Interview & Giveaway with Dakota Cassidy

Dakota Cassidy Interview Intro:

Hello everyone!  LITERAL ADDICTION and Book Monster Reviews are very happy to welcome Dakota Cassidy to our sites today!  

Dakota Cassidy lives for a good laugh in life and in her writing. In fact, she almost loves a good giggle as much as she loves hair products and that's saying something.

Her goals in life are simple, (like really simple): banish the color yellow forever, create world peace via hot rollers and Aqua Net; and finally, nab every tiara in the land by competing in the Miss USA, Miss Universe, and Miss World pageants, then sweeping them in a stunning trifecta of much duct tape and Vaseline usage, all in just under one week. Oh, and write really fun books!

Dakota lives in Texas with her two sons, her mother, more cats and dogs than the local animal shelter and has a husband who puts the heroes in her books to shame.

The proud creator of the ACCIDENTALS, HELL, EX-TROPHY WIVES, WOLF MATES, VAMPIRE THING, THE EX-FILES, and THE SPY WHO SNAGGED ME series, Dakota’s a busy gal. 

The ACCIDENTALS series consists of five (5) books with 2 more on the way soon: “The Accidental Werewolf”, “Accidentally Dead”, “The Accidental Human”, “Accidentally Demonic”, “Accidentally Catty”, “Accidentally Dead, Again” (coming 6/5/12) and “The Accidental Genie” (coming 12/4/12). 

Her HELL series has 2 books, “Kiss and Hell” and “My Way to Hell”.

The EX-TROPHY WIVES series consists of “You Dropped a Blonde on Me”, “Burning Down the Spouse”, and “Waltz this Way” (just released 5/6/12).

Dakota’s WOLF MATES series has “An American Werewolf in Hoboken”, “What’s New Pussycat”, “Moon over Manhasset”, and “Ruff and Ready”.

VAMPIRE THING has 2 books, “It’s a Vampire Thing” and “Doing Desi”. 

THE EX-FILES is made up of “Mayhem and Maddie”, “Maxie’s Man”, “Kinky Katy” and “Vicky the Vixen”.

And last but not least, Dakota’s THE SPY WHO SNAGGED ME series also has 2 books – “James Bondage” and “Jane’s Blonde”.  

For those of you not yet familiar with Dakota’s work, we thought we’d give you the synopses for the 1^st book in each series and the new/upcoming releases to peak your interests:

ACCIDENTALS Series

“The Accidental Werewolf” Book #1:

When Marty Andrews gets bitten by a mangy mutt while walking her teacup poodle, her blond hair darkens, the hair on her legs starts growing at an alarming rate, and her mood swings put her dream job as a sales rep for Bobbie-Sue Cosmetics in serious jeopardy.

Then a drool-worthy man shows up at her door claiming that he accidentally bit Marty. And since he's a werewolf, she is now, too. Thinking Keegan Flaherty is clearly insane, Marty refuses to believe a word until a kidnapping makes her realize there's more at stake than just her highlights. And she must put her out-of-control life in the hands of the man who makes her blood run wild in more ways than one...

 “Accidentally Dead, Again” Book #6:

COMING 6/5/12!

After a wild, work-sponsored Halloween party, entomologist Sam

McLean wakes up with a spotty memory—and a pointy set of fangs.

Somehow, Sam’s unconscious body ends up at the OOPS office, where paranormal crisis counselors Nina, Marty, and Wanda give him the lowdown on accidentally becoming a creature of the night. Sam is speeding through the stages of newbie grief, until a woman named Pheobe Reynolds bursts onto the scene claiming to be Nina’s sister—resulting in a catfight that ends with Pheobe’s luscious behind in the direct path of Sam’s fangs. Now, the OOPS girls have two fledgling vamps on their hands, and their powers—and the attraction building between them—are unlike anything they’ve seen before…

HELL Series

“Kiss & Hell” Book #1:

Delaney Markham doesn't just see dead people, she hears them too. And FYI-communicating with tortured souls all day can really wreak havoc on your love life. Sans boyfriend, Delaney makes the best of her gift by holding séances to make ends meet-that is until one incredibly annoying ghost just won't go away.  

