We’re so glad you’ve joined us today for Duck Chat!

If you’re a paranormal fan, you like gods and goddesses, good and evil, alpha heroes and strong heroines, and, oh yeah, lots of romance, you’re going to love talking to Addison Fox!

Warrior Ascended is her debut book. I just finished reading it and, in my opinion, she’s going to have a huge hit on her hands not only with this book but with each one that comes along in her Sons of Zodiac series.

So no more lollygagging! Let’s chat!

DC: Welcome to TGTBTU, Addison. Congratulations on your debut release!

AF: Thank you for inviting me!

DC: How long have you been writing? And how long has the journey been to publication of your first book?

AF: I’ve been writing off and on my entire life, but feel that I got truly serious about writing for publication when I joined Romance Writers of America in fall of 2002.  That was the point where I made a true commitment to myself and I’ve never looked back!

DC: I’ve heard writers often say their stories take them in surprising directions, or dialogue flows from some unknown place. Is it the same with you? Do your characters surprise you sometimes?

AF: My characters definitely surprise me!  I have a basic sense of the story and the plot, but the way my characters engage with each other is a continued surprise. I always love learning about them – where they came from, how they see the world, how they face others – it’s part of what makes the process of telling their story so much fun for me.

DC: Do you ever argue with your characters while you’re writing? Who usually wins?

AF: I can’t honestly say that I do argue with them.  At the end of the day, it’s still my story – not theirs – so I always win!

DC: Let’s chat a minute about your series, Sons of the Zodiac. Would you give everyone an overview of the series as a whole, how the idea evolved, where you see the series going, things along that line.

AF: I am having an absolute blast with the series. The concept was a true gift – I was sitting there one night, watching TV and not thinking about plotting at all – and this idea hit me.  Zodiac.  Warriors.  That was all it took.

I quickly jumped online and began doing research and found how tightly interwoven Greek mythology is with Western astrology.  As soon as I had that connection, I was set.  The zodiac elements help define my characters and the Greek mythology elements help define the world they live in.

The Sons of the Zodiac are a band of immortal Greek warriors, imbued with the powers of their signs and tasked to protect humanity from the darkest of evils.  They were created by the Greek goddess of justice, Themis, and they do battle with the goddess of war, Enyo.

I’ve conceived the series around 13 warriors – one for each sign (and Gemini has his twin) and I hope I’m fortunate to tell all their stories.  Each book will be a stand-alone love story, but the broader world my heroes inhabit will remain consistent through each book.

DC: What is sure to distract you from sitting down and working/writing?

AF: It’s easy to find any excuse not to do work, but at the same time, I really try to be disciplined with the writing.  It’s my job and, while it’s definitely nice to have more flexibility with it than a 9-5 job, the work still has to take priority.  (I will admit to a fierce devotion to the Mah Jong program that now comes with Windows, however….oh, how easy it is to while away the hour playing that!)

DC: Is there a genre you haven’t tackled but would like to try?

AF: I have a contemporary trilogy that I really hope to sell.  I’m crazy about these characters and would love to see them come to life on the page!

DC: What advice would you give to your younger self?

AF: Be open to possibilities and things going not exactly as you planned them to.  Part of the fun of life is what you learn when the journey takes a detour or two!

DC: Warrior Ascended is the first book in the series and it’s debut on the shelves was earlier this month. You have one sexy set of Zodiac Warriors, and Brody is a terrific introduction to them. Would you tell us about him and Ava and give us a look inside their relationship?

AF: Brody and Ava were so much fun to write.  He’s a sexy warrior, used to being very alpha and in control and she’s a bit of a recluse when we meet her. Ava’s had a seriously messed up childhood (she saw her father murdered), so she hides herself behind drab clothes and non-stop work.  Of course, being the yummy – and insightful – hero that he is, Brody immediately sees through the drab outside to the beauty within.

One of the things I loved most about writing them was that these were two people who were able to recognize quickly that they cared for each other.  The part they both had to learn was how to fight for their relationship.

DC: If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

AF: Oh goodness, this is a good question (and a toughie!)  I think I’d say….Here’s the story of a writer who stared at an interview question for three days and still sits clueless at her keyboard as to how to answer!!!

DC: What would be your “voice’s” tagline?

AF: A slice of life…with a seriously skewed twist.

DC: What romance book would you recommend our readers pick up during their next bookstore run? (Along with Warrior Ascended, of course!)

AF: I love, love, love talking about books!  I am a huge Nora Roberts fan and I just finished Fantasy in Death, her latest J.D. Robb offering.  Right now, I’m reading On the Steamy Side by Louisa Edwards (this series is fun!!) and Pleasures of a Dark Prince by Kresley Cole.  Also – full disclosure as she’s a dear friend – but if you’re not reading Jo Davis’s Firefighters of Station Five, check those out!  They are steamy and fun and the suspense is tightly woven. I can’t wait for book 4 in the series – Line of Fire – coming in May!

DC: Warrior Avenged is the next book in the series, which is Kane’s story. Can you give us a tiny sneak peek on what to expect?

AF: Ooooh – Kane certainly has a score to settle with the illusive Ilsa. As you will all find out in Warrior Ascended, she’s left him in a rather embarrassing position and not only can’t he forget her, but he’s out to get some answers.  Of course, things aren’t exactly what they seem and Ilsa’s got a few surprises of her own.  Their story – Warrior Avenged – is out in early September.

DC: If you had never become an author, what do you think you would be doing right now?

AF: Writing has always been a part of my life, so I just can’t imagine finding an alternative to that!

DC: What else is on the horizon for Addison Fox?

AF: Kane’s book – Warrior Avenged – will be out on September 7 and I just turned in the proposal for Book 3, Title TBD, so hopefully Quinn’s story will be in stores next year!

Lightning Round:

– dark or milk chocolate?      – Dark

– smooth or chunky peanut butter?      – Smooth

– heels or flats?      – Heels

– coffee or tea?      – Both (Coffee until noon, Tea the rest of the day)

– summer or winter?    – Summer

– mountains or beach?     – Beach

– mustard or mayonnaise?     – Mayonnaise

– flowers or candy?     – Flowers

– pockets or purse?      – Purse

– Pepsi or Coke?     – Coke

– ebook or print?     – Both – I love a new book, but I also love my Kindle!!

And because we still enjoy the answers we get:

1. What is your favorite word?     – Bachelor

2. What is your least favorite word?       – It’s unprintable!

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?     – Being with my loved ones. They always inspire me and lift me up.

4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?      – Unreasonable, irrational people. There are two sides to every story – I find it very frustrating to be locked in a discussion with someone who can’t even acknowledge there’s an alternative point of view.

5. What sound or noise do you love?     – Kisses, Christmas carols and kid giggles are about the most perfect sounds in the universe.

6. What sound or noise do you hate?     – Buzzing mosquitoes

7. What is your favorite curse word?      – Another unprintable one, but it does start with f….  😉

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?      – Race car driver

9. What profession would you not like to do?   – While I admire them to no end, I don’t have it in me to be a doctor.  The thought of cutting into another human being is just beyond me.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?      – “You treated others as I expect and you used the life I gave you well.”

DC: Addison, thank you so much for being here today. It’s been a pleasure!