Interview with paranormal thriller author Sarita Leone

My special guest today is author Sarita Leone. We’re chatting about her new paranormal romantic thriller, Regenerate.

During her virtual book tour, Sarita will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too.

Bio:

Sarita Leone is an award-winning author who has written romance in many forms including Regency, paranormal, and contemporary. She loves happily-ever-afters in any setting!

When she’s not writing, Ms. Leone spends her time hiking, learning languages, and traveling. She loves adventure and can pack a suitcase, grab her passport, and hit the road in less time than it takes to peel an apple!

Welcome, Sarita. Please tell us about your current release.

Regenerate is a story of redemption, rebirth, and the restoration of order from chaos. The Octopus is a super-secret government intelligence agency whose operatives keep the globe and its inhabitants safe from all sorts of evil. When the international economy is threatened, the two best agents on the planet are called in. Benjamin Sinclair is the world’s first regenerated commando—that is, science has restored his life after a sniper’s bullet killed him. He’s indestructible and immortal, yet his regenerated heart longs for the only woman who’s ever claimed it. Nicole Anima is brilliant, beautiful, and badass—and she’s psychic so every mind on the planet is open to her. She and Sinclair have a past, and she hasn’t forgiven him for his betrayal so when she’s assigned to work with him it puts them both in precarious positions. They jump from planes, track down assassins, and kill zombies. That’s right, a zombie army is being manufactured to bring about global madness and the only two beings on the planet capable of putting a stop to it are Anima and Sinclair.

What inspired you to write this book?

The inspiration to write this book came as a result of being personally affected by stem cell research. Modern science and medicine have made amazing strides using stem cell research but, unfortunately, not every life is saved. I just wanted to save a hero—so he could save the world. Sinclair is strong, loving, brave—and so hot he makes the pages sizzle—and he lives to keep humanity safe from evil. I love the guy—and he was the inspiration for The Octopus and this series.

Excerpt from Regenerate:

“I’m sorry.”

“And that covers it, right? I’ve tried to hate you for fourteen months, and that’s all you’ve got to say?”

Stop. Just, stop. The plea came from his mind as clearly as if he’d said the words out loud.

They were in too far to pull back now.

“How many times can I say I’m sorry?” A muscle worked in his jaw. “How many will it take for it to be enough?”

“Keep going. I’ll let you know when it’s enough.”

The closest zombie put a hand on her shoulder. Squeezed.

A warning.

She invaded his mind. So much white screeching noise, but something sinister, as well.

“Stop the car!” She leaned over the seat and grabbed the driver by the shirt. “Stop—now!”

They’d reached the restaurant parking lot. It was early, and the only cars belonged to employees. Parked near the back, far from the main entrance.

The startled man’s reactions were instant. His foot stomped on the brakes. By the time the car stopped moving, she was over the seat and pushing him out the driver’s side door.

Sinclair exited the back and they ran. The car idled for a moment.

Then, an explosion that shook the ground and sent the trio to their knees.

What exciting story are you working on next?

What am I working on next? I’m deep into writing the second book in this series which has a release date in December of this year. I’m enjoying every minute of pushing this couple to their limits, and jeopardizing humanity at the same time. Good always prevails over evil and the strong save the weak but getting them to that point is an action-packed adventure that keeps me on the edge of my seat!

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I do write full time, and know I’m blessed to be able to do what I love so much. I think I’ve always been a writer…my first book was called The Hungry Dragon and featured a purple dragon (drawn with crayons!) who had a voracious appetite for cupcakes. I love telling stories and hope I’ll be doing it for a long time to come.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

My writing quirk? Oh, my—are you sure you want to know that? Well, since we’re all friends here, I’ll confess: I rarely wear matching socks when I write, have been known to live on Cap’n Crunch when on deadline, and haven’t met a Post-It note I haven’t liked. When I’m writing, my desk is littered with the little bits of paper; they get shuffled around and keep plot knots in order. Once I finish a book, the sticky notes hit the trash but until then I practically drown in the things. So, I guess I’ve got a few writing quirks, don’t I?

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was a child, I wanted to be an author when I grew up. I dreamed of seeing my books lined up neatly on bookshelves. It’s a dream come true, this writing gig of mine. There were a couple of weeks when I was about ten when I thought of becoming a spy, but when I realized Harriet the Spy wasn’t getting a series of her own I went back to my author aspirations. I’m so glad I did!

Thank you for allowing me to visit your blog and chat with you and your readers. It’s been so much fun!

Links:

Website | Facebook | Amazon

Thanks for being here today, Sarita.

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