Besides being sinfully hot-in a college professor sort of way-all signs point to Clyde Atwell being much more than the ordinary spirit. In fact, he's a newbie demon whose first assignment is to take Delaney back down to hell with him. Yeah, like that's going to happen on the first date.

EX-TROPHY WIVES Series

“You Dropped a Blonde on Me” Book #1:

She was the perfect party-planning, haute-to-the max trophy wife. Now Maxine Cambridge is broke, unemployable and living with her mother and teenage son in a retirement village, with her self-esteem kicked to the curb.

Until her geeky former classmate Campbell Barker returns, all grown-up- and off-the-scale smokin' hot. Campbell refuses to believe Max isn't that smart, funny girl he's crushed on since high school. The more Max tries to show him he's wrong, the more she rediscovers her long-retired mojo. Now, she's ready to throw down some payback on her ex-life and fight for what she deserves...

“Waltz This Way” Book #3:

Left without a partner... 

When former ballroom champion Melina Cherkasov found out that her famous husband was cheating, she was devastated, especially since she was informed by a sleazy reporter on national TV. Thanks to an ironclad prenup and a scumbag ex, Melina has to pack up her dog and her dignity and take refuge in her dad's retirement community in New Jersey.

...it's time to take the lead.   

To make ends meet, Melina puts her dancing shoes to use as an instructor at Westmeyer-a private school for boy geniuses. Teaching a bunch of hormonal teenagers to waltz is trying, but the school's sexy handyman provides ample distraction. Drew McPhee is perfect, except for one thing: He doesn't like dancing. Thankfully, the finesse Drew lacks on the floor is more than made up for by his skills in the bedroom. And after one steamy night, the ballroom diva is the one getting swept off her feet...

WOLF MATES Series

“An American Werewolf in Hoboken” Book #1:

JC Jensen, a hairdresser in Hoboken, New Jersey, is happy living alone and focusing on her career. JC decides that maybe a dog might be a better companion than the boyfriends she's had, so she heads off to her local animal shelter to find a puppy that needs a home. Like a cute ball of fluff, ya know?

When she comes home, it's with a beast that the shelter says is part wolf -- and destined to die. He's mean, he's ornery, he has enough fleas to require fumigation, and he's a hairdresser's nightmare, but JC is compelled to adopt him. The shelter is amazed when he only responds to her (no surprise for you there I'll bet). After a trip to PETsMART and a bath, JC dubs her new buddy Fluffy. Fluffy loves steak and hates her ex-boyfriend Jess, which is just fine by JC. He's her perfect match -- so perfect she thinks if only he were a man they could pick out china together.

But Fluffy likes to roam and when he takes off one night JC's new neighbor Max Adams consoles her by inviting her in for pizza. Max is hot and he has a great head of hair. JC and Max have nothing in common -- he's a country boy and she's a city girl -- but sexually speaking (you knew that was coming, didn't you?) Max is like no other man she's met. He does have some peculiarities though, like a strange affinity for red meat, and his allergic reaction to anything silver. All of this has JC wondering where Max comes from and why -- despite their differences -- she can't keep her hands off of him!

Oh, and the biggest plus of all? Max really digs her big, mangy mutt Fluffy

VAMPIRE THING Series

“It’s a Vampire Thing” Book #1:

Claire Treemont is a small-town coroner with a small-town social life -- as in, nonexistent. When a yummy body enters her life one night at the county morgue, Claire is astonished to find she's pretty sad he's dead. I mean, honestly, how often does someone like her get to gaze upon a body like that?  

Zachariah Kowalski's got an affliction that has him waking up in places that are, to say the least, inconvenient. He also has a life mate who escapes him from century to century just as they're about to seal the vampire deal. Kinda frustrating, huh?

Add in a best friend, Jarrod, who's ever so helpful, and an ex who'd rather see him dead than with another woman, and you get... trouble. Oh, and a wild, passionate ride against time...

