Interview and Giveaway with Author Clarrissa Lee Moon

Please join me, WildAboutBones, in welcoming author Clarrissa Lee Moon as we talk about her Nightwolves Series and other goodies.

Clarrissa's Bio:
Clarrissa Lee Moon would like to live like a tumbleweed going from different states often. An avid reader and owner of more books and DVD’s then any used book shop; she also enjoys Martial arts, swimming, riding Harleys and raising pure bred Japanese Chins. She has written as a journalist for two E-magazines. Author of Memoirs of The Nightwolves Series and Celeste Nites Novelettes. She considers herself unique, unusual and unconquerable!

Would you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a single mom of three boys who are all grown now. Still single and loving it? I stay active with my dogs, swimming and martial arts. I have a lot of hobbies such as making jewelry, painting and dancing. I plan on doing a lot more traveling now and seeing more of the world. Especially tropical places?

Do you have a process or any special rituals in your writing routine?
I have to play a computer game to relax my mind. I need my coffee, some snacks and my player music list of specific songs, in order, to get me in the ‘mood’.

How did you come up with the idea behind the Nightwolves series?
The year I started writing novels in a more serious manner, I was bored out of my mind. I had bills and a whole host of things going on in my life that just weren’t very fun. I was playing a computer game, but the other half of my mind was thinking about some grand adventures I would rather be doing. If I was a vampire what would I do? Who would the bad guys be? How would I defeat them? Would I have partners? Night after night, the story grew in my head and then I decided to write it out in my word program. That’s when it all flowed out like water. Nightwolves Coalition and Nightwolves on the Prowl were written in the month of March 2010. And now the adventures continue!

There seem to be several different themes, conspiracies and other things going on in each book, how do you keep track of them all?
Once all seven books are written you’ll see where it all actually ties into one grand conspiracy. It’s just separate sections all working towards the same goal. New World Order. There are sub-theme and plots going on because life itself isn’t just black and white. In real life, there are many things going on where some are affecting the job and some are just taking up time, but this is real life. Rarely is there just one thing going on in a person’s life. I wanted Nightwolves to seem as real to life as possible, so I added many complexities to the storyline.

What you think readers will like best about this series?
Oh I hope they like it all actually. The main thing? The fact that there are sub-plots talked about that aren’t in most mainstream books. Issues that some people really do have to deal with such as homosexuality, alternative life-styles and tolerance for different beliefs systems. This series isn’t your run of the mill series. Sure there is action, violence, sex but there, under it all, are real little known about problems some have to deal with and I hope Nightwolves can enlighten those who aren’t familiar with these situations.

Of the Nightwolves series books you’ve written so far, do you have a favorite hero or heroine? If so, who and why?
Wow, hard to pick just one. Each has their own personality traits that makes them stand out from one another. Cat is absolute in her protection of her children. Demitri is absolute in being there for Cat, no matter what else is going on. Antonio understands her mental issues and does everything he can to heal the mental wounds. Andre is always watching her back or her children. Her Kla’ din mates too, are always there for her in their own special ways. O’Hara has his own brand of honor which is very admirable. Shamus is crotchety but serves Cat with every ounce of his powers. It would be really hard top pick just one above all. Each of them is very special in their own ways.

I love that Cat, the female lead, is in her 40s. Please tell us another quirky thing about her.
Because she is in her forties, mentally speaking now (since the vampirism brought back her youth) most 40 something’s have a soapbox they like to get on and Cat is no different. Luckily, her soapboxes are interlinked with the whole New World Order thing, but we don’t find that out until later in the series?

What is your favorite scene in the series which you would never consider cutting?
In Nightwolves on the Prowl, Cat just got done fighting Ja’ Callum and O’Hara is baiting her. He says she cheated, she disputes it. It’s a very funny scene and should always be kept in there to show the camaraderie between the two leaders.

Who are some of your favorite authors and what are some favorite books you’ve read?
I have a very eclectic taste in reading. I read everything from sci-fi to paranormal to text books and news articles around the world. But for the sake of this question I will pick my favorite author in the paranormal industry which is Sherilynn Kenyon and her Dark Hunter series. I also enjoy Charliane Harris (everything she has written) and Christine Feehan, her Dark Carpathian series.

What name have you been dying to use as a lead character, but haven’t found the right fit for yet?
I have such a huge cast of characters that this has not been an issue?

