Thursday, September 20, 2012

Interview with Cynthia Arsuaga


Hello, and welcome! Today, I'm pleased to have with me Cynthia Arsuaga.  I was able to ask Cynthia some interview questions, which she has graciously answered.

Hi Cynthia! I'm glad to have you here today. Thank you for taking the time to answer my inquiring questions!



Tell me about yourself, and your writing.
My name is Cynthia Arsuaga, my real name, and I live in the Land of Magic. Think Mickey. I share my home with my husband, Mike, daughter and grand-daughter, and our little Yorkie puppy, Thumper. I’ve had many professions in my life, both rewarding and boring. I had intended to retire several years ago, but boredom snuck up on me and I started putting my crazy ideas for stories on paper when hubby started writing again. After editing and offering my opinion of his stories, I decided give writing a try and low and behold, my first manuscript was accepted! And the rest is history.
I write primarily erotic vampire romance but have also written a cowboy novella, a short contemporary for Christmas, another short for a Valentine’s anthology, a fantasy, a novella with four stories in the paranormal realm, and finally a series with my husband about a shape-shifting Yorkie. Yeah, our little puppy Thumper was the inspiration.
How long have you been writing? How many published books do you have, and what genres?
I’ve been writing for three years and have twelve books published, with more contracted awaiting release. They are mainly erotic paranormal romance (two different vampire worlds and a Yorkie shifter series with husband, Mike), and a couple of contemporary shorts and novellas. I have also written an erotic fantasy.
Do you write in multiple genres or just one? If just one, do you ever consider straying outside your genre?
I sort of answered this with the last question.
Are you a plotter or do you write from the seat of your pants?
I’m a fly by the seat of my pants, mostly, but I do write very sketchy ideas down when I get an idea. Basics like names, professions, physical characteristics are noted then I start to write and the story evolves.
What is a typical writing day like for you?
I don’t sleep much, so I’m up into the wee hours of the morning writing before I retire. I’m up at between 9 -10 am and first check the hundreds of messages I might have, do some promo, then write on a current work in progress. Sometimes, I’m side-tracked with an idea for another story and have to deal with that, but my serious writing begins in the evening into those wee hours.
Who do you love to read? Favorite authors, favorite books?
Not that I have a lot of time to read, which I do miss, my favorites are Christine Feehan and Lyndsay Sands.
What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?
Finish the six works in progress I have going now. I’d like to get one out every couple of months.
If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?
Live a long time so I can continue to write all the stories stored in my head!
If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?
Pegasus. One, because of love mythology, and Two, because I love horses.
Tell us a little about your latest release.
I began writing this story before I wrote the second book in the Born Vampire Series. I had watched a program on the A&E channel about the rarity of savants in the world. Got me to thinking and how I could incorporate the ability into a story. I never intended to write it as a vampire story, but as the crazy muse inside my head yelled at me, I eventually wrote two chapters laying out the premise. I put it down for months while the second story percolated and came out first.
Here’s the Blurb:
The Master of His Domain
Sorin Bochinsky, Master and Commander of the Eastern European Blood Family, controls everyone and everything around him, except the woman of his dreams with the face of an angel prevents his needed rest. She’s the light to his dark and pained existence. The search begins to find the mysterious woman of his nightmares before he goes insane.
An Angel Awakens
Merliah Travers suffered more than serious injuries from a car accident over four years ago. She awakens in a place where the pain and scars have hidden her away from the world. A fantasy lover leads her out of the darkness and into the light, then discovers a special ability acquired during the coma has put her in danger.
Two lost, scarred souls battle their inner demons and a fanatic killer to unite as one, to never be alone, and be born again in dreams, forever.
What is something that you absolutely can't live without? (Other than family members)
I need all my electronics! Laptop, Iphone, tablet, remote to the tv, yes, I’m a bit geeky that way.
Could you ever co-author a book with someone? If so, who would you choose, and what would you write?
Actually, I have. My husband, Mike, and I wrote two. Top Dog (formerly My Life as a Dog) and the sequel, Love and Death in the Big Easy came together one day when we were kicking around ideas for a shape-shifter story. We’re currently working on some ideas for the third one.
If you could spend a day with anyone from history, dead or alive, who would it be, and what would you do? What would you ask them?
I have two, Cleopatra because the woman was intelligent, powerful and a good mother totally ahead of her time compared to women today. I’d love to ask her how she did it.
The second would be Alexander the Great, and only because I am writing a story now with him as a character. Research, strictly research.
What are some of your other hobbies outside of writing?
Sewing (which sometimes became a profession) is my biggest hobby, reading (when I can), and jewelry-making
If you were on the staff to have a book adapted to movie, what would you pick?
Well, not to toot my own horn, but the book I wrote with hubby. Top Dog has been reviewed and read by many, and one comment that repeats is that it would make a great movie. None of my other books have gotten such a comment, so I’ve started working on the screenplay.
What is a talent you wish you had, but don't?
Sing.
Favorite color?
I have more than one really—purple, black, red
Weather: Hot or cold?
Hot all the way. I left the northeast to Florida for a reason. I hate cold and snow.
Favorite place to read?
In my family room.
Favorite meal
Pretty much anything I cook. I’m pretty good if I have to say so myself.
Favorite non-alcoholic drink.
Barq’s Root Beer.
If you could travel anywhere and do anything, no limits or money holding you back, where would you go?
I’ve been to many places, but I still have a couple more places I’d like to go. Egypt, a cruise along the Nile River and Australia.

About the Author
Cynthia resides in Orlando, Florida, the land of magic, surrounded by the treasured gems in her life, a caring, loving husband, dutiful and loyal daughter, and precious, delightful granddaughter. Oh and not to forget her mischievous Yorkshire terrier, Thumper.
Cynthia was a “Navy Brat” calling a different port home every couple of years—from Southern California, to Boston, to Virginia, to Florida. She developed wandering feet and diverse interests, and passionately incorporates those experiences into her stories, bringing characters to life, and eloquently sharing the vivid images of her mind with her audience.
Cynthia’s debut release, Born to Be Wild, came available January 12, 2011 and can be purchased at www.store.secretcravingspublishing.com. The list of releases available by her has grown. Born Again in Dreams is her twelfth release with Secret Cravings Publishing and more are on the schedule for release in 2012 and 2013.









Other Books by Cynthia
Born to Be Wild

Born to Play

Top Dog

Love and Death in the Big Easy

A Gift of Love

Texas Heat

The Cougar and Her Vampire

Vampire in Paris

Echoes in Eternity

Nightfall: Fantasies Fulfilled

Christmas with a Stranger (Free)
Five Hearts Anthology







BUY LINKS

Posted by at

3 comments:

  1. Maria D.September 20, 2012 at 9:41 AM

    Fun interview! Cynthia is a new to me author - I don't believe I've read any of her books but I'm adding them to my list.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cynthia ArsuagaSeptember 20, 2012 at 10:47 AM

    Thanks for stopping by Maria. Thank you for taking the time to add a book or two to your reading list.

    And Nikki, thanks for having me here today!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jean Joachim BooksSeptember 20, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    Great interview, Cynthia! Nice to learn so much more about you. I like to sew, too. Or I used to. A very creative pastime. Good luck with your new book. I'm sure it will be a hit.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)