Interview & Giveaway: Hot Flashes by Leila Gaskin

Hot Flashes

Hot Flashes
The Drakkon, Book 1
Leila Gaskin

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Date of Publication: August 23, 2013

Number of pages: 322
Word Count: ~86,150

Cover Artist: Tatiana Vila

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Kobo     Smashwords

“Dragons do not exist.” Ella Hixson shrieked as the mythical beasts dive from the sky shredding her car with their impressively long talons and sending her careening across the road in an attempt to avoid the being flambéed. Escaping her car, she grasps the car door in order to prevent herself from tumbling down the slippery embankment. Pouring rain soaks Ella’s interview suit and her dress shoes as she searches the sky for the attacking beasts to find nothing but clouds heavy with their payload of rain.

Hallucinations, relationship destroying fights with her only surviving relative-her mother, and, thanks to a bodaciously bosomed, bottle-blond, jobless, Ella needs the universe to cut her a break.

Be careful what you wish for.

Circumstances conspire and Ella’s mundane existence evaporates when she discovers she is Drakkon, the hidden heir to an ancient dynasty, and she has an enemy who would see all the Drakkon race enslaved or dead.

No more ordinary days for Ella as she learns what it is to be Drakkon, tries to save a world she knows nothing about, and still be home in time to feed her dog.

Excerpt: 

“Have a seat.” Sindie gestured to the ladder back wooden chair sitting to the side of the door and gave the door a brisk rap. “Ms. Oakton will be with you in a minute.” She winked as she turned to leave. “Seriously, relax! Ms. Oakton gave up cannibalism a couple of centuries ago.”

Eyes wide, Ella stared after the strange woman. A fluttering movement caught her eye. Something long and skinny with a tuft peeked out from under the long tunic, tangling with the apron strings. Ella knew people didn’t have tails. After a second look, all she saw was free swinging strings. She stuffed the experience into the ‘weird things’ box in the back of her brain and firmly shut the lid.

The door opened to reveal a small woman with a tightly wound bun of steel-grey hair adorning top of her head. “Ms. Hixson?”

Despite Ms. Oakton’s petite figure, she exuded an aura that demanded respect. At only five foot four inches herself, Ella had to squelch the urge to apologize for her height. “Ms. Oakton, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“We’ll see.” Ms. Oakton stepped back, signaling for Ella to follow. Ella resisted the urge to fidget as sharp brown eyes took in every element of her less than perfect appearance. Handing her resume to the woman, she waited for the interview to begin. Silence stretched out between them.

Then, an intrusive force filled Ella’s mind, picking apart her memories, weighing each moment for its worth. Unable to move, she sat helpless. An indistinct murmuring narrated the entire event. Nothing should have been shuffling, muttering, or moving around in the chaos of her mind. As abruptly the incursion began, it stopped, leaving Ella dazed.

The woman’s gaze never left Ella’s as the wall clock resolutely ticked each second. Finally, Ms. Oakton glanced at the resume and started the interview. The familiar give and take lacked energy, leaving Ella feeling the distinct bite of failure.

“What would you do if you found a fairy ring?”

Ella blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” Ms. Oakton snapped.

“A fairy ring. Really?” Ella’s shuffled-through mind snapped back into its chaotic glory, and it was un-amused. “I’d avoid it.”

“Why?”

“I have too many responsibilities in the here and now to be trapped for any amount of time in the Underhill.” Ella snorted. “Who knows when I’d get back? Time flows differently there. I’d have to be enticed or trapped by a member of the Fae. Seeing as I don’t believe they exist, I don’t think a trip to the Underhill will be an issue.”

The diminutive woman got up from her desk and flung open the office door. “The interview is over. You may leave.”

Interview: 

Today, we welcome Leila Gaskin to Musings and Ramblings. Let's all give her a big Geeky welcome!

I have some questions for you that are writer specific as well as some fun stuff so that we can really get to know the real you. *grin* Plus we will finish things off with round of Think Fast. Ready to begin?

Absolutely. I’m glad to be here.

Writing Specific
1. Tell us something about yourself that's not in your bio.

I am a mad baker and addicted to recipe blogs. I love to experiment with new recipes. It has been rumored that my pie crust is a thing of beauty.