Can you tell us a little bit about what you’re working on next both with the Nightwolves and Celeste Nites series?
I am working on Nightwolves Dawn to Dusk- The Semi Prequel which has been a real challenge. I use a slightly different writing technique in each book but NDTD is especially challenging because it goes from past to present often. It is very hard to keep the sub-plots flowing evenly and keep track of who did what, when and how exactly it is affecting one another. Once you read this particular book you’ll understand the ‘echo’ effect. It has made this book very hard to write and very complex- more so then the first three books.
Celeste Nites Second Trilogy is almost done! Celeste is pushed up against the wall in some of her decisions and has to flee to France in the hopes of getting some help. She still doesn’t believe her current lovers are up to the task. In trying to find help she actually gains more problems. And her love life gets even a bit more complicated. And steamier….if THAT’S possible after the infamous limo scene in Hunting Celeste LOL It’s a very exciting trilogy both in the loving department and action!

Fun Questions:
Spoilers or no spoilers in reviews? I think spoilers are great actually. They are like snippets which can get someone interested in the series if it’s a scene that’s intriguing enough!
Boxers, briefs or commando on your hero(s)? Oh Commando most days, but those silk briefs can be very sexy too. Andre likes those from time to time?
Prefer Cats, Dogs or Ferrets? Dogs.
What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in? I love pirate romances the best. I have a fantasy of being abducted by a pirate and making love in the captain’s quarters- oh yeah!
What are you currently reading? I am actually re-reading my own work and writing down the sub-plots so I can tie up loose ends nicely. I am trying to find time to read the latest Sookie Stackhouse book by Charliane Harris.
What is your favorite movie and/or TV show? Kung Fu Panda! Underworld trilogy, The Mummy’s Trilogy and Indiana Jones Trilogy. For TV…it’s been banned in protest of the greedy profiteering gluttons and lying news casts. I haven’t paid for cable for over 10 years now. I use the money instead to buy the DVD seasons and watch with no 20 minutes of irritating commercials to get me out of the mood of watching a show. HA!

What do you do to unwind and relax? Read a book! Have my coffee, make cookies!
Do you have a favorite food or place to eat? Sushi Gardens is the bomb! I also enjoy very rare meat!

Thanks so much, Clarrissa, for taking the time for this interview.

WildAboutBones' Reviews of Clarrissa's Books:
Nightwolves Coalition
Nighwolves on the Prowl
Nightwolves Siren Song
Celeste Nites

Videos: http://clarrissaleemoonauthor.webs.com/apps/videos

Find Clarrissa at/on:
http://www.clarrissaleemoonauthor.com
http://clarrissamoon.blogspot.com
http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com/clarrissaleemoon.htm
http://www.authorsden.com/clarrissalzamora

Clarrissa's Books Purchase Links:
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ClarrissaLeeMoon
World Castle Publishing: http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com/adultonlywebstore.htm#747912341
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Clarrissa+Lee+Moon&x=0&y=0
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=clarrissa+lee+moon&x=0&y=0
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/clarrissa-lee-moon

GIVEAWAY
Giveaway and Contest Policy
Giveaway open August 19 - 21, 2011 (midnight)

Clarrissa Lee Moon will be giving away a copy of her Nightwolves Coalition eBook to three (3) lucky winners. This is an International giveaway.

To enter, be a follower and make a comment and/or ask Clarrissa a question, along with your email address so we can contact you if you win.
Good luck, everyone!

Review Nightwolves Coalition by Clarrissa Lee Moon

Title: Nightwolves Coalition (The Nightwolves #1)
Author: Clarrissa Lee Moon
Source: From Publisher
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Paperback, 394 pgs
Release Date: May 2011 (3rd ed.)
Author Website
Publisher Website

Nightwolves Coalition starts the tale of Catrina who flies to New York to be with her mates of which there are three (Demitri, Andre and Antonio Caberelli). On the way there is an attempted hi-jacking and Catrina steps up to save the passengers from the takeover. In doing so, she exposes herself as a vampire to Special Forces. Now she must clean up her mess and make a deal with the military.

The military had been having problems completing missions successfully due to very unusual things happening in the field. Catrina and her team may be their answer. However, the military finds the reasons why things have been going strange on missions. It's the beginning of high adventure and unusual situations even Special Forces may be challenged to overcome.



Rating -

Sexual -

My Review:

This is the first in Moon's Nightwolves series. This is a fast paced story with action that grabs you from chapter one, page one. I read it in just a few hours. Moon has created an imaginative world that is very interesting to read about and is filled with appealing characters. There are vampires ("version 2.0" which have all of the strengths and very few of the weaknesses of regular vamps), terrorists, hellhounds, werewolves, dark gods, demons, fairies, sprites, wizards, portals and vortexes opening and an elite special forces team which is thrust into the supernatural world, not to mention all the goings on in relation to the 2012 prophecy.

The story takes place after a big battle with demons and dark gods has occurred in which our main characters have lost their lives but have been brought back to life as "vampires 2.0" by their goddesses. The prologue contains the bare bones information on all the background which will probably become a prequel in the future.

