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Guest Author: Michelle Rowen

Our guest for today is Michelle Rowen, author of Bitten & Smitten and its sequel, Fanged & Fabulous, as well as a stand-alone book called Angel with Attitude. Ms. Rowen sets her books in the realm of the paranormal, but what makes her writing stand out from your standard genre fare is the humor and wit with which (holy alliteration, Batman!) she infuses them. Friends, please help me make Ms. Rowen feel at home. Oh, and if you leave a comment, you will be entered for a chance to win a signed copy of her latest book, Fanged & Fabulous. She will pick two winners and I will announce the names on Friday.

Oh, and in the interest of full disclosure, I reviewed her first vampire book, Bitten & Smitten. I gave it a meh grade and you know what? She was cool about it. Maybe she burned a little voodoo reviewer doll in effigy— who knows. No one ever told me (psst… if she did, y’all email me and tell me the details). I’m almost certain she won’t throw acid if I ever meet her in person. Or attempt to scalp me with a dull blade. Like some of you might. *grin*

Anyway, be nice to her.

What We Write

Thanks, Dionne, for letting me guest blog today. It’s great to be here. :-)

Fanged & FabulousMy third book has just been released. Fanged & Fabulous is about my fledgling vampire Sarah’s continuing story of life as one of the monsters (it’s the sequel to my first book Bitten & Smitten). It is what is classified as a “light” paranormal romance: funny (well, I tried), breezy, with a chick-lit tone. There are dark bits in there – murders, attempted murders, stalkings, suicidal behavior, angst, other fun stuff, etc. – but in the end, it is what is commonly known as a “beach read.” A fun story with a happy ending.

In fact, it’s the theme in pretty much every idea on my hard drive. The “everygal” who goes forth into a strange, sometimes scary world, and deals with her circumstances through her unique view of life. With a splash of romance. The humor comes from her viewpoint, not necessarily from the situations themselves.

So this is what I choose to write.

Bitten & SmittenWhat do I choose to read? Well, of course I do enjoy other light paranormal authors… Stephanie Rowe, MaryJanice, Kathy Love… but what is my reading preference?

Dark Urban Fantasy.

I was originally inspired by Laurell K. Hamilton. The first book I read of hers was Kiss of Shadows when it first came out, and through that I discovered the Anita Blake series, which I thought was the best thing I’d ever read in my life. I’d always wanted to be a writer. Thought I wanted to be a category romance writer and had many false starts at novels, but I hadn’t found my true calling until I found LKH.

My favorite authors now include Lilith Saintcrow, Rachel Caine, Kelley Armstrong… and yes, still Laurell K. Hamilton.

Last year I developed a dark urban fantasy (series) proposal that contained everything I love about the genre. Romance barely played a part in this idea.

It languished. It went unsold.

Why? Because my voice just ain’t dark enough. I naturally write light.

Angel with AttitudeI have since turned that proposal into a light paranormal romance.

But I do strive for a bit of darkness mixed with the light. When in doubt, I usually ask the very important question: WWJD?

As in, What Would Joss Do? ;-) [Ed. Note: We here at dionnegalace.com faithfully follow the What Would Nora Do? philosophy]

Joss Whedon is the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and my true American Idol. That show is my bible. If I could achieve even the smallest amount with my characters that he did with his… then I am a very happy camper. He mixed comedy with drama, tragedy with victory, romance with angst. And he did it so well I have a tattoo on my hip of a heart with a wooden stake through it (very tasteful, I can assure you). He had seven seasons to tell his tale (now eight if you count the new comics).

My series, now officially titled “Immortality Bites” will contain five books in total, four of which will feature my fledgling vampire Sarah. That gives me lots of room to stretch a bit… to still keep it light, but also investigate that little bit of darkness over there in the corner.

And I’m very excited to see how it all turns out.

I’m curious to know if anyone else has the same thing… what you write and what you read are slightly different? Or totally different? What is your favorite genre for both?

~Michelle
www.michellerowen.com

———————————————————–

Y’all have any questions for Michelle? If so, please stick ‘em in the comments section. Thanks for blogging with us, Michelle! Come back again soon.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 2nd, 2007 at 9:00 am and is filed under Guest Author. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

34 Responses to “Guest Author: Michelle Rowen”

  1. Charlene Teglia
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 9:32 am
    1

    Michelle, one of the things I love about your stories is that you don’t just write llight and fluffy. There’s depth mixed in with the fun. Like Sarah’s inner admission that she shops to make herself feel better. It’s a fairly deep subject but handled in a light, deft way that doesn’t beat the reader over the head. And that level of self-awareness says a lot about who she is as a character.

    I love to read the dark stuff, too, but I don’t think I could write it. Not so much a matter of voice as having to live in that world so intensely. There’s a limit to how much tension and violence and angst I can handle!

