GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Q&A with Thea Harrison / Book Review + giveaway | I Smell Sheep

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Q&A with Thea Harrison / Book Review + giveaway

Today we have PNR author Thea Harrison doing a little Q&A for you. The latest release in her Elder Dragon series, Kinked, comes out Nov 5, 2013. You get a chance to win a copy at the end! Don't forget to check out a review of Kinked at the end also.



Q: What is one of your favorite Myths/legends to write about?

A: When I started to write my reply to this question, I realized it wasn’t going to be a simple or easy answer! I’ve had so much fun with the world building in the Elder Races series. It’s almost impossible to pick just one.
I really enjoyed taking the Oracle of Delphi and putting it into a modern context for Oracle’s Moon. When I turned my attention to the witches’ demesne in Louisville, I wanted to make sure it felt as rich and developed as the rest of the world building I’d done for the other demesnes and mythological creatures. That story was fun for a lot of reasons, because I also really enjoyed building the Djinn society based on Middle Eastern legends.

Another favorite has been developing the Elves, in Lord’s Fall and continued in Kinked. And a third was when I created my own version of Vampyres in Serpent’s Kiss. I have two more Vampyre stories that I’m dying to tell. When I get excited about a story, it’s hard to wait for the right time to tell it!


Q: You've been gifted (or cursed) with the ability to shift into another form by a witch. What kind of shifter are you and why? (All creatures, including mythological, apply.)
A: Awesome question! I think I have two answers for that one. If it was a gift, then I think it would have to be something winged and strong. I think there’s something to be said for being as fearless as a harpy, although I’m quite sure I wouldn’t win any popularity contests!

If the ability was a curse and meant to be nasty, the witch would probably turn me into my phobia—a spider! That would be the meanest, nastiest thing anybody could ever do to me!


Q: Since Aryal is a harpy and considered an immortal Wyr, how did you approach her character development in order to make her believable and someone that readers can identify with?
A: I’ll be honest, I was worried about writing Aryal. I really didn’t want to compromise her identity. Aryal has strong emotions but no real morals in the abstract sense, no true compulsion to do what is right for its own sake. She’s abrasive and dangerous… And I had to figure out how to also make her sympathetic.

My first decision was to not be in a hurry to write her story. I wanted to take the time to show her character from a couple of different points of view. The reader first sees Aryal from Pia’s perspective in Dragon Bound, but then in Storm’s Heart I was able to show Aryal from Tricks’ point of view, someone who loved her. I also wanted to make sure that humor came into the mix. Still, the real test came when I sat down and actually started writing Kinked. Then I had to get close enough to her to write her as a main POV character. It helped that I had so many established relationships and characters to work with—such as Grym, Dragos and Graydon—and the world-building in place. With that in place, I could concentrate on developing Aryal herself. I’m very grateful to my editor Cindy Hwang for providing such a supportive platform to write Kinked.


Q: Do you have an Elder Race Bible to help keep your facts start? If not, how the heck do you keep your facts start? 
A: So far I’ve had two things in my favor—I’ve got a bit of a freakish memory for detail when it comes to writing, and I also have fantastic beta readers who are good at spotting issues. Still, the world has become big and complicated enough that I’ve got someone working on a series bible right now. It’s over a hundred pages by now and should be done by the end of the year.

Q: Who was the harder character to write Aryal or Quentin and why?
A: Neither character was as hard as I had feared they would be when I started Kinked. Still, Quentin was easier. I felt more confident writing his character, and I felt the stakes were pretty high on getting Aryal’s character right.

Q: Was there anything about Aryal that surprised you as her story unfolded?
A: I think I probably had the same experience as a writer that several readers have had so far in reading the book—I was surprised at how much I ended up liking and enjoying her. I wouldn’t want to rush out and befriend a real-life Aryal, but I think she’s pretty cool between the pages, and I’m really looking forward to writing more about her.

Q: In the event of an apocalypses (zombie, alien, solar flare or 4 horsemen) which of your characters would you like to team up with?
A: I would absolutely like to team up with Dragos—as long as I was someone he valued, otherwise he might ditch me in a heartbeat.

Q: What is next for the Elder Race series?
A: I’m now contracted for books 7-9, so I’m writing Graydon’s story which will be released around August of 2014. The main characters have also been decided for books 8 and 9, and I’m eager to get to those stories!

