Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Interview with Linda Robertson



Hello, and welcome to my stop on the Shattered Circle tour! Today I get to interview the author, Linda Robertson! Please help me in making Linda feel welcome here on the blog.

Hi Linda! Thanks for hanging out with me today!




Tell me about yourself, and your writing.
I am a mother of four boys who, in addition to writing novels, plays guitar in a rock-n-roll band that plays cover tunes from the 70’s-through today and some original songs. I have a big Rottweiler mix named for Bela Lugosi. I’ve been a graphic designer, a realtor, and a cashier everywhere from a convenience store, a gas station, smaller chain retail stores, to big mall chain stores. Currently, I tend bar two nights a week.
As for my writing, my series is UF based on a girl-next-door witch named Persephone Alcmedi who lives in Cleveland, Ohio. It is the story of how she learns she is the prophesied Lustrata,  how she goes from disbelieving it to accepting, and finally fulfilling that destiny. It is published by Simon & Schuster

How long have you been writing? How many published books do you have, and what genres?
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. My mom has stories I wrote when I was eight, full of phonetic errors. Though I always wanted to write, I got away from it and into art, then came back, then got away from it into music, and came back. I got into it as a senior in high school and have been pursuing it pretty seriously ever since. That was nearly twenty-five years ago.
I have six books published, all in the same series and same UF genre. VICIOUS CIRCLE, HALLOWED CIRCLE, FATAL CIRCLE, ARCANE CIRCLE, WICKED CIRCLE, and the just released SHATTERED CIRCLE. I also have a prequel short story that appears in the anthology WITCHES: WICKED, WILD, & WONDERFUL.

Do you write in multiple genres or just one? If just one, do you ever consider straying outside your genre?
I love UF and my series is definitely right smack in the middle of that genre with vampires and waerewolves and magic being central to the characters and the plot. I am working on other projects that get away from the vamps and waeres, and a collaboration that is much more mainstream.

Are you a plotter or do you write from the seat of your pants?
It’s a bit of both, truth be told. I like to plan out the big plot, key scenes, then let the rest get written in spontaneously creative ways.

What is a typical writing day like for you?
I get the kids off to school and get my cup of java and get to work. I take breaks as my mind needs them and do chores like laundry, dishes, and the dreaded sock mating. Some days, the muse keeps me so busy the household chores go undone. I love those days.

Who do you love to read? Favorite authors, favorite books?
Current time authors, I’d say Allison Pang and James R. Tuck. Allison combines snark, WoW, a sexy succubus, and an ass-biting unicorn. Love it. Tuck pulls no punches as he writes about a vampire killer named Deacon Chalk. My favorites from my younger days, ones I still love are Jennifer Roberson’s SWORD DANCER series, and Ellen Kushner’s THE FALL OF THE KINGS.

What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?
I am currently working on two separate novels unrelated to each other or the Persephone Alcmedi series. I’m also working on a collaboration. I’d like to see all three projects finished, and sold to publishers who are as excited about them as I am.

If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?
I’d like to be able to fly. Then I could just pack up a duffel bag and take to the sky and go visit all those exotic places I long to see.

If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?
A griffon. I have a tattoo of a griffon on my back—my only tattoo. It’s actually, to me, Thunderbird, a character from the series who first appears in FATAL CIRCLE (#3).

Tell us a little about your latest release.
SHATTERED CIRCLE is the 6th installment in the Persephone Alcmedi series from Simon & Schuster's Pocket Books. The vampire hierarchy has taken the haven from Menessos, and transitioning it into Goliath's rule--and the plotting of the Shabubbitu--strains their relationship to the breaking point. The waerewolves are losing their den as the local Department of Transportation intends to seize it and tear it down to make way for the new highway (I placed them in a real building in Cleveland that ODOT has truly taken and torn down for their I-90 project...sigh). As if that isn't enough for Johnny to deal with, his new assistant, Aurelia, shows herself to be a serious threat to all he holds dear. Seph’s beloved foster daughter, Beverley, has been playing with Great El’s slate, a magical artifact that’s far more dangerous than the girl realizes. Our heroine, named for the goddess best known for being abducted, summons help from a mystical being so potent that even vampires fear him . . . and the cost of his aid may be more than she’s willing to pay. So...Seph, Johnny, and Menessos are facing threats from all sides—and a few from within. These forces may cement their supernatural union, or shatter it forever....

