Welcome Shannon!
Today we have author, Shannon Leigh, visiting. Shannon Leigh, erotic romance author, lives in Indiana with her husband, four boys, cat and dog. A lover of paranormal characters, her backlist includes vampires, werewolves, ghosts, demons, and a cowboy, barbarian, and alien thrown in for good measure. You never know what she’ll come up with next.
* So, Shannon, what inspired you to become a writer?
I always liked making up stories when I was little. The paranormal genre fascinated me the most. I loved witches and unicorns, magic and elves. In middle school, I got into reading sweet romances and ventured into writing some of my own (wish I’d kept those, dangit!). As I matured and my tastes expanded into some of the more sexy paranormal beings, I got a little more serious about my writing. For the first time, the idea of getting published seemed like the thing to do. I’ve been on a whirlwind ever since.
* When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
My first publishable story was written around 2000/2001. It was a full-length, vampire romance. Though, to look at it now, I’d say it’d fall under a dark romance, as it entails some pretty deep subject matter. It was published in ebook and paperback in 2002 by a now defunct publisher. I’m currently revamping it, so to speak, with hopes of finding a new home for it later this year.
* How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
I finished and sold my first book before working a lot on the next. I was on a mission. Like a horse with blinders, I had something to finish before I could let myself relax and venture into new characters.
* What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
The best I guess would be to keep researching and always check for the validity of your plot and setting. You can’t have beachfront property in the middle of Indiana (unless there’s been some sort of major continent shift in your book and the Hoosier state now lies on the East Coast.)
I can’t really say I’ve gotten bad advice. I think everything has some merit. You just have to determine if it applies to you.
* How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
Celebration may be going out to dinner with my hubby, and just sitting around with a big grin on my face. Since I’ve mostly stuck with one publisher, I don’t deal too much with rejection. However, I’ve had a few and they still hurt my feelings just like they did 10 years ago. I’m trying to psych myself up for submitting the book I’m re-working now. Since my current publisher doesn’t take reprints, I find myself having to figure out query letters and synopsis all over again.
* In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
I think Dallas Howard (played Victoria in Eclipse) and Hugh Jackman (need I explain?) would make great fill-ins for my characters. I guess Christian Bale (Batman, American Psycho) would make a good bad guy and his unfortunate girlfriend might be Eliza Dushku (Buffy series, Dollhouse series).
* The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
It is part of a series. Lycan Lore is book one, Lycan Lore 2: Offspring is book two. My publisher, Amber Quill Press, puts out several anthologies (Amber Paxes) which all circle around a general idea. I had signed up for one of these Paxes, which the theme was werewolves. This was my first werewolf story and I really enjoyed it. I wanted to revisit the characters from the first installment, even though they aren’t necessarily the main characters in the second. It’s kind of a shared spotlight, so to speak. You could read either story alone, since the second refers to things that happened in the first, but I would suggest reading book one first, which gives some initial insight to my werewolves and what details make up their “lore”.
*** Now for some fun info… ***
* What’s your favorite color?
Well that depends on the day. Usually, it’s pink. But sometimes I like teal or purple, or even black.
* What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Mint chocolate chip. Yummy! Have you ever had a piece of grasshopper pie? It’s to die for. Geez, now I’m going to have to stop at the Homemade Icecream and Pie Kitchen on my way home.
* Would you/have you own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet?
I have owned a snake, actually. For a very short while. A ball python. When my husband (at the time) brought home a live baby mouse to feed it, I realized I was not a snake person. The next person, when the mouse was still running around inside the snake tank, I rescued the mouse and took the snake back to the petshop.
I also owned an iguana. His name was Homer. He lived in my bathroom. Literally. He loved to lie on the shower curtain rod. He got about 4 foot long. I ended up taking him to a local pet shop because he got too big to deal with. He wasn’t pleasant either. He liked to whip you with his tail when you tried to pick him up. Hurt like hell.
*** About Shannon’s book … ***
My latest release was Chasing Booty, a science fiction erotica. It was also part of an Amber Quill Pax. The title actually has a double meaning. I wanted something catchy, yet clever. The main character is a bounty hunter after her latest “booty”, while her nemesis turned partner is actually after her “booty”, if you know what I mean.
