I'm happy to have Caridad Pineiro here at Among the Muses today to talk about the first book in her new SIN HUNTER series, THE LOST! (Which I must add that I *just* finished and completely enjoyed! Lots of action, uniqueness, great characters, and very sexy! *g*)
Welcome to Among the Muses, Caridad. Please tell readers a little about yourself.
I started my writing career by writing contemporary romances and will be writing some of those again soon. I've had over twenty-nine published novels/novellas, mostly paranormal romance and romantic suspense. I love writing, but still have my day job. I'm also a wife and mom to an aspiring writer and fashionista.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I first considered myself a writer in the fifth grade when my teacher assigned a project: to write a book t be placed in a class lending library. I went home and started writing and my poor mom had to help me type up 12o pages! From that day on I knew I wanted to be a writer. I kept on writing through high school, college and law school. Shortly after my daughter was born, I decided that I had to try and finally reach for my dreams of finishing a book and getting it published. It took another 6 years, but it finally happened.
Please tell us about your latest release.
My latest release is THE LOST, the first book in the SIN HUNTER series. THE LOST is based on an entire new mythology which is about an ancient race of energy gatherers, the Hunters, who are hiding in plain sight on the Jersey Shore. The hero in THE LOST, Adam Bruno, knows he is different, but is unaware of the fact that he is a Hunter. When someone tries to kidnap, Bobbie Carrera comes to his help. Bobbie is a wounded Marine veteran who is home from war. Bobbie is emotionally and physically wounded and the last thing she wants is to get involved in another conflict. But Bobbie is not about to run, especially when Adam touches her and heals some of her wounds. Not to mention that his touch makes her feel things she not longer thought were possible. I loved creating this new mythology and Bobbie and Adam. The chemistry between them is amazing and the story is action-packed.
The Lost
By Caridad Pineiro
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Forever
(Hachette Book Group)
Date Published: August 1, 2011
ISBN-10: 0446584614
ISBN-13: 978-0446584616
By Caridad Pineiro
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Forever
(Hachette Book Group)
Date Published: August 1, 2011
ISBN-10: 0446584614
ISBN-13: 978-0446584616
Blurb:
Adam Bruno is no ordinary millionaire. The heir to an ancient race possessing a dark, powerful magic, he can shapeshift and create energy. His gifts make him a living weapon and have forced him to live in seclusion. But now an inhuman force hunts down Adam-just when he finds someone who makes him feel more human than he ever imagined possible . . .
Home from combat in Iraq, Bobbie Carerra wants only peace, yet soon joins Adam in a terrifying battle against paranormal enemies who hide in plain sight. She's drawn to his strength of mind and body; he's attracted to her courage and intoxicating energy. Their scorching passion can either transport them to the heights of ecstasy or-if Adam's powers rage out of control-destroy them. But when an invisible brotherhood tightens its nets and someone Adam trusts betrays him, only a heartrending decision can save them
What inspired you to write this book?
There are so many culures that believe in life forces, chi, etc. that I wanted to explore what might happen if there was a race of people who could actually see and gather those energies. Because the Hunters can absorb energies from so many different things, like nature and humans, they have the ability to heal or kill with a touch, shoot power orbs and shapeshift, just to name a few powers. I set the book along the Jersey Shore so that the Hunters would be close to energy and be able to use the powers in nature to empower themselves.
Can you tell readers who are not familiar with the series what the premise of the stories are about?
In THE LOST, the Hunters will search out the child of their missing leaders. Readers will also find out about the difference between the Light and Shadow Hunters and the civil war that has been raging between them for centuries. In THE CLAIMED, the second book in the series which will be out in May 2012, the civil war will come to a head, but there will be a Romeo and Juliet kind of story as leaders from the different factions fall in love and attempt to put an end to the conflict. I hope to be able to keep the series going for additional stories about various Hunters and their unique abilities.
Were any of the characters a challenge to write?
Adam was the hardest character to write because I needed to portray a man that was unsure of himself because he knows so little about his history, but is still strong. Adam had to find out more about his powers, but he also had to open himself to the emotions he is having for Bobbie. It is a difficult balancing act, plus he understands that Bobbie is wounded and the last thing he wants to do is risk her life or force her into another war. It was a challenge to combine all those things to make a hero who was strong, compassionate, loving and understanding.