What is something that you absolutely can't live without? (Other than family members)
Chocolate. Take my iphone. Shut down my internet and never let me play Spider Solitaire again, but do NOT take my chocolate or someone will get hurt.

Could you ever co author a book with someone? If so, who would you choose, and what would you write?
As a matter of fact, I am currently working on a collaboration. It’s a super-sneaky secret for now, but stay tuned… This person’s spouse pointed out that my strengths were not this person’s strengths, and vice versa, and that we should write together, letting each of us shine in our own areas…so far, it’s a project that I am crazy excited about.

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?
Cleopatra VII. I would ask her to show me her library then drift down the Nile on a royal barge with her sipping some fruity drinks and talking about men
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What are some of your other hobbies outside of writing?
Well, I play guitar in a rock-n-roll band, so I play my guitar quite a bit. I enjoy crafty stuff sometimes. A little painting here and there, a little sewing. I altered a hoodie for my son so it was very Assassin’s Creed-ish.

If you were on the staff to have a book adapted to movie, what would you pick?
Do you mean my books or any book? If mine, probably HALLOWED CIRCLE. The witches are kick ass in that one. If not my book…I would like to see Anne Rice’s MUMMY. Or James R. Tuck’s BLOOD AND BULLETS.

What is a talent you wish you had, but don't?
I wish I could play the cello. I have a couple of cds by Ofra Harnoy. I love the tone and voice of the instrument. So emotional. Almost human.

             Favorite color
Blue

Weather: Hot or cold
HOT!

Favorite place to read
In bed. Cozy and warm it’s like dreaming what you want to dream.

Favorite meal
The Peach Schnapps Chicken at Medina, Ohio’s House of Hunan restaurant.

Favorite non-alcoholic drink:.
Kahlua and cream and a splash of razzmatazz. DEEEElicious!

If you could travel anywhere and do anything, no limits or money holding you back, where would you go?
Machu Picchu, the Pyramids at Giza, Venice, then a tour of Italy. I just really really want to visit all of them let them each inspire me.


Shattered Circle


Persephone Alcmedi


Linda Robertson

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Pocket Books


JUST YOUR AVERAGE MEGA-WITCH. . . .

It’s tough being a modern woman, but Persephone Alcmedi has it worse than most. Being the prophesied Lustrata has kicked her career as a witch into high gear, and juggling a wærewolf boyfriend who is about to become king of his kind and a seductive vampire who bears her magical Mark isn’t easy either.

Still, Seph’s beloved foster daughter, Beverley, is causing more trouble than these two men put together. The young girl’s been playing with a magical artifact that’s far more dangerous than she realizes. Now Seph must summon help from a mystical being so potent that even vampires fear him . . . and the cost of his aid may be more than she’s willing to pay. Seph, Johnny, and Menessos face threats from all sides—and a few from within. Will the forces of destiny cement their tenuous supernatural union, or shatter it forever?



Review Rating: 4 LIGHTNING BOLTS

Review:  In a world where the paranormal creatures are known, there is surely trouble to be found...

Shattered Circle is actually a part of a series. I didn't know this when I picked the book for review, and so I was literally thrown into the midst of a bigger part of the story.  The books in this series feature Persephone. She's a modern day witch with a lot of problems to deal with.  She's got a boyfriend that is a werewolf, and a whole slew of other things to deal with. i can say she's one heck of a leading character! I'd love to hang for a day with her. 


There's a lot of action, tension and intrigue within the book.  Not everything was wrapped up, but then again, with it being a series, I'm sure there's more to come.  I did enjoy the characters, the plot, and Ms. Robertson's writing style. Now, to get on the story bandwagon and get caught up, I'm going to have to go searching for all the books in the series so that I know everything there is to know about the characters!

If you're a fan of urban fantasy/ paranormal, want a kick butt heroine and plenty of action and drama, don't miss this series, but definitely start from book one!




About the Author
Linda Robertson is the mother of four wonderful boys, owns three electric guitars, and is followed around by a big dog named after Bela Lugosi. Once upon a time she was a lead guitarist in a heavy metal cover band and has worked as a graphic artist. She still composes and creates art, when time permits. Linda currently writes and rocks in northeast Ohio. Visit her at AuthorLindaRobertson.com and @authorLinda




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2 comments:

  1. Fun interview! I haven't started this series yet but I do have the first couple of books and I'm looking forward to reading them. Thanks for the giveaway

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    Replies
    1. Hi Maria, thanks for your comment and I'm delighted to hear you are looking forward to reading my books. Have a great week! -Linda

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