CHASING BOOTY
* So, Shannon, what inspired you to become a writer?
I always liked making up stories when I was little. The paranormal genre fascinated me the most. I loved witches and unicorns, magic and elves. In middle school, I got into reading sweet romances and ventured into writing some of my own (wish I’d kept those, dangit!). As I matured and my tastes expanded into some of the more sexy paranormal beings, I got a little more serious about my writing. For the first time, the idea of getting published seemed like the thing to do. I’ve been on a whirlwind ever since.
* When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
My first publishable story was written around 2000/2001. It was a full-length, vampire romance. Though, to look at it now, I’d say it’d fall under a dark romance, as it entails some pretty deep subject matter. It was published in ebook and paperback in 2002 by a now defunct publisher. I’m currently revamping it, so to speak, with hopes of finding a new home for it later this year.
* How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
I finished and sold my first book before working a lot on the next. I was on a mission. Like a horse with blinders, I had something to finish before I could let myself relax and venture into new characters.
* What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
The best I guess would be to keep researching and always check for the validity of your plot and setting. You can’t have beachfront property in the middle of Indiana (unless there’s been some sort of major continent shift in your book and the Hoosier state now lies on the East Coast.)
I can’t really say I’ve gotten bad advice. I think everything has some merit. You just have to determine if it applies to you.
* How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
Celebration may be going out to dinner with my hubby, and just sitting around with a big grin on my face. Since I’ve mostly stuck with one publisher, I don’t deal too much with rejection. However, I’ve had a few and they still hurt my feelings just like they did 10 years ago. I’m trying to psych myself up for submitting the book I’m re-working now. Since my current publisher doesn’t take reprints, I find myself having to figure out query letters and synopsis all over again.
* In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
I think Dallas Howard (played Victoria in Eclipse) and Hugh Jackman (need I explain?) would make great fill-ins for my characters. I guess Christian Bale (Batman, American Psycho) would make a good bad guy and his unfortunate girlfriend might be Eliza Dushku (Buffy series, Dollhouse series).
* The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
It is part of a series. Lycan Lore is book one, Lycan Lore 2: Offspring is book two. My publisher, Amber Quill Press, puts out several anthologies (Amber Paxes) which all circle around a general idea. I had signed up for one of these Paxes, which the theme was werewolves. This was my first werewolf story and I really enjoyed it. I wanted to revisit the characters from the first installment, even though they aren’t necessarily the main characters in the second. It’s kind of a shared spotlight, so to speak. You could read either story alone, since the second refers to things that happened in the first, but I would suggest reading book one first, which gives some initial insight to my werewolves and what details make up their “lore”.
*** Now for some fun info… ***
* What’s your favorite color?
Well that depends on the day. Usually, it’s pink. But sometimes I like teal or purple, or even black.
* What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Mint chocolate chip. Yummy! Have you ever had a piece of grasshopper pie? It’s to die for. Geez, now I’m going to have to stop at the Homemade Icecream and Pie Kitchen on my way home.
* Would you/have you own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet?
I have owned a snake, actually. For a very short while. A ball python. When my husband (at the time) brought home a live baby mouse to feed it, I realized I was not a snake person. The next person, when the mouse was still running around inside the snake tank, I rescued the mouse and took the snake back to the petshop.
I also owned an iguana. His name was Homer. He lived in my bathroom. Literally. He loved to lie on the shower curtain rod. He got about 4 foot long. I ended up taking him to a local pet shop because he got too big to deal with. He wasn’t pleasant either. He liked to whip you with his tail when you tried to pick him up. Hurt like hell.
My latest release was Chasing Booty, a science fiction erotica. It was also part of an Amber Quill Pax. The title actually has a double meaning. I wanted something catchy, yet clever. The main character is a bounty hunter after her latest “booty”, while her nemesis turned partner is actually after her “booty”, if you know what I mean.
