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Eve Silver Contest and Q&A!
You write under two names, Eve Silver and Eve Kenin. How do you decide when to write under each one?
Eve: Thanks for having me guest blog. I’m very glad to be hereI started out writing historical gothics under the name Eve Silver. From the time I was small, I dreamed of seeing my name on the spine of a book, and with my first published released, it was a dream come true (I held that book and just petted the shiny hot-stamped foil type for a very long time, LOL!). When my first contemporary paranormal, DEMON’S KISS, was released I opted to use the same name because, given certain similarities such as the suspense flavor and the dark tone, I hoped that readers might enjoy both genres despite the differences in time period. Then came DRIVEN, a post-apocalyptic trans-Siberian trucker tale. I was advised to take a second name, and I agonized over that. Speculative romance as a genre is not as established as historicals and paranormals. Add to the soup the fact that I’m a very new author trying to build a name. I didn’t want to alienate existing readers by throwing an “Eve Silver” book at them that was about truckers and deadly ice pirates. Moreover, given that I would be writing three subgenres for three publishers, issues of scheduling same-name books could be problematic. On the advice of both my agent and my editor, I opted for a second name, and I write my speculative romances as Eve Kenin.
Which authors have inspired you to write gothic historicals?
Eve: Originally, I didn’t set out to write a gothic. I planned to write a lovely, witty regency-set. Problem was, I’m not witty. Then I read Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, a tongue-in-cheek take on the gothic. I started a story with the intent to write a light, funny historical along that vein. But no matter how hard I tried, my historicals were dark, dark, dark. Finally, I gave in and just let the stories write themselves the way they wished. Another inspiration is Daphne Du Maurier. Her books speak to me and draw me into the story to a marvelous degree.
You write for so many different genres from historical, sci-fi and paranormal. Is there a certain genre you prefer writing for overall?
Eve: I love all three, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to spread my wings and try different things. The three genres keep me on my toes. Each demands a different voice, a different feel and each has its own challenges and rewards. I can say that I definitely prefer to write romance, regardless of the subgenre. I’m a die-hard romance reader, and that is where my heart lies. Romance novels, with their core elements of love, strength, honor and perseverance, and—of course—the happily-ever-after, are the genre I prefer to write, regardless of sub-genre. So whether I’m creating a story that is a gothic historical, a contemporary paranormal or a speculative/futuristic/sci-fi, I am always creating a love story.
How does your background in teaching anatomy and microbiology influence your writing, if at all?
Eve: My knowledge base provides an interesting (at least…it’s interesting to me, LOL!) backdrop for romance, and each of my stories incorporates these elements. My first historical gothic, DARK DESIRES is about the history of the study of anatomy, including dissections and resurrection men—grave robbers who dug up the dead and sold them to anatomists for study. My second book, HIS DARK KISS, revolves around the early recognition of microorganisms and the germ theory of disease, research into anthrax, and early work in the field of immunization. Speculative romance offers a unique opportunity to include science elements, and DRIVEN has a ton of those, a mix of genetics and physics and chemistry with a little anatomy thrown in for good measure. Even my paranormals have elements of my educational background that peep through. I’m not even certain that I do it consciously, but science is what I know, so I throw a bit in here and there without even thinking about it.
2008 looks to be a busy year for you. Can you tell us what your readers can look forward to?
Eve: I’m very excited about my 2008 releases. Each one was so much fun to write, and I tried to push myself and try different avenues. First up, in July 2008, is my next Eve Kenin speculative romance, HIDDEN, a return to the frozen world of the Northern Waste that readers first visited in DRIVEN. Then I have three Eve Silver books coming out. In August 2008, my next historical gothic, HIS WICKED SINS, a tale of murder and secrets and sins, will be released. This book was written with a slightly different approach than my previous gothics in that I incorporated multiple points of view (my other gothics were all third person, told exclusively from the heroine’s point of view). Then in September 2008, my gothic historical novella, KISS OF THE VAMPIRE, will be part of the anthology, NATURE OF THE BEAST, a trade paperback vampire collection. This is my first foray into the vampire world. And DEMON’S HUNGER, the second book about the brotherhood of sorcerers that guards the wall between the mortal world and the demon realm, hits shelves December 2008. The story has elements of suspense, and a little bit of demon/sorcerer CSI.
As a writer of historical romances, if you could go back in time, which historical figures would you like to meet?
Eve: Great question! But I’m not certain my answer is much fun. The truth is…I have no desire to go back in time. While historical romances are among my favorites to read, the reality of historical times is no shiny lure. I am too aware of the limitations of previous centuries, the lack of handwashing and hygiene, lack of dental care, poverty, poor sanitation. Urrgh! But…if I could bring someone forward to visit with, that would be an entirely different story. To name a few: Leonardo Da Vinci, not only for the opportunity to gain knowledge of his artistic genius, but his scientific genius, as well. He studied anatomy and chemistry and physics long before they were even truly recognized as science. Florence Nightingale, who rebelled against the expectations of her time and followed her passion to create improved nursing/medical care. Louis Pasteur. Albert Einstein. Marie Curie.
We are giving away two sets of books! One set is Dark Prince and Driven. The other set is Demon's Kiss and also Driven.
