INTERVIEW & MEET THE CAST & GIVEAWAY - Angela Roquet

We have a fun filled post today!

We have the lovely Angela Roquet with us today.  She is sharing information about herself and her series - Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc.  Not to mention we get to be introduced to her cast AND a kick butt giveaway!!  

Welcome, can you tell us a little about yourself how long you've been writing?

I originally wanted to be a cartoon animator. When I was twelve, I was convinced that my future was with Walt Disney or Cartoon Network. I’ve been writing as long as I can remember, but most of my work was accompanied by illustrations or storyboards of how I envisioned things on the big screen. In high school, I had an English teacher tell me that I should consider writing novels. So off and on for the next four years I wrote, and when I when I turned 21, I had a finished novel that was roughly 500 pages long. It was called “Rea and the Temple of Muses.” It was high fantasy, and it was at that point that I decided I seriously wanted to be a writer. My current series started out as a short story I wrote a year later for a contest. It was about what a day in the life of Death might look like, complete with a glimpse of the afterlife where souls were delivered. I had a friend read it, and he told me it was an awful short story, but a great introduction to a series. In October of 2009, I published “Graveyard Shift” the first installment of “Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc.” In the following years, I moved across the country, got married, had a baby, and went back to college to finish my degree. So it wasn’t until August of 2012 that book 2 “Pocket Full of Posies” was published. Things are a little more stable in my life right now, so I’m shooting for April of 2013 for the release of book 3 “For the Birds.” I have at least a dozen novels planned for the series, and several stand-alone projects in the works.

Can you share anything your readers would be surprised to know about you?

I still work a day job as a freelance graphic designer, and I actually designed my own book covers and website.

Who is your favorite author?

Do I really have to choose one? I adore MaryJanice Davidson. Her books are clever and sexy, and her style is just so much fun. I still can’t believe she wrote a review for my first novel. There are really so many authors I could list as favorites. Laurell K. Hamilton, Jim Butcher, Kim Harrison, Charlaine Harris, Christopher Moore… the list goes on and on.

Where does your inspiration for a new book come from?

Since my series is primarily set in a fictional and eclectic afterlife, I find a lot of inspiration in various religious texts when I’m doing research. As a writer, I believe there is inspiration to be found in everything. Every book, every movie, every painting, every conversation or encounter… it is all good to draw from when writing.

We would love for you to paint a picture for us of you writing your books.  Do you always write in your office?  Do you ever go outside on a beautiful day and write there?  Are you listening to music when you write?  Drinking wine?  Do you do your best work during the day?  At night?

I have a pretty kick-ass office. I’m quite proud of it, and I have pictures posted on my Facebook page. I’d like to say that I spend long hours writing at my fancy desk, that I designed and built with the help of my husband, surrounded by my library of favorite books. But really, I do most of my typing in my living room while my son is watching Curious George or napping. Sometimes, if I have trouble sleeping, I will stay up and type with a glass of wine. I do love music, but when I’m typing I usually stick to the instrumental tunes. I’m also a singer, so my mind instantly clings to lyrics, and I find that distracting when I’m searching for the next words to type.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I’m in the midst of book 3, and I’ve been doing research lately on Norse mythology. I’m considering bringing Loki and Oden into the story. I’ve also been researching the three Fates, since Lana will be getting an inside look at their soul processing factory in Limbo City in this book.

In Twitter fashion use 140 characters or less, sum up “Graveyard Shift” for us.

Lana Harvey is a reaper. She lives in Limbo City, where Hell keeps trying to break loose, and she’s just been hired to stop it.

If you could pick one actor to portray Lana Harvey on the big screen who would it be and why?

It would be easy to pick Angelina Jolie or Milla Jovovich. I love them both and I think they would both make an excellent Lana, but honestly, when I’m writing Lana, I see and hear Christina Ricci in my head. She really nails the bored, dry humor that Lana portrays at times, and she has that dark, exotic vibe about her.

Was there anything you found particularly challenging when writing this book?

Oh, gawd, the research. So, so much research. You really wouldn’t expect a fictional novel to require so much. I had originally thought about writing a vampire series, but so many writers are doing that, and doing it well. I was afraid that I would get lost in the mix. I had taken a world religions course in college and found it fascinating, so I thought that I would incorporate that into my setting by creating an afterlife where all the heavens and hells existed as territories, and the deities had to coexist and rule together in harmony. I had no idea what I was in for. I am quite pleased with the outcome though, and I would do it all over again.

The Inferno has Evolved…

Lana Harvey is a reaper, and a lousy one at that. She resides in Limbo City, the modern capital of the collective afterlives, where she likes to stick it to the man (the legendary Grim Reaper himself) by harvesting the bare minimum of souls required of her. She’d much rather be hanging out with Gabriel, her favorite archangel, at Purgatory Lounge. But when a shocking promotion falls in her lap, Lana learns something that could unravel the very fabric of Eternity. If the job isn’t completed, there could be some real hell to pay.

