Earlier today I interviewed the lovely Jean from Maurice on Books – but I also thought it would be cool for Laura and I to come up with 15 questions that we would both answer so you could all get to know us a bit better.
It was fun – I hope you enjoy 
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1. What five books would you take on a desert island with you?
Laura: Wow, this is a hard question. It was one of my suggested ones too, serves me right! I think it’s particularly hard as I read so many series and not stand alone books.
After much deliberation I would take:
The Time Traveller’s Wife – Audrey Niffenegger – probably no surprise there as I often go on about how much I love this book!
Phantom Waltz – Catherine Anderson – I would take all of her romances if I could. I have read all of them at least twice
Guilty Pleasures – Laurell K Hamilton or Bitten by Kelley Armstrong (is that cheating?)
Wuthering Heights – Emily Brontë
The Black Jewels Trilogy – Anne Bishop
Carolyn: Ooh this is a toughie…only 5?? Um, definitely Dracula by Bram Stoker as it’s one of my all time favourite books, along with Wuthering Heights & Jane Eyre – to remind me of a time gone by, also I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, which is incredibly poignant, and Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton, which was my first urban fantasy I ever read so has a special place in my heart. I have so many more I could list…I feel guilty for leaving so many out…
Laura: Me too, it was a toughie. I think I’d still struggle if it was 50, let alone 5!
2. If you could be any urban fantasy heroine who would you be and why?
Laura: There are quite a lot of factors to take into consideration with this one. Powers, enemies and most importantly hot beau.
It ended up being a decision between two. The first was Cat in Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress books. Let me just say Bones and leave it at that! But I eventually decided on Elena in Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series. Because personally I think Clay is even hotter than Bones, and she’s got that whole super fast metabolism which means she has to eat all that time. That’s a challenge I think I could rise to!
Carolyn: This one is a little easier – Anita Blake (minus all the sex – well, not all, but you know what I mean!!). She’s my top kick-arse chick with attitude. I think because the Anita Blake series was my first real taste of the ‘modern’ urban fantasy, I will always have a soft spot for this feisty chickadee.
3. What genre have you never read?
Laura: There are several genres I’ve never read. Erotic romance is one. I struggle if the romance is a bit too ‘hot’ in a standard romance, so this is one I’m probably too scared to read! Also while I’ve read some sci-fi, I’ve deliberately avoided high-tech, you know the ones with all the equations in? I think it would just all go over my head! Ironically, this is my other half’s favourite genre.
Carolyn: A few days ago I would have said Erotic Romance, but that’s not the case any more having recently read Laid Bare by Lauren Dane for my Double Dare with Leontine’s Book Realm. So I will say High Fantasy. I just can’t seem to get past the intricate maps, the 600+ pages and the weird character names. I could probably read 2-3 books in the same time I would read one of those bad boys, so sadly they get relegated to the back of the shelf to gather dust. I know I’m probably missing out on some real gems but I just don’t have the motivation or the will to read them.
Laura: Oh there are some high fantasy ones that are great! Although I get the whole giant book thing. You should give one a go…
Carolyn: If I have to read a High Fantasy, then you have to read an erotic romance (hey, I had to – it’s only fair!)
4. Other than books what are your three favourite things to do in your spare time?
Laura: Well, I love to sing! I’m a classically trained mezzo soprano, and have regular singing lessons with my superb teacher who sang with the ENO for twenty years. I’m currently working on a Handel piece.
Secondly, I like to watch mainly American tv shows, and have this strange habit of watching them over an over again. I find it oddly comforting.
Thirdly, writing. Since I was little I’ve always had a story on the go. My Dad was saying to me only the other week that he was cleaning up his (very old) computer hard drive, and found some of my stories on there from when I lived at home. I dream of one day being published.
Carolyn: This is where Laura and I are freakishly similar – I am also a classically trained singer, but I’m a Soprano. My favourite composers to sing are Purcell, Handel and Mozart. I love the Early era and my inspiration for singing this period is Emma Kirkby – an amazing soprano!
I also love watching US shows. Most of my favourites are no more, such as Buffy, Angel, ER, Friends – but I do enjoy Grays Anatomy, True Blood, Vampire Diaries and Gossip Girl.
