Monday, September 26, 2011

Paranormal Guest Author: Gracen Miller + Pandora's Box Giveaway












Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Gracen Miller!  Gracen is the author of Fairy Casanova, Elfin Blood, The Devil's Den, and Pandora's Box.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Gracen: 
Thanks for having me today, E.J.! It’s an honor to be here. I began writing in sixth grade when my English teacher gave us a writing assignment for homework. Like everyone else in the class, I groaned and complained about having to use my imagination.  I couldn’t believe she’d given us such a complex assignment and worried I wouldn’t find sufficient inspiration. I dragged my feet that afternoon stepping out of the car and entering my mother’s workplace—I spent every afternoon doing homework in the restaurant office where she worked.

I sat down at that desk unknowing my life was about to take a dramatic turn.  I took up pen and paper, thinking how much I hated English and disliked Mrs. S for issuing such a stupid assignment.  I looked out the window and stared at the well-manicured Golf Course (my mother worked at the local Country Club as a waitress), with a certainty darkening my heart that I would fail this project miserably and my mother would be furious.  Surprised, an idea quickly rose in my mind about Atlantis rising from the ocean and its inhabitants harnessing supernatural powers.  And, of course, along with those supernatural powers the Atlantians concocted an evil plan to take over the world…what else do you do with supernatural powers, right?  LOL  With gusto I wrote a poorly crafted “play”, but I was excited by the detail illuminating in my mind.

The next day all of our stories were read out loud in class.  I fidgeted and worried to the point of nausea that everyone would laugh at my story.  No one laughed, but sat as silent as church mice as I read.  Mrs. S took a paper vote at the end of class on the three favorite stories and mine was one of the three, which meant the next day I had to pick individuals to play the parts of my characters. My characters would be acted out in front of the entire classroom.  Wow!  Not only had I enjoyed the assignment, but apparently all of my peers loved it too!  Talk about mind-blowing to an 11 year old! Much like a drug, writing dug its claws into me and I have forever been addicted.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Gracen: 
The paranormal has drawn me for as long as I can remember. I’ve been watching horror/paranormal movies since I was a child. I grew up with greats like The Twilight Zone and Tales from the Darkside. My best friend, Angela, and I would rent B-rated horror movies the weekends we were together and veg out in front of the TV eating popcorn and nachos. It seemed normal to merge paranormal and romance together when I started writing. I love the world building that comes with the paranormal too. It’s so much fun seeing where my imagination can take me!

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Gracen:
  What a tough question. Hmm…well, I always prefer to fiddle with my paranormal creatures so they don’t fit the standard mold. Those that are members of my Road to Hell series fan page call me “Momma Hellhound”. They also gave me a forked tail that I poke people with and a magical pitchfork so that I can zap naughty hellhounds into submission. LOL  But I don’t want to be a dog. How unglamorous! ;-)  I think I’d want to be a magical demon, because being naughty is so much fun. I would cast spells, all types of spells, and I’d be able to kick butt with ease. Make mortal and immortal men quake in fear at the utterance of my name. *cheeky grin* What’s the point in having supernatural talent if you can’t frighten people, right?

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Gracen:
  It’s a great mix between horror and romance, something I don’t get enough of when I’m looking for a book. Madison is a strong heroine, but she’s vulnerable too. Nix is a no-nonsense paranormal hunter who opens Madison’s eyes to the dangerous world surrounding them. But the internal forces outside of their control is the heart of their problem. Nothing is as Madison once believed, her whole life is a lie, but she’s determined not to allow herself or her son be victimized by the cards destiny has dealt them.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading -roles? Why?

Gracen:
  LOL My girlfriend and I were just discussing this the other day. We couldn’t come up with a great pick for the heroine, but the closest “fit” was Charlize Theron. The only why is because she’s blonde and leggy like Madison. No other reason.  I prefer an unknown to play Madison’s part, so there are no preconceived notions about the actress.  For the hero, Phoenix “Nix” Birmingham, we picked Chris Evans. The why is because he’s easy on the eyes—lol—got great lips and gorgeous eyes, plus he was great in Losers and Captain America. =D























Pandora's Box (The Road to Hell, #1) by Gracen Miller

Where does the road to Hell begin?

What happens when your son turns homicidal overnight and your husband disappears on his way to work? Do you cower in fear or fight for your life? Madison Wescott fights against the odds. Distrustful of a God she doesn't believe in, she finds herself face-to-face with a world she didn't know existed and discovers her own soul is darkened with demonic connections.

