CHARACTER INTERVIEW OF LEESA NYLAND OF BREATHLESS

Breathless is Book One in the 4 book (so far) paranormal romance series The Blue Fire Saga.

Weston College freshman Leesa Nyland has been fascinated by vampires since she was three years old. That’s when her mom started acting weird, refusing to go outside during the day and insisting the sunlight hurt her skin because she’d been bitten by a one-fanged vampire.

But fascinated doesn’t mean Leesa believes. Any more than she believes in blue fire, people who live for centuries, and kisses that can kill. When her beloved older brother suddenly disappears, she is forced to confront all these and more. She also has to figure out what to do about her mysterious new boyfriend. She knows Rave likes her a lot—so why won’t he kiss her? 

As Leesa draws closer to finding her brother, she faces some gut-wrenching decisions. Should she risk her mom’s life trying to “cure” her? Should she continue seeing Rave after he reveals his dangerous secret? And most terrifying of all, should she make the ultimate sacrifice—give up her humanity—to save her brother?

“Breathless is a truly captivating read. The characters are impossible to forget.” ~ VampireRomanceBooks.com

“Breathless is a book you will fall in love with and want to read over and over again.” ~ Bite This! Vampire Book Blog

“Breathless is for sure a page turner. When I finished, I wanted more.” ~ Paranormal Book Club

Character being interviewed: Leesa Nyland

Book Title:  Breathless
Author: Scott Prussing, 

So Leesa, why don’t you begin by telling our visitors a bit about our story? 

Oh, wow, where to begin? It’s kind of complicated. I’m a freshman at Weston College in Connecticut, and let me tell you, it has been QUITE a year so far. But I’ll get to that. To really understand everything, I need to go back more than eighteen years, all the way back to when my mom was pregnant with me.

She was hiking with her sister when mom stumbled out of the woods with a puncture wound on her neck. My aunt said it looked like mom had gotten poked by a sharp branch, but mom insisted she’d been bitten by a one-fanged vampire. I mean, really, who ever heard of a one-fanged vampire? That’s crazy, right? Mom stuck to her story, though. She didn’t grow a pair of fangs (or even one fang!) or get any other vampire powers. But she did stop going out during the day, saying that the sunlight hurt her skin. So I ended up with a half-crazy mom who never went outside and who believed in vampires. How’s that for a role model? And when my dad left us, it was just my big brother Bradley and me. Is it any wonder I’m shy and kind of awkward?

Anyhow, fast forward sixteen years. Bradley left for college--the same one I go to now. For the first year, he texted or emailed me every day, so I didn’t miss him too much. But then he sent me an email telling me he was going away, and that I shouldn’t look for him. He even told me to forget about him. As if! He was only the best big brother EVER.

That’s why I’m here at Weston. I’m determined to find him, or at least find out what happened to him. I haven’t had much luck yet, but boy have I learned some other things! First of all, it turns out vampires really do exist, and that my mom really was bitten by a one-fanged vampire—the one-fangs are called grafhym, by the way. And there are also these supernatural vampire hunters called volkaanes. They’ve got this magical blue fire inside them that they use to kill vampires. I know volkaanes are real, because I’m in love with one. His name is Rave, and let me tell you, he is GORGEOUS! Then there’s this sexy vampire named Stefan who also seems to want me. It turns out there’s a reason these two supernatural hunks are drawn to me, but I’m not going to share that here.

So as you can see, I’ve got my hands full—and I don’t mean with classes, homework and exams. One of my professors, who seems to know everything there is to know about vampires, says there might be a way to cure my mom. So we’re working on that. Plus, I’ve got to try to find Bradley. It’s looking like vampires might be involved there, too. And, oh yeah, I need to figure out a way to kiss Rave without that magical fire of his frying me to a crisp….

Most everybody wants to be different in some way than they are. What’s the one thing you wish I had done differently with you?

I guess I wish you had made me a little less shy. I hate being uncomfortable around new people and in new situations—I wish I was more like my new best friend, Cali. Not quite so wild and outrageous as she is, of course, just a bit more confident and outgoing than I am. Like when Cali dragged me to my first frat party earlier this year, she met a guy and was chatting him up within a few minutes, while I stood around awkwardly by myself. Of course, I did end up meeting a sexy vampire and a gorgeous volkaane that night, though I didn’t know they weren’t human at the time. Heck, I didn’t even really believe in that supernatural stuff back then. Wow, was I wrong!

