Bitten by Books
Make ‘em Laugh
First, thanks Bitten by Books for letting me hangout today. You guys are awesomeness. I don’t know about you guys, but if you make me laugh, we’re probably going to be best friends for life. I think the world is a really tough place, and sometimes we need a little light-hearted gooberish moments in our life. That’s one of the reasons I decided to make my new book, Baby’s Got Bite, funny. The first book, Take It Like A Vamp, had a lot of humor, and there was potential for even more with this second book. (And before you ask, no you don’t have to read the first one to understand the second one. But I’m hoping you’ll love Baby’s Got Bite so much you’ll want to read Take it Like a Vamp.)
Anyhoo… humor. I love books that give me the feelzz. And I love to laugh and cry within the same book. I’m hoping I do that for you guys with Baby’s Got Bite. Today, I was trying to think back on some books that made me laugh out loud. Do you remember that first Stephanie Plum book by Janet Evanovich where Grandma Mazur shot a hole in the chicken dinner? I laughed for two days over that scene. It still makes me smile. And those early Betsy books by Mary Janice Davidson had me rolling. I remember being on a plane and laughing so hard at the second Betsy book, I think it was Undead and Unemployed, that the flight attendant thought I was having some kind of fit.
If I can make you smile or cry, while reading one of my books, I feel like I’ve done my job. And if I can lighten your day, even for a little bit, that makes me happy. I’d love to hear from you. Do you have a book that gave you big time FEELZZZ or made you laugh? Tell me, I really want to know!
Buy a print copy of Baby’s Bot Bite from Amazon by clicking here.
Buy a Kindle copy of Baby’s Got Bite from Amazon by clicking here. – ONLY .99 cents!
Books in the Take It Like a Vamp series in the order they should be read:
Take it Like a Vamp
Baby’s Got Bite
CONTEST INFO: Open to readers worldwide.
Prize: $50.00 Amazon Gift Card
About Candace Havens
Author Bio:
Bestselling author Candace Havens has written multiple novels for Berkley, Entangled and Harlequin. Her books have received nominations for the RITA’s, Holt Medallion and Write Touch Reader Awards. She is the author of the biography Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy and a contributor to several anthologies. She is also one of the nation’s leading entertainment journalists and has interviewed countless celebrities including Tom Hanks, Nicolas Cage, Tom Cruise, George Clooney and many more. Her entertainment columns can be read in more than 600 newspapers across the country.
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How did you choose the genre you write in?
Hey Lisa, I write in all kinds of genres, but always under that romance umbrella. But I love paranormal romance. I love magic. I like the idea of otherworldy folks running around. I just kind of love creating those worlds.
Hi Candace!
Welcome back to Bitten by Books. It is so lovely to have you as a guest again.
My question for you is; Who is the most amazing celebrity you have interviewed?
I have a couple of favorites I’ve talked to through the years. Tom Hanks is one, who has always been really kind. I love me some Bryan Cranston. He even hosted the television critics association awards for me. Well, for all of us, but it wasn’t something he would normally do. He was awesome. I’m actually out in L.A. right now and my current favorite is Katja Herbers who is on Manhattan. I just talked to her yesterday and she’s so lovely. I ran into her in the elevator this morning and she was asking me about my day.
To answer your questions that are on the contest widget:
1. What is the funniest book you’ve ever read?
Well the Dakota Cassidy “Accidental” series is pretty funny, I have to agree on the early MJD books. The other one was Sh*t my dad says.
Besides the ones you mentioned above Candy, what is the funniest book you have read? Or what’s the funniest movie?
I read my first ACCIDENTAL book a couple months back. It was ACCIDENTALLY DRAGON. I did laugh.
Oh, I love Dakota’s book. They are so much fun. Those Stephanie Plum books really make me laugh. A lot of our Covets at Entangled are really funny paranormals. I love Mark Henry’s Parks and Wreck for Entangled. But also Kristin Miller’s, Tiffany Allee’s, Boon Brux, I love all of the Covets for that reason. A lot of them are really funny.
It’s old, but the funniest movie, and it’s not paranormal, for years it was A Fish Called Wanda. That movie made me laugh out loud. I’m sure there are others. My favorite paranormal movies are the Harry Potter films and Practical Magic.
Loved The Penguin Who Knew Too Much by Donna Andrews; an hilarious cozy mystery author.
I would want to be a fairy.
The X-Files was fabulous.
I love reading books that have lighter moments. I will have to go pick up Take it Like a Vamp.
1. LAMB: The Gospel According to Biff Christ’s Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore. Never laughed so hard while reading :).
2. A Valkyrie - who wouldn’t want to be a kick a*s female?
3. GRIMM - I love that show.
What is your favorite supernatural type TV show?
