Caridad Pineiro ~ Interview, Review, and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome a very talented author and someone I would like to call a friend, Caridad Pineiro. The author of THE LOST, A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS, and many more. Check out her website for more information about her and her books. 


Now onto the interview!!!

Hello Caridad! Thank you so much for being here today.

Why don't we start off by you telling us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a wife, mom, lawyer and writer!  I was always an avid reader and developed my love of writing in the fifth grade when my teacher assigned a project – to write a book for a class lending library. I got hooked on the writing bug and could not stop writing!

What is your normal day like?

 I work in New York City, so I get on the train at around 6, sit down and pull out my laptop.  I write on the trip and then when I get to NYC, I walk to my office.  It’s about a twenty minute walk, but it’s relaxing and there is always something fun happening in the city.  At my office I work on various files and counsel clients on legal matters.  When the day ends, I walk back to the train station and during that time, I visualize the scene that I am going to write on the train ride home.  I try to work out a few times a week and when I get home, I spend time with my family.  At night I’ll sometimes write, but I’m usually too tired, so only if it’s a really pressing deadline.  On the weekends, I write for a few hours every day in the morning, then do chores and spend time with family and friends.

What are some of your favorites ~ music, movie, drinks, foods, etc. Dislikes? 

 I love watching television and movies.  I prefer soda to water, but like an occasional glass of wine, especially champagne.  I have eclectic music tastes, but generally prefer alternative rock.  As for foods, love cheese, chocolate and bread (although not together! LOL!).  Dislikes are few and far between, but definitely peppermint, rosemary, fennel and pepper.

Tell us one unusual thing about yourself.  I’m basically shy.

Since it is the holiday season, what is your favorite thing about the holidays and which holiday is your favorite?  

Thanksgiving is my favoritest although Christmas Eve is a close second.  My favorite thing about both is sharing time with family and friends.

Do you have an traditions that you follow?  

My sister does a traditional American Thanksgiving and it is great.  On Christmas Eve we’ve merged my husband’s Italian traditions with my Cuban ones which means we have fish and pasta courses to start the meal, but roast pork, baked ham, rice, beans and plaintains for the main courses.

Ok so now onto the book...

AMAZON AMAKENING is the first erotic book that you have wrote. (Is that correct?) What made you want to write erotica?  

Yep, it is the very first erotic paranormal romance I’ve ever written.  I’d been itching to try it out since everyone says I write sexy and then my editor asked me to do some for Nocturne Cravings.  I had a few story ideas in mind and I was off and writing.  It was fun, but the hardest part was making sure there was a romantic arc in the stories.  For me there has to be a happily-ever-after and not just one sex scene after another.  I was very happy to be able to have the physical intimacy be melded with a growing emotional attachment between Rey and Paola.

Can you tell us a bit about the book? 

 AMAZON AWAKENING is a story about a young woman, Paola Lopes, who is called back to her father’s home in the Amazon to visit her grandmother, who is supposedly ill.  Paola’s father died when she was very young and she has not had much connection with that family, but she is immediately attracted to Rey Peralta, her grandmother’s trusted employee and the man who is sent to bring her home.  When Paola arrives, she realizes that she has been called home for a very special reason – to take up her mother’s role as the leader of an ancient race of Guardians who guard a sacred space located on her family’s plantation.  I won’t spill more because I don’t want to spoil it!  Let’s just say that Paola’s journey to the space leads to the awakening of love and desire with Rey, but will she stay with him and take up the mantle of leadership?

Is this a series and if so, how many books are you planning?  


It’s not a series, although I am toying about doing a story about Paola’s half-sister (although you do not meet her in this novella.) 

Where did the character and plot ideas come from for this book?  


Like all my books, the characters just popped into my head.  I can’t really say where, although readers did like the AMAZON setting from my CRAZY FOR THE CAT story in MOON FEVER.  I decided to revisit the location because it’s such an important ecosystem and I wanted to remind readers about it with the novella.

What was your favorite part of this book, without spoiling it for your readers of course?


  My favorite part is how Rey and Paola get to the sacred space and what happens after they get there!

Are you planning on continuing with more stories like this one?  


I am doing quite a few other erotic paranormal romances for NOCTURNE CRAVINGS.  The next two releases are in February (NOCTURNAL WHISPERS) and April (THE VAMPIRE’S CONSORT) and are totally unrelated to AMAZON AWAKENING.  There will also be another 3 after that in late 2012 and 2013.

Thank you so much for being on my blog today. It was a pleasure having you!!!


What I thought about AMAZON AWAKENING...

I have read a couple of things by Caridad Pineiro and it never fails to amaze me how unique her stories are. This one is no different. 

Paola is a lawyer in New York. She has a great career and the possibility for advance. She feels she is content with this until recently she started to feel like something was missing. Then Rey shows up trying to talk her into returning to her family's  home in Brazil. She decides to go visit her grandmother for a short time, until she gets there, and everything changes.

I loved the story line. It was so incredibly unique that I couldn't help but get sucked into it. Both characters were well developed and I liked them. The smexin was smokin hot and will definitely melt your panties. I thought the story flowed well and Ms Piniero has a way of describing things so you can picture them perfectly. This story read like a short story therefore is seemed to move kind of quickly but during the story she made reference to that and explained that there was a natural pull and comfort that the characters felt while together. That, to me, makes the fast speed seem real and make sense. If you are looking for a hot, unique, short story that will suck you in, this is the story for you.

Caridad is offering one random commenter a LOST T-shirt, e-copy of THE FIFTH KINGDOM, and assorted swag. To enter just comment on the interview or review. Please remember to leave your email so I can contact you if you win. Sorry but no email means no entry.


Thanks for stopping by!