Heaven Liegh Eldeen Author Interview & Best of 2011 Hop

BookNerd Interview

Best of 2011 Giveaway Hop

Hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer

Best of 2011? Wow this list can take a while. But here are a few of many books I have enjoyed this year. You may choose ONE book that's pictured below.

Have an Amazing Happy New Year!

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Heaven started her writing career two years ago after being challenged by a relative to write something different than the barrage of vampire novels on the market. With her ‘Oh, Yes I can!’ attitude, determination and support from her family, she completed her first novel The Demon Side, releasing this October. When she’s not kissing owies, climbing Mount Dishmore, or obsessing over her Facebook book page, you can find her at the computer revising or editing one of her five works in progress. Having lived in many states, she has now settled down in California with her husband, her son and a beta fish named Barry. 

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Tell us your latest news.

I am currently celebrating the success of my first novella The Demon Side and the close completion of the sequel, The Human Side.

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Three words? That’s it? Okay I think I can manage that. I’d say dork, goofball, and twisted describe me the best.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grow up?

I wanted so much to be a United States Marine slash history teacher. Though those plans fell through I have a much better job as a homemaker slash writer. Heck, I’m happy I got the slash!

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

There are two very dear friends I consider to be my mentors though we don’t write the same genres. I don’t know what I would do without Benjamin Russell and Katie Harper. They’ve been a huge source of encouragement, support, and education. I love them dearly!

What inspired you to write this particular book? Is there a story about the writing of this novel that begs to be told?

My husband loves horror flicks. I absolutely hate watching scary movies. I do okay with the slasher films such as Friday the 13th and Halloween. However, movies that deal with the unseen, ghosts, and entities, flip me out! It doesn’t matter that I know the movies are completely fake and improbable. I can’t help but run through my house, turning on every light, screaming for my husband to hold my hand while I relieved my bladder during a commercial break. Of course, the jokester my husband is, never resisted cracking a few jokes about what a pansy I am or attempts to scare the poo out of me on our way back to our recliners.

Tired of pranks and jokes, I built a self-defense mechanism in my head. I keep my eyes on the television but send my brain into La-La Land. Well, they have scary monster in La-La Land too. Lucky for me, I set the rules for that amusement park.

Short story longer, one evening I snuggle into my hubby as he turns on what is not just a scary movie, but the worse kind of scary movie, one about demons and ghosts attacking you in your sleep. How do you defend against that? You can’t. So, my defense raises and off goes my brain to stand in line at the tea cups, when suddenly a Demon stands in line behind him.

Being the cordial little guy, my ball of pink spaghetti happens to be, he strikes up a conversation with the mortifying beast. Next thing I know, Rahovart, Etta, John, Alastor, The Arches and Rene are at the snack bar, stuffing their faces with nachos, sucking down lemonade and trading stories back and forth while I sit in the background typing every word that passes between them.

If you could introduce Rahovart to any character from another book, who would it be and why?

I would have to have him sit down with Leonard Farraday from my novel The Vineyard House Chronicles. I think he could teach him a thing or two about proper manners toward women. And if Leonard won’t listen, well we have an idea of what Rahovart can do to him.

What’s one thing that readers would be surprised to find out about The Demon Side?

The Demon Side (in a way) is my diary. It was never meant to be published. My husband stumbled upon it one day while cleaning up the computer and passed it on to some family members. After a few hard pushes from them I submitted to Decadent Publishing and the rest is history.

What was your favorite chapter to write and why?

That’s a hard one to answer. If I narrow it down to one I would have to say my favorite chapter to write is the final chapter. It gives you a great feeling seeing everything come together. Not to mention how much fun I had a blast researching books on warfare for the huge battle scene.

Can you see yourself in any of your characters?

Every character in the The Demon Side has a large piece of me inside of them. Etta embodies my innocence, John symbolizes my strength, Rene is my ignorance and Rahovart is the demon inside of me.

When asked, what’s the one question you always answer with a lie?

When people ask if my mother-in-law is my actual mother, I always say yes. Though we haven’t always seen eye to eye and had a rocky start to our relationship, over the years we’ve grown quite close. She’s just one of those people you wish you had for a mother until she’s mad at you and then you’re happy you have another one.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

The Demon Side is book one of a three novel series. I am currently putting the finishing touches on the sequel The Human Side.

What are your current projects?

I have seven other novels I am currently working on. My next series has already entered the editing stages so you’ll find more exciting tales from me very soon.

Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?

Oh without question Away by Breaking Benjamins sums up The Demon Side practically word for word. However, I have a huge playlist that helped me write and inspired come of the scenes. Here’s the link to the The Demon Side YouTube playlist. 

