Thursday, March 3, 2011

Moon Cursed

posted by Nancy

Bestselling author and RITA winner Lori Handeland makes her first appearance in the Lair today! Lori's books have hit the New York Times, USA Today, Waldenbooks, and Bookscan bestseller lists. They have also won numerous awards, including the RITA in two different categories, a Romantic Times Award for Best Harlequin Superromance, the PRISM, and the National Readers Choice Award.

She's here to celebrate the continuation of her Nightcreature Novels with the March 1 release of the tenth volume, Moon Cursed. Welcome, Lori!

We love call stories here in the Lair. Would you like to tell us about your first sale?

I remember that day very clearly. My kids were 5 and 2. I was making lunch, still hadn't gotten dressed or taken a shower. The phone rang and it was my agent. Since she'd just called to give me a rejection on what I thought was the last submittal we had out, I had no idea what she wanted. Turned out she'd sent my first book one more place and hadn't told me. Alicia Condon had called and made an offer on SECOND CHANCE, a western.

Of course back then we had no cell phones. I called all my friends and relatives and no one was home. My DH didn't find out until that night. My 2 year old was unimpressed. The 5 year old wasn't either.

But it was very exciting and I'll always remember.

How frustrating to have no one home! But it's a great story.

Moon Cursed is the latest installment in the Nightcreature saga. Who are the Nightcreatures?

The Nightcreature novels are my paranormal romance series, which deal with a group of monster hunters called the Jager-Suchers, or Hunter-searchers. They are led by an ancient German double agent from WW2 named Edward Mandenauer. Edward discovered Mengele was creating monsters for Hitler back in the day. When the Allies landed, the monsters were released and he's been chasing them, as well as all the others, ever since.

Who are the hero and heroine of Mooncursed? What internal conflict keeps them apart?

In MOON CURSED, Kristin Daniels hosts a show called HOAX HUNTERS where she debunks myths. She travels to Loch Ness to debunk the greatest myth of all, the Loch Ness Monster. Kris doesn't believe in magic or mystery, she hates liars. Which caused quite a problem when she meets Liam Grant, the keeper of the loch, a believer in Nessie and one of the biggest secret keepers of all time.

Are Kris and Liam working together on anything, or do they have a common problem?

Kris is trying to prove Nessie doesn't exist. Liam is protecting the secrets of his village, Drumnadrochit.

(To read an excerpt, click here. Or go to http://www.lorihandeland.com/moon_cursed.php )

You've written several other series. Could you tell us a little about them?


I've also written an urban fantasy series, The Phoenix Chronicles. In it, the heroine Elizabeth Phoenix, must save the world from the Nephilim--the offspring of the fallen angels and men, which are all the creatures of legend--vampires, werewolves and more. She has help in her quest from her childhood love, Jimmy Sanducci, and her mentor, the Navajo shaman Sawyer.

I have also written The Luchetti Brothers series for Harlequin Superromance, which deals with 5 brothers raised on a farm in Illinois and the stories of each one finding true love. There are quite a few fun characters in these books, both human and animal.

And then there is the Shakespeare Undead series, which began as one book and morphed into more. The concept is that Shakespeare is a vampire, an immortal undead, which explains how he
could write so many plays and know so many things a commoner from Stratford couldn't know. The first book, SHAKESPEARE UNDEAD, dealt with his finding his love, the Dark Lady of his sonnets, who just happens to be a zombie hunter. The second, ZOMBIE ISLAND, is my take on the Tempest.

How cool! What's next for you?

As soon as I finish ZOMBIE ISLAND, I will turn to a new venture. I'll return to my roots, western historical romance, writing under the name Lori Austin. The first book CHASE THE WIND, deals with a con man and a female bounty hunter.

Sounds like fun!

For more about Lori and her work, visit her
website or check out the Goddess Blogs.

Lori will be signing books in NY at the RWA conference on Tuesday, June 28, which is coincidentally the release date of the next Nightcreature novel CRAVE THE MOON.


