Why don't you start with telling us a little about yourself? What genre do you write in and why? I’m Donica Covey, but I guess you knew that, LOL. I write all across the board—I have paranormal romantic comedies, paranormal historicals (okay one and that doesn’t release until Jan 2011…)I’ve even written contemporary and inspirational but my favorite is the Suspense genre. I love and am probably best known for my romantic suspense. Why? I’m twisted? LOL Seriously though, I firmly believe in the philosophy “that which does not kill us makes us stronger” and I love pushing my characters to verge of super human strength…
What comes first for you when you sit down to write a book? Plot or Characters? Hmmm I’m a pantster so I guess the plot? I sit down knowing what my characters look, feel, and sound like. In most of my books I’ve actually had the characters sitting in the room beside me, talking to me, telling me their life story. I see the books in my head, like little movies.
Do you "cast" your characters using pictures or actors to help inspire you when you're writing? Yes—only to a point. I know what my characters look like and I feel that using certain photos of celebs only helps to make my characters more real to the world at large.
How long does it take you to finish a book from start to finish? Hmm—is this question regarding a first draft or the book from inception to release? I’ve written a first draft book in 2 weeks. YES that is 2 WEEKS. But the process from writing to editing to release has taken me as long as 7 months.
Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write such a story. Hunting Mickey is the third book in my Gateway Guardians series. I had originally envisioned it as a four book series but sometimes things just don’t work out that way. I LOVE my heroes and I was saddened to say goodbye to them but Justice, Chase, Mickey and Bobby have gone as far as they can—maybe. I won’t say never because there are no hard, fast rules when it comes to writing. Who knows? Maybe I’ll wake up in the middle of the night and suddenly HAVE to write another Gateway Guardians title.
How much does reader reaction mean to you as an author? Do you read your own reviews? It means a great deal! I LOVE hearing from readers. If they enjoyed my books, then I’ve done my job well. If they don’t then it means I need to work on it a bit more. I LOVE reviews! I check the ‘net daily for reviews that might have slipped by me.
What are you working on now? Anything you want to tell us about? I’m working on another series—yep there’s a shocker, LOL. And of course it’s a romantic suspense series. The series is called The Four Horsemen. The heroes are hot, hunky and former special forces who banded together as a special “secret” government unit. They ride customized Harleys. I’m usual a keep it close to the vest person when it comes to ideas but I’ve recently submitted the first novel and am waiting for word from my publisher so I’ll give you this much about it:
Armageddon’s got nothing on these boys—The Four Horsemen…
These men, all ex military, have been assembled into a special unit, who do the jobs that the certain government officials would rather not acknowledge. Officially they do not exist—unofficially, they’re respected, envied and admired. Borders mean nothing to them. A mad dash into the middle of Mexico to rescue victims of human traffickers…blowing up a building in Bolder to stop a group of homegrown terrorists…protecting a runaway wife and her kid from an abusive animal…taking back a terrorized town…
When they ride in you better hope they’re on your side…
The book that was recently submitted is The Four Horsemen: Death Rides a Pale Harley
That which doesn’t kill us only comes back for a second chance at the job…
Simon “Smash” Smazniski is anxiously headed home for a well earned rest. He’s also desperate to see that pretty little waitress with an angels’ smile. In his fantasies, she fits in his arms perfectly.
Tabitha Myers is thrilled to her toes when Simon walks into the restaurant. The man is sexy as sin but completely baffling. He’s never hit on her before—when he finally does she jumps at the chance and says yes.
Their first date turns into a nightmare when Tabi dislocates her shoulder. But the nightmares have only just begun when her past comes back to destroy her. Simon’s secret life comes to light offering her safety but is it more than she can survive?
If someone hasn't read any of your work, what book would you recommend that they start with and why? I’d have to feel them out. If they’re into paranormal I’d recommend reading my last release Cry Wolf (from Samhain Publishing released June, 2010) But if you’re more on the action side, read the Gateway Guardians and start with Callye’s Justice, follow up with Betraying Chase and be ready when Hunting Mickey comes out in October! If you’re more into fantasy, then Dragon’s Angel is the book for you. Lighthearted comedy? Tides of Maryna’s Love & Storm Chasing would be right up your alley!
If you could have been the servant to any famous person in history, who would that be and why? I’m not the servant type, but I’d have LOVED knowing Chief Joseph, Cochise, Sequoyah. Even Lewis and Clark would’ve been cool to travel with. Of course I’d DIG riding with the James gang….heheheh
What do you see for the future of publishing and e-books? While I’m thrilled that eBooks are growing in popularity, I worry about the brick and mortar stores moving in the direction of the dinosaurs. That would be a real crime! Bookstores are portals of magic and mystery. They hold the entire world. I LOVE my computer, I love internet, that I can transport several hundred books with me at one time—but is losing the print book really a GOOD thing? Honestly? I don’t know. I would hate to ever see the day that print and paper disappear.
Which of your characters do you love/hate/fear/pity the most and why? I HATED Rivera, the villain of my Gateway Guardians series. He made my flesh crawl he was just so EVIL. I wanted to see him pay for the drugs he poisoned the streets with. Which hero did I love? Hmmm…I can never answer that. I always love the hero I’m currently writing. (Which at this point in time is a 6 foot 10 inch mountain of muscles with middle of the back molasses brown hair and deep brown eyes named Maddog Turner. I don’t know what I love best about him—his attitude, looks, or his Harley!)
