Lover of sun, sand and Disney magic, Karen Amanda Hooper joins us today from sunny Florida. Welcome, Karen, to the Underground!
Katie: I've heard lately that Mermaid is the new Vampire. What inspired you to write an aquatic paranormal romance?
Karen: I've loved mermaids ever since I was a toddler and played with Sea Wee dolls. I adored the movie Splash, and The Little Mermaid, and I used to swim around our pool with my legs stuck together, pretending I was a mermaid. I just wrote about magical creatures that I love.
Katie: Some say the paranormal romance trend is over. What is your take on this and how do you keep your stories fresh when so many are following the Twilight trend?
Karen: All trends come and go, which is why I believe no author should write in hopes of being part of a trend. Paranormal romances have always been my favorite books to read (and they probably always will be) so, again, I write stories that I love and would love to read--not what I think will be popular. However, I do my best to try and create original concepts, plots, and/or characters, so that hopefully my books don't feel like deja vu for readers.
Katie: Somehow you manage to make a man who is half-fish sexy. What is your secret for writing intriguing and attractive male characters?
Karen: Aww, thank you very much. Treygan thanks you too. I'm not sure if I have a secret. I just write my male heroes the way I wish men would be in reality. Magic powers and all.
Katie: The cover art for Tangled Tides is amazing. Who did your cover art and what do you think is the secret of creating an attractive cover?
Karen: Thank you again! The amazing and talented Melissa Williams created my cover. My publisher, Rhemalda, allows authors to be very involved in the cover creation process, so Melissa and I went back and forth a lot about details and elements until the cover was what you see today. We wanted a cover that was a mix of ominous, beautiful, and magical. I think Melissa nailed it.
Katie: You seem to be doing very well even as an independent author with 623 ratings on GoodReads and 72 on Amazon. What do you attribute as your keys to success?
Karen: I owe my success to the awesome readers, bloggers, reviewers, interviewers (like you) and writer friends who have taken the time to read, review, and/or help spread the word about my books. Seriously, I'd be nowhere without the generous support of others, and I'm forever grateful for it.
Katie: I've heard lately that Mermaid is the new Vampire. What inspired you to write an aquatic paranormal romance?
Karen: I've loved mermaids ever since I was a toddler and played with Sea Wee dolls. I adored the movie Splash, and The Little Mermaid, and I used to swim around our pool with my legs stuck together, pretending I was a mermaid. I just wrote about magical creatures that I love.
Katie: Some say the paranormal romance trend is over. What is your take on this and how do you keep your stories fresh when so many are following the Twilight trend?
Karen: All trends come and go, which is why I believe no author should write in hopes of being part of a trend. Paranormal romances have always been my favorite books to read (and they probably always will be) so, again, I write stories that I love and would love to read--not what I think will be popular. However, I do my best to try and create original concepts, plots, and/or characters, so that hopefully my books don't feel like deja vu for readers.
Katie: Somehow you manage to make a man who is half-fish sexy. What is your secret for writing intriguing and attractive male characters?
Karen: Aww, thank you very much. Treygan thanks you too. I'm not sure if I have a secret. I just write my male heroes the way I wish men would be in reality. Magic powers and all.
Katie: The cover art for Tangled Tides is amazing. Who did your cover art and what do you think is the secret of creating an attractive cover?
Karen: Thank you again! The amazing and talented Melissa Williams created my cover. My publisher, Rhemalda, allows authors to be very involved in the cover creation process, so Melissa and I went back and forth a lot about details and elements until the cover was what you see today. We wanted a cover that was a mix of ominous, beautiful, and magical. I think Melissa nailed it.
Katie: You seem to be doing very well even as an independent author with 623 ratings on GoodReads and 72 on Amazon. What do you attribute as your keys to success?
Karen: I owe my success to the awesome readers, bloggers, reviewers, interviewers (like you) and writer friends who have taken the time to read, review, and/or help spread the word about my books. Seriously, I'd be nowhere without the generous support of others, and I'm forever grateful for it.
Katie: What advice do you give aspiring authors?
Karen: Write what you love. Never give up. Expect the unexpected.
Katie: What can readers expect in the sequel Dangerous Depths?
Karen: All I can say is Tangled Tides didn't end as happily ever after as it seemed, and readers will get to know a couple characters much better. They'll also get to meet a couple new characters, and I hope they love them as much as I do.
Katie: When you are not writing, what would we find you doing?
Karen: Reading. Hanging with my dogs, friends, and/or family. And at least a few days a month you'll find me at Disney World.
Thank you, Karen. Here are her links.
Author Website: http://www.karenamandahooper.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Karen_Hooper
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorKaren
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12047201-tangled-tides
If you enjoyed this review follow Underground Book Reviews on Facebook, and Twitter or subscribe to our newsletter.
You can also follow Katie French on Facebook and on her website.
Karen: Write what you love. Never give up. Expect the unexpected.
Katie: What can readers expect in the sequel Dangerous Depths?
Karen: All I can say is Tangled Tides didn't end as happily ever after as it seemed, and readers will get to know a couple characters much better. They'll also get to meet a couple new characters, and I hope they love them as much as I do.
Katie: When you are not writing, what would we find you doing?
Karen: Reading. Hanging with my dogs, friends, and/or family. And at least a few days a month you'll find me at Disney World.
Thank you, Karen. Here are her links.
Author Website: http://www.karenamandahooper.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Karen_Hooper
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorKaren
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12047201-tangled-tides
If you enjoyed this review follow Underground Book Reviews on Facebook, and Twitter or subscribe to our newsletter.
You can also follow Katie French on Facebook and on her website.
