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Showing posts with label Acquainted With the Night. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Acquainted With the Night. Show all posts

Monday, February 18, 2013

Interview with Piper Maitland - Hunting Daylight Blog Tour - February 18, 2013

Please welcome Piper Maitland to The Qwillery as part of the Hunting Daylight Blog Tour. Hunting Daylight, the sequel to Acquainted with the Night, was published on February 5, 2013.






TQ:  Welcome back to The Qwillery.

Piper:  I’m delighted to visit you again!


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

Piper:  I write in longhand, preferably on yellow legal pads.


TQ:  Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Piper:  I’ve done both, but I prefer to pantser. After I know where the book is going, I’ll jot down plot points on Post-it Notes, but if the story changes, I just go with it.


TQ:  What is the most challenging thing for you about writing?

Piper:  Writing a first draft is a miserable time. Even if I have a plot, the characters might not cooperate. At this stage, I’m moving in the dark. The minute the first draft is behind me, the lights blink on, and I enjoy the revision process.


TQ:  What inspired you to write the Acquainted with the Night and the recently published sequel, Hunting Daylight?

Piper:  I’d always wanted to write about vampires. And I wanted to add science to the myth.


TQ:  What research have you done for the novels and what is the oddest bit of information that you've found?

Piper:  I have a nursing degree, which gave me a foundation in science. My youngest son is a biochemist, and he sets me straight when I make errors. A plotline in Hunting Daylight includes an expedition into a Gabon rainforest. The team is studying a bat species that hunts in daylight, thanks to a unique gene (which I called R-99). Months later, I read about a real diurnal bat that has a “low-light” gene and is a daylight hunter. This was totally cool! I love when imagination collides with real science. Author Eudora Welty once said, “When you’re writing a novel, you will attract what you need.” This is true!


TQ:  Describe Hunting Daylight in 140 characters or less.

Piper:  10 yrs after Caro’s husband vanishes in a rainforest, she falls for a 1000 yr old vampire and faces an impossible choice.


TQ:  Tell us something about Hunting Daylight that is not in the book description.

Piper:  A thirteen-year-old girl develops unusual, and potentially dangerous, talents.


TQ:  In the series so far who was the easiest character to write and why? The hardest and why?

Piper:  Raphael came to life the minute he walked into the first book. He had a distinct voice, world view, and personality. He was an inexplicable gift from the muse. But his dog, Arrapato, was another matter. I tried planned for the dog to be a Yorkie (I have three Yorkies), but Raphael said, “No, no. He is an Affenpinscher.” So I went to dog shows and talked to owners and handlers. Then Arrapato developed his own personality, and he’s one of my favorites.


TQ:  Without giving anything away, what is/are your favorite scene(s) in Hunting Daylight?

Piper:  I particularly enjoyed writing the scenes in Paris, Marrakech, and the rain forest. Probably my favorite is the scene in Zermatt, Switzerland when Raphael and Caro find themselves alone in a restaurant.


TQ:  What's next?

Piper:  I’m presently working on the third book in a southern mystery series.


TQ:  Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.

Piper:  Thank you for inviting me!


Thanks for joining Piper on her Hunting Daylight blog tour! Follow her on 
twitter here: @PiperMaitland




The Novels

Hunting Daylight
Berkley, February 5, 2013
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 560 pages

Out of the shadows…

For more than a decade, Caro Barrett has had doubts about the death of her husband, who disappeared while looking for a tribe of day-walking vampires in an African rainforest. Now, their daughter is struggling through her teenage years without a father. Waiting in the wings is an ancient vampire ready to possess Caro’s heart—and to protect them both from harm. And, with her husband declared legally dead, Caro feels it is finally time to move on…

A hemisphere away in a windowless compound, an Ottoman vampire lies dying from a rare blood disease, which has made him vulnerable to the faintest bit of light. Yet he is determined to vanquish its power over him—to feel the sun on his face one last time. And in Caro’s darkest fears he will be lifted into the light of day…
Amazon : Barnes and Noble : Book Depository : Books-A-Million : IndieBound



Acquainted With the Night
Berkley, November 29, 2011
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 544 pages

A woman's quest for the truth...A medieval icon that holds the clues...And an ancient book with the power to shake Christianity-and humanity itself.

London tour guide Caroline Clifford has never believe in vampires- until her uncle is brutally murdered at a Bulgarian archaeological site, and a vampire hunter who corresponded with him seeks her out.

Strange anagrams on her uncle's passport lead them to a cliff-top monastery in Greece, where a shattering revelation connects a relic Caro inherited to an age-old text on immortality-and an enigmatic prophecy that pits the forces of darkness and light in a showdown that could destroy all they know...
 Amazon : Barnes and Noble : Book Depository : Books-A-Million : IndieBound

You may read The Qwillery's review of Acquainted with the Night here.





