What inspires you to write, Alexandra?
What started off as a “hobby” has now turned into something I can’t imagine NOT doing. Since I write about vampires, I like to take them and put my own twist on their limitations and strengths, exploring what they can and can’t do. I don’t want to write yet another typical vampire story, so my quest to do that inspires me.
Do your stories tend to be character driven or plot driven?
In my current series, The Vampire Destiny Series, I would have to say it began very character driven. The whole series started with an impatient male character that wanted his story to be told. That demanding character became Stefan, my vampire hero. The story is told from my heroine’s point of view. Josephine (or Josie) is more than happy to give us an eye full of Stefan and since they share a telepathic bond, we get to hear his thoughts quite frequently. As I wrote Awakening, it became apparent that the story has shifted and now is equally as plot driven now. It has evolved as their story progresses.
In one or two sentences, give the core premise behind your story.
My heroine, Josephine Anderson considers herself to be an outcast and has resigned herself to being alone due to her psychic abilities. Enter my hero, Stefan Lifsten. He’s a millennia old vampire who had a vision of her over 200 years ago and has been on a quest to find her. Fate (or destiny) collides when they meet. 
Can you share the blurb from Awakening (The Vampire Destiny Book 3) and maybe give us a little hint what we'll find in it?
After a harrowing attempt on her life, vampire hybrid Josephine Anderson and her gorgeous vampire mate, Stefan Lifsten return home to New York City. Unknown to her, they will be forced to face the Council regarding her brush with death and Stefan’s hand in the killing of the vampire that attacked her.
There’s more than meets the eye. Her continued changes reveal that there is much more to her relationship than she originally thought, going much deeper than simply fate and destiny. Their passion and desire for one another increases, threatening to consume them both.
Time slowly ticks away as their Council date approaches. Long-buried evidence is uncovered that further complicates Josephine’s tenuous relationship with her vampire father and will change vampire hierarchy forever.
There is a lot going on in Book 3. We find out the fate of Josephine’s friend Anna and we find out even more about Josephine’s past. Let’s just say she’s more than what she expected, and there is more to Stefan and Josie than fate and destiny.
Tell us about the different types of characters you like to write about? Why are these types so appealing to you?
I like to add a wide cast of characters in my books. My heroine, Josephine is not someone waiting for someone to rescue her. In fact, she’s lived a pretty isolated life and struggles to relinquish and truly trust Stefan. She has a tendency to act rashly at times and has a quick temper. What I like about Josie is that she is growing as the story progresses. She still lashes out, but she’s learning to trust Stefan and follow his lead. We still need to work on her “foot in mouth syndrome" though! ;)Stefan is a larger than life hero. He’s strong, highly intelligent, stoic and charming. However, when he’s with Josie, he has no issue letting his guard down and showing his softer side.
My secondary characters are there for a much needed dose of comic relief and help add to the plot. Quite a few of the secondary characters have agendas of their own. It’s going to become difficult for Josie and Stefan to know who to trust as the series continues.
Will these characters show up in other books in this series? How many books to you anticipate will be in this series?
The core characters will be throughout the book (Josie, Stefan, Lukas, Anna and Nikolaus). We have quite a few new characters popping up that may not be what they seem and might be unlikely allies.As for how many books I plan to have in the series, I at least can see this turning into 5-6 books. As long as there is a story for Josie and Stefan, the series will continue.
In what ways are your heroine like you? In what ways are your heroine not like you?
I’ve written Josie to be like me as far as having a short temper and being a tad outspoken. I don’t have the same sort of trust issues Josie has throughout the books. Once I decide on something, I’m all in. I don’t second guess myself.
Besides reading and writing, what activities do you enjoy in your leisure time?
In addition to writing and reading, I also home school my daughter. A lot of time is spent planning curriculums and planning outings. I also love to read about various conspiracy theories. It’s interesting to read how a series of events can be seen so many different ways.
What are you working on now? What’s coming soon?
I’m working on two projects right now. I’m writing Ascend (Book 4 in The Vampire Destiny Series). I’m also writing a new series, The Dark Hart Chronicles. Imagine the world of vampires and rock ‘n roll colliding. It’s quite the departure from The Vampire Destiny Series!
Awakening (The Vampire Destiny Series Book 3) is now available in paperback, on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
About the Author
Alexandra lives in the Midwest with her husband and daughter. She is currently writing the The Vampire Destiny Series in which Josephine Anderson, a psychic empath, meets the undead man of her dreams. She is also working on her newest series, The Dark Hart Chronicles. In this series, we meet Savannah Wood and up and coming rock star Nick Hart.
Thanks for hosting me yet again!
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Anytime!
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