Who is Fallon Blake – give us the low down.
Honestly I’m a blue collar, Florida gal who loves to read, cook and play with my kids. Other than books, my weaknesses include: sci-fi, horror movies, coffee and dark chocolate. I’m kind of geeky, definitely smart-mouthed and on the introverted side — that about sums it up.
This Side of Heaven is your debut novel. What has your journey to being a published author been like?
I’d always imagined myself becoming a writer. Life sort of got in the way of that until about a year ago. My husband is the one who forced me to sit down and start writing. Once I’d had a few chapters down, I sent them to an author friend of mine. This was before I really understood anything about the rules of writing. She liked what I had written well enough to take me under her wing and show me the ropes so to speak. She helped me with the basics and we went from there. I ended up joining the forums at Absolute Write — great bunch of writers there by the way — and learned more about craft. When I completed the first draft, I sent it to a few beta readers. I received positive feedback from all but one. She tore my story completely apart and I can’t thank her enough for that. Her suggestions helped me grow as a writer in skill and in skin. After a good revision, I queried a few publishers and was offered a contract in a few weeks. I signed with Loose ID, landed a great editor and here we are talking about my little novella.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone struggling to get published right now?
Be persistent, believe in yourself and don’t give up. I also think it’s crucial to find other writers, not just for critiques, but for support. This is a hard one — don’t let rejection and criticism discourage you. Learn from it and let it make you a better writer. And no matter what — write, write, write! You can’t get published if you don’t finish that manuscript you’ve been slaving over.
What surprised you the most while writing this book?
The big surprises in this book didn’t come until I was deep into edits. Samara spoke up and said “Hey, quit making me out to be such a doormat!” I’m still not sure her voice came out as loudly as it should have.
This Side of Heaven has a twist on the angel/demon theme. What made you go that route instead of vampires or a different supernatural being?
It’s kind of a funny story. I have these legal pads that are full of ideas for books. When I was biting my nails over which one would become my first story, my husband grabbed one of my pads, tore out a sheet of paper and proclaimed it to be the one. It was the story of angel and demon hybrids — what was to become the Telal in This Side of Heaven.
There is a lot introduced in this book – the history of the Telal, the Sect, a prophecy, Samara’s gift. Did you do a lot of planning and outlining before writing?
I had a general idea for the plot and a history of the Telal already written out. I sat down and wrote the first scene before I’d really figured out any of the other details. After I had something that resembled a first chapter, I mapped out a more detailed plot.
I loved Uriel, Nathaniel’s angel boss in this book. He comes in all bad ass and is not afraid to put Nathaniel in his place. Is he a fun character to write? Are we going to see him again in future books?
I have to admit, Uriel intimidated me at first. But once he was satisfied I would do him justice, he was fun to write. He’ll pop in during the next book, probably at an inopportune moment. And I think that eventually, he’ll insist that I tell his story.
This book will have all the smutty hearts smiling. Nathaniel knows how to get it done in the bedroom (or in the car…Rawr!) Is it hard to write the romance scenes? Did anything make you blush?
The boy has skills. That’s for sure. It’s funny, the smexy scenes were probably the easiest for me to write. Not much makes me blush, which is a good thing since my muse is on the smutty side.
What can we expect in the next book, Between Heaven and Hell?
I’d intended to write about the twins in the second book, but things don’t always work out as planned. Seth was on my mind a lot after I wrapped up This Side of Heaven. I’m a big softy when it comes to tortured heroes and knew I had to tell his story. With Between Heaven and Hell, you can expect to meet a few archangels, a demon or two, a romance and of course lots of kinky, dirty, smutty sex.
What are some of your favorite books/authors?
Such a hard question because there are so many authors and books I love. Shelly Laurenston is a big one. She cracks me up. I also love Kim Harrison, Kaitlyn O’Connor, Cameron Dane, Marie Harte, Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Suzanne Collins…I could go on and on.
What fictional hero do you lust after the most?
Oh God, what day of the week is it? It really depends on what I’m reading. I love to get emotionally invested in the characters I read about. First fictional fantasy boys that come to mind are Wraith from Larissa Ione’s Passion Unleashed, Conall from Shelly Laurenston’s Go Fetch and Adam Hauptman from Patricia Brigg’s Mercy Thompson series. I like ‘em dominant and a little rough around the edges.
Which fictional heroine would you like to trade places with?
Probably Rose from Ilona Andrew’s On the Edge. She’s the first who comes to mind because I found it so easy to relate to her.
Chest hair – smexy?
Chest hair – smexy.
Body rug? Not so smexy.
Thank you to Fallon Blake for stopping by Smexy today!! As an added bonus, she is offering a great giveaway. Included are:
An e-book of This Side of Heaven
A camel colored NAP (snuggie) from Brookstone.
15 oz can of Coffee and Chicory from Cafe du Monde
Organic Chocolate 3 Bar Gift Pack
For the international entrants, an e-book and a $35 giftcard to Amazon.
To enter, leave a comment and tell us who your favorite demon or angel character is.
Contest open through Sunday, February 7th and I will announce the winner on Monday.
