Kick Off of the Awakening the Nightmare Blog Tour!

 


Awakening the Nightmare by Lanie Malone
My rating: 4½♥'s

Don't judge this book by just it's cover, it's more than worth the read!

Where has this book been hiding? I am SO glad I stumbled across it and was allowed to read it in exchange for an honest review. I know the cover is just kind of *Meh* and the title is OK (it does actually correlate to the story)... but this book NEEDS to be read. If you like urban fantasy with hot vampires, strong non-human female protagonists (that kick serious butt), smokin' hot demons, fae, werewolves... pretty much the whole menagerie of paranormal creatures- then run, don't walk, and go out and buy yourself a copy. At only $2.99 on Amazon, that's a small price to pay for the amount of enjoyment you will get out of it.

When I first read the blurb, I was thinking, OK- I'll give it a chance. I wasn't really expecting anything spectacular... but oh, my was I WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! It has such an ensemble cast (there are the 'main' characters, but we also learn so much about the secondary characters.) I enjoyed every single one, and found myself wanting there to be spin-offs further exploring some of the secondary characters. Like Edge... we need more Edge.

I found it to be a wonderful mix of sexual tension, bedroom antics, action, suspense, thriller, and even some romance. There were aspects that were easily guessed, but surprises as well that balanced the story nicely. I really, really hope to see more from this author (series anyone? Hint, Hint!) There was also a nice reversal of 'traditional' emotional roles in the romance. The guy was making room in his heart, and being vulnerable while the girl was running from her feelings. It was a nice change of pace.

I consider this a hidden jewel of a book that deserves to be read by anyone and everyone that enjoys urban fantasy. I will most definitely be on the lookout for more books by Lanie Malone!

 ...Not ONLY Rocked My Socks Off... but my pants, too!  It gets another ½♥ just for that!

About Lanie

Wife, mother, student, domestic goddess, blogger, author, animal lover, avid reader, tomboy... the labels and titles go on and on. But I don't want to be labelled any one thing. I am all of these things and they are all a part of who I am. So the end result is just me, something of a mess, with interests all over the place. But also with the ability to adapt when necessary.

Writing for me is, essentially, a purge. Not to sound like a spiritual nut, because I'm not, but it allows me to take all of the negative energy within me and focus it on something positive. To pour out from my soul, all the things that make me crazy, a process that leaves me feeling refreshed and revitalized. My writing isn't necessarily deep, there are things in it that people who know me well, could make the connections, and figure out exactly what part of my history I am referencing, if only to draw on it for authenticity. But it is still, all, just little pieces of me. Or more accurately, little things that are a reflection of me and although there is something of a darker element to some of it, it is meant only to be entertaining. I have no desire to have my work analyzed by college professors and students. I don't need my books to become classics or even fads. I just want average people like myself, to enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.

I love to talk, so talk to me.

Symmetria Website

Awakening the Nightmare on Amazon

See... I took Lanie at her word.  And I talked, and poked and prodded, and DEMANDED that I get to do a blog tour.  Yeah, I'm pushy, I know.  But (yeah) I got to do an Interview!


Lanie, I am SO pleased that you are gracing my blog with your presence. I just wish I could get everyone out there to read your book and get a taste of the awesomeness that is Awakening the Nightmare, and soon, series! Oh, I am just beside myself in anticipation!

So first of all... I know being a writer is not everyone's cup of tea. Even if you have a story to tell and the talent to write it, I can only imagine the uphill battle it must be to take that jump and put yourself out there. Was there a defining moment that made you take the risk? Did you always know you had to do it and just had a kismet occurrence and the planets aligned... okay I'm getting a little carried away here, but you get the idea.

I've always thought about writing a book, ever since I was a teenager stealing my mom's romance novels. I was sitting at my neighbor's house last year, reading the latest issues of RT Magazine and they had a four page article on self-publishing. I'm not usually the type of person to believe in signs, but since I'd had a story floating around in my head for over a year, I took that article as a sign. Cory's story had been marinating in my brain for so long that when I sat down to write it, it only took me a month.

Although Awakening the Nightmare revolves mainly around Cory and Nick, there is still such an amazing ensemble cast! Did you have to make a picture board, or a cheat sheet, or do something special to help keep all the different characters straight in your head?

