Olivia Gates takes the plunge into paranormal romance with her first Silhouette Nocturne Bite Mortal Enemy, Immortal Lover. Olivia joins us now to answer a few questions about her story and why she loves writing in the paranormal genre, plus gives you a chance to win a FREE book!
by Olivia Gates, author of Mortal Enemy, Immortal Lover
Hi, everyone,
I’m thrilled to be writing this post. I’m more thrilled that I figured out the best way to write it. By answering the questions the wonderful Amy put to me. So here goes:
Q: Why did you start writing paranormal romance?
A: Paranormal romance is my first love.
Yes, I know, it seems strange to say that when my first paranormal work is my twentieth sold. But I’ve been devouring paranormal/fantasy/scifi books and shows since I was a kid, and so excited my publishing journey has brought me to this point where I’m finally writing in the genre.
Q: How did you end up writing for Nocturne Bites?
A: When Nocturne announced the BITES program, I thought it a wonderful opportunity to dip my toe in the water. And it was, a delightful experience all around. It whetted my appetite for more something fierce! 
Q: Do you have any plans to continue writing in the genre?
A: One word: Absolutely!!!
Q: How is writing paranormal for Nocturne different or similar to what you write for Silhouette Desire?
A: Apart from the obvious, the paranormal elements and the building of worlds with new histories and species and rules, I think the main difference lies in the world-shaking stakes, in the darkness and danger that permeate my paranormal writing. It is very similar though in the romance department, as I write hugely larger-than-life heroes in any genre I write in, and once-in-a-lifetime love affairs filled with towering passions and undying emotions. My heroines are always kick ass, too.
Q: Tell us a bit about your hero and heroine—what are their paranormal abilities?
A: Javed is a hybrid. His genetic makeup combinesmostbreeds of demons and vampires (yes, in The Eradicators’ world, there are more than one vampire breed). He was an experiment where those breeds tried to create a progeny with all their strengths and none of their weaknesses. They succeeded with Javed.But instead of figuring out the source of his invulnerability and replicating it in themselves, they unleashed their collective nightmare, an immortal foe who’s sworn to wipe them all out, and who has an eternity to make good on his pledge.
Desirée is an Eradicator. These are human anomalies who absorb the energies of nature and transmute it into powers that make them surpass any supernatural breed in strength, speed and regenerative powers. It’s said they came into existence with the first supernatural breed to keep the balance.
Q: What does the title, Mortal Enemy, Immortal Lover mean?
A: As an Eradicator, Desirée considers any demon or vampire her mortal, hereditary enemy. She’s been hunting the most dangerous monster of them all, Javed, when she met him and fell in love with him without realizing what he was. Then she does, and…
You’ll need to read the BITE to find out what happens then.
Now I have two questions for all of you.
I write paranormal romance for the freedom and delight of creating worlds with a scope as unfettered as my imagination, and heroes and heroines whose love transcends the barriers of race, time and mortality.
Why do you read paranormal romance?
And do you have any questions for me?
I’ll pick three of those who comment to win a download of my BITE or a book of their choice from my backlist.
Happy reading and holidays!
Like you said, paranormal is my first love. I am a lover of any and all things paranormal. I was the weird little girl who pretended to be a vampire from an early age. Also, I figure if I’m reading to escape, I want it to be something out of the ordinary. LOL
Also, I am curious about what kinds of books and authors you enjoyed as a child, Olivia.
Deidre
Hi Olivia! I read paranormal romances for the excitement and and maybe that tiny little shiver. I also like the idea of vampires, werewolves etc. finding true love. I cut my teeth on Dark Shadows when I was young. My question for you is: Who are your favorite authors? I enjoyed the interview and thanks for holding the contest! Barb
I’ve only ventured into paranormal land in the last year and I’m loving what I’ve been reading. These books seem to let me escape into other worlds, meet characters that are too good to be true, really stretch the imagination. I loved this book and look forward to you dipping more than your toe in.
How did/do you switch between genres like bombshell to medical to Desire to paranormal?