Not Your Grandma's Afterlife…

The promise of peace in Limbo City is threatened once again, but this time the terrorists have a more specific target in mind: Lana Harvey. The up and coming reaper thought passing her classes at the Reaper Academy was going to be her biggest challenge, but when a rebel demon sends her apartment up in flames, she realizes that her victories from the previous year haven’t gone so unnoticed after all…

To make matters worse, the Afterlife Council has taken notice of Lana too. The Egyptian god Horus is blackmailing her into joining the Posy Unit so she can do an illegal side job for him, and Cindy Morningstar, Lucifer’s daughter, insists that she take a two week training course with the devilishly tempting Beelzebub, much to her angelic boyfriend’s chagrin.

Now let's meet the Cast!!

My name is Lana Harvey, and I live in Limbo City, the capital of the afterlife. I’m a reaper, and I’m three centuries old. That might sound ancient to a human, but over here in the afterlife, I’m just a pup. I hate my job, but it’s not like I have many options. I get by doing as little as possible, and I like to bend the rules for souls that make my job less boring, although my sailing partner, Josie, lectures me whenever I do. The rest of my time is spent hanging out with my best friend, the archangel Gabriel, at Purgatory Lounge. However, another angel has had his eye on me lately. Maalik makes me nervous, but I have to admit, I am curious as to what he’s doing in Limbo City, especially after Grim promoted me to a high risk assignment. What’s happening to my boring little supernatural existence?

My name is Gabriel. Yes, that Gabriel. I’ve been busting my halo for thousands of years, and it’s finally started to take a toll these past few centuries. Limbo City is just the break I needed from the Heavenly Hosts and their holier than thou, highest of the high, high society. I’ve made some friends Peter doesn’t approve of, but I don’t care. What’s he going to do? Lana has a good heart, and she knows how to have a good time. Plus, she always lends me her couch when I’m in Limbo. This new job Grim’s given her has me worried, but the attention she’s been receiving from that goody-two-shoes, Maalik, is bothering me even more.

My name is Josie Gala. I’m a seventh generation reaper, which means I’m a whole century older than Lana. Not that she cares about that, or anything else from what I can tell. I know she means well, but the fact that we own a ship together makes me feel responsible when she screws up and takes a soul to the wrong heaven or hell. I thought being sailing partners with her would be fun. We have a blast shopping together, and she knows how I like my coffee. Besides that, she’s one of the few reapers I can trust, since I know she won’t double-cross me in order to advance. Lana doesn’t care about advancing. At least, I didn’t think she did. Which is why I’m a little confused about the promotion Grim recently gave her. That promotion should have been mine.

My name is Maalik. I am the keeper of hellfire who guards the fiery gates of Jahannam for Allah. My existence has been a gloomy one, so far away from my master, but my diligence has paid off. I have been reassigned. Limbo City is not Jannah, but it has its own kind of allure. Especially since that is where Lana Harvey resides. I knew something was different about that reaper the moment I first saw her. I have to keep her safe. The future of Eternity, as well as my heart, lies in her hands now.

Without further ado....ANGELA!

Urban Fantasy Author Angela Roquet is a great big weirdo. She collects Danger Girl comic books, owls, skulls, and random craft supplies. She no longer collects paperback books, because she can’t fit any more in her office, however she does collect ebooks. She has an unhealthy obsession with television shows created by Joss Whedon and fantasizes about him directing television or film versions of her novels. Angela’s favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz, and her favorite book is Ishmael by Daniel Quinn. She likes a little coffee in her cream, and her favorite food is sushi, even though it’s takes her FOREVER to make. Angela is a peace loving, tree hugging hippy who tries to buy organic and local as often as possible. She’s a fan of renewable energy sources, marriage equality, and religious tolerance. As long as whatever you’re doing isn’t hurting anyone, she’s a fan of you, too. Angela lives in Sedalia, Missouri with her husband and son. When she’s not swearing at the keyboard, she enjoys painting, goofing off with her family and friends, and reading books that raise eyebrows. You can find Angela online at www.angelaroquet.com

 Angela
All Across the Interwebs...

GIVEAWAY!!

Angela is giving away FOUR prize packages.

1 - Signed copies of Graveyard Shift & Pocket Full of Posies
3 - Kindle ecopies of Graveyard Shift & Pocket Full of Posies

Signed copies giveaway is open US ONLY!
Kindle copies is open WORLDWIDE!!
(Must have an Amazon account)

Many entry chances are available.  By entering the giveaway you are agreeing to the terms outlined in the Rafflecopter widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BONUS - BONUS - BONUS

If you hurry, you can head on over to her website and enter her other giveaway.  Ends this Thursday, so hurry on up!! 

www.angelaroquet.com 

Up for grabs: $20 Amazon card, a drinking glass from Purgatory Lounge (the fictional bar in the book series), and a Kindle ebook of Graveyard Shift.