What a great interview! And the books sound really great. I am really into angels and demons now so I'm going to have to read this. Fallon also forgot to mention that one of her weaknesses is Dean from Supernatural! LOL! We talk about him all the time on twitter. So anyhoo my favorite angel is Raphael from Nalini Singh Angels' Blood and Archangel's Kiss. He's #1 right now.
Bells: Speaking of Dean, do you not see who is on my desktop in that picture? LOL
Thanks Mandi for hosting the giveaway and interview. You rock :)
I have to admit, I have never seen Supernatural. Am I out of the cool club now? ;)
You could never be out of the cool club Smexi. You rule the cool club.
Fallon: I did not see what was on you desktop. LOL! You are awesome for that!
Wonderful interview! Shes a Florida girl!!! WOOT WOOT ME TOO! Born and raised!
Right now Id have to say Im crushing on the fallen angle Noah from The Succubi Diaries by Jill Myles…cant help it hes been on my mind since my latest reading! ;op~
Thanks for the giveaway hun!
Hey Mandi & Ms. Fallon. Nice to meet you! You are a new to me author and who does not love these!!
**sniff sniff… I do not watch Supernatural either… oh well… no time for tv… **
But I am demon lover. The Demons that I can not get enough of are Gena Showalter's Lord of The Underworld. OMG!
The interview was cool ladies!
Hope all is well Smexy! Have a great day!
Thanks for such an awesome giveaway!
Well, I guess I'm way out of the cool club, because I have not read nor do I watch anything with Demons. So, does that mean I can't qualify for the contest?! I'll be reading Fallon's new book, so I'm sure after it comes out I'll have a new favorite angel/demon…right?!
*raises hand* I've never seen Supernatural either…but it's on my to-watch list! I must check out this Dean person.
As far as favorite, I haven't read a lot of demons so I'll go with Wraith from Passion Unleshed.
Ok, the correct NAP is showing now :)
I am looking forward to reading Fallon's novella.
My favorite Demon is Cade from Dark Desires After Dusk by Kresley Cole.
Ms. Smexy – the Nap that I'm giving away is actually this one – NAP Ultra-Plush Blanket with Sleeves
Just so there's no confusion ;)
Great interview & this book sounds fab – I'm looking forward to readinng it :o)
I've not actually read many hot demon/angel books yet – I've been more into vamps & weres but I've recently added quite a few to my wishlist & can't wait to start reading them. I've ordered the Demonica series by Larissa Ione & can't wait to get started on them.
Great interview! I'll be looking for your book!
My favorite angel is Raphael from Nalini Singh's Angel's Blood, I haven't read so many demon books.
That GC caught my attention for sure ;)
Lol, love the way your husband picked the story!that is sure one way to do it. And he knew how to pick one too
Fav angel, oh Castiel from Supernatural cos he is sooo yummy
Can't wait to read the Book. Hmmm…Favorite Demon… While Cade is Hot! hot! hot!…I will go with Rydstrom Woede from Kresley Coles Kiss of a demon King.
As Angels Go I am Hoping that Bill Sinclair(Sinclair Past Prime) of the Resonance Mates series by Bianca D'Arc gets a chance at True Love/s.
My fsvourite angel character on books is Rapahel from the Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh; and from TV I have to say Castiel from Supernatural.
My favorite angel is Patch from Hush Hush.
cindyc725 at gmail dot com
Hi Fallon and Mandi! Great interview! Love your tat Fallon :) My favorite demon (so far) without a doubt is Cadeon Woede from Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series. He gets my heart racing, I'm totally jealous of his sweetie Holly. :)
The book sounds great–Congrats on your first release. But Fallon, coffee with chicory? Are you sure you're not a New Orleans girl who just "lives" in Florida?
Here in Spain supernatural isn't so famous, though I know many people that like it… I have nerver seen it either, but I wish I had because it seems like my kind of series!
Favorite demon? Probably Sherrilyn Kenyon's, Simi is wonderful!And my favorite angel is Patch, though he seems more demon than angel!
sheere.dry@gmail.com
I was going to pick Castiel from Supernatural but it seems like it's a common answer. So I'm going with Lassiter from J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood Series
Love your post – and that's one awesomely supportive hubby you got there!! My favorite angel is Illium (Bluebell) from Nalini Singh's Guild Hunters Series. Favorite demon – Larissa Ione's Eidolon!! Lordy, it's enough to set a gal's hair on fire :-)
I don't think I've read any books where the angels or demons were anything more than a secondary character, so I really look forward to adding this book to my library.
I dont read alot of Demon and Angels book – but Jory Strong – Fallon Mates series had some winged characters that I thought was super hot, take charge and knew when to finish the job…
Zeraac was my fav…
Fun interview – Lovely to meet you …
E.H>
I love the demons from Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld (especially Lucien)
I'm not a big Angel fan.. Well, unless we are talking about Angel the vampire.. But that's another story.