Is there another genre you want to try?
Hey Olivia!
Nice to “see” you here! I love paranormal romance, because it truly is an escape from reality. I love the adventure, the very sensuous love stories, and the non-stop action.
And question for you, Olivia…have you talked to your editor yet about more Eradicator stories, because I’m waiting oh, so not patiently:)
Take Care,
Tammy aka Tammys
I loved Tales from Jabba’s Palace. It’s so great to see I’m not the only one. It was great to see how you came up with your idea for this story.
Stopping by to wave a big hello to Olivia! And to say congrats on your entry into the paranormal realm
. I love the cover, BTW.
Hi, there everyone!
Thanks so much for stopping by and posting! Before I respond to the comments, I’d like to invite you to visit my updated website, and take a look at my new paranormal pages.
I’ve posted an excerpt of MORTAL ENEMY, IMMORTAL LOVER and some reviews.
It’s here http://www.oliviagates.com
OK, on to the comments…
>>Like you said, paranormal is my first love. I am a lover of any and all things paranormal. I was the weird little girl who pretended to be a vampire from an early age. Also, I figure if I’m reading to escape, I want it to be something out of the ordinary. LOL<>Also, I am curious about what kinds of books and authors you enjoyed as a child, Olivia.<<
I read everything I could get my hands on. Literally everything. Fiction, non-fiction, my parents’ academic books. If it was written, I read it. But I did develop a preference for all the subjects and genres I’ve ended up writing in. Medical stories, ancient civilizations myths, action/adventure, paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi. And mostly romance. I can enjoy a book that doesn’t have romance in it, but I can’t truly *love* it, reread it over and over if it doesn’t.
The authors that left a mark on me, each in their own way, are many, from Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, Edgar Rice Burroughs and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to too many contemporaries to list. But I do owe a lot to where I am today to the wonderful category authors who mastered the shorter format, and who either still write the genre or have moved on to others.
>>Like you said, paranormal is my first love. I am a lover of any and all things paranormal. I was the weird little girl who pretended to be a vampire from an early age. Also, I figure if I’m reading to escape, I want it to be something out of the ordinary. LOL
>>Also, I am curious about what kinds of books and authors you enjoyed as a child, Olivia.<<
I’m totally with you, Deidre! I was in pretend-land most of my childhood. And ahem…I still am! LOL
But that’s what I really love about books in general, about writing and reading them, and about paranormal in particular. It takes you away from the world, from all its problems and limitations and catapults you to a whole new world as limitless as your imagination. For me, it’s the best form of enrichment and renewal this world has to offer.
I read everything I could get my hands on. Literally everything. Fiction, non-fiction, my parents’ academic books. If it was written, I read it. But I did develop a preference for all the subjects and genres I’ve ended up writing in. Medical stories, ancient civilizations myths, action/adventure, paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi. And mostly romance. I can enjoy a book that doesn’t have romance in it, but I can’t truly *love* it, reread it over and over if it doesn’t.
The authors that left a mark on me, each in their own way, are many, from Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, Edgar Rice Burroughs and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to too many contemporaries to list. But I do owe a lot to where I am today to the wonderful category authors who mastered the shorter format, and who either still write the genre or have moved on to others.
>>Hi Olivia! I read paranormal romances for the excitement and and maybe that tiny little shiver. I also like the idea of vampires, werewolves etc. finding true love. I cut my teeth on Dark Shadows when I was young. My question for you is: Who are your favorite authors? I enjoyed the interview and thanks for holding the contest!<<
Barb
Yes, the shiver effect is indeed a thrill to be addicted to.
And the idea of such invincible creatures being bound by love is also irresistible.
As for my favorite authors, I listed some in the previous post in response to Deidre, but to list a few contemporary authors, I love Evelyn Vaughn, J.D. Robb and Tess Gerritsen each in the genre she writes!
Thanks for dropping by and commenting. I hope you enjoy my BITE if you come to read it!
