This is a blog exchange I’m doing with the fabulous Yasmine Galenorn. Essentially, we interviewed each other. Here you will find Yasmine’s answers to the questions here on my blog and you’ll my answers over on her blog. I’m offering a prize of a goodie grab bag. Yasmine is also offering a Seething Summer Gift Bag (sounds good!), so make sure you leave a comment on both our blogs! Yasmine’s blog is here.
Join two of Berkley’s most magical authors as they interview each other about their upcoming releases. Yasmine Galenorn’s Demon Mistress and Anya
Bast’s Witch Fury will be coming out on June 2, 2009–just in time for the each Reads Season. Get your copies when they come hot off the press, to
turn up the heat with the Girls of Summer!
Demon Mistress
by Yasmine Galenorn
Berkley (Mass Market); June 2, 2009
Urban Fantasy
ISBN: 9780425228647
We’re the D’Artigo Sisters: Half-human, half-Faerie, we’re savvy–and
sexy–operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But our mixed-blood
heritage short-circuits our talents at all the wrong times. My sister
Camille is a wicked-good witch whose magic is as unpredictable as the
weather. My sister Delilah transforms into a tabby cat at the worst possible
times. And me? I’m Menolly, acrobat-extraordinaire-turned-vampire. And if
the nerds from hell don’t get their act together, I’m going to turn their
toga party into a bloodbath…
Life’s getting stranger by the minute. First, Iris and I unearth a diary
from one of the bartenders at the Wayfarer who disappeared under mysterious
circumstances. And when I discover a ghoul in the woods near our home, we
know there has to be a necromancer nearby–another sign that something’s
wrong. But the blood really hits the fang when we discover a secret society
bent on winning Shadow Wing’s favor. Now it’s up to us to stop the chaos
they’ve unleashed on the city, and to prevent the demon they summoned from
devouring Delilah’s soul…
Anya: How did the original seed of the idea for your series implant itself
in your mind?
Yasmine: Actually, I have no idea where the original idea for the Sisters’
world came to mind. I think it was the culmination of years of playing with
fun ideas, of watching shows like Buffy and Charlie’s Angels and InuYasha
and movies like Hellboy and Labyrinth, and all those lovely action flicks.
One night, I was sitting in the living room watching TV when the three
D’Artigo girls jumped through the window (it was a surreal vision, okay?)
and introduced themselves to me and said, “You must write about us.” And
that’s how it started. ~smiles~
Anya: Do you listen to music when you write? Why or why not? What are some
of the songs off your current playlist?
Yasmine: 65-70% of the time, yes, I do now. I never used to but it’s become
integral to the worlds I write over the past few years-ever since I started
the Otherworld Series. Current playlist is for Night Myst-the new urban
fantasy series I’m working on (contrary to rumor, it’s not YA). A few of
the songs on it I play over and over are: Half Light (from the Mothman
Prophecies soundtrack), Rolling Under (same), a lot of Gary Numan (Dead
Heaven, The Angel Wars, Dreamkillers, My Breathing, Praying to the Aliens,
Before You Hate It, and more), Social Enemies (Orgy), Ladies and Gentleman
(Saliva), Remedy (Seether), Psycho (Puddle of Mudd). You can see the entire
playlist for each book on my website.
Anya: I know you have many cats like I do. Do they “help” you write? 😉
Yasmine: Oh yes, especially the kittens. Calypso and Brighid (both ten
months now) love to help Mommy with the keyboard and the monitor and the
printer and ten-key adding machine. Meerclar just supervises. ~laughs~ I
sure miss my Tara-my office kitty, and they help fill the void she left
along with her sisters Keeter and Luna (we lost three seniors in the past
year).
Anya: What do you think makes this book stand out from the previous ones in
the series?
