Mandi Casey is in the House Today :)

Mandi Casey joins me today to chat about herself, her writing, and her new debut, Bizarre Life of Sydney Sedrick
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Welcome Mandi! Thank you for joining me today. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a paranormal romance/ urban fantasy author. I love the paranormal because of the dark mystery surrounding it. I also love the idea of having a life-mate, that one person who is meant to be your other half, for better or worse.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you?
It had to be when my husband proposed when we were on a mountain near Arizona. He officially popped the question while we were close to the top. The view was amazing.

That sounds pretty romantic

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
Um… When don’t I? would be a better question. Lol, I write in my PJ’s quite often late into the night and early morning.

What are your pet peeves?
I have a hard time with people who don’t own up to responsibility, to themselves and others.

Cats or dogs?
I have three amazing dogs from really big down to small-to-medium sizes. We also have a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and his best friend is our youngest pup.

That is too funny. Had a bird once who thought he was a kitty.

White wine or red?
Red, when I must. Wine gives me an atrocious headache in the morning, just from one innocent glass. So, I tend to stick to the super, uber, sissy lite-beers, they’re safe.

Coffee or tea?
Coffee, any way I can get it.

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?
Vanilla and chocolate mixed is the best. I think I enjoy them equally.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?
Purse, keys, phone, and my trusty notepad for when a light-bulb goes off and an idea hits that I have to write it down for my novels.

Laptop or desktop for writing?
Laptop, I love to move around the house from room to room and write, depending on what’s going on.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
I write my best when it’s quiet around the house. Anytime of the day suites me just fine. I love sitting out of my deck, overlooking the farm fields that are next to me during the summer.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?
Bobbi Flay, Iron Chef, because he can cook with almost anything. Jason Statham, I think he’d be awesome at defense, and well, he’s super gorgeous. My third person would have to be Frank Lloyd Wright, because he’d be able to design and build the most awesome housing for all of us.

An actor you have a crush on?
Definitely Jason Statham, from Crank and the Transporter.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?
I love Vampire Diaries and True Blood.

What made you decide to be an author?
Writing is something that I’ve always enjoyed. I’ve been a big reader for most of my life, and I strive to write that ultimate novel, if it exists.

How did you choose the genre you write in?
I’ve always been into the paranormal, all parts. I’m intrigued by the dark allure, mystery, and romance that shrouds it.

Are you a panster or a plotter and why?
Both, but I’m leaning towards being a plotter to be more efficient. It also helps me add a lot more depth to the story and characters.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?
Charlaine Harris was a big influence. Her Sookie Stackhouse books had me at page one.

What is your all time favorite book?
I’d have to say it’s not just a book, but a series, from Karen Moning. The Fever series was so complicated and simple at the same time. I loved her writing, and I connected with the main character on multiple levels.

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?
Who knew what was lurking out there in the dark?
I did.
I knew.
And now it knew me.
I love these four simple lines. They’re short, yet very chilling.

I agree. Definitely makes me want to find out who ‘it’ is!

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one?
Writing as Sydney Sedrick gave me difficulties at times. I know what I would do in some of the hairy situations she finds herself in, but sometimes I have to take myself out of it and really listen to what she says. Eventually she always tell me.

Where do you get your ideas from?
Every moment of every day I’m always looking for ideas and how they can be incorporated into my novels.

How did you choose your title?
Sydney’s life took a very bizarre turn when she moved back to Kenosha, which led to Bizarre Life of Sydney Sedrick.

How do you cure writer’s block?
I pull out the ol’ plotting board and take some time to work on future stories. Either that, or I completely take myself away from my laptop and go Frisbee golfing.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?
The main thing, to save a writer’s time in the submission process, is do your homework on the basics; grammer, punctuation, and sentence structure. They say you can punctuate yourself to a contract, if your story is good.

What sacred advice have you been giving by another writer?
The saying ‘An author is a writer who didn’t give up’ has stuck with me for years.

Where can your readers stalk you?
I can be stalked on Facebook, or contacted through my blog at www.whoareyoucallingavampire.blogspot.com

Tell us about your new release:
Bizarre Life of Sydney Sedrick is set to release on 10/12/11 with Soul Mate Publishing. The blurb: Thanks to her new unwanted powers as the Selected, triggered by a rogue werewolf bite, Sydney Sedrick is dragged into a war of vampires and werewolves battling over total species domination. Whisk together the occasional bout of involuntarily vomiting on expensive Italian leather shoes, searing advances from the irresistible heir to the Midwestern Werewolf Pack, add a splash of local demons with political aspirations to take over the Legions of Hell, and you get the perfect recipe for the BIZARRE LIFE OF SYDNEY SEDRICK.
Werewolves, vampires, and demons try to use her as their pawn and are all willing to use any force necessary to gain control of her new special gifts to rise above the others and control the city. With only a journal left behind by her grandmother and Blake, the sexy werewolf who insists they are meant to be together, to help guide her through the dangerous political war of the supernatural societies. Sydney must accept and embrace her birth given destiny and join the battle against those who want to be the ones in complete control or lose everything and everyone she holds dear.

Sounds like a wonderful, action-packed read. I’m a sucker (no pun intended) for suspense

Thank you again for being here today Mandi.

If you’d like to check out more and buy Bizarre Life of Sydney Sedrick, click here or go to Soul Mate Publishing to check out all the new October reads.

Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge Launch Party October 12th for Soul Mate Publishing. Check out this Sunday's coming blog to sign up!!