Interview & Giveaway with Thea Harrison, Author

Thea Harrison is my new favorite author.  I was/am beyond impressed with Dragon Bound and then Storm's Heart.  I'm certainly looking forward to cracking open Serpent's Kiss.  Without further ado, please welcome Thea Harrison here and feel free to enter a giveaway to win on of her titles from The Book Depository.  (Posting a day early since I will not be around much tomorrow)

-Could you tell potential readers about your novel(s)?
I write paranormal romances that have characters who misbehave, get into fights, and have rambunctious sex.

-What can we expect from the Elder Races series?
The Elder Races series is a large world, and eventually I would love to get around to telling something about each of the seven demesnes in the U.S.  The stories connect with each other, with the emphasis on the personal relationship in each one.

I try to craft stories that are suited to each couple I write about.  For example, Serpent’s Kiss (book three) is not Storm’s Heart (book two), and Storm’s Heart is not Dragon Bound (book one).  My hope is that this strategy will give the series a wider, more durable appeal than it might otherwise have had.

I’m also writing book five, which is a follow up to Pia and Dragos.  It’s great to revisit them!  Contractually, you can definitely expect six books (along with six audio books!) and an e-novella.  Anything else is potential.

-Why dragons, thunderbirds and gryphons?
Because they’re awesome fun.  Plus the guys are hot.  I don’t think dragons are all that unusual, but the thunderbirds and gryphons are, so hopefully there’s a little newness thrown in the character mix.

-Can you tell us a bit about the Paranormal world you’ve created?
The world I’ve created is an alternative Earth universe, set in the present day.  There’s magic (often referred to as Power), passageways that lead to other dimensions, and the Elder Races that live openly alongside humankind.  It creates a melting pot of cultures where almost anything could happen.

-Who would enjoy your novels? ie. Readers who love nitty gritty action with a touch of romance.
Readers who love sensual PNR that has both suspense and a touch of humor.

-What advice would you give to a reader looking for a good book?
Personally, I would suggest that a reader glance through reviews but not spend too much time on them, because reviews are subjective and people have different opinions.  One reviewer might connect with a story, while other one may not.  If you are intrigued by a book, I recommend looking at a story for yourself and reading the first five pages.  That’s easy to do these days with sample chapters online.

-Describe your ideal setting when working and relaxing.
My ideal setting when I’m working AND relaxing is a quiet environment.  When I’m writing, sometimes I listen to music, but most times I don’t.  I like looking at greenery.  Where I live currently, we have a view of pine trees out the front window.  It’s very peaceful.

-Many times I've read how characters are an extension of the author.  Have you bonded with your characters on a personal level?  How do you view your characters?
I think characters have to be an extension of the author in some form, because they come from the author’s imagination.  I like my characters.   I think they’re fun and interesting.  I have some that I have “bonded with” more than others, and others I have connected to in a more intellectual fashion.  To me, that means some of them flow better when I’m writing a draft, while others I have to pause and think about more often, because their re/actions aren’t necessarily immediately obvious.

I will confess, though, I have not yet written my ideal wish-fulfillment character, because I’m not sure how much market appeal this character would have.  Perhaps in the next five years or so, I can wiggle out enough time for myself to explore the character and see if a publisher might be interested.

-Where do you draw your inspiration from?
No one source.  Everything.  I have a Chia-Pet head for ideas.  They just sprout.

-Is there anything you are currently working on that you would like to share with us?
Book five, Pia and Dragos’s story, picks up six months after the summer in which books one to four happen.  For those who are curious, Pia is still pregnant with the peanut.

-Is there a genre that you'd like to attempt a hand at?
I might like to try my hand at a contemporary thriller, but I have no plans currently to pursue this.  It’s just a vague daydream.

-Name a few children titles that you love.
I haven’t looked at the story since I’ve grown up, but I’m told that I read Black Beauty ten or eleven times.  I adored The Black Stallion, and yes, I did read every single Nancy Drew book in my school’s library.  And certainly I loved C. S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, and J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.  And I was utterly scandalized and horrified by Beverly Cleary’s hilarious Beezus and Ramona.