Yasmine: In Demon Mistress (book 6) the monsters may be demons, but some of
them are also closer to home in a bad, bad way. And Menolly, having faced
Dredge–her own personal demon in Darkling (book 3) is back and more bad-ass
than ever, but without the perpetual chip on her shoulder that her sire left
her with. She’s able to laugh more here, and able to start thinking-even
just a little-about the future. Camille and Delilah face their own changes
in the book too, settling in to the state of affairs that both Dragon Wytch
and Night Huntress left them with. Demon Mistress is, ultimately, about bad
guys who may look like the boy next door, and good guys who might look like
a crazed hobo, and everybody in-between.
Anya: If you could hit the sheets with any one of your characters, who would
it be and why?
Yasmine: Oh mama, what a tough choice. I do adore most of my leading
men-Smoky with that hair of his would probably win out, though Morio,
Trillian, Rozurial, and even Vanzir wouldn’t be far behind. Any one or all
of the above would be fine-the more the merrier when we’re talking fantasy
and hot summer knights.
Anya: How do you think your character has grown/evolved over the past few
books?
Yasmine: Menolly has come into her own. She can never forget the past, but
she’s managed to get a grip on it-and therefore-herself. She’s learning how
far she can be pushed, just what she’s willing to compromise on, and how-in
a world that’s gone so far wrong-to let a part of herself actually be
vulnerable to the heart of another. Since each book rotates through the
different viewpoints of the three sisters, Demon Mistress ties up another
cycle, but not the series by any means, in the ongoing battle of the
D’Artigo girls against the demons-and demons come in so many forms.
USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy for
Berkley: both the bestselling Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon Series for
Berkley and the upcoming Indigo Court urban fantasy series. In the past,
she wrote mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime, and nonfiction metaphysical
books. Her books have hit the New York Times and USA Today extended
bestseller lists numerous times.
Yasmine has been in the Craft for over 28 years, is a shamanic witch, and
describes her life as a blend of teacups and tattoos. She lives in Bellevue
WA with her husband Samwise and their cats.
Yasmine can be reached via her website at, and via MySpace. She is also the co-founder of the Witchy Chicks blog.
I can’t wait to read both of these books. Thanks for doing the interviews. I think I will head over to Yasmine’s site now 🙂
by Booklover1335 May 25th, 2009 at 8:17 amEagerly awaiting both books. Loved the interview. I already have your other 3 witch books and will definitely get the 4th
by BreiaB May 25th, 2009 at 8:44 amI am also looking forward to these books. I came late to your series Anya so I have the three waiting for the last to come out so I can have a Witch marathon one weekend. The ladies at my favorite bookstore turned me on to Yasmine’s books and I have enjoyed following the sisters.
by Amy Kathryn May 25th, 2009 at 8:58 amOkay I’ve never read Yasmine but I’m intrigued now. Where should I start?
by Brandy W May 25th, 2009 at 9:17 amI’m so looking forward to reading these books. those covers rock.
by Pamk May 25th, 2009 at 9:23 amI’m currently reading Witchling, loving it! My goal for today is to finish it, ‘cuz i have Changeling & Darkling waiting for me. Makes me happy, with the knowledge there are more books coming out. Looking for forward to your new series Indigo Court. 😀
by FantasyDreamer May 25th, 2009 at 9:28 amGreat interview. I’m looking forward to reading the otherworld/sisters of the moon series.
by delitealex May 25th, 2009 at 9:54 amAwesome interview!! Thank you Anya & Yasmine.
by Jamie May 25th, 2009 at 10:09 amGreat interview Yasmine and great sounding book too. Adding it to my wishlist as soon as I’ve posted this 😀
by Ilona May 25th, 2009 at 10:11 amLoved the interview… eye catching covers… I have to look into Yasmine’s books, have not tried them yet!
by Colleen May 25th, 2009 at 10:25 amI never thought I would enjoy the rotating POVs until I read through the first three of this series. Since then I eagerly await each new release. Thanks for the interviews.
