Book Review & Q&A: 'Bloodgifted' by Tima Maria Lacoba

by - March 17, 2014

I am excited to bring you not only a review of Ms Lacoba's debut novel, Bloodgifted, but I also had the wonderful opportunity to do a Q&A with her and am looking forward to sharing this with you.


Blurb:

What’s a girl to do when she learns she’s descended from a vampire? Being unable to age is only the beginning…

Laura Dantonville is a Primary school teacher with one wish—to marry her boyfriend, Detective Matt Sommers. When her aunt Judy reveals a frightening family secret that explains her rare genetic mutation, it threatens to propel her into a dark underworld where her true family waits.
Laura’s future with Matt hangs in the balance.

Alec Munro never wanted to become guardian to a Dantonville regardless that her blood is coveted by his vampire-kind. But his sire, Lucien Lebrettan, gave him no choice. Now he’s faced with not only protecting the girl, but fathering a child with her in order to end his servitude—and a centuries-old curse.

… which some among his kind will do anything to prevent.

Review:

I was really looking forward to reading Bloodgifted - the paranormal genre and vampire romance is still quite new to me. My first encounter was when a friend gave me a copy of Twilight as a gift. I was sceptical but gave it a go and was pleasantly surprised! I have since watched a number of vampire based TV programmes, but as yet had not read any other vampire novels. I can definitely say now that Ms Lacoba has continued to spark my interest in this genre by creating a real page turner and gripping read.

The characters are really well developed, as well as their relationships with one another. Tima really takes you on a journey with her characters as you slowly learn about each of them and you can see the relationships grow through the story. It is not only Laura and Alec (the main characters) who are strong characters, but Tima writes in some really brilliant supporting characters too.

It was really interesting reading a vampire story based in Australia, as this is not the usual setting and therefore made it feel rather unique. Tima built up a really good image of setting of the story, and as I haven't been to Australia, Tima's imagery successfully took me to the locations through her imagination. Tima's background as an Archaeologist and Roman Historian really compliments her novel as it brings a real authenticity to the story.

Overall I felt the story had a good pace to it with some unexpected twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes. I found it to be a real page turner... which to some degree surprised me as I hadn't realised I would be captivated so much by a vampire romance. There were a couple of occasions where the pace slowed down quite a bit, but I felt that the twists and developing characters kept the intrigue flowing and continued to draw you in. The story was also brilliantly laced with humour.

I think Ms Lacoba should be incredibly proud of her debut novel and I really do look forward to the next book in the series. Tima has definitely rekindled my love affair with vampires!

An enticing and thrilling story of romance, passion and a discovery of true identity.


Q&A:


1. Hi Tima, welcome to my blog today, it's really great to have you! Firstly can you tell us a little about yourself?

Hi Jess. Well, I’m an archaeologist and Roman historian who writes vampire books, but not just any vamp books – mine are Roman soldiers cursed by a Pictish witch in the 3rd century.

I began writing while teaching high school, and after many years reading and correcting my students’ creative writing tasks and essays, I decided it was time to write my own. I couldn’t hold it in any longer.

Bloodgifted is the result.

In 2011, it was shortlisted in the Atlas Award and in 2012, it was listed among the top ten in the Choclit, Search for an Aussie Star Competition.

In 2013, I was offered a publishing contract, but declined in favour of going indie. I liked the idea of being in charge of my own creation.

Currently, I live on the Central Coast, an hour’s drive north of Sydney, surrounded by wooded hills, possums and seed-dropping rosellas. Between bouts of writing, I teach English and History, enjoy long walks while dodging the nesting magpies and plot the next series of books I’d like to write.


2. When you decided to write this novel, was it an easy choice on what genre to write in?

Not at all. I’ve always loved paranormal stories, but I think some of my friends were surprised as they always thought I’d write a historical novel—which I will, one day.

Vampires have always fascinated me, so it seemed natural that I would eventually write my own, but with my own historical interpretation.


3. If you could be one character from your book, who would it be and why?

Laura, for she’s like Alice in Wonderland—the girl who finds herself in a strange new world she has to accept and survive in. And she does it while maintaining a certain tongue-in-cheek sassiness.


4. What has been the most memorable moment whilst writing and publishing your book?

Seeing my book in print for the first time—that’s incomparable—and then when I received my first royalty cheque. I took a photo and framed it. Although it wasn’t much, for me it was an unforgettable moment and proof that I made the right decision in choosing to become a writer.


5) Who is your favourite author that you find inspiration from?

There are so many fabulous authors whom I admire, but I think my two favourites are Maggie Shayne and Gena Showalter. Maggie Shayne wrote the addictive vampire series, Wings in the Night. Her character development and mastery with scene description were an inspiration to me as a new writer, while the fabulous Gena Showalter creates some of the best dialogue in the business. I love her Lords of the Underworld series.


6) Have you got any plans for another book in the future?

Oh yes. ‘Bloodpledge’, Book 2 in The Dantonville Legacy, is almost finished and I’m aiming for a June release. In between I’ve written a short story, entitled Laura’s Locket, which details an event which took place in my heroine, Laura Dantonville’s, life when she was a teenager. It’s already out on Amazon, Smashwords and other online retailers.

By early 2015, Book 3 in the series (which I haven’t yet named) will be released.

Following that, I’ll be continuing the series by writing a book on each of the other characters, as they each have their own story.

Thank you so much to Tima for taking the time to answer some questions for A Novel Thought. It has been really great getting to know Tima, especially after enjoying her novel so much!


About the Author:



Hi, I’m Tima Maria, and I write vampire books, but not just any vamp books – mine are Roman soldiers cursed by a Pictish witch in the 3rd century.

So, how did I start this series? In a previous life (before I started writing) I was a practicing archaeologist and historian, specializing in Roman Britain. Later, I took up high school teaching, as It gave me the opportunity to take my students on overseas excursions to visit the amazing archaeological sites they’d only seen in books.

Then one day, I surrendered to the itch of writing. After many years reading and correcting my students’ creative writing tasks and essays, I decided it was time to write my own. I couldn’t hold it in any longer.

Bloodgifted is the result.

In 2011, it was shortlisted in the Atlas Award – sponsored by a boutique Brisbane publisher – and eventually came fourth.

In 2012, it was listed among the top ten in the Choclit, Search for an Aussie Star Competition.

In 2013, I was offered a publishing contract, but declined in favour of going indie. I liked the idea of being in charge of my own creation.

Bloodgifted is just the start of a three part series I’ve entitled, The Dantonville Legacy. Later, I intend writing individual books on the other characters in the series, for they all have their own story.

Currently, I live on the Central Coast, an hour’s drive north of Sydney, surrounded by wooded hills, possums and seed-dropping rosellas. Between bouts of writing, I teach English and History, enjoy long walks while dodging the nesting magpies and plot the next series of books I’d like to write.


Twitter - @TimaMariaLacoba



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