Do you get along with your muse? What do you do to placate her/it/him when she/he/it refuses to inspire you? For the most part we get along great. However when he abandons me for trips to Tahiti, Alaska, or parts unknown, it irks me to no end. I end up closing my eyes and searching for the music I know will get his attention in that moment. Then I create a HUGE playlist on my iTunes and let it go. He shows up eventually…If that doesn’t work I eat some Ben and Jerry’s, go shopping or cruise some research sites. The same thing doesn’t always work twice, ya know?
If there was a soundtrack to your latest novel, what genre/songs would be included? Man would that be a crazy jumble of music! A mix of Toto Coello, O-Zone, Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Tonic, Within Temptation, Sonata Arctica, Amon Amarth, with Johnny Horton, Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty mixed in!
Which of your characters would you most likely fall for if they were real? Well, I love whichever one is on my mind so, right now it’s Maddog Turner…LOL
Besides the bedroom, what's the sexiest part of your home in your opinion and why? I don’t know. I mean, the kitchen is the heart of our home but there’s something sexy about the garage…I know many of the readers are going EW! But honestly? I’ve always equated a garage with an Alpha male personality. So yeah…the garage is pretty sexy!
Where can readers find you on the 'net for more information on you, your books and other fun stuff? I have places all over! Here are a few links:
My Website: www.donicacovey.com My FaceBook http://tinyurl.com/cc8obx Twitter http://twitter.com/DonicaCovey Shades of Suspense Blog: http://tinyurl.com/c8y7zl The Writers Vineyard blog: http://thewritersvineyard.com Infinite Worlds of Fantasy: http://www.iwofa.net Raven Happy Hour http://tinyurl.com/yc5tajo Missouri Authors Blog http://moauthors.blogspot.com Amazon author pages http://tinyurl.com/yckgkl7 Just to name a few!
I LOVE hearing from readers and have an email address where they can reach me: donicacovey@gmail.com anytime!
Hunting Mickey Excerpt
Blurb:
When all hell breaks loose, you know the honeymoons over--sometimes life’s a bitch…
Agent Mickey Flannery is finally going to take his wife Terese on the honeymoon they missed five years ago. The plans are made, the plane is landed and they arrive to the news they’ve been chosen for an upgraded holiday—a week on a private island all amenities included.
The private beach soon turns into paradise lost when they learn their gracious host is none other than Rafael Lesandro Rivera, Ramiro’s son, and he’s out for blood.
Can Mickey keep Terese and himself alive long enough to find a way of escaping the man who them join his hunting party—as the prey?
Excerpt:
Mickey sat up rubbing a hand against his throbbing head. He moved and a wave of nausea flooded him. He couldn’t stem the need to retch but it only came out as painful dry heaves.
Bright sun dappled on the ground around him. The air was moist and warm. Above, a bird called out. He tried to figure out where he was. In a gray maze, images flashed through his mind. Dinner. Drinks. Terese! He jerked to his feet and swiveled on weak legs.
Terese lay on the ground, her shirt missing, her bra torn. Leaves and debris matted her long hair. He dropped to the ground and scooped her into his arms. With a free hand, he gently brushed his hand across her forehead and tried to comb out the dirt from her hair.
She moaned, half rolling in his embrace. Her eyes slid open and she blinked at the glare of the sunlight. “Mickey?” She pressed her had to her mouth and paled. “I’m going to be sick,” she pulled unsteadily from his grasp and crawled to a bush.
He scanned the area while he waited for her to recover. They were in the middle of the jungle. But where?
Terese dragged herself back to his side. “What happened?”
“Our host drugged us.”
She noticed her missing shirt, blanched and trembled. “What…” Tears misted her eyes. “Did…”
Mickey knew what she was struggling to ask but he couldn’t answer. He tugged off his shirt and handed it to her.
She trembled harder as she pulled it on. “I can’t remember. But I’d know. Right? I mean…”
He nodded. “You’d know,” he lied, gracefully. With some drugs, the entire night would never be recalled. He only prayed that if it had happened that she would never remember.
Just the possibility of that man touching her filled Mickey with a killing rage. Her small hand on his arm drew his attention. “Where are we?”
He shook his head. “I’m not sure. Most likely we’re still on the island. But exactly where, I have no idea.”
A shuffle in the brush in front of him set him on alert.
The greenery parted and the hated new found enemy breeched into the clearing. “Good morning,” Rafael greeted with a wicked grin.
Mickey lunged at him and Rafael raised a long thin pole. The jolt of electricity from the cattle prod knocked Mickey to his knees. He positioned himself between Terese and Rafael. The man eyed Terese with a hungry look and Mickey lunged forward again. Once again, the action only earned him a searing jab. Mickey shivered, struggling to get his breath. “What…do you want?” he gritted out, hoping he sounded more pissed than frightened.
“I’ve decided to have a hunt and you’re invited.”
Mickey studied his enemy close. “Hunt? Like what? Wild goats, or birds or…” A rock formed in Mickey’s stomach and sank. He backed into Terese and drew up to full height. “You’re crazy.”
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