Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome one of my favorite authors, Keri Arthur to the blog today.
The Official Bio: Keri Arthur, author of the New York Times bestselling Riley Jenson Guardian series, has now written more than twenty-five books. She’s received several nominations in the Best Contemporary Paranormal category of the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards and has won RT’s Career Achievement Award for urban fantasy. She lives with her daughter in Melbourne, Australia.
Welcome to Books-n-Kisses. I am very excited to have you here today to talk about your new Dark Angels series.
Keri: Very happy to be here. Thanks for inviting me.
Books-n-Kisses: shall we get started?
Keri: I’m sitting here with a hot cuppa tea, all ready to go 🙂
Q1) Tell us a little something about yourself that we can’t find in your bio.
Keri: Um….I’m a bit of a gamer, but I only play first person shoot ’em ups. Love them! Right now, I’m working my way through Crysis 2, then I have Black ops lined up. When that’s done, I plan to buy Rage and the new Call of Duty/Modern Warfare
Q2) Have you always wanted to be a writer? If so, how did you get started?
Keri: I’ve always written. I started writing when I was 12, and never really stopped. But I didn’t get serious about trying to get published until my daughter was born. The first ‘proper’ book I wrote was Dancing with the Devil, but it was ten years and lots of rewrites before it was actually accepted for publication.
Q3) What are your writing rituals? Anything you have to have while you write?
Keri: I always—always have music on, and these days it’s usually the same disk—Eco Zen 2. It a very mellow CD, and tends to fade into the background, but I just can’t write without it. Silence drives me insane. Lol
I also always write in the afternoons—in the morning, I walk the dogs and then head of to the gym for a couple of hours.
Q4) Are you a plotter or a panster?
Keri: I’m a natural pantser who has become something of a plotter. The first four books of the Riley Jenson series were written without an outline, but the fifth crashed and burned (it needed major rewrites), so I’ve been doing outlines ever since. I tend to have an overall series outline, and also an outline for each book—but these are generally only a couple of paragraphs long.
Q5) Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel they have influenced your writing?
Keri: Most of my favorite authors don’t write the same genre as me. I love Dick Francis, James Herbert, Anne Gracie, Eloisa James & Julia Quinn. It’s not so much an influence, because he writes in a totally different genre to me, but I’ve always wanted to write like Dick Francis. He writes such fantastic characters and his books always draw you in from the very first page. That’s what I try to achieve with my books.
Let’s talk books:
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| US Cover on left/ UK cover on right |
Q6) Darkness Unbound was released on Sept 27th. Congrats, I love this cover. This is the first book in the Dark Angels series, which is a spin off series from your Riley Jensen Series. The main character in the Dark Angels series is Risa Jones. Can you tell us more about this Darkness Unbound?
Keri: Darkness Unbound leaps 25 years into the future, with Risa now 28 years old. She runs a cafe with her two best friends, and occasionally helps her mom out by using her ability to see souls. At the beginning of the story, Risa is asked to uncover why a little girl remains in a deep coma on life support, but what she discovers shocks her. The little girl isn’t sick–someone has stolen her soul. And, worse still, not only is Risa being followed around by a reaper, but someone wants to permanently close the gates to heaven and hell, and they believe she can help them achieve this. Needless to say, things go rapidly downhill from there.
Q7) When you were writing Risa in Riley’s series did you know that she would have her own book, let alone a series?
Keri: When she first appeared in Tempting Evil, neither she nor Dia were meant to be more than one book wonders. But by the time she became a precocious toddler sweet talking her Aunt Riley into giving her Coke and cake, I knew she would have her own series.
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| US Cover on left/ UK cover on right |
Q8) Darkness Rising (bk2) was released on Oct 25th. Huge Congrats Again!!! Can you tell us a little more about this second installment of Risa’s story?
Keri: Darkness Rising revolves around the quest to find the first of the three keys to the gates of heaven and Hell, as well as Risa working for Hunter and the vampire council to uncover who is cursing council members to whither, go mad, and die.