I love spending time with the hubster *of course, I had to get that one in* and spending time exercising in some way such as gym, cycling, playing golf or hiking – I like the outdoors.
Laura: We are freakishly similar! I like a lot of the same TV shows as you. I so miss Buffy!Although I’d throw in Charmed, Sons of Anarchy, Ghost Whisperer and Supernatural – well, just for Dean Winchester alone *sigh*. I’d love to hear you sing too
Carolyn: Oh, yes! I forgot Charmed, I watched that show religiously – I just loved Phoebe and Cole!!
5. What would your last meal on earth be?
Laura: Hmmm. I think it would probably be very unhealthy!
Starter: Kings prawns
Main: Cabonara – mmm Italian food.
Desert: A giant chocolate brownie and ice cream sundae
All complemented with several glasses of champagne
If I could i would also fit in some double fried chips somewhere!
Carolyn: This is another tough one, Laura! There are SO many kinds of food I love, so if this was to be my very last meal on Earth I would ask for EVERYTHING!
Appetisers: Pizza – yummy!
Starter: Green thai curry – very HOT! Lots of chillies!
Main: Beef roast – Mmmm *love* beef
Side Dishes: Chinese spring rolls, chicken tikka masala and nachos! (What? Too much?)
Desert: Hot chocolate brownie with vanilla ice-cream and apple crumble with custard!
Ok, now I feel fat….
Laura: OMG could you eat all of that in one meal lol? I didn’t add side dishes or anything and now I feel like I need to add even more calories to my last meal on earth! I think I need to throw in some roast chicken and stuffing, roast potatoes, apple crumble too and flapjacks. Ok, I could be sick after, but who cares?
Carolyn: Hehe – as my last meal on Earth I would definitely give it a go! LOL *you should add side dishes*
6. What are your favourite films?
Laura: My film tastes are very eclectic. They cover all genres. I would say Last of the Mohicans, Alien and Aliens, The first Terminator, Kill Bill, Legally Blonde (has me in stitches), Coyote Ugly (cheesy but good), most people hate them but I love comic book adaptations even the ones the critics have panned. I’ve had a thing for dancing films lately – Step Up, Save The Last Dance and who can forget Flash Dance (she’s a maniac, maniac on the dance floor…) and Dirty Dancing. I shall stop here as I could go on…..
Carolyn: I *love* watching movies – I think my DVD obsession is very close to my book obsession! My taste in movies is pretty eclectic too and I have SO many favourites – my list will be long…
The Godfather
Jaws
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Scream
Star Wars
Rocky
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Jurassic Park
Psycho
The Notebook
Independence Day
An Officer and a Gentleman
The Exorcist
The Stepford Wives (1975)
Romero’s Dead Trilogy
An American Werewolf in London
Thelma & Louise
The Age of Innocence
50 First Dates
Anything Disney, and many more…
Phew! Told you it would be a long list 
Laura: Ohh The Notebook, I forgot about that one, so good *sniff* .
Carolyn: I know! I’ve watched it a few times now and I still cry every time! And Ryan Gosling is a hottie 
7. Favourite time and place to read?
Laura: Quite honestly, I can read any time, any place, anywhere. But a lot of my reading is done in my lovely comfy, giant arm chair or in bed.
Carolyn: I can read anywhere if I have to but my favourite places to read are in bed and in the bath. The bath is probably my most favourite – it’s warm, soft with bubbles and totally relaxing…
Laura: I’m a strange one, I don’t get the reading in the bath thing although I know so many people who do. I actually don’t really like baths. I’m a shower girl – you can sing in there too
8. If you could save five animals from extinction which ones would you choose? It can be any animal not just ones on the extinction list.
Laura:
Dogs – I adore my dog. He truly is my archetypal best friend (hubby aside) and I simply couldn’t imagine a world without them.
Cats – I have two and they wouldn’t forgive me if they didn’t make this list
Giraffes – I think they are strangely elegant and beautiful in their own way.
Lions – in particular males, just for their manes alone.
Cows – odd choice maybe, but when I was in my teens I had a thing for collecting cow print things & even had a cow print fridge in my first flat!
