Interview & Giveaway with Dakota Cassidy

Today I am happy to welcome Dakota Cassidy, author of the comically endearing books such as the Accidental series, Hell series and the Ex Trophy Wives series. You can read my review of The Accidental Werewolf here.


1. When did you first start writing, and was there something in particular that inspired you?

I began writing in 2003 and it was after reading a series of e-books I’d received as a reviewer. I couldn’t stop reading them. They were like potato chips :) I read one after the other, and one day I got an idea and I put it in a Word document. Shortly thereafter, it turned into a story that via a friend who encouraged me, I ended up sending to an-epub. So I’ve been writing ever since. It was sort of an accident, and I definitely didn’t think anyone would ever buy it. But look at me now, eh? LOL


2. What first attracted you to the paranormal realm when it comes to writing?

Nina Bangs. She gets all the credit for cranking it up a notch in the genre. I’d read loads of paranormals, and loved them. However, there weren’t very many out at the time that had the sort of over the top ideas I had. Nina Bangs changed that for me when I read her Night Games, which focused on a hero who was a Monday Night Sex player (I know. I LMAO at that concept) and could time travel. A couple of years later, when I began writing that was the kind of paranormal I wanted to write. Where the “what if” factor was so outlandish, you had to laugh. Not to mention, paranormals give me a lot of leeway when it comes to my crazy that a contemporary just doesn’t :)


3. In regards to your own characters, who is your favorite and why?

I can’t choose! They’re like children to me and each character has a specific joy in writing them. Though, I will say Nina’s one of my favorites for dialogue because she can (and does) say whatever she wants, whenever she wants, and however she wants to. It’s a little freeing :)


4. What other genres (besides your own) do you enjoy reading?

I love horror. King, Koontz, used to love Robin Cook and romantic suspense. Love it.


5. If you could not be a writer, what would you be?

Broke-or more broke than I am? LOL! Actually, I don’t know. I didn’t always want to write books, but I did once dream of singing duets with Barry Manilow…

6. As a reader I know how difficult it can be to name a ‘favorite’ book, would you mind listing your top three? (Past or present authors)

The Stand—Stephen King
Dream a Little Dream-Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Night Games-Nina Bangs


7. What are some must haves when you sit down to write?

I absolutely must have water or coffee, no one else around, and my smokes. Such a dirty-dirty habit, my smokking!


8. If you became trapped as a character in a book or series, which would you choose and why? (Any book, any series, new or old)

For sure, I’d be Nina, because again, she has no censor, she’s not afraid of anything or anyone, and she says whatever she thinks. Oh, and she flies :)

Dakota has generously offered a $10 (USD) Amazon Gift Card! Simply leave her a question or a comment below and she will try to answer them as time permits.

Rules for entry:

- Open to Canada and US only.

- Contest closes Tuesday March 22, 2011 12AM EST.

- Leave your comment or question in the "Comment Love" section on this post and then fill out the form below.