Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome back Shona to the blog today. We are chatting about genre, rituals and her newest release To Love a King.
Shona, can you please share with us a little about yourself
I live in Western Australia, love dark chocolate (which is why I run) and in my spare time I love to cross-stitch and do aikido.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
As a child I wrote and read a lot but I don’t think I ever considered it as a profession—and I certainly wasn’t encouraged to. When I was on maternity leave I started writing again and I started researching how to write a novel but it was another couple of years before I decided I wanted to be an author. Even then it seemed like one of those things that was am impossible dream.
Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
I grew up reading Katherine Kerr’s Deverry series. I love fantasy novels, but quite often relationships were doomed. I didn’t discover romance until my twenties. I fell in love with paranormal romance. I tend to gravitate toward darker stories and I love lush world building (a hangover from growing up reading fantasy). Some of my favorite authors at the moment are: Jim Butcher, Jaci Burton, Marie Brennan and Jenn Bennett.
How did you get into writing in this specific genre? Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?
With paranormal romance I get to explore my love of world building. Last year I branched out into sci-fi romance (Decadent Moon and ES Siren series). Next year I have a contemporary series starting with Escape Publishing which is very exciting. Readers can join my new release newsletter to keep up to date: http://mad.ly/signups/119074/join )
What are some of your writing rituals?
I open up my laptop and get going. I always plot so I know where I’m going but really I have no rituals.
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
To Love a King is the third book in the series and is Felan and Jacqui’s story. The first time they got together it all ended rather badly and this is their 2nd chance…however everything is falling apart in Annwyn and the mortal world is suffering. While Felan needs and wants Jacqui, she doesn’t need him (although she wants him) or the fairy dramas.
How did you come with the idea for this story?
I knew how this trilogy would end when I plotted The Outcast Prince (and I knew what the 2nd trilogy was about then too). The idea of lost love and 2nd chances worked well with the all or nothing of the fairy court.
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I’m working on Annwyn #4 The Darkling Lord (March 2015) and the second book in my contemporary series (I wish I could share the title but they aren’t finalized).
Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.
Chapter 4, Felan has just learned the truth about what happened 7 years ago and has realized Jacqui has moved on even though he hasn’t.
What would you be if you were not an author?
Before being an author I was a civil designer (roads, drainage, sewerage etc) so I’d probably still be doing that.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
I’m looking forward to reading Mistress of the Wind by Michelle Diener and Ice Forged by Gail Z Martin.
*****
Let’s take a peak at Shona’s newest release:
To Love a King
Amazon
He’s Trying to Reclaim His Past
To keep the balance between good and evil at the court of Annwyn, Prince Felan ap Gwyn has two weeks to marry and take the crown. But he wants more than just power—he wants love; a love he once had but was too stubborn to hold on to.
She’s Struggling to Face the Future
It took years for Jacqueline Ara to put her life back together after Felan abandoned her. She’s moved on, even if her heart still burns for him. But with war in Annwyn looming and death bleeding into the mortal world, Felan and Jacquie will need to heal old wounds and rekindle the passion that once welled between them…or face losing everything.
A little more about Shona
Shona Husk lives in Western Australia at the edge of the Indian Ocean. Blessed with a lively imagination she spent most of her childhood making up stories. As an adult she discovered romance novels and hasn’t looked back. With stories ranging from sensual to scorching, she writes contemporary, paranormal, fantasy and sci-fi romance. You can find out more at Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Newsletter: http://mad.ly/signups/119074/join
Great cover! Are there earthquakes in Australia? Do you have to consider that in your civil designs?