Thursday, August 8, 2013

Authors are Rockstars: Wendy Higgins


I am so excited to participate in the Authors are RockstarsTour and even more excited to host the always fabulous, author extraordinaire Wendy Higgins!

In April of last year I won an ARC of Sweet Evil from Goodreads, I had the book in my to-be-read list and I couldn't believe my good fortune.  I proceeded to devour the book in no time and it quickly made my list of the top ten books read in 2012.  I impatiently waited for Sweet Peril and I listen to the audio book (which is, by the way, really good) and I loved it even more!  Sweet Peril did not suffer at all from the 2nd book syndrome; overall the Sweet series is SO GOOD! 

Stick around for a great Interview with Wendy and a fabulous Giveaway!  Let's show Wendy some love!

Wendy Higgins is a Rockstar because...

- She created Kaidan.  Sorry, but it had to go first!  Kaidan is one of my favorite male characters in YA because he fights so hard to be what he thinks Anna needs and deserves.  She gave him a British accent too!

- Even though there are many books out there about angels and demons, she made the world of the Sweet Trilogy fresh and unique.

- Wendy is a master of characterization; I really love all the characters in the series.  Good or bad, they all have depth and are distinctive of each other.

- The writing of these books is outstanding.

- Parents are not missing and uncaring for a change!  At least not Anna’s.

- She created some pretty swoon worthy lines.  Exhibit #1:

“A vibrant energy rushed through my body as the pieces slammed into place. Oh, dear Lord. I was in love with him.  And there wasn’t a thing on earth, in heaven, or in hell that could have stopped me.”

And here is Exhibit #2:

“I was more myself with you during those three days than I’ve ever been with anyone in my life. It’d be easier if I could be fake with you, but you bring out everything in me, little Ann. All of it.”

- Her Next book was inspired by leprechauns! (Need I say more?)

About Wendy Higgins

After earning a bachelors in Creative Writing from George Mason University and a masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford, Wendy taught high school English until becoming a mommy. Writing Young Adult (YA) stories gives her the opportunity to delve into the ambiguities of those pivotal, daunting, and exciting years before adulthood.

She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, daughter, and son. Sweet Evil is her debut novel.




Here is the Interview

Q: How did you come up with the idea for the Sweet trilogy?
A. I paid the imagination gods! LOL - just kidding. I don’t really have a good answer for this. It just came out of my crazy brain.  I think all elements of my life led up to it - my own teen experiences, friendships, crushes, heartbreaks, good decisions, bad decisions, the things I think are sexy and creepy, my spirituality, the books I’ve read, the teens I work with - everything!  It just bombarded my mind one summer.  It was awesome.

Q. Your books have a different take on the angel/demon lore.  What type of research did you do to write the series?
A.  I use a lot of traditional Biblical lore about angels and demons.  My research consisted of reading scripture passages which were horribly vague, and then making the rest of the details up to suit my purposes, hahaha.  I also read lots of stuff online about angel/demon mythology, which is fascinating to me.

Q. Kaidan is one of my favorite characters ever! How would Kaidan describe Anna and their relationship? (I can imagine the British accent :))
A. Aw, thank you! Kaidan would say that Anna is maddening, naive, and too adorable for her own good. He’d probably shiver at the word “relationship,” and say, “It’s complicated.” Then he’d grin.

Q. Can you give us a small peek about Sweet Reckoning?  Anything will be awesome!
A. Well, I can tell you that Anna is 18 and Kaidan is 19. The story takes place over the course of two crazy weeks. We see a lot more of Jay and a lot less of Veronica. And my favorite chapter title is “Impatient Freckles.”  :)

Q. Are there any YA books that you are anxiously waiting for?
A. Yes! Endless Knight by Kresley Cole (the sequel to Poison Princess)

Q. Do you listen to music while you work?
A. No. I need to have complete quiet while I write. But music helps my mood between writing sessions and keeps my mind in story mode.

Q. What’s your favorite comfort food?
A. French fries and Coke from McDonalds. Isn’t that gross?? I can’t help it. *sigh*

Q. What’s your favorite drink?
A. Coffee with coconut creamer.  Mmmm.  And water. Coke occasionally.

Q. What’s next for you?
A. Well, I’ve got my self-publication, SEE ME (an Irish YA fantasy) coming out October 1st, and my third book of the trilogy, SWEET RECKONING, coming out April 29th, 2014.  I have no other YA stories stirring around right now, and I’m really, really hoping to feel inspired soon.  I will feel lost without characters chatting loudly in my head.