  2. RachaelfromNJ
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 9:35 am
    2

    Hi Michelle! I love the cover for Fanged and Fabulous! It’s very eye catching and the story sounds fantastic. I am new to your books and was wondering if Fanged and Fabulous can be read without first reading the previous book?

  3. RachaelfromNJ
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 9:39 am
    3

    Michelle I love hearing what authors like to read. I am not an author (yet) but when I do write I like to write what I read which is usually suspenseful mysteries. I’ve heard some romance authors like to read mysteries so it’s interesting to me too that they don’t read what they write. I’ve heard alot of authors stay away from reading the genre they write in so they don’t confuse themselves.

  4. RachaelfromNJ
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 9:46 am
    4

    I am kind of confused. I don’t think it’s really good publicity for Michelle Rowan for you to be showing that negative review. I mean I haven’t tried her books yet and I was really excited to try them out. But after reading that extremely negative review, it makes me not as excited about reading them. I commend Michelle for not being angry about the bad review, but I can’t understand why you would post an old negative review while she is trying to sell her new book. I think as a fan, that will drive alot of people away.

  5. Linda
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 9:50 am
    5

    Hello Michelle,

    I am glad to see you here as a guest blogger. Your books look great and I love your cover for Fanged & Fabulous. Actually all your covers look great :)

    Hugssss
    LindaH

  6. Jen
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 9:50 am
    6

    Hi Michelle! I’ve loved all of your books so far. Are you planning to turn Angel With Attitude into a series? I hope so, cause I thought that world was awesome!

  7. Michelle Rowen
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 9:55 am
    7

    Charlene… thank you. :-) I am looking forward to your book next month! It looks so hot!!

    Rachael… I wrote it trying to make it as standalone as possible. I think it can be read first. Of course, it is better in order just so you know what’s going on, but I’ve had some reports that it doesn’t make too much of a difference.

    And re: Bam’s review. Luckily Publisher’s Weekly (among many others) gave me a stellar review, and I just won the Holt Medallion for best first book for B&S.

    I have three chapters of each of my books on my websites so people can try before they buy.

    And yes, I do have many voodoo dolls for many reasons. ;-)

  8. Karen W.
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 9:57 am
    8

    Welcome, Michelle! Anyone who worships Joss is cool with me. ;-) I enjoyed your first book and look forward to reading the others. I also love dark urban fantasy, but I enjoy mixing in a lighter paranormal from time to time, and your books are a lot of fun.

  9. RachaelfromNJ
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 9:57 am
    9

    Thanks Michelle! :)

  10. Michelle Rowen
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 9:58 am
    10

    Linda… thanks. :) I’m pretty happy with my covers too.

    Jen… no plans for AwA to be a series. It’s very standalone. But there are a couple clues in Fanged & Fabulous that all my books take place in the same “world” so there may be a chance for some crossover characters. :)

  11. Michelle Rowen
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 9:59 am
    11

    Karen… Joss is one of the few people I would literally drool over if I met him. Him and Neil Gaiman. ;)

  12. Linda
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 10:00 am
    12

    Your very welcome Michelle.

    Michelle, Do you have any say in what you want on your covers?

    Hugssss
    LindaH

  13. Michelle Rowen
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 10:10 am
    13

    Linda… I’m a graphic-designer-by-day, so I usually do up a little photoshop sketch of what I’d like to see. For all the vampire books I’ve had a huge say in what the cover has become. I’m very lucky they actually take my suggestions. :) I have examples of my covers vs. the final cover in my Yahoo Group if you’re curious.

  14. Bettie
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 10:13 am
    14

    I don’t think it’s really good publicity for Michelle Rowan for you to be showing that negative review…I commend Michelle for not being angry about the bad review, but I can’t understand why you would post an old negative review while she is trying to sell her new book. I think as a fan, that will drive alot of people away.

    One of the reasons I like Bam’s reviews is that she gives an honest opinion, even when she’s friendly with writers. It keeps me coming back. Seeing that Michelle came on and wrote such a fun, interesting column even though Bam had some not-so-nice things to say about Michelle’s book makes me think Michelle might be a pretty cool person.

    As a reader, I’m not a bobblehead that will nod along with every bump and jab a reviewer makes. I’m a thinking person. I will eventually disagree with a review or two. Authors who behave badly (LKH, Anne Rice, Crichton, etc.) have lost my money for good. Authors who behave gracefully, who write with wit, style and insight deserve a try - and that’s the ultimate goal of publicity, right?

  15. Catherine
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 11:30 am
    15

    Unfortunately I had never heard of your work before… sorry! That’s what I love about Bam’s site. I always find new authors. I really liked the way you described your writing style, so I’ll be picking up your book. I’ll have to start with the first one in the series because I’m anal like that.

