Today we’ve got Zoë Archer. She’s also got a new book out… today! How perfect is that? And not planned at all… >.> As you all see, first Tuesday of the month! Crazy! May! So, happy release day to Ms. Archer and congratulations on the release of Demon’s Bride! She opted for one of the über professional 😉 author interviews.

1. What’s your favorite “lesser” holiday? E.g. Arbor Day, etc. What’s do you think should get it’s own “holiday” and what day would you want it to be?

National Cookie Day.  Any of the National Food Days are worth celebrating.  We should have National Boot Day, which is celebrated by free pairs of boots.

2. Do you like your name, and have you ever wanted to change it?

I do like my name, because I made it up! (She’s a cheeky one, isn’t she :P)

3. What’s your favorite form of social media? Least favorite? What would you combine to make the ultimate social media platform?

Twitter is like a nonstop pajama/cocktail party.  Right now, the Facebook interface is confusing and cluttered.  I like Tumblr because I can post photos (often of hot guys in suits or period costumes).  If we could combine Tumblr and Twitter, I think I’d never get any work done.

4. Ultrafeast. What dishes should be served? (Either you’re making it, or someone else is – whatever you prefer.)

Sweets!  My sweet tooth knows no bounds.

5. What’s with the jumpsuits you and Carolyn Jewel were are always joking about?

With a very few exceptions, jumpsuits are one of the least flattering garments ever invented.  Carolyn and I keep challenging each other to wear jumpsuits to the RITAs–but neither of us have been brave (or foolish) enough to do it.  Yet.

6. What was your favorite cartoon or comic book character growing up? What about now? What super power would you most like to have? And least?

I loved watching Battle of the Planets.  It was the American-dubbed version of a Japanese animated series, and it featured a group of four guys and a girl that flew around in a ship called the Phoenix.  The girl, Princess, kicked anime ass.  I don’t really watch cartoons or read comics now, though I enjoy Gingerhaze’s hilarious fangirl drawings.  I’d love to be a super-powered thief/spy.  I’d hate to be the world’s greatest shirt-ironer.

7. What’s the most embarrassing thing to ever happen to you at school? What about at a conference?
The most embarrassing thing to ever happen to me at school was all of junior high.  I’m positive I’ve done something awful at conference, but I’m deliberately blocking it from my memory.

8. How do you feel about the dentist? And the optometrist/ophthalmologist? Any stories to go along with either of those?

I don’t care about going to the dentist.  When I was 13, I was hit by a car, and had dental work for years.  Root canals, bridges, extractions, you name it.  Going to the dentist doesn’t faze me any more.  And I’ve had contacts since I was a kid.  Eye stuff doesn’t bother me, either.

9. Walk in pantry, walk in closet, or extra garage/outside storage space? [Which would you prefer and why?]

Walk in pantry.  I love to bake, and I dream about having a place for all my ingredients and pans within easy reach.

10. Coke with lemon, lime, vanilla, grenadine, or half and half? Or… pepsi? [and I don’t mean the artificial pre-made stuff, but with freshly squeezed/added stuff] => if you’ve never had it… why not? and/but… which would you most prefer?

Coke Zero with Vanilla.

11. Did you go to prom? If so – describe your dress. Would you admit to wearing it today, much less actually wear it? 😉

I did go…for about 30 minutes.  You could say I wasn’t really invested in high school. And I’m not ashamed of my prom dress.  It was a very simple dark blue velvet sheath.  I deliberately bought it in the winter because I wanted a dark color, and I didn’t want anyone else to have a dress like mine.

12. What’s the best admonishment your mom ever gave you, or that you’ve ever given a kid? e.g. if you make that face it’ll freeze like that. or… if you walk from the kitchen to the table w/ a fork in your mouth you’ll stab yourself through the throat and die

She said that you shouldn’t marry someone without sleeping with them first.  I think that’s awesome advice.  And yes, I followed it.

13. What was your first job? Your most interesting one?

Oh, God, I’ve had so many jobs.  One of my first was working at an art school (for much of my youth, I thought I was going to be an artist).  I cleaned, and put supplies away.  Most interesting…?  I’ve blocked the horrible ones.  Once, I painted a mural at a launch party for a cologne, and then the guests came up and drew all over my mural.

14. “Celebrity Author” death match – who would you most want to take on? [you don’t have to say why ;)]

Alexander Pope, because he was a misshapen dwarf, so I have a better chance of beating him up.  In a contest of wit, however, he’d win.

15. What author promo has been most effective for you?

Twitter.  Mostly tweeting pictures of hawt doods and general crankiness.

16. What items have to be close by when writing & not just the sensible stuff like research notes, but the other perhaps slightly goofy stuff (bowl of m&ms, stuffed animal, stress ball, pot of coffee).

Caffeinated things, mints, cats.

17. What’s your secret plan for world domination?

Let somebody else run the world.  I’ve got other things to take care of.

18. Would you shave your hair for $50,000? If yes, what would you do with the money? If no… what amount would it take for you to cave?

Yes, yes I would.  Hair grows back.  Money doesn’t.  I’d travel to Japan and New Zealand with my husband (fellow romance author Nico Rosso), then use the rest to put toward a down payment on a house.  I might buy Nico a motorcycle, too, so we could tear across the country raising hell.

I’m giving away a print copy of Demon’s Bride to a US/Canada commenter, or an electronic copy for international.

The Hellraisers, Book 2
Hell to Pay

Leo Bailey may have been born to poverty, but ruthless business sense and sparkling intelligence have made money worries a thing of his past. It doesn’t hurt that the Devil himself has granted Leo the ability to read the future.

But even infallible predictions are a déclassé commoner’s trick to some members of the ton. They’ll never see Leo as their equal – one good reason to prove himself their better. And a noble marriage is an obvious start.

Bookish Anne Hartfield, daughter of a baron, is hardly the flashiest miss on the marriage market. But her thoughtful reserve complements Leo’s brash boldness in an attraction neither can deny. A whirlwind courtship sweeps Anne and Leo into a smoldering marriage before either can believe their luck. But happiness built on Leo’s dark powers can’t last. Soon, Anne will have to save her husband…or lose her heart.

Read an excerpt

Zoë Archer is an award-winning romance author who thinks there’s nothing sexier than a man in tall boots and a waistcoat. As a child, she never dreamed about being the rescued princess, but wanted to kick butt right beside the hero. She now applies her master’s degrees in Literature and Fiction to creating butt-kicking heroines and heroes in tall boots. She is the author of the acclaimed BLADES OF THE ROSE series and the paranormal historical romance series, THE HELLRAISERS. She and her husband, fellow romance author Nico Rosso, created the steampunk world of THE ETHER CHRONICLES together.  Her steampunk romance, SKIES OF FIRE, is now available from Avon Impulse, and Nico’s steampunk Western, NIGHT OF FIRE, will be available in July. Zoë and Nico live in Los Angeles. Website, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr

To buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Chapters Indigo, Amazon UK

What questions do you have for Zoë Archer? Anything fun, or book related? Either are definitely welcome.

ETA: Zoë just sent me her book trailer – so here it is!