First called to publication in 2002 with Silhouette Desire with DESERT WARRIOR, Fijian-born, New Zealand bred, best-selling author, Nalini Singh continues to rock the paranormal romance world with her success.With her work hitting the USA Today bestseller list, the New York Times short list, and with multiple awards for her books, Nalini’s joins the ranks of other highly successful paranormal romance authors such as Sherriyn Kenyon, Angela Knight and Christine Feehan.
Nalini has been writing as long as she can remember and can’t imagine doing anything else. This is great news for her fans and the romance genre in general!
Today she joins me to share her thoughts on a variety of topics.
Hi, Nalini, it's great to have you here! Thanks for chatting with us today!
Author name &/or Given Name: Nalini Singh
Published genre/s: Paranormal Romance / Short contemporary romance
Favourite childhood toy: A doll whose hair I "shampooed" and whose face I made up with blue eyeshadow. She was quite the fashionista!
Greatest Vice: ChocolateHmm, mine too!
Book you’re reading now: I just finished The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks (Sep 2010) - it was fantastic. I've now started the first book of Lois McMaster Bujold's Sharing Knife series and I'm really enjoying it.
Ahh, Maya Banks is a "new to me" author and I love her work (Sweet series) - it pushes a few comfort boundaries but I really enjoyed her writing.
Most intriguing place you’ve visited: The Forbidden City in China - I was so compelled by the beauty and history of it that I returned to it in Archangel's Kiss.
Another region that made an impression on me in a different sense was the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between South and North Korea. I'd never before stood in a country literally divided in half, with soldiers on the border. And one more, from New Zealand - the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. It's amazing - the glow worms make it seem like you're under the stars deep inside a cave. It's one of my favorite places to recommend to visitors.
I second the Waitomo Caves. I took the boat ride through the caves just after they'd flooded. The water level blocked the exit, so we got to go all the way back to where we started the tour, twice the amazing view for one entry fee - good value and spectacular!
A place you’ve yet to visit: Morocco - it's on my list!
Author/s in your genre who you enjoy reading: Jayne Castle, Patricia Briggs, Meljean Brook, Ilona Andrews, Christine Feehan, Anne Bishop...and more!
Who or what influenced you to write in the genre/s you’re now published in? It just fit. Ohh, I like that! You "just knew". How awesome!
When developing a story who tends to appear first in your mind, the hero or heroine, and why? It really depends on the individual storyline. Since I write series, I'll often have known one of the characters for a while--but by the time I begin a book, I usually know both intimately.
Writing Milestone/s: The first sale, and then my other 'first' sale in the paranormal romance sub-genre! Hitting the NYT and USA Today Bestseller lists was also a huge, huge deal.
And last, but not least ... actually, it's a very important fact we all need to know ... right now... no delay ...
What's your latest release? Bonds of Justice - out July 6th (it's awesome, trust me *grin*). Excerpt available here.Only 4 more sleeps, folks, then you can find out what happens in the next installment of the Psy/Changeling world!
Thanks for joining me on the blog, Nalini, it's been fun having you here!
And for those of you (local or international readers) who leave a comment by Sunday, 4th July (Aussie date), you go into a random draw for an autographed copy of Archangel's Kiss.
EXTRA FACT: Angels' Blood, Branded by Fire, Blaze of Memory and Must Love Hellhounds all recently won PEARL Awards. Congratulations!
Next in the Psy/Changeling series, Play of Passion, will be released in November 2010.
If you're one of the few who haven't discovered Nalini, you can find out more about her and her books on her website.
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Hi Nalini & Kylie, great interview!
ReplyDeleteI just recently read Angel's Blood and really enjoyed it! Looking forward to reading the rest of the series =)
Hi Mel, thanks for dropping by - Nalini writes a cracker of a series, and no matter which one you pick up (the Psy/Changeling or the Angels' series) you're going to be addicted to her work! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Kylie and Nalini, Thanks for a such a great interview, your books are a new genre for me but with Kylie's high recommendation I will be out in the book shops for some holiday reading (it is school holidays in NSW) Regards Nita
ReplyDeleteI've heard nothing but good things about this series and can't wait to read Bonds of Justice. Thanks for a great interview!
ReplyDeleteNalini, how long did you write before you were published?
Thanks for dropping by everyone.
ReplyDelete@Gillian - If you count from the time I completed my first manuscript, approx 7 years. :)
Thanks for the great interview. Visiting Waitomo Caves as a child is a memory that's stayed with me for years - it's a truly magical experience.
ReplyDeleteHolidays are a great time to play catch up with our To Be Read piles, Nita! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Gillian, thanks for coming over from the GH loop! I'm glad Nalini popped in to answer your question. Her Psy/Changeling series is fantastic isn't it? Although I have to admit CARESSED BY ICE is my favourite so far.
Hi Nalini! I hope your flight fares well and you arrive at your destination safely.
Leigh, the Waitomo Caves are magical aren't they? I love visiting places that really inflame the emotions. I like to add them to my own stories, the descriptions and emotions are so much easier to translate into words if you've experienced something for yourself.
Thanks for the great interview! I've never read any of Nalini's books, but my interest is piqued!
ReplyDeleteFun interview, Nalini and Kylie! Bonds of Justice sounds like it will be another fab read! And your covers are just superb, Nalini!
ReplyDeleteI was interested in your "intriguing" places and would love to visit them - each would be fascinating in its own way. I've been to the Waitomo Caves - it is magical! I imagine the DMZ in Korea would be a bit sad and frightening.
:)
Sharon
Hi Nalini and Kylie, thanks for the great interview! Your visit to the DMZ must have been eye opening. Such a different way of life.
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of your books...we REALLY need a bookstore here... :) I have you on my 'must read' list, I love the sound of your paranormal series. Hope to meet you in NZ in August!
Cheers,
Michelle de Rooy
Mary, thanks for dropping in - I hope you get to read one of Nalini's books soon! :-) Once you start, you can't stop!
ReplyDeleteHey, Sharon! Great to hear from you. Nalini has a great department working to produce those covers for her, eh?
'Chelle, glad you could take time from rearranging the office to drop in. I'm sure you'll get the chance to meet Nalini, either in Auckland or Coogee. Perhaps, if she's doing the author-chat session, you could sign up for that. :-)
Great interview Kylie and Nalini, thanks. There are so many great books and so little time to read them all! I must sneak in more Nalini books before the conference. I'm looking forward to meeting you, Nalini, at the Sydney Conference - and seeing you again Golden Girl Kylie!
ReplyDeleteCath
Hi Cath, great you could drop by and I'm looking forward to catching up with you at conference too! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this great blog, Kylie. This is such a talented author. So glad I booked her up early for the conference so that we all get to hear her speak.
ReplyDeleteBest
Cathleen
I agree with you, Cathleen, Nalini is a talented author!
ReplyDeleteIf you've never been to any of her workshops you're in for a treat. Nalini has such great passion for her subject matter and she's very much an interactive presenter, encouraging you to ask questions and share opinions.
I went to her world-building one last year at the RWNZ conference and the session went to quickly it was a shame to have to wrap it up. We were all so engrossed in it. Good value and a lot of fun.
See you at conference!
Great interview, Kylie and Nalini! Am looking forward to reading Bonds of Justice (after usual scuffle with daughter, lol!) I still have a very soft spot for Judd, though *sigh*
ReplyDeleteSee you in August!
You and me both, Christina. Judd was a stand-out, eh? I must go back and reread that book (for the sixth time) *lol*.
ReplyDeleteThanks for calling in on a lazy Sunday! :-)