Carolyn: This is one of my suggested questions and it’s a hard one for me. I love all animals so it’s really difficult to choose ones to save.
Dogs & Cats – how can I not save man’s best friends..
Gorilla’s – such amazing beasts and to think there’s only approx 700 left in the world!
Tigers – so utterly beautiful, I can’t believe people would kill them just for their teeth to crush as an aphrodisiac!
Elephants – they amaze me. They are just so loving with each other and when I see them mourning their dead and prodding them with their trunks, it breaks my heart.
Whales & Dolphins – majestic creatures is all I can say, oh and beautiful singing voices
I know, I cheated a little 
Laura: Firstly, you so cheated! Cats and dogs as one? I had Whales on my list and had to take them off. I think you should do it again But, on a serious note, I too cannot believe how many beautiful creatures are nearing extinction down to human selfishness 
But, on a serious note, I too cannot believe how many beautiful creatures are nearing extinction down to human selfishness 9. Favourite city or country you’ve visited (can be more than one)?
Laura: This is an easy one! Years ago I won a fab competition & won two flights to anywhere in the world! Choosing where to go was very hard let me tell you. But as money was tight for us and we had to pay for everything else ourselves there was also a limit. We decided on Barbados. We ended up staying in a little hut and the owner of the hut sort of took us under her wing.
We did some amazing things like going to a street party and dancing in the streets, going to a Bajan rum shack and participating in locals’ version of karaoke and visiting the plantations. Seeing slaves names written on the walls listed with the cattle was a chilling experience. I’d love to go back, but I’m also worried the experience won’t live up to that first memory.
Carolyn: Oh wow – that sounds so amazing, Laura – what a prize! I have been very lucky and have visited many awesome places, but there have been definite favourites:
The first is Disney World, Florida – I went to Disney for the first time in 1997 with my hubby (then boyfriend) and absolutely loved it. I have been a fan of Disney since I was a little girl and I think it’s just so magical. When we arrived I felt I had transported into a Disney movie, and to be honest when I met all the Disney characters and watched the parades I can honestly say I was totally choked up and my eyes brimmed with tears. You probably think I’m totally sappy, but I don’t care, as it was one of the most beautiful and memorable holidays of my life. In fact my hubby and I loved it so much we went back for two weeks in 2004 for our Honeymoon!
The other places I want to mention are New York City – what an amazing place. I just loved the atmosphere, the buildings, the people – an awesome city and have been back twice already. San Francisco – this city surprised me as it’s small compared to other US cities but it’s also quite laid back and I loved that. It has a quaint feel to it, an old fashioned atmosphere and I just loved Pier 39!
On most of our holidays I’m usually the one with the tour maps out, ticking off every single excursion we have to do, that in 2006 we decided to do something radical and go on a beach holiday! We had never done this before, and are usually hiking in the Alps or sightseeing every minute of the day (more my doing than my hubby’s), so we booked a two week trip to St Lucia. It was one of the most relaxing, gentle holidays we have ever had and it was total bliss. We just read around the pool, ate lots of gorgeous Caribbean food and I got the best tan ever!
Laura: I’d love to go to both Disney World and New York. They are definitely on my travels list. What a different, but great place to go on your honeymoon!
Carolyn: Disney World is an amazing place – would definitely recommend it!
Carolyn: Disney World is an amazing place – would definitely recommend it!
10. How many books do you own and how many do you buy each month?
Laura: Do you know, I have no idea how many books I own. I’ve never counted. We don’t have much storage space in our house, so I have to be quite strict about which books I keep and which ones go to the charity shop. If I had a choice I would probably keep them all! I’d make a rough guess at five hundred.
Now that I drive to work (see next question), I read less books, about one a week, unless I’m on holiday. Although I’ve recently discovered audio books are a good way of getting extra book time into my life so this has started creeping up again. I’d say I buy between three and five a month.
Carolyn: I have about 2000+ books on my shelves, well most are on the floor at the moment as I’ve run out of bookcases, but hopefully that will be remedied soon. Due to publishers and authors sending me review books and buying about 20 books per month, it’s easy to see how my book collection has grown. Also, that one-Click button on Amazon has a lot to answer for!