If I had let you change something about the story, what would you have changed?

Ha! That’s easy, Scott. I would have changed the whole kissing thing. I hate not being able to kiss Rave for more than a few seconds, because his magical inner fire would burn me to a crisp. It’s REALLY frustrating. Those few seconds are way beyond amazing, so I’m not really complaining—not too much, anyhow. But if I could just kiss him even for a minute or so, that would be awesome. Rave is starting to learn this special technique to control his heat, so maybe one of these days….

Oh, and I could do without my limp, too, although I guess that’s part of what makes me who I am. And please, no more Physics classes—that class was way too hard. Let’s stick to psychology and literature, stuff like that, because they’re way more fun.

What do you like best about yourself, Leesa? What do you like least?

I like that I’m very loyal and very determined—I think my limp has a lot to do with me being so tenacious and determined. When I set my mind to something, I don’t give up easily. That’s why I can walk as fast and as far as pretty much anyone, despite my bad leg.

As for what I don’t like, as I said before I don’t like being so shy and introverted. But thanks to Cali and Rave—and to you, Scott—I’m slowly getting better!

There are already a couple of sequels to Breathless. What do you think of them?

I LOVE them all! I’m getting to spend more time with Rave, though the kissing thing is still a problem. I really wish you would do something about that for me, Scott.

I also love that it turns out I’m not quite as ordinary as I thought—that’s way cool. It seems I’ve got a bit of magic inside me that I’m just beginning to learn how to control. Which is a very good thing, because there’s a whole lot more supernatural danger around here than I ever imagined. Who would have ever thought that hungry vampires were NOT the worst thing I’d have to deal with? Luckily, I’ve got some cool new friends and allies to help me out.

Do you have anything else you’d like to say, Leesa?

I just want to say it was great talking to you like this, Scott—we should do it more often! And I want to thank everyone for taking the time to listen. I hope they’ll all want to get to know me and my friends better—believe me, it’s been an amazing freshman year so far!

Links

Signed hardcover copies of Breathless can be purchased at http://www.scottprussing.com.

Paperback copies of books 2, 3 and 4 are also available here.

Ebooks available at Amazon, B&N and Smashwords. 

BREATHLESS: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004U6WM7E

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/breathless-scott-prussing/1103450265

DEATHLESS: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005M4VGNE

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/deathless-scott-prussing/1105547096

HELPLESS: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006G40T8M

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/helpless-scott-prussing/1107828719

FEARLESS: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0089FGD9A

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fearless-scott-prussing/1111435870

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Breathlessbook

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/scottprussingauthor and

http://facebook.com/BreathlessFampires

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4325564.Scott_Prussing

Video Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ggTqcI3gGs&feature=youtube_gdata

ASIN # for Breathless: B004U6WM7E

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For a chance to win a copy of Myopia, please leave a comment below about the post the winning comment will be picked by me.

Make sure to include your email address in the response.

To win a copy of Wisteria Series short story Paranoia, sign up for our newsletter here

Contest closes 28 December 2012 at 1200pm GMT (London time) or 7:00am New York Time.

Contest rules can be found here

Character Interview with Amanda from Wisteria

Three years after the Nero Plague turned 80% of the world’s people into flesh eating zombies,  most humans barely understand what is happening around them. Our people are struggling to survive. Amongst this madness (and through the ages), a race known as the Family visit to watch the Earth die,  out of a twisted pleasure.

Hi, it’s my honor today to interview Amanda Weiss, from the upcoming YA paranormal novel Wisteria by Bisi Leyton. You can find out more about Wisteria  on this blog or on facebook.

Amanda Weiss

I just want to say, I’m really glad you could find the time to talk to me.

Sure, no problem

How old are you?

I’m sixteen.

Where are you from?

My parents are from England, so yeah that makes me English (laughs). My dad travelled a lot for work when I was growing up, so I’ve lived in New York, McShane, Paris and even Africa.

What the most interesting place you’ve lived?

New York was the greatest. I mean have you seen fifth avenue?

The most interesting would have to be McShane City. Those people were really weird. They think they’re so cool, because they live on a mountain. But they’re just strange and I’m fairly sure they marry their cousins or something up there.

Er Yeah, how do you enjoy living on the Isle of Smythe?

