MFT Guest: Alyxandra Harvey and Giveaway of Haunting Violet

Today we have the lovely and uber talented Alyxandra Harvey on the blog!  This is perfect timing because Haunting Violet comes out today (June 21st)!  So make sure you head out and purchase a copy.  If your unable to purchase then here's your chance to win one of three copies being given away, just read to the end of the post for all the giveaway information.

Don't know what Haunting Violet is about?  Here's the Description:

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.
Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?

Alyxandra, it’s great to have you on for the My Favorite Things Event.  The Drake Chronicles are one of my favorite series!  I really fell in love with that fantastic family.  When I heard you had a new book coming out that is outside the Drake family I was excited, but when I heard it was about ghosts I was uber excited!  For some reason ghosts stories are some of my favorites.  I think it’s because I believe in ghosts and so they are more real to me. 

To give people a better idea of who Violet is about can you describe her in 10 words for us?

Violet is a clever and conflicted bookworm who is gifted, poor, and a cracking good pickpocket!

Do you believe in ghosts? 

I do. I live in a Victorian house and many of our friends who visit, especially the skeptical ones, have stories of having their hair pulled or seeing people where there are none. A few have even refused to come back! Happily, I’ve never seen a ghost (maybe a ghost dog though) since I have to sleep in our house and I already have a rather active imagination.

Was any part of Haunting Violet based on true stories that you heard or ran across somewhere?

The idea for Haunting Violet popped into my head when I was reading about fake séances in the 1870’s. I could picture Violet reluctantly working for her mother  and how confused she would be if she ever found out ghosts were actually real. Once I had that question in my mind, I just felt compelled to answer it!

Why did you choose to place the story in 1872?

The 1870’s were a particularly good time for the Spiritualist movement and  public mediums. It was all the rage but the holes were also starting to show through the fabric. You had mediums who offered truly miraculous events and others who were just as often being tripped up in their lies. Plus, I love a good bustle!

Are any of your characters, in any of your stories ever based on real people?

I don’t generally base my characters on people I know because I’d really hate to have to explain myself!  I do slip in friend’s names but only for minor walk-on roles. Usually my characters pop up fairly well formed, I just have to focus the details a little.

Which of your characters, in any of your books, is most like you?

I’m sure there’s a little bit of me in all of my characters. I’m a bookworm like Violet, quiet like Solange and snarky like Lucy. Probably I’m most like Lucy’s mom who we see more of in Bleeding Hearts.

When writing Haunting Violet what was your biggest obstacle to overcome?

I wrote Haunting Violet while I was struggling with iron deficiency/ borderline anemia.  Staying awake was a struggle, and so I could rarely make it out to the computer. Instead, I curled up on the couch or at the dining room table and wrote longhand. In the end it was a lovely intimate way to write a book.

Is this set to be a series? Or is a stand alone?

Haunting Violet is a standalone, but I admit I wrote a sequel right afterwards because I just couldn’t help myself!

If you could be one supernatural creature, what would you pick?

Great question! I would like to be a time traveler. I’m not sure if that counts as a supernatural creature but I’d just really like to visit different periods in history (Regency, Victorian, Ancient Egypt, Iron Age Celts, Middle Ages...)    but still come home for my hot shower and ice cream.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer the questions.  I know you’ve got a busy schedule and it’s very much appreciated! 

Thanks so much for thinking of me!

The Giveaway: *Ended*

Bloomsbury is generously giving away 3 (yes, 3!) copies of Haunting Violet.

This is open to US addresses only.

Must be 13 or older to enter.

Ends July 5th, 2011

To Enter: *This giveaway is closed*

Leave a comment about the interview and include contact info :)