I LOVE demons, there is just a misunderstood, yet still bad boy feel to the whole element. That said, I don't think I could possibly pick a favorite demon, I love them all! But, to name a few.. Wrath (Ione), Wrath (Showalter), Lucian (Showalter), Shade (Ione), Elijah (Frank), Noah (Frank), Jaden (Kenyon), Simi (Kenyon)… and the list goes on..
kaylajohnson3969@sbcglobal.net
My favorite demon is Ione's Wraith.
pssst – me too Victoria!
Psst – me three on Wraith being the favorite.
LSUReader – I love coffee with chicory. It got me through writing this novella that's for sure. Wish I'd have had some beignets to go with it! Still a Florida girl though, just one who appreciates all that the south has to offer ;)
I love the angel Raphael from Nalini Singh's Archangel series.
I think Dean is a weakness for many of us! He's also on my desktop–since that's the closest I'm really likely to get to him. And since last night was Supernatural night, my favorite angel is Castiel from the show. He says something every week that makes me laugh.
I also like the other poster who mentioned Lassiter. He too cracks me up!
Great interview and I love the pic!
My favorite demons are Simi from Kenyon's DarkHunter series, Jaden and Jared from Kenyon's DarkHunter series and Jim from Katie MacAlister's Aisling Gray series!
Thanks for the cool giveaway!
Oh wowsers! This sounds like an AWESOME book!! One I'll have to get even if I don't win. :) And what a great interview! Wish I could come up with half as interesting questions (I babble & screw up the phrasing).
My favorite angel is a fallen angel… Azazeal from the BBC series Hex. He's all tortured and sexy with the British accent, the guy-liner, and the hint of good under all that evil. *licks lips* I haven't read too many angel/demon books, but I think I'm going to have to start. I never realized how much I like the idea. :)
Fav angel: Raphael from Nilini Singh's books!
Fav demon: Eidolon or Shade (sigh) from Larissa Ione's books. :-)
I love love simi for SK's book and I thing I am also going to like Elena now that she's an angel in Nalini Singh's angel series.
shoot hit enter too soon. Was going to say congrats on your new book and it sounds fantastic.
Hi Fallon. I enjoyed your interview. This Side of Heaven sounds good. My favorite demon is Jacquelyn Frank's Jacob and my favorite angel is Nalini Singh's Raphael.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com
My favorite demon is Larissa Ione's Wraith.
kissinoak at verizon dot net
Hi Fallon, it was great getting to know you. I love angel stories, my favorites are the sexy angels in Joey W Hill's mermaid/angel series.
As for demons, loved Lore in Ectasy Unleashed.
caity_mack(at)yahoo(dot)com
I just loved the interview! So many great demons to choose from. I have to say I am partial to Showalter's Lords of the Underworld demons…honestly I can't pick just one though. As for Angels, I like Eve from Kelley Armstong's series.. but that's a like, not a lust : )
Great interview! I love reading about angels and am so glad that they are "in" at the moment.
My favourite angel has to be Raphael from Nalini Singh's series. Definitely what a archangel should be. ;)
I love the sound of the angel/demon hybrids, and the angel Uriel sounds very intriguing!
Right now, I'm loving Nalini Singh's Angel series.
Great interview. I really want to read this book. Love the info on starting in the process of writing.
Fav demon/angel character…hmmmm….I'd say it'a tie…the Buffyverse's Angel and Spike..the Vamp is actually a demon in that universe(not sure on other verses)
Great interview….There are so many amazing demons these days. I love Simi, but I also love all of Larissa Ione's demons. As for angels, I'm going with Nalini Singh. Would love to win your giveaway.
lynnflager at yahoo dot com
I enjoyed your interview and can't wait to read your book. I too like Nalini Singh's angels. The snuggie would come in handy right now since we are getting another lousy winter storm.
seriousreader at live dot com
Love the interview Fallon! I have been so excited about your book ever since I first heard about it. My favorite demons are the Lords of the Underworld. Yummy!
cpass at austin dot rr dot com
Nice intervie :D! My favorite demon so far is Eidolon from Demonica series by Larissa Ione.
Just in case…i live outside US :D~
thanks!
What a great interview and fab picture, Fallon! I'm so excited for you on your first book coming out and can't wait to read it:)
Right now, I'm really loving Larissa Ione's demon brothers and have quite the fondness for Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld. Getting ready to dive into Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series, have a feeling her angels will be just as addictive as her Psy-Changelings series!
The book sounds really great, I'm definitely going to read it.
I haven't read many Demon/Angel books but I really enjoyed Al out of Kim Harrisons Hollow series.
(Castiel is of course my favorite.=)
Great Interview Mandi and great answers Fallon!!
Being honest I haven't read that many books with Angels/Demons in it so I don't know who to put down, but I do really like Lassiter from the BDB series
Thank you for the contest!
Mine is a fallen angel from the Succubus Diaries, Noah!!! I lurv him, much!!!
Ouch, i've never read any demons/angels book before. And i really like to start one :)
Congrats on the book Fallon (nice tat btw) and great interview Mandi! I'm just starting to get into angel/demon books so I don't have any favs yet but I have Ione and Myles books in my tbr pile and am hoping to add more!