An Author's Musings: ABA AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH GABRIELLE BISSET

Kiki: What is your favorite genre to read in, and what is it about that genre that attracts you to it? If you like a specific mix of genres, please state that particular combination.

Gabrielle: I love historical and paranormal anything, especially romance. Historical fiction is really great to lose a few hours in too. I think what attracts me to historical books is the fact I’ve loved history since I was a small child. No wonder, I guess, that I ended up studying it in college. And paranormal? Well, the fantastical is always so great to imagine.

Kiki: What is your favorite author to read in that genre, and why? Also, please tell me a little about the best book by that author you have read.

Gabrielle: For historical romance, I adore Charlotte Featherstone. She has such a divine way of phrasing things, and her stories are always so lush and sensual. Her book Lust is just delicious. The idea to take the seven deadly sins and construct an erotic romance series around them as personified by males of the Dark Fae is terrific. I wish I had thought of it! For paranormal romance, I love Marie Treanor. She has a wonderful writing style that’s smart and engaging. I loved the first book in her Awakened by Blood Series, Blood on Silk.

Kiki: Do you have a Favorite Book of All Time? Of course, please tell us what about that book makes it your favorite.

Gabrielle: My favorite book of all time? I don’t think I do have one favorite. I have some that rank equally as books I would turn to, however. I love Catcher In The Rye. I’m a huge fan of Anton Chekov’s writing, especially his short story, The Kiss. What a powerful story based on one short moment in time.

Kiki: What is the best book you read last month, and would you recommend it to a friend?

Gabrielle: I read Blood Eternal last month, and I would definitely recommend it. Marie Treanor’s writing is just wonderful.

Kiki: What are your reading habits like? For example, how many books do you read on average in a week, what format do you prefer to read in, what time of day do you read, and what setting is ideal for you to get lost in that book?

Gabrielle: When I’m not in the middle of writing a book, I’ll read a book or so a week. I used to read much faster, but between work and writing, I’m taking my time more these days. I’m still a fan of the paperback, but I own a Kindle, so I read on that too. I’m definitely a night reader. I like to curl up in bed with a book or the Kindle and read that way.

Kiki: If pressed, could you choose a favorite from the books you have written? Why is it your favorite?

Gabrielle: I think I’d have to say Destiny Redeemed is my favorite. I fell in love with the character of Amon Kalins the moment he appeared on the page in Stolen Destiny, and then he rattled around in my head until I gave him his own story in Destiny Redeemed. As much as I love Stolen Destiny, I really enjoyed giving Amon a happily ever after.

Kiki: How do you become inspired to write?

Gabrielle: All sorts of things can inspire me. Sometimes it’s a song I hear or a movie I’m watching. Other times it’s an image I see in passing that strikes something in me. As for what motivates me to write each day, I’m just one of those people who focuses on something and then it becomes an obsession. That’s what writing is for me.

Kiki: What part of the story do you think is your strength to write?

Gabrielle: I think my greatest strength lies in dialogue. I’ve been told by a number of readers that the dialogue in my stories flows well and really hits them.

Kiki: Please share with ABA readers something I did not think to ask you about.

Gabrielle: I’m a committed plotter. It’s the only way I can write a story. Long after my panster fellow authors are into their work, I’m still outlining and plotting. Sometimes it takes weeks, but once I finish, the writing nearly tumbles out of me.

Kiki: I am exactly the same way! So happy to have you today :)

Author and Book Info:

Gabrielle Bisset

Romance...from sensual to decadent...whatever your desires

Destiny Redeemed By Gabrielle Bisset

Blurb:

Sentenced to spend the rest of his three remaining lifetimes in Nil, Amon Kalins is freed with the help of his Sidhe servant, Gethen, but now he must accept his life is never to be his again as the Council won't rest until he's safely back imprisoned within Nil's cold walls. Broken and nearly dead from his time in prison, Amon is saved by an Aeveren healer named Althea Forester. As a healer, Thea has served her people for forty-five lifetimes, never having a destined one and always knowing each lifetime would ultimately end with her alone. But destiny hasn't forgotten her.