With good intentions? Or by demonic design?

Phoenix Birmingham bursts into Madison’s life in a whirlwind of sarcasm and sexual appeal. A hero for the masses—and for her jaded heart—but few will ever know the sacrifices he has made or the sacrifices to come. Discovering her entire life has been influenced by multifaceted paranormal beings, Madison is determined to defeat the apocalyptic blueprint fate has decreed, but only one man dares to challenge the supernatural forces manipulating them. Even with Phoenix's aid, can destiny be denied? Or will demonic design prevail while they pay the crucial price with their souls?

In a small, sleepy Alabama town the battle for mankind's liberty has begun...


Thank you Gracen for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about Gracen Miller and her books, please visit her website.






















**Pandora's Box Giveaway**

We are giving away one ebook copy of Pandora's Box by Gracen Miller and a fabulous skull cameo pendant!

To enter, please leave a comment on this post including your email address (so we may contact you if you win).  You do not have to be a follower to enter (though I always appreciate a follow!).  This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL!  Giveaway ends October 10th midnight EST.

57 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great book - thanks for the giveaway! katy.sozaeva@gmail.com

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  2. Sounds great! I'd love to win the pendant.
    GFC follower

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

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  3. Will love to read. Thanks.

    Email: hernandezcassandra50 at yahoo dot com

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  4. Please enter me in contest. I am a follower and email subscriber. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

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  5. At first look the cover looks like it would be an erotic read but it's not. I thin k it sounds like it will be a good read. A beginning of a series. I do agree with Gracen that naughty is better ;) Thanks for a chance to win your book.
    Tanyaw1224(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  6. LOve the interview! It's great to get to know Gracen a little more :) Who knew she was a blood thirsty she demon LOL Hugs Gracen! I'd really like to win this book :)

    leanne_gag[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  7. great interview!!! and the book sounds more amzing now that I will be picturing Chris Evans ;)
    twimom101(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  8. Thanks everyone for coming out! Tanya, this is not an erotic book. I do write some erotic books, but this isn't one of them.

    Best of luck to all of you!

    Huggles,
    Gracen

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  9. Awesome interview. Pandora's Box sounds like a really good read. Thanks for the chance to win it.
    GFC @ Jennifer
    jennifer(@)fictitiousmusings(dot)com

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  10. Enjoyed post and interview. Your book really looks good. Please put my name in the hat for the ebook & pendant.

    GFC-judy

    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

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  11. Great interview Gracen. Thanks for taking the time to tell us a little about yourself.

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  12. Can't wait to read this book!! Sounds awesome! Thanks for the chance to win!

    iarvd@yahoo.com

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  13. Thank you! layersofthought(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  14. Hey Gracen! Great interiew, and "Pheonix Birmingham" may be the best name I've heard all year. I'd love to read the book and, I know I'm dudely, but don't count me out on the pendant thing either - my special lady friend loves death and jewellery ;)
    See you round the bloghops!

    axelhow@gmail.com

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  15. Hi Awesom Interview! & I love the sound of Pandora's Box
    mslowman@gmail.com

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  16. This sounds amazing. Thanks for the giveaway!
    cate.masters@gmail.com

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  17. Hi Gracen, Great interview, and congratulations on your new series!

    Rie

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  18. Thanks for the amazing giveaway! GFC follower

    brittanyferguson11@yahoo.com

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  19. Thank you all for stopping by. Best of luck with the giveaway. :)

    xx,
    E.J.
    Paranormal Author E.J. Stevens
    From the Shadows

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  20. Sounds amazing! I like your choice for a leading man. Chris Evans is gorgeous and gives a wonderful image for me to picture as I read. dellanioakes@yahoo.com

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  21. I've had my eye on this book for a while now and would LOVE to win a copy!! Thanks for the chance:)
    jwitt33 at live dot com

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  22. Road to Hell series? I can't wait! I'll search this book, because I absolutely want to read it.
    The cover is amazing! :)

    Thanks!
    www.grettyszerintavilag.blogspot.com

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  23. I am trying SO hard to win a copy of this awesome looking book! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will be the one I win :)
    jwitt33 at live dot com

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  24. I love the cover. :) I already have the book, havent had a chance to read it yet, but its in my get to right away pile. lol Thank you for the giveaway! I would love to win the pendant. There so cute! Thank you!
    shadowluvs2read(at)aol(dot)com

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  25. Thank you so much for this giveaway!

    chelle2006 @ aol.com

    -Michelle

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  26. Thanks for the great giveaway!

    fullmoonbites[at]gmail[dot]com

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  27. I would love a chance to win.

    raynekitten@gmail.com

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  28. I was drawn to this post when I saw that the name of the book is Pandora's Box. I love stories about people discovering there is a paranormal world out there that they never knew about. Thanks for the giveaway.
    jepebATverizonDOTnet

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  29. Howdy everyone! Thanks so much for joining me. Good luck to all of you in the drawing!

