12/28/2010

Alix Rickloff

Get Lost in This Story…



The magic she tries to hide…
Born a lady, but reduced to surviving in the slums of Dublin, Catriona O’Connell has been hired to steal a mysterious book from Aidan Douglas, Earl of Kilronan. But Cat is secretly Other, an age-old mixture of Fey and human—something Aidan recognizes immediately when he surprises the lovely young burglar in his library, about to steal a magical diary.

…is the magic he desperately wants.
From the moment Aidan sees her, Cat’s spirited beauty enchants him, but her uncanny abilities are what he truly needs, for Cat can understand the mystical language in the diary he inherited from his murdered father. So Aidan makes an offer: translate the book or be thrown in prison as a thief. And as Cat slowly deciphers each page, she and Aidan are drawn together by passion . . .and into the violence of the Other world that is the Kilronan legacy. Can they defeat those who seek the book, or are their lives in even greater danger than their hearts?

Today, we welcome paranormal historical romance author Alix Rickloff to the blog! Alix has never been able to decide who she enjoys reading more; Austen or Tolkien. That lifelong indecision drove her to create stories of her own, combining those distinct loves. Her writing awards include a final in the Golden Heart, while Romantic Times Magazine calls her work both compelling and original.

Her latest series set in Regency Ireland, The Heirs of Kilronan, follows the children of the old Earl of Kilronan as they struggle against the fallout from the evil their father unleashed before his death.

EARL OF DARKNESS featuring Aidan Douglas, the eldest son and heir to the title earl of Kilronan, is the first book in the series which releases TODAY! The second book, LORD OF SHADOWS is due to be released in July 2011 with the third and final book, whose title is still under consideration, coming out in January 2012.


So, let's meet Alix!

Heather: What’s your favorite movie of all time?
Alix: Can I have three movies? I absolutely adored Peter Jackson’s LOTR trilogy. The casting was spot-on (Viggo Mortensen was delicious as Aragorn), the adaptation of Tolkein’s books to the screen was fabulous, and the attention to detail was amazing. I still use the soundtrack from those movies to inspire my own muse.
Heather: What’s your favorite fairy tale?
Alix: Beauty and the Beast. The idea of a woman’s love healing a man who’s been damaged in some way is a theme I’ve used over and over in my own writing.
Heather: Where do you read and how often?
Alix: I usually read in bed before I turn out the light. That is unless it’s a book that completely takes me over in which case I read everywhere and without stopping until I’m finished. Family? What family?

Heather: What sound or noise do you love?
Alix: Spring peepers. When they start singing I know winter’s almost over.

Heather: Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?
Alix: See answer to question #1. Yes, I use music to inspire. It can be anything from the soundtracks to LOTR or The Last of the Mohicans to Enya, Wagner, or Muse, depending on the scene and the emotional impact.

Heather: Be honest, when reading 1st person...do you miss the hero’s POV?
Alix: Yes. I like knowing what the man is thinking. I’ve begun to notice author’s writing the heroine’s POV in 1st and the hero’s in 3rd. I guess that’s one way to get around that problem.

Heather: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book?
Alix: Breathe a great big sigh of relief.

Heather: What do you do to unwind and relax?
Alix: No surprise—I read. Or enjoy a family movie night at home complete with popcorn.

Heather: Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?
Alix: Oh, I so wish I could say I ignored reviews and never let them influence me. But the sad truth is that I do read them. And no matter how many fantastic reviews I receive, it’s always the one negative comment that sticks with me for days.

Heather: Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it?
Alix: Coffee. Cream and sugar first so when I pour the coffee in, it’s instantly stirred. A trick I learned from my husband.

Heather: Dog person or cat person?
Alix: Cat. I love their independence.



HEATHER’S GOTTA ASK –ALIX’S GOTTA ANSWER J
Heather: So, we know you write regencies with that “Something Other”. If YOU could have a “something other” element or power in your life, what would it be?
Alix: That’s an easy one—the ability to clone myself.

GOT A QUESTION YOU’D LIKE TO ASK YOUR FANS?
Since the holidays have just passed, I want to know what everyone’s favorite gift was this year.

WILL YOU HAVE A DRAWING FROM THOSE LEAVING COMMENTS?
Yes, I will give away a copy of EARL OF DARKNESS to one lucky commenter.

Thanks for coming by today, Alix!
If you’d like to learn more about Alix, visit her website or find her on Facebook.