Catrina, the heroine, 44, is one tough cookie and "a street rat who ran away from home at the age of twelve and hung around bikers for most of her life" with not 1 but 3 soul mates. She's "also a High Priestess and [spiritual] daughter of the Triple Goddess and Her Consort" which makes her a "half blooded Demi-God with [a] physical body." She's a riot, so comical. They get married, yep, 1 big happy family. "Our wedding night would have been the stuff made for vaudeville if it wasn’t so sad seeing a tough biker chick shudder with the nerves of a fragile virgin." Yep, a woman who'd been celibate for 15 yrs with 3 soul mates - rich ones at that. Talk about a fish out of water! And she can't seem to get out of the habit of saying, "No". Cat ends up working with an elite military unit put together specifically for working with Cat and her extended family to form the coalition to help fight the Dark Gods and their minions.

There isn't much of the typical romance going on in this first book. The romance is Cat getting to know and love her soulmates in the physical plane. She already loves them from the astral plane. But she is struggling because she's closed herself off for so long. "Egads, mushy stuff. What am I thinking?" is a typical thought for her when she finds herself softening. While there aren't many sensual scenes, what is there is hot! There is just no time in this first book which is written to set up the basis of the series. The description of the next book in the series suggests the relationships will continue to be explored. I tend to think so since, while there is not a cliffhanger type ending, there is a sense of many tasks left to do and many fights left to fight.

I thoroughly enjoyed this intriguing story. Fans of the paranormal, fantasy and urban fantasy genres should enjoy this book as well.

Review Nightwolves on the Prowl by Clarrissa Lee Moon

Title: Nightwolves on the Prowl (The Nightwolves #2)
Author: Clarrissa Lee Moon
Source: From Publisher
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Paperback, 300 pgs
Release Date: June 1, 2011 (3rd ed.)
Author Website
Publisher Website



Memoirs of The Nightwolves Series is a paranormal adventure based on the Mayan Prophecy of Earth's Apocalypse. Special Forces and a Magickal Mercenary team join together forming the Nightwolves to deal with the events unfolding because of the coming prophecy. The natural disasters are opening portals that had been long closed by Ancients Gods and Goddesses who removed The Greater Magickal Races (vampires, werewolves, and dragons) from Earth millennia ago. Now with the polarity shift of Earth those portals the Greater Magickal Races were forced through are opening again and The Nightwolves have to try to make peace with the other races as they can, defend humans against those who won't, and save as many lives as possible when a natural disaster hits.

Urban fantasy lovers will enjoy the high-octane action and paranormal romance readers will be titillated by the alternative relationships of the main characters. The series takes readers too many other worlds to experience fantastical creatures and cultures of other humanoid beings that once had been a part of Earth in a far gone past; Beings and Magicks now relegated as nothing more than Myths and Legends by present-day standards. Alternative relationships and cultures are filled with a variety of dynamics and religions, both on Earth and on other worlds.



Rating -

Sexual -

My Review:

On a mission to Japan in this second of the Nightwolves series, while investigating a portal that opened early to the world of Kla’ din, Cat and one of the Nightwolf teams encounter three sexy ruling cousins who believe Cat is their mate. Draugralls (bad vamps), dragons (good guys), a dire wolf (werewolf in mid shift), Cat's favorite rock band, sorcerer-rulers, more fae beings, portals, dark arts practitioners, seductions and a kidnapping compete for our attention in this installment.

Cat's three soulmates are "6’1 to 6’3, with dark brown hair and deep brown eyes. They each looked like the Highlander, but even better than Duncan McCloud did." I wonder which Duncan? Christopher Lambert from the movies or Adrian Paul from the TV series? With these two, does it really matter? Eye candy both. {smile}

Now Cat's goddess is telling her that her heart is big enough to save two worlds, earth and the world through the portal by mating to the three gorgeous rulers there to produce children to save it. Sheesh! Some gals have all the luck. {pout} When Cat's soulmates find out she knew there were going to be problems, "I was so screwed. And not in the good way."

I love the humor in this story — witty, sarcastic, irreverent and sometimes self-depreciating.

This book is much sexier than the first book. There is a foursome (without m/m action - all m/f) with 3 more watching, an interesting scene by a pond, then another threesome (m/f/m) in the back of a bus.

I really enjoyed this story. Even with a somewhat unfinished ending, more to come in the next book, I think paranormal, fantasy and urban fantasy fans will like this book and series.

Review Nightwolves Siren's Song by Clarrissa Lee Moon

Title: Nightwolves Siren's Song (The Nightwolves #3)
Author: Clarrissa Lee Moon
Source: From Publisher
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Paperback, 280 pgs
Release Date: January 11, 2011
Author Website
Publisher Website


The Chess game of life is on between The Nightwolves and General Robertson's Dark Coven. Challenge has been issued and accepted between the two. Both now move their pieces into place that will lead to a either end game or a stand off. While the moves are crossing the board, Cat's children find their own games to play that could turn deadly for all of them.



