PERSONAL DEMONS by Lisa Desrochers is being published on September 14th 2010 by Tor Teen. It’s the latest paranormal YA title to follow Fallen and Hush, Hush by featuring angels, and dare I say it’s the best one yet? If you read my review a couple days ago, you already know I loved this book, so of course I had to invite Lisa for an interview. Don’t forget to check out the international giveaway details below.
Lisa Desrochers lives in central California with her husband and two very busy daughters. It was her oldest daughter's love of books that first inspired her to write for young adults. There is never a time that she can be found without a book in her hand, and she adores stories that take her to new places, and then take her by surprise. Growing up all over the country has inspired wanderlust and she loves travel, which works out well because she lectures internationally on a variety of health care topics. She has a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and maintains a full-time practice in California.
Interview
ATUF: One girl caught between the demon who wants to damn her, and the angel who might fall trying to save her. That is one deliciously wicked premise. How did you come up with it?
LD: If someone possessed a skill that the king of Hell wanted, it only stands to reason that Heaven would want to keep him from getting it. The whole idea for Personal Demons started with a name: Lucifer Cain. It popped into my head one day and I started writing from Luc’s perspective. But, as I started writing and the plot began to unfold (I don’t outline) I realized that Frannie would be valuable to both sides. Enter Gabe.
ATUF: According to your blog, the next book in the Personal Demons series is called Original Sin (July 2011), followed by the third book, Hellbent (May 2012). Are you planning on extending the series beyond three books? Are you working on any other projects that can we look forwarding to reading soon?
LD: I have a few projects floating around my hard drive, but the Personal Demons trilogy has kept me pretty busy. Whether it extents beyond three books is really up to my publisher. I’m writing book three now as if it will be the last in the series.
ATUF: What are some of your favorite titles/authors in the paranormal genres?
LD: My very favorite author is Melissa Marr. I love her character development and world building. My agent described Original Sin as “fearless.” I had Ink Exchange in my head as I was writing. Every time I was afraid something might be over the top, I asked myself, “What would Melissa Marr do?” My other favorites are more straight fantasy and contemporary.
ATUF: Cliff Neilson is one of my favorite cover artists (his illustrations for Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments series are amazing) and his art for PERSONAL DEMONS is another stunner. Initially, I worried that the characters looked too adult for a YA title, but having read the book, I think the more mature look, especially for the guys, is spot on. What are your thoughts on the cover? Did you have any impute in the overall design?
LD: Authors generally get very little input into the cover design of their books. I was asked for my opinion and if I had any preferences, but in the end, the design is dictated by powers far greater than the author. I think everyone agrees that the models are a little older than we would have liked, but overall, I’m happy with the design. I LOVE Gabe and his wings. <3
ATUF: Where did you come up with the brilliant idea for sins to have different fragrances? How did you decide which scents were which sins and are there any sin scents that didn’t make the book?
LD: It was sort of a cop out, really. I read an article that said writers needed to utilize all five senses in their writing. This was the easiest way I could figure to work smell into the book. Ginger as lust was the first one to pop into my head. Ginger just seems exotic to me, so it fit. Twitter, family and friends helped with some of the others. So far everything’s made the book. I’ve got a few new ones in Original Sin.
ATUF: Some of my favorite scenes in PERSONAL DEMONS involved Luc and Gabe trying to one-up each other with Frannie, specifically when Luc tries to arose Frannie’s jealousy by taking out her friend only to watch as Gabe invites himself over for a study date. Can you tell us about your favorite scene in PERSONAL DEMONS?
LD: Some of my favorites are definitely the scenes between Luc and Gabe. They really know how to push each other’s buttons. (I guess that happens when you’ve known someone for seven millennia.) My favorite is probably their first real exchange after Frannie meets Gabe at a party. When he shows up at school the following Monday, Luc’s less that thrilled. And the fun of it was writing from Luc’s perspective, so we get his inside take on the exchange. It’s fun writing from inside a demon’s head. Course, I also like the kissing scenes, and the scene where Frannie flips a demon over her head. Those were fun to write too. :p
ATUF: If PERSONAL DEMONS were ever made into a movie, who would your dream or, to keep things interesting, nightmare cast be?