Drawn to the seductive Amon, Thea quickly becomes a pawn the Council uses to trap him. Taken prisoner by the sadistic leader of the rebel group, the Soren, Thea must survive the vicious world of the people hellbent on taking her destined one away forever, and Amon must risk everything dear to him to free her from those who would sacrifice her to claim the bigger prize and return him to Nil.

Reviews:
Fantastic world-building, intriguing characters, a unique plot, and a sweet but sensual love story that will melt your heart are just some of the things that make DESTINY REDEEMED one of those stories that you will remember long after you've finished reading.

-The Romance Reviews

Destiny Redeemed is not your typical paranormal romance, which is like a breath of fresh air.

-Urban Girl Reader

The writing was superb, creative, and visually addicting as the scenes came alive on the first page and I learned more about the creative worldly realms that co-exist. I am definitely addicted to this series and can hardly wait to see who the author will write about next.

-Queentutt’s World of Escapism

About the Aeveren:

Aeveren are a race of people descended from humans, but long ago they were chosen by the Archangel Raziel to be his people. He gave them the gifts of reincarnation, powers beyond what humans have, and destined ones. Aeveren live fifty lifetimes through reincarnation and carry with them their memories from their past lives. Upon reaching their twentieth lifetimes, they receive a power, such as telepathy, teleportation, or the power of time travel. However, some Aeveren are born with their abilities, making them far more powerful than the rest of the race. Finally, each Aeveren soul is given destined ones, other Aeveren meant only for them. However, Aeveren possess free will, so like humans, they don't always choose as they should.

Excerpt:

Amon felt Thea’s body stiffen at his touch and even without probing her mind he knew he needed to brace himself for the onslaught of her emotions. As she turned around slowly to face him, he was secretly thrilled to notice she was still wearing his shirt.

Maybe this won’t be so bad.

“How the hell did you get in here? And who invited you in?” she snapped as she stood toe to toe with him, her hands on her hips and her blue eyes blazing.

Amon saw the genuine displeasure he’d caused and rethought the joke he wanted to make about not having to be invited in like a vampire. It was going to be as bad as he’d anticipated. And as painful if she continued to be angry.

“I’m sorry, Thea. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” In the hopes of diffusing the situation, he intentionally focused on softening his tone.

“Frighten me? Is that what you think you did? First, you have your goon kidnap me as if I’m your personal healer created just for you, and now you’re back to kidnap me yourself! Frightened? I’m so past frightened, Amon.”

If her emotions weren’t beginning to take their toll on him physically, he might be turned on by Thea’s outburst. He liked her like this. Feisty. Brave. A perfect match for him. Her emotions were beginning to cause him great pain, though, and in his still weakened state, he knew he wouldn’t be able to sustain much more of her anger.

“Please, Thea. Don’t be angry. I missed you.”

As he spoke, he took her hand in his and stroked his thumb over the soft skin of her knuckles.

“Amon, you broke into my house.”

Smiling happily as he felt her anger abate just a little, he answered, “Technically, I didn’t break in because I didn’t use the door.”

Thea looked at him with a confused look that made him want to explain, if only because it seemed to have calmed her down.

“I teleported in. So no breaking, really.”

“Teleported?”

“Yes, it’s one of my powers.”

“One?” Thea seemed to consider what he’d said and then continued. “I don’t care. You can’t just come into my house without being invited in.”

“I’m sorry. Can we sit down and talk?”

Amon saw her resolve weaken and knew he’d won her over for the moment. Still holding her hand, he walked with her to the couch and sat down next to her.

“Your house is very nice.” His words were predictable, but he hoped to avoid another emotional outburst from her that would be sure to hurt.

Thea turned her body toward him and smiled. “Amon, why are you here, if it’s not to kidnap me again?”

Her refusal to let him set the pace made him smile. He was going to have to tell her about Sevine.

“I missed you. I wish you hadn’t left.”

“Amon, I can’t just stay at your house for the rest of my life. I have a job...”

Thea caught herself and corrected what she’d said. “Well, I had a job before you sent that man to kidnap me and you held me captive.”

Amon felt her sadness wash over him, and he felt truly sorry for what had happened. “I never intended for that to happen. I will compensate you well to make up for everything. I promise.”