Readers, don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance at the drawing.
We will announce a winner here and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-Lost-In-A-Story/

You can also follow us on Twitter @GetLostInAStory

26 comments:

  1. HI ALIX ! I feel the same way about the hero's POV. It's just not a romance without all that male agony.

    So...my favorite gift this year was probably the cheapest given to me by my husband. Many years ago I had to have my wedding ring cut off my ever-fattening finger. While out on Christmas Eve, he picked up a $12.00 simple, costume-jewelry band. It's adorable, very pretty, and I love it. Finally. I know, it sound horribly cheap of him, but I'm allergic to gold and we've got a kid in college...so the real thing's gonna have to wait. LOL
    ~~Angi

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  2. Hi :)
    Thank you to Heather for having Alix here & to Alix for sharing. I enjoyed learning more about Alix and her writing.
    My favorite gift was kisses & hugs & smiles from my children.
    All the best,
    RKCharron

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  3. Hi Alix, I can't wait to read your book. I read LOTR in high school and I was hooked on the genre. Combine it with romance and you've got a must read for me. And Regency Ireland is a unique setting.

    My daughter and I went to Florida for Christmas. That was my gift. 5 days of warm weather with no stress. It was heaven.

    Thanks for being with us today.

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  4. Alix, I love the blurb and I'm eager to read your book.

    My favorite gift will be the netbook I buy when the prices go down. I planned to buy one but didn't see a great sale. There's no rush, and as a frugal consumer, I decided to wait for my Christmas present. Though my husband surprised me and actually bought me an outfit that fits me and that I love.

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  5. I love magic mixed into my books. Yours sounds wonderful! We have the LOTR's trilogy on DVD and love to watch it. Actually, I love being able to skip parts and watch my favorite scenes over and over again. :)

    My favorite gifts were from my daughters. Two new romance novels, a porcelain snowman, and a Perry the Platypus shirt.

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  6. As usual over this holiday week, I'm coming late to the party, but thank you all for coming by to chat and for Heather and the rest of GLIAS for inviting me today. It's RELEASE DAY! for Earl Of Darkness, so that makes this visit especially exciting.

    Angi,
    Talk about a right-out-of-a-romance-novel gesture. That's a wonderful gift and one you'll treasure forever.

    RK,
    It sounds like you got just what you wanted this Christmas.

    I love watching the kids unwrap their gifts in the morning--the scrum under the tree as they search, the squeals, the oohs and aahs as they discover what's inside all those boxes, the laughter, and the mountain of paper when it's over. These are some of the greatest joys of the season for me.

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  7. Cat,
    I read the LOTR books back in high school as well and read them again when the movies came out to see how close Jackson stayed to the story. Pretty darn close, although I have to say the enhancement of Aragorn's relationship with Arwen was a plus over the books for me, but then that's the romance novelist talking. No story is complete without a romantic happy ending.

    Florida sounds wonderful. We're recovering from a snow storm here.

    Edie,
    I love my netbook. It's perfect since I take it with me everywhere. But good for your husband for surprising you. It's nice getting what you want, but even better when you get something wonderful you didn't expect.

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  8. Happy release day Alix!

    A dark Earl and a fey heroine. Nice! Your new book sounds terrific. My best gift this holiday was getting my voice back. I had laryngitis!

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  9. Hi Alix! Congratulations on your latest release. I've enjoyed reading your "other" books :P and can't wait to read this story.

    My best gift this holiday is Beatles Rock Band ... yes, I've regressed to being 14 again. The Beatles are my favorite band, so the first night I stayed up until 1 am just singing the songs until my voice was hoarse. I'm still trying to get a hang of the guitar and drums.

    Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, too!

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  10. I think my favourite gift was having family around. A lot of work getting ready to have everyone over, but so worth it.

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  11. Gillian,
    We have the extended versions of all the LOTR movies at our house. They're probably our most watched DVD's. I love the Perry the Platypus shirt! Phineas and Ferb is the one "kids" cartoon I sit and watch. Dr. Doofenshmirtz is my fave. :)

    Gjillian,
    Thank you for the release well-wishes. I'm so happy to hear you're feeling better. Being sick over the holidays is never fun.

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  12. Hi Alix!!! Thanks so much for joining us on your release day! And Congratulations!!!

    I am very excited to read your story. In fact, I'm buying it as a birthday gift to me :)

    My favorite holiday gift this year? Aside from safe travel and my incredible family, I think it was a Willow Tree figurine my mom got me of a guardian angel watching over a little boy to go with the one we got when he was born of a man and woman holding their newborn.

    Thanks again for coming by today and we'd love to have you back again anytime!