LD: I just had to come up with actors for the film guy at my agency. Here’s who I decided on. Frannie: Chloe Mortez, Luc: Logan Lerman, Gabe: Lucas Till. They’re all perfect, really, so send some good energy out there that they’ll agree to do it! =)
My nightmare cast? I could go all sorts of directions with this, so I’ll keep it simple. Frannie: Paris Hilton, Luc: Edward Cullen (demons don’t sparkle), Gabe: Homer Simpson.
ATUF: Angels are definitely the hot new focus in paranormal fiction, especially YA. How did you set your angels apart from the others and why do you think they are so popular?
LD: When I wrote Personal Demons, I had no idea angels would trend. I’ve only read a few of the YA “angel” books out there and the difference between mine and theirs is that mine’s really more of a demon book. My demon isn’t a fallen angel, so I’ve used the mythology and lore differently than the others have. My angel is not fallen (though that could change ;p), and he’s one of Heaven’s highest echelon.
ATUF: I’m always a sucker for a good love triangle, especially when the stakes are as high as they are in PERSONAL DEMONS. I loved how hard Luc and Gabe had to fight not to fight with each other when they had to protect Frannie. Is there any hope for a friendship between them in the future?
LD: They’ll never be pals, but it’s possible that they could develop a mutual respect. Both will do anything for Frannie, which may mean that they need to figure out a way to work together. Or, if it gets too hard, one of them might just leave… (that’s an Original Sin teaser ;p)
ATUF: If PERSONAL DEMONS was a Frankenstein book compiled from elements of other books, what would some of those other books be?
LD: Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight, Sarah Dessen’s This Lullaby, and two that didn’t exist when I was writing Personal Demons: Maggie Steifvater’s Shiver and Becca Fitzpatrick’s Hush, Hush.
ATUF: Thanks so much for stopping by Lisa. Come back anytime!
Visit Lisa Desrochers online:
Book Details
PERSONAL DEMONS by Lisa Desrochers
*This title will be released on September 14th*
Description:
Frannie Cavanaugh has always been a bit of a loner. She's spent years keeping everyone at a distance, even her closest friends. That is, until Luc Cain enrolls in her school. He's hot, sarcastic, and dangerous—and Frannie can't seem to stay away.
What she doesn't know is that Luc is on a mission. Because Frannie isn't exactly ordinary. She possesses a skill so unique that the king of Hell himself has taken notice, and he's sent Luc to claim Frannie's soul. It should be easy: All he has to do is get her to sin, and Luc is as tempting as they come.
Unfortunately for Luc, Heaven has other plans, and he's just started making progress when the angel Gabriel shows up. Gabe will do anything to keep Luc from getting what he came for, and his angelic charm might just be enough to keep Frannie on the right path.
It isn't long before Luc and Gabe find themselves fighting for more than just Frannie's soul. But if Luc fails to win her over, there will be Hell to pay . . . for all of them.
Click HERE to read an excerpt from PERSONAL DEMONS.
Giveaway
Courtesy of Lisa Desrochers
Swag giveaway including signed bookmarks and temporary tattoos.
GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES
- Open to Internationally
- Leave a comment that includes:
- Your favorite angel/demon title or why you want to win?
- A way to contact you if you win
- Entries must be received by Midnight MST on September 17th.
Interested in being interviewed on All Things Urban Fantasy? CONTACT ME
Hello, my name is Luc Cain, and I’ll be your tour guide this evening. It’s been a while since I was asked to do tours, but we’re a little short-handed in Acquisitions at the moment, so please bear with me.
If you look to the right as we pass the Pit, we have the Lake of Fire, the orange and red roiling molten lake swirling around the large crags of brimstone, pointing like accusing fingers at Heaven. Its accompanying light show—flickering scarlet and indigo with blue and white flame eruptions, is like Hell’s fireworks. In the middle of the Lake is the glossy black mass of Pandemonium, perched on Flame Island. Its high castle walls and jagged spires tower over all of Hell, and from them, King Lucifer rules over his legions.
