Please welcome Paranormal Romance/Erotica author Felicity Heaton
Ronda – Hello Felicity, thank you so much for taking the time out to do this Interview. I absolutely love Her Angel Romance Series! Would you please tell those who don’t know about them a little about Her Angel Romance Series?
Felicity – Hi Ronda. Thanks for interviewing me. My Her Angel series takes a look at a world that exists within our world, one that we don’t normally see. In it, angels work for a higher power and they watch over us, protecting us from demons intent on doing us harm. Those angels are very loyal to their master and their duty, but they’re also very passionate men and sometimes their loyalty to their duty is tested by the most powerful force in nature—love. The heroes I’ve written so far in the Her Angel series have all been very different, not just in the duty they perform, and have all fallen for a very different type of heroine. I like mixing things up and exploring new worlds, and the Her Angel series has given me a chance to do that. I spent quite a long time building the world, thinking about all the different duties an angel might perform, and looking at theories on them, and then creating my own type of angel. I’ve separated them out into areas of expertise. In the series so far, we’ve met Apollyon, who guards the Devil in Hell and is also one of the angels of the Apocalypse, Lukas, who is more of an intermediary, and Einar, a warrior whose duty is hunting down demons who threaten mankind. In the novel in the series, which will be available in mid-2011, we meet Marcus, who is a guardian.
Ronda – What made you write about these Angels?
Felicity – I’ve always had a deep love for the paranormal and anything fantastical. I was wondering what to write next one day, thinking about my usual vampires, werewolves, witches or shape-shifters, and then the muse suggested angels. It didn’t take too long before the character that became Apollyon was in my head. After that, I started researching and found information on an angel named Apollyon and he fitted my character perfectly, so I based part of him on those theories. My hero Apollyon is a dark angel, somewhat dangerous and deadly, and mysterious, just like the one in mythology. When he came together, he brought his world and Serenity with him. She’s sort of the light to his darkness. The combination of Apollyon and Serenity made it really fun to write the first book, and it wasn’t long into the first draft before I realized that I wanted to write more angels and make it a series. I loved having the chance to see if feathers could be as sexy as fangs. I think I’ve proven that they are. All three of the heroes so far in the series have captured the attention of many female readers!
Ronda - How many books do you plan on writing in this series?
Felicity – I have three novellas in the series available at the moment—Her Dark Angel, Her Fallen Angel, and Her Warrior Angel. I’m planning a novel in the series right now. Her Guardian Angel will feature a new hero and heroine, but will also bring back all of the characters in the first three novellas too. It’s going to be a thrill ride full of twists and turns, and plenty of fighting so we can see just how destructive Apollyon can be when the mood strikes him!
Ronda – I love the whole mythology about angels and every time I read a book about one I learn something new like for instance that coffee and alcohol are sexual stimulants for angels. What was the hardest decision you have come across when deciding which part of the mythology about the angels you wanted to put in these stories?
Felicity – I took a lot of time to read about angels but in the end I wanted to explore them in a fresh way that would make them unique to my stories. In my world, the angels aren’t fallen. They’re still working for Heaven. Only Lukas is technically fallen, and even he’s trying to get back into Heaven. I wanted them to still be working for that higher power as it added a new level to the idea that they shouldn’t be falling in love with mortals. My angels have to fight harder to prove to the heroine that being with them is alright and it isn’t forbidden.
Although, in the case of the hero and heroine in Her Warrior Angel it is very forbidden because in my world an angel can’t love a demon, and Taylor, the heroine, is half-demon. I also considered just what would be important to an angel. Flying was the thing that struck me hardest, so I played on the idea that an angel might get a bit antsy if they couldn’t fly, or miserable if they were banned from flying. I also liked the idea that so much is forbidden to angels that they would have this almost human and childish sense of curiosity about the things they couldn’t do.
Heaven is gradually easing the restrictions but without telling the angels. So while alcohol was once a big no-no, it’s now acceptable. Lukas discovers that in Her Fallen Angel when he isn’t punished for drinking, and Apollyon is quick to question him about the effects and what it felt like to be drunk. Whenever I write supernatural or preternatural creatures, I like to read about the mythology and then try a new take on things to make it mine. I think it makes it more interesting for readers if they encounter something a little different from author to author.
Ronda – Do you have a favorite Angel?
Felicity – I guess I would be drawn to Apollyon. He’s supposed to be an angel, but there’s also all these theories about him that say he’s the Devil, or he’s the angel of death. He has some brilliant titles too, like The Great Destroyer and King of the Bottomless Pit. I think it adds to his allure that he’s so mysterious and no one really knows whether he’s good or bad. I wanted to play on that in Her Dark Angel. I couldn’t believe how perfectly one of the mythical angels fitted into my story. Of course, I had to tweak him a little to make him my character and bring him to life.
