Death, a Book Release and Giveaway

Kerri Cuevas's DEADLY KISSES is out TODAY! Awesome, right? But, there's always an interesting story behind the story, so Kerri kindly agreed to answer a few questions for us. 

First of all, thanks for being here Kerri.

Thanks Crystal! I hope everyone enjoys reading Deadly Kisses as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it for you all. 

(She's a little enthused. I blame it on the cheese basket sitting in her lap.)

So Kerri, what inspired you to write Deadly Kisses?

Halloween!

The best holiday ever! (Says this sugar addict.) I wonder if we can talk someone into creating a holiday like Halloween, but where people have to give you free cheese...

(Kerri's smiling like I might be a lunatic...)

Ahem! I ADORE your main character, Aiden. Where did he come from? 

After I had the idea to write about Grim Reapers, Aiden kind of just appeared out of the blue. He insisted on being in this story, and I really didn’t want to be on his bad side, seeing he has a sharp scythe.

Pointy instruments are always a good motivator. So, um, because I'm seriously in love with this boy (don't tell my hubby), I'm wondering who you would cast to play Aiden?  

Evan Peters from American Horror Story.

My mental version of Aiden is cuter. ; ) But back to the story, what was your favorite chapter or scene to write? 

My answer changes all the time on this question. Right now, the last chapter. I anxiously await what readers think of the ending.

Well I, for one, loved it. And lest I should start gushing and give something away, let's move on, shall we? 

Who has had the most influence on your writing? 

Carrie Ryan, Cassandra Clare, and Stephen King.

Are you a panster or plotter?

Total panster! Yup, no denying it.

Yeah, I think that's why we hit it off. Birds of a feather... When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? 

In third grade. I still have all my stories. They should be published—crayon drawings and all. LOL!

Hee hee. We should collaborate and I'll toss in some of my 2nd and 3rd grade atrocities. 

How long does it take you to write a book? 

It depends on the story, and plotline. Deadly Kisses took me a month to write, but book 2 of the Deadly Kisses series took me a year. I blame it on my panster ways.

What writing advice would you give other writers out there? 

Follow your dreams, and don’t give up.

Chase the pretty unicorns until you catch them, eh? LOL.

If you could only have one cheese for the rest of your life, what would it be?

As a person who makes their own cheese with milk straight from the cow or goat, I find this a very evil question.

(I'm laughing wickedly.)

Alas, I guess it would have to be Monterey Jack. But I’m sneaky, and I’ll say my favorite brand is Cabot and Grafton Village Cheese.

Well, yeah, it's a cheat, but maybe we'll let it slide--just this once because it's a special day. So that's pretty much it. Anything you'd like to add, Kerri?

Thanks, Crystal. You guys rock! Feel free to ask me any questions, and I’d be glad to answer them for you.

Thank you, Kerri.

You hear her, folks. Ask away! --And while you're at it, enter to win some free stuff below! (Because nothing's better than FREE.)

Aiden Grant is seventeen, has a killer kiss, and a boss who used to be President, back in the old days. You see, Aiden is a grim reaper and his kiss welcomes the newly dead. But Aiden’s pleasant grim reaper lifestyle is in jeopardy. And it’s not only because Honest Abe keeps throwing out history lessons with reaping assignments, just to confuse him. It’s because Aiden’s next assignment is to reap the soul of Bee, the only girl he has ever loved.

When Aiden’s kiss of death fails, intertwining their souls, Bee is still very much alive and they are both in trouble. The ancients want Bee, who has special powers of her own, and they’ll do anything to get her.

Some rules are meant to be broken—even if that means Aiden must bargain with his own soul to save Bee. Who knew the afterlife could get so complicated?

Author Kerri Cuevas was born and raised in Rhode Island. She moved to New Hampshire with her husband, three kids, cats and a rabbit named Hercules in 2005. When she's not writing, she's chasing chickens on her small farm or searching for the ultimate mac-a-cheese recipe.

Kerri went to college for Early Childhood Education but now writes books for young adults full-time. Her storytelling stems from watching too many horror flicks as a teen, but she no longer needs to sleep with the lights on.

You can find Kerri at: http://www.kerricuevasbooks.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway