Make yourself at home, Shannan :-)
Thanks so much for having me here today Doris, it still
amazes me how supportive our writing community is. One of the many reasons why
I love being an author is connecting to wonderful people like you.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Growing up I was called the dreamer of the family,
something not always thought of as a positive thing. As a child, I would draw
and build stories around my pictures, so writing was a natural extension for me.
Recently a family member told me that from now on she would encourage those
dreamers she knew. Stating “with hard work and focus dreams can come true.
Shannan Albright is proof that dreaming can be a positive thing.”
When not writing I spend my time between oil
painting and reading. I love writing paranormal, urban fantasy, historical and
fantasy romances because of the world building and rich characters I feel a
connection to. I’m drawn to dark, edgy heroes and heroines overcoming
impossible odds internal and external.
I’m a "hopeful" Romantic who believes a
healthy relationship built on respect and a strong partnership is the key to a
happy ever after.
What made you write ‘this’ story?
It started out as a small 500 word story for a magazine. A small day in the life sort of thing. After finishing it the story kept nipping at
me wanting to be added to. So I expanded the story into a novella about Mari
the owner of The Asp. This is where the Enforcers hang out, but in Passion’s
Flight her bar played a pivotal part in the story arc. Things in Zeke’s book –
up next – really start to pick up, a new arc will be introduced and the stories
will become darker, more desperate for the Enforcers. Dark Hunter is the bridge
between the series arcs and also gives you a small teaser to the mate of an
important character in my book.
Tell us about your cover.
OMG! What can I say? This is exactly what I’ve been looking
for in a cover. Evernight Publishing
went beyond my wildest expectations with this one.
So, you like it then! *winks* Evernight does have some amazing covers.
Describe a typical day’s writing for us
Monday through Friday I have a day job so when I get home
around 5 I do about an hour of promo work then write. If I don’t have to cook I
can concentrate on just writing until around 9:30 -10 then I get ready for work
then next day. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday I write all day, sometimes until
three in the morning. When I write I have at least three WIP’s up on my laptop
so when I get stuck on one I can go to the next one.
What inspires you?
Art. If you go to my website you can see some of the
paintings I did when working on a book. Painting releases my muse to think
about something else for a while so I can look at the story I’m writing with
fresh eyes and a new perspective.
If you weren’t a writer what would you be?
I’ve been a dancer, choreographer, illustration artist for
children’s books, painter. I really can’t think of anything more I would rather
do than write.
Do your characters ever surprise you?
Tegan in Passion’s Flight was a source of constant surprise.
Never write about a cat unless you are ready for attitude. There were days on
end when he refused to talk to me. Gah, I hated him and loved him just as
deeply. The stupid, contrary cat.
What could not do without when you’re writing?
My Chorkie, Kamie behind my back in my chair as I write and
something to drink. Coffee, tea, water it just has to be wet and cold…except
the coffee, can’t stand cold coffee J
What words of wisdom do you have for the aspiring authors
out there?
Keep writing don’t stop. Develop a thick skin since not
everyone will love your work. Be prepared to work hard and long hours. Learn
marketing and the publishing business. Take workshops to hone your skills and
for goodness sake write up a five year business plan. It will help you focus on
what you need to do.
Where do you see yourself in ten year’s time?
New York Times bestselling author sounds great to me.
Seriously, my main goal is to be able to write full time and make a living at
it. This is what all my energy is going to.
Do you have a favorite quote?
Lol! Oh yeah, I see a light at the end of the tunnel and it
isn’t a train.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?
Not since I work out my blocks, plots, etc with oil painting
and working on more than one WIP at a time.
What other books can your readers look forward to?
Dark Desire, Book 4 in Dark Breed Enforcer series, Soul
Fire, a paranormal historical and I have an anthology coming this Christmas I’m
self publishing with three other authors called A Howling Yuletide. This is
just for 2013.
And finally can you share an excerpt with us?
“I will do everything in my power to protect her,
even lay down my life if it comes to that.” Navar’s words rang in the still
air, spoken as an oath.
“Marcus will be relieved to find out Mari is well
protected. I know after the incident with the Preservation Society, he has been
concerned for her safety. Someday you must tell me how you secured your
release.”
Mari blinked at the two men, feeling left out of the
loop in the XY-chromosome chat. Males.
Can’t live without them and can’t kill
them. Irritation spiked into the red zone, her patience threadbare for the
bullshit. Placing her diminutive self between the two towering males, she gave
them both a fearless glare and fisted her hands on her hips.
All conversation stopped as they stared down at her
with surprise. Good, now she had their attention. “I’ve been alive since the
time of Cleopatra. I didn’t survive all those centuries by being a fucking weak
female. I can fight, strategize, and I damn well have enough intellect in this
‘girly’ brain to figure out what I need to do to save my own hide, thank you
very much. Now, if you don’t mind talking to
me, not about me, it would be appreciated and might save your ball sacs from
relocating somewhere north on your body. Are we clear, boys?”
Adrian threw his head back and roared a large
rolling laugh that reverberated throughout the room. She blinked in surprise.
She’d never once seen any enforcer laugh. Sure, they smiled, chuckled, and even
smirked, but never laughed. She found it…disconcerting.
“Point taken. You will have your hands full with
this little hellion, hunter. I don’t envy you.”
“Little hellion indeed. Yet well worth the extra
trouble,” Navar agreed, his pale eyes darkening with hunger.
BLURB:
Vampire Mari Ankamunan struggles to pick up the
pieces of her life after her bar The Asp becomes a war zone between the
Enforcers and members of the Preservation Society, who want all dark breeds
wiped out. The sudden appearance of the only man she ever loved brings her
world to a crashing halt, for she witnessed his brutal murder two thousand
years ago.
Navar’s spoken oaths to his Sire cost him Mari. Torn
from her side by the sidhe queen, he is her Hunter, delivering justice for
crimes against the breeds. Now freed he returns to his lovers side only to be
caught in a dark plot where Mari is targeted for death.
The stakes are high, can they uncover a deadly plot
against the Enforcers or will Navar lose Mari, forever by an assassin’s hand?
Thanks for having me here today Doris it was so much fun!
Come back soon, Shannan!
Your readers can stalk me anytime they like at:
Thanks for having me here today.
ReplyDeleteThat cover is smoking! I've been looking for a good paranormal for my weekend reading and it looks like I just found one :) Congrats on your new release!
ReplyDelete