Tima Maria Lacoba is on tour now with CLP Blog Tours and Bloodgifted

Summary:

How does a young woman live a normal life when she carries a rare genetic mutation? Descended from a cursed Roman soldier, Laura Dantonville has inherited the ability to delay aging but much of her past is unknown to her. That includes knowledge of her true parentage, and the fact that her unique blood is coveted by the secret community of vampires who reside in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. She later learns that it’s her blood alone that provides these creatures with the ability to tolerate daylight. As such, she is the epicenter of a power struggle between two rival vampire groups who want to claim her. The oldest and most powerful of these factions is led by Alec Munro, whose position as leader, or Princeps, gives him sole claim to Laura. Has she any other choice but to accept her destiny?

Author Bio:

Hi, I’m Tima Maria, and I write vampire books, but not just any vamp books – mine are Roman soldiers cursed by a Pictish witch in the 3^rd century.

So, how did I start this series? In a previous life (before I started writing) I was a practicing archaeologist and historian, specializing in Roman Britain. Later, I took up high school teaching, as It gave me the opportunity to take my students on overseas excursions to visit the amazing archaeological sites they’d only seen in books.

Then one day, I surrendered to the itch of writing. After many years reading and correcting my students’ creative writing tasks and essays, I decided it was time to write my own. I couldn’t hold it in any longer. Bloodgifted is the result.

In 2011, it was shortlisted in the Atlas Award – sponsored by a boutique Brisbane publisher – and eventually came fourth. In 2012, it was listed among the top ten in the Choclit, Search for an Aussie Star Competition. In 2013, I was offered a publishing contract, but declined in favour of going indie. I liked the idea of being in charge of my own creation.

Bloodgifted is just the start of a three part series I’ve entitled, The Dantonville Legacy. Later, I intend writing individual books on the other characters in the series, for they all have their own story.

Currently, I live on the Central Coast, an hour’s drive north of Sydney, surrounded by wooded hills, possums and seed-dropping rosellas. Between bouts of writing, I teach English and History, enjoy long walks while dodging the nesting magpies and plot the next series of books I’d like to write.

Interview with Tima Maria Lacoba, author of Bloodgifted.

1) What is the weirdest request you’ve had from a fan?
Haven’t had one of those yet. I’m hoping it’ll happen though, and since I’m new on the scene and my fans are just starting to grow.

2) Why are there so many players if love is not a game?
Now what did Pat Bennettar say, “Love is a battlefield”? I can’t add more than that.

3) If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
Fabulous question! I’ve sometimes thought, what fun it would be to have the ability to turn criminals into useful and beautiful objects that would benefit the community. Things like – large shady trees and pergolas. No more crime!

4) What is your favorite daily wear attire?
I live in my comfy capris, cotton blouses and my designer thongs (flip-flops). They’re designer because I decorate them myself with beads, sequins and glitter glue. I can guarantee no one else in the world will have a similar pair!

5) Has the dog ever eaten your manuscript?
Sadly, I don’t have a dog, so I’ve never faced that problem. So the closest I’ve ever been to losing my manuscript is when my laptop crashed taking several days work with it. Thankfully, the techwizes in a local electronics shop retrieved it for me. I had to refrain from kissing them!

6) How many people have you killed in your books?
In BLOODGIFTED, the first in the Dantonvile series, I’ve only killed off three.

7) Why shouldn’t we take life seriously?
There are situations in life you must laugh at, as it’s a choice between that or hysterical tears. Life is serious – we’ve only got the one – but without a sense of humour you’ll age faster. Avoid the wrinkles, I say. Laugh!

8) Do you dance and sing naked, when no one else is around?
Yes! I just make sure the blinds are down so I don’t scare the neighbours away! There’s something so comfortable and liberating – as well as wickedly indulgent – in swanning around the house in the nude.

9) If you could go back to anytime in your life and relieve it. What would you do?
Relive a date with someone I knew when I was young, and say what I really felt instead of what I did say. It’s the classic ‘sliding doors’ situation; the ‘What if?’ Who knows how different my life would have been if I had only…

10) Do you have a cheat list? If so who is on it?
Now this one has me stumped! I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a cheat list. ?

11) Finally, who would play you in a film of your life?
It would have to be an Aussie actress, because no one else can reproduce our accent! I’d go for Cate Blanchett. She’s brilliant.

Out now: Laura's Locket.

A silver locket, a mysterious young man and a fated meeting. When eighteen-year-old Laura Anne Dantonville goes on her end-of-school trip to Italy, she is accompanied by her two best friends, Beth and Angie. As soon as they arrive in Sorrento, she meets the mysterious—and devastatingly handsome—Philippe. He is gallant and charming, and Laura loses her heart. Their meetings are brief and secret, and Philippe gives her a lovely silver locket. She swears to wear it always. Until one night…
This short story takes place some years before BLOODGIFTED and reveals more of Laura and Philippe's history.
Amazon (AU) - http://bit.ly/MKCDYl
Amazon (UK) - http://amzn.to/1omIfnR
Amazon (US) - http://amzn.to/1jTYyuL
Apple iTunes/iBooks - http://bit.ly/1df45YO
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1mgxsfI
Smashwords - http://bit.ly/1gDIvvK

OUT NOW: Bloodpledge. HERE