Anya Bast
Maidens, we are very excited to have with us today the talented Anya Bast.  Her paranormal worlds are a bit dark and sexy and she’s recently released the first book in a new series called Embrace of the Damned. 

Welcome to UTC, thank you so much for stopping by today!

Hi! Thanks for having me. 🙂
Congratulations on your release of Embrace the Damned. I have to say that I love the concept of Hell being cold instead of hot and bloodsuckers breaking into shards of glass when they are killed. How did you come up with such a new idea?
That idea came from my research into Nordic myth and legend. In Nordic myth, Hel is a both a goddess and a realm. Hel (the being) rules there and it’s very cold. So, basically, I just pulled it from a legend.

Well, actually, the bloodsuckers that burst into ice are mine. I twisted in that part on my own. 😉 In my story, Hel can reach down, take a ball of snow, create a demon (vampire) and send it to earth. She’s building an army that way.

Where did the idea of the Brotherhood of the Damned series come from?
I wanted to do something with Nordic myth, since it’s an interest of mine. I began researching it and the world evolved from there. I’ve wanted to do something with a Viking theme for a while and this series is my big chance.

How many books do you have planned in the Brotherhood of the Damned series?
I hope to write at least three in the series, but it depends on how much people enjoy it. If it’s well received, I’ll write as many as people want to read.

You recently released the fourth book in your Dark Magick series about a water fae. Will there be any more books in that series? What’s next? And by the way those are great covers! 
That series is finished for now, but I may pick it up again in the future. I set it up for a spin-off series. I don’t have any plans for it as the moment, but I really loved that world and there may come a time in the future I might want to play a bit more in it.

Can you give us one tidbit about your upcoming books that most readers wouldn’t know? 

I’m writing an urban fantasy that’s tentatively titled Smoke and Bone. The heroine is a half angel (Nephilim) and she’s up against some serious evil. Luckily, she has an immortal Druid and a badass biker who has escaped from hell on her side. This is my WIP (work-in-progress) at the moment and I’m really excited about it.

What has been the hardest book to write for you so far?
They’re all hard in some respect or another, but, overall, Jeweled was probably the hardest book for me to write to date. I can’t really pinpoint a specific reason, but I fought with the characters of that book for the longest time, trying to figure what I was doing wrong, why the story felt forced. It took me much longer than usual to finish that book and I did a fair amount of rewriting. I really think I nailed it in the end, however, and I’m really proud of the work I did.

Are any of your heroines like you in some way?
Most of my heroines start out weak and become strong through the course of the story. In that way they’re a bit like me. I started weak in my life and over the course of my life have become strong.

What are some things that you find influence your writing? 

The research I do influences my writing most. I take a legend or a myth and re-imagine it for contemporary times. I twist it to build my world and create my characters. Also, everyday life influences it. I write paranormal romance, but that doesn’t mean I don’t use every day non-paranormal events and behavior I observe.

You write in a lot of different genres, do you have a favorite that feels natural for you?
Anything paranormal feels comfortable to me. I like to build my own world and write characters with abilities and skills that don’t occur in nature (well, at least, our nature). I have written stories that aren’t paranormal and I may write more in the future, but they’re not my favorite kind of story to tell. I like the creativity that paranormal romance allows me to express.

Can we expect to see more in your post-apocalyptic series Doomsyear anytime soon? 

Yes. I’m writing a sequel to The Twisted Kiss right now. This next book will tell Carolyn’s story. She played a very minor role in Twisted.

What does your writing space look like? Spotless and organized or messy and requires a maid service? Any visual would be great!    

My office is an add-on to the house. It has lots of light, a small wooden desk, and a bunch of bookshelves lining the walls. It usually has a couple dogs and at least three cats in it at any given time. 😉

Thank you so much for coming to UTC Anya, can’t wait to read more of your work!
Thanks again for having me!

A damned Viking warrior.
Centuries ago Broder Calderson committed murder. As punishment, he was given over to the dominion of Loki, the Trickster God, made part of the Brotherhood of the Damned and condemned to an immortal life of battle against the Blight, blood-drinkers from Hel.