Rating -

Sexual -

My Review:

This third novel in the Nightwolves series has the dark arts practitioners and their minions stepping up their efforts to capture Cat and put more of their forces in place preparing for the shift of 2012 when the portals will open to let the Greater Magickal Races back onto Earth. In addition to the dark arts practitioners and Dark Adepts, Cat and the Nightwolves encounter two of the Seven Lords of The Grand Coven (more high level bad guys), a new pack of werewolves, a Bokor masquerading as a Vaudoun Mambo (voodoo priestess) and an Elven Duke to name a few on their "save the world quest".

This installment starts with Cat in an unusually good mood that has her family questioning her fitness for duty, wondering if she's losing her edge. But she thinks, "With six handsome mates, what woman wouldn’t be smiling most of the time?"

This time the dark arts practitioners have gone after her kids and that is so NOT the thing to do, very bad move. To make matters worse, her "Mommie Dearest" (her earthly plane biological parent) decides she needs to make a few visits causing all kinds of mayhem. And then to top it all off, Cat is hit with a really nasty voodoo curse. She's having a really rough few days. But she's been able to create an alliance and has good prospects for another, both of which will tweak the General who's after her. She continues to throw monkey wrenches into his efforts.

This action packed novel is a quick read. It is also the least sexy of these first three in the series. With very little time for more than the action, romance and sex have had to take a back seat. So this story reads more like an urban fantasy than paranormal romance, especially with there being no finale yet, just the continuing story. Still, I do think fans of paranormal, fantasy and urban fantasy genres will like this book as well as the series. The characters are vibrant and the worlds Moon has created are imaginative. This is a good read.

Review Celeste Nites by Clarrissa Lee Moon

Title: Celeste Nites (Celeste Nites #1-3)
Author: Clarrissa Lee Moon
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Format: Paperback, 115 pgs
Release Date: April 1st 2011
Author Website
Publisher Website




Celeste Nites Trilogy

Claiming Celeste:
Jacques is hypnotized by Celeste and makes plans for her seduction. Little did he know that it would be he who would be seduced. Seduced by her love, seduced by her body and inevitably seduced by her vampiric charms. But he is not the only one to fall for her seduction; there is another with a more eternal kiss of death on his mind.

Hunting Celeste:
Jacques and Armand track Celeste to New Jersey in a seedy bar on the Southside. Both brothers seduce her, trying to tempt her into their protection. Celeste again leaves unable to share her dark secret with these men though they prove to be steadily wearing her resist down with their sweet words and soft touches.

Sharing Celeste:
Jacques let's Armand have the lead in bringing back their elusive vixen. But Celeste is proving to be a very hard negotiator in bed and out of it.


Rating -

Sexual -

My Review:

This is an omnibus containing the first 3 eBooks in Moon's Celestial Nites series. It is written like a serial; which is a set of continuing short stories each beginning where the previous left off. Much like the 1940s and 1950s Flash Gordan series of little movie shorts, The Shadow radio shorts (of “Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of men? The Shadow knows!" fame) and much more recently, like Stephen King's originally released The Green Mile as a series of shorts of about about 90 - 140 pages every month for six months. Since it is written as a serial, this review is going to treat this as a book with 3 parts.

This erotic paranormal romance features Celeste, a petite vampire, sexy alpha male Jacques, who we find out in the second part is a mage, and his equally sexy brother, Armand, also a mage, who we meet in the second part.

The first part, Claiming Celeste, finds Jacques intrigued with Celeste who comes in the club every night to dance first with a partner or two, then dancing by herself and then goes home alone. He decides he has to have her and implements a plan to seduce her by dancing with her once every night. Very seductive and a 3 on the sensual scale of 1-4.

The second part, Hunting Celeste, has Celeste accidentally seducing Jacques where after she is on the run to NJ. Following her in fear of her safety, Jacques and his brother, Armand, when they find her, seduce her in a limousine in a sexy, hot ménage à trois. And then again in a hotel. They don't understand why she keeps leaving them at the end of the night when they are asleep. I give this a sensual rating of 4 out of 4.

In the third part, Sharing Celeste, she has disappeared again and the brothers are on the hunt for her again. When they find her, Armand, the less dominate brother, takes the lead to find out why she is running and won't stay with them. He talks her into a compromise and then seals the deal with some steamy post negotiation celebrating. Jacques walks in and decides he needs in on the celebration. This part gets a sensual rating of 3 out of 4.

This is a great story. I look forward to the next omnibus of 3 eBooks, to see where the story goes. Give this a lot more story material/substance and this could make a great full length erotic paranormal romance novel.

Don't miss this because you don't like continuing series stories. Fans of the paranormal romance and vampire genres should enjoy this. I certainly did.