Today I’m excited to have the author of North of Need joining us on Book Briefs for a fun interview. Welcome Laura! And be sure to come back to check out my review of North of Need.
1. Where do you get your inspiration for your stories?
This is a fun question! And, first, let me thank you for hosting me here! *grins* I get inspiration from all kinds of things. Music is a huge one—a single line of lyrics can sometimes spin off a scene or even a whole story idea. Sometimes idea just come to me in odd moments—driving and showering seem to be particularly good story-generating times for me! LOL Asking “what would happen if” questions is useful too. Other times, an interesting character will come to mind, and over time reveal his story. By training, I’m a historian, and stories from the past offer all kinds of fruitful ideas.
2. Describe North of Need in twitter detail. (140 characters or less)
#NorthofNeed, @GraveTells Best Book of 2011, features a powerful, sexy snow god who needs the love of a grieving widow to earn his humanity
3. I have a special cubby in my law school library where I swear I am more productive. (It is the same as all the other desks in the library, but it’s my favorite one to work at) Do you have a special place where you write?
Not really. I’m pretty much a “have laptop, will write” kinda gal. A lot of daytimes, I write with my best friend (a YA paranormal author) at a Panera Bread. In the evenings, I tend to sit on the couch or in my office and write, depending on my mood. I don’t really have any special needs requirements to up my productivity, although longer periods of available time are much better for me than small windows here and there.
4. What has been your favorite character you have ever created and why?
Oh, geez. This is a seriously difficult question! Right away, my brain went: Caden, no it’s Owen, no Lucien, no Caden, no Zephyros. LOL If I have to choose [>.<], I’ll go with Caden Grayson from my contemporary romance Hearts in Darkness, who has this incredibly sexy and appealing rough exterior but totally sweet and even shy interior. North of Need’s Owen Winters is a very close second, though, because he’s just got this zest for life that I love and admire.
5. What is your biggest pet peeve?
LOL In life? Meanness. In driving? People who turn their turn signals on when they’re already in the turn lane (it’s too late then, people!). In my kids? The fact they always leave those little freaking juice box straw wrappers all over the house. Seriously! If you have kids, you know what I mean! *eye twitches*
6. What has been your favorite place to visit?
Oh, man, I’ve loved so many places I’ve traveled. But my favorite place outside of the U.S.I’ve ever been is London. I would love to live there for a while some time down the line.
7. If we had an author talent show, what would your talent be?
Ha! I’m a decent singer. And I can play a (very basic) song or two on the guitar. I’m kinda crafty, too, but that’s not a talent show thing LOL. I dreamed I won American Idol once—does that count???
Thanks so much for the fun interview! Okay, now, readers, I want to know YOUR talent show talent! *grins* xox Laura
About North of Need:
Her tears called a powerful snow god to life, but only her love can grant the humanity he craves…
Desperate to escape agonizing memories of Christmas past, twenty-nine-year-old widow Megan Snow builds a snow family outside the mountain cabin she once shared with her husband, realizing too late that she’s recreated the very thing she’ll never have.
Called to life by Megan’s tears, snow god Owen Winters appears unconscious on her doorstep in the midst of a raging blizzard. As she nurses him to health, Owen finds unexpected solace in her company and unimagined pleasure in the warmth of her body, and vows to win her heart for a chance at humanity.
Megan is drawn to Owen’s mismatched eyes, otherworldly masculinity, and enthusiasm for the littlest things. But this Christmas miracle comes with an expiration–before the snow melts and the temperature rises, Megan must let go of her widow’s grief and learn to trust love again, or she’ll lose Owen forever.
About Laura Kaye:
Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is the bestselling and award-winning author of a half-dozen books. Hearts in Darkness is a finalist for the EPIC eBook Award for Best Novella, Forever Freed won the NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Best Paranormal of 2011, and North of Need, the first book in the Hearts of the Anemoi series, was named GraveTells’ Best Book of 2011 and won their 5-STAR Gold Heart Award, and won Sizzling Hot Read of the Year at Sizzling Hot Books. Laura lives in Marylandwith her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
If you enjoyed this post, please 
Subscribe to Book Briefs in a reader
Her tears called a powerful snow god to life, but only her love can grant the humanity he craves…
Hee, hee. Totally laughing about your eye twitch on those plastic straw wrappers! I understand. That … and my hubby leaves his used Splenda packages everywhere. He shoves in his pockets, and they fall out …
*grins* Thanks Louisa! I’m glad you get it! And thanks for commenting!
I love history too! Lots of stories to take from and your options are endless. And after 5 kids the plastic straw wrappers are endless. LOL….Enjoyed your interview and always enjoy reading your posts on FB.
Question 3 is my absolute favorite. For some reason, I love hearing about where writers write and seeing pictures of their spaces. Sometimes is matches their stories and their personality, other things, it is completely different.
OMG The single light thing makes me want to shoot someone! Yes, I have intense road rage!! haha. Great post!
Giselle
Xpresso Reads
Really enjoying reading your comments, guys! Thanks for stopping by!