Interview with author HP Mallory - And Giveaway!

Good morning everyone! Today I have a special treat - an interview with author HP Mallory! And because she's such an awesome person, she has included a giveaway of one of her books as well, so look for the rules and details after the interview. So without further ado, please help me in welcoming HP Mallory!
Tell us a little about yourself: I'm 33 and I live in California. I'm married with a 19 month old that keeps me on my toes! I wake up every morning at 5am to get my writing time in!

Favorite part about being a writer?: My readers. There is nothing like getting emails from people who just love my books. It's a wonderful feeling.

Do you have any quirks or things you MUST do while writing (example: play music, sit in a certain place, etc)?: No, not really. I write at my desk in my office from 5 - 6:30am every day. It's really the only time I have to myself. Sometimes I will listen to music if I want to be in a certain mood for a scene.

Do you get writer's block or have trouble starting? How do you deal with that?: No, not really. I'm a big planner. I outline everything and I plan everything out in my head prior to writing it so I always know what to write and what will happen.

Out of everything you've ever read - what's your favorite book? Or maybe a favorite author?: Well, I was an English major so that's a tough question. One of my favorite authors is Jane Austen. And favorite book? I don't know if I can answer that, LOL. I recently read "The Art of Racing in the Rain" and that book was amazing. So I'll say that is a current favorite.

Which book was your favorite to write? Were any of them particularly difficult?: Um, my favorite to write so far was Toil and Trouble. A big part of that is due to the fact that I had two people, Mercedes and Christine, who were actually real and I was writing them into characters in my book (they had won contest to become characters in my book). That was so much fun! And the Jolie series is definitely more difficult to write than the Dulcie books because there seems to be more I have to remember, LOL.

You chose to independantly publish your books, has it been a good experience?: It has been an amazing adventure so far. I've absolutely exceeded my own hopes and goals and then some. It was the best decision I've made and I thank my lucky stars every day!

How do you feel about self promotion? Just part of the job, or something you enjoy?: I do enjoy it and really now I don't do much marketing at all. When I started, I spent a lot of time on the forums for Kindle. Then I started emailing book bloggers and reviewers and asked if they'd like to read my books and little by little, my books started taking off. I enjoyed every second of it.

Do you plan to continue your Jolie Wilkins series? How about spin-off books for certain characters?: Yes, there will be 1-2 more books in the Jolie series. And I think everyone wants me to write a Sinjin spin-off, LOL.

If you had to pick between Rand and Sinjin, which one?: Ooooh, this is a tough one. I love Rand. I love his sense of honor, and his stubborness and how good he is. But I do have to admit that I love Sinjin - for exactly the opposite reasons. I adore his sense of humor and his sexiness. Can I say both? Lol.

Do you like to hear from readers? If so, how can they contact you?: I love love love hearing from readers. It's one of the highlights of my day. People can reach me at hpmalloryauthor@yahoo.com

And finally, tell us about your newest release!: My newest release is the next book in the Jolie Wilkins series, Toil and Trouble. It picks up where Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble left off and really gets into the characters of Rand and Sinjin. I have to admit, it's my favorite so far!
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Again- thank you for dropping by HP! It was fun learning more about you, and I know I can't wait to read "Toil and Trouble" and see what Jolie gets up to next.
Visit HP's website at http://www.hpmallory.com/
Read her blog: http://www.urbanfantasyauthor.blogspot.com/
And contact her: hpmalloryauthor@yahoo.com

And now for the GIVEAWAY! HP has offered up one copy of either "Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble" OR "Toil and Trouble." That way, if you haven't read the first book, you can catch up on the series!
RULES:
~ Leave a comment to enter stating which book you'd choose, "Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble" OR "Toil and Trouble."
~ Please leave your email in the comments so I can notify you if you win. No email, no entry!
~ Contest closes at 11:59 PM EST on Sunday 12/12/10. Winner will be announced Monday 12/13
~ No late entries will be accepted.
~ Good luck!

~!~ Amanda, aka Morning Glow ~!~