Ohhh, I love Christopher Moore’s books. Love them!
If you could only give ONE piece of advice to newbie authors and writers, what advice do you think is the most important one to give?
Learn your craft, but also sit down in your chair and finish your projects. You need to take classes. You need to want to be better. You need to read, read, read, read and read. That’s how you learn. ANd then analyze.
Best of luck!
Hi!
So, when you are interviewing celebrities, is there anything that you wish they would do or say or something that they just tend not to? I think I’m thinking of politicians, where I just wish for once they would ask the question they are posed, not the one they rather answer - so, maybe better put is can they be just as bad or something?
Lois
and your questions -
- definitely love funny books; totally not enough of them. Can’t say it’s the funniest, but a favorite I reread a lot is an old one out of print now (or has been) is a duo High Energy and High Intensity by Dara Joy. Just not enough physics or physicists in romance - and they can be fun.
- well, I like the outfit of the purple, starry robed wizards, so that one could be good.
- I’m more of Star Trek/Star Wars scifi, but I certainly am also an X-Files fan.
2. What kind of supernatural creature would you want to be?
Probably a freaking hybrid. LOL like half vamp half fae. I need some fae magic and vamp wealth right about now. lol
What about you Candy?
I think maybe…not a creature. Maybe a witch. I’m fascinated by magic. I would love to be able to do magic. My young adult book Hex (as Mackenzie McGuire) is witches. I want to go to that school and live in that world.
Gee, I know where you can sign up
3. What is your favorite supernatural television show or movie?
I would have to say Lost Girl and Grimm has been pretty amazing.
What are your favs Candy?
I love Lost Girl and I’m a fan of Grimm. I still watch Supernatural. Love the Winchester boys.
Hi, Candace!
I LOVE the titles of your books, and they sound hilarious!! I couldn’t help singing to Baby’s Got Bite. LOL!! Where did you come up with the idea for this series? And congratulations on the release of Take it Like a Vamp!!
Thank you! Linc, who is the hero in this one, was the best friend of the hero in Take It Like A Vamp. Readers have been asking for his story for a long time. But I couldn’t figure out a heroine that would be right. ANd then I thought of Bennett. And then it was… when would they get together, and I went back to the wedding in the first book.
Oh, and for the answers to your questions!
1. Anything by Shelly Laurenston/G.A. Aiken. The woman never fails to have me cracking up like a loon and having people shoot me “Get the meds” looks like her!
2. I would love to be a Valkyrie. They kick serious ass! Especially Kresley Cole’s!
3. Buffy and Supernatural!!
What is the funniest book you’ve ever read?
— Jill Shalvis’s books have a tendency to make me giggle, especially wise cracks and comments the characters make.
What kind of supernatural creature would you want to be?
— Either a dragon or drow (aka dark elf). If I cannot be a drow, I guess I can settle with a sylvan elf. Dunno, but I have a fascination with elves (DnD’s elves I should say). Although, I would like to be a drow like Pirotess in Record of Lodoss Wars. She was deadly but seductive…
What is your favorite supernatural television show or movie?
— Can I mention anime? Karnival comes to mind. It has supernatural elements. The good guys are a part of an organization called Circus. They fight off creatures then after the threat is over, they perform circus acts to soothe the population’s anxieties and worries. Absolutely loved that season. The anime Bleach has supernatural elements too. I haven’t watched Supernatural in a while.…Ooh, does Korean dramas work? I just finished watching one called My girlfriend is a nine-tailed fox. I just like Lee Seung Gi. He’s such a hottie.
Who is your favorite author? (other than yourself)
I so cannot pick a favorite. I love so many.
And I read a lot of different kinds of books. I was thinking that I could answer with my go-to authors, but there are way too many.
Hi Candy! I was reading Liliana Hart’s Whiskey Rebellion at lunch one day at work and had to stop as I was hysterically laughing out loud in the middle of the cafeteria. Stranger looks than normal that day
Book question - what favorite author is still on your wish list to meet?
I’d like to meet J.K. Rowling. I don’t know what I would say, other than thanks for getting kids to read. I meet famous people all the time, but I think I might have a big of a fan girl moment with her.
hi Candace,
?1 sorry cant remember
?2 shifter
?3 I am a Grimmster
what is your guilty pleasure?
My guilty pleasure other than food and books? Music? I don’t get a lot of time off. So if I can have a day where I just watch a season TV or some movies I might have missed, and just hang out with my dogs. Oh, and my husband. I like to hang out with him. Is it sad that hanging out with him is a guilty pleasure?
Hi Candy,
The author and books that make me laugh the most are Vicki Lewis Thompson’s Nerd series. There’s great action and adventure but also lots of great laughs.
