Sharon: Thanks for visiting I Smell Sheep Lisa. Grab a moonpie and some Kool Aid cause we got some talking to do.
Lisa: Oooo, is the Kool-Aid grape? Cause that’s my favorite. And I haven’t had a vanilla moonpie since I was a kid. Got vanilla?
Sharon: of course we do, we are a full service flock…
Sharon: I’ve seen your covers around, but hadn’t had a chance to take a closer look your series. O_O what have I been missing?! Your Raine Benares series looks like all that AND a bag of chips. Can you tell our readers a little about this series?
Lisa: Raine Benares is a seeker, which is basically a detective who uses magic to find missing people and stolen objects. At the beginning of the series (MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND) she inadvertently gets herself psychically bonded to the Saghred—a stone that gives the one bonded to it unlimited power, with a side order of insanity. Not crazy like an eccentric aunt, but take-over-the-world-and-kill-millions kind of crazy. (Sharon-Note to self: to accomplish goal, find a Saghred of my own)
The entire series (all six books) takes place in an approximate three-month timeframe. That’s a lot of action in very little time, but thanks to the Saghred (and the evil megalomaniacs who want the stone for their own), Raine is in a lot of trouble with very little ways out of it.
Thanks to friends and allies (both old and new), and ill-timed romantic entanglements (it ain’t easy to fight for your life and have a relationship at the same time), Raine manages to stay one step ahead of the power-hungry elves and goblin aristocrats who want the stone and its power for their own. Unfortunately Raine can’t just give it to them. Once bonded to the Saghred, you’re bonded for life. Only death can break that bond. Yours. Understandably, Raine has a problem with that last part.
ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE is the finale of the Saghred storyline. In it, Raine and a small band of good friends, not-so-good friends, and one outright enemy (don’t ask), travel to the goblin capital of Regor in order to destroy the Saghred and kill the goblin archmage who has found a way to use the stone’s power to enslave the world. While there, Raine & Company must also put a renegade goblin prince on the throne. Piece of cake. Not.
Sharon: Should new readers start with the first book or can the stories stand alone?
Lisa: Basically, the Raine Benares series is one big book divided into six smaller ones. I pretty much start the next book where the previous one left off. So, it would be best if you read MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND first, and then take it from there.
I’ve been told that they’re really fast reads (kinda like light & crunchy potato chips). You can’t eat just one.
Sharon: Do they each end with a cliff hanger?
Lisa: Eh . . . not necessarily a cliff hanger, but you are left wanting to know what happens next.
Sharon: All Spell Breaks Lose, released May 29, is the last book in this series. Why are you ending it after 6 books?
Lisa: Now just because All Spell Breaks Loose marks the conclusion of the Saghred storyline, it doesn’t mean that the series has ended. I love these characters too much to stay away from them for long. I hope to be able to come back to Raine and her friends in the not-too-distant future and share more of their stories with you. As you can probably imagine, there are quite a few characters who have been lobbying hard for their own book or even series. I know Tam or Phaelan wouldn’t say no to starring in their own series. And those of you who are familiar with Talon know that kid isn’t going to stay quiet for long.
Sharon: My partner Katie couldn’t be here today so I am going to ask her “type” of question <G>. Is there man-candy in your books and are any of them available for a private interview?
Lisa: There’s all kinds of man-candy. Grown up man-candy, and teenager man-candy for my younger readers. I’m an equal opportunity entertainer.
Sharon: so the series will entertain adults and YA?
Lisa: Most definitely!
Sharon: Would you want to live in the world you have created, like for real?
Lisa: Uh, probably not. Not unless I could pick up some for-real magic.
Sharon: According to Baaart’s Laws of books: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. (okay, Baaart might have stolen this from somewhere else) This is a nerd way of asking…since this series is ending, is there another starting?
Lisa: I’ve just completed a proposal package for an urban fantasy/supernatural thriller/comedy series. I have the series premise written, as well as the synopses for the first three books, and finished the final sample chapter last week (for a total of six). This project is just pure fun. I can’t wait until I can talk about it (gotta sell it first).
Sharon: cool! Do you prefer to write with lots of humor and is there a dark story somewhere deep inside you?
Lisa: I think that people get enough “real life” living their lives. If I want to be depressed, I’d watch the news. I want my reading to be pure escapism and absolute fun.
Sharon: I was thrilled to find out you are a native NC like me! (Shout out to all the southern girls!) So I gotta ask…what color does your blood run? Puke Blue, Red or the most sacred of all, Carolina Blue?
Lisa: I married into a family who either went to Carolina, taught at Carolina, works at Carolina, or is a researcher at Carolina. As a kid, back in the 70s, I rooted for the Wolfpack back in the era of David Thompson, Tommy Burleson, and Monte Towe. But I now bleed Carolina Blue. Go Heels! Sharon: oh, snap! I just got all warm and tingly...
Sharon: I love the NC State Fair, do you go? What do you have to eat and see every time you go? Did you know they have deep fried Moon pies?!
Lisa: I am a huge funnel cake and cotton candy fan – I tend to stick to the basics.
Sharon: You own 2 retired racing greyhounds, or do they own you? Want to give a shout out to the Greyhound rescue group?
 |
| Gracie |
Lisa: They pretty much own us. We bought a king-sized bed and a sectional sofa so WE would have enough room to sleep and sit down. Greyhounds were VERY highly prized in ancient times—they have never forgotten this. There are three awesome greyhound groups in NC: Triangle Greyhound Society, NC Greyhound Friends, and Project Racing Home. Sharon: I’ve heard they are couch potatoes and so gentle.
Lisa: And bed spuds. And snuggle bunnies.
 |
| Andy doing the cockroach |
Sharon: When the zombie apocalypse comes, what fictional character would like to have your back?
Lisa: Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden. I’ve seen him take on zombies. I know that I’d be both safe and entertained.
Rapid Fire
Sharon: bacon or sausage?
Lisa: Bacon
Sharon: you either like bacon, or you are wrong…
Sharon: brownie edges or brownie centers?
Lisa: Definitely edges.
Sharon: Donnie and Marie or Captain and Tennille? Lisa: Uh . . . uh. Is there another choice?
Sharon: Sonny and Cher?
Lisa: Okay, they’d work.
Sharon: hike in the woods or stroll through the mall?
Lisa: Depends on how much money or gift cards I have in my purse.
Sharon: lol, good answer!
Sharon: dagger or long sword?
Lisa: O_O Why can’t I have both?
Lisa: Yes.
Sharon: Is there anything you would like to add? Blog stops, signings, what you are having for dinner tonight?
Lisa: I have a book signing on Tuesday, June 26 at 7:00 at the Cary, NC, Barnes & Noble. Dinner tonight is a cookout with my husband’s family. Go Heels!
Sharon: I hope to be at that signing and I will definitely have a vanilla moon pie with your name on it and Baaart can get a picture with you.
*puts arm around Lisa and marches off singing the Carolina fight song…*
Lisa's publisher Penguin is offering a print copy of All Spell Breaks Loose to one US or Canada winner.
1. leave a way to contact you
2. What kind of pet(s) do you have or want?
*followers get double entry
contest ends June 11 at midnight
About the Author:
.jpg)
.jpg)