by e_booklover May 25th, 2009 at 10:30 amIt’s so nice to see people come out for our joint blogs. 🙂 And e_booklover, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about writing the rotating POVs but I love it! It keeps the series fresh for me. 🙂
Yasmine
by Yasmine Galenorn May 25th, 2009 at 10:50 amI’m a big recent fan of both series. I am sad to hear the witch fury is the last in that series 🙁 Glad there will be more following demon mistress! Good job both of you!
by Ria Miller May 25th, 2009 at 11:07 amGreat interview. I’m looking forward to read ing both Witch Fury and Demon Mistress.
by Estella May 25th, 2009 at 12:13 pmGreat interview, I just started reading Witchling and am really enjoying it.
by Cathy M May 25th, 2009 at 12:15 pmThanks for the awesome interview – I can’t wait for June 2nd!
by Chris May 25th, 2009 at 3:54 pmlooking forward to Witch Fury since I love this series and ma sad this is the end of it but to tell the truth I haven’t tried Yasmine Galehorn’s books yet, so this is another author to look forward to
by Diane Sadler May 25th, 2009 at 4:02 pmGreat interview! Looking forward to both books!
by Amy S. May 25th, 2009 at 5:48 pmFun interview! Your book sounds interesting and the world intriguing.
by Karin May 25th, 2009 at 6:01 pmI can’t wait to read Menolly’s book….love that she is happier, more open in her book.
by Melissa May 25th, 2009 at 6:17 pmI’m so sorry about your kitties. 😥
But glad you found some new ones to help you get through the tought times without them. Animals are so much like family…..
Oh…and you and Anya both always have kick ass cover…they leap off the shelf at you!@!
by Melissa May 25th, 2009 at 6:18 pmHuge fan of this series! Can’t wait for this book to come out. Enjoyed reading this interview and the one of Ms. Bast on your blog.
If I could walk with anyone from your book…. it would have to be Morio. He’s my favorite.
I am glad to read that Menolly has less of a chip on her shoulder now and can start thinking of the future!!
by Robin N May 25th, 2009 at 6:36 pmI love love love this series. I’d like ti hang out with Iris. The things I could learn from her….
by Dawn May 25th, 2009 at 6:39 pmHi to you both!! I am thrilled about these both coming out! I realize how long these summer book lists are and love it! I love the names too that Yasmine picks for this book. They are so fitting! How do you both go about picking the names for your characters? Do you go by any definition to their name or theme?
I love cats too! I have Misha and Hunter here lazing up now, especially when I’m reading!
by Caffey May 25th, 2009 at 6:52 pmI really enjoyed these interviews! I haven’t read the Otherworld/Sisters books, though I did just order the first one since I’d been meaning to pick it up for a while and these interviews just reminded me 🙂 The series sounds like something I’d really like!
I am really looking forward to Witch Fury since I have read all the previous books (just recently too) and loved them.
by Poppy A. May 25th, 2009 at 7:25 pmOoo great interview! I haven’t read your books, Yasmine, but I’m definitely intrigued. Buffy meets Inu Yasha? Yes please! Haha, the possibilities are definitely endless.
by limecello May 25th, 2009 at 7:30 pmHi to both of you!
What’s ironic is that I have the first couple of books of each or your series but haven’t yet started them (4 of Yasmines and 2 of Anyas). My sister highly recommended Yasmine and I’ve got a bunch of Anyas ebooks. Thanks for the joint interview!
by Lynda May 25th, 2009 at 11:07 pmLove the Otherworld and can not wait until I can visit again. I think I will have to start from the beginning though and read all the way through.
by Lindsey Ekland May 26th, 2009 at 4:02 amGreat interview. Your series sounds good. 😀
by CrystalGB May 26th, 2009 at 6:40 amThanks for the terrific interview! I haven’t read Yasmine’s books yet, but have heard good things about them from friends–I’ll have to pick them up. 🙂 The Girls of Summer sound hot!
by Fedora May 26th, 2009 at 9:37 am