  16. Cherie J
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 1:50 pm
    16

    Hi Michelle! I appreciate your blogging here so newbies to your work like me can learn more about you as well as your work.

  17. Mardel
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 1:58 pm
    17

    Hey Michelle,

    I read Bitten & Smitten a while ago. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Even though my first choice of reading is dark urban fantasy, I do like to read the lighter stuff. Your book was funny and written well. No awkward dialogue (which is quite a turnoff).

    If I were talented enough to write I would write dark urban fantasy, but still read the lighter stuff. We all need good laughs. I’m definitely going to pick up Fanged and Fabulous on my next trip to the book store (I would rather win it though!)

  18. bam
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 3:20 pm
    18
    Author Comment

    I don’t think it’s really good publicity for Michelle Rowan for you to be showing that negative review. I mean I haven’t tried her books yet and I was really excited to try them out. But after reading that extremely negative review, it makes me not as excited about reading them.

    I chose to disclose that I’ve given Ms. Rowen a meh review just in case folks did a search for her on my site and said stuff like, “wait a minute… I thought you didn’t like her!” My review was based on one book she wrote, period. I thought it was awesome of Ms. Rowen to drop by despite the meh review.

    And that was strictly my opinion. It doesn’t have to be yours. You should read the book and make up your own mind about it. Just sayin’. 8)

  19. Jackie
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 4:32 pm
    19

    Hi, Mich! (No, don’t enter me in the contest, because I GOT AN ARC OF THE BOOK, BWAHAHAHA)

    Me, I love Neil Gaiman and Chris Moore, with a healthy splash of Stephen King. And I write…well, about demonic strippers with an interesting world view. Um. Don’t know what that says about me…

  20. bam
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 4:44 pm
    20
    Author Comment

    Me, I love Neil Gaiman and Chris Moore, with a healthy splash of Stephen King.

    HEEEEEEEEY… three of my favorites. I also read a lot of old-school sci-fi like Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, Harlan Ellison, Octavia Butler. I also really like the work of Ted Chiang and Kim Stanley Robinson. Some YA like Holly Black, Stephanie Meyer, Tanith Lee, Meg Cabot. Oh, PC Cast has a kickass YA series, too. For romance: I read PC Cast, Meljean Brook, Jennifer Crusie, Linda Howard, Nora Roberts, JR Ward, Kresley Cole. I’ve been enjoying Colleen Gleason’s work… and maybe Kessler if she wrote faster *grin*

    I write romance about messed-up people, often battling some kind of addiction. Starving actors, starving musicians, starving writers… I started a WIP about a stripper trying to kick a coke habit… they cuss too much, drink too much, smoke a little pot. West Hollywood was my stomping ground back in the day. :)

  21. Michelle Rowen
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 5:42 pm
    21

    Linda… I’m a graphic designer by day and have given my initial thoughts on what the covers should look like. Happily, my publisher has been very open to my ideas. :)

    Bettie… I agree. Different strokes for different folks. There are thousands of books on the market to appeal to many different tastes, and that’s what makes reading so interesting.

    Catherine…I’ve found lots of books on Bam’s site that I wouldn’t normally have picked up. It’s great getting other people’s opinions on what to read. :)

    Bam… I’m trying to take a new philosophy when it comes to reviews. Somebody once said, “love me, hate me, just don’t ignore me.” As long as I’m happy with what I’ve written, and my editor is too, then I’m going to take the rest in stride as best I can. As I’m sure you will do too with future reviews of your work! ;)

    Jackie… *mwah* Wish you were going to Dallas, my dear.

  22. Kimberly
    Posted: Jul 2nd, 2007 at 5:50 pm
    22

    Hi Michelle! I think it’s terrific that you take Joss Whedon as your idol, as I also enjoy the way he blends the humorous with the dark. As to your question about the genres we read, I read pretty widely in the fantasy genre, from dark urban fantasy (I love Kelley Armstrong and Kim Harrison) to imaginary world stuff (Dawn Cook and Maria V. Snyder are two recent favorites), and lots of “cozy” type mysteries (Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels is my favorite author, and I also like Joan Hess and Sharyn McCrumb.) In fact, the mysteries I like often have a light, “chick lit” flavor to them while dealing with dastardly deeds.
    My fiction writing is on the back burner now while I write my dissertation, but I guess I would say that I write some of the genres I like to read, but not all of them. I can’t imagine myself writing a decent mystery (maybe because the interplay of the characters interests me more than solving the mystery), and most of my fantasy endeavors are of the “imaginary world” type.
    Now I want to run off and get your books!