I’d like to say I hate living here, but I’m alive right?

Everyone I grew up with is dead or a zombie and I’ve lived in worse places since the Nero madness broke out . I mean really bad places. Sure we don’t have running water or electricity here, but I’ve finally stopped sleeping with a weapon under my pillow.

Does your family like it here?

Er… my mother and younger brother died in a car crash a few years ago. My dad doesn’t really talk to me much about what he thinks.

I’m sorry about your mother.

Thanks. I’m just glad she wasn’t here to witness Nero. Can we talk about something else?

Of course, is there anyone special in your life?

Well (smiles) kind of

Kind of?

Yeah, he’s kind of got a girlfriend. His name’s David Kuti.

Oh Wisteria’s brother? Are you friends with Wisteria?

Well… I guess. She saved my life, so I owe her. You know I’d say we are friends when she’s not totally infatuated with Steven Hindle.

I don’t see why she’s so into that boy. He’s got a serious girlfriend, a seriously crazy one at that.

But aren’t you dating boy who’s got a girl too?

That’s different. David promised, he was going to break up with Poppy, so I’m just waiting until the time is right. Don’t look at me like that, don’t judge me. You don’t know my life and you don’t know what I’ve been through.

I am a good person and not the kind of girl who steals boyfriends. It just happened.

Right so tell me more about Steven Hindle, I thought Wisteria and Bach had a thing?

Bach, no he’s with Hailey. Or at least Hailey’s told everyone to steer clear. Besides there’s no way Wisteria could ever date a guy like Bach. Have you seen him? I mean seen him in real life, he’s hot. I love her, but she’s got a better chance landing Steven, if you ask me.

I have a final question. Do you think we’re going service the Nero virus?

Honestly, I can’t let myself think about that.

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For a chance to win a copy of Myopia, please leave a comment below about the post the winning comment will be picked by me.

Make sure to include your email address in the response.

To win a copy of Wisteria Series short story Paranoia, sign up for our newsletter here

Contest closes 22 December 2012 at 1200pm GMT (London time) or 7:00am New York Time.

Contest rules can be found here

========

Winner: Denise Z

Character Interview: Enric from Wisteria

Three years after the Nero Plague turned 80% of the world's people into flesh eating zombies, most humans barely understand what is happening around them. Our people are struggling to survive. Amongst this madness (and through the ages), a race known as the Family visit to watch the Earth die, out of a twisted pleasure.

Welcome! Today we’re interviewing Garfield from my new novel Wisteria. You can find out all about Wisteria on this blog, facebook or get it here.

What’s your name and how old are you?

I’m Garfield Simon and I’m sixteen.

Is your family from Smythe?

No, I used to live with my mum in Birmingham. I never knew my father, but since coming to Smythe it’s just been me.

On the Isle of Smythe who are you closest to?

Aside from Wisteria, I don’t have a lot of friends. It’s hard making friends with anyone on the island. Most of the kids keep to themselves because they’ve known each other for years.  I mean I know more about Bach.

Really, I thought Bach keeps to himself.

Yeah, he does.  I mean he won’t even tell us his real name, which goes to show how cold those other kids are. 

Is there anyone you wish you could be closer to? Amanda Weiss perhaps?

Amanda’s alright. She wants to get close to me, but I’m taking my time and weighing my options.

You’re blushing?

I’m not blushing. Woman, you don’t know what you’re talking about.

Isn’t Amanda dating Wisteria’s brother David?

Like I said, you don’t know what you’re talking about.

Yeah right. Anyway how do you like living on the island?
It’s been an experience to say the least. I mean we’re safe, but they’re slave drivers. All the kids have to work like thirty hours a week, well only the kids whose parents aren’t on the leadership council.

What do you say that?

Because it’s true. Hailey and Steven barely do anything. No one hassles them about not earning their keep, but I was told, either work as a rat catcher or leave Smythe. Where was I going to go? Face the zombies?

That being said, I’m glad I’m not doing what Wisteria does. The girl has a death wish… but it makes sense. She’s hoping to one day get back to her home so she wants to learn to take care of herself against the infected.

You don’t plan to leave Smythe one day?

I don’t want to die. No, but Wisteria’s is desperate to meet up with her father back home. I’ve got no family to get back to.

I’ve got a question for you. Why didn’t you and Wisteria get together?

