QoTD Week: Author Interview with Stacey Kade II + teaser + giveaway!

So far in Queen of the Dead week, we have heard from Alona (twice) and Will and met Mina Blackwell. Today we continue with the interviews, but slightly different this time - I have the one and only, Stacey Kade! 

We discuss QoTD, the Ghost and the Goth series, and perhaps - book three? Check out our interview below -

As you spent more time with your characters in writing QoTD, what of Alona, Will and the other characters did you learn more about?

Oh, you always learn a little more about everyone. For me, I think I learned more about Will's dad and uh, without getting too spoilery, other people's family members. :) It was also interesting to learn how Will and Alona handled Mina being around. So many things NOT said, you know? Makes it kind of complicated!

QoTD readers would never have seen the big twist coming - was that on your part planned, or was it simply something that came abut as the story progressed?

Planned from the get-go. :)

If you can describe Will and Alona's relationship in one word - what would it be and why?

Balanced, I think. Not necessarily in the "gee this is healthy" kind of way but in the "they need each other" way. Kind of like two people on a see-saw. Each needs the other to keep things level. :)

You know I looove the blossoming romance between our ghost and goth - but would you rather read a book about forbidden romance, the-more-you-hate-the-more-you-love romance or a best-friend-turned-boyfriend romance?

I'm all about the forbidden romance! I think there's always an inherent vulnerability to falling in love and when it's forbidden, it just kind of ups the ante. You don't know whether it'll be just your heart that's destroyed or, you know, your whole life. I was a HUGE fan of Buffy and Angel. :)

Were there any particular challenges in writing QoTD that you had to overcome?

Oh, I was definitely my own worst enemy on this one. It was so hard trying to find a way to tell a story that was similar enough to the first book so as to be recognizable as part of the series but also different enough that people didn't feel it was repetitive. I kind of made myself crazy on this one, overthinking it. Lots of rewriting went on, but in the end, it is definitely a better book because of it.

Was there more pressure on you in writing this book in comparison to writing G&G?

I want fans and readers to love the story, obviously! :) But that can get kind of crazy because not everyone wants the same thing from a particular book. So, instead, I always try to focus on doing my best for the characters, trying to hear them as clearly as I can and tell their story truthfully. So from a pressure standpoint, I think it was more about wanting to make sure I got it right for Alona and Will.

Were there researches that you had to do for QoTD?

I did some digging to learn about the worst fires in U.S. and Illinois history, more for context than anything that would make it into the book.

In retrospect, was there any part of the book you wished you have written differently?

Actually, I think I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. :)

Is the 3rd book going to be the last in the series or are we readers granted more?

Third book is, as far as I know, the last in the series.

(Dwayne: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!)

Are there any deets you can share with us about book 3? Because I know I am not the only one desperately waiting to know what happens next!

I'm afraid I'm still sworn to secrecy for the moment. Actually, because we're still working on the book now, some things may yet change. :) But I loved writing the third book!

So not much info about book three for now, as it turns out. Be sure to catch up with Stacey for more news and information at her website, www.staceykade.com or on twitter (@staceykade).  You can also check out my first interview with the lovely Stacey here.

Here's our QoTD teaser for the day!

Alona: There's always that one thing, right? A particular action that is your own personal line in the sand. The nuclear threat you keep in your back pocket, never even mentioning it because it will escalate any conflict beyond the chance of reconciliation.

And yet, here I was, declaring war, turning that line in the sand into a mere dot in the distance behind me.

Giveaway, Day 4.

We have several copies of Queen of the Dead and The Ghost and the Goth up for grabs this week, so if you want your hands on this awesome series, post a comment below and check back in tomorrow for more! For more information on how the giveaway runs, check it out HERE.

RULES.

• Open worldwide.
• You do NOT have to be a follower to enter - everyone is welcome!
• You DO have to comment on this post - because the giveaway is comment-based, use the same username to comment throughout the week.
• Extra entries welcome!
• Deadline for entries will be on 1st June 2011, 12MN BST.
• Winners will be drawn through random.org.
• Winners will be contacted via e-mail, and will be given 48 hours to respond. Otherwise a new name will be drawn.
• Any details will be deleted after use and will never be passed on to any third party.
• Fill out the form below!