Paranormal Guest Author: Nell Stark + Everafter Giveaway

Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Nell Stark!  Nell is the author of Running with the Wind and Homecoming and is co-author of the Everafter series which includes Everafter, Nevermore, and Nightrise.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Nell:  I began writing as soon as I was literate. I honestly don't remember a time when I wasn't composing stories: first by hand on lined paper, then on my family's clunky Apple IIE, and later on more sophisticated computers. Everywhere I went as a child I saw stories, and I always wanted to write them down. At age 16 I finished my first novel, which turned out to be an earnest but really quite awful "epic" fantasy story, the protagonist of which was my idealized self. During my college years, I began to refine my skills in earnest through coursework and workshops. Later, as a doctoral graduate student, my first manuscript (a traditional romance) was accepted by Bold Strokes Books. I met my partner and everafter collaborator, Trinity Tam, through my publisher. Trin and I began work on the everafter series late in 2008.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Nell:  I came to paranormals via fantasy, which I discovered at age 8 when my mother handed me a copy of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. She wasn't sure I was ready for Middle Earth, but I quickly became hooked. After years of reading fantasy, I branched out into urban fantasy and paranormals. I've enjoyed writing the everafter series because creating paranormal characters is an intriguing way to explore the human condition. Vampires and were-creatures are in many ways "more human than human," in that they are compelled to surrender to their animal appetites. Vampires thirst for the very essence of life, while Weres don't just act like animals--they become them.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Nell:  If I were asked to choose between life as a vampire or as a were-creature, I'd choose the latter. I would not want to miss out on having the chance to experience the world through animal-caliber senses!

However, if I could have any supernatural ability, I'd choose the ability to heal.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Nell:  As a paranormal romantic thriller, everafter combines the best features of three genres. It features a lesbian romance between paranormal characters as well as an action-adventure plot set in contemporary New York City. Its two sequels, nevermore and nightrise, introduce additional challenges for the central couple and also allow readers deeper access into the underground society of vampires and wereshifters.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Nell:  I love this question!

If everafter were made into a film and I could call the casting shots, Valentine Darrow would be played by Katee Sackoff, and Alexa Newland would be played by Rachel McAdams.

Everafter (Everafter #1) by Nell Stark and Trinity Tam

How far would you go to save your lover’s soul? When medical student Valentine Darrow is bitten by a Vampire on her way home to propose to her lover, Alexa Newland, her life becomes a nightmare. She is consumed—both by a craving for human blood, and by an obsession to find her attacker and bring him to justice. Alexa is determined to be everything that Valentine needs, but when Val's appetite outstrips Alexa's ability to nourish her, Alexa risks her life to save her lover. Will Valentine be able to control her thirst—for blood and for vengeance? And can Valentine and Alexa's relationship endure against seemingly impossible odds?


Thank you Nell for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about Nell Stark and her books, please visit her website.

**Everafter Giveaway**

We are giving away three copies of Everafter by Nell Stark and Trinity Tam!

To enter, please leave a comment on this post including your email address (so we may contact you if you win).  You do not have to be a follower to enter (though I always appreciate a follow!). This giveaway is international.  US winners will have their choice of ebook or paperback.  International winners will receive an ebook copy.  Giveaway ends November 5th midnight EST.