THE EX-FILES Series

“Mayhem and Maddie” Book #1:

Madison Blake is divorced, bummed and adjusting to the single life. Everyone keeps telling her to move on, but she just can't figure out exactly what she's supposed to move on to. Sounds like every chick-lit book known to man, doesn't it? Well, not quite...

Maddie takes a lot of advice from her friends and her lame counselor, who's taught her to keep an emotional journal and use life affirming words, like "I will". But, she still doesn't feel much better, until one night she meets a great guy -- in a bunny suit -- and joins a group of divorced women for a little divorcee therapy. Oh, and karaoke.

Maddie's life begins to change rapidly as she experiences a fetish, a hot guy in an animal costume and three women who will change her life forever. Maddie's being dragged into moving on, so can she leave the past behind and find her happy place?

THE SPY WHO SNAGGED ME Series

“James Bondage” Book #1:

International spy and former beauty queen Cindy Crisco is hot on the trail of a notorious arms dealer.

She’s hell-bent on apprehending him with her faux lipstick encased gun and Lycra, bullet-proof jumpsuit.

However, a certain rival spy wants to do the same thing.

An abandoned warehouse, some fancy spy gadgets and two spies vying for the same spy coup.  

Oh, and a pair of handcuffs...

They sound terrific, don’t they!!?  They are, and you can find them at your favorite bookseller so make sure and add them all to your TBR.  Before you run off to buy them though, give us a bit more of your time so we can tell you some more about Dakota and her books.

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  Hi Dakota!  We’re so happy to have you here today.  Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down and chat with us.

DAKOTA: Thank you for having me!

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  We always start out by getting to know our guest authors a little bit better.

Q1): Can you tell us 3 things about yourself (no matter how random) that we couldn’t find out easily on the Internet?

DAKOTA: Um, nope. LOLLOL! I didn’t think there was much not already out there. But digging deep, I guess maybe that I wear clown pants to bed. Or that’s what the DH calls them. They’re actually a cute bunch of cotton pajama sets I have, but he refers to them as clown pants. Stupidhead J Let’s see—oh, I love a good steak (filet or ribeye). In fact, I could probably eat 12 ounces of steak at one sitting if I didn’t make it and I haven’t eaten all day and I have on stretchy pants. But I adore animals. Which makes me a hypocrite of the worst order. And I suck at texting. Like, if you text me, expect one of those “Damn You Autocorrect” replies. I can’t see the damn thing and my nails always get in the way of the letters.

Q2):  What are 2 things that always make you smile, and 2 things that never fail to piss you off?

DAKOTA: Someone else’s laughter and a good hair day. Animal abuse/neglect and liars/users. That’s kinda like four things that piss me off, isn’t it? I need to cut back on my triggers. J

Q3):  What are some of your hobbies or things that you enjoy doing when you’re not writing or taking care of other author business?

DAKOTA: Reality TV. I have the sickest addiction this side of the Mason-Dixon when it comes to anything reality. Don’t judge. J I also love to garden, love to read (I know. So obvious, right?), love to mess around with wood on a scroll/band/radial arm saw.

Q4):  What’s your idea of the most perfect, and absolute worst date scenarios ever?

DAKOTA: Perfect… huh. I guess perfect is what you make it. DH and I have date night every Saturday, no matter what. We usually do a movie and dinner-sometimes a concert. It’s perfect if I’m out of the house and have some peace and quiet. Oh, and if I don’t have to be naked under bright lighting. That’s REALLY perfect. Worst date would definitely be slurpies at the 7-Eleven AND naked under bright lighting J

Q5):  What are some of your favorite TV shows and movies?

DAKOTA: ZOMG—I dunno if we have enough cyberspace for all the shiz I watch. Since Netflix invented this whole live streaming thing, my life’s changed. But here goes, ready? Psych, Fairly Legal, Sons of Anarchy, Burn Notice, Breaking Bad, Touch, Pretty Little Liars, Jane by Design, Dexter, Homeland, Californication, Dancing With The Stars, American Idol, Eureka, So You Think You Can Dance, Drop Dead Diva, Real House Wives of Whatever Town They Put On Bravo, Jerseylicious. God. I’m exhausted—and I know I’ve missed some. LOL!