Lori's giving away, to one winner, a stuffed Loch Ness Monster and an autographed backlist Nightcreature novel of their choice. So tell us, what's your favorite Shakespearean play (or book or movie inspired by or based on Shakespeare)? Which of the legendary creatures Lori writes would be your favorite? Would you side with Liam or Kris about the Loch Ness monster?

90 comments:

Unknown said...

woo hoo is he mine

Landra said...

I have to keep him for one more day!! We are still on the hunt for TimTams.

Landra said...

Darn!

Fedora said...

Whoa! Barb and Slush dueling it out! I guess the GR's with you today, Barb--congrats!

I think one of the Shakespeare plays I enjoyed reading the most was Taming of the Shrew; an entertaining modern day version was 10 Things I Hate About You :)

Landra said...

I will shrink for now... no sense in dueling for the devil!

Lori/Nancy: My favorite Shakespeare is Much Ado About Nothing. I absolutely adore the witty banter and love stories that unfold.

Taming of the Shrew is my 2nd fav. I think that both provide the reasons why I love Historicals so much and thoroughly enjoy stories with similar tropes.

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Barb, he's coming back to Oz! Slush, even if you found Tim Tams with the rooster, it's not like he'd let you have any! Gosh, I just checked the times. You two really were neck and neck!

Lori, welcome to the lair! Nancy, I really enjoyed the interview.

Lori, your post made me smile because I remember the tacky Nessy souvenirs in Scotland that were so tacky they were funny. For example, there was a tiddly stuffed LNM Drunken-NESS. A smiley one called Happy-NESS. You get the picture!

My favorite Shakespeare play is actually Hamlet. Although I love The Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and Juliet.

Donna MacMeans said...

Hi Lori - Welcome to the lair!

So many fun books - and such a prolific writer. Can you tell us about your process and any secrets on turning these books faster (I hope, I hope).

As for Shakespeare, I love Romeo and Juliet, of course. Macbeth, Hamlet,The Merchant of Venice, Taming of the Shrew - all favs. But the one Shakespeare related movie that I love the most - Shakespeare in Love. I could watch that over and over again.

Unknown said...

He thought he would come to me as this is the land of the tim tams .... although I think the company that makes them is owned by a US company or it was at one time LOL

They have tacky shakespeare souveniers in Stratford on Avon UK too .... when we go back for a holiday my brother in law lives nearby.... I remember many years ago studying Julius Ceasar at school ...

Jane said...

Congrats, Barb.

I like Shakespeare's comedies and Twelfth Night is a favorite. .

June M. said...

My favorite would probably have to be "Taming of the Shrew" because it has been used so much in historicals that I have loved. And I did love the movie "10 Things I Hate about You" too!

Saw the little Nessie plushes on another site...too cute! It even has a little plaid hat on!

Kirsten said...

Romeo & Juliet will always have a special place in my heart as it was the first of Shakespeare that I read and loved. But now that I'm (only a bit) older I think Twelfth Night is my favorite.

Helen said...

Barbara you just got him lucky you or maybe LOL I will have to come down for a cuppa and I have some Tim Tams. Slush you might get him tomorrow and he may take you some Tim Tams if you are lucky and he doesn't eat them all.

Lori
You really are a busy Lady and the only Shakespear that I have read is The Merchant Of Venice when I was in High School and I am sorry to say I didn't enjoy it then and have never been a big fan although I do like the movie Romeo and Juliet.

But I would love to go to Scotland and look for the Loch Ness monster myself. I have always been interested in anything about him not sure whether I truly beleive he lives there but maybe.

Congrats on the new relase and thank you Nancy for inviting Lori along today

Have Fun
Helen

SiNn said...

hands down Hamlet is my favoirte play movie adaptation ect ext


honestly i heart all of loris book s and creatures

i side with Liam hands down shouldnt try and prove the unprovable and letthings like lore and legend lie

cait045 said...

I really enjoyed Lisa Manchev's Eyes Like Stars that is based in the theatre so there are Shakespeare characters. I love the faries.

jo robertson said...

Wow, Nancy, I'm so impressed with our guest today. Welcome to the Lair, Lori!