I also wrote a self-published project, a novella entitled Dragos Takes A Holiday, which releases November 25th. I loved spending time with Dragos and Pia, and their little son Peanut gets his POV debut.

It’s been a pleasure to visit with you. Thanks for having me!



Kinked (Elder Races #6)
by Thea Harrison
Two opponents must confront the cause of their obsessive fury in the latest Novel of the Elder Races…

As a harpy, Sentinel Aryal is accustomed to dealing with hate, but Sentinel Quentin Caeravorn manages to inspire in her a burning ire unlike anything she’s ever known. Aryal believes the new Sentinel to be a criminal, and vows to take him out as soon as the opportunity arises. But the harpy’s incessant wrath has pushed Quentin to the limit, and forces him to make a deadly vow of his own.

To put an end to the conflict, Dragos, Lord of the Wyr, sends them on a reconnaissance mission to the Elven land of Numenlaur. Forced to work together, Aryal and Quentin’s mutual antagonism escalates. Each fight draws forth more passion—culminating in an explosively sexual confrontation. But when their quest reveals real danger, Aryal and Quentin must resolve their differences in ways beyond the physical, before the entire Wyr is threatened.



SHORT REVIEW
Kinked, is exactly what the title says. It's Kinky. With that kink comes some darkness from both lead characters. It gets a bit rough and raw at times, taking you down the twisty path of pleasure/pain. 

For me, it was a little too much. I like wild and rough Alpha bed-play,  but pain is not my bag. 

The meat of the story itself is pretty good overall. Well written, thought-out and takes you on that reading adventure. 

The series, as a whole, has me locked in for the long haul. I would have personally been ok missing this one BUT I love the writing style and characters too much to pass on any edition in the saga. 

Was not my cup of Chai tea, but it may be yours!  



Giving this one 3 Sheep
Katie

About the Author:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Thea Harrison is the pen name for Teddy Harrison. Thea has traveled extensively, having lived in England and explored Europe for several years. Now she resides in Colorado. She wrote her first book, a romance, when she was nineteen and had sixteen romances published under the name Amanda Carpenter.

She took a break from writing to collect a couple of graduate degrees and a grown child. She experienced waitressing as a teenager, has worked as an activist for a non-profit consumer rights organization, has been a receptionist, an office manager, a penniless graduate student, a director of development and research, and a single mom. Her graduate degrees are in Philanthropic Studies and Library Information Science, but her first love has always been writing fiction.

Her paranormal Elder Races series began May 3, 2011 with Dragon Bound, which won RT Book Review’s Book of the Year Award, and the Romance Writer’s of America RITA in the paranormal romance category.

She adores animals and currently resides with two small dogs that have very large personalities.


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24 comments:

  1. I'd first scry and find out what they were most afraid of and then turn them into that ;).

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  2. Something ugly, but harmless. :)

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  3. A worm. In a rainstorm.

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  4. I would totally go with mythical creatures! The worst one I can possibly find and one we don't see everyday.

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  5. There's always the classic frog, but I think I'd turn the person into an earthworm.

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  6. a stepping stone -- that way then be useful and not cause harm

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  7. A frog, definitely. They're so slimy but basically harmless, lol.

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  8. It depends. If I was truly angry, I'd turn the person into a slug so he or she would always have to live in fear of the salt shaker. If I was only trying to teach the person a lesson, I'd turn him/her into a mole. Then s/he would have to live in darkness and fear traps and larger animals.

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  9. a stone statue for the garden. Happy Halloween! I love this series. Thanks for sharing Kinked and the giveaway. evamillien at gmail dot com

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  10. A mouse.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  11. A cockroach! They would never die but everyone would dislike them!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  12. A butler so that I could make them work, work, work...LOL

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  13. I've only read the first two books of this series but loved them. I am really falling behind on it but this one sounds good and I don't think I would mind the kink at all. (Thanks for the honest review). I think if I could I would turn someone into a tarantula. #1 they are creepy and not too many people want to get near them (therefor that person is totally screwed) and #2. we just had halloween so it would be perfect.

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  14. O now you are scaring me with this review. I love this series, but if it is going kinky/erotica like, nope, I will skip those pages.

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  15. I'd turn them into a newt! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

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  16. If I did put a curse on someone then they must have hurt me pretty good. So I would make them unattractive.

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  17. Thanks for the review, I wondered with the title and lead character if this would be a book I would enjoy or not. I am a fan of the series as a whole and now know a bit more what to expect with this addition to the series.

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