Welcome Shawna Thomas

Thanks so much for coming. We love company, and I have a soft spot for Carina authors.

1. Question of great imagination--tell us about you!

Wow! isn't it funny that I really don't know how to answer that question? I'm a mom of six kids and married to an amazing man. I love to garden and bake. I dream of a time I'll have the luxury to create fabulous desserts like you see on Food Network. I write--I always have and it's a big part of who I am. If I'm not writing down stories, I'm telling them to my children.

2. Here in the Midwest, we're tumbling headlong into autumn. What do you like about this time of year? Is it friendly to your muse?
I LOVE autumn! Unfortunately, here in the desert, autumn, and spring, are short. I love the colors of fall, the weather, the holidays. Everything! As my computer is very near a large single-pane window, the cooler weather is definitely friendly to my muse. It's hard to be creative when you have sweat trickling down your back. : ) And in the winter, my fingers are always cold. I have to keep a hot cup of coffee by my computer just to warm my hands enough to type. Okay, I'd keep the coffee nearby anyway. ; )

3. What's on your TBR pile?

Number one right now is the new Ilona Andrews. I love that series. Looking forward to reading Fight or Flight by Natalie Damschroder, A Taste of Texas by Liz Talley, Stone Kissed by Keri Stevens, and oh, so many more! Right now I'm finishing up Heart of the Druid Laird by Barbara Longley.

4. Do you read mostly inside your own genre or sub-genre or outside it? Why?

I love romance so I read anything within that genre. Even novels labeled urban fantasy usually have a good deal of romance. (I love the romance between Curran and Kate in the Kate Daniel's series) I also love to read YA. Although I don't strictly write YA, some of my books have that flavor. I used to read only outside my genre to keep my ideas pure, but I realize that's silly. Most things have been done, or written about, it's all how you tell the story. Besides, I love everything romance and everything fantasy. : )

5. What's your favorite thing about yourself? Your least favorite? (Okay, I know I'm doubling these up. Sorry. I'm just way too people-curious!)

My favorite thing about myself... If it really matters to me, I don't give up. Knock me down and I'll generally dust myself off and get back to work. I may feel discouraged, sorry for myself and need copious amounts of chocolate, but I won't lose hope for long. The least favorite? I think I have to do everything myself. Well, no, I don't think that way, but I act that way. I guess it comes from being a single mom for so long and before that, the oldest in charge of her siblings. I don't tend to ask for help, even when I feel like I'm drowning in responsibilities. I'll lose sleep, stress, and make myself sick first. LOL That's probably more honest then you were looking for. ; )

6. Careerwise, where would you like to be in 10 years?

I'd like to have at least 6 more books published. Hopefully some of them in brick and mortar stores. I'd also like to be able to quit the day job and focus on my writing.

7. Do you have a favorite hero type? Heroine?

I'm a sucker for the bad boy with the soft heart. I think that's why vampires are so appealing. This is the ultimate badboy, but oh, when he loves the heroine enough to be vulnerable? Ultimate turn on! I like strong heroines. A woman who knows what to do and how to do it. Someone who is independent and maybe a bit surprised to find she needs the hero in her life.

8. If you could have dinner with any woman, living or dead, who would it be? What would you talk about?

Dead, my grandma, hands down. She was the most influential person in my life and I miss her every day. Living...just one? I'd have to say my friend, Crystal, who lives very far away.

9. On that same order, is there any specific writer, living or dead, who made you know that's what you wanted to do?

From the time I could remember I've been addicted to Tolkien. I've lost count how many times I've read the series. I was in love with Legolas, then Aragorn. When the movie came out, it was Eomer that stole my heart. I cut my reading teeth on CS Lewis and Terry Brooks. These men are master of the craft. The world building is out of this world. Pun intended. ; )

Find Shawna at http://shawnathomas.com
http://authorshawnathomas.blogspot.com/


ALTERED DESTINY by Shawna Thomas
Carina Press

Selia has run her family's tavern since she was fifteen and can hunt and fight the equal of any man. When she rescues a badly wounded man and nurses him back to health, she has no idea she's about to change not only her life, but also the destinies of two peoples...
The battered warrior is Svistra—a race of bloodthirsty savages determined to destroy her homeland. Or so the stories claim. Jaden reveals a different truth: how his ancestors were driven into the barren northern mountains. Now they are strong and war parties are pushing south wanting their land back.
The son of a Svistra Commander, Jaden is looking for a way to bring peace to both humans and Svistrans. He tries to ignore his growing passion for Selia, but when she is captured he has to decide what he would be willing to sacrifice to save the woman he loves...