I adore the concept of the Nightcreature Novels, especially tying the story to Mengele and post-WWII. Is it a contemporary series, or do you have flashbacks to the 1940's?

jo robertson said...

Ah, Shakespeare, my favorite topic. I'd have to say MACBETH, though not considered one of his greatest tragedies, is my favorite. I love the idea of a man who allows himself to be manipulated by false fate.

Gannon Carr said...

Hey, Lori! I love all of your books, and I'm so excited to read MOON CURSED!

Love me some Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing are my favorites. Shakespeare In Love is such a great movie, and I adore the movie version of Much Ado with Kenneth Brannagh and Emma Thompson. Pure fun! :-)

I've been to Loch Ness twice, and while I didn't spot Nessie, I think there's something there.

Lori Handeland said...

There is a lot of Taming of the Shrew in my first Shakespeare book. The one I'm working on now is based on The Tempest.

Anna--this Nessie is definitely tacky!

Lori Handeland said...

Donna-Afraid I don't have any secrets. I write all day, every day. Full time job hours. And if I'm behind I write weekends. Obsessed? Moi?

Barb- I gave my editor a tacky Shakespeare doll with a big head for Christmas. It was hysterical.

Which R & J movie, Helen? Have you ever seen the one with Leo? It's pretty interesting.

Lori Handeland said...

Will have to check out Eyes Like Stars, Cait.

Jo-the books are all contemporary so far.

Hi, Gannon!! Thanks!

Rebekah E. said...

I is really Hard to say. I love most of Shakespears work. I really enjoyed the 12th Night and enjoyed how they remade it in She's The Man. But I also love Romeo and Juliet. Thanks for coming today and the great post.

Minna said...

My favorite Shakespeare play is A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Enigma - Beyond the Invisible [HQ]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh1BJUL0P7M

Nancy said...

Barb, congrats on the bird! Slush, good luck on the Tim Tams hunt.

Nancy said...

Fedora, I haven't seen 10 Things I Hate About You, but I heard it was good.

Nancy said...

Slush, did you see the version of Much Ado with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson? I happened to think of it because it was on TV just the other day. We enjoyed it.

Nancy said...

Hi, Anna, and thanks. Last time we were in Scotland, we missed those souvenirs! They sound amazing.

Why Hamlet as a favorite?

Nancy said...

Donna, I enjoyed Shakespeare in Love, too. I didn't expect I would--the guys looked so modern urban in the ads--but the dh wanted to see it, so we went. And we both thought it was great!

Nancy said...

Barb, I was in Stratford as a student, quite a few years back, and I think it still takes the prize for hammering visitors over the head with the main tourist attraction, The Bard. Tintagel gave it a run for its money with King Arthur, but Stratford was kind of mind-blowing.

Still, I'd like to go back with the boy, see an RSC production.

Of course, I'd go back for any reason at all! *g*

Nancy said...

Jane, I like the comedies, too. And the history plays. Henry V is probably my favorite of those.

Nancy said...

June, Nessie with a plaid hat?! Too cute!

Nancy said...

Kirsten, it's funny how the first sampling of something can keep a special place, isn't it? My first Heyer was Regency Buck, and I'll always love it for that reason, though I don't love Worth nearly as much as I admire, say, Alverstoke.

jo robertson said...

Flchen1, I loved 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, so clever and I adored the very young Heath Ledger.

Nancy said...

Hi, Helen--I have a buddy who's like you with Nessie. Somewhere in a drawer, I have a photo of the two of us at Urquhart Castle as students. Our little group that traveled together went there because she wanted to so badly.

Last time we were in Scotland, lo, those many years ago, it feels like now, we got her a ceramic Nessie that's in segments--a head, two humps, and a tail--that sit on a shelf or mantel and look like Nessie swimming along.

Nancy said...

SiNn, is your favorite Hamlet movie the Branagh, the Olivier, or another one altogether?

jo robertson said...

Another great film adaptation of one of the Bard's plays was Kenneth Branagh's OTHELLO. He played a very wicked Iago in that one.

