Thursday, August 11, 2011

Interview: Thea Harrison


I'm extremely excited today to welcome author Thea Harrison to the blog! She writes the Novels of the Elder Races, a paranormal romance series that has quickly become one of my very favorite addictions. Her books are fresh and fun and feature some oh-so swoon-worthy alpha male heroes. If you're a fan of memorable characters whose romances never overshadow the plot itself, then this is a series you must try! Storm's Heart, book two in the series, released last week (you can read my review HERE) and book three, Serpent's Kiss, releases October 4th.

Do you remember the first aspect of the Elder Races books to pop into your head? Was it a single character or something specific about the world?


I love this question! The whole thing began as a collection of images floating around in the back of my mind. One of the most persistent of the images was of the Dragon Bound heroine Pia running on the beach. The passage went like this:

She glanced at the sky and paused. In the distance over the water, a patch of the sky rippled. It looked like the watery shimmer of heat waves off an asphalt highway on a hot summer day. But the May evening was cooling down, the sky just starting to darken in the east and there was no asphalt anywhere near that ripple.

She shaded her eyes. What was it? It was big and seemed to be getting bigger fast. She watched the patch grow, her stomach clenching. She’d never seen anything like it before, but she knew it was wrong.


Wait a minute. That shimmering patch of air wasn’t growing bigger. It was getting
closer.

Your world introduces us to some lesser-known supernatural beings such as thunderbirds and gryphons; is there one being in particular that has been the most fun to research or write about?

You zeroed right in on the two creatures I’ve had the most fun researching to date! I got excited when I realized that I hadn’t read anything with thunderbird shifter characters in it. That doesn’t mean they aren’t out there, written by someone—I just haven’t read of them before, and this was in part how Tiago was born. I also have enjoyed what I’ve read about gryphons. Wikipedia has an enjoyable article, for anyone who might be interested at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffin.

If Tricks had to pick a favorite item of clothing or accessory, what might she choose? If Tiago had to pick a favorite weapon?

This is another awesome question! But Tricks might have fainted in my head just now. ONE favorite item of clothing or accessory? Just ONE? Sure you mean one favorite TYPE of clothing or accessory. (See, she has started the wheedling and bargaining already.) If that is what you meant, she would have to pick shoes. She has a serious shoe addiction.

Tiago feels the same way about weaponry, but if push comes to shove—and it has before—he would have to pick a battle axe. He’s got the strength to wield battle axes singlehandedly, and they can do maximum damage in a battle.

Dragos doesn’t necessarily seem like the type to welcome strangers into his territory, was it difficult for Tricks to convince him to provide her with sanctuary after she fled her home?

Dragos immediately saw the advantages to giving Tricks asylum in the Wyr demesne. He had had a peaceful rapport with Tricks’s father Rhian, and he saw nothing good coming from Urien usurping power. Dragos knows how to play a political long game. He knew if he gave Tricks shelter, he could create an almost unparalleled alliance with the Dark Fae Queen if he could keep her alive and wait for the right opportunity to see her on the throne.

If Tricks and Tiago had to sit down and interview each other as part of the promotional tour for Storm's Heart, what might be the first question out of each of their mouths?

This is another awesome question! I’m seeing them being interviewed by Bob Eubanks from The Newlywed Game. Tricks and Tiago are a great example of how opposites attract. They are completely drawn to each other and yet mystified at the same time. I actually think any interview with them would run the risk of going completely off the rails. It might go something like this:

Tiago: Why do you wear make-up?
Tricks: What do you mean—why do I wear make-up? Don’t you like me with make-up?
Tiago (cagily): I think you are beautiful no matter what.
Tricks: That’s not what I asked. I asked if you liked me with make-up.
Tiago: This is a stupid conversation.
Tricks: Did you just call me stupid?
Tiago: NO. Shut up. Come here.
*kiss*
Tricks (whispering): We’re still on camera. People are watching!
Tiago (to the audience): Go away. Find your own person to kiss.

What would Tiago say has been the hardest thing about adapting to the world’s changes through his extraordinarily long lifetime?