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| UK cover. US cover not out yet |
Q9) Darkness Devours will be book 3 and is scheduled for release July 5th 2012 (which I have to say seems so far away). Can you share anything with us about this story?
Keri: Darkness Devours deals with the fallout of their quest to find the first of the keys to the gates of heaven and hell, as well as Risa continuing to work for the vampire council—this time to catch and kill the creature who is eating vampires alive.
Q10) Keri, do you have any idea how many books will be in the Dark Angels series?
Keri: there was meant to be five, but as I said above, I tend not to stick to outlines, so there’s at least seven
Q11) I have to ask about your Myth and Magic series is there another book coming in this series? If yes, can you share anything about it with us?
Keri: There was a third book planned, but it’s not contracted and I doubt it will get written. Right now, I’m concentrating on my Dark Angels books, as well as a ‘secret’ project—not contracted—that features a phoenix.
Q12) Will we ever get another Riley Jensen book?
Keri: No, sorry. I’ve tortured poor Riley enough. She deserves her peace and quiet.
Q13) What is your current work in progress?
Keri: I’m currently working on Darkness Hunts, the fourth book in the Dark Angels series. The unconfirmed release date is the end of 2012.
Q14) I love to know what authors are reading. Can you tell me what you just read or an upcoming release that you are very excited about?
Keri: I actually tend to listen to audio books more than I read these days. I can’t wait to listen to Matthew Rielly’s new Scarecrow book, and I’d also love to read Lilith Saintcrow’s new book (it comes out Aug next year), The Iron Wyrm Affair.
Q15) Is there anything else you would like to add?
Keri: Just another round of thanks for having me here 🙂
Books-n-Kisses: Keri, HUGE thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down with me and chat about your books. What do you say we giveaway a signed copy of both Darkness Unbound & Darkness Rising to one lucky commenter?
Keri: Sounds like a good idea to me!
To enter for a chance to win the first 2 books in the Dark Angel series please fill out the form below:
New author for me but i really would like to discover her work since i've often heard about her
thanks for this opportunity ( international)
isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
I really love the Riley jensen series! My favorite character is Quinn..he is so yoummy! Although I always have had a soft spot for butt kicking female heroines so riley is on my fav list too!
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
kristinaparmenter51(at)gmail(dot)com
This is a new author for me and would love to win and read this book. I love to read and always looking for new books and authors to check out. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
christinebails@yahoo.com
Keri is a new to me author. Thanks for the giveaway.
truebloodfan AT rock DOT com
NEW AUTHOR FOR ME AS WELL. I LOVE THE COVERS, SO GORGEOUS. I'VE BEEN SEEING/HEARING A LOT ABOUT THESE BOOKS JUST HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE CHANCE TO PICK THEM UP YET. THANKS FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN!
BLUESUN1218@DISHMAIL.NET
Keri would be another new author for me to lose myself in her books. I love the fact that she plays shoot em up games and that's because I do too. We have all the Call of Duty games (my faves), and my 8 yr old son is awesome at them, it's crazy, but funny. Thank you to Kelly for 'introducing' me to Keri and for a chance at winning for the first 2 books in the Dark Angel series.
Sebrina_Cassity(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi!
Keri is a new author to me, but a read and heard a lot of good things about her series! I would like to read these books! Thanks for the giveaway!
proserpinecravedfor(at)hotmail(dot)com
I freakin LOVE KERI ARTHUR!!! I'm so sad Riley's series is over, I miss her already. I was so happy we got to see some of her in Darkness Unbound, and that we get a continuation of this world with Risa's stories! I loved book 1 in the new series and will be reading book 2 very soon!! I will always read anything Keri puts out!
I am very familiar with Keris books I love all the characters but my fave is Quinn
flanagan@mebtel.net
Great interview! I'd love to enter for a chance to win these two books. The series looks really interesting.
she is a new author to me but i've heard that her books are really good.
