Please tell us a bit about yourself: I'm an author who writes alternative
history, erotic contemporary, and erotic historical romance. I like to genre
hop in my writing and reading. I'm big on exploration and enjoy wonderful tales
of the fantastical. My favorite type of book is one with a Happily Ever After
and as a mom I hope my stories encourage my children to seek their own
adventure/romance in their lives once they are grown.
Tell us about A Rose By Any Other Name: This is a fairytale re-telling of
Sleeping Beauty, but with Zombies. It's a campy, fun story and I enjoyed
writing it because people live at the end. Oops, was that a spoiler. I mean of
course people live, it's got romance in the genre heading.
What inspired you to write this particular story?: My critique partner. She
really urged me on to write this one and without her support and belief in me
it wouldn't have happened.
Which comes first for you – a character's looks, personality or name?:
Usually a name, followed by their personality. Looks tend to come last. The
name is what sticks to me most, along with a few key facts, especially career.
Any tips for aspiring authors?:
Write, read, and critique. I'd say do those things over and over. Never
give up and never surrender.
Questions for fun:
Which fictional universe would you like to live in and why?: I'd love to
live in the Harry Potter fictional universe. Having magic at my fingertips
would be awesome.
If you could have three wishes, what would they be?: Wish 1 - the ability
to retire from the day job and write full time. Wish 2 - To take a European
sightseeing sabbatical with no reprecussions. Wish 3 - To have a house that's
completely paid for, a guaranteed roof over my children's heads.
Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster, Butterbeer or Romulan ale?: Romulan Ale -
Grandma always said to try new things.
Coffee, tea or wine?: None of the above. I'm a water and beer drinker.
After that, it's vodka.
Favourite genre and why?: Steampunk. I love the era and the technological
implications. There's still the Victorian bits, but with a lot more action
typically.
Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us!
Blurb: Zombies don’t belong in fairy tales….at least not those with a good chance
of a happily ever after…
Jason Prince, Charming's once-upon-a-time star jock, only attends his
Charming high school reunion to find his way into the heart of a certain
wallflower who had no date for the prom.
Shy, geeky, chemical engineer, Emma Fay has been keeping her love for Jason
a secret because she knows Jason and Rose belong together. But, when Rose Briar
pricks her finger, fulfilling a prophecy about death and a plague, she throws a
wrench into the class reunion that not even the best planning committee can
tackle.
Can Jason and Emma stop Zombie Beauty Rose before she turns their loved
ones into her undead court and sends them forth to spread the infestation to
the rest of the world? Or will human flesh become the daily special at diners
everywhere? And will there be enough left of Jason and Emma for romance to
blossom?
Excerpt:
The exclamation from one crowd member was followed up quickly by another.
“That’s her.”
She looked again at the person she’d mistaken for her friend’s spirit,
visible to everyone. The floodlight on the stage disappeared, and the lights in
the gym came on. Between the rows stood her friend, eyes dark and bloodshot,
skin pale. Em’s mouth parted, and she wanted to go to her but couldn’t move.
You’re alive.
Sheriff Fowler and Dr. Mason moved from their chairs and began to approach
Rose, arms outstretched in a tentative manner.
“Sweetie, it’s us. I’m going to come closer to help you.” Mason reached for
her arm, and Emma’s sickly friend let out a guttural growl, launching herself
at the sheriff.
Several screams filled the air, and Emma let out a gasp when the sound of
torn flesh echoed over the cries. At that sound, the crowd jumped into action.
Women and children ran for the door as Ewan, Dr. Mason, and a couple of other
men she vaguely remembered grabbed for the wild woman gnawing on the sheriff’s
shoulder. They pulled her off, and she thrashed about, fighting to free herself.
However, with one man on each arm and another holding onto her legs, she
couldn’t move.
“No! Let her go,” Em yelled, running for the stage stairs. Her legs moved
faster than her two-inch-heeled feet did, and she almost tripped on the last
step. She inhaled sharply, ready to charge, when a strong arm encircled her
waist and pulled her back. The only other people left in the gym were a group
of men slowly moving her friend toward the door. Ewan remained behind and
helped Fowler to his feet.
“You need to release me. They’re hurting her.”
“We have to get out of here,” Jason said into her ear.
Buy Links:
Author Bio: Landra Graf consumes at least one book a day, and has always been a
sucker for stories where true love conquers all. She believes in the power of
the written word, and the joy such words can bring. In between spending time
with her family and having book adventures, she writes romance with the goal of
giving everyone, fictional or not, their own happily ever after.
Author Links:
Website: http://landragraf.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LandraGraf
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/landra.graf
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/landragraf/