About Piper



Piper Maitland lives with her husband on a farm in Tennessee with three bratty Yorkshire Terriers, a Chinese Crested, and assorted farm animals. She has also written novels under the name Michael Lee West.







Website  :  Blog  :  Twitter  :  Facebook









The Giveaway

THE RULES

What:  One commenter will win a copy of Hunting Daylight from Berkley/Penguin USA. US ONLY

How:   Answer The Qwillery's Question:  

What is one of your favorite novels in which a main character is a vampire?

Please remember - if you don't answer the questions 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.

There are a total of 3 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry) and Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry).  This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.
Copy and paste for Twitter if you like:   I just entered to win HUNTING DAYLIGHT by @PiperMaitland at The @Qwillery http://bit.ly/15p9Azb
Please leave links for Facebook or Twitter mentions. You MUST leave a way to contact you.

Who and When:  The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a US mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Sunday, February 25, 2013. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Guest Blog by Piper Maitland - The Setting in Acquainted With the Night or It’s Greek to Me

Please welcome Piper Maitland to The Qwillery. The first novel in Piper's Night series, Acquainted With the Night, was published in November by Berkley.


The Setting in Acquainted With the Night
or
It’s Greek to Me

I often write about places I've visited, so I was delighted when the characters in Acquainted With the Night went to Greece. While vampire assassins lurk in the background, Jude and Caro end up in Kalambaka, a small town that sits in the shadows of Meteora, the home of the famed cliff-top monasteries.

The notion of vampires was the last thing on my mind when we left Athens on Christmas morning and drove north to Kalambaka. Snow blew across the highway, forcing us to take refuge in a roadside café. While we drank tea and ate baklava, our guide told us stories about Turkish invasions and treasures that were hidden within the monasteries.

When the snow stopped, we headed out again. In my mind’s eye, I’d envisioned a stucco monastery on a hilltop. In the distance I saw giant pillars, and each one was topped with a red-roofed building. They looked like something from a dream. I had, of course, glimpsed one of these monasteries—Agia Triada had been featured in a James Bond movie, and Roger Moore had scaled the mountain to thwart the bad guys.

Kalambaka, Greece

But nothing had prepared me for the majesty and magic of Meteora.There, in the center of Greece, backlit by the Pindus Mountains. I saw the monasteries: Great Meteoron, Varlaam, St. Stephen, Holy Trinity, St. Nicholas, and Roussanou.

Our guide, Pepe, explained that the monks had built the monasteries with a clever winch and pulley system—the buildings had been literally erected one stone at a time.

Great Meteoron

We arrived at Great Meteoron and trudged through snow up a series of rough hewn steps. At the landing, an orthodox monk reached up into a tree and his gnarled hand closed on a ripe orange.

Varlaam

As the day progressed, we witnessed more oddities—a room filled with skulls and bones; religious icons; art that depicted the battle between light and darkness. Before we left, a monk painted us an icon and drew lavish symbols on the back: a prayer for our family.

We spent several days in Kalambaka, enjoying the cuisine. Since food is a major issue in our family, we visited many sidewalk cafes and tavernas.


I developed a deep affection for the dark, mysterious, flavorful kalamata olive. I also discovered that moussaka is pure comfort food. I’m a self-taught chef, but I will also happily eat chick peas straight from the can, so I was in Foodie heaven when I found hummus. And for dessert, we feasted on baklava.


At night, we retreated to our hotel room, which faced the giant rocks. Spotlights washed up the sandstone, bathing the obelisks in an ethereal glow, and I began to think, “What if….?” Naturally (because I'm a natural Foodie), I have a desperate need to feed people. I love feeding my characters while I'm writing, so Caro and Jude enjoyed several authentic Greek meals. I ended up cutting some of the descriptions because Acquainted With the Night is a romance and a thriller, not a food-fest, but my characters didn't lack for calories. I sent them on wild goose chases, but I ate baklava and dreamed about oranges, monks, and pillars in the sky.


About Acquainted With the Night

Acquainted With the Night
Berkley (November 29, 2011)
Enhanced Mass Market Paperback, 544 pages
Paranormal Suspense

You can read my 4 1/2 Qwill review here.

A woman's quest for the truth...A medieval icon that holds the clues...And an ancient book with the power to shake Christianity-and humanity itself.

London tour guide Caroline Clifford has never believe in vampires- until her uncle is brutally murdered at a Bulgarian archaeological site, and a vampire hunter who corresponded with him seeks her out.