2. What do you like to do when you are not writing?

When I’m not reading, I’m sewing. I like to deconstruct and reconstruct ideas with my sewing machine. I’m trying to develop the ultimate purse for my needs – you know, spacious to hold everything, compact enough to not be bulky.

3. How did you choose the genres you write in?

It all goes back to writing what I love. From elementary school, I was reading science fiction and fantasy. By the time I was in 6th grade, I’d gobbled down Tolkien, Clarke, Asimov, Brooks, and more. All the stories I told had a science fiction and/or fantasy theme. When I sat down to write Hot Flashes, Urban Fantasy was an easy choice for genre.

4. Is there any particular author or book that has influenced you or your writing?

This is a tough one. I can’t pin it done to one particular book. Some of the authors that have influenced me are Anne McCaffrey, Mercedes Lackey, Terry Brooks, H.G. Wells, and many more.

5. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

Once I was told I was trite and pedantic - that stung. Then I got mad and killed the person off in a zombie story. The best thing ever said to me was ‘I can’t put your story down’.

Fun Stuff
6. If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, fictional or real, who would it be and why?

Just one? I could fill a table for a dinner party with my wish list. Here is my ultimate geeky choice – Steven Moffat. Seriously, I want to pick his brain as to creating story arcs and character development. He kills off characters and angers his audience, but we all come back for more.

7. You are going to be stranded on a deserted island and bring 3 luxury items. What would they be?

My tablet with universal connectivity and an infinite battery, a trunk full of premium dark chocolate, and pallet full of Diet Dr. Pepper.

8. Pick two celebrities to be your parents. Who are they and why?

Gene Kelly and Sigourney Weaver. Gene Kelly was an amazing athlete and dancer. His movies always made me laugh and smile. Singing in the Rain was as joyful as An American in Paris was elegant and sublime. I’ve always wanted to be that athletic and graceful. Sigourney Weaver? Well who wouldn’t want a mother who could kick alien butt and have a good sense of comedic timing.

9. What would we find in your refrigerator right now?

Lots of yogurt, cheese, and leftover Chinese food.

10. If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

It’s about time.

Think Fast
Summer or Winter? Winter
Coffee or Tea? Tea
Cake or Pie? Pie
Car or Truck? Car
Print or Electronic? Electronic

Thanks for coming by and spending some time with us. Any final words of wisdom to pass along?

I’ve had a blast. My last thought would be to never give up on something you are passionate about.

Giveaway: 

Tour Wide Giveaway

• 25 dragon charm bookmarks
• 4 hard copies of Hot Flashes

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour Info: 
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

September 9:
Fang-tastic Books - Guest Post

September 10:
Adrienne Woods Books and Reviews - Review

September 11:
Pembroke Sinclair - Interview

September 12:
Author Karen Swart - Interview

September 13:
Reading In Twilight - Guest Post

September 16:
Bia's Wonderland - Interview
Sapphyria's Book Reviews

September 17:
Eclipse Reviews - Guest Post

September 18:
Musings and Ramblings - Interview

September 19:
Bookin' It Reviews - Guest Post

September 20:
Roxanne’s Realm - Interview

September 23:
Jody's Book Reviews & Giveaways

September 24:
Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind - Guest Post

September 25:
Ebook Escapes - Interview & Review

September 26:
elfie books

September 26:
Wicca Witch 4 Book Blog

September 27:
Faerie Tale Books - Review

September 30:
trips down imagination road - Review

October 1:
My Midnight Fantasies

October 2:
Dalene’s Book Reviews - Interview
Book Suburbia

October 3:
Cloey's Book Reviews and Other Stuff - Guest Post
Mommasez...blog - Review

October 4:
Rose & Beps Blog - Guest Post
Share My Destiny

October 7:
Butterfly-o-Meter Books - Interview
The Writerly Exploits of Mara Valderran


Author Bio:

Born on a dark and stormy night on the other side of the world from Richmond, VA, Leila Gaskin began a life full of imaginative wanderings. Inspired by her journey, Leila takes inspiration from the places she’s lived. She is the author of several short stories ranging from horror, speculative fiction, and science fiction. HOT FLASHES is her debut novel.

With her dog as her co-pilot and the cat as the navigator, Leila explores her world and tells her stories.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Smashwords