Q. Anything else that you would like to add?
A. Thank you so much for having me!  *hugs*

About Wendy’s Books:

Embrace the ForbiddenWhat if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things.
Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

Giveaway

The giveaway is International, I will send the book from The Book Depository or Amazon, depending on the winner's residence (make sure that one of them delivers to you!)  There will be ONE winner and he or she can select one of the books featured above.

Please see my terms in the Rafflecopter widget of in "My Policies" above. Good luck!

**NOTE: On 9/3 Wendy emailed me to let me know that she will not be publishing See Me as expected, thus I removed it from this post and from the giveaway. Sorry!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

84 comments:

  1. She is an author that by itself is enough for me^^
    i would be really happy to win one of her books thanks for this opportunity!!

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  2. For the whole Dukes idea - that was genius! And for Kaidan :)

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  3. She is a rockstar because she writes books filled with intensity, adventure, romance and passion.

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  4. Wendy Higgins is a Rockstar because she writes awesome books! She gives her readers everything they need and want in a book!
    Thanks for the giveaway!!

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  5. She is a rock star because she writes wonderful book! Love her books !

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  6. She's a rockstar because her books are soooo awesome.
    And also because she's just generally a super-nice person.

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  7. Somehow I haven't read this series yet - I know, I'm terrible! - but the fact that I've heard nothing but absolutely amazing things is enough evidence of her rock star abilities.

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    1. Not terrible, it's a rectifiable oversight :)

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  8. She is a rockstar because she gave us Kai :)

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  9. She is a rockstar because her books are amazing and I can't put them down!!

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  10. Wendy Higgins is a rockstar because she is Wendy Higgins. No kidding. That woman is a goddess (and I totally envy you for getting her for your stop on the tour). I was anxiously awaiting Sweet Evil from the moment I saw it on Amazon the January before it came out. They're simply perfection in book form!

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  11. I think Wendy is a rockstar because the way she writes is amazing. She uses her characters to draw readers in and uses the plot to keep them captivated until the end.

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  12. I think Wendy is a rockstar because of how nice she is to her fans. writing can be a really hard job, but she never gets angry at fans for asking for more. I think it's really great.

    grace radford/anna pett

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  13. Thanks so much for being a tour host Liza! Great interview :)

    Hugs,
    Jaime

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  14. Wendy is a rockstar because her books are fun and amazing. ;D

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  15. I think Wendy Higgins IS a rockstar? Her books are steamy, wonderfully written, and I absolutely adore them! Can't wait for her next book!

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  16. I have Sweet Peril on my Kindle but have yet to read despite hearing that it's absolutely amazing. I should make some time for it. I love a good swoony read!

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  17. Wendy is just such a sweetheart and so much fun :)

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  18. She's a published author and she was a teacher. Teachers are rockstars! :)

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  19. Because she writes such lovely books:D

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  20. Wendy Hggins is a Rockstar because she can recreate common concepts in fiction into master pieces of art. Where she incorporates new twists in the lives of her characters that not only incorporate paranormal events or characteristics but that also involve realistic instances that are common among young adults.

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  21. Wendy created Kaidan...need I say more about why she is a rockstar? She is also a lovely lady with a great talent for writing brilliant books!

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  22. I haven't read her books yet, but they all sound so good that I can't wait to!

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  23. Because she writes books that sound so spectacular!

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  24. Because she writes amazing books!
    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  25. I think she is a rock star because her writing has reached lots of people with her awesome writing and she is still a very sweet person! And she has given us Kaidan too!

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  26. Because she replies to every email and tweet or facebook message. And because of that she is even better than a rock star. :)

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  27. Because she writes awesomeness and is the coolest author I know. She helped me with the fan page for her books and replies to all my questions. :)

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  28. She's a rockstar because she has so many interactions with fans! Her books are really awesome as well :)

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  29. She's a rockstar because she created Kaidan Rowe who is the ultimate drummer rocker book boyfriend! And because she's so so lovely!

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  30. Even If I haven't read her books yet, She is a rockstar because is an author and I know that she has many many fans.

