Debut Author Interview & Giveaway: Halflings by Heather Burch

Welcome to Author Heather Burch

I write full time and love being involved with groups that promote books! Writing about the Halflings has been the funnest and most exciting writing journey of my life! Before novels, I wrote teen curriculum published in both the U.S. and Asia Pacific.
I spent eight years in the "spa world" as a licensed esthetician and won a trip to Europe for my commitment to the spa industry. With that knowledge, I developed the Writer's Ten Step Excercise: Save Your Neck, Shoulders, Back, and Wrists!
As an ordained minister and motivational speaker, I've taught in the U.S. and Mexico at women's and teen conferences. Teen conferences ... sooo fun!!!!

LINKS:
Website: http://www.heatherburchbooks.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/heatherburch
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heather-Burch-Books/195271720531559
Halflings Network: http://halflings.ning.com/


INTERVIEW:
Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published. 
I gave a workshop and a seventeen year old young man came. He tentatively asked me if I would read a little bit of his work. I said, "Sure!" I was blown away by the writing! I'm talking AMAZING writing. I told him that when he finsihed his novel, I would send it to my literary agent. The look on his face ... wow. I wish I'd captured it on film. My eyes are teary writing about it. I know you will be hearing more from him. "Hey, Micah, if you're reading this, you better get to work. You wanted to have your book done by June. That's only five months away! And I'm waiting to read it!"

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world which would it be? 
Halflings. Because I'd ask each character why they don't always cooperate with my plan!!! Plus, I'd love to experience the midplane.

Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters? 
Unbreakable.

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors? 
DON'T GIVE UP! Keep writing. Join a writer's group like RWA. (RWA is fabulous because they have some of the best teaching available for authors at every level.) Learn the nuances of fiction. And most importantly, don't ever lose your passion for the written word.

What is your favorite Quote? 
"The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized during the lifetime of the opportunity."

When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?
I wanted to be the queen of America. You can imagine my shock when I discovered that was not possible. My soul is still wounded.

What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year? 
Hunger Games!!!!

Nickname? 
Hez. Almost no one calls me that anymore, but growing up, that's what all my family called me. :)

How do you react to a bad review? 
It depends. Sometimes you can snag some constructive criticism from them. But some are just people wanting to be nasty. When I see that it's maybe a disgruntled writer who hasn't been able to sell their own novel, so they go around trashing others, I don't pay any attention. I know they're hurt. I know how that feels. Some people are able to process rejection and some turn it into a vendetta. The fact is, most of the best books out there have some horrific reviews. It's just part of it. But one thing I can say is that I am thrilled that most people who read Halflings love it. And sometimes that's tough to pull off in the start of a series. So, I concentrate on the good.

How did you celebrate the sale of your first book? 
In honor of Stephen King, I went to the drug store and bought a hairdryer. (That's what he did when his first book sold BIG. It was late, he was alone. Nothing was open but the drug store and the hairdryer was the most elaborate splurge he could find.)

Favorite places to travel? 
Baden, Baden Germany. It's magical. Foothills of the Black Forest, nestled near the areas where the GRIMM fairytales were written...ah, it's amazing. That's why I set the Halflings ancestral home near there. I want to share that magical experience with my readers. Scenes in Germany are peppered through the next several books.

If you had 24 hours alone how would you spend it? 
If I didn't have a great book, I'd probably sit around wishing there were some people there with me. Or I might indulge in a long bath, hit a coffee shop, take a walk on the beach and plan the next Halflings novel.
Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate. Any kind of chocolate! My husband says the only person I'd ever leave him for would be a chocolatier with a coffee shop. So far, we haven't found that, so our marriage is safe. My fav is DARK chocolate. And none of that white chocolate stuff! There's no such thing as white chocolate! It's just a giant publicity stunt because vanilla is jealous! Don't drink the Kool-Aid, friends!

Regular or Diet? 
Sugar. Must have sugar.

Coke or Pepsi? 
Pepsi. Because it tastes like it has MORE sugar!

Action or Drama? 
I'm a huge X-Men fan, so I'm gonna say action! In fact, sometimes I call Halflings, X-Men meets Cinderella.

Pizza or Pasta? 
Pasta! Oh man I love pasta! I like pizza too, but with teenage boys in the house, I eat way too much pizza. I could eat pasta every single day of my life!

Spontaneity or Planning Ahead? 
I am spur of the moment kind of girl! We've actually moved across country on a whim. People who plan and organize ... yeah, they hate me.

Beach or Pool? 
I live at the beach, so yeah, that's my pick. Also, I'm a scuba diver, so I'm just as happy on the underwater beach as the water's edge beach.

Shoes or Sandals? 
I live in Southern Florida. I own summer sandals and winter sandals. (The winter sandals have a wider strap for warmth. :))

Halflings by Heather Burch

After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with.

A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.

FREE Prequel - The Making of Halflings


Giveaway Details:
1 copy of Halflings
Open to US only
Ends 2/29/12


a Rafflecopter giveaway