For Tiago, the hardest thing about adapting to the world’s changes has been the sweeping changes brought by modern civilization. He has a difficult time if he is cooped up too much in modern cities.

You write such wonderful romantic pairings–characters who win us over with their flaws and vulnerabilities and who make us smile with their strength and intelligence. Do you have a favorite paranormal couple outside your own books?

The first couple that came to mind was Eileen Wilks’ Lupi series, with Lily Yu and werewolf Rule Turner. I love those two, and I especially love that we get to revisit them in several books!

All of your characters have such unusual names, do you do any research to find them or do they just come to you as you develop their personalities?

Some of my characters’ names come to me, and others I have to research. For instance, Dragos’s name was one I had to research. His names, both Dragos and Cuelebre, have meaning. Dragon Bound’s heroine Pia’s first name came to me, but then I had to do research for the rest of her name. Tiago Black Eagle’s name came easily to me, and so did Niniane Lorelle. Sometimes, though, I’ve got to dig for a little extra meaning.

On the cover of both Dragon Bound and Serpent's Kiss, we get to see Dragos’s and Rune’s faces, but with Tiago we just get his torso (and what a lovely torso it is). Is there a reason he wished to keep his face to remain hidden?

As far as I know, there is no reason at all for this. The Berkley art department created all three book cover images. I provided initial input only in a general way. For example, when I was asked, I said that Storm’s Heart’s cover should have a stormy, darker aspect, and it would be wonderful if Serpent’s Kiss had the colors of a desert in it. I love how there is an urban scene in the background of each one.

If you had to describe your experience with writing the novels of the Elder Races thus far in one word, what would that word be?

Delicious.

What word would you use to describe how you see the future of the series?

Exciting!

Thank you so much for having me. I had terrific fun!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions Thea! As of now, I believe there are going to be six books total in the series (here's hoping there's more beyond that!), all coming out several months apart. For more information on Thea and her books, you can find her here:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Dragon Bound
Storm's Heart
Serpent's Kiss
Oracle's Moon

34 comments:

  1. I haven't read any of these, but after that Newlywed Game exchange, it sounds like I should!

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  2. Great interview, Jenny. My favourite answer was to the question about how Tiago and Tricks would interview each other. It's funny and manages to show off their personality at the same time.

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  3. LOL I loved when they interviewed each other. CUTE. I still haven't read this series but I have them both. I will eventually get to them. Love the sound of this book! GREAT interview ;)

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  4. I've read Dragon Bound, have Storm's Heart in my TBR and am already wishing over Serpent's Kiss. If the second and third are anything like the first book, I"m going to LOVE it. *g*
    The interview was fun! Have to admit, like the other commenters my favorite part of the interview was when Tricks and Tiago interviewed each other.

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  5. Great interview, love the characters Tiago and Tricks!

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  6. Lol, I loved the banter between those two *g*

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  7. I loved the "Newly Wed Game" interview between the two!

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  8. 6 books in the series? Yay! Wonderful interview - I love the Newlywed Game snippet :)

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  9. Christy - You definitely should! Book 1 is Dragon Bound and I just loved it:)

    Zahida - Tricks is hilarious, she's a new favorite character of mine:)

    Tyraa - My favorite part as well:) Hope you give these books a try!

    Brandy - YAY! Dragon Bound is still my favorite of the ones I've read, but I loved both Storm's Heart and Serpent's Kiss:)

    Lexi - Thanks!

    Bloedeuedd - Me too. They're such a good couple:)

    Jennifer - So did I:)

    Patti - That's what I've heard! And I know she has more in her head beyond that, so I'm hoping we get to read those as well:)

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  10. Hi everybody,

    Thanks for having me here today, Jenny! I had a great time answering your questions!

    Smiles,
    Thea

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  11. Why haven't I read Storm's Heart yet? I need to fix this asap. Dragon Bound was amazing. I'm assuming Storm's Heart will be as well.

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  12. I love the Tricks and Tiago interview. So funny!!! I need to read their story!! =) Great interview!!

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  13. Loved this! Go away find your own person to kiss! Love it!

