Author Interview: Liz Kreger (And, psst…a prize!) Back to Blog
Update…the winner is…Angela M!! Congrats, Angela!
My 30 Days of Demons Contest may be over, but I’ve still got some great authors that I’d like to feature here on my blog. And one of those authors is my friend, Liz Kreger. I was hooked by Liz’s “Tomorrow” books–the woman can write some great action scenes!
Liz, thanks for coming by and answering my interview questions!
1. Please tell us about the genre (or genres) that you write.
First off. Thanx Cynthia for having me. I don’t think I’ve done an interview before, so I’m a newbie at this. LOL.
Okay, let’s see, married, one daughter, I live in St. Francis, Wisconsin where we bitch about the cold winters and hot summers in equal measures. I’ve been writing off and on for the past twenty years, but it was only about eight years ago when I discovered the paranormal/science fiction romance genre that I finally discovered what I wanted to do when I grew up. I’ve since written and had published two science fiction/romances and have written, am revising and editing and will be shopping out about four contemporary paranormals and one futuristic.
2. Describe your current (or upcoming) release in 15 words or less.
Cruel.
“Promise for Tomorrow” is a space opera loaded with action, intrigue and romance.
(With two words to spare. LOL)
3. Okay, Liz, now use as many words as you’d like to describe your story.
“Jhaan san deCain has only a few days left to find his psi-mate or lose his place as heir to the throne of Dakar. Rescuing Zarian princess Rianna Chartier from an assassination attempt was supposed to be a temporary deviation from his quest. But the moment he lays eyes on Rianna, he realizes he is looking at his salvation. The beautiful alien is his perfect psychic match.
He is driven to wed her quickly, even if it is without her knowledge or consent. For without a psi-mate, he will not only lose the throne, he will be doomed to a life of sexual dormancy. And his people will be pushed closer to the edge of extinction.
Rianna cannot deny her attraction to Jhaan, but she is already betrothed to a Turnisian prince in a politically advantageous match. Dakarians are respected, even feared, for their formidable psychic power, but she is forced to rely on Jhaan’s charity to escort her safely to Turnis.
Rianna is outraged to discover Jhaan has tricked her into marriage. But his deception proves minor when they discover that someone will stop at nothing to see her dead.”
Probably more than you wanted to hear.
4. Which character do you like better from PROMISE FOR TOMORROW—the hero or the heroine? Why?
My heroine, Rianna. While she isn’t your typical kick-butt heroine, she does come into her own in this book. She goes from being a matrimonial sacrifice to a woman in her own right. She finds her strengths and her capabilities.
5. What is the most challenging part of being a writer?
Finding the time. Between being a full time mom and a full time legal assistant, sometimes finding the time to write seems next to impossible. Coming up with ideas aren’t a problem. In fact, that’s the easy part. It’s the uninterrupted time I need to get said ideas plugged into the computer that’s a challenge.
6. In a fight, who would win…Dracula or the wolf-man? What? This question seems odd? Please, folks are dying to know this answer.
Oh, Dracula any day. I like werewolves, but after all, they’re still vulnerable to a nibble or two. Besides, Dracula always struck me as the sneakier of the two.
7. What’s your favorite scary movie? Come on, spill. No explanations—just name it. Let everyone else guess why.
Not much of a scary movie watcher … but, let’s see … but the last one I saw was “Aliens”. More ick than scary.
8. Tell me the one thing you wish you’d known about being a writer, um, before you became a writer.
I wish I’d known exactly how green I was. I thought you just had to write the book and get it published. Never knew about all the hoops you had to jump through. Still, it’s a learning experience and one that makes it all worthwhile.
9. What is your writing schedule like?
There’s a schedule? Well, sorta. I get up at 4:00 a.m and write for about two hours. It’s the only time that the house is completely quiet and I can concentrate. Needless to say I’m usually in bed by 8:00 p.m. I have a hard time writing when people are around, so early morning or the rare couple of hours on the weekend when I’m alone are my primo writing time.
10. Tell me anything you’d like to tell me.
What? That most writers are neurotic introverts that shouldn’t be allowed out without a keeper? No, I won’t tell you that. LOL.
Again, thanx for having me, Cyn. I enjoyed the interview. Incidentally, I’m looking forward to your next release. Can’t wait for Niol’s story.
