Today I have Christina Henry over for an interview and at the end of this interview there is a contest for her new book Black Howl.
Welcome!
Could you tell me a bit about yourself…
Well, I live a fairly unglamorous life. I like to write, read, bake, run, go to Costco and watch weird movies. The most exciting thing that happens to me usually is the arrival of the monthly Costco coupon book.
Your newest book is called Black Howl, what it is about?
In BLACK HOWL, Maddy’s got problems on top of problems, as usual. There are ghosts popping up all over Chicago whose deaths have not been foreseen by the Agency prophets. This means that these deaths are outside of the natural order, and it’s up to Maddy to find out who’s behind it all.
Of course, Maddy’s love life hasn’t gotten any easier either. Gabriel is now her thrall, and their happily ever after looks like it’s more out of reach than ever.
Madeline is as kick-ass as kick-ass UF heroines should be, who was your inspiration behind her?
I didn’t have a specific person who was an inspiration for Maddy, but I did know that I wanted her to be both strong and vulnerable. I didn’t want her to be indestructible. I want her to be affected by the things that she sees and does, while still being capable of handling herself.
I loved Beezle, who did you come up with this awesome gargoyle sidekick?
Since the books are in first person there’s always a danger that you’ll get trapped inside the head of the main character. I wanted to have someone who would always be around and available for Maddy to talk to. So I came up with the idea of a home guardian, and Beezle just kind of took on a life of his own. I actually have a lot in common with Beezle. I, too,have an abnormal love of cinnamon rolls.
Heaven and hell, and all things in between. How much work does it take to create a world like this?
I did a very small amount of research when I was writing BLACK WINGS, but I didn’t want to get too bogged down in existing mythologies. I wanted to create a mythology of my own. So I had some basic ideas and then I just let the story unfold from there. I write chronologically and I don’t outline, so a lot of what happens in the story occurs very organically.
How many more books will there be in the Madeleine B series?
There will be at least six books in total. After that, we will see if there is more story to tell.
And last, who are your own fav UF writers?
Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, Neil Gaiman, Simon R. Green, and Tanya Huff top the list. They all write amazing characters, and characterization is a big draw for me.
Thanks!
Thank you for having me here!
Giveaway
1 copy of Black Howl
US only
Ends March 15
To enter, simply enter :)
Or ask a question, comment, or tell me if you want a gargoyle sidekick.
Or ask a question, comment, or tell me if you want a gargoyle sidekick.
OUT NOW - Black HOWL
Something is wrong with the souls of Chicago's dead. Ghosts are walking the streets, and Agent of Death Madeline Black's exasperating boss wants her to figure out why. And while work is bad enough, Maddy has a plethora of personal problems, too.
I haven't read any of this series, but Beezle sounds like a gargoyle I want to meet.
ReplyDeleteHe was really fun :)
DeleteThat cover is so very cool...love it and this sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI do love UF covers
DeleteThis sounds like a fun series. I think a sidekick gargoyle would really come in handy lol.
ReplyDeleteAnd lol about Costco, I like going too but I tend to buy stuff in bulk that I absolutely don't need :) like a 3 month supply of Kleenex or a giant tub of raisinettes.
Kleenex are always good to have :) But yes sometimes we go with bulk too, like tea ;)
DeleteI'm in Canada so I can't enter but I did want to say how good this sounded!
ReplyDeleteIt's good!
DeleteGargoyles...my pretty gargoyles. I would like that one. :)
ReplyDeleteit would go nice with any building :)
DeleteWish I could get a Beezle of my own... I can't participate, but I just wanted to tell you I enjoyed the interview. I will definitely pre-order Black Howl as I cannot wait to catch-up with Madeline! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I need book 2! I am behind again
DeleteThank you for the interview Christina :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I checked out your post(from book blogs. This is a must read for me. I'll be adding it to my TBR pile!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview and giveaway.
*New Follower*
I am glad you came on over Silverlight :D
DeleteI have loved Gargoyles since I have use of reason, I think they are very beautiful and powerful. I'd give a kidney to have a Gargoyle sidekick. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this opportunity.
I think they are scary!
DeleteOh! Awesome! I think that is what I look forward to the most, to see how an author chooses to create and develop their own mythology!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the giveaway! This book sounds great.
missie at theunreadreader.com
That is what I need from a book, a rich setting and mythology
DeleteOh this looks like a series I'd really enjoy. I love UF! I also love that you created your own myth within the existing ones.
ReplyDeleteOh and yes, would love to have a gargole as a side-kick. How fun would that be???
books (Dot) things (at) yahoo (Dot) com
Not an entry - I'm in Canada. But you will make a fantasy reader out of me yet. This one sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteHihi, I hope so
DeleteI'd love a gargoyle sidekick or a android/robot one would be good too.
ReplyDelete(No need to enter me)
A robot one? Not for me, they are freaky, I blame it on terminator as a kid
DeleteOoooo, great interview. And thanks for the reminder that I need this series! :D Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnd I need book 2!
DeleteLove this interview. The book sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI have only read book 1 so far but it was good
DeleteI read the first two books in the Madeline Black series and I really enjoyed them. I'm looking forward to reading Black Howl to see what happens next for Maddy and friends.
ReplyDeleteBarbed1951 at aol dot com
I so need to read book 2 and see what happens!
DeleteI love Beezle! And he is perfect for why you created him, great for Maddy to talk to =) Almost my favorite thing in the book is Beezle.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for Black Howl!
eyesofblueice (at) gmail (dot) com
Ok I love the name Beezle and think there is absolutely nothing wrong with being oddly addicted to cinnamon roles.
ReplyDeleteOK Bloo--you have read book 1 and I know you liked it so do you think I would like it even though I don't read a lot of UF?
Hard to say since you do not read a lot of UF. So I can't say what exactly works for you
DeleteNot entering the contest, just wanted to thank you for the interesting interview, I am looking forward to reading this series soon.
ReplyDeleteI want a cool gargoyle sidekick who fully supports my love of cinnamon rolls! Now I really want cinnamon rolls. I blame Beezle:) I've heard great things about this series, can't wait to try it for myself!!!
ReplyDeleteMmmmm cinnamon rolls!!
DeleteI do, I do, I do want a gargoyle sidekick!!! Where can I get one? Thanks so much for this very awesome giveaway!! I really want to read this book :)
ReplyDeletejwitt33 at live dot com
That makes three of us then... I also love cinnamon rolls... though I try to resist it seeing my waistline is crying bloody tears :)
ReplyDeleteI truly need a cinnamon roll right now
DeleteGreat interview. I really need my own Beezle. Can't wait to read the book.
ReplyDeletee.balinski(at)att(dot)net
I have not read this series but it is now on my list!
ReplyDeleteYvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
Sounds great. Looking forward to reading it. And a gargoyle sidekick might be fun or at least an experience.
ReplyDeletebacchus76 at myself dot com
Winner: Yvette
ReplyDelete