Interview and Giveaway: Ada Adams

Today on my blog, I have the very cool and very awesome Ada Adams, author of ReVamped. Not only does she give a terrific interview, but she finds a way to connect myself to the gorgeous man that is Jensen Ackles (Don't understand what I mean, check out question # 4). If that wasn't enough to make her the coolest person ever, she is also giving away an ebook copy of ReVamped right here!

1. How would you describe ReVamped to someone who has never heard of it before?

ReVamped is a humorous YA Paranormal novel, filled with action, intrigue, and mystery. It tells a story of nineteen-year-old vampire girl, Dawn, who is responsible for revamping a group of misfits (think about everything you know about vampires and reverse it—that’s this gang). Upon Dawn’s arrival to a small town of Angel Creek, she realizes that there’s a lot more going on in regard to the seemingly simple mission than meets the eye. Add to that a couple of cute guys, an evil villain, and some big secrets from Dawn’s past, and you’re in for a fast-paced adventure ride with some very interesting and unlikely heroes.

  

2. How did you come up with the concept for it?

I was inspired by our society’s fascination with vampires. Over the past decade, this fascination has grown into an intense obsession. From books to movies to TV shows, there’s no doubt that we adore the little bloodsuckers! I started to think about what would happen if vampires really existed. I believe that they would be encouraged by our admiration for them to “come out into the light”. In turn, I think that our public would treat them like celebrities. I played with that notion and turned it into a humorous action-adventure story about a girl responsible for revamping a group of some not-so-perfect vampires. After all, we have so many attractive, strong, and smart vampires in our books and on our screens—let’s give the not-so-hot ones a chance to shine!

3. The team of vampires you created were so interesting! How did you come up with each back story? Will we get to learn more about them in future books?

Thank you! It makes me very happy to hear that you liked them! Ideally, I wanted Dawn to be faced with some very non-vamp-like vampire recruits. I wrote them to be as human as vampires could possibly be (flaws and all)! Each of their backstories is very unique, as they all hail from different time periods—Sophie was a maid’s daughter in the 1920’s, Brooke was born into a political family in the 1960’s, Hunter was a 1980’s rock-star, and Seth is a newly made vampire. As the series progresses, we will learn a lot more about their pasts, as well as see them grown and develop. I know that people have many questions about the misfits (in fact, they have captured the hearts of more people than I ever expected), but I really didn’t want to divulge everything about them in the first book of the series. Their pasts will actually play a really important role in the second book, “ReAwakened” (hence the title), and all of the characters will have to do a lot of growth and maturing in order to overcome the obstacles they will be faced with.

4. If ReVamped became a movie, who could you see playing Dawn, Sebastian, Ethan and the rest of the Vampire team?

I honestly haven’t thought about it at all! All of the characters are so vivid and lifelike in my mind (as actual, existing beings), that it’s hard to think of them as anyone else but Dawn, Sebastian, Ethan, and the rest of the gang.

Do you have any fun casting ideas for me?

I guess Ethan kind of reminds me a little of a young Brad Pitt or a blonder version of an early 20’s Jensen Ackles. Once I actually began thinking about it, I realized that both Ethan and Jensen Ackles are from Texas (with some IMDB snooping, I found out that they’re both from Dallas—I do like the actor, but that was a completely coincidence). Then, I remembered that you told me that you shared the same birthday as Ethan (another cool coincidence!) and that you’re a Supernatural and Jensen Ackles fan, so I kind of six-degreed you and Jensen Ackles (or maybe three-degreed?), all thanks to Ethan Summers! Pretty cool, right?! I don’t think I could have planned that better even if I tried!

  

5. When did you realize that you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always had a passion for writing. The moment I learned to read and began spending time in the unique, inspirational worlds created by so many talented authors, my interest in writing was born. I was the type of child that always enjoyed living in my head, so I devoted a lot of time to creating interesting characters and crazy, fun scenarios. I would usually write them down and read the stories to my little brother, or act them out for my family and friends. Writing provides me with a lot of contentment and a sense of power. After all, you really don’t need any special tools to write a story, aside from a somewhat overactive imagination (okay, and a computer with a really good writing keyboard—I’m a sucker for really squishy keyboards)!

6. What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on the rest of the “Angel Creek” series. I’m really excited to see the characters grow and the story progress. I love books and TV shows that show change and develop over time; I enjoy stories in which the characters are completely different by the final chapter of the last book than when they first began. I’m also working on a few other projects, which have kind of taken a backseat to the “Angel Creek” books (I’d like to release the series in a timely manner as I’m currently being hunted down for Book II by certain readers). :)

7. Favorite book?

I am a really diverse reader, so I have a very long list of favorites in various genres. I’m moved by different things in different books. Some, I cherish for the author’s writing style, others have amazing characters or great stories. It often depends on what I’m in the mood for. I can’t compare a YA Paranormal Romance in the same category as an Adult Historical Fiction story, but I could definitely like both books equally. Maybe if I took a week or so to narrow down my Top 100’s list…There are also so many books on my current TBR list that I’m sure will make it into a favorite category.