Clearly, I like the tragedies LOL.

Nancy said...

Cait045, I haven't seen Eyes Like Stars, but it sounds interesting.

Louisa Cornell said...

Wow! You two will give the GR a swelled head fighting over him. As if his head could get any bigger. SNORK!

Hello Lori !!

Love your paranormals and Shakespeare Undead! And I am really looking forward to reading your Western Historicals. Cool !!

I have actually been to Loch Ness. Camped out there while on a college choir singing tour of the United Kingdom. It was March and we nearly froze to death! Heard some odd noises in the night and there is just something about the place the says if an ancient beastie does exist Loch Ness would be the perfect place for him to live. There's a bit of magic there. So, yes, I do believe there is more to it than smoke and mirrors.

My favorite Shakespeare? That's a tough one! The Taming of the Shrew always makes me smile. Then again I tend to go for the deep, dark forays Will took into the human psyche. Hamlet, Othello, and I guess my favorite is Macbeth. I sang the role of Lady Macbeth in Verdi's Macbeth and I think Shakespeare insight into the character of a powerful, manipulative and flawed woman is a real work of art.

jo robertson said...

Donna, whenever I think of SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, I remember the scene where Gwenyth Paltrow is cleaning her teeth with some kind of stick thingy. I remember thinking how authentic that seemed!

Nancy said...

Jo, I have a soft spot for Macbeth, too. The dh and I once saw a kabuki version of it--very different from what we're used to, and it took us most of Act I to adjust.

Nancy said...

Gannnon, I loved the movie version of Much Ado, too! I didn't see Nessie, either, but I was looking.

Lori Handeland said...

How fun for you, Louisa! Camping at Loch Ness. Although my research did say it was cold there a lot.

Nancy said...

Rebekah, I have fond memories of the Franco Zefirelli version of Romeo and Juliet. Have you seen that?

Hellie Sinclair said...

I think my favorite Shakespeare play is Much Ado About Nothing. Beatrice and Benedick are some of my favorite characters of all time. And I love the version featuring Emma Thompson and Kenneth Braggan (sp--you know who I mean). As for modern adaptations, I *adore* 10 Things I Hate About You.

Nancy said...

Minna, I like A Midsummer Night's Dream, too.

Nancy said...

Jo, I noticed you liked Heath Ledger. I have to agree. *sigh*

Nancy said...

Louisa, you _camped out_ at Loch Ness? How cool! Ditto on performing Lady MacBeth. You've really had some fabulous experiences.

Nancy said...

Hi, MsHellion--Yeah, we know who you mean. :-) I love that version, too.

Hellie Sinclair said...

I just realized I am familiar with your work! I read Shakespeare Undead--it was hysterical and wonderful. Great pacing and dialogue and characters!

Kim in Baltimore said...

Aloha! I really enjoyed the recent movie of The Tempest staring Helen Mirren. It was filmed on Kauai.

Loch Ness is a magical place. We visited the area, including Urquhart Castle three years ago. We did not spot Nessie. But we did enjoy visiting the various Loch Ness monster museums and gift shops, seeking the tackiest souvenir to take home (we bought head gear that resembled the monster - great fun for the kids at school).

Unknown said...

Ok so I totally had to search what the heck a TimTam was...LOL
I'm Such a blonde....*Grin*

Lori's your Books look so like so much fun to read....so out the the norm. I'm going to have to add them to my list!!!! Thanks for sharing :0)

CrystalGB said...

Hi Lori. I love your books. My favorite Shakespeare play is Taming of the Shrew.

Book Chatter Cath said...

I love A midsummer Nights Dream but who can not love Romeo and Juliet!!! and has anyone seen the animated Gnomeo and Juliet??? It looks fantastic!!!!!

Nancy said...

Kim, I want to see that version of The Tempest!

We didn't see those gift shops, but it has been a while since we were there. Maybe they've been opened since then.

Nancy said...

BJ, don't feel bad about the Tim Tams. I had to ask.

Nancy said...

Crystal, thanks for stopping by!

