A Special Visit with Shannan Albright ( @nae0309 @evernightpub #SO )

Hi Shannan! I understand you have a couple of series at two publishers, and a little birdie told me you have book number two of one of those series in the process of being published with Evernight Publishing. Could you tell us the name of the series, the titles of the two books and give us a bit of background on the series?
     Yes, C.R., Your little birdie chirped correctly. I am very excited about my Dark Breed Series. The first, Dark Passion Rising: A Dark Breed Novel, released through Evernight Publishing in March 2011. The second, Passion’s Flight, releases in February 2012. The first book introduced the reader to the Dark Breed—supernatural beings that exsist secretly amongst mankind and live within laws dictated by a Tribunal and carried out by their warriors known as Enforcers. Through a brutal betrayal, the Dark Breeds are discovered. All their laws and way of life is wrenched from the Dark Breeds who now must find a way to live in peace with humans. With Dark Breeds turning Feral and attacking humans a group of Enforcers led by Marcus Valerian and his Consort ex Metro Cop Tambra Ellis must find a way to adapt to their new and dangerous world or be destroyed.

Oooh, sounds interesting! How many books are you planning on writing for this series?
     I have four planned for sure. After Tegan’s book there is Zeke and Cody. I will continue the series as long as they remain popular.

Good to know that we can look forward to more. :) How’d you come up with the idea for this series & ideas for each of the books that you’ve written so far?
     The idea of a group of supernatural beings who lived with amongst humans and were answerable to a code of behavior came to me out of the blue really. The idea of what would happen if all our legends were true and mankind was forced to suddenly deal with the reality of them piqued my interest. The chaos it would cause as both sides tried to find some kind of common ground, the parallels between Enforcers and human cops, love, sacrifice and honor. I wanted to illustrate the best and worst of both Dark Breeds and Humans. How fear and greed would translate when put against survival of the different species.

Where are your books set? Why did you choose this locale for the stories?
     I chose a contemporary setting and picked Las Vegas, NV. This is a 24/ 7 city where anything goes. In Las Vegas anything can happen, any fantasy can be attained if you have the money. Most importantly Las Vegas is famous for its night life. This city begged to be a part of the Dark Breeds home.

Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

     Tegan Murin is one of my favorites. He is a prickly Were-panther who has a nasty habit of challenging the leader of his group. Marcus Valerian has his hands full with Tegan, yet the mutual respect is there and quite frankly Marcus relies quite a bit on Tegan’s advice when things get dicey. Tegan is complex. He’s standoffish, argumentative and a loner, yet underneath that is a very loyal caring person. Once you have his friendship he will move heaven or hell to be there for you.

Tegan sounds like a great guy! What actors/actresses would play the parts of your characters if your books were made into a movie?
     Boy, that’s a tough one!  For Marcus Valerian I picture Gerald Butler. Tambra would be Uma Thurman. Tegan Murin I see Ian Somerhalder from Vampire Diaries and for Kyra Navarone a young Angelina Jolie.

Do you plot out the books or are you a pantster or a combination of the two?
     At one time I was a plotter all the way, now I am finding I am inclined to be more a combination of both. I plot only the bare essentials and then let my muse have at it.

Can we have a peek of the book two?
     Sure! Here’s the blurb for Passion’s Flight ~
     Tegan Murin has his hands full these days. Feral attacks are increasing, targeting humans, and now he is ordered to find and destroy a deadly artifact known as Oman’s Seal, deal with his estranged step-father and find a missing archeologist. He’s a bit irritable. Add into the mix a recurring dream of one sexy seductress leading him to his death… well, you get one very pissed off were-panther.
     Kyra Navarone is more than what she seems. Escaping from the ferals who captured her, she ends up running into a brooding, irritating man who makes her blood run hot just with one look. Her life depends on the betrayal of this compelling man, but how can she live with herself afterward?
     More than their lives hang in the balance. In order to survive they must learn to trust one another before the world they know and the one hidden beneath the waves are destroyed forever.

How about a look into book one?
     Of course! The blurb and excerpt for Dark Passion Rising follows. :)

     Tambra Ellis has just had her world turned upside down! Surviving a bite from a Lycan, attracted to one hot vampire guy and now she has to look forward to turning into something from some bad werewolf movie.
     Marcus Valerian has enough on his plate without the added complication of Tambra Ellis. Fiery and independent? Sure. Beautiful with a body made for sin? Oh Yeh. And a human cop. Tambra is everything he needs to stay away from.
     As leader of the Tribunal’s enforcers it’s up to him to find out why the Dark Breeds are going feral and killing humans in ever increasing numbers. Tambra’s life is in the balance as the secrets of her past place her in the middle of old deceits and a betrayal that will change the world forever.
     Will Marcus and Tambra’s love survive or will it be too late.
 ~ Excerpt ~
     Marcus moved to the door in a burst of speed, and stopped with his arms folded across his chest, lips compressed into a thin line as he glared at her.  He drew his brows low in a scowl.
     “W…what the hell are you?” she stammered, unable to mask her unease.
     “I am not here to harm you.  I have been the one tending to you as your body adjusted.”
     “You haven’t answered my question,” she pushed.
     “That’s because it’s not relevant to the situation.”
     “Like hell, asshole.  If it affects me then it is my business.”
     Marcus liked her toughness, finding it remarkably refreshing.  Her strength was impressive, not many could make it through the beginning stages of the change when turning from human to Were, yet she had fought through it.  She had overcome it all, despite how badly she had been injured.
     He used his most reasonable tone to calm her, knowing that the next few minutes was crucial to keeping her receptive to what he had to say.  He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, making his tone as calm as he could manage.  “At this time the only thing we need to focus on is your change.  You are not out of the woods as of yet.  There are too many things that could go wrong.”
     Her eyes widened in horror as she took a shaky step backward.
     “Oh, God.  This isn’t happening.  It can’t be real.  Werewolves don’t exist.”
     “Believe me, they do exist.  Denying what you have seen will be foolish and dangerous, for you and everyone you’re around.”
     “No.  I don’t believe this.  I won’t believe it.  There has to be some logical explanation for what I saw.”  The sharp edge of hysteria rose in her voice.  “I will not turn into a dog.   I don’t even like dogs.”
     That made him smile despite the seriousness of the situation.  She was absolutely adorable and he was in deep shit because of it.  Yet, he couldn’t seem to make himself care. “Wolf, not dog.  You were bitten by a Lycan, not Lassie.
Where can we find you and where can we buy your wonderful stories?
Evernight Publishing will be releasing Passion’s Flight: A Dark Breed Novel in February 2012 & book one, Dark Passion Rising, is available right now at www.evernightpublishing.com
It can also be found through…
Amazon Kindle
1place for Romance
Barnes and Noble
Book Strand
Sony E Reader
I can be found at http://shannanalbright.weebly.com/

Thanks for stopping by today Shannan! Readers, want to know more about her? Visit her interview from last year, here: http://crmoss.blogspot.com/2011/03/welcome-special-guest-author-shannan.html