Guest Blog & Giveaway with Hailey Edwards

Hello, Old Friends

Long before I was a writer, I was a reader. If I had to pick one over the other, I think that my towering TBR pile is proof enough of which I’d choose. There’s something magical about being transported to an author’s world and seeing a reality they created through their characters’ eyes.

I’m a character-driven writer, so it makes sense that characters make or break a book when I’m reading. It’s like making new friends. If I like the characters well enough to pick up a second book in the series, then I like them well enough I want to steal glimpses of them throughout the series. I like to know that even though the previous hero and heroine have had their happily ever after, it’s not the end for them. After all, our lives don’t end after we marry. Why should theirs?

It’s a rare thing for me to read a single title novel for that very reason. I love to read series.

There’s comfort in picking up a book and “seeing” familiar faces. I like knowing something is wrong by the body language or word choice of a character I’ve gotten to know well enough to say with confidence, that’s not something s/he would say or do. I’m also a sucker for relationships evolving within a series. It’s like picking up breadcrumbs sometimes to figure out who the next hero and heroine will be, and I love being swept up in the anticipation of a favorite character’s novel being written.

That said, I collect fictional boyfriends like some people collect stamps. I know, I know. But it’s so hard to remain faithful to just one hero. Even worse, sometimes I trade out my favorites for their brothers or best friends.

For a long time Eidolon, from Larissa Ione’s Demonica series, held my number one spot. Then I read Wraith’s book (E’s little brother) and I fell for his sense of humor. Reluctant heroes are my favorite flavor. Of course, then I read Con’s book. I think in the end he trumped even E for me, probably because I’ve always had a thing for vamps. Something about their teeth maybe?

I mean, who doesn’t get weak-kneed over a little fanged love nibbling? I know I do.

My love of vampire romance inspired my new series, Araneae Nation. In that case, the characters aren’t vampires. I wanted something different, but I wanted the same feel, and fangs. I asked myself what else has fangs. And then it hit me: spiders. They have the fangs, the venom, and nifty other abilities. Some spin silk from their fingertips. Others have, um, interesting tastes.

I want to build in that series what I love in others. I want a sense of family, of community, of anticipating who the next hero will be. The first book in the series, A Hint of Frost, was released today. In honor of that, I’d like to offer one commenter their choice from my backlist titles in any digital format. All you have to do is post a recommendation for a series that you love reading and I’ll let Random.org pick a winner for me. So tell me. What series or author is an auto-buy for you? Are you genre-loyal? Or do you spread your love across several genres?

When entering Hailey's giveaway please make sure to leave your email address in your comment. 

A Hint of Frost

Araneae Nation, book 1
By Hailey Edwards

E-book release date: April 17, 2012
Print release date: February 2013

Hope dangles by a silken thread.

When the head of the Araneidae clan is found poisoned in her nest, her eldest daughter, Lourdes, becomes their clan’s new maven. If her clan is to survive, she has but one choice: she must marry before her nest is seized. All she needs is a warrior fierce enough to protect her city and safeguard her clansmen. Such a male is Rhys the Cold.

Born the youngest son of an impoverished maven, the only things Rhys has to his name are his sword and his mercenary reputation. His clan is starving, but their fondness for the flesh of fellow Araneaeans makes them unwelcome dinner guests. Torn between loyalty to his clan and fascination with his future bride, Rhys’s first taste of Lourdes threatens to melt the cold encasing his heart.

Amid the chaos of battle, Lourdes’s sister disappears and is feared captured. Lourdes and Rhys pursue their enemies into the southlands, where they discover an odd plague ravaging southern clans as it travels north, to Erania. Determined to survive, Lourdes will discover whether she’s worth her silk or if she’s spun the thread by which her clan will hang.

Warning: This book contains one mercenary hero with a biting fetish, one determined heroine who gets nibbled, and an answer to the age-old question, “What does dragon taste like?” Matricide and sibling rivalry are available upon request. The house special is revenge, best served cold.

Where to Buy:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Samhain Publishing

http://haileyedwards.net/