A mysterious woman he can’t resist.
One thousand years to the day he was damned, Loki allows him a woman as reward for his good service and repentance of his crimes. Once Broder sees Jessamine Hamilton, he is overcome with need. But Jessa is no ordinary woman, and the truth of who—and what—she is could have dangerous consequences.

A tormented man she can’t deny.
Though a future together is impossible, the warrior’s touch ignites an irresistible passion in Jessa. But every heated kiss pushes them closer to destruction. Forced to return to the brutality of his Viking past to protect her, will Broder surrender forever to his darkest impulses

If you want a chance to win an autographed copy of Embrace of the Damned, leave a comment!

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Books have the power to unite people and that is exactly what happened with us! Our love for books have brought us together and we’ve become good friends in a short amount of time. We “met” online through Goodreads and decided to share our passion of books with fellow book lovers. And that is how Under the Covers came to be.

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64 Comments

  6. Thanks for a great interview! I love Anya’s books and I’ve fallen a bit behind. Glad to hear that she has so much writing goin on 🙂

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  12. This book is gonna be so good…I just know it!!! Love your Dark Magick series and I an super excited for the Brotherhood of the Damned!!! I love the Norse mythology used to create this world. It will be unlike anything out there now! Thanks for the awesome opportunity for a great signed book.

    [email protected]

    Reply

  14. I have been seeing your books everywhere, plus I work in a Library, so I see them a lot. I haven’t read them yet, but the covers are fantastic! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!

    Reply

  18. I can’t see if it says the giveaway is international or not, but I’m hoping it is because the excerpt alone is enough to entice, lol.
    Cheers. :o)
    jbherbal at hotmail dot co dot uk

    Reply

  19. I’m a big fan of Norse legends and I can’t wait to read what you have created from one of them 😀

    ilona
    felinewyvern at googlemail dot com

    Reply

  21. I’m a big fan of all of Anya’s series and can’t wait to read this new one. I don’t know what can be better than the joining of my two favorite things, vikings and vampires. Oh, I know, leather clad viking vampires that ride Harleys.

    molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  23. I love paranormal reads but sometimes get tired of the norm. This sounds so unique and I KNOW Anya Blast is an excellent author!

    Thank you for the giveaway!!

    books4me67 at ymail dot com

    Reply

  27. Hi,

    i’m so happy for this new opportunity to win this book. i really would like to read it after having a taste in your contest

    thanks you for this wonderful prize

    all the best

    isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  31. I won’t lie to you. I am shallow. I have had this book on my radar ever since I glimpsed the awesome cover. Me.Likey.Me.Want.It! 😀

    Thank you for the fun interview Ladies and congrats Anya on the release!!

    stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply

  34. Ooh, a first in a series that I haven’t read yet. I always feel so left behind because everyone has read the previous books when a sequel comes out. lol That cover is amazing, as I’m sure the story is.

    Lmackesy @ gmail.com

    Reply

  37. Embraced of the Damned sounds great! I have read several of Anya’s books and have really enjoyed them. I’m sorry about the end of the Dark Magick series(great books) but I’m thrilled about the idea of a spinoff. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  38. I am so excited for a chance to win a copy of Embrace The Damned here at Under the Covers! I follow Anya Bast’s blog and I have been waiting for this book. Thanks for the awesome giveaway. jepebATverizonDOTnet

    Reply

  43. I really enjoyed read the interview, thanks for sharing. It’s always fun to have an author put a new twist on vampires.
    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  49. One of my favorite authors! I can’t wait to get a hold of this book. I already know I won’t be able to put it down.

    cms72023(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  58. I love to see her Dark Magick cover series, and Celt myth always be my interest. Congrats for the release of your book Anya, can’t wait to read Embrace of The Damned

    Ren
    sawamura_foxman AT yahoo DOT com

    Reply

  59. Embraced of The Damned is on my TRL. It sounds amazing. Such a unique and interesting story line. Thanks for this opportunity.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

    Reply

  60. I haven’t read Anya yet, but I will have to remedy that very soon! Thanks for the interview and giveway!
    lfacchini(at)tampabay(dot)rr(dot)com

    Reply

  64. This sounds so good!! I love the basis of Nordic myth; I’ve always been interested in mythologies. And the shattering glass idea is very different.
    Thanks for the giveaway, I look forward tor reading this ^_^

    karen.wapinski at gmail dot com

    Reply