While reading
Etched in Bone (Maker's Song Series #4), I was both completely entertained by the absorbing story lines and impatient. I was impatient because the book starts out with a shocking sequence of events, then it goes back in time to two days before. The narrative is soooo good that I couldn't help becoming immersed in the various story-lines despite wanting to desperately know what happens after that shocker beginning. And, the book eventually reaches those events and goes beyond them in a killer climax that leaves the reader desperately wanting to know what comes next.
Like all the books in this series, the book is written in the third-party and follows the experiences of multiple characters via disparate or interwoven story lines. Each plot thread is unbelievably sharp, quick-paced and engrossing. This book is perhaps the best technical thriller written in this series to date. But, I desperately want to know what comes after that killer climax.
paulgoatallen wrote:HA! Adrian had the time to do an interview! Here's the link:
http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/Exploration
s-The-BN-SciFi-and/bg-p/SciFi
Also, if you could ask Adrian Phoenix any questions, what would they be?
Please post your questions here – and I'll see if I can get her to take some time off from book signings to stop by and answer them for us!
Paul
Really good interview Paul.
I hope Adrian gets her glass slipper.
I would ask:
Why she placed the primary setting in New Orleans? (The South seems to be a favorite venue for her, why?)
Why she mixed New Orleans/Cajun scenery/sensibilities with goth rock?
Whether she's fluent in French and/or Cajun French?
What her sources of information are regarding government agencies, like the FBI, and undercover procedures/stakeouts?
How she got the idea to combine a vampire with a fallen angel, and then make him a creator?
How she got the idea to write a supernatural series in a thriller style?
dalnewt wrote:
I would ask:
Why she placed the primary setting in New Orleans? (The South seems to be a favorite venue for her, why?)
Why she mixed New Orleans/Cajun scenery/sensibilities with goth rock?
Whether she's fluent in French and/or Cajun French?
What her sources of information are regarding government agencies, like the FBI, and undercover procedures/stakeouts?
How she got the idea to combine a vampire with a fallen angel, and then make him a creator?
How she got the idea to write a supernatural series in a thriller style?
Thanks for your questions, Dainewt!
1. I use New Orleans as a setting because I love that city. It's always spoken to me and when I created Dante (I start with characters, then come up with a storyline), New Orleans was always a part of him. I'm fascinated by Louisiana and its culture - Cajun, hoodoo, everything. Setting my stories there gives me the opportunity to explore.
2. There was no real thought behind mixing Cajun and goth rock - both are a part of Dante. Sure, he was raised Cajun, but his music taste ran in a different direction from zydeco, blues, or swamp rock - though he has been known to mix elements of all those styles into his music.
3. I'm not fluent in French or Cajun. I lived in France for a year as a kid and went to a French school when I was there, but I'm pretty rusty. I have tons of French language books and dictionaries, but I primarily use the Cajun dictionaries, language books, and tapes that I've picked up (and I've got a bunch!). I've been teaching myself. I've heard from Cajun readers who are very pleased with the books - which makes me feel great!
4. I have a FBI handbook written by former FBI profiler John Douglas that goes over the requirements and procedures of joining the FBi. It also is full of stories from his early days in the FBI, along with fascinating (and frustrating) experiences from fellow agents. I also have a book by a female FBi agent detailing her experiences in the Bureau. Plus, I've read every book John Douglas has written about the cases he investigated (and how) during his years in the FBI. I've also employed stuff I've read, watched on TV, and just plain imagined.
5. I didn't really have an idea to combine a vampire with a fallen angel, then make him a creator, per se. It was all organic. All a part of Dante.
6. The same here. I didn't really think about how I was writing the story, I just did. My dad used to read thrillers all the time when I was growing up and he'd give me the books to read. It's just how I write, I think. All those elements seeped into my subconscious with each book I read. LOL. So the process is organic. I don't think about it.
Again, thanks for your questions!
Adrian_Phoenix wrote:
dalnewt wrote:
I would ask:
Why she placed the primary setting in New Orleans? (The South seems to be a favorite venue for her, why?)
Why she mixed New Orleans/Cajun scenery/sensibilities with goth rock?
Whether she's fluent in French and/or Cajun French?
What her sources of information are regarding government agencies, like the FBI, and undercover procedures/stakeouts?
How she got the idea to combine a vampire with a fallen angel, and then make him a creator?
How she got the idea to write a supernatural series in a thriller style?
Thanks for your questions, Dainewt!
1. I use New Orleans as a setting because I love that city. It's always spoken to me and when I created Dante (I start with characters, then come up with a storyline), New Orleans was always a part of him. I'm fascinated by Louisiana and its culture - Cajun, hoodoo, everything. Setting my stories there gives me the opportunity to explore.
2. There was no real thought behind mixing Cajun and goth rock - both are a part of Dante. Sure, he was raised Cajun, but his music taste ran in a different direction from zydeco, blues, or swamp rock - though he has been known to mix elements of all those styles into his music.
3. I'm not fluent in French or Cajun. I lived in France for a year as a kid and went to a French school when I was there, but I'm pretty rusty. I have tons of French language books and dictionaries, but I primarily use the Cajun dictionaries, language books, and tapes that I've picked up (and I've got a bunch!). I've been teaching myself.
4. I have a FBI handbook written by former FBI profiler John Douglas that goes over the requirements and procedures of joining the FBi. It also is full of stories from his early days in the FBI, along with fascinating (and frustrating) experiences from fellow agents. I also have a book by a female FBi agent detailing her experiences in the Bureau. Plus, I've read every book John Douglas has written about the cases he investigated (and how) during his years in the FBI. I've also employed stuff I've read, watched on TV, and just plain imagined.
5. I didn't really have an idea to combine a vampire with a fallen angel, then make him a creator, per se. It was all organic. All a part of Dante.
6. The same here. I didn't really think about how I was writing the story, I just did. My dad used to read thrillers all the time when I was growing up and he'd give me the books to read. It's just how I write, I think. All those elements seeped into my subconscious with each book I read. LOL. So the process is organic. I don't think about it.
Again, thanks for your questions!
Thanks for answering!
If you don't mind one more question I'd like to know what mythological sources you drew upon in the series. Obviously some Judeo-Christian source is involved, but did you have any specific sources?
I just wrote my reader review of Etched in Bone (Maker's Song Series #4) as follows:
Sharp And Dynamic
Customer Rating
Posted March 7, 2011, 8:44 PM EST: I love this paranormal thriller series. Each book is composed of multiple, interwoven story lines which form a suspenseful story of the mentally fractured but irresistible Dante, a hybrid born vampire/fallen angel. This latest installment begins with a jaw dropping series of events, then goes back in time to two days before to cover the intervening events. Eventually, the book goes beyond that shocker beginning only to end in a cliffhanger. It's a thriller in every sense of the word, and delivers an unbelievably sharp and complex story. The plot lines recount the experiences of Dante and his capable human lover, Heather, as well as the actions and thoughts of myriad adversaries and other players. While reading I desperately wanted to know what happened after that shocker beginning, but the suspense and action of the intervening events captured my attention. This series is masterfully written, exciting and addictive. If you like the thriller style and love supernatural fantasy, then this series is tailor made for you. Likewise, if you love to read a story a story about a completely fascinating vampire protagonist, then you will love this ongoing tale about goth rock Dante. Not only is he a born vampire, he's a fallen angel who can make and unmake living things. He's fighting to stay sane despite being programmed as a serial killer from birth, and he's fighting to stay free despite numerous adversarial forces who seek to use him and/or destroy him.
