100000547840483

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'll go with Zeus cause he's the top gun.

    acm05atjuno.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I follow you :)
    okay favorite Mythological Creature... would have to be a Dragon... Any dragon, well unless they are trying to eat me...

    I blogged your contest....
    http://crazy4bookss.blogspot.com/

    Twitted ya!!!
    http://twitter.com/#!/KellyMueller_

    that is a total of 4....

    Thanks
    Kelly M
    crazybookfairy(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I follow via GFC as Piper nettysgirl AT gmail.com

    my fave Greek mythological person is probably Narcissus or good ole Icarus!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Mine is Persephone.
    +1 comment
    +1 follower

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Dionysus - god of wine and theatre. What a potent combo.

    follower
    tweet - http://twitter.com/#!/DonnaS1/status/86968898573959168
    link - http://donnasbloghome.blogspot.com/2011/07/qwillery-interview-with-kasey-mackenzie.html

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Tie between Artemis and Athena- smart, strong, independent women!
    I'm a gfc follower.
    follow sleepy's on twitter bcardoo79

    b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. My favorite person from Greek mythology would be Zeus because I've always liked the leader - he who has the most power.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com
    GFC follower

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'd have to say Poseidon.

    GFC follower

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am going with Medusa!

    +1 comment
    +1 GFC follower

    thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. My favorite person from Greek mythology is Persephone, I was always intrigued about her story.

    +1 blog follower



    Van
    Littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. These books sound good,and I really like these covers.

    +1 My favorite person in Greek mythology would be Athena.

    +1 I am a follower

    +1 tweet http://twitter.com/elaing8/status/87236540585086976

    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hades!!
    I'm a gfc follower
    twitter follower @BooksThings
    books (dot) things (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for th giveaway! =) My favorite person from Greek mythology is Aphrodite.

    GFC follower

    Raychelle
    SteeleReviews AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete