Carlson wowed me this year with her debut novel, FULL BLOODED. I love a good werewolf tale and that’s just what Carlson gave me. Jessica McClain, the only female werewolf in existence, the embodiment of an ancient prophecy that foretells the end of the werewolf race? DRAMA. Full Blooded is full of action, high stakes and compelling conflict. The werewolf mythology is unique and bold. The world-building is well thought out and interesting. And Jessica is my kind of heroine – smart, scrappy, and independent. She can kick some ass but not too much. Jessica has a lot to learn and something tells me she’s going to have to learn it fast. Carlson peppers the book with a fantastic supporting cast and a love interest, Rourke, who has the potential to become legendary. Carlson’s new series is fresh, her voice is original, and she has quickly become one of my favorite new writers.
Please welcome Amanda to the blog as she discusses five books that have inspired and influenced her!
AMANDA CARLSON & THE 5 BOOKS THAT INSPIRED HER
Judy Blume’s ARE YOU THERE GOD, IT’S ME MARGARET. This is a coming of age story most of have read at some point in our childhood. It touched me the same way as most of you, but it was also the first book to inspire me as a writer. Judy Blume crafted a witty, funny tale about puberty in a way that was new and edgy. I remember picking up a pen to write my own stories not long after. All of them revolving around a girl coming of age. Thanks, Judy!
J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. The SORCERER’S STONE was an amazing entry into an amazing series. JK opened up a world that still inspires me today. Harry and his friends are some of the most likeable characters I’ve ever read. To me, her writing perfectly showcases the books.
J.R.R. Tolkien’s THE HOBBIT (and the entire Lord of the Rings series). I recently re-read this series and it’s so amazing. For every fantasy buff out there, the world he created is incredible to fall into. This is one of my all time favorite reads and every time I’m blocked I think of pieces of his world and they inspire me.
Kresley Cole’s Immortal After Dark series, starting with A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER. This was the first series under the paranormal umbrella I read after Twilight came into vogue. Kresley’s witty dialogue and unbelievable world opened me up to this genre, where Anne Rice has whetted my appetite all those years ago. I fell in love with her series, and thus began a five year love affair with urban fantasy. Along the way, reading and loving the genre, I decided to write something I wanted to read and FULL BLOODED was born.
Stephen King’s ON WRITING. Okay, this is not a typical pick, but if you’re asking for inspirations, Stephen King is the man. This book helped shaped my thinking as a writer. His advice is rock solid, plus you get a glimpse into what made him the writer he is today. I re-read it often. And the advice never gets old. I highly recommend this to all the aspiring writers out there.
Thanks for having me, She Wolf Reads! I hope these books have inspired others out there.
WHAT MY CHARACTERS ARE READING…
My heroine, Jessica McClain, would love Anne Rice. She would be impressed with how she crafted her histories. (She’d also know that Anne was likely an Essential.)
Rourke would love George R. R. Martin. Anything Epic fantasy would be his pick.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR AMANDA?
HOT BLOODED, the second book in the Jessica McClain series is due out in April 2013!
5×5 GIVEAWAY – AMANDA CARLSON
Please read terms and conditions before entering the giveaway. You must be 18 years or older to be eligible to win.
About the Author
I’m a Minnesota girl, born and bred. I started writing stories about teenage girls and their social missteps when I was in high school. I still have the handwritten spiral notebooks to prove it.
I started writing in earnest after my second child was born. After purchasing our first computer, I thought to myself, what better way to spend my time than e-mailing unsuspecting family members super cute stories about my exceptionally darling children? Isn’t that what computers were made for anyway?
The writer in me stretched and gave a defiant shove. I was hooked.
I started FULL BLOODED because kickass heroines rock and I love shifters of all kinds. There aren’t enough warm-blooded girls to go around, in my opinion. I fell into Jessica’s story and had such a great time writing it. I couldn’t imagine writing anything other than urban fantasy now.
When you’re creating a story in this fantastic genre, it can contain almost any elements you can dream up. Creatively, for me, there’s nothing better.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, with a BA in both Speech and Hearing Science & Child Development. She went on to get an A.A.S in Sign Language Interpreting and worked as an interpreter until her first child was born. She enjoys playing Scrabble to an unhealthy degree, shopping trips to Ikea and has a great weakness for tropical beaches. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and three kids.
Please visit AMANDA at her favorite spots:
WEBSITE | GOODREADS | TWITTER | FACEBOOK
Leave a Comment | |
|
|
|
The Hobbit is one book I wouldn’t want to miss, love Lord of the Rings tremendously.
Thanks for the giveaway.
I would choose Are You There God? It’s Me, Margret. Thanks for the chance to win!
I’d pick the Hobbit for sure.
I would pick Hunger like no other because i’ve heard a lot about kresley Cole but i still haven’t read anything by this author
thank you a lot for this new opportunity to win
Stephen King’s On Writing or The Hobbit (because I love the cover). I love raffles-thank you!
I would choose A Hunger Like No Other
I would pick a Hunger Like No Other.
I have heard friends talk about Kresley Cole, but I haven’t read her yet. (I have all those other books though – they’re great!)
Stephen King – On Writing. I have been really interested in this book for a while! I LOVE Kresley Cole she really draws you into the story!
I h aven’t read a Hunger Like No Other so I’d choose that
Another reason to love Jessica “Anne Rice is my hero!
I would pick A Hunger Like No Other. I’ve heard a lot of good things about that series and that author but I’ve never been able to catch up to that series in my TBR list!
I’ve read all the Harry Potters and I keep meaning to read The Hobbit
I’d choose Stephen King’s On Writing!
Wow, I’ve never seen that Judy Blume cover before. I would choose Stephen King’s ON WRITING. Thank you for the giveaway
I’d pick The Hobbit. I read it years ago and want to re-read it again.
Those fiction books are some of my favorites, too, but it’s Stephen King’s On Writing I’ve never read (but hear SO many rave over!), that I’d want.
I would love to read On Writing because I’ve heard so many authors mention it.
Kresley Cole’s Immortal After Dark series and Harry Potter Series
a hunger like no other
or any other book in the IAD series
i would like to read Hunger like no other!
thanks!!
I’d pick The Hobbit
A Hunger Like No Other
Harry Potter, for sure.
Great list! I loved and Harry Potter and On Writing too.
And I’d choose The Hobbit
Full Blooded
Hobit
I absolutely love Harry Potter, so without a doubt I would choose HP.
I would be so happy to win a copy of Stephen King’s On Writing. Thanks very much.
I would have to go with Harry Potter! Thanks!
Stephen King’s On Writing is what I’d pick
I’d choose the Kresley Cole book. Thanks and Happy New Year!
Definitely The Hobbit!