Q6):  Are there any titles or authors that you feel have inspired you to become the writer you are today?

DAKOTA: For sure that would be Nina Bangs, who took over the top scenarios in paranormal to new heights for me. Also, Stephen Kind and Dean Koontz. They’re just sick bastards with the most maniacal minds—and it’s delicious. J

Q7):  If you could have 1 superpower, what would you want it to be and why?

DAKOTA: The power to make my own Benjamin Franklin’s. I’d make a buttload of them and save all the homeless/neglected animals in the world. I’d prolly get some shoes, too, because you can’t beat the girlie-girl out of me. J

Q8):  What is a typical writing day like for you?  Do you have a routine that you follow?  Are there specific things that you have to have with you to get the creative juices flowing? Do you have any interesting writing quirks, etc?

DAKOTA:I write anywhere from 8-10 hours a day, and put out about 8-10K a day. I don’t keep a great deal of it, but I vomit the words for all I’m worth. So my day usually starts at about 11 in the morning. I hit FB/Twitter, answer emails, post on my fan page etc. Then I read the horrific jumble of vomit I wrote the night before and proof/delete/edit etc. I go off and do my housework/errands make dinner for the family, try and catch all that TV I watch and then I’m back in my office again by 10—write until like 5-6 in the morning. Wash, rinse, repeat. Yes, Sleeping in underrated. LOL! I don’t really have many quirks in terms of my writing, clearly those all come out in whatever I’m writing about. But I do need soft lighting and my smokes. I have no idea why the soft lighting is necessary. It just helps me think. And yes, I knowwwww. I’m a dirty smoker!

Q9):  Since the next upcoming book is from the ACCIDENTALS series we’ll focus on that for now.  Was there any specific inspiration behind the creation of the ACCIDENTALS series?

DAKOTA: This is long—you ready? I attended a conference here in Dallas for RWA. I wasn’t there officially, but seeing as it was in my hood, I’d planned to meet my first agent in person for the first time. The conference ended up sharing the hotel with women who sold Mary-Kay Cosmetics. I’d only distantly heard about the company here and there and didn’t know much other than the pink cars (which, if you know me, excited me no end). None of us could figure out why it was so hard to even get a glass of water in the bar until one of the waitresses told us that the MK ladies weren’t allowed to drink in public, so all the waiters were going up to the rooms to deliver drinks and food. I have no proof that’s true, but this is what we were told.

Thus, I was intrigued. I was also intrigued by the colors they wore to signify their status within the company, but I was most intrigued by a woman I met in the elevator. Once we all sort of got used to each other as we passed in the halls and such, if we didn’t have nametags to identify us (and I didn’t because I wasn’t official), we’d ask, “Mary Kay or RWA? ”For some reason because at the time not many knew me, everyone thought I was Mary-Kay (crazy, right?). So I asked this young woman if she was Mary-Kay, so as not to presume like everyone else had with me. And she confirmed Mary-Kay.

As we got to talking, she explained to me how she was doing this convention on her last dime, how she really wanted a career of some kind, how she loved makeup and so on. She wasn’t terribly persistent about selling me anything, so I asked her why she hadn’t asked to do my color wheel (or whatever MK called it). And she said, it didn’t look like I needed any help. So I found myself telling her that everyone needed help. Every, single person, no matter how well put together, should always be asked, “Do you wear Mary-Kay and if you don’t, why not?” I couldn’t figure out why she wasn’t trying harder to make a sale.

Which makes me a pushy broad… Anyway, her story made me wonder if anyone ever really succeeded in selling cosmetics and making a living. After that, and my love of goop for your face and the idea that some of the sales tactics are a riot, gave me the idea for what my first heroine, Marty, would do for a living. Of course, I parodied the hell out of it with color wheels and such, so absolutely NO offense to the lovely gals of MK. The accidental part of it must’ve happened in a sweat lodge after some peyote. But I can’t confirm or deny. I seriously don’t know where that came from—it just popped into my head. J

Q10):  How many books do you have planned for the series?