8. Favorite book character?

I like Hermione from the Harry Potter series. She’s brave and brainy, and she really grows and develops throughout the series. I like that she wasn’t there as “just a girl in the trio”, but she played such an important role in the story. I’m drawn to strong and smart female characters, but I dislike perfection in characters. I don’t think that a story is interesting if its characters have nothing to learn and overcome.

9. Favorite music group?

I love Adele and Taylor Swift. I feel like each of their songs tells an entire book worth of stories.

10. Favorite TV show?

Not this type of question again! I literally watch everything!

Favorite childhood shows: Buffy, Roswell, X-Files, Sex and the City (though that’s probably not a good thing to put under “childhood show”).

Favorite currently-airing shows: Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Mad Men, Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory, True Blood, Once Upon A Time, Supernatural, New Girl, Bones, Criminal Minds, Dexter, The Lying Game, Secret Circle, Gossip Girl, The L.A. Complex, Glee, Psych, White Collar, Awkward (I find this really cute), Pretty Little Liars, Smash, Up All Night (they have a really funny, talented cast), Weeds, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, How I Met Your Mother…I’m definitely missing some! Feel free to let me know what I missed or suggest some other shows I have to watch.

Cancelled Shows I liked: Veronica Mars (how hot were Veronica and Logan?), Moonlight, Arrested Development, Tru Calling.

So…a lot! I call it “doing homework for my acting career”. It’s a great excuse, right? :)

11. Favorite movie?

I like anything scary! I love being scared. I’m big on suspense and psychological thrillers; I find plain blood and gore to be a little anticlimactic. Lately, I’ve been watching some creepy Korean horror films. I also like Guillermo Del Toro’s work in “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “The Orphanage” (I’ve seen others as well, but those two stand out as suspenseful).

I’m also big on movies that make me cry: American History X, Gran Torino, The Shawshank Redemption, Slumdog Millionaire, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and animated films like Finding Nemo, Bolt, How to Train Your Dragon (I bawled in the theaters at the last two). I love comedies as well (and they’re even better when paired with horror a la Zombieland).

I really can’t say a single favorite movie because, just like with books and TV shows, I’m a junkie! Some of my favorite actors are Leonardo DiCaprio (I really love most of his roles and films), Ryan Gosling, Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins (he plays bad so well). The funny thing is, even though many of these actors are considered “heartthrobs”, I’ve never actually had an “actor crush” on any of them—I just like their work.

12. Peanut butter and jelly? Or just peanut butter? (Obviously the most important question of them all! LoL)

Hmm…A very important question! I actually like both (together or separately), but to tell you the truth, I’m more of a Nutella girl! Do you guys have Nutella in Texas? Some of my American friends don’t. I think that’s a tragedy!

13. Is there anything else you want your readers to know about you or your work?

I truly appreciate all the support my wonderful readers have given me in regard to my debut novel! I try my best to always make time for my readers and stay in touch with them, so if you ever have any questions regarding me or my work, don’t hesitate to contact me! :)

Thank you very much for the interview, Kristina!

Read my review of ReVamped!

A simple mission turned deadly.

Nineteen-year-old vampire Dawn has led a sheltered life within the confines of her father’s presidential headquarters. Upon being sent on a mission to revamp four goofy misfits into guardians of a peaceful little town of Angel Creek, Dawn believes that all her dreams have finally come true. What starts off as a simple task, turns into something unexpected, changing Dawn’s life forever and leading the action-loving, thrill-seeking vampire teen on a path of mystery, danger and intrigue.

When a human girl is kidnapped by a group of rogue vamps, Dawn discovers that there is more going on in Angel Creek than meets the eye. And it all connects to Ethan, the cute newcomer who seems too perfect to be true, Sebastian, the mysterious vampire with a turbulent past, and even Dawn herself. Dawn must not only succeed in revamping the troubled recruits, but must also prevent the vampire race from being overtaken by a malevolent villain who has a strange and obsessive fascination with her. As threat escalates, romance blooms, and ghosts from her past begin to surface, Dawn is sure of only one thing: her life will never be the same.

 “Many people sing in the shower. I write scenes in my head and act them out.” 
At the age of five, Ada read her first chapter book—Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren. Ever since that moment, she developed an intense passion for stories and characters found within the pages of literature.

In her career as an actress and a writer, Ada currently spends most of her days immersed in imaginary worlds. Much like the characters she enjoys playing and writing about, Ada is a martial artist with a Black Belt in Shotokan Karate. She is also a big proponent of lifelong learning, and has attained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (it aids in creating characters with unique quirks!) as well as a Master’s of Science in Education.
 
Ada strives to bring a fresh voice and perspective to fiction. She has been writing creatively for many years, and is an editor of a global fashion/literary magazine called VEUX. ReVamped is her debut novel.

She lives in Toronto, Canada, and enjoys adventurous nature hikes with her adorable puppies Cara and Oreo.

Want to win an ebook copy of ReVamped? Enter here! 

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