CHASING BOOTY
Author: Shannon Leigh
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-267-5
Genre: Science Fiction / Futuristic / Action / Adventure / Interracial / Multicultural
Heat Level: 3
Length: Novella (20k words)
Publisher: Amber Quill Press
Purchase URL: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/ChasingBooty.html
Pg: 102
Tagline: She’s a human bounty hunter; he’s a Trondite. Their worlds are about to collide.
BLURB:
When cops can’t catch the most-wanted criminals, they hire Gaelyn. She comes from a long line of bounty hunters, including her father, uncle, and grandfather. Extensive training in weaponry, hand-to-hand combat, and adverse conditions have seasoned her into a formidable opponent against any contracted hit, whether male, female, alien, or human. She has little fear of the unknown and thrives on adventure.
Only one other hunter matches her status—Reese, a Trøndite from the small planet of Sør-Trøndalag in the Capricornus Sector. And the man has a knack for stealing her contracts. Both cunning and gorgeous, the mix doesn’t seem quite fair. But attractiveness holds little power over money. Reese had beaten Gaelyn out of a half-year’s pay a scarce three months ago, and she will be damned if he outwits her again.
Thinking she’s duped Reese back onto Jupiter, Gaelyn isn’t too happy when she runs into him on Quaoar at the Blue Moon, an authentic hole-in-the-wall bar tucked at the end of a narrow alley in what would be considered the rough part of town; just the place to find her contracted hit. But Reese not only has the information she needs to find her mark, he also has a business proposal that’s too tempting to pass up. And a partnership with Reese just might prove rewarding in a way Gaelyn never expects...
Lycan Lore
BLURB:
When cops can’t catch the most-wanted criminals, they hire Gaelyn. She comes from a long line of bounty hunters, including her father, uncle, and grandfather. Extensive training in weaponry, hand-to-hand combat, and adverse conditions have seasoned her into a formidable opponent against any contracted hit, whether male, female, alien, or human. She has little fear of the unknown and thrives on adventure.
Only one other hunter matches her status—Reese, a Trøndite from the small planet of Sør-Trøndalag in the Capricornus Sector. And the man has a knack for stealing her contracts. Both cunning and gorgeous, the mix doesn’t seem quite fair. But attractiveness holds little power over money. Reese had beaten Gaelyn out of a half-year’s pay a scarce three months ago, and she will be damned if he outwits her again.
Thinking she’s duped Reese back onto Jupiter, Gaelyn isn’t too happy when she runs into him on Quaoar at the Blue Moon, an authentic hole-in-the-wall bar tucked at the end of a narrow alley in what would be considered the rough part of town; just the place to find her contracted hit. But Reese not only has the information she needs to find her mark, he also has a business proposal that’s too tempting to pass up. And a partnership with Reese just might prove rewarding in a way Gaelyn never expects...
Lycan Lore
ISBN #: 978-1-60272-137-1
Genre: Short Paranormal Erotica/Dark Fantasy/Werewolf
Publisher: Amber Quill Press
Purchase URL: http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/LycanLore.html
BLURB:
Being the tag-along on a camping trip with Heather and Graham is not what Cassandra has in mind for her long weekend. When a tall, dark stranger with staggering green eyes shows up to lend a hand with her tent assembly from Hell, however, she has to rethink her predicament. Despite the mixture of excitement and apprehension he incites with his soul-startling stare, the possibility that she’s just found her brawny Tarzan in the depths of Redwood National Park suddenly doesn’t seem so absurd.
Cray feels an equally potent draw to the fiery redhead with the soft hazel eyes, attractive features, and tempting shape. Despite his resolve, she provokes a primordial calling he’s long sought to contain. He wants this female, he can’t deny, but he knows giving in to such unabashed urges can lead to disaster, and he refuses to sentence this woman to his own horrid fate.
But just as powerful as Cray’s attraction is his unexpected surge of protectiveness. There’s something about Cassandra’s male friend that needles his suspicion. Graham invokes Cray’s predatory sense of dominance, and that doesn’t bode well. If his instincts are correct, Cray knows Graham is more than he appears and Cassandra’s life is in danger...