    Thank you for the giveaway!
    Raaffle name: Artemis

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  31. All high school teachers, past or present, are Rockstars. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  32. I haven't read her books yet, but I own the first two in the trilogy. She is a rockstar because she seems so down to earth.

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  33. Because she writes great books!

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  34. While I haven't read her books, I've heard a lot about Sweet Evil and Sweet Peril so I was able to picked up both of those books for a great deal and it was one of my biggest book buy pile I've done.

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  35. Because she wanted to write another book series and could not get a contract to she is going to self publish. You rock girl!

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  36. ...because you just can't stop at one book.

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  37. She's an amazing author - that makes her a rockstar in my eyes! Love the interview and I'm so excited to read See Me!

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  38. Wendy Higgins is a rockstar because she writes amazing, creative stories and Sweet Evil is one of my absolute favorite series ever. I defnitely Sigh for Kai! Thanks for the chance to win! So excited to read her next book!

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  39. So I haven't read any of her books but everyone says they're great so Wendy is a rockstar for writing great fiction!

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  40. She's a rockstar because she writes awesome books. :D

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  41. She is a rock star because she writes awesome books :-)

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  42. Because her books are crazy awesome!!!! Can't wait to read them myself :)

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  43. She is a rockstar because she writes books that are so loved, which I still need to read.

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  44. Because she created one of my favourite YA series ever! And one of my favourite YA boys ;)

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  45. I haven't read any of her books before, but I hear they are amazing!

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  46. Wendy Higgins is a rockstar because she is super friendly and personable with her fans. Plus, her books are awesome!!!

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  47. Although I have yet to read any of her books, I have heard a lot of good things about a guy named Kai so I am thinking that makes her quite the rock star. I seriously need to meet him for myself!

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  48. I actually haven't read Sweet Evil yet, but it's sitting on my shelf waiting and hopefully soon I'll be able to understand all the love! I'm sure it's for good reason! Woot!

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  49. She created Kaidan Rowe! Enough said! She's the best!

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  50. I have not read her series yet, but have heard great things and can't wait to start them.

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  51. Wendy is a rock star because well...her book is awesome! What a fantastic story! :D

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  52. Because she created Kaidan Rowe. Enough said. ;D

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  53. I think Mrs. Higgins is a rockstar because she made one(cough Kaidan)! Plus, she is an awesome mom to her kids and is an inspiration to any and all writers!! :D

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  54. Becasue she ecreated Kaidan Rowe!!

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  55. Uhm she wrote Sweet Evil which was AMAZING! Thanks for the giveaway :D

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  56. She created Kaidan and that's enough.

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  57. OMG of course she is!! Author are the type of rock stars I fan girl over!!!!

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  58. She's a rockstar because her books are awesome!

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  59. OMG!! Because she has Kaiden Rowe in her head!!! *jealous*

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  60. I haven't read her books but I heard amazing things about them.My friends liked her writing, so that means that she's a rock star.

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  61. I too haven't read this series yet. I have Sweet Evil on my shelf waiting for me to get my hands on Sweet Peril. Soon I hope! But I have heard amazing things about how creative this series is so that makes her a rockstar!

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  62. I haven't read her books yet, but she sounds like a great author :D

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  63. Because she is amazing writer and in my opinion amazing person too. And her books are great!! :)

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  64. Sweet Evil has to be one of the greatest, most interesting concepts I have ever come across. The way she executes the story so flawlessly is inspiring to me as both a reader and writer. I will always read whatever she writes for us! <3

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  65. Because she explores complex issues in her work.

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  66. Becuase her writing is absolutely incredible! Her next book sounds awesome too!!

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  67. well not just because of her book I think,but also her approach to the readers:))

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  68. I love everything Wendy writes! She is amazing and she's definitely like a rockstar to me!

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  69. I haven't read her books yet but Wendy is always nice and her stories seem great.

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  70. Kaidan, Kaidan, Kaidan! Also, the whole demon Nephilim idea is cool.

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  71. Her amazing books! Wendy totally takes swoon-worthy to the next level.

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  72. I don't know if my last comment made it through the machine, so I'll comment again: her books and characters are amazing!

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  73. Because KAIDAN. And drumming. And Anna's dad being a really cool duke.

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  74. I actually haven't read her books yet, but I constantly hear how awesome they are.

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I love comments! Please leave me one and I will try to reply as soon as I can. Liza

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