11. Do you have to smuggle books past your other half to avoid the “evil eye”?
Laura: He, he great question! *that means it was one of mine – sorry Laura, carry on* In my last job, I used to work in London. Which was a three hour round commute. Back then I used to devour books. At least three per week. My book buying habits were quite out of control!
One of my favourite places to go in my lunch break was the four story Borders on Oxford Street, which has sadly closed down now. All I can say is thank God for large handbags! I remember once my husband found one of my ‘secret stashes’ of books I’d hidden under the bed and the utterly incredulous look on his face! If only I had the picture to share with you. But my book buying habits are a little bit more conservative now and, well, ereaders are a fabulous device for book smuggling too
Carolyn: YES! LOL Most of the time the hubster is cool with the amount of books that come into the house, but recently I have been getting the ‘evil eye’ more often. The more review books I get the more he doesn’t understand why I still have to buy so many – he’s not a bookie you see, so doesn’t get the obsession! I tell him it’s an illness and it’s not my fault, but he doesn’t believe me!
So, as I know I will never stop buying books I try and make sure they are delivered during the week *while he’s at work – sneaky heh?* Also, I have just purchased a Kindle 3 *as he completely hogs the iPad* so now I can buy as many books as I want and he will never know, hehe *Shhhh*
12. Bad boy or white knight?
Laura: Ooh, ooh I don’t know. I’m tempted to say white knight but as I one of the reasons I started to date my hubby might be something to do with his bad boy motorbike I think I need to honest and say bad boy
Carolyn: Well, I married a white knight *ahhh* so obviously that’s what I would pick – but when it comes to fictional men, I go for the bad boy every time *Sawyer anyone*
13. Do you like to snack on anything while reading?
Laura: Actually I don’t usually eat anything while I’m reading. Which is quite unusual as I do love a good snack. My favourite snack stereotypically has to be chocolate.
Carolyn: Chocolate and fruit gums! I love snacking!
14. What’s your favourite holiday of the year? Easter, Valentine’s, Halloween, Christmas, and how do you celebrate it?
Laura: It has got to be without question Christmas. I honestly enjoy giving gifts as much as receiving them, and put a lot of time and effort into choosing presents for my friends and family. Mind you, receiving them is good too! It’s also such a great time for catching up with everyone.
Carolyn: I would have to agree with Laura, it’s Christmas hands down – I love the runup to Christmas and getting into the Christmas spirit. I love Christmas shopping, even when everyone else is irritable and bad-tempered acting like Scrooge. I love hanging the decorations and lighting candles, making the house look pretty and festive. It’s just so much fun. And of course I love getting PRESSIES!!!
I love Halloween too – we don’t usually do much but this year we’re having a Halloween Wii Party and I’m going to make lots of cream topped chocolate cupcakes that look like spooky things! Hopefully I will remember to take pictures so I can show you all before I stuff them in my mouth!
Laura: Oh yes, one of the best bits of Christmas is decorating the house and choosing the perfect tree.
I’m so jealous of how they celebrate Halloween in America, we don’t really do very much in the UK. I’m lucky if I get two trick or treaters. Mind you, it does usually mean there’s lots of sweets for me to eat afterwards
15. Have your reading tastes/habits changed over the years?
Laura: I have always, always been passionate about books right from when I was a little girl. Because I have a degree in English, I’ve read quite an eclectic array of books. But I’ve enjoyed witchy, supernatural, horror books right from the beginning. In my early twenties I went through a big chick-lit stage, but have since got bored with them and went back to my supernatural-loving roots. I discovered romance by accident, thinking I was picking up a sci-fi book. I think because of living in the UK with the exception of Mills & Boon it’s less popular here. But from that first book I was completely hooked. Nothing beats a happy ending!
Carolyn: Like Laura I have always been passionate about books, so I have always read. Sometimes the amount of books I read fluctuates. When I worked in London and had a very long train journey I used to get through at least 4-6 books per week. Now I only manage 2-3. I have gone through phases with regards to genre: I spent a whole year reading practically nothing but Agatha Christie and Dean Koontz; a whole summer reading nothing but chick-lit *soon got bored of that genre* I have recently found romance and I’m enjoying many of the sub-genres: paranormal, historical, contemporary. But I always return to what I love most and that’s horror and urban fantasy.