EXCERPT:
Catching her foot on an exposed tree root, she tumbled forward, bursting through the other side of the bush in a clamorous rustle of leaves and snapping branches to land painfully on her hands and knees on the outskirts of a small clearing. Stunned by the fall, she leaned back on her haunches and wiped the remnants of dirt and twigs from her palms.
Her flashlight rolled away, coming to rest several feet beyond her reach. Despite a hard knock on the ground, it remained lit, though its beam was dull. And her knife had disappeared somewhere within a mound of leaves on her left.
When she finally glanced around her dim surroundings, she realized that she’d just happened onto the scene of something akin to a horror film. Cassandra opened her mouth to scream, but terror choked the sound from her throat. All her psychological profiling of lycanthropes fizzled away like water subjected to flame, for the shadowed creature before her—a strange mix of man and dog—couldn’t be anything human.
Werewolves…
This couldn’t be happening. Bears and mountain lions were like house pets compared to the monstrosity before her. As though to add a little more excitement to the situation, her flashlight chose that moment to flicker and go out, leaving the moon as her only source of light.
The reddish brown pelt covering the creature’s back bristled, standing on end like the fur of a startled cat. Pausing over its feast of woman flesh, it turned toward her, a menacing growl rumbling deep within its thick, corded throat. And despite the night around them, its glowing red eyes pierced the darkness, fierce and bright, like the taillights of a braking car.
Cassandra gulped hard when the creature riveted its cold-blooded stare on her. It took a step toward her, kicking the latent flashlight back toward her. Its beam snapped on, strong and steady, fully illuminating the tiny clearing and its inhabitants with chilling clarity.
The beast clenched and unclenched its dagger like claws, readying for a second kill. Then its lower jaw dropped open, revealing a mouthful of razor sharp teeth, and issued an ominous snarl. Cassandra felt the blood drain from her face.
Heather suddenly let out a gurgling groan, sufficiently distracting the creature long enough for Cassandra to jump to her feet. Knowing she’d never be able to fight her way through the brush at her back and make it to the trail leading to the campsites before the thing ran her down, she quickly scanned the near-black foliage surrounding them.
She spied a partially hidden trail to her left. Taking advantage of the temporary diversion, she snatched her flashlight and shot across the clearing, disappearing down the path without so much as a backward glance. She could only pray the creature deemed her not worthy of a chase.
BLURB:
Being the tag-along on a camping trip with Heather and Graham is not what Cassandra has in mind for her long weekend. When a tall, dark stranger with staggering green eyes shows up to lend a hand with her tent assembly from Hell, however, she has to rethink her predicament. Despite the mixture of excitement and apprehension he incites with his soul-startling stare, the possibility that she’s just found her brawny Tarzan in the depths of Redwood National Park suddenly doesn’t seem so absurd.
Cray feels an equally potent draw to the fiery redhead with the soft hazel eyes, attractive features, and tempting shape. Despite his resolve, she provokes a primordial calling he’s long sought to contain. He wants this female, he can’t deny, but he knows giving in to such unabashed urges can lead to disaster, and he refuses to sentence this woman to his own horrid fate.
But just as powerful as Cray’s attraction is his unexpected surge of protectiveness. There’s something about Cassandra’s male friend that needles his suspicion. Graham invokes Cray’s predatory sense of dominance, and that doesn’t bode well. If his instincts are correct, Cray knows Graham is more than he appears and Cassandra’s life is in danger...
EXCERPT:
Catching her foot on an exposed tree root, she tumbled forward, bursting through the other side of the bush in a clamorous rustle of leaves and snapping branches to land painfully on her hands and knees on the outskirts of a small clearing. Stunned by the fall, she leaned back on her haunches and wiped the remnants of dirt and twigs from her palms.
Her flashlight rolled away, coming to rest several feet beyond her reach. Despite a hard knock on the ground, it remained lit, though its beam was dull. And her knife had disappeared somewhere within a mound of leaves on her left.
When she finally glanced around her dim surroundings, she realized that she’d just happened onto the scene of something akin to a horror film. Cassandra opened her mouth to scream, but terror choked the sound from her throat. All her psychological profiling of lycanthropes fizzled away like water subjected to flame, for the shadowed creature before her—a strange mix of man and dog—couldn’t be anything human.
