Blogguest, Gianna Bruno + Giveaway
by sue on Mar.16, 2011, under Book Chat
Greetings!
I’m Gianna Bruno. For years, reading science fiction, fantasy, and romance opened up new worlds to explore and introduced me to interesting characters. I grew tired of journalistic assignments. There are too many formulas, formats, recipes, and prescriptions. I suppose it was no coincidence that, when I started writing fiction in earnest about five years ago, I evolved into somewhat of a cross-genre queen.
There is romance in almost everything I write, as well as a touch of magic. But I favor real life settings, occasionally with a historical backdrop, and my characters are conglomerations of people I’ve met–some of them in the oddest situations and places.
I live in New York City, which is a treasure trove for urban fantasy and magical realist writers. But since I’ve lived a good bit of my life in southern New England: Boston, the North Shore of Massachusetts and Vermont, moving from urban to ex-urban settings, and from fantasy to reality, is so much a part of my life, I’ve learned to see the magic, taste it, feel it.
It doesn’t matter if I’m on a subway, exploring the back roads and byways in Salem and environs, watching hurricane driven surf crash onto a beach, or battling the wind to get down a steep, icy slope. The witches, fairies, ghosts, and occasional alien invade my subconscious and implore me to chronicle their stories and adventures.
My new Eternal Press release, The Journey, began as a dream about a woman walking through a snowy wood and meeting a fairy. Milena is a witch who lives on the outskirts of Salem just before the start of the Civil War. The fact that the Underground Railroad was active in that part of Massachusetts, best known for its prejudice against witches (though it had waned by that time), created an interesting twist and gave Milena a clear mission and sense of purpose.
The result was a traditional fantasy with splashes of fairy magic, witchcraft, voodoo, action, and adventure in a historical setting. I suppose I should mention it’s highly erotic–as a story that explores the dark depths of humanity needs to be.
Hot Chocolate Kiss, published in January 2010 by Eternal Press, has garnered some very nice reviews. Guys love this story because of the action, both on and off the ski slopes. Yes, there are witches and fairies, but they sneak on and off stage like a glint of light on the snow or a gust of wind.
I’m thrilled to be here today to chat with readers, both new and old, answer questions, and give away one of my gift packages: A copy of The Journey and Hot Chocolate Kiss, with a box of chocolates. Check back later for the contest question.
I do occasionally come back to the real world. My current work in progress is a collection of short stories At Home With Peter and Sandra, featuring a couple in the suburbs of somewhere trying to reinvent their relationship. It’s humorous, five flames, and I’m having a great time writing it.
Give away will be a copy of The Journey and Hot Chocolate Kiss, plus a box of chocolates.
There are trailers and excerpts on my website and blog. Please keep in touch and follow me on Facebook or Twitter.
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September 30th, 2011 on 1:03 pm
Factors for you to Keep in mind even though developing hyperlinks usually are you should develop links with related websites.
September 6th, 2011 on 4:18 am
Hello. Great job. I did not count on this on a Wednesday. will also be a great story. Thanks!
April 6th, 2011 on 7:16 pm
Regina Ross, you’re the winner of my prize package but we haven’t heard from you. Please contact me at gianna At giannabruno.com.
April 6th, 2011 on 7:14 pm
Regina Ross, you’re my winner but we haven’t heard from you. Please email me: gianna AT giannabruno DOT com.
I’d like to get your prize package in the mail as soon as possible
March 20th, 2011 on 7:18 am
I have not yet read your book, but soon I plan to read them.
March 20th, 2011 on 4:35 am
congrats on your newest release! you are a new author to me, but your books sound really interesting and I will def keep them in mind for my next shopping trip.
greetings
March 20th, 2011 on 12:39 am
Yay I love finding new authors! These novels sound great!!! I’m loving these covers!!!
March 19th, 2011 on 6:28 pm
Your a new author and I have to thank Sue for keeping my to read pile busy
I can’t wait to read these and I love the trailer
March 18th, 2011 on 1:22 pm
The cover of The Journey is so pretty! That guy silhouetted on it so handsome! He kind of looks like Keanu Reeves. What is your favorite kind of hero for a book? I love the tall, dark and handsome guys! When you write, do you have to have certain things to inspire you, like food, drinks, odors, music, etc.?
March 17th, 2011 on 8:28 pm
Ah, nothing better than a good book and a box of chocolate to top it off.
(\___/)
(=’.'=)
(”)_(”)
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/
March 17th, 2011 on 4:13 pm
Your books sound really good.
March 16th, 2011 on 11:09 pm
The Journey sounds absolutely fabulous and I love the trailer.
March 16th, 2011 on 9:43 pm
Witches are popular but I haven’t read many as yet, so will look out for yours.
March 16th, 2011 on 9:16 pm
At the start of the post you listed sci-fi as an influence, but that seems to have fallen by the wayside. Was there ever a turning point where you focused on the fantasy side of speculative fiction, or do you still bring in science aspects into your writing?
March 17th, 2011 on 8:20 pm
Wow, that is an interesting question. I was first drawn into reading science fiction because I love science. Jules Verne wrote some of my favorites (I like seafaring tales). I adore space opera and have written two sci fi novels and one short story. Haven’t ever gotten them to the point of sending them out, though I will some day.