Was there a character you enjoyed writing the most?
I LOVED writing Bobbie Carrera. It was great to have a female military hero, especially one who can still kick ass even though she is wounded. Bobbie is caring and strong. She also has lots of love to give, but it's tough for her because of her physical and emotional injuries. I loved teaching her to be able to rely on others and also loved being able to heal her heart and her body.
Please share with us who or what the antagonist of the story is.
There are actually multiple villains in the book, some worse than others. Some capable of being redeemed, but not some others. The Big Bad in this piece is Alexander Sombrosa, the leader of the Shadow Hunters. He is in serious need of a major energy influx to stay alive and believes Adam is just the person to provide that banquet of energy.
Without giving away spoilers, can you share your favorite scene from the book?
My favorite scene toward the end of the book is when Bobbie confronts Adam and asks him to have faith. It's a tender scene that really brings both Bobbie and Adam's fears and desires to the forefront.
With the book being part of a series, are there any character or story arcs that readers jumping in somewhere other than the beginning need to be aware of?
Readers loved the Carrera family from the SINS series (SINS OF THE FLESH and STRONGER THAN SIN). Because of that, youngest sister Bobbie was chosen to be the heroine and readers will find out a little bit more about the Carreras from the first two books. Despite that, THE LOST is stand alone. In THE CLAIMED you will also see some familiar faces, but again, the story will stand alone.
What was one of the most interesting things you learned in researching your book?
I learned a lot about what some cultures believed about life forces and also, about some concepts of quantum physics concerning energies in empty spaces.
Paranormal and Urban Fantasy genre worlds use different rules and aspects. Can you share how you approached either the characters or the world building in your story?
I approached the world building by basing the history of the Hunters on the conquest of the Americas by the Conquistadors. As for the energy gathering, that was a mix of science and ideas from various cultures and energy practices. I thought about what would happen if someone could gather energy and how they would put it to use. That was a lot of fun because it allowed me to give the Hunters all kinds of powers and abilities.
There are so many culures that believe in life forces, chi, etc. that I wanted to explore what might happen if there was a race of people who could actually see and gather those energies. Because the Hunters can absorb energies from so many different things, like nature and humans, they have the ability to heal or kill with a touch, shoot power orbs and shapeshift, just to name a few powers. I set the book along the Jersey Shore so that the Hunters would be close to energy and be able to use the powers in nature to empower themselves.
Can you tell readers who are not familiar with the series what the premise of the stories are about?
In THE LOST, the Hunters will search out the child of their missing leaders. Readers will also find out about the difference between the Light and Shadow Hunters and the civil war that has been raging between them for centuries. In THE CLAIMED, the second book in the series which will be out in May 2012, the civil war will come to a head, but there will be a Romeo and Juliet kind of story as leaders from the different factions fall in love and attempt to put an end to the conflict. I hope to be able to keep the series going for additional stories about various Hunters and their unique abilities.
Were any of the characters a challenge to write?
Adam was the hardest character to write because I needed to portray a man that was unsure of himself because he knows so little about his history, but is still strong. Adam had to find out more about his powers, but he also had to open himself to the emotions he is having for Bobbie. It is a difficult balancing act, plus he understands that Bobbie is wounded and the last thing he wants to do is risk her life or force her into another war. It was a challenge to combine all those things to make a hero who was strong, compassionate, loving and understanding.
Was there a character you enjoyed writing the most?
I LOVED writing Bobbie Carrera. It was great to have a female military hero, especially one who can still kick ass even though she is wounded. Bobbie is caring and strong. She also has lots of love to give, but it's tough for her because of her physical and emotional injuries. I loved teaching her to be able to rely on others and also loved being able to heal her heart and her body.
Please share with us who or what the antagonist of the story is.
There are actually multiple villains in the book, some worse than others. Some capable of being redeemed, but not some others. The Big Bad in this piece is Alexander Sombrosa, the leader of the Shadow Hunters. He is in serious need of a major energy influx to stay alive and believes Adam is just the person to provide that banquet of energy.
Without giving away spoilers, can you share your favorite scene from the book?
My favorite scene toward the end of the book is when Bobbie confronts Adam and asks him to have faith. It's a tender scene that really brings both Bobbie and Adam's fears and desires to the forefront.