***
Got a question for Liz? Leave her a comment and you could win a copy of PROMISE FOR TOMORROW. Oh, yeah, that’s right. My Demon Contest is over, but I’m in the mood to giveaway another prize, and I’ll send one winner a copy of PROMISE FOR TOMORROW.
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Hi Liz, I’m liking space opera more and more, and always like the psi thing. Off to check out your book some more, sounds like one for me. Not much for most scary movies, either, as a rule.
Liz is this book connected to Forget About Tomorrow? I’m guessing yes?
Waving hi, Liz! Fun interview. Cindy, I have Promise For Tomorrow — which is terrific! — so don’t put my name in for the giveaway.
Great interview, Cynthia and Liz! And Promise For Tomorrow is a great read!
Great interview! That’s a sneaky thing for a Dakarian to do, marrying his mate on the sly. But I’m liking the story. Would love to read the scene when she finds out she is married to him! :o)Tamsyn
Lol, that sounds like her, be bitch about icy winter, and now when it’s hot, we bitch about that 🙂
Oops my comment went away before I could change her to here, and be to we *blush*
Thanks for the contest. The book sounds fascinating. Have a great day.
Hi Liz 🙂 Your book, Promise For Tomorrow sounds great!! I saw that you have another book, Forgot About Tomorrow, so I’m going on a hunch this is a series. Will you be writing more in this series?
Cool interview! My question for Liz is if she’s ever tempted to spend more time online than she’s supposed to and if yes, how does she go about solving the problem?
So very cool, Liz! Cynthia, thanks for introducing another fabulous author and her books! Liz, I’m amazed that you’re juggling family, work, and writing as you are! Kudos to you! And I’m so not a morning person, and uh, can’t get up that early to save my life! I definitely understand needing quiet to write though–I’m more of a night owl 🙂 Do you have any authors whose writing has especially inspired you? Who’s on your keeper shelf?
You get up at 4am??? (((shudder))) I am not even lucid til 11 am! 😀 That is what I call a labour of love 😀
Great Interview.
First off, this is good fun. My first interview. Woo-Hoo. Thanx, Cyn.
I love space operas, Pam. They’re fun to write and fun to read. I love being able to create my own worlds and there isn’t anyone around who can tell me I did it wrong. LOL.
And yes, Pam, this is loosely connected to “Forget About Tomorrow” … the connection being the world building – or should I say universe building. I’m hoping to put together another space opera for Samhain. Workin’ on it.
Thanx for dropping in Edie and Michelle. Always need support from friends.
I hope I pulled off that scene, Tamsyn. It was fun to write. I just kept trying to imagine how I would feel if it were to happen to me. However, that was a little tough given that Jhaan is a hunky guy and how mad can you be and for how long?
LOL. Hit that send a little too fast, Blodeuedd. Yeah, I think its a national passtime to bitch about weather. If it weren’t for that, we’d no doubt find something else.
Thanx for dropping in, Roberta.
I was a little late getting in here to read comments to the interview. Had to wait until I got to the day job … ick. Luckily bossman is out this morning, so I can devote time to reading comments and answering them … hence the reason you’re getting them all at once. Deal with it. LOL.
Yes, Michele, this is part of a series. The first two books “PFT” and “FAT” are loosely connected, but in the third I’d like to draw a few of the characters from the first two together into a story that opens Earth to becoming part of the Federation of Worlds. That’s gonna be a bit of a challenge.
Surprisingly, Llehn, I don’t spend all that much time on line. I manage to keep up with emails and all that stuff while at the day job. (shhhh). So when I get home, my email-box isn’t exploding. My problem is that nasty little game called “Spider Solitaire”. Gets me in trouble all the time. And one of the reasons I write on a little Acer laptop. The keyboard is small enough where playing games on it isn’t comfortable. Forces me to concentrate on my writing.
Liz thanks for stopping by while I love Paranormal/Urban Fantasy my first love is scifi/space romance (I don’t nearly get enough) thanks for writing this book.
Do you build your world first or do you wing it as you go?
One other question is the book in e-format or print only?
Sometimes it is tough talking myself into getting up at 4:00 a.m., Fedora … but then hubby starts to snore (right on cue) and I’m outta there. LOL.
Let’s see … I have so many writers that I absolutely love that its tough to keep the numbers down. I started out with Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon. Have now added Jeaniene Frost, Karen Chance and Patricia Briggs in recent months. Then there’s Keri Arthur, Mary Janice Davidson and Lynn Kurland. See the pattern here? All paranormals. The only paranormal that I really read consistently is Jayne Anne Krentz and even she has crossed over to the dark side.