Nancy said...

Cath, I haven't seen Gnomeo and Juliet. I'm curious about it, too.

Lori Handeland said...

Thanks Crystal and BJ!

So glad you liked Shakespeare, MsH! I had a ball.

petite said...

A Midsummer night's Dream is my ultimate. Mysterious and fun. thanks.

traveler said...

Your books are unique and great. The Merchant of Venice is one of my favorites.

Nancy said...

Hi, Petite--Wasn't there a movie version of A Midsummer Night's Dream recently? I didn't see it, obviously, but I think I remember hearing something about one.

Nancy said...

Hi, Traveler--what do you like about The Merchant of Venice?

catslady said...

I have to go with Romeo and Juliet - the tragic ending sticks with me. I also would like to believe that Nessie is alive :) and all matter of other things that we haven't been able to prove.

Rebekah E. said...

I don't think I have seen that version of romeo and juliet. I will have to look for it. Thanks

Unknown said...

So Like a big dork I was so on the TimTam thing I didn't bother answering the question of the day....DUH!

Shakespeare...LOL ...That funny dude with the collar so he wouldn't injure himself more...like a dog wears...Sorry remembering my high school english class...man we had fun with him!!!
I'm a Mid-Summer's night Dream, although Taming of the Shrew is good as well. Had to kiss so many Romeos that I hate that one!!!!!
I do like the Idea of Shakespeare as a Vamp..!!!
And I would soooooo Side with Liam!!!!

Anna Campbell said...

Lori, if it's tacky, I WANT IT!!! Actually I remember an Antiques Roadshow where they went to Meys Castle, the home of the late Queen Mother. She actually had a tam-o-shantered bright green Nessy sitting on top of a priceless 16th century tapestry. It really made me think I would have liked the person who did that!

Nancy, I think Hamlet's got it all. A sexy, tortured hero, sexual tension, a great suspense plot, profound revelations about the human conditions, sword fights, surprisingly great pace. I saw the four hour Kenneth Branagh version at the cinema years ago. Usually they cut a lot of it and, as with most abridgements, it takes away the guts of the story. You feel this gathering storm as Fortinbras gets closer and closer to taking over the kingdom while there's all this faffing around going on at the court. Like a storm coming up out of the west that nobody has noticed on the way. I particularly love it when Hamlet becomes a man of action towards the end - he's VERY dashing then. I also love the way he uses his wit as a shield against the people who want to destroy him. I find Ophelia really touching. Hmm, Nancy, you're probably sorry you asked!

Anna Campbell said...

I vote for a Midsummer Night's Dream too!

Love Ten Things I Hate About You. Actually I included it in one of my Favorite Things columns: http://www.annacampbell.info/favethings.html

And I love the Franco Zeffirelli Romeo and Juliet. Gorgeous music. Did you know Verity in Courtesan is based on how Olivia Hussey looks in that movie? She was breathtakingly beautiful, wasn't she?

I also love the Kenneth Branagh film of Henry V. He made it on a shoestring and it's brilliant - really fast moving and compelling.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hi Lori! Welcom to the Lair!!! I'll be seeing you this weekend at the meeting, but I had to jump on and *wave madly* and say hello.

Nancy, wonderful interview as always.

Lori, have you ever seen the Scooby Doo w/ the Loch Ness Monster? You'll never forget how to pronounce Drumnadrochit if you do. Grins.

Nancy said...

Catslady, I'd like to think Nessie's out there, too!

Nancy said...

Rebekah, the Zefirellli version is a little dated, but it's lush and gorgeous to look at. And I love the music.

Nancy said...

BJ wrote: Had to kiss so many Romeos that I hate that one!!!!!

LOL!

And don't worry about the Tim Tams thing. Really. I had no clue, even after hearing them described, until Anna Campbell brought some to National a couple of years ago.

Nancy said...

Anna, I'm not sorry I asked. I didn't see the Branagh Hamlet, having been daunted by its length. I do love his Henry V, though.

