Today my guest is Pelaam. Pelaamย hails from New Zealand. She talks about jackets, singing in the supermarket and her upcoming holiday story.
Pelaam is giving away ย a copy of The Avian Emperor so don’t forget to leave a comment on the post for your chance to win.
I love Christmas and always look forward to it. Whatโs your favourite holiday of the year and what makes it so special?
I love Christmas. I love the notion of love and giving, of peace and goodwill. When I lived in the UK there were Christmas lights blazing out in the darkness, bundling up against the cold, and snuggling indoors in the warmth. Now that I live in New Zealand, itโs about Santa in boardshorts, BBQs, and walks on the beach.
I think the beach and bbqs haveย to be two of the best things about our holiday season. Whatโs your biggest gift giving disaster?
I donโt really have a disaster, but nearly so. I bought a jacket for my hubby. He wanted pale blue and I found a lovely one. So I thought. But I have blue/green colour blindness and find it really hard โ or impossible – to see whether something is truly blue or green in the turquoise spectrum. Even traffic lights can appear blue to me in certain light. Yeah, you guessed it. My nice pale blue jacket was in fact a nice pale green. Fortunately hubby like it anyway. We still disagree over the colour ๐
So a bit like the dress? Which, of course, was pale blue and black *wink*
Christmas carols. Yes or no?
Yes โ I love them, and all the other Christmas music. Iโm the one who sings along in supermarkets โ quietly, as my voice is far from melodic.
Do you watch Christmas movies? If so, whatโs your favourite all time holiday movie?
I have two: Jason and the Argonauts and The Wizard of Oz. These were movies that seemed to be on year in, year out, and became synonymous with Christmas for me.
What inspired your current holiday story?
Food! No seriously, Iโm a huge foodie and I have lots of friends in hospo (hospitality) including; chefs, waiting staff, and bar staff. I know Christmas can be a nightmare for them.
Tell us a little about the main characters in your holiday story.
In a Taste of Christmas Spice we have Ethan whoโs a chef, and a bit of an Ebenezer Scrooge when it comes to Christmas. Lachlan, his husband, is far more full of the joy of Christmas. Following a huge argument, when Ethanโs temper snaps completely, he realizes he needs to make it up to Lachlan with a touch of Christmas spiciness.
The story will release with Dark Hollows Press on December 3rd.
I’m looking forward to it. It sounds fabulous.
Tell us a little about the favourite book you released this year?
The Avian Emperor. This was my NaNo project for last year. A steampunk action/adventure with a touch of magic. Pinkerton man Bram McCabe likes to work alone. But when a madman titling himself the Avian Emperor threatens the world’s skies, he’s forced to work with an English team already on the case. Things go from bad to worse for Bram when he takes more than a professional interest in Vyvianโa man with a secretive past.
Share a favouriteย holiday recipe.
My twist on a trifle. Layer sponge in the bottom of a serving dish. Soak with alcohol of choice โ I use raspberry vodka. Top with strawberries and blueberries, then pour over a jelly of choice โ I like blueberry. When set add some more fruit and slather over a good thick custard (homemade or store bought). Then a layer of cream. Crush a Cadbury flake and sprinkle over. YUM!
What does 2017 hold for you on the writing front? What can your readers expect to see from you?
I have a few WIPs on the go. I usually have six I work on, plus at least the same number again that range from a few lines to a few pages. Next year thereโs this yearโs Nano project โ a companion to Breath of the Feathered Serpent. This is a steampunk AU universe in which the Aztec Empire wasnโt destroyed. Iโm also working on another in my Demonica Origins, this one set in 17th Century France. Iโm also working on a steampunk m/m/m inspired by Phantom of the Opera.
Check out one of Pelaam’s books…
Blurb – The Avian Emperor
Pinkerton man Bram McCabe likes to work alone. But when a madman titling himself the Avian Emperor threatens the world’s skies, he’s forced to work with an English team already on the case.
Things go from bad to worse for Bram when he takes more than a professional interest in Vyvianโa man with a secretive past. Each man dances around the other, hiding their true feelings, knowing they live in very different worlds.
The Avian Emperor is as cunning and lethal as he is intelligent and when he kidnaps Vyvian, Bram holds the key to finding him. Bram will do anything it takes to rescue Vyvian. But is he willing to unlock his own inner secrets?
Buy Links
GIVEAWAYS
To enter just comment on this post and a winner will be randomly chosen after 20th December.
1st prize: $20 Amazon GC, 2nd Prize: $15 Amazon GC (courtesy of Meg Bawden), $10 ARe GC (courtesy of Beany Sparks), and 4th Prize is a bundle of 4 ebooks (1 back list title from Renae Kaye, Penny Brandon’s “His Heart’s Desire”, LJ Harris’ “The Haunting of Angus MacGregor”, and a backlist title from N.J. Nielsen)
About the author
Pelaam’s book “Future Imperfect” was a finalist for the 2015 Rainbow Awards in Gay futuristic/sci-fi. “On Dragon’s Wings” was LR Cafรฉ 2014 winner for Fantasy. “Breath of the Feathered Serpent” was a finalist for the 2014 Rainbow Awards in Gay futuristic/sci-fi. “Bedazzled” and “Firebird” were a combined finalist for the Rainbow Awards in Gay futuristic/sci-fi 2013.
She can be found on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/pamela.pelaamone–
with an author page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pelaam/1467778320131583?ref=hl–
Tanja says
Thank you for the interview Pelaam. I love the Wizard of Oz too. Classic fun.
Shirley Ann Speakman says
I enjoyed the post it was great to meet you. The trifle sounds yummy I hope you have a great Christmas.
jenf27 says
Thanks for the interview! I got a chuckle from your story about the blue/green jacket.
susana says
Thank you for the interview, the recipe and the anecdotes. I shall try the trifle. It sounds good!
debby236 says
Great post. I enjoyed reading it. I think I may try some.
H.B. says
I picked up A Taste of Christmas Spice a few days ago and read it. It was a good read but I felt too short. Thank you for the post and happy holidays!
Nic Starr says
Tanja is the lucky winner! Pelaam will be in contact shortly to arrange to get you your prize. Congratulations! ๐
tanja says
Thank you Nic.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.