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  13. Jennifer,
    I can picture you now belting out Beatles songs all night. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy this latest book as much as you did the others. Aidan and Cat's story was a blast to write.

    Maureen,
    I had family visit both Christmas and the day after. Two big meals to prepare, but I'd much rather cook than travel. And aside from a few minor glitches like a ham that wouldn't cook and an impending blizzard, it was wonderful!

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  14. Happy Release Day Alix!

    I loved the blurb and can't wait to read the book!

    My favorite gift was buying presents for my granddaughters. :-) It is so much fun to buy gifts for them as they are 5 and 2. And they have another little sister due in February. My son- in- law sent videos of them with their gifts and it was so much fun.

    Wishing you and yours a wonderful New Year!

    Debra

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  15. Happy release day, Alix! I can't wait to read your book!!!

    I got a Kindle this year for Christmas. It was the best gift ever!

    teamstefan@live.com

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  16. Heather,
    Thanks for inviting me today. I love the idea of being a birthday gift! I have a few pieces of Willow Tree. Tracing your son's growth through the figurines is a beautiful thought.

    Debra,
    Isn't buying presents for little ones fun? 2 and 5 are great ages. And huge congratulations on the new grandchild.

    Jena,
    Thanks for stopping by. I have yet to take the plunge and get a Kindle, although everyone I know who has one loves it. I'm so stuck back in the twentieth-century.

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  17. Happy release day! I look forward to reading Earl of Darkness. And that's one HOT cover!

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  18. This sounds like such a cool story.

    My favorite gift this year was a Mini Netbook so I can write at the cafe and at the bookstore.

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  19. Alix,
    Fun interview, your latest release sounds amazing! I'm SO with you, I'm a huge LOTR fan all the way and use the soundtracks to write by as well.
    In addition to having all of my kids home for Christmas, which was amazing, my favorite gift was a 12" x 12" plot of land at Dunans Castle in Scotland. :) So, technically speaking for all square foot worth, *G*, I'm Lady of Dunans Castle. How fun is that?
    Take care and I wish you every success! *Hugs*

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  20. Diana,
    Thanks for posting. I love my cover! Pocket did a fantastic job with the artwork for both EARL OF DARKNESS and the upcoming LORD OF SHADOWS. I can't wait to see what they do for Book #3.

    Jill,
    As I told Edie, my netbook was the best investment I ever made. It took me a little while to get used to the size, but now, I'm hooked. I look at my old laptop and wonder how I ever lugged that gorilla around. :)

    Diana C. or should I say Lady of Dunans Castle,
    In between posting here, I've been writing and listening to that very soundtrack. Now if only Jackson would make The Hobbit already. Cheers!

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  21. Thanks for the interview. Alix's book sounds pretty interesting, combining a parnormal with a historical. My favorite gift was a gift card to Barnes & Noble from my son.

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  22. My favorite gift was an owl necklace from my grandmother, which is just the cutest thing in the world :-)

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  23. Alix, I am the perpetual Get Lost crew member, but I adored your interview and I love your writing. Your newest books sounds fantastic as well. I will have to try your coffee approach. Congratulations!

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  24. Hi Alix

    Great interview thank you for sharing it with the readers ! My favorite gift this year was a stack of Mills and Boon books I got to from my family ,they know me well and know that I am totally addicted to reading ! I have so many favorite authors and so many favorite types of books that Ill never stop reading ,your book sounds delicious !

    Congratulations on all your success !And thank you for the stunning stories you write!

    All the best for the new year !

    Desere

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  25. Hi All,
    Sorry to go AWOL last night but my internet went down and only came up this morning. Thought I'd swing by one last time to see what I missed.

    Maureen,
    Gotta love bookstore gift cards. It keeps the fun of Christmas going a little longer as you shop. Happy browsing!

    Chelsea,
    The owl necklace sounds adorable. I got a wooden pig necklace this year, and I love it knowing how much care went into picking it out.

    Donnell,
    So glad to hear from you! The coffee approach is not for the faint of heart. And extremely addictive. I started as a 1-cupper and I'm now up to 4-5 cups per day. I think I need rehab. :)

    Desere,
    My parents always made sure I had a stack of books to unwrap at Christmas. Only got one this year, but it's an enormous book of costumes through history. Perfect for my research library.

    I want to thank Heather and everyone at GLIAS for inviting me here to chat about my new book. I had a great time sharing our favorite gifts. Here's wishing everyone all the best in 2011!

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  26. Congratulations RKCharron. You are the winner of Alix's drawing. Please contact me at heather@heathersnowbooks.com with your address!

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