Monday, October 29, 2012

Interview with Christina McKnight, author of ONLY IN HER DREAMS

Today I have a special interview with Christina McKnight, author of Only in Her Dreams. My comments/questions are in bold, and Christina's are in regular font. 

Tell us a little about yourself, Christina. 

I’m a mother, wife, Girl Scout leader, book lover, and writer…not necessarily in that order. If I list writer first and wife last is that bad? LOL. If you encounter me on the street you’ll have no idea what mode I’m in. I’m a very eclectic person with diverse tastes in my writing and reading habits.  One day I will be carrying around The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck and the next Marked by P.C. Cast. Maybe the right term for me is unpredictable. My writing habits follow the same lines. I enjoy writing both Urban Fantasy and Historical Romance…I hope to one day blend the two genres. 

Hehe, I'd probably list writer first and then wife, if I were married, but maybe that's why I stay single. And I think it would be an easy blend between urban fantasy and historical romance. In one sentence, describe Only in Her Dreams. 

Only in Her Dreams is a modern spin on a Greek legend--the new direction of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance, moving from angels, demons, vampires, and witches and toward the realm of demigods. 

I love how Only in Her Dreams is a modern spin on a Greek legend. Why did you decide to go this route with your novel? 

I originally wrote Only In Her Dreams with angels in mind. When I started my 1st round of edits, I was also beta reading another novel based around angels. I realized that I needed to think of something else…something unique and fresh. I’ve always loved mythology and I started there. I settled on the Oneiroi because readers don’t have any preconceived notion about them…there is no, ‘you can’t do that!’ or ‘the Oneiroi wouldn’t do that!’. Did I mention there is a seemingly endless supply of demigods to write about? When The Oneiroi Series is complete, I plan to explore other gods and create another series. 

That sounds awesome! Demigods rock! Tell us more about the Oneiroi. 

The Oneiroi are the Greek demigods of dreams. While actual mythological legends state they are winged, bat-like creatures who take to the sky at night, my interpretation is a bit different.  My Oneiroi are hot men with iridescent blue eyes who our dreams. 

They sound very yummy. *grins* What are you working on now? Do you have anything else forthcoming soon? 

I find that I’m always working on something. The first book in my Historical Romance series is due out just in time for the Romantic Times Convention at the end of April 2013.

A few months ago I read Wallflower by Catherine Gayle and she wrote a scene that involved a duel. The heroine wanted to take the place of her beta male counterpart. She was scared to lose him. Talk about true love!

I started thinking...what if a young girl of the ton was responsible for the death of a man because of a duel she egged on? The next logical question was...what if BOTH men died? Then I took it one step further...what if the men were brothers? Shunned No More, The Forsaken Lady Series (Book 1) progressed from there.

I have a heroine that the reader should despise during the prologue but hopefully I can redeem her by the end of the book.

Oh, and of course I’m working on Only In Her Nightmares, The Oneiroi Book 2, but you’ll have to wait a bit longer for deets on this project. 

Sounds awesome! And I love the idea behind your The Forsaken Lady series. If you could recommend one book—not your own—what book would that be? 

Hyde by Lauren Stewart! This book is a compelling page turner that had me guessing until the very end…and beyond. This urban fantasy is grittier and darker than Only In Her Dreams and I adored it! 

Hyde is on my to-read list. I might have to bump it up. Only in Her Dreams sounds fantastic! Best wishes and much success for you and your novel, Christina!



When Lucessa Sarcona awakes from a recurring dream, she has no idea her life is about to be turned upside down. A stranger, familiar to her dreams, shows up in the flesh, and Lucessa knows she’s either crazy or experiencing something not of this world.

A war ensues between three demigod brothers. One, trained to rule Erebos, is violently replaced. One forced to return to his homeland and lead the dream-gods of the Oneiroi. And one is charged with the impossible task of protecting Lucessa. How is she linked to the Oneiroi? Why do two brothers seek to keep her hidden and protected? And how does another plan to use her against the two demigods who love her?


Will Lucessa’s dream man have the courage to claim her as his own or will he bow to the command of another, forsaking the one he loves?


Only in Her Dreams is a modern spin on a Greek legend--the new direction of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance, moving from angels, demons, vampires, and witches and toward the realm of demigods.

 
About the Author:

Christina McKnight is a book lover turned writer. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to tell her own stories. She’s been writing ever since.

In college, Christina took many courses to help develop and enhance her writing skills. She completed a seventy-page dissertation on the need for community policing in American society. Now, she focuses on Historical Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance. Her debut Urban Fantasy novel, Only in Her Dreams, will be released on September 1, 2012.
Christina lives in Northern California with her husband, daughter, two boxers, two cats, and a Beta fish named Marmaduke.  If she’s not behind a computer screen or book, she’s busy leading her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. She is very active in several writing groups and a local book group. 

Author Links: 

14 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That is a fresh spin as I've never even heard of the Oneiroi.
Good luck, Christina!

Tyrean Martinson said...

That's an interesting spin on the Oneiroi, and I love the idea of a "bad" heroine being redeemed!

M.J. Fifield said...

I haven't heard of the Oneiroi either. Best of luck to you, Christina!

Christina M. McKnight said...

Thank you so much Cherie for hosting Only In Her Dreams!

What I love about the Oneiroi is that not many people are familiar with them...so that gives me lots to work with :-)

Samantha May said...

I'm a fan of anything involving demigods. Thanks for introducing me to this author Cherie!

Terri Talley Venters said...

Congrats on your new release Christina! So original and fascinating. great cover! He's a keeper =) I can't wait to read Only In Her Dreams.

Christine Rains said...

I love twists on myths. The book sounds awesome!

Unknown said...

That was a very good interview with a lot of good questions. Like Christina, I'm trying hard to come up with an original concept for my next project. It isn't easy. Congrats to her on her new novel!
Have a Happy Halloween! :-)

Camille Picott said...

Ooh, I love learning about new Greek mythologies! The bat-dream-gods sound so cool!

And I love the question about what comes first: the writer or the husband? It's so true! All I can say is that I'm lucky my husband is so supportive of my writing addiction!

Unknown said...

That book might actualyy be interesting... Just kidding! I KNOW it will be interesting, knowing YOU.
;)
Jasmyne

Carol Kilgore said...

Wonderful interview. Nice to meet you, Christina. Your book sounds fascinating :)

Hi, Cherie!

Christina M. McKnight said...

Thank you everyone! I loved writing Only In Her Dreams and am working hard now to polish book 2!

Cathy Keaton said...

That does sound like an interesting take on PNR creatures. Demigods I've never even heard of. Really clever! Good luck with this new book series, Christina. :)

Heather R. Holden said...

This book sounds fantastic! As a long-time fan of Greek mythology, I've always been fascinated by the Oneiroi, so it's fun to see an author finally do her own spin on them.