Author Spotlight and Interview

Good Morning Everyone,

Today’s Author Spotlight is on Luciana Cavallaro! Luciana has kindly participated in an interview AND she is giving away one ecopy of her Accursed Women book to one lucky commenter! I absolutely love Luciana’s unique take on Greek Mythology. You can read my reviews of Luciana’s previous work by clicking on the following titles: The Curse of Troy,  Aphrodite’s Curse, A Goddess’s Curse, Boxed in a Curse.
I hope you enjoy this special treat. The directions for the giveaway are listed below the interview. Good luck to you all!

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Hi Luciana! Thank you for being here today. Can you please tell everyone here a little bit about yourself and your books?

Thank you Nicole. I am honoured to be here with you and your readers.

Sure. I am first generation Australian Italian and was the first in the family to graduate from university. I am a secondary teacher of Information Services and Social Science which includes teaching Ancient History. I also evaluate pre-service teachers for Edith Cowan University.

My books are steeped in Ancient History and mythology, though are contemporary in style.

What made you decide to become a writer?

I dabbled in writing while in high school but didn’t pursue it but loved to read. It was after university the interest in writing was rekindled following the aftermath of a car accident. I was off work for 3 months and it was a difficult time recovery wise, physically and emotionally. I needed to channel my thoughts and writing was my outlet. Mind, that manuscript will NEVER see the light of day! I think I may even have shredded it. ;D

How did you fall in love with Greek Mythology?

I was 15 when I read Charles Berlitz book on Atlantis: The lost continent and from there my love affair with Greek Mythology was born. I kept telling my parents I was going to Greece one day and I did! It was the most exciting experience in my life travelling through the mainland and the islands. I have a feeling there is Greek heritage somewhere in our family DNA.

What inspires you to write about the strong mythological women?

That I must say was accidental, sort of 😀 I was part of a writing critique group and it was suggested I should write short stories. I didn’t read a lot of short stories, I felt they didn’t fulfill my thirst for the story or characters the same way as a novel did. At the time I was reading Euripides, and was inspired by his play Hippolytus. That’s when I wrote Aphrodite’s Curse. It wasn’t until a few weeks later the idea of writing about famous and strong mythical women was conceived. Women from the Ancient Greek world weren’t treated very well even Hera who was a powerful goddess. I wanted to change the perception of these women and offer readers a different point of view. The women I chose to feature in the Accursed Women collection were deliberate because of their fate and the vitriolic historicity that emerged in later stories.

If you could trade places with a Goddess, which one would it be and why?

This is a tough one. Each goddess has aspects which I admire and parts that I dislike. They really had nasty streaks. Certainly wouldn’t want to get on their wrong side! Though if I had to choose it would be Artemis. She was youthful, intelligent and protector of the environment and animals.

What do you like to read when you aren’t writing?

I read a wide range of genres with the exception of erotica, and horror that is overly gratuitous. I read historical novels/fantasy of course and lots of non-fiction sources. At the moment I am reading a book by Vince Flynn Act of Treason and indie author Ana Calin’s Blacksmith. I had just finished Fatherland by Robert Harris, brilliant book and one of my favourite authors and The lady of the Pier: the ebb by Effrosyni Moschoudi, an indie author. I try to read both traditional and indie authors.

Do you have a favorite scene or character from your books?

In Cursed by Treachery I like the scene where Medousa and her sisters are playing a game of aerial chase. It shows the sort of child she was and the family life she had. In A Goddess’ Curse, there is no particular scene but I did enjoy the repartee between Hera and Drake Drabbler. I had fun writing that story.

If you could ask readers one thing, what would it be?

To please leave reviews, they help authors more than they realize, especially those who are just starting out, which includes me. Even if it is no more than two sentences. I’m going to be cheeky here and add an extra point, please try new genres and authors. You just never know you may find a book and author you like.

Do you have any future books planned?

I do! At present I have a novel about to be published, the first in the Servant of the Gods series. It’s titled Search for the Golden Serpent and is about a reluctant hero from the 21^st century who is transported back to 6^th century BCE to prevent the downfall of the Olympian Gods. I am also working on a novella series, contemporary story based on a short story I wrote for my editor, who’s compiled an anthology based on keepsakes due out very soon. My novella series is about a family heirloom with unusual properties.

Where can readers find you?

Readers can get in touch with me via my:

Website http://www.luccav.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Luciana-Cavallaro-Writer/304218202959903?ref=hl

Twitter https://twitter.com/ClucianaLuciana

Google+ https://plus.google.com/102236012274331554847/posts?hl=en

Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/chindamo/boards/

LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=242021145&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile_pic

Giveaway Time:

To enter for your chance to win a free ecopy of Accursed Women by Luciana Cavallaro, leave a comment below telling me one thing that you like (or remember) about Greek Mythology. Winner will be selected using Random.org and announced on Monday, Feb. 9th at 1pm EST. Good luck!