  23. shuzluva
    Posted: Jul 3rd, 2007 at 5:43 am
    23

    Michelle, I can’t write (fiction) for crap, but I find it fascinating that your writing voice strongly diverges from your reading preferences. Since I know a writer I would say that that isn’t unusual…but that’s more of a Card Shark statistic than anything else. Holy shit, I just dated myself.

    I’m guessing that if I could write, it would be totally different from my interests, but since I have no feel for writing, no voice and a lame little imagination, I’m taking a total shot in the dark here.

    I’m looking forward to picking up your books before our sojourn to the beach…maybe the kids and hubster will give me five minutes to read them!

  24. RachaelfromNJ
    Posted: Jul 3rd, 2007 at 7:19 am
    24

    Ok thank you for explaining it Bam. I didn’t understand the reason for reposting the bad review but I guess I understand your reasons. Can’t wait to read Michelle’s books.

  25. Crystal B.
    Posted: Jul 3rd, 2007 at 10:10 am
    25

    Hi Michelle. I loved Bitten & Smitten! Great story with great humor. When I read that Fanged & Fabulous was a sequel I was so excited. Can’t wait to read it. :)

  26. Michelle Rowen
    Posted: Jul 3rd, 2007 at 3:52 pm
    26

    Kimberley… thanks for your answer! Looks like your’e doing some very varied (that sounds odd) reading there. You know, I keep meaning to read Kim Harrison. I have a few (!) of her books on my TBR shelf. One of these days…. lol

    Shuzluva… I subscribed to the Game Show Network for two very important reasons… Press Your Luck (no whammies!) and Card Shark. I’m not ashamed to admit this. ;)

    Crystal B… thanks! It is obvious to me that you have fantastic taste in reading material. ;)

  27. Michelle Rowen
    Posted: Jul 3rd, 2007 at 3:53 pm
    27

    I meant Kimberly. Yeah, I can spell.

  28. Linda
    Posted: Jul 3rd, 2007 at 4:07 pm
    28

    Hello Michelle,

    WoW! That is cool being a graphic designer. I know a few people who does graphic designs and they are very good. That is great that your publisher is very open to your ideas :-) Well your covers look very nice and I also love your website :-) I look forward to reading your books. You are on my wish/want list all your books :)

    Hugssss
    LindaH

  29. Ann Bruce
    Posted: Jul 3rd, 2007 at 9:26 pm
    29

    My favorite authors now include…Laurell K. Hamilton.

    We’ll have to agree to disagree on this one, but Neil Gaiman saved you. I’ve been vampired out, but we’ll see what happens next time I cruise through a bookstore.

  30. Mardel
    Posted: Jul 4th, 2007 at 12:15 am
    30

    Hey, Hi again Michelle,

    I just looked up your book on Amazon, then clicked on your book trailer.

    It was great. Made me want to dance. Too bad my neighborhood bookstore is closed right this minute!

  31. Michelle Rowen
    Posted: Jul 4th, 2007 at 6:50 am
    31

    Ann… LOL…I’m not thrilled with the latest LKH books (even though I still devour them in hardback except for the Merry series which I’ve given up on), but was recently re-inspired by her book Strange Candy with her older short fiction. What can I say? Fangirls are hard to kill.

    Mardel… the song from the trailer will be forever stuck in my brain. ;)

  32. Teresa W.
    Posted: Jul 4th, 2007 at 7:52 am
    32

    As an avid reader of all genres with the paranormal being my favorite I know need to add your books to my TBR pile. I’m always looking for new authors to read and your books sound great!

  33. SweetNSourGirl
    Posted: Jul 4th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
    33

    Hi! Your books sound very interesting, I can’t wait to check them out.

    When I read books, I don’t really stick to one genre. I read pretty much everything, a good story goes beyond genre. Any story with relatable characters, I will like. Any story with a good plot, I like. Here’s some authors I like thus far: Alex Kava, Sarah Dessen, Meg Cabot, Ann Brashares, JK Rowling, Darren Shan, Mika Waltari, Janet Evanovich, Joss Whedon, Ray Bradbury, George Orwell, Holly Black, Lynne Ewing, among many others. Books that make me think are the ones I keep reading, I’ll even debate a whole bunch about other ones (LKH, Stephen King, etc.). I find myself listening to “Meet the Writers” on Barnes&Noble.com a lot, because I enjoy listening to how the writer thinks and speaks as well as learning what they enjoy doing. Doing this kind of answers the “Who would you hang out with in a bar?” question.

  34. Wylie
    Posted: Jul 7th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
    34

    Hi Michelle — I’ve been reading everything from literary to dark and Bitten & Smitten was a welcome breath of fresh air. Fun, light, and well-paced — perfect vacation book. I look forward to F&F!
    Cheers,
    Wylie

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