Ronda – How do you come up with the right heroine for your Angels? Is there a process or do they just come while you’re writing?
Felicity – I’ve often said that I have a seriously busy train station in my head. Think Grand Central. Characters just show up, demanding attention. Once I have the hero down, or sometimes the heroine, their opposite number tends to come along too. I try to think about what sort of person the hero or heroine I have would be drawn to and fall for, or what type would provide the most interesting story.
Once I have a general idea for the characters, I work on them to give them little facets that allow them to play off each other, and in the end match each other perfectly. With Apollyon, I needed someone who would be very loving, and warm, and very light when compared with him. Almost his opposite really. Serenity is like that. She’s open, and thinks mostly about others, placing them before herself, and she’s very caring, so much so that she doesn’t really want to hurt her cheating ex, but she does want him to pay. When Apollyon suggests things akin to tossing him into Hell, she’s against it straight away and seeks a less harmful route to revenge, one that brings her a lot closer to Apollyon!
Ronda – Do you have a favorite heroine that you have picked out for one of your Angels?
Felicity – I really like Taylor, the heroine in Her Warrior Angel. She’s half demon, but so human at the same time. She doesn’t want to get hurt, and knows that love between her and an angel is impossible, but so is resisting her attraction to Einar. She’s afraid, wants to be strong and does her best, acting cool and keeping her distance. I think we’ve all been a little afraid of getting our heart broken and taking a risk, and I wanted to put those feelings into the story. She’s also really feisty and playful, teasing Einar even though he’s phenomenally powerful. She’s sassy. Probably the most sassy heroine in the series. Plus, she can hold her own. I like strong heroines who kick ass, but who aren’t invincible. Sometimes you’ve got to lean on the hero for support. Especially when he’s as gorgeous as Einar.
Ronda – Are there any plans for future spin offs from this series?
Felicity – No spin offs, but there may be more stories. I don’t have any ideas beyond the fourth and only novel so far, but there might be room for more. I’d have to think about Heaven a little more and the ranks of angels there as I’m cherry picking an angel from each unit. We’ve had one from the guardians in Hell, an intermediary, a warrior, and next is a guardian in Heaven. Although, Taylor in Her Warrior Angel does mention that the Devil and demons have their own version of angels. Perhaps I could write about a demonic angel.
Ronda – I see you have a couple other series that’s Sci/Fi Romance, can you tell us a little about those series?
Felicity – I have a few series. I have the Sons of Lyra and Daughters of Lyra series which I write as Felicity Heaton. They’re both science fiction romance. The Sons of Lyra series came first. It’s four short stories following the four handsome princes of Lyra as their hearts are finally captured by the women they’ll eventually marry. After that came the Daughters of Lyra series, which follows the daughters of those sons as they venture out into the universe and capture themselves a man. In that one, we meet a lot of different species, and I’ve played with vampires in space too. Plenty of forbidden love, action, danger and romance in them.
I also write the Vampires Realm series under my other pen name, F E Heaton. Vampires Realm is an ongoing paranormal romance series. At the moment, there are eight stories in the series, two of them are short freebies, but there’s also an epic trilogy, and two long novels. They’re quite dark as I like to write vampires with bite and no regrets. I don’t write apologetic vampires and werewolves who abstain from blood and don’t hurt people.
Many reviewers have commented on how I’ve managed to write such vicious unforgiving vampires in a way that doesn’t turn the reader off them but rather pulls them into the story instead. It’s a different world but one I think most readers would enjoy, especially if they’re looking for real vampires—deadly, sexy and dangerous. I’ve had readers writing to me since I first starting releasing stories in the series and a lot of them are quite addicted to the world. I have another story in the series coming out in February 2011, and then another later in the year. I really enjoy writing stories for the series and I’ve only just scraped the surface with the ones I’ve written. There’s a lot more to explore in the world, and I have around another six novel ideas waiting to be written and some shorter stories.
Ronda - Can you tell us a little on what your working on now for us to read next?
Felicity – I’m currently preparing to release Love Immortal under my Felicity Heaton name. It’s an epic, action-packed and passionate thrill-ride that combines vampires, immortals, mythology, Greek gods and goddesses, werewolves, and people with incredible powers. It’s a long novel and I’m currently posting free chapters of it on a special blog:
http://loveimmortalromancenovel.blogspot.com/ – the book will be released on January 15th 2011 as an e-book, and then I’ll be releasing a paperback in late January/early February. I’m also editing Hunter’s Moon, which is the next Vampires Realm novel, and that’ll be released in February. Besides those two, I have another nine planned releases in 2011. Plenty to keep readers happy!
FUN QUESTIONS:
Ronda – What’s your favorite food to eat?
