Interview with Author Coreene Callahan and Giveaway!

I am so excited to have author Coreene Callahan on my blog today! She is the author of one of my new personal favorites in the adult paranormal world. The book is called Fury of Fire (review here) and it is one I highly recommend! She was gracious enough to answer some questions for me today and she is offering up an ARC of Fury of Fire. So make sure you read all the way to the end for details on the giveaway! Now, onto the interview. :)

A Bookworm’s Haven (ABWH): Can you tell us a little bit about Fury of Fire for those who might not have read it?

Coreene Callahan (CC): In essence, the Dragonfury novels are about a group of half-dragon, half-human warriors battling to protect humankind from extinction.

More specially, Fury of Fire revolves around their commander Bastian, and his struggle to accept his nature and the evitable death of the woman he chooses as his mate.

Here’s a taste of what the book is about:

A clandestine race of half-dragon, half-humans known as dragon-shifters lives among us. Bastian, leader of the Nightfury dragon clan, is sworn to protect humankind at all costs. For him, honor and duty always come first. When the clan dictates he take a human mate to sire a son, he falters, aware that for a human to birth a dragon-shifter she must die. Myst, the woman given into his care, is the most extraordinary he’s ever met, and though he can’t bear the thought of harming her, he is bound by duty.

Myst loves her life in the human world, but Bastian has captured her heart in an instant of electric connection. But Bastian and his warriors are in the middle of a deadly battle with the Razorback dragon-shifters, intent on killing every Nightfury clan member—and the humans they protect—the fate of their world and ours hangs in the balance.

Also, I’ve created a mini movie about the book, which you can check out here: http://youtu.be/8h7jqyrKc5w

(ABWH): Shifters have been on the paranormal scene for a while, as well as my personal favorite, dragons, but I have never heard of dragons that cannot go out during the day. Where did you get your idea for this new twist on dragon shifter mythology?

(CC): When the Nightfury warriors first walked into my head, I knew nothing about them or the world they inhabit. Intrigued, I immediately began mining my imagination to unearth the story. As I delved into Dragonkind history, I found out a lot of interesting things about them. One important realization was that I never envisioned them out in daylight, which begged the question. . .why?

Enter the Goddess of All Things—mother of the first dragon-shifter—with a flare for revenge.

When she discovers the Dragon King cheating on her, she curses him and her offspring by giving them a number of weaknesses.

1. She took their ability to sire daughters, thereby making them dependant on human women to procreate and spawn future generations of dragon-shifters.
2. She tied their survival to humankind by taking their ability to connect to the Meridian (the electro-static current) that feeds Dragonkind, forcing their dependence on human females to draw from the source that keeps them alive.
3. She removed their tolerance for sunlight, making them allergic to UV rays and their eyes so light sensitive they will go blind with prolonged exposure. (And a blind dragon is a dead dragon.)

(ABWH): Do you have a favorite scene from Fury of Fire? I personally love the whole recovery scene with Bastian and Myst. One because it is really steamy ;) but also because of all the realizations the two arrive at because of their connection to one another.

(CC): I love that scene, too! It’s pivotal to Bastian and Myst’s growing feelings for one another and really brings to life the intensity of their connection.

However, I think one of my favorites is what I call the “waffle” scene when Myst walks into the kitchen at Black Diamond (the Nightfury’s lair) for the first time. I love her reaction to the Nightfury warriors’ outrageous baby name suggestions.

(ABWH): Do you have a favorite character from this series?

(CC): I love all the guys. They make me laugh and cry in turn. Each is different in his own way, with strengths, weaknesses, and a boatload of flaws. But while writing Fury of Fire, I fell in love with Wick. He has such a horrific past, and his damaged soul is my demise. Wick, I fear, will always be the one for me.

(ABWH): If this series could be made into a movie, who would your dream cast be for Bastian and Myst?

(CC): Oh, boy. . .good question.

I have a large cork board in my office. I call it my vision board. On it are all kind of things pertaining to the story I am currently writing: pictures taken from magazines—people, places and things—as well as quotes and sayings that speak to me. For Fury of Fire, I pinned the picture of two actors that matched the physical characteristics of what I envisioned for Bastian and Myst.

Bastian – Chris Hemsworth (with short, dark hair)

Myst – Kate Bosworth

(ABWH): What is something we can look forward to in the series that you are especially excited about?

(CC): There are a number of things. The first of which, however, I can’t tell you! Awful, aren’t I? I don’t want to ruin the surprise, because you’ll find out all about it in FURY OF ICE, the second book in the Dragonfury series.

The second exciting thing I discovered while writing Fury of Fire is the Archguard angle. A power struggle is brewing between the five dynastic families that govern Dragonkind. At present, two of the Nightfury warriors are attending the Archguard’s festival and will soon find themselves in the middle of a mess as the tension between rival clans unravels.

(ABWH): Have you ever read or seen yourself as a character in a book or a movie?

(CC): All the time! I have an overactive imagination, so if a character captures my interest, I find myself imagining what it would be like to live in their world. All sorts of questions pop up. What roll would I play in that character’s life? Would I help or hinder that character? What would I do differently if I found myself in his/her position?

All good questions, because as a writer, I am constantly trying to figure out character motivation: the hows and whys a character reacts a certain way in a given situation.

(ABWH): What is your favorite book/series by another author?

(CC): I’m a huge Stephen King fan. I think he is a consummate storyteller, however, I can’t read all of his stories, because some of them scare the heck out of me! Not a good thing for a girl who has always imagined all the things that go bump in the night.

(ABWH): What is something you have to have with you when writing?

(CC): Coffee! I get up every morning at 5 a.m. to write, so a jolt of caffeine is a necessary thing. And my writing buddy, Winston—a mischievous Golden Retriever. I love having him with me, because he lies under my desk and keeps my feet warm.

(ABWH): Can you share what you are working on now? *crosses fingers that it is Rikar and Angela’s story, hehe*

(CC): I’m happy to say Rikar and Angela’s story, Fury of Ice, is finished and will be out in June, 2012! I’m currently working on Fury of Seduction, the third novel in the Dragonfury series. But you’ll have to tune in and read Rikar’s story to find out who the main characters are in the third book. (I know. . .totally unfair. ;)

Also, I’m am working on a new project, a paranormal historical series called The Circle of Seven (book titles forthcoming!), about a group of elite assassins and the magical Order they protect (there are dragons in this series too, so get ready!). The first in the series will be released sometime this Fall, 2012.

(ABWH): Thanks so much for being here today Coreene! Is there anything that you would like to add?

(CC): Thanks again, Meaghan, for having me on today. I had a blast answering your questions and delving deeper into the Nightfury dragon-shifter world!

As a special treat (and with Meaghan’s permission), I’d like to offer one lucky reader an ARC of Fury of Fire. Leave a comment and your email address in the comment section, and I will contact you, then send your copy off in the mail.

(ABWH): Sounds great to me! Thanks for offering up the ARC Coreene! I can’t wait for the next book ;)

So you read it, Coreene is offering up an ARC to one of you! I asked her and she said it was okay to open it up internationally! Woo hoo! So leave a comment below to be entered. The contest will run from now until Friday March 9th at midnight. Good luck to everyone!

This contest is now closed.