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The Pride of Amsterdam Blog Tour, Character Interview with Lion Shifter Arjan de Wit

Yes that’s right, lion shifter interview right here! Boom! I am happy to be joined today by Elizabeth Caldwell and the star of her latest novel The Pride of Amsterdam, yummy lion shifter Arjan de Wit.Elizabeth Coldwell_The Pride of Amsterdam_BlogTour_mobile_final

Character Interview with Lion Shifter Arjan de Wit

Hi Penny, and thanks for giving me the opportunity to sharethe thoughts of the gorgeous Dutch lion shifter who’s at the heart of the mystery in The Pride of Amsterdam, Arjan de Wit. Arjan is a successful businessman who runs his own computer software firm but he’s also carrying a few secrets that could make or break his relationship with his human mate, Kees.

Elizabeth: Hello, Arjan. It’s nice to meet you.
Arjan: Goedendag, Elizabeth. I hope you have some interesting questions for me.
Elizabeth: I’ll do my best. To start off, what is your favourite item in your wardrobe?
Arjan: This will sound boring but I have a couple of suits I wear to work that I had handmade in Italy. They’re stylish but practical.
Elizabeth: And boxers or briefs?
Arjan: On to the really personal stuff so quickly, I see. (Laughs) To be honest, most of the time I don’t bother with any underwear – like all shifters, I don’t like to be constrained by more clothes than are really necessary.
Elizabeth: Who would be your ideal dinner party guests, dead or alive?
Arjan: If I could choose from any period of time, I’d have to invite Rembrandt. He’s my country’s greatest ever artist and I’d love to ask him how long it took to paint The Night Watch and how he organised so many people into posing for him. Coming more up to date, Rutger Hauer – another Dutchman, naturally, but he’s so good in one of my favourite films, Blade Runner. And Kurt Cobain, just to see the look on Kees’ face when his idol showed up for dinner.
Elizabeth: Would you ever take part in a TV reality show? If so, which one?
Arjan: Ugh, no thank you. We have so many of those things on our channels. I’d like to apologise to the rest of the world for inflicting Big Brother on you all.
Elizabeth: Tell us a secret about Kees van der Veer?
Arjan: He likes to sing in the shower, though he thinks I can’t hear him. His best friend, Johnny, is in a rock band and I sometimes think Kees would like to take over as their lead singer if he ever got the chance.
Elizabeth: Dutch food has a reputation for being hearty and comforting, but what dishes would you recommend if we went out to dinner?
Arjan: Have you ever tried Bare Bottoms in the Grass?
Elizabeth: I’m sorry?
Arjan: It’s a traditional dish, made from sausages, mashed potatoes and French beans. Why, what did you think I was talking about? (Grins) And for dessert I’d suggest a plate of poffertjes, which are tiny pancakes served with lots of melted butter and powdered sugar.
Elizabeth: What’s your worst quality?
Arjan: I can be a real beast.
Elizabeth: What’s your favourite spot in the city of Amsterdam that most tourists don’t know about?
Arjan: We have some bars in the Jordaan which can get pretty lively, with people playing the accordion and singing till the early hours. You know you’re somewhere off the beaten track when you walk in and the tables are topped with carpet.
Elizabeth: One final question. If you only had half an hour left on earth, what would you do?
Arjan: I’d open a bottle of decent red wine, curl up with Kees and let him know just how much I love him.
Elizabeth: Thanks so much for talking to me, Arjan.
Arjan: Graag gedaan! It’s been a pleasure, Elizabeth.

The Pride of Amsterdam Book Blurb and Links

Wtheprideofamsterdam_800hen an ancient enemy is summoned to destroy his pride, a lion shifter must fight to protect the man he loves.

Kees van der Veer has never forgotten the mysterious stranger who seduced him on Millennium Eve and who promised that when the time was right, they would be together again. Returning to Amsterdam after fifteen years away, he is reunited with that stranger, entering into a world of love and danger he could never have imagined.

Arjan is a lion shifter, part of a pride who has lived in Amsterdam since its Golden Age. He has spent fifteen years regretting the need to drive his destined mate away after one night of blissful passion. But only once they meet again can he reveal to Kees the truth of his heritage. When an old enemy is summoned to destroy the pride, Arjan must act to protect not only his family but alsothe man he loves.

Like the sound of The Pride of Amsterdam? Buy it here.

Penny’s Review

Penny’s Rating: B- ~ Honestly, I had trouble connecting to the MC’s in this book. I hemmed and hawed about how to rate this, debating between a C+ and a B-. I’m giving it the B- because I don’t think it’s a bad book, I think it’s me. I personally just didn’t connect to the material. I do really want to thank Elizabeth Coldwell and Totally Bound for providing me with an advance copy of the book and the opportunity to do an honest review.

Coldwell’s premise for The Pride of Amsterdam is an interesting one. Establishing a pride of lions who have called Amsterdam their home for centuries, is a cool idea, in fact I don’t think I have read a cat shifter novel other than this one that was set in a major city, so it is a departure from the usual shifter/ pride tropes in that respect. The city itself provides a great, larger than life backdrop, and Kees and Arjan are rather unconventional MC’s, (not one dimensional either), but I didn’t connect with them. My only criticism is the dialogue is a little stilted, especially in some of the scenes where Kees and Arjan have reunited, but are just getting to know each other.

This was my first Elizabeth Coldwell book, and though this one missed the mark with me, I am curious about the sequel, because I think this series has the potential for greatness.

About the Author

Elizabeth Coldwell is a multi-published author whose stories have lizcoldwellappeared in the best-selling ‘Best Women’s Erotica’ series and Black Lace’s popular ‘Wicked Words’ collections. Formerly the editor of the UK edition of Forum magazine, she also contributed a spicy monthly column, ‘The Cougar Chronicles’, to its pages. She has worked as a senior editor for Xcite Books. When she is not busy writing, she is an avid supporter of Rotherham United Football Club and can be regularly found on the terraces at weekends, cheering her boys to victory (hopefully!).

Find Elizabeth at The (Really) Naughty Corner— http://elizabethcoldwell.wordpress.com

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