Kelly Gay Blog Tour Interview & Contest

I am especially excited today because this is my FIRST Blog Tour and my first Contest! I have a review, interview questions and then a giveaway below.

The Better Part of Darkness
Author: Kelly Gay
Publisher: Pocket Books
Mass Market Paperback, 416 pages

Summary: Divorced mother of one, Charlie Madigan, lives in a world where the beings of heaven and hell exist among us, and they aren't the things of Sunday school lessons and Hallmark figurines. In the years since the Revelation, they've become our co-workers, neighbors, and fellow citizens. When a new off-world drug is released in Underground Atlanta, her daughter is targeted, and her ex-husband makes a fateful bargain to win her back, there's nothing in heaven or earth (or hell for that matter) that Charlie won't do to set things right.

I signed up for Kelly Gay's Blog Tour because her book was urban fantasy and sounded like something I would be interested in. When my copy arrived I set it aside while I finished another book. The night I started it I opened it to the first page, read the first sentence and KNEW I was going to love it. How, you ask? Read this first bit of dialog:

"You told a two-thousand-year-old oracle to prove it".

I was not disappointed because it only got better after that sentence. Charlie, the main character is a kick-butt heroine with a daughter, an ex-husband, and an attitude. One reason I love urban fantasy is that it gives me an outlet of sorts for my frustrations at the world. How many times have you heard of an injustice and wish you could find the responsible party and kick their butt? The Better Part of Darkness is a story about a woman who just wants to do what is right for her, for her daughter, her partner and her city, and she gets to kick ass while doing it. Doing the right thing is never easy, though, especially when supernatural forces are set against you at every turn.

The Better Part of Darkness is an urban fantasy, but I wouldn't consider it a paranormal romance. Now, that's not to say that there aren't some very interesting males in Charlie's world, just the opposite. However, finding a Happily Ever After when you are simply trying to survive and protect your family is not a given. Charlie's world is dark with twists and turns that throw her for a loop when she least expects it. I was on the edge of my seat, never guessing what was going to happen next. What a ride!

I highly recommend The Better Part of Darkness for fans of Vicki Pettersson, Lori Handeland, Rob Thurman, and Jocelynn Drake.

PROBING, YET NIFTY QUESTIONS

Since it's a busy time of year I didn't do a full interview with Kelly, but asked her two questions that had popped into my head. I hope you enjoy her answers.

Kelly, I loved your characters, but I especially liked how you showed Charlie's relationship with her daughter. Were those scenes easier to write because you do have a daughter yourself, or did it make it harder, more emotional, to write them?

Thanks! I think it was definitely easier to write those mother/daughter scenes.This was one area of the book that I felt really comfortable writing. When I was writing those scenes, I was actually eager to dig deep because those types of emotions are ones I know firsthand, ones I can relate to, and ones I can easily envision if I were in Charlie's shoes. There were some strong emotional moments for sure -- one that stands out and I remember getting a little choked up about is when Charlie links hands with the others around Bryn's kitchen table -- but as a writer, I live for that kind of stuff. Those are some my favorite scenes to write.

I see so many possibilities for the men in Charlie's life. Without sharing any spoilers, can you just give us a hint of the possible turn on's, I mean, happiness that could be coming her way?

LOL. I do see some happiness coming Charlie's way . . . eventually. There *cough* might be a few 'turn on's' before that, though. :D There are a few guys in BPOD that could qualify in both areas, and I can tell you that things get a little bit hotter in THE DARKEST EDGE OF DAWN, but I can't give you any hints, other than you'll be surprised. ;-)

Thanks Kelly!

THE AWESOME, BUT SIMPLE GIVE-AWAY
Pocket Books has graciously allowed me to give away TWO copies of The Better Part of Darkness to my readers. Here are the instructions:

1. Leave a witty comment about the book, Kelly or how you feel about urban fantasy. You pick.

2. Follow my blog on the Google Friend Connect thingy.

Both things are mandatory for entry. I'll use the random number picker (yes, that might be it's technical name) to choose the winners on Monday, December 31st, 2009 at 9 a.m. The books will be sent out from the publisher after the winners are chosen. IF you don't have a blog please leave your email in the comment you make.

(US mailing addresses only and no P.O. Boxes please)

Thanks everyone for joining me on my first blog tour:)

~Moonsanity