I met Nina Soden through LinkedIn, when she mentioned her Blood Angel series. I was intrigued by this incredibly creative (and gorgeous) supermom, who has done pretty much everything, from acting to jumping out of a C130, to rappelling down countless buildings, coming face to face with a 10 foot eel while scuba diving and directing a private preschool. We all know which is the scariest of these (hint: it’s the last one).

After all that, self-publishing must have looked like a walk in the park!

So, Who is Nina Soden?

Nina has always been creative, be it art, theatre, film – anything but singing…she stresses that that is something you don’t want to hear! She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Theatre Arts with a minor in Military Science from Eastern Michigan University where she spent most of her time either on stage, rappelling down buildings, or working one of three jobs. After college she moved to Los Angeles like so many other starry eyed actors in pursuit of fame and fortune in tinsel-town. While there, she worked to pay the bills but her love was always acting. She was able to achieve some level of success, mostly in commercials and independent films, but she considers those experiences as some of the best in her life.

After some major life changes, she self-published her first book entitled PRIVATE WORDS UNSPOKEN, a compilation of poetry. Since then, her literary interests have grown and she would like to think her storytelling ability has improved. She has done everything from office administration, to business development, to being the Director of a private preschool. She has jumped out of a C130 aircraft, fired a M16 machine gun, and given birth – TWICE! But she always returns to her art.

Though she’ll forever be a Michigan girl at heart, she now lives in the South where she is married with two wonderful children. If she isn’t working on her latest story you can find her lounging with a good book, playing with her kids, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to Starbucks coffee.

To learn more about Nina Soden and her books you can check out her blog, or follow her on one or all of the various internet/social media sites.

Blog: https://ninasoden.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/BloodAngelSeries

Twitter: https://www.Twitter.com/Nina_Soden

Twitter: @Nina_Soden

The Blood Angel Series

The Blood Angel series consists of three books, Awaken, Beginnings and Revenge:

Awaken

a Blood Angel novel ~ book 1

Awaken is set in a world very much like our own, yet Atlanta, Michigan isn’t just an ordinary city and Alee Moyer isn’t just an ordinary girl. Having barely survived her childhood it will take the death of her father for the truth of her true bloodline to come out. Even if it means losing her life, or at least her identity she won’t be able to escape her true destiny as the first surviving Dhampir in history. Surrounded by a new world where the horror films she grew up watching have become reality and the most unlikely characters have become her lifeline, Alee will struggle to find herself and her purpose.

Part horror thriller – part tender romance, Awaken will leave readers eagerly wanting more!

Beginnings

a Blood Angel novel ~ book 2

Having lost her family, Alee has been thrown into a new life and new world. Camouflaged by the mundane happenings of a high school existence she would never have guessed what was happening below the surface in, “The Underground”. If she thought hunting in the wild and drinking blood was bad, what will she think when she becomes the hunted? Newly armed with the knowledge of being half witch and half vampire Alee, the only surviving Dhampir in history, is forced to learn to control a lifetime of magic and vampire powers if she wants to survive. Filled with magic and paranormal delights, Beginnings will leave readers wanting more!

Revenge

a Blood Angel novel ~ book 3

Having died in her father’s arms only to awaken in a pool of blood surrounded by the corpses of the mutilated, her true love among them, who could blame her for what she did next? Wouldn’t you seek REVENGE?

An Interview with Nina

Hi Nina, it’s great to have you here. Let’s start with…

The Usual

What inspired you to write this book?

I started writing the first book in the Blood Angel Series in 2011. I was feeling very creatively stifled. I’m an actress… at least I was while I was living in Los Angeles, and I still do a bit of theatre, but my real love is film. I’ve also written for as long as I can remember, mostly poetry, but I dabbled in screen writing as well. I starting thinking about what type of part I would like to play and then started typing. Awaken (book 1) started as a short film, but ended up being a novel instead. Beginnings (book 2) and Revenge (book 3) just fell into place after Awaken was done. The rest is history… in a good way.

What was the first thing you ever wrote?

Wow… it was a poem. I’m not sure I can remember the very first one, but I can share one of my favorites.

It’s You…

Who looks across a crowded room and knows with just a glace

the things my heart is feeling in every circumstance?

Who holds me when I’m feeling blue and listens to my woes,

then hugs my heart with gentle words until that feeling goes?

Who knows me by what I hide,

but loves me with the promise that he’ll stay right by my side?

