Interview and Giveaway with Aris Whittier, author of Across Eternity

Due to the meltdown BLOGGER had on their system on 12th May this post was removed and sadly I've not been one of the fortunate ones who've had their posts and comments restored. If you have previously commented on Aris's interview and giveaway you may have to do so again; I've managed to retrieve some comments from saved emails but apologies if I've missed anyone. I've also extended the giveaway date.

 

Born a genius; education, wealth, and prestige came easy to Logan Richards. Actually, there wasn’t much that Logan couldn’t learn or acquire. However, he knew there was more to life than money and power. Logan was determined to find the woman who he'd dreamed of his entire life and know what it was like to love her before he died.

Amber Lewis, a waitress for a five-star restaurant in, Dana Point, California, was overworked, stressed, and wary of life since her sister, Heather, had passed away. Then, one evening while working she fell hopelessly in love with Logan Richards, a chivalrous man who felt deeply familiar.

For Amber, it was the beginning of a voyage of self-discovery and renewal. For Logan, it was the completion of life. For each of them it was the deepest sort of love.

1. Can you tell us your inspiration for Across Eternity?

Believe it or not Across Eternity was inspired by a dream! I dreamt the entire book one night and when I work—at about 3 in the morning—I went to my office and immediately began writing—I didn’t want to forget it!

2. What do you think makes your story different or unique to others in the market?

Across Eternity makes the reader think and question certain aspects about life, love, and ourselves. And most importantly what you believe in?

3. Are you a plan-the-whole-book-out person or a write-as-it-comes person?

For this book since I dreamt it the whole book was set out for me. But when I write/wrote my other books...unfortunately they didn’t come complete in a dream...LOL... I usually have a basic outline of the plot and characters and then I write-as-it-comes.

4. Do you write full-time?

That depends by what you mean by full time. I don’t sit at my computer and write for a certain amount of time each day. I’m a mom, with two kids, so they come first. But I do like to try and write one book every year or so.

5. Is there anything you find particularly challenging when you’re writing?

I write in spurts and that is very frustrating. Sometimes I’ll write dozens of pages in a day and other times I can barely get a paragraph written.

6. What’s next on the table for Aris Whittier?

I’m just finishing up SECRETS. SECRETS is a romantic suspense, whose heroine, Ashley Dawson, is a crime writer who has the ability to see spirits. Its hero, Nathaniel Marshall is a hardnosed architect with a long, dark past. A tight web of doubt, uncertainty, and affection is weaved when Nathaniel’s dead wife comes to Ashley in a vision. Throw a stalker turned serial killer in the mix and a crazy cat named Voodoo and the pages keep turning.

7. What are you reading now?

My mom just sent me, Echoes of the Soul: The Souls Journey Beyond the Light through Life, Death, and Life After Death, by Echo Bodine. I’m half way through and it is very interesting.

8. Describe yourself in three words.

Happy, feisty, & grateful.

9. If you could be dropped into any book as a character who would you be and why?

Since Once and Always by Judith McNaught is hands down my most favorite book I’d love to be Victoria because I simply MUST HAVE Jason!

10. Any advice to aspiring writers?

My advice is to never give up. And write about what you love. Oh, and develop a very thick skin because you’re going to need it. Everything will be judged and nitpicked—your writing, your plot, your characters, your query, your book cover…get used to it. Some of the criticism will be worthy and some of it not. You’ll know what to take in and what to just let roll off. Trust your instincts!

Thanks Aris for taking the time to answer my questions, Across Eternity sounds beautiful and Secrets should be intriguing; hero, serial killer & a psycho cat called Voodoo (sounds like my type of read.) I was having a snoop around Aris's blog and couldn't resist putting up some details about her name; they gave me a giggle :)

About the author:

My name is Aris. Aris is pronounced (heiress) and I'm not sure what the meaning is. Several years ago, when I was asked what my name meant, I replied that Aris was a Greek Sex Goddess (what can I say I'm a romance writer). Unfortunately, my husband happened to be near, he looked over at me, rolled his eyes, and said very loudly "I wish". I've moved on to another story, which happens to be true. I was born in the seventies to a pair of hippies, real hippies. Having said that, I think I got off lucky with the name Aris. It could have been much worse, Fruit Stand or something like that. So, Aris it is.

Aris is a romance writer. She writes suspense, contemporary, and commercial woman’s fiction. Her debut novel, Fatal Embrace is a romantic suspense that was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine as a Red-Hot Read. Foolish Notions is a contemporary romance that has just a touch a mystery too. Across Eternity is a beautiful love story that transcends time!

Visit Aris's blog to find out more about this author and her work.

GIVEAWAY:
To win a eBook copy of ACROSS ETERNITY via Amazon Gift please leave a comment regarding Aris's interview and don't forget your email address.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
+2 post about this give-away on twitter or your blog & leave a link

Competition is International. Ends 31st May and the winner will be announced on my blog. Good luck everyone!