Hello one and all! Today we have special guest author, Aine P. Massie, dropping by and being awesome! She's agreed to do this little interview here on Breaking Bookshelves just to inform us a little bit about her House Millar series~ So sit back, get some coffee or tea, and enjoy!
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Author Intv. w/ Aine P. Massie
Hey Áine! It's a pleasure to have you here at Breaking Bookshelves today!
My pleasure and thank you for having me Demi.
Can you explain a little bit about the House Millar series to those who might not know what the books are about?
The House Millar series is about Anya Millar, a vampire aberration, and her unique family/House. Blood’s Voice and Blood Bound chronicle her journey from nearly blank slate to powerful, if slightly mad, Mistress of the House Millar. Hers is the only House dedicated to aberrations, vampires that do not kill humans to survive.
There is a lot of strangeness to not just her though as her mortal boyfriend is not what he seems either. It’s an interesting, twisting journey of love, pain, loss, and growth set in a world where vampires are real and even the fanged fear some powers.
I've read that you came up with the idea for the HM series through trying to come up with some type of game character, is that right? What was that process like? Did you ever have any trouble fleshing out characters/settings/situations?
I enjoy adventure gaming, RPG style. I have a nice collection of dice and no one but me touches them (you might get your energy on them and there where would I be when I need a great roll, lol). I was originally chatting with the GM about a new character and things kinda got out of hand. The idea was for a vamp girl that had no knowledge from before she woke up.
Originally, I had no intention of her ever recovering any of her memory. The night I sat at the computer and wrote the first flash back actually surprised me. Fleshing them out wasn’t the problem . . . getting the characters to behave and do what they were told was. In the end, I learned that Anya, Nic, and Declán were going to do what they wanted, I was just their biographer. :D
That sounds very interesting! I'm guessing it was like getting to know completely new people! What made you decide to write mainly about vampires instead of some other mythological creature? Did you try to stick with original vampire lore?
I have always been fascinated with vampires and the various incarnations, be it in books, comics, movies, etc. Vampires are not the only mythological creatures in the HM series, by the way. Book 3, Glamour Blade, is told from the POV of Sir Rory, a sidhe warrior sent to help the Guardians.
As to original lore . . . Actually, you have to understand that there is no such thing as “original lore” for vampires. Each culture that has believed in blood drinking creatures has also had their own ideas of what those beings looked like, were hurt by, acted like . . . My vampires are day walkers (but technically so was Dracula is you read the old book carefully – it was possible for him to be out in the day), though the sun does weaken them to a nearly human endurance. They cannot eat but they drink if it’s mixed with fresh blood. Their fangs are retractable but when retracted, the eyeteeth are slightly pronounced. They have the currently common beauty and grace but they are allergic to silver.
There are other things about them too but the key is that there is lore basis for each of the main traits my vampires have. No, they’re not Angel or Edward nor are they Dracula or Nick Knight but rather they are the unique, blood drinking beings that inhabit my story world.
Oooh, I see now, thank you for clearing that up! Now that I think about it, it's true. These types of lore are usually passed down from generation to generation, from different cultures unto another. It makes sense that it would all be different.
Did you have any connections with the characters from Blood's Voice or Blood Bound that surprised you? Are there any personalities that resonate within you and that you feel you will remember long after you're finished the story? Can you relate to any of their personalities, and/or did you incorporate some of yours within them?
There are bits and pieces of myself, friends and family throughout the characters in the series. Declán is studying to be an architect, the same thing I had intended to be. That dream was derailed but lives on in Dec. Some of the weird words or wording is from me and mine also, like parentals (yes I know others use it to but still). Each of my key characters connects to me on a personal level, one way or another. When I finish writing I think I will miss my core triad the most. Though, I do adore Jason and Louie!
To end off, do you have any surprises planned for the rest of the series? Can you give us any hints? I'm sure readers are dying to know~
Surprises? Of course. I how that the books and stories within are not THAT predictable. You already know that the sidhe will be joining the ranks. We will have more Guardians, though Dec may strangle the lovely fae for helping grow their ranks (Rory is a handful, the next Guardian is even more so ). And lets just say that race versus relationship issues will become even more complicated and twisted.
Oh yes . . . and why Anya is so blasted unique will be explored . . but I’m not tellin’ yet.
WOW! That sounds really awesome! I can't wait for the third book then~ Anyhoo, thank you for dropping by, Áine! I hope we can do this again!
Thanks for having me over Demi. I always enjoy stopping by Breaking Bookshelves! Love the new site.
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Áine P Massie, Author of the House Millar series
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Blood's Voice
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Áine P Massie is originally from Florida, she now lives in Wisconsin where she works on her House Millar series full time while raising four children (the term herding cats comes to mind). Her major in College was Childhood Education (0-5) with a minor study in Deaf Culture/ASL. She is also a Wiccan priestess dedicated to the gods, family, and love.
A life-long reader, Áine has always had a particular fascination with vampires, mythology, and the unusual. When she can escape from her children and books, she enjoys .. oh yes, reading, playing, ritual, a good cappuccino, and working with her healing stones.
Her first published work came in high school where she was part of a writing and drama group. But, she’s been reading the likes of Shakespeare and Poe since late elementary school and enjoys most forms of fiction. Blood’s Voice has been a long time in coming and with its publication (June 2011) Áine embarked on a new chapter in her life.
Áine P Massie is currently working on her third novel, Glamour Blade.
For more information visit Áine P Massie at http://housemillar.host56.com or see contact details below.
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ABOUT THE BOOKS
Blood's Voice
By Áine P Massie
Publisher: Geas Publishing
Date Pubbed: June 1, 2011
Genre: Paranormal Romance / Fiction
eBook – $7.99
Paperback – $18.99
ISBN-13: 978-1463559274
ISBN-10: 1463559275
ASIN: B005405MYK
BN ID: 2940012757210
Blood Bound
Genre: Paranormal Romance / Fiction
eBook – $6.99
Paperback – $17.99
ISBN-13: 978-1463593025
ISBN-10: 1463593023
Summary:
Anya Millar had no memory of her life or an instruction manual on how to navigate the insane world of humans, biting, and reality. Instead, Anya has had to learn to navigate the world of love, life, and sanity while avoiding those that would see her dead or enslaved.
This is the ongoing journey of Anya and Nicholas, human loving vampires and the human they love, Declán. What makes it all more complicated is that they are abominations in their own world and Declán is a natural born vampire hunter called a Guardian.
Anya must come to terms with who she is and her missing past, Nicholas must win back the object of his eternal love while dealing with new cravings in his silent heart, and Declán must learn to destroy the very creatures that he has unequivocally given his heart and blood.
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Blood Bound
By Áine P Massie
Publisher:Geas Publishing
Date Pubbed: October 31, 2011Genre: Paranormal Romance / Fiction
eBook – $6.99
Paperback – $17.99
ISBN-13: 978-1463593025
ISBN-10: 1463593023
Summary:
How many ways can a hearts true love be shared? After poisoning, near death attacks, consummated passions, and possible insanity visit Anya, Nicholas, and Declán they embark on their future. Or at least they try to. Jealousy can be a pain, in more ways than one.
Can Anya protect her lovers, find peace within herself, and lead the House Millar? With her loves and guards, Nicholas and Declán, she sets out to do just that. If only life, eternal life, were that easy.
Come take a walk with our loving family and witness the strange turns and twists as life, love, and passions collide with greed, politics, and evil.
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