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  14. Thea - You're so very welcome, I was thrilled you agreed to come on:)

    Amanda - I don't know, but you need to spend some time with Tricks and Tiago:)

    Bailey - They're too cute, I really enjoyed their story!

    Savy - Gotta love Tiago:)

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  15. Oooo I haven't even read these yet, but if Ms. Harrison describes the experience of writing the Elder Races as Delicious, I think these books are something that I would like!!

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  16. Haha, I love the little character interview bit! Very cute. :)

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  17. I'm still waiting for Storm's Heart to arrive from Amazon. This has been the worst delivery from them ever. Usually I have my pre-orders within 2 days of release.
    That said, I loved the interview. Tiago and Tricks little banter was excellent! Can't wait to get my book!

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  18. I love how that began!! That had me right there. Plus the little bit with Tiago and Tricks? I'm sold!! I want these books!

    Jenny... you rock the interview!

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  19. Carissa - I think you would like them! They were really refreshing PNR reads for me with hugely entertaining characters:)

    Lauren - I would love a whole character interview with the two of them, that would be amazing:)

    Victoria - Boo on Amazon! Usually they're great about pre-orders too bad they're withholding Tiago from you! Hope you get him soon:)

    Melissa - I love this series, I can't say enough good things about it:) So glad you enjoyed the interview!

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  20. Great interview these books sound real great. I have been seing them on a few blogs will have to check them out.

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  21. This was the best interview yet. I've been following the blog tour and the questions you posed were informative and insightful. And Thea your series is the BEST. I'm in the middle of Storm's Heart and I love the chemistry. You definitely know your characters. I can't wait for Grym the gargoyle's book. Vickie Taylor wrote a series about gargoyle's and I loved it. Gargoyles are just so cool, but then again so are thunderbirds and dragons :-). I have been recommending your series to everyone!!!

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  22. The dialogue exchange between Tricks and Tiago convinced me to pick this series up. Too funny and cute!

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  23. haha, that Tricks! She is just a ball of fun. I'd have to agree that delicious is a great way to describe this series. :)

    *runs off to find my own person to kiss*

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  24. Laura - I hope you do, I really enjoyed them:)

    Glittergirl - Thank you! I adore her characters, they feel very real and suck me in every time I open one of her books:) I hope Grym gets a book too, and Graydon.

    Rummanah - She has a great sense of humor, it's one of the things I love about this series:)

    Missie - I agree, delicious sums things up nicely:)

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  25. *sigh* I haven't read any of these!!! :(

    Time to remedy this situation!!!

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  26. As if I couldn't want to read these books more, Thea has to go and be all AWESOME. My wallet is slapping me while I try to navigate to Dragon Bound on Amazon. Shoo, wallet! Shoo!

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  27. What an excellent and unique interview! A series like this isn't my usual, but reading the author's thoughts makes me want to now.

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  28. Just started DRAGON BOUND and I'm really loving it! Can't wait to read Thea's other books. Thanks for a great interview...and turning me on to a great new (to me) author!
    Mary @ BookSwarm

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  29. I always thought the cover for Storm's Heart was a little awkard with it cutting off right at the neck but it definitely has the stormy aspect that Thea wanted.

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  30. Ashley - You must remedy immediately! All her male characters are book boyfriend material:)

    Logan - Right? I love how much personality comes through in her answers:)

    Pam - Thank you! They might be fun reads just to get out of your normal genre for a little while:)

    Mary - YAY! Aren't Dragos and Pia great? I'm so glad she's going to circle back to them and do another book that follows up on their story:)

    Jenny - The headless torsos always make me giggle, but they're pretty to look at:)

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  31. Tiago and Tricks sound hilarious. And I love the excerpt from the heroine running on the beach. Great writing.

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  32. This was a great interview! Loved your questions! This is one of my favorite new series :-) Thea's writing rocks! Just sayin'...

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  33. Okay first all those Nalini Singh books now you've got me drooling over this series. Especially the little exchange between Tiago and Tricks. What a great author interview!! You do such a great job with questions. I really enjoyed this one even though I know nothing about the series and now, I want it! Good job!!

    Heather

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  34. Fantastic review!! I already loved the books, but it just makes it that much better when the author is great too :)

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