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13 Comments
This was a great interview!
Here is mine
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Nice to meet you both! I'm wondering if I can join Laura for her last meal and Carolyn for her last dessert? YUM!
Time Traveler's Wife and Wuthering Heights are two of my favorites as well.
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I really enjoyed reading that Q&A session between you two! How cool that you have such similar interests
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great questions and answers! awesome you were well-matched with each other
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Brooke – Thanks!
Trish – Hehe, you can have *some* of my dessert, but I will admit, I'm not good at sharing my sweet things
I love Wuthering Heights, such a fab book! Thanks for stopping by!
Mageamanda – Thanks, glad you enjoyed it – when we first 'met' and got to talking, we were really surprised at how much in common we had – that's why Laura has fit into Book Chick City so well
Chelleyreads – Thank you – we're well matched as I own BCC but Laura is a regular reviewer here. I thought it would be fun to do a Q&A between us
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What a great interview – ty for sharing was fun to read all of your answers!
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Wow – great Q&A – I felt like I was eavesdropping on a private conversation!
Great questions – although I can't belive neither of you chose fish and chips for your final meal!!
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@Brooke I'm glad you liked it
@Trish I might share my last meal but like Carolyn I might fight you for the desert
@Magemanda glad you liked! We had fun doing it. The more we get to know each other, it's interesting how much we have in common
@Chelleyreads we are quite well matched. I think that's why Carolyn asked me to join as a reviewer. Lucky me!
@bookchickcity I'm convinced I could get you to read a good high fantasy
@Pam hi Pam – glad you enjoyed
@Mel he he we came up with half the questions each and I can't believe I forgot fish and chips either! Although I did have chips….
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Wow, great interview! you guys are funny esp the question on the last meal on earth! haha
I love Anita Blake! I love her being a toughie. The first 1-6 books it was great and i stopped reading after book 7 it was the vampire politics that i didn't like in this series. I've joined the year long challenge – have to finish them all before the year ends!
If you like someone very similar to Anita Blake try Rose Hathaway of Vampire Academy – very very anita only a teenager version but the story is sooooo goood!
oh btw, i received an award. It's called Life is Good award and im passing it you!
You can pick up the award at
http://www.bookinglyyours.blogspot.com
Have a great blogging day!
~iamjenai~
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Carolyn's last meal sounds aaamaaazing. I really like the unique way you did your interview!
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Loved this interview format!
Was taken aback at how SF is considered small compared to other big cities — but when I think about it, that's probably true. I was recently there (and, yes, Pier 39 too), and still remembered a lot of the streets and landmarks even after not being there for over 20 years.
The blogger I interviewed loves "The Notebook", the movie — I'll have to watch that sometime. I'm afraid I'd cry, though.
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Pam – Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it
Mel – What! You want me to add *more* food! LOL Actually I did think about good old fish and chips and I did have it down as my starter, but then replaced it with Pizza! Now I wish I'd added it as another side dish
I'm glad you liked the Q&A, it was my intention for it to come across as a conversation when I set out the interview, I'm glad it worked LOL
Laura – As I said.. You=Erotic Romance!!!
iamjenai – Thanks! Well, food is very important!
Yay, another Anita fan – she is the best isn't she! I've only read up to book 10 but that was quite a while ago now, so want to re-read them all so I can finish series. I have the VA books on my shelf and will be hosting a VA week in December so will be reviewing all the books! Also thanks for the award! 
Cass – Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the interview – and yes, my meal choices are the best!
Valerie – Thanks! Well, San Francisco felt smaller to me, I suppose it's personal how we interpret things, It didn't feel intimidating like New York did the first time I went there – it felt quite unique, quaint and old-fashioned. It's one of my favourite cities as is NYC – both are fantastic!
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@Cass glad you enjoyed, but surely my meal choice looks better than @bookchickcity's ??
@Valerie The Notebook is a tearjerker, but a goodie none the less.
@BookChickCity Erotic romance – yikes! I'm such a chicken lol. I'm game if you're game??
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