With the book being part of a series, are there any character or story arcs that readers jumping in somewhere other than the beginning need to be aware of?
Readers loved the Carrera family from the SINS series (SINS OF THE FLESH and STRONGER THAN SIN). Because of that, youngest sister Bobbie was chosen to be the heroine and readers will find out a little bit more about the Carreras from the first two books. Despite that, THE LOST is stand alone. In THE CLAIMED you will also see some familiar faces, but again, the story will stand alone.
What was one of the most interesting things you learned in researching your book?
I learned a lot about what some cultures believed about life forces and also, about some concepts of quantum physics concerning energies in empty spaces.
Paranormal and Urban Fantasy genre worlds use different rules and aspects. Can you share how you approached either the characters or the world building in your story?
I approached the world building by basing the history of the Hunters on the conquest of the Americas by the Conquistadors. As for the energy gathering, that was a mix of science and ideas from various cultures and energy practices. I thought about what would happen if someone could gather energy and how they would put it to use. That was a lot of fun because it allowed me to give the Hunters all kinds of powers and abilities.
A note from Caridad to readers about THE LOST and the SIN HUNTERS series:
About Sin Hunters Series
I want to thank all of you who have been writing to tell me how much you’ve been loving the Carrera family, as well as enjoying the towns along the Jersey Shore where the SINS series was set.
With THE LOST, I’m introducing a much darker paranormal series I’m calling SIN HUNTERS. The stories are still set along the Jersey Shore and you’ll have the beloved Carreras, but now you’ll also get to meet an exciting new race of people: The Light and Shadow Hunters.
Why the change? There was something about Bobbie Carrera, the heroine in THE LOST, that needed something different and something very special. Someone very special. Bobbie is an Iraq war veteran and she’s home from battle, but wounded both physically and emotionally. She’s busy trying to put her world back together and the last thing she needs is more conflict in her life.
But I’m a bad girl, you know. I love to challenge my characters into facing their most extreme hurts because that only makes their happiness that much sweeter. I think you love that as well because there is nothing more uplifting than seeing how love can truly conquer all.
Bobbie’s challenge comes in the form of sexy millionaire Adam Bruno. Adam is different from any man she has ever met and Bobbie feels an immediate connection to him. There’s just one problem: Adam has no idea who he really is and why he possesses the ability to gather energy. That ability allows him to do a myriad of things, shapeshifting, to traveling at super speed, to wielding energy and light like weapons. But those powers are challenging Adam, because as they become more powerful, the also grow harder to control and deadly.
Enter Bobbie Carrera. Bobbie brings peace to Adam’s soul. Adam feels lost in the human world, but in Bobbie’s arms he finds love, acceptance and the possibility for a future he had never imagined.
But before he can reach that future, he must deal with the present, and that means battling the evil Shadow Hunters and facing the shocking truth about his real identity.
I hope you will enjoy the Sin Hunters series. Look for THE CLAIMED in May 2012 which will feature someone you meet in THE LOST. Not going to spill as to who it is just yet, but keep in mind I just love stories of redemption….
Thank you all for your continued support.
Also, many thanks to our military men, women and their families for safeguarding our Liberty and our country.
THE LOST is dedicated to you for all the sacrifices you make on our behalf. God bless you and keep you safe.
Reviews:
"Pineiro's new series will excite readers, new and old...Her characters and red-hot writing had me looking for the nearest cold shower. THE LOST is an excellent beginning to a new series that will have readers counting the days until the second Sin Hunters book is released."~ 4 Stars RT BookReviews
“An excellent romance story and the paranormal aspects really held me captive. I truly loved that the heroine was a war veteran and she gets a excellent HEA. If you’re one for danger, betrayal, adventure and romance this maybe a book for you.”~Laurie Bitten by Paranormal Romance
Where can readers find you in the virtual world?
www.caridad.com
@CaridadPineiro
www.facebook.com/caridad.author
ABOUT AUTHOR
Caridad Piñeiro® is a multi-published and award-winning author whose love of the written word developed when her fifth grade teacher assigned a project – to write a book that would be placed in a class lending library. She has been hooked on writing ever since.