All you have to do is answer this questions correctly: What two pets does Eve have?
Send your answers to aarblog@gmail.com. Two winners will be chosen at random from all the correct entries submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Thursday night, January 31, 2008. (Unfortunately, because of high postal rates, we can only ship to U.S. addresses.) The winners will be announced here and notified by email on Friday, February 1, 2008. Good luck!
Hi Eve! I loved Driven. I know Hidden is the hero's sister's story. What
other characters will reappear? How will it be different from Driven?
Hi Lori,
Hi Eve!
Great interview. I love all your books, however I am still peeved that I
can't get a new copy of Dark Desires. It's the only one I haven't read. I
could buy it used but maybe someday it will go into reprint and I could
buy it then! My very own new copy!
I look forward to your new releases this year!
Hi AmyC! Thanks for the kind words. I never expected DARK DESIRES to sell
out so quickly, and I didn't stock up on my own private stash, lol! I often
hear from readers who want to know where they can get a new copy, and I'm
afraid I'm stumped. Sigh.
Eve, an interesting interview. Did you have any input in the cover for
Dark Prince? Also, I was curious who you modeled your hero after. :)
Great interview, Eve! I must say, DRIVEN was probably my favorite book of
2007, and I'm really looking forward to HIDDEN! I'm a big Daphne duMaurier
fan myself, and your gothics *definitely* remind me of those old classics.
Hi Diana! I didn't have input on the cover of DARK PRINCE, but I must
admit, I love all my gothic covers. I think they have a wonderful, dark,
spooky feel :) As to my hero, he modeled himself, LOL! I don't usually
choose actors or people I know to model on. The characters in my stories
are individuals without a template.
Hi Eve! Great interview!!
Thanks Kristina! I know...I have yet to write anything frothy and funny. My
first attempt at a romance was a rom-com called THE CAT'S MEOW. A truly
terrible creation, it is buried in the back yard where it belongs, LOL!
Would the sequel to The Cat's Meow, be The Cat's Pajamas? LOL
Too funny :)
Hi, Christine! Thanks for the kind words! I think the whole SHOMI line is
quite cool, and I feel lucky to have the opportunity to spread my wings a
bit and be part of it. I definitely enjoy writing the
futuristic/sci-fi/speculative stories :)
LOL, Kate G!!! No sequel to that story. Ever. It is truly too terrible to
revisit.
I am a huge fan of Dark Desires and I hadn't read the other about the
microorganisms but now I want to. I will be going off to look for it after
I write this post. Dark Desires is one of the few keeper books on the
shelf and I can't wait to read more.
Hi, AJ! Thanks for popping by and for your kind words about DARK DESIRES :)
Hi Eve, enjoy all your books, and Driven one of my reads of the year. I'm
definitely looking forward to Tatiana's story after reading Driven, and as
much as I want to see more of Wizard and Raina, I'm glad this will focus on
her.
Hi, Pam! Thanks for popping by. I'm very glad that you enjoy my stories.
HIDDEN is all about Tatiana and her struggles. As you know from DRIVEN, she
had a very definite backstory and history that shaped HIDDEN and determined
where the story would go. One thing I tried to do was create a story that
could be read out of order, so that people who pick up HIDDEN without
having read DRIVEN won't be lost.
DRIVEN totally rocked, one of the best books of 2007 without question. But
I thought DEMON'S KISS was quite good, too, mainly because of an
interesting twist on the hero that happened late in the book. (Gee, how
does one ask about something that happens 3/4 of the way through a book
without spoiling it? Probably can't...) But who is the lead couple in
DEMON'S HUNGER? Any hints, Eve???
Hi Eve!! I've been so enjoying the gothics historicals, but too I love a
variety, including paranormal, fantasy and so on! So I'm looking forward to
DEMON and DRIVEN :) DARK DESIRE and DARK KISS are on my keepers shelf!
I'm so glad you writing a variety! I love to read that from you! WICKED
SINS and all you listed i'm looking forward to! Whats it like in a day for
you as author? How do you do all you do!?!
Hi Caroline! Thanks for the kind words about DRIVEN and DEMON'S KISS.
Hmm...I don't think I can answer your question about the twist in DEMON'S
KISS without giving away too much, but I can tell you that DEMON'S HUNGER
is Dain's story, and that it has yet another twist of the tale...
Hi Cathie! To be honest, my schedule has been pretty crazy for a very long
time. For a number of years, I worked a full time job and wrote at night
and early in the morning...then I cut my hours back several months ago in
order to devote more time to writing, and right now, I'm writing full-time.
And I really mean full time. I work seven days a week anywhere from 10 to
16 hours a day in order to meet my deadlines (Let's just say I haven't done
housecleaning in a really, really long time, LOL!). And I count myself
lucky to have readers like you who let me know that you enjoy my stories.
That's what makes it all worthwhile :)
Hey Eve!
Will you be going to RWA in San Fran this July? I have been hearing great
things about the convention. I have been to San Fran, which is awesome,
even though I took my life into my hands hanging outside a trolley car
going down the street. The streets look like ski slopes, very very scary.
Hi Kate. Yes, I'm registered for the conference in San Francisco and I
can't wait. I haven't been there in about a million years, LOL!