"Do you like mazes? We'll you found one here. The action keeps you running at full speed throughout the story. A new crisis, pursuer or demon is hiding down each dead end path. Better not blink, Bunny...or you could end up dead. This tongue-in-cheek romp is funny and crazy. Think of all the weird supernaturals you've read about, then let Gail Koger make a caricature out of all of them, whether they belong in her twisted world or not. This is a great book when you need a smile. And try Koger's The Warlord's Comeuppance for another fun ride." - 4 Hearts, Kathy F., The Romance Studio
I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for thirty-one years and to keep insanity at bay, I took up writing. Not to worry. The insanity isn't catching – much. Other than the addiction to chocolate and the twitch in my left eye, I'm good. I've had my weird but true stories published in newspapers and magazines. My first book was The Ghost Wore Polyester, a murder mystery/comedy set in Sedona, Arizona. Just My Luck, a science fiction romance, was reviewed by Chris at Night Owl Romance and received four out of five hearts. Lisa at Joyfully Reviewed called it an incredibly fun read. The Warlord's Comeuppance, is the second in the series about the Coletti Warlords. I just finished The Nasty Vamp, a fantasy. My new book is I Hear Voices, a paranormal romance along the vein of Raiders of The Lost Ark meets Romancing the Stone. I've also worked with producer, Bonnie Forbes of Fortress Features on several reality TV series.
Back list
The Ghost Wore Polyester
Just My Luck
The Warlord's Comeuppance
An Interview with Gail Koger
By Holly Hewson for The Romance Studio
HH: Gail, thank you so much for talking with us. Your featured book is The Nasty Vamp. Your heroine's prince turned out to be a vampire. Where did you get the idea for this mesmerizing story?
GK: Every girl dreams of romance and wants the fable of happily ever after. We all want a Prince Charming who will sweep us off our feet and kiss us under the stars. In our hearts we believe everyone has a true soul mate. Unfortunately for us, reality sucks and our "Prince" usually has some major flaws. Bunny's perfect prince just happens to be a vampire.
HH: What do you like about Ann and why will readers identify with her?
GK: Bunny's a survivor whose life has gotten very complicated. She's made some bad decisions. Like thinking if she could just slay all the monsters, another little girl wouldn't have to watch her mother being murdered. Her desire for a little romance on her twenty-first birthday allowed McGregor to seduce her. Then she made the major blunder of letting Aunt Tessa talk her into becoming Bambi's Alfred. But when she makes the shocking discovery that everything her family has told her is not quite the truth she realizes that Ian is her Prince Charming. If she wants her happily ever after she has to fight for it.
HH: What do you like about the hero and why will readers be drawn to him?
GK: McGregor's a yummy alpha male who would give Don Juan a run for his money. He knows what he wants and it's Bunny. He has waited for her for almost eight hundred years and no one is going to get between him and his soul mate. Getting Bunny to realize that and quit blowing up his cars is another matter.
He also needs her psychic abilities to find and destroy Alpin McCabe the man responsible for the massacre of his clan. Alpin's also the same vampire who killed Bunny's mother and slaughtered her family.
HH: What sort of research did you do for this book and how did you go about creating their world?
GK: Some research I do on the internet but most of the book comes from my demented mind. I've had this story idea floating around in my head for about two years and once everything jelled, the characters came to life.
HH: What else do you have in the works?
GK: I'm currently working on I Hear Voices, a paranormal romance in the vein of Raiders of the Lost Ark and Romancing the Stone.
Psychic Zelda Dragos was laid off from her gig at the Picas Moon and trying to get the State of Arizona to fork over unemployment benefits was nigh-on impossible. While waiting to talk with a supervisor she reads an article about the Aztec Emperor Montezuma's lost treasure and gold fever hits. The fact that she was about to be evicted from her apartment and car repossessed made her decision to search for it pretty easy.
To find Montezuma's lost gold Zelda needs to “borrow” an amulet from the Phoenix Art Museum. Once she has it, she knows it will lead her to the treasure. The fly in the ointment is the tenacious Derek Sloan, a tomb raider who wants the gold for himself. Derek lost his shirt when the Mexican government confiscated the treasure he looted from the famous lost city of El Dorado. He won't let one psychic bimbo stand in his way.
Zelda uses her bag of tricks to discourage his pursuit; holographic diversions, smoke bombs, mace, a hive of angry bees and tying him to his bed after inviting the local hookers in for a visit. With the thought of choking the life out of the psychotic bitch sustaining him, Derek follows her to Kanab, Utah.
The Tomb Raider finds Zelda's camp site and tracks her to the tunnels. She's in a bit of a bind with a booby trap she's triggered. He'll free her if she agrees to work with him. No more tricks. If she refuses, he'll take the medallion and leave her to her fate.
His dark aura says he would, too. Zelda will agree if they split the treasure 50/50. Derek laughs and informs her all she gets is ten percent. Ten percent!!? No way. He just smiles and tells her she can't spend it if she's dead. He had a point. She agrees to his terms. She'll just steal it back later.
To find the treasure all they have to deal with is a variety of bugs, the biting kind, booby traps, mummified Aztec warriors with really big swords and two Aztec demons who guard the gold. Adding to the mess is Uncle Dante, the devil incarnate, who wants the treasure for himself. He and his lethal goons are hot on their trail. Zelda and Derek also discover love blossoms in the strangest places.
HH: With the rising popularity of ebook readers and devices like the iPad, what changes do you see coming in the romance genre?
GK: Ebooks are the future. They promote reading, they're good for the environment and can be produced faster which allows more writers to be published. In these hard economic times ebooks are cheaper to buy. They also allow writers to experiment in many different themes and styles.
HH: As a romance reader, what sort of stories do you personally prefer?
GK: I love Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. Stephanie has a knack for getting into trouble and the results are hilarious. I also enjoy Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series.
HH: Tell us about the best fan mail (email) you've ever gotten.
GK: This was from Jeanice Roberts: "Loved Warlord's Comeuppance and Just My Luck!!!! Romance that had me laughing out loud. I hope you continue with that series, if not, I am really looking forward to reading your future work. Your writing is so refreshing and creative, not your typical romance. I so enjoy the back and forth dialogue between your characters, as well as the strength of your female characters. Thank you for sharing your stories."
HH: What are your favorite hobbies/activities these days?
GK: When I get the chance I love to read but some days my free times is spent chasing down my dogs and trying to get them to spit out my neighbor's chickens. Not a lot of fun when it's 110 degrees in the shade. I just keep telling myself it's great exercise.
HH: Any vacation or appearance plans this summer?
GK: I don't have any appearances scheduled at this point. Vacation wise, I was hoping for a day trip to Sedona to enjoy the beautiful red rock country and to soak up some of that vortex energy.
