Author Interview ~ Cinsearae/Mistress Rae

Hey, everyone! We've recently changed up the format as far as Guest Authors/Bloggers. We will now be doing interviews. And the very first author to brave our couch here at The Menagerie (and let's face it, she MUST be brave if she's letting us interview her. Here's our chat with Cinsearae S. author of The Abraxas Series:



All right, M'dear, why don't you tell us your latest news?

Currently, I'm working on my latest series, ABRAXAS, a dark, paranormal romance. I had the first three novellas of the series combined into one book, with free chapter downloads available from each novella on it's webpage Http://Bloodtouch.webs.com/abraxas.htm. I've also got character profiles, pics and trailers there as well!


Sounds interesting! How did you come up with the title?

I have NO clue. It just popped in my head. Seriously. When single-word titles like that just pop in my mind, I figure there's a rhyme and reason to it. And as I write, it all comes into play...


Is there a message in this series that you want readers to grasp?

Pretty much that there's a divine connection to everything in this universe; it's simply that many choose not to recognize it, or try to fight against it. Some of the characters in my story possess a spiritual power that they are trying to understand and work with, and so they have to grow and learn with each book.

So, how much of the book is realistic?

Small amounts here and there. Some topics are esoteric, or magical--things that 'mundane' folks may or may not believe in. A few of the more personal things that the characters talk about in the books are based on actual life situations and conversations...I just won't say exactly where, lol.

What are your current projects?

I'm currently working on books 4 and 5 to the ABRAXAS series. They're going to get more involved, with more interesting, complex characters, to say the least!

Who designed the covers?

I'm strictly a DIY gal, lol. It's more fun that way. I design covers for other authors too, and design covers for Jaded Silence Press as well. Details are at my website, Blood Touch.

What does your family think of your writing?

Um...I actually don't tell them. They KNOW I write, but as to letting them read it...heck no. I'd be embarrassed to. I have erotic scenes in them! lol!

Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Read other's works; pay attention to their style of writing. Check out movies of your favorite genre; this will help with 'visuals' when you write your own stories. Pay attention to general conversations in the street. You never know when you can apply it to something your own works. And keep a pen and notepad with you at all times. You never know when the muse will strike. Lastly share your stories with folks you can trust to be honest with critiques.

And now for our fun/crazy/goofy/nothing-to-do-with-writing questions:
What animal do you think makes the best pet and why?

Ah, I'm a bit biased. I've had hamsters since I was 14, and still keep one or two at a time. They sleep all day, and are pretty much self-sustaining. I have one now, and of course I have to keep him out of reach from my two crazy-as-hell rat terriers, Hades and Chaos (and yes, they were named that for a reason, lol!)

Do you hate how you look in pictures? Why or why not?

Sometimes--it all depends on the angle and if it was candid or not. I HATE candid shots!!! They seem to get you at your worst! If I take pics, I do them myself (self-timed cameras are the BEST!), or make sure I'm prepared first before someone takes one for me.

Do you have any strange handwriting habits, like capitalizing all your “r”s or dotting your “I”s with heart (or anything like that)?

I doubt if anyone still does it, but sometimes I'll put double exclamation marks at the end of a sentence, then turn the two dots at the bottom into a smiley face, lol.

When you looked in the mirror this morning, what was the first thing you thought?

"Ew." (yep, that sums it up, lol.)

What’s a saying you use a lot? Where did it originate from?

"Dammit, dammit, DAMMIT!" (and I think it originated from that Adult Swim show, "Robot Chicken"...)

Have you ever eaten a crayon?

No, but I've tasted white, school paste. TASTED, not eaten, lol. Very minty-fresh.

What is your favorite animal?

It's a toss up between a fruit bat and a raven.

What is your heritage?

My dad is from Puerto Rico. My mom was African American, and there is also Blackfoot Indian on her side as well. I found out that my great grandmom on her father's side was Caucasian, but I don't know the nationality. I'm actually trying to do some family-tree digging.

Have you ever cried during a movie? If yes, which one and why?

Ooo there's a few...When Leo died in Titanic (Who hasn't? lol.) and when Christopher Reeve died in "Somewhere in Time" (again, who didn't?) and I still get a bit misty eyed when Frank Landella 'dies' in Dracula (the 1979 version)--that one is my personal cult fave. And (I won't admit this at any other blog or reviewer ever--I can STILL get misty eyed at Pocahontas on occasion...yes, the Disney cartoon version!!!)

Have you ever made a crank phone call? If yes, explain what you did.

I came VERY close. I was in junior high, and I just dialed some number at random. When I heard this really loud, nerdy voice say "Helloooo?" I freaked and hung up, lol. The sound of his voice just totally threw me off. Never attempted to do a crank call again.

What is your favorite pizza?

Just basic pepperoni. I dont mind mushrooms or green peppers on occasion either!

What is one thing scientists should invent?

Something that could visually record our dreams. Ooo, then again, that might NOT be a good idea....

Are you a morning person or a night person?

That changes like the moon phases, lol. For a month, I can stay up almost all night, and the next month, I can barely stay awake past ten!

Do you like thunderstorms?

Oh wow, definitely, and the more lightning, the better! There's a power in thunderstorms that I respect.

Do you sleep with the light on? Why or why not?

I USED to when I was little, but it was my fault--I was too young when I saw The Exorcist--and seeing Reagan crabwalk backwards down the steps was what freaked me out the most--not her spinning head, or her upchucking pea soup....that WALK made me keep the lights on for a MONTH

Thanks so much for letting us interrogate... ahem, I mean interview you today! It's been great fun getting to know you better.

Y'all can visit Cinsearae at her site: Blood Touch



And you can buy her series here:

The Abraxas Series by Cinsearae S.

Christine Vargas is an independent, young working class-girl violently swept into another world--a world deemed unrealistic and impossible by many, a world under the mundane one she is so used to. During her physical transition, she has to come to grips with new powers she has been bestowed, and join up with her new 'Lord', Ryan Price, a gentleman of high social status, and twice her age. Her 'new family' is a motley crew of young vampires, and among the family are two rebellious twins trying to dethrone Ryan and take over the clan with their own legion of bloodthirsty (and drug-hungry), zombie-like vamps. Only Christine can determine the outcome of the oncoming battle and must chose quickly before the unthinkable happens. This is only the start of the strange, twisted, and mystical life Christine is now a part of, as more scarier situations present themselves to her, Ryan, and their delicate ABRAXAS clan--and sometimes, the 'monsters' aren't quite what you'd expect...