Hey, Liz! This was your first interview? You did great!!!
My question is: When the hell are you going to complete DARKNESS???
Oops … meant “non-paranormal” in that last comment regarding Jayne Anne Krentz.
And I have a hard time staying up past 8:00 p.m., Willa. Used to be able to write into the wee hours of the night, but those days are gone since the little darlin’ arrived. Now the ten year old stays up longer than I do. There’s no justice in the world.
Hi Marnie. I make this stuff up as I go. I have a vague idea when I start and it just builds from there. That’s when I start scribbling down notes so I can keep things consistent. Like in “Forget About Tomorrow” … my heroine’s eyes change with her moods. I had to write down every mood and every color to keep it straight. Fun though.
Now, I’m getting into a habit of putting together a three ring binder. I find pictures of what I think my characters look like, maps of the city (if its on Earth), buildings where I think they work or play, what they drive. Then I scribble notes beside the pictures to get it straight in my head.
Sometimes it more fun looking for this stuff than actually writing.
Oh – and both books are in e-format and print. Samhain prints in trade size so most stores make ya order it rather than carry it. Unkind.
Thanx, Karin. I just finished the final revisions of “Darkness” yesterday as a matter of fact. (I’m so proud of myself)
Was gonna email you later.
Enjoyed the interview, sounds like a good read!
great interview ladies!
Hi,
I always enjoy reading author interviews and it looks like there is no another book to had to my wish-mountain…hehe!!!
Valerie
Promise for Tomorrow sounds fascinating and intriguing. Definitely going to add this to my TBR list, along with Forgot About Tomorrow. Do I need to read FAT first before I read PFT?
Thanks 😀
I am loving this storyline! Going to add this to my list of books I want to get. When is the third book slated to come out in this series?
Thanx for stopping by, Therese and Beth. The more the merrier.
Thanx, Valerie. If your pile is anything like mine, its a disaster and there just isn’t enough hours in the day to read everything. I’m waiting for retirement but that a good number of years away. I shudder to think what my TBR pile is like by then.
Hi Amy. Nope, both books are stand alones. Their only connection is in the world building and a few minor references back and forth to each other.
Actually I’m putting together a proposal for the third book, Angela. I just finished revisions on a futuristic, have revisions to do on a vamp book (both of which I hope to get out to query soon) and have an idea for a dark urban fantasy. Gotta get that proposal slated in there somewhere.
Sleep? Who needs stinkin’ sleep?
Just checked out your website, sorry I haven’t seen any of your books yet, we don’t have books by Samhain in Canada unless they are special ordered. Look interesting though
Beth The Warrior there sent me the link to come check out your interview. Glad she did!
Congrats on your release. It was displayed all pretty at my Barnes & Noble store Tues.
This book sounds very interesting. I will have to check out her books.
Very cool, thanks, Liz! I got up early (for me!) this morning in much the same way–eyes opened, thought about going back to sleep, heard too much ambient noise to make that happen 😉
And very exciting about a third title–I love it when an author can continue building a world/universe through multiple books! It’s fun to revisit with each subsequent title. Are you where you need to track info in a spreadsheet or binder or ?? yet?
Nobody would know you’re an interview newbie based on your interview. It was great. Now I really want to read your book. It sounds fantastic. I’m glad you’re able to find the writing time you need.
Hi Liz!
Was this really your first interview/ You did a great job!
Thanx Diane and Raonaid, for stopping by. Didn’t know you couldn’t get Samhain in Canada, Diane. I know you can get them from Amazon.
I assume you mean Cynthia’s release, Heather. LOL. Yes, I gotta go to my local Waldenbooks and pick it up. I’ve been waiting for this one to come out.
Don’t have to do a spreadsheet or anything like that, Fedora. Most of it is still in my mind, but I do have lots of notes in a folder and refer back in my books if I’m uncertain about something.
I must fake this very well, Karin and Chey. I’ve been off line all evening and first now managed to get back.
Thanx again, Cyn for having me. I really enjoyed this and the best of luck with your new release.
man I have got to get this series. Sounds like my favorite kind of book.
Thanks for the great contest and interview. The book sounds very interesting. Have a great day.
Love space operas. This is a book I need to go check out. Thanks for the introduction.
Thanks for the contest! Very interesting books, I’ll put them on my wish list! Don’t know if I have any space operas there yet….