Ha! No, I didn't have a picture board. I did have a cheat sheet of sorts, but only so that I could remember the little details about everyone. Things like the little details of their appearance and back story, are things that tend to slip my mind because I suffer from c.r.a.f.t.; Can't Remember A F***ing Thing.

Since this will be a series... and I'm telling you now this WILL be a series even if I have to come down there with my whip... So for the future books, will they still center around Cory and Nick?

The next book does not focus on Cory and Nick, although they are in it.

Will the other characters get their own book(s)? I think Edge is begging for a book all his own. (Maybe with me in his lap for a moment during it... it could be just like a dream or something. Just a suggestion.)

Not all of the original characters will get a book of their own. Well, I say that, but anything could happen. I have no plans for all of them yet but who knows? Edge and I are working on his story right now. :)

I noticed that you show a slightly kinder view of fae as opposed to many of the other PNR/UF books out there. Granted, the fae are few and far between and not necessarily a cuddly teddy bear... but your version of the fae allows the reader to like and even trust the fae. What make you decide to write them that way?

The fae always seem to get a bad rep. I wanted to do with the fae what I am doing with all of the other species of preters; judge them by the individual rather than the species as a whole. The idea of anyone being "evil" simply because of what they are doesn't sit well with me. Vance is my way of bucking conventional sterotypes, I guess.

Okay, I love Texas since I live here... but what made you pick Arlington, Texas for the setting of the Darling's?

Numerous people have asked me the same question. I live in Louisiana, less than an hour from New Orleans, so I can see why that would seem like a more probable location for the setting of my story. But, they have so many other PNR books set in N.O. Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunters are almost all centered around New Orleans. While I absolutely love the city, I wanted to pick somewhere different. I've been to Texas many times, and I love it. I've never been to Arlington, but after a good deal of research, I decided that it suited my needs for a setting.

Are there any authors that you consider a mentor, regardless if you've had any personal level of interaction with them?

I don't think I have enough time to list them all, so here is my top nine:
Kathleen Woodiwiss- First romance novels I ever read.
Johanna Lindsey- I own almost everything she's ever written. I love the Malory family!
Sherrilyn Kenyon- Hands down my favorite PNR author and I love The League series as well.
Patricia Briggs- Mercy Thompson!!!
Angie Fox- The comedic elements in her books are hilarious.
Kim Harrison- I love Al and Jenks and again the comedy really appeals to me.
Laurell K. Hamilton- Don't shoot me, but I still love LKH even though she seems to have fallen off her rocker. She has an incredibly vivid imagination and a stunning ability to incorporate dark elements into her books....and a whole lot of kinky sex.
Michael Connelly- Awesome mystery/ thrillers. Harry Bosch is the man!
Edgar Alan Poe- I don't think this one needs explaining.

What are you reading right now?

I just finished Born of Shadows by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I don't know what I'll be picking up next.

Fun Questions!

What is the average airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?
Slower than what I drive when I'm late for class.

Is there always room for Jello?
No. But there is always room for cheesecake!

On a scale from 1-10 (ten being the most) -How weird are you?
I'm normal, it's the rest of the world that is weird. :)

Nipples or no nipples on the Batman suit?
No nipples. The nipples remind me of my history professor from a few semesters ago...long story.

Do you have any hidden talents? Like being double-jointed, or ambidextrous, or maybe your are fluent in French?
I can touch my nose with my tongue and I can grasp and turn doorknobs with my freakishly long toes.

What would we find in your refrigerator right now?
Monster Rehabs, Iced Tea, left overs.

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie pop?
Depends on the skill level of the person doing the licking. ;)

What is the answer to life, the universe, and everything?
According to Conan the Barbarian: "To crush your enemies. To see them driven before you. To hear the lamentations of the women."

Thank you SO much for answering my questions, putting up with me stalking you and pimping your book. Did I say stalk? I mean, 'being such a great fan' .... yeah, that's it! No stalking here. But seriously... I am so eager to see what you come up with next!

Check out the rest of the 

Awakening the Nightmare Blog Tour!

Friday, July 20th Book Addict 

Saturday, July 21st Tana Rae Reads 

Sunday, July 22nd My Book Boyfriend 

Monday, July 23rd Random Jen 

Tuesday, July 24th Some Like It Paranormal 

Wednesday, July 25th Share-A-Read 

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