Who comforts and protects me, no matter what life brings—

It’s you, the man who fills my life with a million happy things!

I can see you’re a romantic at heart! What other writing have you done? Anything else published?

The first book I published was a compilation of poetry called “Private Words Unspoken…” Other than that, the Blood Angel Series books are my only other published works. Both Awaken and Beginnings are already available on Amazon in paperback and ebook. Revenge will be available at the end of August.

Any hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your spare time?

I have kids, so anything that I get to do with them is fun. But, if you’re asking about ‘me time’ hobbies and interests, I would have to say acting. I love being on a stage or in front of a camera. When I am acting I feel free and alive in ways that normal life routines just don’t give me.

What are you working on at the moment? Tell us a little about your current project(s).

Right now I am putting the final touches on Revenge which will be released at the end of August. I am excited to be adding a few fun things for the readers at the end of the book.

I’m also working on outlining my next book, but I don’t want to talk too much about that, at least not until the first draft is complete.

What genres do you read mostly and what are you reading now?

I read everything I can get my hands on. Right now I am enjoying Stephen King’s Under the Dome. I feel in love with Stephen King’s writing when I was in High School and it doesn’t matter how long of a break I take from it (the latest being about 5 years), I always fall right back in love when I pick up a new book. 

I read it when it was first released, and it’s still one of my favourite books of his. Are you an Indie author? If so, do you have any advice for other indie authors?

Yes, I am an Indie Author. Honestly, the best advice I can give is, don’t give up. Writing isn’t easy, but if you have a story in your heart and you want to share it then you should. It doesn’t matter if you sell one book of one million books – the feeling of accomplishment after you complete your manuscript is amazing, so just do it!

Tell us about your website/blog. What will readers find there?

My blog https://www.ninasoden.wordpress.com started out as a journal of my journey as I wrote and published my first book. At the time, I didn’t know Awaken was going to be a series. Since publishing Awaken and then Beginnings my site has turned into more than just a journal. I post author interviews for other authors, because I feel it is important to give back to the writing community and that authors need to help each other. I also publish some of my “Behind Locked Doors” short stories that will actually be available at some point in the future in ebook and paperback version. Lastly, I talk about writing, publishing, and just the process of being an author.

What are the things in your life that you’re most grateful for?

My children, my husband, my family, and my friends. Everyone could have told me I was crazy when I woke up one day and said, “I’m writing a novel” but they didn’t. My family and friends have been so supportive and so wonderful through the writing process. I can’t tell you how many drafts of my books my mother and my sister have read. It wouldn’t surprise me if they knew my characters just as well as I do at this point.

How would you like to be remembered?

That is a great question. One of the main reasons I write is because I want my kids to grow up knowing that dreams do come true. I want them to learn that you have to work for things, but that if you want something bad enough and you work hard enough then you can make it happen.

The unusual

Choose a male and a female character from your book and tell us about them. Who inspired their characters? Would you like to meet them? What would you tell them if you did?

The typical response would be to talk about my lead characters Alee, Damian, and maybe even Kyle, but I’m not going to do that. I think I will tell you about Elizabeth and William. They are husband and wife, inspired by my parents. All of my life my parents have been my biggest fans, my cheerleaders, and my support. My father is the most gentle, loving, caring man in the world and my mother is strong and firm yet warm and welcoming. They know just what to say when my world feels like it is crumbling around me and they know how to guide while encouraging me to take the lead. Although I didn’t make Elizabeth and William identical to my mom and dad, I did write them both with a lot of the same characteristics as my parents.

That’s sweet! If you had to describe a theme or thread running through your life, what would it be? What’s your life theme?

My life theme would have to be: ‘Challenge Accepted!’ I’m small, and I always have been, but I have never let that hold me back. Whenever I have been told in life, “You can’t do that” or “You’re just not big enough” my response has always been “We’ll see about that!” I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have turned down a challenge, and they have all been in the last eight years. Having kids really changes a person, and it has made me a little more aware of the importance of self-preservation. However, prior to having kids I jumped out of a C130, rappelled down countless buildings, came face to face with a 10 foot eel while scuba diving, and so much more. I don’t like to be told I CAN’T do something and I hope that my kids grow up with that same passion and enthusiasm for life.

Which one do you prefer: Zebras or giraffes?

Giraffes happen to be one of my favorite zoo animals, second only to monkeys.

Probably the first time a guest doesn’t have to think about that one! Many thanks for being with us today!