I have always loved fantasy, my all time favorite writer was Tolkien until JK Rowling came along. I’m not sure when I got hooked on writing fantasy over sci fi, it just happened. And everything I write has romance in it.
March 16th, 2011 on 7:47 pm
I think the cover for Journey is very beautiful and and made me want to read your book. You’re definitely a new-to-me author, and your works sounds like an interesting read with the fantasy aspect.
March 17th, 2011 on 8:21 pm
The cover artist for both my Eternal Press books is Amanda Kelsey. She did a fantastic job, I agree.
March 16th, 2011 on 5:42 pm
It’s so nice to “see” familiar names here today, and a lot of new ones as well. I hope you all will follow me on Facebook and/or Twitter. I’d love to hear what you like about my stories, and what you wish I’d done differently.
Thanks for stopping by. I have to check with Sue to see if she handles the giveaway or I do. Please stand by, and if I don’t get anything posted today, check back tomorrow.
March 17th, 2011 on 8:16 pm
Okay, I heard from Sue and the winner of my gift package will be announced this Sunday. Good luck to all, and thanks for checking out my stories!
Keep in touch!
Hugs,
Gianna
March 16th, 2011 on 4:52 pm
Your books sound interesting.Good Luck.
March 16th, 2011 on 4:16 pm
Are there any funny or scary situations that you have found inspiration for a story in?
March 16th, 2011 on 5:32 pm
Great question. Scary, lets see. Well, some guy on a subway car went berserk and said he had a gun. He didn’t but that was troubling. Since I don’t write mysteries and thrillers, I tend to use those moments to enhance my scenes where the characters are in danger.
Funny, oh yes. I get lots of ideas from things I see people doing. I think that’s why so much of my writing has a humorous tone.
March 16th, 2011 on 4:14 pm
Your books sound interesting. You are a new to me author.
March 16th, 2011 on 3:36 pm
Thanks for stopping by and letting us know about your books. The Journey sounds great!!
March 16th, 2011 on 3:33 pm
Hi, Gianna! What other mega-cities around the world do you think offer as much food for fiction and fantasy as New York? If you could live in another place in the world, where would it be?
March 16th, 2011 on 5:38 pm
I have never been anywhere like NYC for urban fantasies. No place is as crazy.
Rome and Pompeii Italy are great source of inspiration for me. THere is such a ghostl presence in the ruins, particularly in Pompeii, but I felt it in the Roman Forum and Coliseum. Venice has that dark, macabre feel as well.
Machu Pichu in Peru is another place were there are some spooky things: sacrificial altars and the like.
I think you can find something fascinating no matter where you go, as long as you’re open to it. Most writers just jot down notes, thoughts, feelings, details and use them later. I do.
March 16th, 2011 on 3:26 pm
These books look really good. I am definitely adding these to my TBR pile.
March 16th, 2011 on 3:17 pm
I know what you mean about occasionally coming back to reality–I try to avoid it myself as much as I can. ^_^ Stories are a big help.
March 16th, 2011 on 2:52 pm
I love the fact that there are so many mixed genres. I enjoy variety and there are so many variations. And yours are all ones I enjoy.
March 16th, 2011 on 2:19 pm
Gianna, I really like the idea of putting the story into a historical setting! So many of the paranormals today are set either in the present or the “future”, so this is a really refreshing change! I look forward to reading it!
March 16th, 2011 on 2:19 pm
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March 16th, 2011 on 1:56 pm
Your books sound so interesting, I can’t wait to read them. I love paranormal stories especially witches and vampires. Great trailer!
March 16th, 2011 on 1:22 pm
I love that the idea of the book began with a dream. I think that touches on the part of us that thinks hey I had this dream what if….. but YOU actually are doing it. These look really good and I will be checking them out!
March 16th, 2011 on 5:46 pm
LOL! I do my best work while asleep. Got up and wrote a poem the other night. I was dreaming about my ex mother in law (who I loved dearly) who died a few years ago. I think she was trying to tell me something or reassure me. I felt so much better after I finished writing.
March 16th, 2011 on 12:08 pm
The books look fantastic!
March 16th, 2011 on 12:04 pm
Why, thanks. Be sure to let me know what you think.
March 16th, 2011 on 12:03 pm
Thanks for stopping by, Gianna! I always loved reading about authors and how they came to writing. Me too, I was always interested in paranormalities, but generally I prefer vampires and werewolves
But The Journey with romance, farie magic and historical setting, and spiced with erotic scenes… well, I certainly have to read it 
March 16th, 2011 on 11:39 am
Hi, Gianna,
I loved The Journey!
March 16th, 2011 on 11:30 am
Hi Gianna. Great trailer. Your book sounds really good.
March 16th, 2011 on 11:11 am
Enjoyed reading the comments and the trailer. Your books sound really good and I have added them to my TBR list.
March 16th, 2011 on 10:19 am
Excellent trailer! Good luck with your books!!
March 16th, 2011 on 9:54 am
I love your books. The blurbs and covers rock. Love books with witches and fae in them.
March 16th, 2011 on 9:04 am
Loved the trailer. Good luck with the book. With that combination its sure to be a winner in my book!!!
March 16th, 2011 on 7:54 am
i’ve never read any of your books but they sound really good so i’ll have to check them out