>>I’ve only ventured into paranormal land in the last year and I’m loving what I’ve been reading. These books seem to let me escape into other worlds, meet characters that are too good to be true, really stretch the imagination. I loved this book and look forward to you dipping more than your toe in.
How did/do you switch between genres like bombshell to medical to Desire to paranormal?
Is there another genre you want to try?<<
Christa
Your reasons are exactly why I read and write paranormal!
And I am THRILLED you loved Mortal Enemy, Immortal Lover, and are looking forward to more. On my part, I can’t wait to go all out in the paranormal world, and I have many, many things planned. Crossing fingers they come to pass!
As for how I change between genres, I guess it comes from what I mentioned before, how I read all over the place when I was a readaholic (regretfully, not anymore due to time constraints! Waaah!!!) I also draw on what I know and combine it with what I love and with the imagination I’m sure would eat me up alive if I didn’t give free rein in the outlet of writing all those genres. I hope you’re enjoying my writing in each.
As for what more genre I’d like to try, I guess it would be a hybrid paranormal/fantasy/sci-fi with a suspense/action/adventure/thriller core. Of course all wrapped around combustible romances.
Sort of like my Bombshells, but within parallel worlds that are mine to invent and no limits to what could and does happen…
Thanks so much for stopping by, Christa!! I am thrilled that you enjoyed my BITE!!
>>Nice to “see” you here! I love paranormal romance, because it truly is an escape from reality. I love the adventure, the very sensuous love stories, and the non-stop action.
And question for you, Olivia…have you talked to your editor yet about more Eradicator stories, because I’m waiting oh, so not patiently:)<<
Tammy!
Ooh, I didn’t know you read my BITE!!
But to answer your question, yep, my editors do want more Eradicators, and I’ve just turned in proposals for two books. So, fingers crossed they come to pass! You’ll all be the first to know if they do!
Thanks so much for commenting!!
>>It was great to see how you came up with your idea for this story.<<
Samza
I’m glad you enjoyed the glimpse into the creative process behind this story.
Thanks for commenting!
>>Stopping by to wave a big hello to Olivia! And to say congrats on your entry into the paranormal realm
. I love the cover, BTW.<<
Loreth!!!
Thanks so much for stopping by! And thanks for the congrats, too! I can’t tell you how happy I am to have crossed into the paranormal realm.
And yep, isn’t the cover luscious??? Glad you like it!!
I LOOK FORWARD TO READING IT , I HOPE I WIN. I LOVE YOUR MEDICALS
Hi Olivia!!
I love paranormal romances. I’m glad the genre is finally taking off. I’ve always been a vampire freak, so it’s fun to read about different authors’ takes on the vampire lore and incorporating it into their books. The one thing I’ve found poorly lacking is ghost paranormal books.
Do you find the paranormal books more interesting than the other genres, or are they too limiting to write for?
Tasha
Thrilled that you like my Medical romances! Which one did you like best?
And thanks for dropping by!
Jennifer
I totally agree that it’s fascinating to see what different authors with a varying palette of voice and imagination do when they tackle something as complex and viscerally sensual as the vampire myth.
And in fact, while all the genres I write in are continuously interest-generating within my mind, I find the paranormal genre the one that is limitless in its potential. The only limit is my imagination and this only soars higher the more I let it.
I love paranormals and have been reading sci-fi & fantasy since I started to read. ha ha ha
Do characters start to pop up everywhere demanding more time? If so, what do you do? Do they eventually get their own book?
Lorna
You’ve hit on the main thing I struggle with while writing a book. Other characters pop up all over the place, sometimes within the same universe or storyline, and sometimes totally unrelated and they start to nag me to get their story told.
So far, some have gotten their own books, others are still waiting their turn!
Thanks everyone who entered! The lucky winner are..
Tasha, Barb, and Samza!
Congratulations! For more about your prize, please check out this post: http://paranormalromanceblog.wordpress.com/2008/12/29/winners-of-the-olivia-gates-contest/
And many thanks to Olivia for generously offering such a great prize!
~Amy
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