MFT Guest: Interview with Ellen Connor and Giveaway of Nightfall (2 winners & open INT!) ENDED

This Giveaway has ended
Today I have Ellen Connor on for My Favorite Things. Ellen Connor is actually comprised of two people, Carrie Lofty and Ann Aguirre. They have a brand new book out called NIGHTFALL and in this interview you'll learn a bit more about the book!

About NIGHTFALL:

Their instincts will save them.Their passion will transform them.Growing up with an unstable, often absent father who preached about the end of the world, Jenna never thought, in her wildest nightmares, that his predictions would come true. Or that he would have a plan in place to save her–one that includes the strong, stoic man who kidnaps and takes her to a remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest.
The mysterious ex-Marine named Mason owes a life-debt to Jenna’s father. Skilled and steadfast, he’s ready for the Change, but Jenna proves tough to convince. Until the power grid collapses and the mutant dogs attack–vicious things that reek of nature gone wrong.
When five strangers appear, desperate to escape the bloodthirsty packs, Jenna defies her protector and rescues them. As technology fails and the old world falls away, Jenna changes too, forever altered by supernatural forces. To fight for their future, she and Mason must learn to trust their instinctive passion–a flame that will see them through the bitter winter, the endless nights, and the violence of a new Dark Age.

Hmmm, this sounds like a must read to me!  I live in the Pacific NW, so that's a bonus!


Thanks for joining us for My Favorite Things Ellen! To stick with the My Favorite Things theme can you tell us three of your favorite things that are included in NIGHTFALL?
Hunky guy would have to be at the top of the list, because not much else about the apocalypse is particularly fabulous. But with the hunky guy comes two other favorite things: survival and hot sex! I guess the hot sex takes it to a little notch above survival, because there's barely eeking by and then there's doing it with a studly, angsty, skilled lover by your side!

Who was your favorite character to write in NIGHTFALL?
Mason. I wrote him, while Ann wrote our heroine. But we also split secondary characters who will get their own books (Chris in MIDNIGHT this September, and Tru in DAYBREAK this December). Their contributions to NIGHTFALL were as much a sneak peek for us as writers as it will be for readers--just a taste of the men they would become. But for now, in this story, it was all Mason for me. He's such a good guy underneath all the pain! He deserved happiness after such a rough life.

Links: http://ellenconnor.com/books/midnight/
http://ellenconnor.com/books/daybreak/


Where (or what from) do you draw your inspiration?
I think I can speak for Ann on this as well, that although we're both inspired by many things--from music to poetry--our inspiration for the "Dark Age Dawning" trilogy came from films. We share a love for Pitch Black, 28 Days Later,"Doctor Who," "Battlestar Galactica," and of course the sources of our namesakes: Aliens and The Terminator. All of these movies or television shows have strong heroines and a serious romantic thread. We need both in our vision of an apocalyptic future!


What keeps you going when you're having a hard time writing?
Deadlines. Whether official or self-imposed, there's no getting around them when working with a writing partner. And frankly, I wouldn't be a writer if I didn't chomp at the bit to write new words everyday. The stories need to come out!



What are your top 3 places to visit?
That I have visited, or that I'd to visit? For "visited," I'd suggest the Riviera Maya in Mexico, Le Marche in Italy, and the inside of Windsor Castle. I got to stay overnight there once because the mother of a friend of ours worked for the Queen! As for "want to visit," I'd love to see Salzburg, the Big Hole in Kimberley, South Africa, and Las Vegas--a revisit, since I was thirteen the last time I was there!


When your naming your favorite authors or book titles what are the top 5 you mention?
I'll just stick with authors, then you all can discuss favorite individual titles! I adore Loretta Chase, Laura Kinsale, Penelope Williamson, Candace Proctor (CS Harris), and Megan Chance. They're all on my classics list. Newer authors include Victoria Dahl, Courtney Milan, Sherry Thomas, Meredith Duran, and Megan Hart.


What can we expect to see from you in the future?
MIDNIGHT in September and DAYBREAK in December will round out the "Dark Age Dawning" trilogy. Then we'll have to see where fate takes Ellen Connor next!


We'd like to give away two copies of NIGHTFALL. Just let us know your favorite version of an apocalyptic future. Movie? Book? Share with us, please!

The Giveaway: ENDED

Two paperback copies of NIGHTFALL to two lucky people!

Open Internationally.

Must be 18 or older to enter.

Ends July 5th, 2011

To Enter:

Answer the question above and leave contact info!

 

This is just one giveaway of this great event!  For the schedule of The Favorite Things event check out the schedule post.  And make sure you head over to My Bookish Ways to see what she has going on today as well!