I haven’t read Vicki in a while. She does make me laugh!!!!
Do you have a favourite vampire from TV, books or movies?
Y’all are going to make fun of me if I tell you the truth. But, um…I really like… No I can’t do it. I will be ostracized. You guys can guess. And if it’s correct, I’ll tell you.
If you think you’re going to get made fun of, my guess automatically wanders towards Twilight…
You would be very close.
Congratulations on the release of Baby’s Got Bite! I love your Charmed series and will definitely be adding Take It Like a Vamp series to my collection. What new book releases are you looking forward to reading this year?
Bonnie, thank you so much. I have a witchy young adult I wrote with my friend Gwen called “HEX” under the name Mackenzie McGuire. I have a Charmed & Dangerous novella planned for Christmas. I have several Harlequins coming up in 2016. So I hope you’ll check those out… And as for me… I’m looking forward to reading… it’s non paranormal but Gena Showalters new contemporary series.
What is one of your favorite funny romances?
I’m very fond of our Covet line at Entangled. We have a lot of really funny books on there/
1. All of Shelly Laurenston/GA Aiken’s books always make me laugh. I honestly don’t know which I would pick as the funniest though!
2. If I had to pick a shifter animal I would probably go with a big cat…or maybe one of the dragons from GA Aikens dragon world. They are really pretty unique and fun!
3. Ummmm. Well I don’t watch a lot of TV or movies. So no real favorite. I prefer to stick to books. To many great things get messed up when brought to the big screen.
Hello! Do you have any memorable interviewing celebrities stories?
I’ve been interviewing celebs for 27 years, so I have a lot.
There was that time Bryan Cranston stuck $20 in my books when I won a bet concerning his Emmys for Breaking Bad. 
That time John Travolta told me I had beautiful eyes, and then years later said the same thing. LOL There are so many.
What’s been the most rewarding thing someone has said to you about how your work affected them?
Thanks!
Jen
I think any time a reader says I could not put the book down. I had someone cuss me out on Twitter for keeping her up all night when she had a job interview the next day. I kind of love that.
After interviewing so many celebrities, is it still possible for you to get ‘starstruck?’ Was it a problem for you in the beginning, or have you always approached them as just regular people who happen to be well known?
I just saw a male star (pretty famous) come out of the bathroom tugging the back off his pants because his underwear was probably up his crap. They are just regular people. BUT I do admit to getting tongue tied in the presence of three people and it’s an odd collection. Julie Andrews (Forever Mary Poppins, one of my all-time favorite movies). Bob Newhart (he television show was a big part of my childhood) and for some reason Hugh Laurie. I think it’s his voice and accent. LOL
The funniest book I’ve ever read- I’m sure I’ve read other worthy, funny books, but I automatically thought of “‘I Could Pee On This’ and Other Poems by Cats.” I had asked for it, and remember spending Christmas morning reading the whole thing and laughing out loud.
I love that book! I keep it in the bathroom, of course.
What inspires you when you hit a period of “writer’s block?”
I don’t allow myself to have writer’s block. I just write the next scene I know. But there are times when I need a break, so music, television and movies do that for me. Or I go see some great art, or have a great meal.
Writer’s block is FEAR (False Emotions Appearing REal) it’s not a real thing. It just feels real when you aren’t sure what comes next. 
The supernatural creature I would want to be is fae (light, I promise!)
My favorite supernatural tv show is all of them. But forced to choose, I say Haven.
Oh, Haven was a fun show!
Your use of ‘was’ scared me! I had to go check that you hadn’t heard some horrible news that I hadn’t. Slated to return in the fall.
Hi Candace: I am loving Baby’s Got Bite. Thank you for writing it. Besides, reading and writing, what are your other passions in life?
Awwww. You just made my day. Thank you! Other passions… my family, music, art and sleep. I never get enough of the latter.
What are your romance story pet peeves? What tropes do you try to avoid, and which do you embrace?
Wow. They are big sellers, but I’m not super crazy about Revenge plots. I don’t like angry people. LOL. I mean, I’ve read some great stories with that trope, but it’s not a good one for me. I’m always like, get over yourself, crap happens. Move on.
Is there a genre that you’d like to write in, but haven’t yet for whatever reason?
I have one paranoromal steampunk I’ve done. And I would love to do more of those. But I have a lot of contracted books to do first.
A blessing those contracted books.
From any of your books, what has been one of your favorite scenes, or types of scenes, to write?
I like it when friends are sitting around talking, and that same time you learn about their characters. And funny, I love funny scenes. There’s a lot of those in this book, but there’s one where a character has an all is lost moment that is one of my favorites I’ve ever written.
What is the funniest book you’ve ever read?
IDK… there had been many of them.
What kind of supernatural creature would you want to be?
