Interview: Sara Humphreys

I am excited to welcome author Sara Humphreys, who is celebrating the release of her fourth Amoveo Legends novel, Undone.

She’s Far From Human…
With her secret race of shapeshifteres embroiled in civil war, all Marianna Coltari wants is to stay far from controversy. Even so, when her overprotective brother insists on hiring his human friend Pete as her bodyguard, Marianna is furious.

Does She Dare to Love One?
Like most retired cops, Pete Castro resents his new job as a bodyguard. It’s even worse because he’ll be babysitting a party girl like Marianna. But that’s before he meets her for the first time and discovers his instincts on red alert. Would he kill to protect her?

Make sure you stick around to the end. We’ll be giving away a copy of Untamed.
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Interview

Literary Escapism: I know you’re asked this a lot, but what are the Amoveo Legends? Can you give us a glimpse into this fantastical world you created that we may not have seen yet?

Sara Humphreys: The Amoveo are a secret society of dream-walking, telepathic, shapeshifters and they’re made up of ten different animal clans. Lion, Panther, Tiger, Cheetah, Wolf, Coyote, Fox, Bear, Falcon and Eagle. They have one pre-destined mate and if they don’t find their mate by the age of 30, they start to lose their abilities and will die. They can only have children with their mate which actually makes their race quite fragile. If you kill one Amoveo, the mate dies and you wipe out the possibility of offspring. Until recently they were told their pre-destined mate could only be another Amoveo, however they discover that there are human-Amoveo hybrids. They have been hidden around the world because there are Purist Amoveo who don’t want their race mixing with humans.

LE: Why Marianna and Pete? What was it about them that drew you to them and want to tell their story?

SH: I wanted to explore the mating between an pureblood and a human. Pete is a fun character. Readers met him in UNTOUCHED and the guy was begging for his own book. He’s a smart ass and even though he’s a human surrounded by shifters, he’s quite capable of holding his own. Marianna is the quintissential party girl who wants nothing to do with politics and she’s a little bit of a princess. I knew she needed a guy like Pete to bring her down a peg or two. They’re a feisty couple and were a lot of fun to write.

LE: Can you introduce us to a few of the side characters that we’ll be meeting or who will play an important role to/for Marianna and Pete?  Was there any character that didn’t make as big of an impact on the story that you thought they would?  Was there a character who stayed on the page longer than you thought they would?

SH: Asmodeus was a big surprise! He came along in the middle of the book and quite frankly, he appeared out of nowhere. I can’t tell you much about him because I don’t want to post any spoilers but I will tell you that his appearance changed the entire story.

LE: Is there any particular legend or mythology that you came across that was the root of inspiration for you that was used more than others or was there a wide source?

SH: Not really. I actually tried to make this as fresh and different as possible. My biggest inspiration is the idea of true love and fate. I adore the theory that we all have that one person out there who is made specifically for us.

LE: Since creating your world in Unleashed, has there been anything you’ve regretting starting or wish you had started sooner? Was there something that worked out great in Unleashed, but now you wish you had done differently?

SH: I don’t think so. I wish I brought back Gunther in another book. He was such a fun character and I miss having him around but so far, he hasn’t made another appearance. Perhaps I can get him to visit again in the Amoveo novella in 2014.

LE: The first book in your Dead in the City series (Tall, Dark, and Vampire Aug 6th) is one of two spin-offs from your Amoveo Legends, what is it about this world you created that inspired these additional series?  Will we be seeing any of our favorite characters from the Amoveo Legends in Tall Dark and Vampire or Princes of Hell?

SH: I had the idea for the Dead in the City for a while but when I was writing Pete and Marianna’s story, it seemed like the perfect place to introduce my vampires in New York City. When Asmodeus showed up in Undone, I knew he needed his own book. The guy is larger than life and wasn’t meant to remain a secondary character. I can’t wait for readers to get to know him and the rest of the Brotherhood.

LE: Was there any part of Amoveo Legend world that you would like to expand on in the future that won’t be seen in either of the spin-offs?  Was there anything that could have been more expanded, for instance storyline wise?

SH: I like the idea of doing a pre-quel for Richard and Salinda, the royal Amoveo couple. However, it would have to be a historical paranormal romance and the idea of writing a historical terrifies me. LOL

LE: With two spin-offs, and a possible third in the works, do you see yourself continuing to write in the Amoveo World after their completions or has any other worlds/characters begin making a nuisance of themselves?

SH: Definitely. Steven will be getting his own book at some point down the road and I have a novella coming in 2014. Steven turned into a fan favorite and readers have been clammoring for his book but I have to warn them that the poor man gets put through the ringer in Unclaimed, which comes out in December. However, I can promise them that he will definitely get his own book and a happily ever after.

LE: What was it about the fantasy genre that drew you to write in it? Was there a certain book that captured your imagination and lead you to think you could do it or did it come to your naturally?

SH: I love the escape of it all. The paranormal/fantasy genre allows us to totally and completely remove ourselves from the everyday stuff of life. I’ve always had a vivid imagination and I suppose this is me finally putting it to good use.

LE: Does your mood ever affect the direction that your stories take?

SH: Not really. Once I sit down and get into the story, the characters take over.

LE: When you’re not writing, what are you reading? Have you found an author that’s new to you or one that the rest of the world really needs to find? Is there a certain niche in the fantasy genre that you prefer to escape to? If so, why that one or if not, why not?

SH: My favorite authors are Christine Feehan, Lori Handeland, Terry Spear, Elisabeth Staab, Carolyn Brown….I could go on FOREVER. I love paranormals but Carolyn’s cowboys are to die for!

LE: And my favorite question to ask: Which authors do you read and/or think “Damn! I wish I had thought of that”?

SH: Christine Feehan’s genetically enhanced soldiers in the Ghostwalker series are phenomenal. Such a cool storyline and hot heros!!
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Meet Sara Humphreys!

Sara Humphreys has been attracted to the fantasies of science fiction, paranormal, and romance since her adolescence when she had a mad crush on Captain Kirk. An actress and public speaker, Sara lives in Bronxville, NY, with her husband, who is very considerate of her double life, and four amazing boys. Look for a brand new paranormal romance series, Dead in the City, starting with Tall, Dark and Vampire this August, and the next Amoveo Legend book, Unclaimed, in December 2013! For more information about her books and to join her street team, please visit www.sarahumphreys.com or follow her on Twitter.

Contact Info
Website: www.sarahumphreys.com
Blog: Sara Humphreys
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter

Want to purchase Sara’s novels?
The Amoveo Legend

1. Unleashed
2. Untouched
3. Untamed
4. Undone
5. Unclaimed (Dec 3, 2013)

Undenied FREE Amoveo Legend enovella
Tall, Dark, and Vampire (Aug 6, 2013)
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Contest Time!

Thank you Sara for taking the time to stop by Literary Escapism!

Sara is giving away a copy of Untamed. To enter, all you have to do is answer this one question: If you could have your own sexy Amoveo mate, which clan would you want him to be from – Lion, Panther, Tiger, Cheetah, Wolf, Coyote, Fox, Bear, Falcon and Eagle – and why? Remember, you must answer the question in order to be entered. (US only)

Even though I’m not giving the additional entries any more, you can still help support the author by sharing their article, and this contest, on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, or anywhere you can. After all, the more people who are aware of this fabulous author ensures we get more fabulous stories.

The winner must post a review of the novel someplace. Whether it is on their own blog, Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing or wherever, it doesn’t matter. Just help get the word out.

The contest will stay open until May 31st at which time I’ll determine the winner with help from this snazzy plug-in that I have.