DAKOTA: I don’t really plan them, to be truthful. I write each one like it’ll be my last. I cry when I’m done because I’m SURE it’ll be my last. Then I pray they’ll sell and my pub will want more. Truth. J

Q11):  What’s the plan for your other series – which ones are finished, which ones have planned new releases, etc? 

DAKOTA: No immediate plans for anything with the ex-trophy wives or any other series at this moment. Though, I’m writing up and erotic proposal for my agent, and keeping my fingers crossed I’ll get the chance to write the whole shebang. I’m having way too much fun!

Q12):  If you could spend the day with any of your characters, with whom would you want to spend it, and what would you like to do?

DAKOTA: Oh, for sure it’d be Nina. I really am a great deal like Nina, though, I’ve learned as I’ve aged to temper my responses and keep my “Nina” on the inside. But we’re very similar in that, I can be a bit of a loner, though I love people. I know, a contradiction. I don’t put up with a whole lot of bullshit, and I’m mostly not afraid to tell you so. Unless I know you’ll cry if I do—then it’s just not worth it to me. I’m a fabulous curser, and I can be very confrontational if threatened, and I don’t care how big or bad you are. Which makes me mostly insane. J I have that short person syndrome, I think. Grrrr! And I guess we’d go take some bitches out? Fly to Paris? Talk about ways to kill people without leaving a mark? LOLLOL!

Q13):  What were some of the challenges (research, literary, psychological, logistical, etc) in bringing your ACCIDENTALS series to life?

DAKOTA: You know, I don’t do a whole lot of research. If I have a character who comes from a particular time period or profession, I keep it mostly brief because all of the accidentals have been in the here and now. And even with research, sometimes I don’t get it right. Anyway, I do a quick look on Wiki and some other sites I rely on, and then I’m done. My biggest challenge is plot. I suck at it. I never have a point when I begin a book. It’s only when I get to the middle of the book that I finally realize I need a point. I’m a pantser by nature, and it ruins me every bloody time J

 

Q14):  What are you the most proud of with regards to your career thus far?

DAKOTA: I’m proud I still have a place to live after writing the crazy stuff I do. Not many can say that. LOL! Actually, I’m just proud to still be standing. The publishing world is a crazy, unpredictable place. To have carved out a small niche of my own in it, and to have clung to it for seven years without breaking a nail, makes me proud, and I’m eternally grateful to all the wonderful people who’ve made that possible J

Q15):  Is there anything special you would to say to your readers while we have you here today?  Anything you want to make sure and tell us about, etc?

DAKOTA: In all seriousness—I joke aplenty. I snark often. But I hope all of you know how truly blessed I feel to share a moment with you on Facebook or Twitter and how overwhelmed with gratitude I am that you pop in and comment, send me an email, share your day with me. Thank you. I’m humbled J

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  Thank you so much again for being with us today.  We’d absolutely love to have you back to promote “The Accidental Genie” in December, and if you’re game, we’d love to do a Live Chat with the Event.  J

DAKOTA: Thank YOU, ladies—I’m so glad to have spent some time with you, and I’m in for a live chat!

If you would like to keep up with Dakota, you can find her online here:

Website:  http://dakota324.wix.com/dakotacassidy

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/DakotaCassidyFanPage

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

GoodReads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/108007.Dakota_Cassidy

Dakota is graciously offering up an Advance Reading Copy eBook of “Accidentally Dead, Again” to a winner from Book Monster Reviews and another winner over at the LITERAL ADDICTION Website. 

TO ENTER:

1)  Please become a member of the Book Monster Blog by clicking on the “JOIN THIS SITE” button at the top left hand corner of blog page.

2) Leave a comment on this post and be sure to leave your email address.  Comments without an email addy will NOT be entered into contest.