While he spoke, he looked directly into her eyes and wished they were back at his house together. Or better yet, at his home in

Greece

, somewhere he was sure she’d enjoy.

“You can’t just do things that hurt others and then simply throw money at the problem. I loved my job, and now I’ve lost it.”

Thea’s sadness stabbed at him, and he closed his eyes to ward off the pain. Unlike before, this was more an ache than searing pain.

“Are you okay, Amon?” he heard her say and he opened his eyes.

Wincing, he nodded, but concerned, she placed her hands on his and held them. “Where is the pain located?” she asked when she couldn’t figure out how to heal him.

“You can’t heal this, Thea. This is the pain I explained to you before.”

Gently squeezing his hands, she said quietly, “I can heal your pain. Please tell me where it’s coming from.”

There would be no explaining this away, so he decided to tell her the truth.

“Thea, you can’t heal it because you cause it. Or more specifically, your unhappiness causes it. My destined one cursed me to feel unrelenting pain each time I make you unhappy.”

“Why? I thought you said you hadn’t even seen her in lifetimes.”

“I haven’t.”

“Then why curse you with something from me?”

Amon sighed and knew he couldn’t avoid telling her the most important part of Sevine’s curse.

“She didn’t. The curse is more general than that. It affects me with anyone I love.”

Lifetimes of confidence seemed to evaporate in seconds as he watched Thea’s face darken.

“Love me? Is that what you think coming to my house to take me away is? Love?”

“You don’t understand. I found out...”

Thea cut him off in mid-sentence and put her hand up. “I understand perfectly. You want me back at your house to heal you, and you think the way to soften me up into accepting being kidnapped a second time is to tell me you love me. You must think I’m pretty pathetic if you believe that will work.”

Pain once again raged through his body and Amon silently reached out to Gethen to call for help. Moments later, he and Markku entered through the front door and Thea leaped from her seat on the couch.

“Don’t either of you have any manners either? Get out of my house now!”

Both men stood still waiting for instructions from Amon and appeared to almost look right through her. With each word, Amon felt weaker, and he leaned back against the couch, twisted in pain.

In a strangled voice, he whispered, “Thea, please listen. They’re here to help me. Your emotions are killing me.”

Turning to see his face drained of all color, she asked, “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

About the Author:

An avid reader of all types of books, I read my first romance even before I was a teenager. I must have been a very precocious young lady! I still remember the book, if not the title. It was about a Southern man during the years before the Civil War and his illicit affair with one of the slaves of a woman he "frequented". I remember vividly reading the word "manhood" often in the book, and the slave's name was Sukie. Isn't it amazing what the mind can remember?

Fast forward a couple dozen years and I'm a college history instructor. I still love history as much as that romantic young woman did, so I teach it to college students, and the romantic streak has never gone away. Now I get to do things that have to do with my other favorite love: romance novels.

The idea for my first book came to me in a dream. I know that seems almost cliched, but it did. I woke up one morning after having an extremely vivid dream and began to jot things down that I was able to remember. Days later, I had the first pages written and the ideas that I had dreamed about had become the characters in my first book. Those characters are the basis for the first series I've written, The Destined Ones Series, about a people called Aeveren who have lived side by side with humans since almost the beginning of recorded time. The first book in that series, Stolen Destiny, was published in June.

I'm still working on The Destined Ones books, and I look forward to what my imagination has waiting for me next. The second book about Aeveren, Destiny Redeemed, is scheduled to be released on October 13. I've finished the Victorian Erotic Romance Trilogy, three erotic novellas set in Victorian England. The first one, Vampire Dreams, is a paranormal erotic romance. The second novella, another erotic romance but an historical, Love's Master, involves some light BDSM. The third novella, Masquerade, is a straight historical, no kink or paranormal. After that, a paranormal romance set in the great city of New Orleans is up in December--Blood Avenged. Anyone who read Vampire Dreams will remember Vasilije, Brandon's sire. Blood Avenged is his story.

After that? Well, I'm in the planning stages of another trilogy, this time maybe novel length, that will come out in 2012. But one thing's for sure: no matter what the story is, it will involve gorgeous, Alpha male heroes; strong heroines; and steamy romance!

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