Bitten by Cupid by Lynsay Sands (An Interview)

Terra ~ Marguerite Argeneau is the beloved matron of the Argeneau clan and a hopeless romantic. Do you think she does her match making is more out of the motherly love she has for all those around her or is it more of a driven womans institutions that clues her in?

Lynsay ~ It’s a combination of both. They say everyone has their talent and immortals are no different. They have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Marguerite’s strength happens to be that she can tune in to her immortal intuition and just knows whom would be good with whom.

Terra ~ Which of the Argeneau books that you’ve written so far would be your favorite and why? Also, is there the possibility of an ending to this family in the future that you can see or are you going to keep us all happy with as many more of these wonderful stories?

Lynsay ~ My favorite will always be Single, White Vampire for a number of reasons. It was my first Argeneau published, Kate and Lucern just really clicked as a couple so it was a lot of fun to write and I can relate to Lucern’s character because he’s an author too.
As for how many more I'll write, I really don't know. There are still so many interesting characters. I mean, Marguerite's son Christian deserves a life mate, and Jeanne Louise, that poor girl needs one, and you know those hot Notte twins really need to be hooked up because it just seems criminal to leave hot men like that wandering around unattached. . . I guess we'll have to wait and see how many more come.

Terra ~ Why did you pick Tiny as the victim in this particular story and why pair him with someone so totally opposite in nature?

Lynsay ~ Well opposites do attract, right? Besides, I think couples need to compliment each other. Mirabeau needed a partner that could soften her harder edges and Tiny needs a little wild in his life. Also Tiny is not the stereotypical kind of guy. He's built like a linebacker, cooks like a God, smart as a whip as a detective, and is as patient as Jobe. He's perfect for Mirabeau, he'll be an asset to her. Besides, his best friend is Jackie who also happens to be edgy so I think we can assume he and Mirabeau will do all right.

Terra ~ Are there any of the characters in your stories that resemble anyone in your family?

Lynsay ~ OK, the Willan sisters are based very loosely on my sisters. Remember that cottage scene in The Rogue Hunter when Jo was chasing after Alex as she was mowing the lawn attempting to scare away the deer flies swarming her? Yah . . . that really happened with my younger sister chasing around and beating off flies for my older sister who was handling the lawn mower. LOL
But there are loads of instances like that and even characters either named after or carrying the traits of friends or family I have. Marguerite is named after my mother and carries some of her traits. Then there is Leigh, Justin Bricker, DJ, etc. Readers have encountered many of my family and friends in the stories in one way or another. They do say write what you know. (grin)

Terra ~ Why pick Canada as a base for the Argeneau clan? Also, you seem to have the major companies they work at in big cities, any particular reasoning for this?

Lynsay ~ Well I am Canadian and knew Toronto. I prefer to base stories places I have been so I know what I'm talking about and don't make huge mistakes about cities I've never visited. Besides this is just one immortal family out of many.
As for the major companies working in big cities, that’s just necessary. Most major companies have their head office in major cities. I assume this is for a few reasons; the demand for their product is larger there; there’s a larger employment pool to choose from; and they have to have a solid corporate image not only to ensure public confidence but to ensure corporate confidence as well especially with companies they have to work with, make deals with, etc.

Terra ~ When you think of the Argeneau’s, how close do you feel they are in comparison to your real family? Do you only think of them as a fairy tale family or are they a bit more real in your world since you deal with them on such a constant basis?

Lynsay ~ Well, many characters are loosely based on family and friends of mine so I expect that they would be a bit more real to me than usual and I do love my real family very much. That being said, my characters are like my kids. I care about what happens to them, I don’t like to see them hurt or in harms way. They aren’t perfect so they do make mistakes but they usually learn from those mistakes and in general they are good people . . . kinda like my real family. Gees, guess they're definitely a bit more real to me . . . LOL

Terra ~ Can you give us a glimpse into the future of what possible storylines you might be thinking of and why do these storylines seem to attract you?

Lynsay ~ Well, Born To Bite (Armand’s story) is based in a small town on a farm and involves the mystery of his wives’ deaths. It also answers some questions that were left from Nicholas’s story but couldn’t be revealed then.
Hungry For You is Alex Willan's story, the last of the Willan sisters.
Other than that, I have had a few ideas but cannot promise anything. I may do Christian's story, I'm hoping to if he cooperates. I may also revisit Port Henry sometime in the future . . . And I really think Jeanne Louise does deserve a life mate. . . But who cooperates and tells me their story is the one who gets written about.

Terra ~ With the amount of books that you write how do you find time for yourself in any given day? Has anyone in your family ever compared you to the Energizer bunny cause you seem to just keep going and going?

Lynsay ~ LOL . . . I guess I have been pretty prolific at times but it is weird to hear someone say it. I think it’s because I can write a book within a month. The reason for that is when I write, I do it 24/7 and everything else in my life goes on hold, no matter what it is. It’s just my process. Believe me, this is not always a good thing. Just ask my friends and family when I don’t see them for months on end! So I write around the clock for a month or two if deadlines are back to back like the next two and then spend two or three months doing promotional stuff, and business stuff and answering reader's letters while trying to catch up on everything I neglected while writing.

Terra ~ When you write an anthology do you get any say in who the other authors are that will be in the same book with you or does the publisher have full rights to pair you with whomever they choose? Also, so you get to see the ideas the other authors have before you write your story or is it just write a story along certain guidelines and hope that none of you clash with each other?

Lynsay ~ Oh . . . the publisher has full control over that. I often think that people believe writers have more control over aspects of their books than they really do. The publisher chooses the title, the cover, the blurb on the back and for newbie writers even change content of their story. I can voice my opinion but ultimately the decision is the publisher’s and unless the stories are entwined or connected somehow I won't see their story. Heck I didn't even know who was doing the other stories in Bitten by Cupid and still haven't read them . . . though I got my copies a couple days ago so will now.

Terra ~ If someone asked you to recommend five authors that you think are promising up and coming hits whom do you think you would recommend and why?

Lynsay ~ It always amazes me that people think I have time to read. LOL. I don't read romance much. I think I'm afraid it will color my own stories. I tend to lean toward horror. Dean Koontz, John Saul, and J.F.Lewis’s Staked and Revamped. Gees, I can't even come up with five. That's so sad.

Terra ~ Did you make a New Year’s resolution or two and if so what would you consider the most important one and why?

Lynsay ~ YES I did! I have stopped procrastinating on some things that needed to be done and have started working toward being a happier, healthier self. My resolution is to take care of myself, both physically and emotionally.

Terra ~ If you could be a mouse in the house of everyone of your fans for just a moment in time, what would you wish for them for 2010?

Lynsay ~ Happiness. I wish them all happiness . . . and good health, those two things are very important.




I would have to say this is the first anthology that I have found I loved all three stories. I say kudo’s to your publisher for the great work with putting you, Pamela Palmer and Jamie Rush together. May all of you keep up the good work and I can’t wait to read more.

Thanks so much Lynsay for taking time out of your busy schedule for this interview. You are a much loved lady by so very many of us and we all wish you the best for 2010.

WOW! Thank you, that's so nice of you to say, and I wish the best to yourself and readers as well. I really do wish you all a happy and healthy year. We all deserve it!

Browse Inside this book Get this for your site

Giveaway Time: Go to Lynsay's excerpt by clicking on the button above and then come back and leave her a question pertaining to it. One lucky winner will be chosen to win a signed copy of "Bitten by Cupid" on Thursday January 14th.