Hmm (he frowns), I never thought about that before. You know I’ve never seen her that way. I don’t know why. I care about her, but…

She’s not Amanda Weiss.

(Smiles) There’s no one in the world like Amanda Weiss.

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To download a sample of Wisteria visit here

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For a chance to win a copy of Myopia, please leave a comment below about the post or a question and a winning comment will be picked at random (please no spam)

Make sure to include your email address in the response.

To win a copy of Wisteria short story Paranoia, sign up for our newsletter here

Contest closes 11 December 2012 at 1200pm GMT (London time) or 7:00am EDT (New York Time).

Contest rules can be found here

============

Congratulations: Sarah Elizabeth

Dreaming of Summer Blog Hop - Giveaway

Wisteria Excerpt

 (Win a Free copy of short story Paranoia by Bisi Leyton)

As part of the Dreaming of Summer Blog Hop, I'm give away a short story from the Wisteria series to everyone who wants once.  All you have to do is -- Sign up for my mailing list here and leave a comment / question about the excerpt below along with you email:

Entries close at 3 December at 12pm GMT

Wisteria  (Wisteria #2) 

Prologue - Excerpt

Thirteen months after the first official case of Nero Disease

“Wisteria, run!” Rebecca O’Leary screamed over the radio.

Wisteria Kuti whipped around and came face-to-face with the blood-red eyes of a hungry flesh-eating biter. The biter was a man, infected by Nero Disease, who had long lost his mind. He looked more animal than human and he wanted one thing—to feed on the flesh of uninfected people. The biter growled and staggered toward Wisteria.

She fled down the deserted road to the nearest house. The front door was locked. She kicked at the door, but it didn’t open. Taking out her handgun, she smashed through the window of the door.

“Ugh,” more biters growled behind her.

She spun around, fired once, and hit one in the head. She unlocked the door by reaching in and turning the lock. Once inside, she chained and bolted the door.

Crash—a biter smashed through another window into the house.

Wisteria’s heart jumped and she darted up the stairs as fast as she could.

“Get out of the house, Wisteria!” Rebecca radioed.

I’m trying.

A biter grabbed her ankle as she ran. Falling hard on the steps, she wailed in pain. “Ah.” No time to cry, Wisteria. She fired at the biter holding her. One bullet left.

Three more biters appeared below and started coming up the stairs. Leaping up, she sprinted to the top floor and dashed into the first open doorway that led to the master bedroom. Locking the door, she headed straight for the window.

The infected clawed at the door, tearing it apart and snarling as they entered.

What's my name, what's my game? (Win a Free copy of Myopia by Bisi Leyton)

As part of the gratitude giveaway, I decided to make this post short and sweet. There isn't much for you to do get a chance to win.

This is a game I saw on Facebook and thought it might be fun to try. Simply leave a comment about the back story of this character. You can write anything like his name, hobbies, his home life, is he a clone, elf, does he see ghosts? I'm a paranormal writer, so the less crazier the better.

I'll pick three winning comments and the winners will each get a free copy of Myopia.

Entries close at 26th November at 12pm GMT.

=======================

Winners: BJ, Suz, Darlene

Bisi's Mailing list / Kindle Fire Giveaway

Sign up for Bisi Leyton's Mailing List for a chance to win the New Kindle Fire.

The purpose of this newsletter is to notify you when I have new stories or novels published (nothing more). I will not pass your information on to any third parties.

Entries close midnight 30 November 2012 New York Time. Terms and Conditions for giveaways can be found here

Please enter by doing two things:
1. Filling the form below

Sign up to Bisi's Mailing List

AND

2. Signing up via the rafflecopter form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner: Cassi, from New Jersey

Past Book Tours

Character Interview with Lara from Wisteria / ebook giveaway

Three years ago, the Nero Virus turned 80% of the world's population into flesh eating biters. The biters want one thing, to devour and feast on the uninfected. A few survivors live on the Isle of Smythye one of the last bastions of humanity.

Today, I'm interviewing a character from my dystopian / post apocalyptic novel Wisteria. We were supposed to get Wisteria, but she couldn’t make it. So we’ve got her mother.

B: Brilliant. What’s your name?

L: I'm called Omolara Kuti or Lara for short.

B: Does it mean anything?

L: Yes, Kuti is Yoruba and means death cannot kill.

