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...

Comments

  1. Good morning, Shawna. We're glad you're here!

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  2. I loved ALTERED DESTINY! Love the characters, loved the way you made both species sympathetic for the reader, loved the world-building and the complicated plot.

    Great interview!

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  3. Altered Destiny sounds like a great read-compelling premise and great conflict. Can't wait to read it!

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  4. Totally related to your comment about how you used to only read outside your own genre - I did the same thing! But then as you say, I realized there are only so many basic plots, it's how we tell them that matters. I can see we have to duel over Eomer! Altered Destiny was TERRIFIC.

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  5. Thanks for visiting us, Shawna. Altered Destiny sounds wonderful and I love the title.

    At the 2003 Surrey Writer's Conference, I was fortunate enough to have lunch with Terry Brooks and he is such a great guy. I'm a huge fan of his Magic Kingdom books.

    Good luck with your career!

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  6. Hi, Shawna! Thanks for being here - can't wait to go get your book!

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  7. Hey, Shawna. Your book sounds great. Thanks for visiting.

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  8. HI Everyone. Sorry I'm late. We had a full soccer morning. When I came home, I decided to lay down for a few minutes. I woke up two hours later! Still playing catch up!

    Thank you so much for having me Liz!

    Barbara, we're just going to be mutually appreciative. ; )

    Hi Rae, Thank you. I hope you love it when you do! : )

    Veronica, Oh, you're on! Eomer is worth it! *sigh* There's actually a story behind that. I have a character in a one of my unpublished books who is very similar. When my friend, who had read the book, and I saw Two Towers for the first time she turned to me and said, "That's Ryliann." I could only nod in agreement.

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  9. LOL Started another comment because the last was getting too long.

    Margie, you met Terry Brooks? Wow. I would have been tongue-tied.

    Hi Kristina, Thank you. Liz does a great interview!

    Hi Shawn! That is what my father wanted to name me. My mom insisted on the "a". You're welcome. It's my pleasure.

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  10. Thanks for visiting, Shawna. Your cover's great!

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  11. Thank you for coming by WW! Great interview!

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  13. You're welcome, ladies. It was fun to visit! : )

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