Giveaway & Author Interview: Elixir by Anna Abner

Elixir
Red Plague Trilogy
Book One
Anna Abner

Genre: YA Paranormal
Publisher: Mild Red Books
Number of pages: 200
Cover Artist: Sweet & Spicy Designs

Book Description:
The red plague has devastated the human race, turning billions of people into zombies with red eyes and an insatiable hunger for human flesh. The virus sweeps through the population so quickly a possible cure is left to rot. Seventeen-year-old Maya Solomon may be the only survivor who knows where it is. But to reach the lab in Raleigh, North Carolina she will have to outrun the infected boy tracking her every step and cross into a city swarming with monsters.

Paranormal Romance Fans for Life would like to extend a warm welcome to Anna Abner, author of Elixir.  

Anna, first please tell us where you are from and where/who did your love for writing come from?

I was raised in southern California, but after marrying a U.S. Marine I moved around a lot.

I have written stories for as long as I can remember. I still have short stories I wrote in third and fourth grade, but it wasn’t until I won a writing contest in fifth grade and had my story “published” and bound that I realized I wanted to be a writer.

Can you say that your journey to publication was difficult? If so, what were the hardest moments to get through?

I wouldn’t say it was difficult, but it was long! I spent about ten years writing and attempting to get published the traditional route. About two years ago I decided to take control of my own career and self publish.

How do you overcome i-suck-it is, that little voice in your head that tells you your writing isn’t good enough?

I hear that voice so constantly, I would think something was wrong if I didn’t. Honestly, when I feel overwhelmed and doubt creeps in I force myself to focus on one thing at a time. The next scene, the next blog post, or the next e-mail. Then I tune out the negative thoughts and get back to work.

What is your dream vacation?

If I could plan any vacation I would take a luxury cruise to the Mediterranean. Just thinking about it makes me feel more relaxed.

Describe your writing style in five words.

Scary, sexy paranormal romance.

What movies are you currently excited to see?

I’m super excited to see Divergent, Mockingjay Part 1, and X-Men: Days of Future Past.

What are you currently reading?

I just finished reading Divergent by Veronica Roth. Next up is City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.

If you weren’t a writer, what other careers would you pursue?

If I could be anything, I’d be an archeologist. That is so fascinating to me. I love studying history.

For people who haven’t read your novel, how would you summarize the plot?

The red plague has devastated the human race, turning billions of people into zombies with red eyes and an insatiable hunger for human flesh. The virus sweeps through the population so quickly a possible cure is left to rot. Seventeen-year-old Maya Solomon may be the only survivor who knows where it is. But to reach the lab in Raleigh, North Carolina she will have to outrun the infected boy tracking her every step and cross into a city swarming with monsters.

What are two of your pet-peeves?

People who say they hate chocolate (the audacity!) and Mary Sue heroines (ugh!).

To you, what makes a good story?

The characters. I like fun and interesting plots, but good characterization wins me over every time. I love experiencing a hero’s redemption or a heroine’s awakening. That’s why I read stories.

What usually turns you off about a story?

That’s easy! Characters I don’t care about. The story could have the most intricate and exciting plot, but if I don’t care what happens to the main characters I can’t finish it.

If you could collaborate with any author, who would you choose, and why?

I’d love to collaborate on an anthology with one of my favorite authors, like Kresley Cole, JR Ward, or Patricia Briggs.

What is on your night stand?

A sparkly fairy figurine, a framed photo of my hubby and I kissing on our wedding day, and a stapler.

What is your favorite book?

I like so many books, but the one I have re-read the most and still love like the first time I opened it is JR Ward’s Lover Awakened. Zsadist and Bella’s story changed my life.

Thank you so much for joining us today, Anna. We really enjoyed the insights. Good luck with Elixir.

Thanks so much for letting me stop by and chat!

About the Author:

One of my first memories is dangling over the arm of our living room sofa telling myself a post-apocalyptic survival tale in which my mother and I were the last two people on earth. It was so fun, I never stopped telling stories. In high school, I faked being ill so I could stay home to work on a novel about a nanny who falls in love with her boss' bad boy nephew.
As an adult I earned a college degree, got married, and had a child, but I never stopped writing. It only got more fun. I wrote through my lunch breaks at work. I wrote on the treadmill at the gym. Eventually, I had dozens of short stories, novellas, and full-length novels piling up on thumb drives and in plastic tubs.
Now, I'm ready to share my stories with you, starting with The Dark Caster Series and the Red Plague Trilogy. I hope you love reading them as much as I loved writing them!

Author Contacts:
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Giveaway- 5 ecopies of Elixir by Anna Abner (Available in pdf or epub formats - winner’s choice)

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