Strange anagrams on her uncle's passport lead them to a cliff-top monastery in Greece, where a shattering revelation connects a relic Caro inherited to an age-old text on immortality-and an enigmatic prophecy that pits the forces of darkness and light in a showdown that could destroy all they know...
 Amazon : Barnes and Noble : Book Depository : Books-A-Million












About Piper

Piper Maitland lives on a Tennessee farm with her family. She is the author of the vampire thriller, Acquainted With the Night (Berkley/November 2011). She is currently working on the sequel, A Requiem for Daylight. Piper has also written novels under the name Michael Lee West.


Piper's Links:

Website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook







The Giveaway

THE RULES

What:  One commenter will win a Mass Market Paperback copy of Acquainted With the Night (Night 1) generously provided by Berkley.

How:  Leave a comment answering the following question:

What has been your favorite place setting for a novel? 

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 on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Saturday, December 17, 2011. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*

Photos provided by author via Shutterstock.

Review - Acquainted With the Night by Piper Maitland - 4 1/2 Qwills

Acquainted With the Night
Author:  Piper Maitland
Series:  Night
Format:  Enhanced Mass Market Paperback, 544 pages
Publisher:  Berkley (November 29, 2011)
Price:  $9.99
Language:  English
Genre:  Paranormal Suspense
ISBN9780425243633
Review Copy:  Provided by Publisher

A woman's quest for the truth...A medieval icon that holds the clues...And an ancient book with the power to shake Christianity-and humanity itself.

London tour guide Caroline Clifford has never believe in vampires- until her uncle is brutally murdered at a Bulgarian archaeological site, and a vampire hunter who corresponded with him seeks her out.

Strange anagrams on her uncle's passport lead them to a cliff-top monastery in Greece, where a shattering revelation connects a relic Caro inherited to an age-old text on immortality-and an enigmatic prophecy that pits the forces of darkness and light in a showdown that could destroy all they know...

Back cover copy:
A woman’s quest for the truth…
A medieval icon that holds the clues…
An ancient book with the power to shake Christianity—and humanity itself…

Caroline Clifford’s bland life as a London tour guide flips upside down when her beloved uncle is brutally murdered at a Bulgarian archeological site. While traveling to recover his remains, she meets a man who corresponded with her uncle. Jude Barrett is a biochemist on a mission—to eradicate the world of vampires…

At first, Caro is dismissive of Jude’s beliefs, but she can’t ignore the signs around her—the human bites on her uncle, the strange men following her, the anguished cries after sundown. Strange anagrams on her uncle’s passport lead her and Jude to a cliff-top monastery in Greece, where a shattering revelation connects a relic Caro inherited from her parents to an age-old text on immortality—and an enigmatic prophecy that pits the forces of darkness and light in a showdown that could destroy them all…

My thoughts:

If you like Dan Brown type suspense (ancient mysteries/prophecies, cryptic clues, figuring out and following the trail) and vampires this is a must read.  Real settings and actual historical events pepper the pages. They serves a terrific backdrop to a story about a woman confronting her past for the first time and learning to move forward as she follows the clues left by her uncle.

Caroline Clifford in orphaned by a fire and is raised in England by her Uncle Nigel. The novel begins with Nigel at a dig in Perperikon in Bulgaria. He's murdered. Caro, as she's known, is contacted by the British government so that she can travel to Bulgaria and claim his body. Prior to leaving, she briefly encounters Jude Barrett, who follows her to Bulgaria. Once in Bulgaria, things spiral out of control and Caro has to run for her life while following the trail left by her uncle.

This is a complex novel with several interconnected story threads all of which are connected to Caro.  Piper Maitland skillfully weaves these threads together to ensnare both Caro and the reader. Should she believe in vampires? Who can she trust? Should she follow her Uncle's clues? Abandon her quest? What will she find out?

Caro is a very likable main character. I have to admit though that on a couple of occasions I wanted to reach into the book, shake her and tell her "Enough disbelief, get on with it." She is coping with a lot though - the death of her beloved uncle, finding out there are vampires, and all sorts of other things. She holds herself together fairly well. She's smart and determined. Jude Barrett is also very likable. He has very understandable vampire issues. The relationship between Caro and Jude develops in the crucible of the story events. They have their ups and down. The romance between them is all the more believable because it is fraught with issues. Most important I really like them together. There are several other secondary characters in the story as well that are all very well crafted so while the story centers on Caro there is a superb supporting cast and some really terrific bad guys too.

While many of the story threads are tied up in Acquainted With the Night it is clear at book's end that there is more to come. Acquainted With the Night is one of those books that is extremely hard to put down. It's fast-paced, suspenseful, and well written. I really enjoyed how Piper Maitland beautifully mixed history and her own vampire mythology. Now that I am acquainted with Caro's world, I can't wait for the next in the series.

I give Acquainted With the Night 4 1/2 Qwills