-Why do you think the paranormal romance genre is so appealing to readers?
I think PNR has a cross-genre appeal.  Readers who enjoy sci-fi and fantasy might be more likely to pick up a PNR than they would a contemporary historical romance.  Also, PNR allows for a greater range of imagination, in world-building, mythologies, character abilities, and events.  I also think as readers we can accept certain behaviors from our PNR characters that we would never accept from contemporary romances, or especially real life people.

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-What is the last book you read?
The last thing(s) I read were novellas.  I wasn’t well, so I took a sick day and gobbled down Ilona Andrews’ Silent Blade and Silver Shark.  The stories are set in the same universe, and short enough to enjoy in an afternoon, and I thought they were absolutely wonderful.  I will warn readers that there were several typos, but other than that, I really enjoyed them.

-What is the last movie you seen in the theaters?
Cowboys & Aliens.  Critically, it wasn’t the best film I’ve seen, but it was a lot of fun!

-What is the last song you sang at the top of your lungs?
“Maybe This Time” from Cabaret, with Lea Michele and Kristin Chenoweth.  See, I just found the link to share, and I started listening, and then I had to sing along again…

 
-What is the last song you sang in the shower?
I don’t sing in the shower.  For me, it’s the car, because I put a CD in the player and then one thing leads to another.  No doubt I look like a lunatic.  Eh, well.

-Can you name something off your Bucket List?
I’ve never created a Bucket List.   But I have always wanted to travel to the Caribbean.  Does that count?

-What is your favorite season?
Spring and Fall.  They’re so colorful, and the temperatures are (usually) mild.

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Cats or dogs?
I love both, and I have had cats before.  I have family who is allergic to cats, so I think I’m sticking to dogs from here on out.

Paperback or Hardback?
Definitely paperback.

Coffee or tea?
I love both, but I drink coffee more often.

Physical book or eBook?
Not easy!  Ebooks for the quick fix; paperbacks for the long term keeper shelf.

Cake or pie?
Cake!

Sushi: Nigiri or maki?
Never.  The thought of sushi makes me shudder.

Vamps or Shifters?
Shifters.  Less chance of getting bitten.

PJ party with the gals or LNO @ the club?
PJ party!  Woot!

Pedi or mani?
Both.  Oh, all right, if you made me pick just ONE, I’d pick the pedi.

Make it or Buy It?
I don’t make things, alas.  So I’d buy.

Angels or Demons?
Hybrids.  Not too bad, not too good.

*Poof* Magic Wand- what do you make happen?
I actually like the thought of whirled peas.

Guilty indulgence?
Right now, it’s the new ABC evening soap opera, Revenge.  It’s so much fun!  But I wonder how they’ll try to carry the idea past the first season?  Hmmm.

For more information, visit:
Website / Goodreads / FaceBook / Twitter 


Thea Related Postings:
BBA August Kick Off-- *Dragon Bound*
LovLivLife's Dragon Bound Review
Dragon Bound- Character Guide

Jen's Bookshelf:
Dragon Bound - celebrity character match up
Jen's Review

See Thea's other titles:



Giveaway:  Win One paperback book from the Book Depository by Thea Harrison.  You choose. I read books one and two and LOVED them.  I am gearing up to read book three and I expect nothing less then an awesome read.

Open: Worldwide.  Make sure the Book Depository ships to your area.

How to enter:
Leave in the comments...

1.  Be a follower!!=)

2. Email address.  AT... DOT...com if not in profile. 3 days to claim prize via email.
3. Answer any one of the above questions for yourself.

Extra +1 ea (say so in comments):
1. Comment on my review: Dragon Bound Review
  (Any other Thea Reviews I may post before end date.)
2. Make a tweet and leave a link.


Ends: Sunday, Nov 13th Midnight HST.