Werewolves…
This couldn’t be happening. Bears and mountain lions were like house pets compared to the monstrosity before her. As though to add a little more excitement to the situation, her flashlight chose that moment to flicker and go out, leaving the moon as her only source of light.
The reddish brown pelt covering the creature’s back bristled, standing on end like the fur of a startled cat. Pausing over its feast of woman flesh, it turned toward her, a menacing growl rumbling deep within its thick, corded throat. And despite the night around them, its glowing red eyes pierced the darkness, fierce and bright, like the taillights of a braking car.
Cassandra gulped hard when the creature riveted its cold-blooded stare on her. It took a step toward her, kicking the latent flashlight back toward her. Its beam snapped on, strong and steady, fully illuminating the tiny clearing and its inhabitants with chilling clarity.
The beast clenched and unclenched its dagger like claws, readying for a second kill. Then its lower jaw dropped open, revealing a mouthful of razor sharp teeth, and issued an ominous snarl. Cassandra felt the blood drain from her face.
Heather suddenly let out a gurgling groan, sufficiently distracting the creature long enough for Cassandra to jump to her feet. Knowing she’d never be able to fight her way through the brush at her back and make it to the trail leading to the campsites before the thing ran her down, she quickly scanned the near-black foliage surrounding them.
She spied a partially hidden trail to her left. Taking advantage of the temporary diversion, she snatched her flashlight and shot across the clearing, disappearing down the path without so much as a backward glance. She could only pray the creature deemed her not worthy of a chase.
An infestation of overgrown branches stabbed the air, jutting across the pathway. With their drawn swords prepared to strike, it was as though the trees themselves sought to prevent her escape. Nature was not on her side.
They slashed at her face and legs as she raced through their formidable blockade. But she paid them little heed, preferring to be scratched and clawed at by some harmless branches than be gutted alive by the werewolf’s dagger nails and razor teeth.
The guilt of leaving Heather behind gnawed at her conscience, but there was nothing she could do for her. If she made it back to the campsite, she and Graham could use the truck to try and locate the park ranger, though the possibility seemed daunting. There were almost forty miles of vehicle-accessible roadways through the entire park, and she had no idea how many rangers patrolled at night.
An ear piercing, skin prickling howl followed by the crashing of limbs alerted her to the verity that the thing had given chase. From the way it barreled through the brush behind her—a raging juggernaut on a mission—Cassandra knew it was only a matter of moments before she’d be caught. Finally finding her voice, she drew in a large gulp of air and belted out a sharp scream.
The outcome was easy to guess. It would rip her to shreds, devour her tender innards, then leave the rest of her to rot. Of course, by the time the scavengers came behind to clean up the mess, there’d likely be little to nothing left.
They slashed at her face and legs as she raced through their formidable blockade. But she paid them little heed, preferring to be scratched and clawed at by some harmless branches than be gutted alive by the werewolf’s dagger nails and razor teeth.
The guilt of leaving Heather behind gnawed at her conscience, but there was nothing she could do for her. If she made it back to the campsite, she and Graham could use the truck to try and locate the park ranger, though the possibility seemed daunting. There were almost forty miles of vehicle-accessible roadways through the entire park, and she had no idea how many rangers patrolled at night.
An ear piercing, skin prickling howl followed by the crashing of limbs alerted her to the verity that the thing had given chase. From the way it barreled through the brush behind her—a raging juggernaut on a mission—Cassandra knew it was only a matter of moments before she’d be caught. Finally finding her voice, she drew in a large gulp of air and belted out a sharp scream.
The outcome was easy to guess. It would rip her to shreds, devour her tender innards, then leave the rest of her to rot. Of course, by the time the scavengers came behind to clean up the mess, there’d likely be little to nothing left.
***Find Shannon here***
Website: http://shannonleigh.org
Twitter: http://twitter.com/shannon_leigh
Thank you for joining us here today, Shannon! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.
Contest! ~ An autographed cover flat of Lycan Lore. Laminated so it stays nice and pretty. Shannon will draw a name from any commenters and let them know by email on August 1st. Commenters just need to leave their email addy so she can contact them.
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