From the start, Caridad’s novels have received acclaim and have helped redefine the landscape of modern romance novels. In 1999, Caridad was published by Kensington as part of Encanto, the first line of bilingual Latino romance novels. In 2000, Caridad was one of the first Latino authors featured at the launch of BookExpo America’s Spanish Pavillion. In December 2006, Caridad helped Silhouette launch its successful Nocturne paranormal line with DEATH CALLS, one of the novels in the award-winning THE CALLING Vampire series. In addition, Caridad has appeared at BookExpo America on numerous occasions and has captained both the multicultural and vampire genre panels at the RT BookClub Conventions.
Caridad’s CHICAS novels, including her seventeenth release, SOUTH BEACH CHICAS CATCH THEIR MAN from Simon & Schuster’s Downtown Press, have garnered praise from both fellow authors and reviewers and are helping to make Latina fiction a vital part of the publishing mainstream.
In recognition of her work, Caridad has received various awards and honors. In 2007, a year marked by the debut of six novels from Harlequin and Pocket Books, Caridad received the Golden Apple Award Author of the Year Award from the New York City Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. Other honors that Caridad has received include the selection of DANGER CALLS and DEATH CALLS as the Top Fantasy Books of 2005 and 2006 by CATALINA magazine, the Cataromance Reviewers Choice Award for Best Nocturne in 2006 and the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf award in 2001 for Best Short Contemporary. Her other titles have received a number of nominations, such as the Harlequin Readers Choice Awards and RIO Reviewers Choice Awards. Both DANGER CALLS and SEX AND THE SOUTH BEACH CHICAS have been book club selections.
Caridad’s eighteenth novel, MOON FEVER, a paranormal anthology with Maggie Shayne, Susan Sizemore and Lori Handeland, debuted in late September 2007 as #32 on the New York Times Extended Bestseller list and #123 on the USA TODAY Bestseller List. HOLIDAY WITH A VAMPIRE, a paranormal anthology with Maureen Child, made the BookScan Top 100 Adult Fiction list.
In 2009, Caridad will debut a new paranormal romantic suspense series with Grand Central Publishing. The first novel in the series, SINS OF THE FLESH, will be released in November 2009.
Caridad has appeared on Romance Novel Television, Fox Television’s Good Day New York Early Edition , New Jersey News’ Jersey’s Talking with Lee Leonard and WGN-TV’s Adelante Chicago. Articles featuring Caridad’s works have appeared in the New York Daily News, Catalina, RT BookClub, NJ Monthly, Star Ledger, Home Tribune News, Sun Sentinel, Variety Yahoo! Online News, Latina and the Waterbury Republican-American.
When not writing, Caridad teaches workshops on various topics related to writing and heads a writing group. Caridad is also an attorney, wife and mother.
Also about the Author:
Caridad was born in Havana, Cuba, and settled in the New York Metropolitan area. She attended Villanova University on a Presidential Scholarship and graduated magna cum laude. Caridad earned her juris doctor from St. John’s University and became the first female partner of Abelman, Frayne & Schwab, an intellectual property firm in midtown Manhattan.
http://www.caridad.com/sin-hunters/ http://www.caridad.com
Caridad Piñeiro® is a multi-published and award-winning author whose love of the written word developed when her fifth grade teacher assigned a project – to write a book that would be placed in a class lending library. She has been hooked on writing ever since.
From the start, Caridad’s novels have received acclaim and have helped redefine the landscape of modern romance novels. In 1999, Caridad was published by Kensington as part of Encanto, the first line of bilingual Latino romance novels. In 2000, Caridad was one of the first Latino authors featured at the launch of BookExpo America’s Spanish Pavillion. In December 2006, Caridad helped Silhouette launch its successful Nocturne paranormal line with DEATH CALLS, one of the novels in the award-winning THE CALLING Vampire series. In addition, Caridad has appeared at BookExpo America on numerous occasions and has captained both the multicultural and vampire genre panels at the RT BookClub Conventions.
Caridad’s CHICAS novels, including her seventeenth release, SOUTH BEACH CHICAS CATCH THEIR MAN from Simon & Schuster’s Downtown Press, have garnered praise from both fellow authors and reviewers and are helping to make Latina fiction a vital part of the publishing mainstream.