Elf or daoin shide
What is your favorite supernatural television show or movie?
Eragon
How did you start writing? Did you have any doubts when you started?
Hey Ann, I’ve been a jouralist for a really long time. And then a friend suggested I write a romance novel. I was actually out here in L.A. And I went home and wrote one. Then through odd circumstances, I ended up in selling my second book about 18 months later. I was very lucky.
To answer your giveaway questions:
I’ve not read too many comedic books, but Alice Clayton’s books are all great!
I’d rather be a shifter.
I love the show Supernatural!
Are you doing anything exciting this weekend? I am looking for ideas.
LOL Debra, I’m out in L.A. for the other side of my life. I’m interviewing actors, producers and writers for the new TV season. SO I’m sitting at the Beverly Hilton doing interviews all weekend.
I rsvped
I love Donna Andrews’ mysteries-they are so funny I often laugh out loud.
I’d want to be a witch, of course. With a dragon side-kick if possible.
Favorite supernatural show or movie is tougher…maybe some classic Buffy.
I will have to check Donna out. I hadn’t heard about her.
You’ll love her books. SO funny. Lots of quirky people in a small town, the main protagonist is a lady blacksmith, and the love story builds beautifully and realistically through the series. Also, she is just a lovely lady (and I’m not just saying that because she plays Words with Friends with me.)
What is your favorite movie?
Hey Natalie, it’s tie between Mary Poppins and The Matrix.
Hi Candace and Congratulations! I love the title! I love Bryan Cranston, too! I think he has been one of the most under-recognized actors for the longest time but that seems to be changing. He was the dad in Malcolm in the Middle! Who is your favorite book character?
My answers to your questions:
1. Wow! I’m drawing a complete blank~there have been so many! I love funny books!
2. I’d choose witch and not the kind with long, crooked noses with warts!
3. Lord of the Rings movies, Harry Potter, X Files
Hi Candy! My question is, if you could write more books in one of your series which series would it be? Do you feel like any of your series were not finished?
I’d like to finish the Charmed and Dangerous and Caruthers Sisters series.
How do you decide if a book is going to be a stand alone or part of a series?
Sometimes a story is just done. There are characters who have longer arcs and more stories to tell. So it depends on what the story wants to be.
if you could go anywhere in the world on a Vacation where would you go?
I’m heading to New Zealand for a working/vacation in about three weeks. I can’t wait. I’m going to catch me a Hobbit.
And I want to go to Paris. I’ve never been. 
Have your job experiences ever found a way into your books? What was the worst job you ever had?
1) The one that I can remember now is The Martian by Andy Weir.
2) a cat shifter
3) Supernatural TV series
Who is your favorite Muppet and why?
HOLLYWOOD HI-FI, a compilation of reviews of obscure celebrity albums, always makes me hysterical (like the line about Bette Davis’ tap dancing looking like a hippo stamping out a grease fire)…
Some sort of unusual shifter would be fun!
I used to love REAPER, featuring Ray Wise as Satan…it was really clever and funny. (The DMV as a hellmouth makes perfect sense!)
What’s your favorite cocktail?
who is your favorite author?
Do any of your books have bits of your life experiences integrated into them?
Tell us 5 things we may not know about your writing life…
As an editor do you find it difficult to take your editor’s hat off and just enjoy reading a book? And if you had to choose between being an author or an editor, what would you pick?
To answer your questions :
1). A lot of books have made me smile, but laugh out loud? Hmmm. Alice Clayton’s Wallbanger was a lot of fun.
2). A witch! I’ve always wanted magical powers, but minus the whole ‘demons out to steal them and kill me part’!
3). Buffy was for a long time, but Supernatural has just surpassed it to number 1. Those Winchester boys!
Do you have any current fav shows or books?
1. What is the funniest book you’ve ever read?
Right now any book by Jim Gaffigan
2.What kind of supernatural creature would you want to be?
A witch or psychic would prolly be the best fit for me
3. What is your favorite supernatural television show or movie?
Oh boy Supernatural, Charmed, Ghost Whisperer or X-Files are my top favs don’t make me pick
I’m still catching up (especially on sleep) from driving to Baltimore last weekend. It was over 12 hours (around 750 miles) each way and I drove all night that Thursday to get there and all night on Sunday getting home. Yes, it’s a long trip for a three day trip, but this was my 11th straight year and it looks like next year will be my last, since the event is moving locations. The longest I drove was to California - twice - at 2000 miles each way, although my daughters and I did catch a few hours (3-4) of sleep at rest stops the two nights of the drive. What’s the longest you’ve ever driven anywhere (and what was the reason for your trip)?
What actors would you like to see playing your characters in the movie?
What types of book do you write : romance , thriller , drama , action-detective ?