Peeking Between the Pages

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Guest Post & Giveaway with Amanda Grange, Author of Mr. Darcy, Vampyre

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It’s my pleasure today to welcome Amanda Grange, author of Mr. Darcy, Vampyre to Peeking Between the Pages. I read and reviewed Mr. Darcy, Vampyre here if you’d like to pop over and read it and then zip back here because I also had the pleasure of interviewing Amanda. So, sit back, relax and read on…

1. Amanda, Mr. Darcy, Vampyre is a fantastic take on Pride & Prejudice continues… Being a fan of the paranormal, I really enjoyed it – I’ll even admit to being on the edge of my seat a few times. What was your inspiration for telling the story in this way?

I’ve wanted to write a sequel to Pride and Prejudice for a long time, but I wanted to write something that would really test Lizzy and Darcy’s love, as it was tested in Pride and Prejudice. I kept thinking about it, and then the idea of making Darcy a vampyre came to me and I thought it was perfect. It would allow Lizzy and Darcy to be deeply in love but it would provide some real difficulties as well.

2. I loved reading about all the places that Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth visited on their out of the ordinary wedding tour. Did you do research on these locations or have you been there yourself?

Both. I’ve been to most of the locations, which was a great help in knowing what it felt like to be there, but I had to do a lot of research as well because I wanted to paint an accurate picture of what it was like to visit in the Regency period.

3. Are Mr. Darcy & Lizzy your favorite Austen characters to write about?

Yes, they are. I’ve loved writing about all of Austen’s characters, but I keep going back to Lizzy and Darcy. They are interesting and attractive characters separately, and there is something magical about them together.

4. The cover of Mr. Darcy, Vampyre is fantastic! Did you have any input on the design of it? Sourcebooks has done such an awesome job on it!

I wish I could claim the credit, but no! I didn’t have any input. It’s brilliant, isn’t it? I love it. Sourcebooks covers are always fabulous, but this is really special.

5. Obviously Jane Austen has had an influence on your writing – are there any other authors that have influenced your writing?

Yes, lots! I think all the classic authors have had an influence, certainly the Brontes and Daphne du Maurier as well as authors like JRR Tolkien.

6. Can you give us a bit of a glimpse into your next novel at all?

It’s a prequel to Mr. Darcy, Vampyre and it follows Darcy through his early life, then on through his first meeting with Elizabeth until it catches up with the events of Vampyre.

7. Finally, I always like to know what my favorite authors are reading. What is currently on your nightstand?

The Lost Diaries of Adrian Mole by Sue Townsend. I read really widely. My last book was Mariana by Susanna Kearsley, and before that it was Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie.

Thanks so much for taking out the time to answer my questions Amanda! I really loved your book!

Thanks for having me here, it’s been a pleasure!
~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Courtesy of Danielle at Sourcebooks I have a copy of Mr. Darcy, Vampyre to share with one lucky reader. What can you do to win…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog. If you do, let me know. The extra entry is yours as well.
  • For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, September 5, 2009. Good luck everyone!

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Comments

  5. Oh, I so want this book! Pick me please!!

    +1 kkhaas AT bellsouth DOT net
    +2 I am a follower

  11. No need to enter me, although I'm curious about this now.

    I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.

  16. This would be perfect for the Everything Austen Challenge.

    1) bookingmama(at)gmail(dot)com
    2) I follow you!

  17. I have to admit being curious about how Darcy is as a vampire.

    I subscribe through Feed Demon.

    carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

  18. I would LOVE to win this book. I really want to read it and my library does not have it 🙁 My email address is laarlt78 at hotmail dot com.

    I am also a follower.

    Thanks!

  19. lovin this austen take trend,looks like a good one
    wheresmyrain at yahoo dot com

    I am a follower

  23. Not entering comp but just wanted to say, I would never have read this book before reading this interview, now I might at least consider it. Thanks Dar, great interview!

  26. Looks like a good book, please enter me into this drawing.

    I'm also a follower via Blogger.

    Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
    jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com

  28. This book is definitely on my to read list!

    the DOT sweetkitchen AT yahoo DOT com

    I have recently discovered your blog and have subscribed through Google Reader.

    I tweeted this via SweetKitchen

    Thanks for a great giveaway!

  31. oh i definitely want to check this one out! add me to the contest 🙂

    amymelniczenko AT gmail DOT com

    and I'm a follower of your blog!!!

  34. Dar!! You won The Devil's Queen!! You lucky . . . um . . . devil? 🙂 Seriously though, email me your address and I'll get it sent out to you ASAP. I hope you actually have time to read it someday. 😉

    Congratulations!! And give Buddy a hug for me!

    Lezlie
    BooksnBCs(a)gmail(dot)com

  36. I think this would be a really cool book!

    cjay2 (AT) iavalley (DOT) edu

    i always wished there was more after the austen book ended. i had so many questions as to what happened after. maybe this will quell my thirst for more info.

  43. I'd like to read this book
    +1 linna.hsu at gmail dot com
    +2 blog follower

    Thank you for this nice giveaway.

  44. I would LOVE to win this. Haven't read any Jane Austen spin offs yet and this sounds like a good one.

    histficchick at gmail dot com
    I'm a follower 🙂
    I posted this on my blog's sidebar: histficchick.blogspot.com

    Thanks for hosting!

  45. Please enter me! It sounds great! Keyes97 AT aol DOT com

    I also follow the blog via bloglines.

    Thanks for the chances!

  46. What a great interview! I agree with Amanda that there's something magical about Liz and Darcy. I loved P&P!

    No need to enter me but I just want to say HI to both of you. 😀

  47. Oh I'm such a P&P fan and this book would be perfect for the Austen Challenge and because I love vamp stories.

    I am already a follower
    BFish (dot) Reads (at) gmail
    And I'm off to tweet it now.

  50. Let's try this again.

    This book caught my eye at the bookstore. I would love to read it.
    1. LOehlberg at msn dot com
    2. I am a follower Pabast/readingmama
    3. I tweeted about this as well @pabast

  51. Great interview! No need to enter me though, as I will soon receive a copy of this wonderful book!

  53. Oooh I've been itching to read this since I heard it was coming out.

    1. kim at phoenix-rising dot net

    2. Long time follower!

  55. I would love to read this book. Thank you for the giveaway and please count me in.

    +1 chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com
    +2 I follow your blog.

  56. love all things vampyre would love to check out this author so please count me in
    +1 roswello at hotmail dot com
    +2 i follow
    i dont tweet sadly so that is all

  60. Enter me to win please! I totally want to read this book!

    emily DOT wittenberg AT gmail DOT com

  66. +1 Please count me in.

    +2 Follower

    +3 Blogged on sidebar

    cindyc725 at gmail dot com

  67. I'd love to win a copy of this book, it looks like great fun!

    +1 zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net
    +2 I am a follower of your blog.

  69. Interesting take on P&P! I'd love to read it!

    I'm a follwer!

    lahlstedt (at) gmail (dot) com

  70. I would love to read this book please enter me in your giveaway.

    I am a follower

    budletsmom at yahoo dot com

  71. Please include me in your giveaway

    + I follow your blog

    Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat – join us at CoolCanucks.ca

    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

  72. After reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, I think this would be great fun.

    mamie316(at)sbcglobal.net

  73. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite reads of all time. I'm really curious about this book. Thanks for the opportunity.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

  78. Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win!
    ruthann (dot) francis (at) gmail (dot) com

  88. her next book is a prequel? That's kind of amazing sounding!

    +1 for email book.splotATgmailDOTcom
    +2 for following

  94. Pick me! Pick me!

    *waves hand excitedly*

    +1 sternapple at gmail dot com
    +2 i am now a follower

    Thank you!

  95. Mr. Darcy, a vampire — interesting, very interesting. Please include me in the giveaway.

    heatherzilla(at)care2(dot)com

    +2 follower

  96. I keep checking on this one and just noticed my email is wrong! Please enter me

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    This time its correct!