B: I hear Lara may not be your real name.

L: (smiles) It isn't, but my real name isn't any of your business.

B: Where were you born? Where do you call home?

L: I was born in General Hospital on Lagos Island and I used to call Lagos home. Now the Isle of Smythe is the only home I have.

B: What is your most treasured possession?

L: I treasure my family the most, not that they’re my possessions. I’d do anything for them; even kill for them if I had to.

B: Whoa... but you've never done that right?  I mean...kill someone to protect your family.

L: (Smirks) please, ask me something else

B:What or who is the greatest love of your life?

L: (Scowls) Next question

B: So what do think about Wisteria's relationship with Bach? I'm sure your daughter hanging out with a Supernatural must be an interesting experience.

L: Over my dead body. There is no relationship between Wisteria and Bach. None! And to answer your question about killing someone, Bach is at the top of my list. If I find he's been seeing Wisteria, he will end him. Just so you understand I’m serious, I used to be solider and I’ve taken people down before.

B: Seriously? Aren't you overreacting?

L: No. His people are dangerous.

B: Why are they so dangerous? It’s not like they eat people or hunt us.

L: They hate all humans. I’ll never forget the night the Family's empirics broke into my home and killed my first husband and took my first child. I wasn’t strong enough to protect them them, but I am now and I'll never let those freaks near my family.

B: And when you explained this to her, what was her reaction?

L: I told you, she's sixteen, so I won't burden her with something so heavy. I'm her mother and she'll do what I say.

B: Even when you lie to her?

L:(Laughs). Especially when I lie. Don't look at me like that... I lie to protect her.

B: Maybe you could try being more open with her. She might--

L: Listen, I didn't agree to this interview, so you could lecture me on how to be a mother. I'm getting out of here (leaves).

B: Er... it think we are done?

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Please leave a comment below, and a winning comment will be picked at random (please no spam)

The prize a $5 Amazon gift certificate, I hope you'll use toward the purchase of Wisteria -- but you don't have to

Make sure to include your email address in the response.

 ===================

Winner: Sweety White!

Praise for Wisteria

"The book was full of nonstop action from the beginning until the end, and I did not put it down until I had finished it." Monique Morgan.    [Read the full review at http://www.moniquemorgan.com/2012/08/review-of-wisteria-by-bisi-leyton.html]

I can honestly say this book was not what I thought it would be, it was so amazing and Bisi's writing was very entrancing. No matter how much I didn't want to read on and just stop all together, I didn't because even though there were zombies, the story was too good to be cut short. Aliaa El-Nashar [Read the full review at
http://aliaaelnashar.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/wisteria-blog-tour-review.html]


 "There are a lot of great things in this book, so much more than zombies and a struggle for survival... Ms. Leyton brings to Wisteria a mixture of science fiction, fantasy, dystopic world with a twist to the paranormal romance angle!" Cabin Goddess [Read the full review at http://cabingoddess.com/2012/10/wisteria/]


"What a great start to the Wisteria series!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! Bisi Leyton has written a fabulous novel...." Nomi's Paranormal Palace  [Read the full review at http://nomisparanormalpalace.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/book-tourreviewgiveaway-wisteria-by.html]

"...the main story- line of Wisteria and Bach (one of the strange boys), this was by far the most interesting part, Bach and his companions are not from Terra (Earth) they are just here to watch it die, and Wisteria and he have met before but neither of them can figure out when or where. This is what kept me reading,I needed to find out."  Cover2Cover  [Read the full review at
http://cover2coverblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/blog-tour-excerpt-review-wisteria-by.html]

"It was a breath of fresh air." Rute Canhoto [Read the full review at http://rutecanhoto.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/bewitching-blog-tours-wisteria-wisteria.html]

"I am SO glad that I decided to read this book... Between the action packed scenes with an "average" heroine and the interesting twist on your "typical" zombie book, this story holds your attention from page one. And that story line! Holy Moly! It definitely had me thinking about what could happen to our world,..." Brittany C [Read the full review at
http://thecoverbybrittany.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=wisteria]

"This was a really good read. I loved the storyline and the character development. I liked the attention to detail about the Family and the community Wisteria lives in. It isn’t your typical zombie book, it has a unique twist and it was very enjoyable." Kaina  [Read the full review at
http://www.kainas.com/?p=351]