Throwing Books: Author Interview: Aine P. Massie

Hello everybody! Today we have a special guest at Throwing Books… The lovely author of Blood's Voice;

In this interview she will answer a few questions about herself, her writing habits and her books.

Hope you enjoy!

Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your book.

My name is Áine Pauline Massie and I am originally from South-Central Florida. I now live in Wisconsin where I work on my House Millar series full time while raising four children (the term herding cats comes to mind). My major in College was Childhood Education, specializing in ages birth to five, with a minor study in Deaf Culture/ASL.

When I can escape from my children and books, I enjoy ... oh yes, reading, playing, ritual, a good cappuccino, and working with my healing stones.

Blood’s Voice is the beginning story of Anya Millar. She is a vampire but considered an aberration in her world as she refuses to kill to survive. She and her two beloved ones grow and develop through out the story.

Blood’s Voice is the ongoing journey of Anya and Nicholas, human loving vampires and the human they love, Declán. What makes it all more complicated is that they are abominations in their own world, Anya is hunted, and Declán is a natural born vampire hunter called a Guardian.

Q: What inspired you to become a writer?

My first published work came in high school where I was part of a writing and drama group. But, I’ve been reading the likes of Shakespeare and Poe since late elementary school and enjoy most forms of fiction. I can’t remember being young enough to not write, I just didn’t usually share what I wrote. This time something was different and I felt that Anya, Nicholas, and Declán needed to share their story with more than just me. I hope your readers enjoy Blood’s Voice.

Q: Where is your favorite place to write at?

My favourite place would have to be outside. I love having a laptop so I can go out and write while my kids play. There is a beautiful park near my home with tables and a huge Helping Hands playground so it works well for both my children and me.

Q: Which of your characters is your favorite and why?

My favourite character would have to be Declán. He is just such a laid back, loving, yet driven young man. He takes everything as it comes, not worrying about the consequences even when others are begging him to protect himself. He may not always be so laid back but for now he’s my favourite.

Q: What inspired you to write Blood's Voice?

My love of vampires and the fact that honestly, once I had the idea the characters wouldn’t be silenced. I dreamt bits of the story, had it running through the back of my mind a lot of the time. It was write or strangle my imagination, writing won.

Q: Why is the book not written in American English – for the spellings?

There are two main reasons for this. First – I don’t seem to naturally spell that way. I personally attribute that to my Grandy’s influence when I was little. He was Canadian and so to me color is spelled c-o-l-o-u-r and center is c-e-n-t-r-e. I also believe tacky means sticky not gaudy. And second – Anya is originally from Ireland. Even with her memory loss she still knows her languages, though she can’t remember learning them. Had the book been written by Declán it would have been in American English.

Q: In Blood's Voice the readers will have the opportunity to read phrases in Irish! Why Irish? Do you speak Irish?

Anya, the vampire whose point of view Blood’s Voice is told from, is originally from Ireland. While she does suffer trauma-induced amnesia she still remembers and has taken the time to relearn/lean new languages. I do not speak much Irish sadly, though I hope to learn. I can write it a little but thankfully there are others that do speak/read-write Irish that were gracious enough to double check my translations before inclusion in Blood’s Voice.

Q: Favorite book and author? Favorite genre?

If I had to pick only one book it would probably be my Complete Works of Edgar Allen Poe. I love so many authors and books but I have always been entranced with Poe. I drove a few of my school teachers nuts by usually picking Poe or Shakespeare for story and essay projects.

As to genre, I’d have to say Paranormal. Not just Paranormal Romance but the entire Paranormal genre. I love everything from PNR to horror to erotica, as long as it has some nice, or not so nice, creatures in there.

Q: Are you working on a new novel? House Millar series?

Yes, I am. Blood Bound will come out later this year and picks up where Blood’s Voice ended. It is part of the House Millar series. Actually I am working on three (3) books for the House Millar series. Blood Bound, Blood’s Rebellion, and Glamour Blade – which is not told from Anya’s POV.