Felicity – I love Macaroni Cheese but my husband hates it, so whenever we go to my parents house, they make it for me. I like most Italian food, and also love Japanese food too.
Ronda – Do you have a favorite Movie or TV program that you watch?
Felicity – I’m currently really into Vampire Diaries. We’re quite behind in the UK, but as long as I avoid people talking about it, I don’t get hit with spoilers. I think Stefan is a wimp though. Not my kind of vampire. I also watch a lot of anime. That’s my favourite thing to watch.
Ronda – What’s your favorite color?
Felicity – Purple and Black (although technically Black is a shade)
Ronda – Do you have any pets?
Felicity – I have one ball of fur, teeth and claws. Koyo is a cat that can be loving one second and tearing your arm off the next. She’s lovely really, but she’s super-playful and has gained herself quite a few nicknames because of her behaviour. She also hides from my family or any strangers who come over to my house. Of course, if they go upstairs, she’ll block them so they can’t get back down again. It’s funny to me but my family don’t share my opinion.
Felicity Heaton’s website:
http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/
Felicity Heaton’s blog:
http://felicityheaton.blogspot.com/
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/feheaton
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/felicityheaton
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/felicityheaton
Books in the Her Angel series
Her Dark Angel
Felicity Heaton
An angel without a mission, Apollyon lives trapped in Hell guarding the bottomless pit. Surrounded by endless darkness, he longs to fly free on Earth once more but his master hasn’t called him in centuries. When the call finally comes, it’s to serve a new master, a beautiful woman he has often watched over, a woman who has always captivated him.
Serenity is shocked when a gorgeous black-winged angel shows up in her city of Paris claiming that she called him when she was only casting a simple vengeance spell. He’s no other than the angel of death! When Apollyon offers to obey her and help her have revenge on her cheating ex-boyfriend, she can’t resist the temptation, but can she resist him? Can an angel as dark as Apollyon ever fall for a mortal woman like her?
Their charade as lovers quickly becomes reality when one dance leads to another and Apollyon proves that he’s as sinful as he looks. His sensual and hungry touch brings Serenity back to life, freeing her from the hurt of being betrayed and reigniting her passion, but she can’t ignore her growing fear. Lost in their moment together, Apollyon realises that there is a reason he heard her call—he’s in love with her.
But will Serenity see past the wings and believe that Apollyon returns her feelings and won’t hurt her? When her ex-boyfriend asks her to forgive him and be with him again, will she take the easy route or will she find the courage to fly away with her dark angel?
Dark, passionate and erotic, Her Dark Angel is a tale of intense desire and deepest forbidden love guaranteed to get your heart racing.
Read the excerpt or buy now:
http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Her%20Dark%20Angel
Her Fallen Angel
Felicity Heaton
Annelie fell for Lukas the moment he walked into her pub three years ago. He’s stunning, his vivid green eyes lending to his otherworldly beauty, but he’s seriously out of her league. When he tells her that she’s beautiful and confesses that he wants her, she can’t resist him and his passionate kiss. She unleashes her desire and seizes the moment and Lukas with both hands. But Lukas has a secret, one that will test Annelie’s love for him and threaten to tear them apart.
He’s an angel.
Annelie can’t believe it when Lukas says that their feelings for each other aren’t a sin, but she can believe his pain when he tells her the reason he’s on Earth. He is fallen, cast out of Heaven as punishment for a crime he didn’t commit. Lukas isn’t about to give up and accept his fate though. He’s determined to prove both his innocence and his love for Annelie, and to show her that the intense passion they share is real.
When Lukas and Apollyon discover who framed him, will he be able to stop them from going after Serenity and Annelie? Will he be able to protect the woman he loves and fly away with her into their forever after?
Read the excerpt or buy now:
http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Her%20Fallen%20Angel
Her Warrior Angel
Felicity Heaton
Einar is one of Heaven’s best hunters and he’s on a mission to uncover why an angel was working with demons. When he finds the first demon fighting a beautiful woman named Taylor, he intervenes and saves her life. Taylor has spent her whole life protecting London from the lowest demons and she’s not about to let an angel waltz into her city and take over her job, and she’s certainly not about to fall in love with him, even if he is gorgeous. The reason why she can’t is simple—she’s half demon.
There is no love in this world more forbidden than that between an angel and a demon.
Sense tells Taylor to get out before she gets her heart broken, but she winds up convincing Einar to partner with her instead. Einar is certain that working with Taylor is a bad idea, and not only because he can’t focus when he’s around her, but he can’t let her go. The mission leads them deep into the city’s underworld, where old flames burn Taylor while new flames of passion and fear of the consequences consume them, and the threat of Einar’s demons hangs over them both.
Can a love so forbidden ever have a happy ending or are they destined to break each other’s hearts?
Read the excerpt or buy now:
http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Her%20Warrior%20Angel