In recognition of her work, Caridad has received various awards and honors. In 2007, a year marked by the debut of six novels from Harlequin and Pocket Books, Caridad received the Golden Apple Award Author of the Year Award from the New York City Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. Other honors that Caridad has received include the selection of DANGER CALLS and DEATH CALLS as the Top Fantasy Books of 2005 and 2006 by CATALINA magazine, the Cataromance Reviewers Choice Award for Best Nocturne in 2006 and the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf award in 2001 for Best Short Contemporary. Her other titles have received a number of nominations, such as the Harlequin Readers Choice Awards and RIO Reviewers Choice Awards. Both DANGER CALLS and SEX AND THE SOUTH BEACH CHICAS have been book club selections.
Caridad’s eighteenth novel, MOON FEVER, a paranormal anthology with Maggie Shayne, Susan Sizemore and Lori Handeland, debuted in late September 2007 as #32 on the New York Times Extended Bestseller list and #123 on the USA TODAY Bestseller List. HOLIDAY WITH A VAMPIRE, a paranormal anthology with Maureen Child, made the BookScan Top 100 Adult Fiction list.
In 2009, Caridad will debut a new paranormal romantic suspense series with Grand Central Publishing. The first novel in the series, SINS OF THE FLESH, will be released in November 2009.
Caridad has appeared on Romance Novel Television, Fox Television’s Good Day New York Early Edition , New Jersey News’ Jersey’s Talking with Lee Leonard and WGN-TV’s Adelante Chicago. Articles featuring Caridad’s works have appeared in the New York Daily News, Catalina, RT BookClub, NJ Monthly, Star Ledger, Home Tribune News, Sun Sentinel, Variety Yahoo! Online News, Latina and the Waterbury Republican-American.
When not writing, Caridad teaches workshops on various topics related to writing and heads a writing group. Caridad is also an attorney, wife and mother.
Also about the Author:
Caridad was born in Havana, Cuba, and settled in the New York Metropolitan area. She attended Villanova University on a Presidential Scholarship and graduated magna cum laude. Caridad earned her juris doctor from St. John’s University and became the first female partner of Abelman, Frayne & Schwab, an intellectual property firm in midtown Manhattan.
http://www.caridad.com/sin-hunters/ http://www.caridad.com
Giveaway Details:
- Caridad is generously gifting a "The Lost" t-shirt and an ebook copy of ROOKIE OF THE YEAR to one lucky commenter!
- Winner of the t-shirt must be a US resident.
- Please comment on the interview or leave a question for Caridad, along with your email addy. Please also state whether or not you are a US resident.
To follow Caridad's blog tour and find additional stops, click on the tour badge at the top of this post! :)
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10 comments:
Love the cover; especially the green eye detail!
(Not a US resident)
devries.mcc(at)gmail.com
I love the cover and the book sounds really good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
Thanks for another great post, Caridad. The artwork on your covers is outstanding. Do you have any input on that?
Lyndee, USA
spooler(at)comcast(dot)net
Caridad's Sin Hunters Series sounds awesome. I have been hearing so much about it in recent months that I so can't wait to get my hands on book 1. Awesome giveaway, I am so keeping my fingers crossed.
I live in the United States
skyla11377(At)AOL(Dot)Com
I'm enjoying your tour so much Caridad, finding lots of blogs I didn't know of.
Not a US resident.
dsadler53 at yahoo dot ca
I've seen and heard so much about The Lost and The Sin Hunters series, but was reluctant to start a new series when there are so many books on my TBR list. But, I can't fight it any more. The Lost just sounds too good to pass up! And, I agree - the cover is great.
What has been the most exciting or rewarding thing that has happened to you since becoming a published author?
Thanks.
kacbooks(at)hotmail(dot)com
I think I'm going to enter stalker status soon. Thank god this is a blog tour!
MJB
msmjb65 AT gmail DOT com
This book definitely sounds like something I would enjoy reading!! Thanks for the fun prize on the blog tour:) I love winning t-shirts!
jwitt33 at live dot com
No need to enter me! I already have it! Just stopping by to say to two wonderful women!!!
Caridad & Tanya! I hope all has been
well! Hugs to you both! And what a great interview!
Good luck to all!
Lovely interview! ROOKIE OF THE YEAR already looks like a great story and will definitely be added to my wishlist:) Thanks for the great giveaway & HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
yadkny@hotmail.com
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