Interview with Bec McMaster and Giveaway of Kiss of Steel

Please welcome Bec McMaster, Author of Kiss of Steel. 
See Below to enter the Giveaway for a print copy.

Q1.  What inspired you to write this genre?

BM: I have always had a love of science and a curiosity about the world and how it works – I studied two years of biology at University before deciding it wasn’t for me – so a lot of movie or books with a science base have always appealed. And the more outlandish the inventions or ideas, the more I like them. I remember my Dad taking me to see Wild, Wild, West when it first came out and we loved it. Then of course it started infiltrating a lot of the genres I read and my mind started racing. The story and world practically built itself.

Q2.  Do you do anything especially helpful for your world building? (Notebook, Bulletin board, etc.?)

BM: I stare out the window a lot. Kidding. Keeping track of it is hard, and I have started keeping detailed records, but honestly a lot of it is in my head. I have entire worlds and plots in there and I can recall most of it off the top of my head. It’s the names I need to keep track of mostly.

Q3.  Do your work career/hobbies/interests influence your writing?

BM: Everything I see, do or read influences my writing in some way. I’m particularly interested in travel, so I love setting my books in places I’ve been to or want to visit. It’s the next best thing to being there, and I love researching travel blogs and weird little facts about the places I set my books so that it truly feels like you’re there. I spent several months living in London four years ago, so a lot of that went into creating Kiss of Steel. London has such an atmosphere and a weight of history about it. I spent hours walking down random streets and staring at all the houses or little museums and pubs that were everywhere. Or absorbing all the little details of costumes at the Victoria & Albert museum. They’re amazing!
 
Q4.  Did you find anything “hands on” or unusual required when researching these books?

BM: Again, it’s a combination of experiences over the years popping up in the stream of my sub-conscious. For example, I did a junior pentathlon once, so we studied fencing, which came in handy for certain scenes. And my step-sister’s boyfriend is English so I spent a lot of time listening to him and the way he speaks. Not that he probably knows that.
 
Q5.  What is one thing you struggle with in your writing?

BM: Adverbs. They’re everywhere. Luckily I give the manuscript a good prune with the editorial scissors before anyone else lays eyes on it. I remember my critique partner highlighting them in a page once, just to show me. There was a lot of yellow.
 
Q6.  Please share your most rewarding experience since being published. 

BM: It actually happened two nights ago. I had my local book launch at the library in town and 120 people showed up, which is pretty good for a small town. The level of local support has been amazing, and people have been really, genuinely excited about hearing what has happened. I’ve always been a private person – in fact a lot of my friends weren’t even aware I wrote until a few years ago – so it’s been an eye-opening experience for me.

Q7.  If you could ask readers a question, what would it be?

BM: If you could create an invention to do anything you wanted, what would it be? (I must admit, I want the Tardis).

 

KISS OF STEEL BY BEC MCMASTER 

IN STORES SEPTEMBER 2012

 

A brilliantly creative debut where vampires, werewolves, and clockwork creatures roam the mist–shrouded streets of London...

When Nowhere is Safe…

Most people avoid the dreaded Whitechapel district. For Honoria Todd, it's the last safe haven. But at what price?

Blade is known as the master of the rookeries—no one dares cross him. It's been said he faced down the Echelon's army single–handedly, that ever since being infected by the blood–craving he's been quicker, stronger, and almost immortal.

When Honoria shows up at his door, his tenuous control comes close to snapping. She's so...innocent. He doesn't see her backbone of steel—or that she could be the very salvation he's been seeking.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Bec McMaster lives in a small town in Australia and grew up with her nose in a book. A member of RWA, she writes sexy, dark paranormals and steampunk romance. When not writing, reading, or poring over travel brochures, she loves spending time with her very own hero or daydreaming about new worlds. For more information, please visit http://www.becmcmaster.com/ or follow her on Twitter, @BecMcMaster.

GIVEAWAY ONE PRINT COPY OF Kiss of Steel

Thank you to Sourcebooks for allowing me to host a giveaway!
TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for Print Copy from Sourcebooks:

ENTER HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries: Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.
For 3 Extra Bonus entries: Comment on this Interview and/or Answer the Author's Q7 above in pink.
For 2 Extra Bonus entries: Comment on my review (the previous post).

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on October 5, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on October 6, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.