I did not know that about Verity, but Olivia Hussey was truly gorgeous. And she made brunettes fashionable when California blondes had been all the rage. I also loved the music in that movie. I saw her in something a few years back, and time had been kind to her.

Nancy said...

Jeanne, thanks. I hope everyone's trips to the board meeting go smoothly.

Lori Handeland said...

I loved the Zeferelli R & J, Anna. I was in love with Leonard for years.

I have not seen the Scooby Doo at Loch Ness. But I think I need to.

Pat Cochran said...

Hello, Lori,

Nice to see you in the Lair today!
As others in the group, I like all
of the Shakespeare plays. My two
best favorites are Taming of the
Shrew and, of course, Romeo and
Juliet.

As for Kris and Liam, can't seem
to choose one side! Seems to me
that Loch Ness could be Nessie's
home and hey, I want to know the
secrets Liam is hiding!

Pat Cochran

donnas said...

Midsummer Nights Dream. But Im sure that was because I love Puck's last speech. Although I also really like The Tempest.

Nancy said...

Pat, a lot of people here seem to love both those plays! Thanks for stopping by.

Nancy said...

Donnas, I found Puck's last speech online. Pretty cool!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Lori, welcome back to the Lair. It's always a pleasure having you here. Thanks, Nancy for bringing her!

I'm a bit of Loch Ness monster geek, so I'm looking forward to seeing how Kristen and Liam handle this story!

My favorite Shakespearean play, huh? Well we studied Julius Caesar, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth in school, but I really fell in love with Beatrice and Benedict in Much Ado About Nothing.

Nancy said...

Hi, Suz--I like Much Ado also!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Anna C...

I saw that Romeo and Juliet in the 8th grade...uncensored. Can you imagine the influence the naked Leonard Whiting's naked backside had on those young female virginal minds?

He was just as beautiful as Olivia Hussey!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Nancy, the version with Kenneth Brannaugh and Emma Thompson was so good. I think my kids and I watched it every day for weeks the summer it hit the Disney channel!

Barbara E. said...

My favorite Shakespearean play is The Taming of the Shrew. Even though I haven't read Moon Cursed yet, I think The Loch Ness Monster would be my favorite legendary creature. I'd side with Liam about Nessy.

Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com

Nancy said...

Suz, our church youth group went to see that Romeo and Juliet. Leonard Whiting was cute from any angle! I also love the Branagh/Thompson version of Much Ado.

Nancy said...

Hi, Barbara--I think Nessie is pretty cool, too!

Pissenlit said...

Ooh, fun-sounding!

I think I'd have to claim Hamlet as my favourite Shakespearean play. Though I'm quite fond of most legendary creatures, Nessie wins hands down among the ones mentioned so I'd definitely side with Liam. :)

Nancy said...

Hi, Pissenlit! One more vote for Liam. Hamlet has quite a few fans here today.

Joan said...

I hate that I am so late to the blog (blasted DDJ) but Lori, I fell in love with your Moon series and that segued into loving your Phoenix series. Your books were one of the first ever that convinced be absolutely fantastic stories can be told in first person...and with such exquiste wit!

Anna Campbell said...

Suz, Leonard was definitely easy on the eye, from behind up! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Favorite Shakespeare play - MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. It is much more lighthearted than most.

Lori, I am impressed with the wide variety of genre you are writing in. You most certainly must not get bored with what you are doing. Tired of paranormals, switch to contemporary romance. Historical Westerns will be another nice change.
I haven read many paranormals and still sampling the wide variety of "creatures" out there. The Loch Ness monster has always intrigued me. The lake I grew up near is reputed to have its own such monster - Champ of Lake Champlain.

librarypat AT comcast DOT net

LilMissMolly said...

I really enjoyed Kenneth Brannath's movie version of Midsummer Night's Dream. But, when I read it, MacBeth haunted me for weeks afterward. I just loved that play.

As far as the Loch Ness Monster is concerned, I've always loved that legend. I love it so much when the movie The Water Horse came out a few years ago, I took my kids to see it. I can't help but believe in him. I'd love to read a story of yours based on that legend.