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8911D9246E5154A4&feature=mh_lolz

What question are you never asked in interviews but wish you were?

I have done quite a lot of blog interviews so I have been asked about everything from my favorite color to what type of underwear is under my clothing. The only question I can think of, that I’ve never been asked is about my educational background.

Which author would you love to co-author a book with?

Hands down, Katie Harper. The woman is a riot and some of the things she says and writes will have you literally laughing your butt off, trying desperately to not tinkle in your pants.

What book are you reading now?

I’m reading a very naughty book, Unshakable Faith by Lisa Worrall, that a friend sent to me for the holidays. It is by far not a genre I am a ‘fan’ of but the author is such an incredibly talented writer. I can’t help but to look past the fact that she writes M/M romances and just appreciate the gripping, sensual tales she spins.

What do you normally eat for breakfast?

Eat? That’s the one thing I really don’t do much of. I never feel hungry for the most part. I can go days without eating if my husband and son would let me. I only eat dinner because my husband forces me.

What are 4 things you never leave home without? 

I will never…ever…never leave without my sunglasses, IPod, Pepsi and keys. They are my essential survival items. You see me without one, it’s best not to talk to me because I’m probably in a bad mood about forgetting it. Heck, I always have those on me in the house.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

OMG! I have fallen in love with Once Upon A Time, Grimm and The Walking Dead. I set alarms to remind me when they’re on.

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

My husband does catering on the side so I have two refrigerators. In one you’ll find most drinks such as mochas, Rockstars, Pepsis and Capri Suns. In fridge number two, you’ll find everything from pudding cups, veggies, tortillas, eggs, and the steak I pulled out for dinner tonight.

Where can your readers stalk you?

I’m an internet junkie so you can find me just about everywhere! But, I’ll make it easy for you so you don’t have to worry about stepping on my garden as you hide in the bushes.

Available at:
www.decadentpublishing.com
www.amazon.com
www.smashwords.com
www.bookstrand.com
www.allromanceebooks.com

Follow us on:
www.heaveneldeen.com
www.heavenliegheldeen.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/thedemonside
www.twitter.com/thedemonside.
www.myspace.com/thedemonside

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Every kid has problems. Every kid has even more problems when they move to a new home. But when a kid with problems moves to a new home that has a Demon living inside it—look out!

Etta’s world is about to spin out of control when she encounters her new roommate—and Rahovart, that ancient trickster, is in for a few surprises too. So don’t mind all the crashing and rumbling; that’s just the normal noise Angels and Demons make when they’re fighting an epic war in the attic.

One thing’s for sure: Etta and Rahovart will have to go through Hell to Heaven and back again before that old Victorian home in Quantico Town finally quiets down…

Heaven Liegh Eldeen’s The Demon Side takes a fresh approach in the Paranormal genre as the story is told from a male demon’s point of view. The basis of the story is that the Earth is the battlefield for a war between angels and demons. In the middle of all it, 18-year old girl named Etta has been targeted because of her ability to see and hear demons. Rahovart, the demon telling the story, has possessed the house where Etta and her family live.

We are introduced to Etta and her family, who I might say, is not your picture perfect household. Her dad, John, conceals an awful military secret and her step-mother, Rene, is an alcoholic. Etta has been diagnosed with schizophrenia because of her ability to see and hear demons. The characters are genuinely developed as I felt compassion for them.

Even with the demon, Rahovart, you can’t help but to feel the emotions he’s going through. It is mainly due to all of the “demon rules” he has to follow and limitations of what he can do. Many of these rules, including the angels’, are revealed. Eldeen did an outstanding job researching them and applying it throughout the book keeping the plot valid as it can be. Many surprises are brought out between Etta and Rahovart, including an incubus who preys on Etta in order to father a child.

Although demons and incubuses are not new in the Paranormal scene, it was invigorating to read the story in the POV of a male demon. It is an exciting read and I had a hard time stepping away from the story. The story is a fictionalized religion tale that includes God, the Devil, angels and demons. Eldeen covers a lot of it in The Demon Side. If you enjoy this kind of twist in the story of good vs. evil, The Demon Side is perfect for your next Paranormal novel.

You can purchase The Demonside at these following retailers.

Click LINKS below:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

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And now, The Giveaway. 

Thank you Heaven for making this giveaway possible.

2 Winners will receive one e-book of The DemonSide by Heaven Liegh Eldeen.

***If you're an Author and would like to do an Interview and Giveaway, you can e-mail me at jeanbooknerd@gmail.com****

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