Interview & Giveaway with Wendi Zwaduk, author of The Phantom of the Opera

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Today we are welcoming Wendi Zwaduk to the blog.  She is the author of The Phantom of the Opera and his here to answer some of our questions and to share some information about her book.  She is touring with Goddessfish Promotions and is offering up a gift basket to a randomly drawn commenter from the tour.  To increase your chances of winning, click HERE and find the list of all the blog she is appearing on!  I hope you enjoy the information that Wendi is here to share!
Barb – Try to describe your book in one sentence.

 

Wendi – A love to last a lifetime or doomed from the start?

 

Barb – How would your friends describe me in 20 words or less?

Wendi – I’m short, have blue hair, drive a jeep and laugh way too loud, but I have so much fun.

 

Barb – State a random fact about yourself that would surprise your readers.

Wendi – I’m scared to death to get a tattoo.

 

Barb – Who are your cheerleaders?

Wendi – My best friend and my husband are my biggest cheerleaders. Heck, they argue over who cheers the loudest. I’m also fortunate that my totlet, though he doesn’t know all of what I write, is proud of me, too.

 

Barb – Did you know the title before you started writing?

Wendi – Generally I don’t know the title beforehand. When I come up with my titles, they are a line from the story. Phantom wasn’t, but that was a strange case where I added to another person’s work. But like with Someone Like You, the characters kept saying, I could fall in love with someone like you. I had to use the line for the title. And yes, the aching quality to the song totally fits with the story as well.

 

Barb – Are you a plotter or a pantzer?

Wendi – Pantzer with plotting in my blood. I’m bad. I tend to run full steam into a story without knowing what the characters will do. But, that doesn’t mean I write the whole thing without direction. I might start without a plan, but the characters will give it one. I tend to write a scene or two, then stop. I get in a stuck point and just walk away. That’s when the outline shows up. Then I finish the story. I’m strange I know.

 

Barb – Did you do any research before start or during of the writing of the books?

Wendi – In the case of Phantom, I had to do a lot of research. I wanted to be sure I knew what undergarments were in use at the time. It makes no sense to say something like, he tugged her zipper, when historical readers know for certain zippers weren’t in use yet. I also had to research the phraseology of the time period. I didn’t want to use terminology that didn’t fit. I wanted my readers to feel a part of the story, not ripped out by things that didn’t fit.

 

Barb – How many books do you read/month?

Wendi – I love to read, so I try to read at least three books a month. Now between the evil day job and the writing gig, sometimes that doesn’t happen. If I get behind my personal quota, I’ll make up for it the next month. Another thing that spurs me on to read more is when my favorite authors release a new book.

 

Barb – Where can your fans find you ?

Wendi – I’m most easily found on Facebook. I love to see what everyone else is posting and post my own stories, especially my conversations with the Black Cat at my house. If I’m messaged on FB, I’ll respond. If you comment, I’ll comment back.

 

Barb – Do you ever run into someone who says “You write WHAT?”

Wendi – Yes, I have run into people who just about pass out when they find out what I write. The funniest moment was when I happened to be talking a friend of mine from school. He said he saw a book at the library with my name on it, so he picked it up. When he flipped through the book, he couldn’t believe I’d written it. “Do you know what those people were doing?” Yes, I did and I should—I wrote it. “Well, as long as you know.” He walked away shaking his head.

 

Barb – Are you reading or writing something else at the moment?

Wendi – I’m always working on something. I can’t stand to be idle. The characters don’t hush and even when I’m not really in the mood to write, I’m still writing. I have notebooks I drag around with me everywhere in case the mood strikes or the characters tackle me. My current work is an extension of the books, Someone Like You and Tangled Up. The readers want to know more about the characters and I can’t let the rest. Plus the characters are still chatting. Got to love that.

 

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

By

Wendi Zwaduk

 

BLURB: 

The Classics Exposed…

A chance sighting at the Opera, fated love, and three lives in turmoil.

One man pledges to own her, while another wants her heart. The Opera sets the stage for romance and intrigue. In the catacombs below the building lives a man rife with sorrow and passion. The Phantom. But he’s not content to live alone. He wants to possess the one woman who can set him free.

His Christine.

Viscount Raoul de Chagny doesn’t believe the rumours of a Ghost living below the Opera. He only has eyes for Christine, his childhood friend and first love. Together they embark on a sensual journey of discovery and fiery desire.

But she can only have one man. Will love raise her up or tear their world apart?

 

 

 

EXCERPT:

 

“I cannot.” He threaded his fingers into her hair, drawing her close. “I have the most indecent thoughts when I’m near you.” He spoke against her lips. “I can’t help but want to ruin you, only to keep you in my arms a bit longer.”

 

The most beautiful shade of red spread across her cheeks and slipped down the column of her neck. She glanced at the door, then shot from her spot on the bed. Christine twisted the lock and pressed herself against the door.

 

“What kind of indecent thoughts?” she whispered.

 

“To lash you to my bed with your body bared to me. I want to take you over and over, hearing you cry out my name. To watch you give me pleasure with your submission to me.”

 

“I’m not educated in the way to love a man.” Her chest heaved with each breath. “Will you teach me? I want to be yours, if for only a short time. I want you to show me how much you love me. Teach me?”

 

“Yes, my love.” He held out his hand to her. Christine twisted her fingers with his and eased onto his lap. Her eyes widened.

 

“What are you asking of me?”

 

“Your submission. Allow me to direct you as if I were the composer of one of your songs. Do you trust me?”

 

 

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

 

I always dreamt of writing the stories in my head. Tall, dark, and handsome heroes are my favorites, as long as he has an independent woman keeping him in line. I earned a BA in education at Kent State University and currently hold a Masters in Education with Nova Southeastern University.

I love NASCAR, romance, books in general, Ohio farmland, dirt racing, and my menagerie of animals. I also write under the pen name of Megan Slayer. I’m published with Total-E-Bound, Changeling Press, Liquid Silver Books, Turquoise Morning Press and The Wild Rose Press. Come join me for this fantastic journey!

If you like my work, tell your friends and email me. I love hearing from readers!

 

 

 Wendi can be found:

Site   *   Blog   *   Twitter   *   Facebook

Fanpage   *   Amazon   *   Pinterest   *   Google+

Goodreads   *   Romance Novel Center

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