Terri M
oklahomamomy0306@gmail.com
Keri Arthur is a new author to me and I'm lookinf forward to her books.
Great interview.Keri is a favorite author.I love the Riley Jensen series.
my favorite character is Quinn.
My husband and I have read all the Riley Jensen and Myth and Magic books! Infact, we fight over who got to read them first when they first came out…LOL! I can't believe I haven't heard of the new series! My favorite character is Riley Jensen. I'm sad to hear the series is done but look forward to Risa's series!
Happy Halloween!
books4me67 at ymail.com
My Husband and I both just loved the Riley Jensen Series. So I can not wait to get my hands on this series. Thx so much for all the awesome books u write.
I have not read any of your books (my bad) but this sounds brilliant and I will surely be giving them a whirl!
definately not a new author for me!! i loved the riley jensen, but i really really love the new myth and magic series!! havent tried the new angel series but would love to!!!
alainala AT hotmail DOT ca
a new author to me too – and I always like to start a series at the beginning!
sallans d at yahoo dot com
You're not new to me – I loved Roley and am awaiting Risa. DARKNESS UNBOUND has been on it's way to me for a few days now. Wish it would hurry up and get here.
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh I never heard of this Arthur till now that is. This is awesome I love to read series. Great interview! TY for the giveaway chance of a new Arthur for me!
sacredmoon1(at)gmail(dot)com
It would really help if I could type 😉 – it's Riley not Roley 🙂
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
Keri will be a new author for me. I haven't read any by her yet. I have put her on my list of books to get though.
koonie2888 at yahoo dot com
Haven't read any of Keri's work yet, can't wait though!
Awesome giveaway. I have heard of Keri, but haven't had the chance to read her books. Thank you for this great giveaway and interview. I'm an Aussie, so this is extra awesome.
Thanks for the great giveaway! Well, Keri is new to me in that I haven't read any of her books yet but they're on my TBR list. But I've definitely heard of her!
I love the Riley series by Keri Arthur so I am so excited for this giveaway. Thanks so much.
Congrats on your latest release! How exciting. Those are some pretty lovely (pun intended) book covers. I've only just started foraying into ebooks mainly out of desperation from lack of shelf space but somehow I can't imagine getting into audio books. I've never much liked being read to.
thumbelinda03@yahoo.com
This is a new author for me and I've heard great things about her.
I adore Keri Arthur's books. I've read the entire Riley Jensen series and the Myth and Magic series so far. I can't wait to read her new series, Dark Angels.
I have read the first four books in her Riley Jenson series and the first Nikki and Michael book.
Makes me proud to also be an aussie 😉
I am a Quinn fan.
bookdevoteereviews(at)hotmail(dot)com
New author for me. The books sound wonderful. They're going to the top of my TBB pile.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
I am so bad I haven't read any of Keri's books yet. I would love a chance to. 🙂
Larena
lrhubble@q.com
I've read some of your other books and loved them. So I can't wait to check out this series. Thanks for the chance.
mythic021@gmail.com
I have to admit, Keri is a new author for me. I can't wait to read something. Thanks
areeths at new dot rr dot com
I have not started to read this series yet but cannot wait!
flaca798 at hotmail dot com
I've read some of the Guardian Series, so of course I LOVE Riley Jensen. Can't wait to read the new stuff.
Keri is a new author for me but I love that. It's like finding treasure.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
So far I have only read the first book in the Riley series. Looking forward to reading more though.
Keri is a new author to me. She is definitely going on the TBR list. Thanks so much for the giveaway.
Lori
knitrix29 at gmail dot com
Great interview!
I am new to Keri but really love the covers on all these books, a cover sells a book to me, if it has a great cover usually it's great on the inside, Keri will now be on my TBR list, Thank-you for a wonderful interview
julienewberry(at)btinternet(dot)com