    Huggles,
    Gracen

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  30. LOL , never thought about being a magical demon they would be so much fun wouldn't they.

    Thanks for another awesome giveaway!

    vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

    I love the title to this book its so intriguing.

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  31. i haven't read pandora's box yet but i heard it's really good and would enjoy the chance to read it. I can be reached at iris_378@yahoo.com

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  32. Thanks for the chance to read a terrific sounding book.

    Saph
    saphsbookblog at gmail dot com

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  33. This sounds like a great read..Thank you for the chance to win..lprater@modweldco.com

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  34. This book sounds awesome and the pendant is beautiful. would love to win and read this book. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
    GFC & blog follower:Chris Bails
    christinebails@yahoo.com

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  35. book sounds good.

    dollhousecreation(at)gmail(dot)com

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  36. i really really really want to win this book!!!
    lol with that said good luck to everyone!

    terri_dion@hotmail.com

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  37. Always a great interview! Really want this book and the ultra cool pendant! Thanks for the giveaway and good luck all!

    Shelley
    bellabunnell@gmail.com

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  38. Pandora's Box has an amazing story. Thank you for the great giveaway!

    artgiote at gmail dot com

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  39. i like the skull on the cover. for that alone i would think about giving the book a chance ;)

    witchvela at web dot de

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  40. Great interview .love the story on how you got started on writing.
    Sounds like a great read.
    sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com

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  41. I NEVER get tired of saying this: THIS BOOK IS INCREDIBLE FOR REAL! You have to read it. Madison is fabulous, Nix is super hot and Micah...wellllll....Micah is mine! hehe...well he is *begs and pleads* Enjoy everyone!!

    min

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  42. Would love to read this book !Thank you for the give-away <3

    Best,
    Ifrah
    starlight023(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  43. Hi! I would love to read this book! Looking forward to this! I want Hellhounds! :) Thanks for this giveaway!

    proserpinecravedfor(at)hotmail.com

    new followers!

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  44. Ooh, horror and romance. Pandora's Box sounds good, thanks for the giveaway!

    jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com

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  45. This sounds like a great read..

    Tasha

    natasha.strong@gmail.com

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  46. sounds awesome!

    courtnut1990 at yahoo dot com

    Courtney

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  47. Please enter me in the draw, and thanks for the giveaway!

    darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com

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  48. Hello other Darlene above me!

    Thanks for the giveaway. I've been wanting to read this!

    Crescentangeni at Yahoo dot com

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  49. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!!
    candy.apple7@yahoo.com

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  50. I am excited about reading this book and can't wait... I would love to be a part of the giveaway... thank you..

    Georgia
    elmorulez2007@gmail.com

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  51. Thank you for another great giveaway. This book sounds very interesting. I'm of course a follower anyway.

    katie(dot)turner(at)y7mail(dot)com
    Katie Turner

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  52. I first saw this on goodreads and am excited to read it! Hope I win one, deaton.cassie@yahoo.com Thanks for the interview

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  53. I cannot believe I missed this! Where was I ? I must have taken a left turn off the Road To Hell. LOL...Love Gracen Miller!

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  54. WOW, the blurb for Pandora's Box is fantastic...totally felt the tension and fast-paced suspense. Can't wait to read about Phoenix and Madison!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReneeRearden(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  55. Sounds great! I'd surely love to read it :)

    Thanks for such amazing giveaways! ^_^

    apyi(dot)chocolate(at)gmail(dot)com

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  56. I'm definitely interested in reading this book.

    kaylalovesandrew09@yahoo.ocm

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  57. Thanks to everyone who joined my blog with From the Shadows! I hope to meet each of you on Facebook on my personal page and/or my Road to Hell series fan page. For those who read Pandora's Box, I would love to hear what you think when you finish it.

    A HUGE thanks to E.J. for hosting me!!

    Congrats to the winner, Wicked Leanore, who was picked by E.J. as the winner!!!

    Huggles,
    Gracen

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