Lisa Shearin Blog Tour and Giveaway!

Author Lisa Shearin stops by SciFiChick.com today on her latest Blog Tour! Lisa was kind enough to answer some questions about her books and her experience in writing. And keep reading for a chance to win her latest book All Spell Breaks Loose!

Can you tell us a bit about Raine Benares and your latest release ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE in your own words?
Raine Benares is a seeker, which is basically a detective who uses magic to find missing people and stolen objects. At the beginning of the series (MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND) she inadvertently gets herself psychically bonded to the Saghred—a stone that gives the one bonded to it unlimited power, with a side order of insanity. Not crazy like an eccentric aunt, but take-over-the-world-and-kill-millions kind of crazy.

The entire series (all six books) takes place in an approximate three-month timeframe. That’s a lot of action in very little time, but thanks to the Saghred (and the evil megalomaniacs who want the stone for their own), Raine is in a lot of trouble with very little ways out of it.

Thanks to friends and allies (both old and new), and ill-timed romantic entanglements (it ain’t easy to fight for your life and have a relationship at the same time), Raine manages to stay one step ahead of the power-hungry elves and goblin aristocrats who want the stone and its power for their own. Unfortunately Raine can’t just give it to them. Once bonded to the Saghred, you’re bonded for life. Only death can break that bond. Yours. Understandably, Raine has a problem with that last part.

ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE is the finale of the Saghred storyline. In it, Raine and a small band of good friends, not-so-good friends, and one outright enemy (don’t ask), travel to the goblin capital of Regor in order to destroy the Saghred and kill the goblin archmage who has found a way to use the stone’s power to enslave the world. While there, Raine & Company must also renegade goblin prince on the throne. Piece of cake. Not.

Has the series progressed as you expected? Any surprises along the way?
The biggest surprise was that the series extended into six books. I expected three books max. But the characters kept growing and their stories began to take on lives of their own, so it was impossible for me to stop after three books. I had to find out what happened for myself.

So this is the 6th and final book in the series? What will you miss most about writing for this series? Is it easy to move on to something new?
ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE is the concluding book in the Saghred storyline—not necessarily the end of the series. I fully intend to come back to Raine and her friends in the future. There are quite a few characters who would love to have their own series. I know Tam or Phaelan wouldn’t say no to starring in their own series. And those of you who are familiar with Talon know that kid isn’t going to stay quiet for long.

What’s next for you? Any other stories on the horizon?
At the moment, I’m working on the proposal package (series summary, plot synopses for a couple of books, and sample chapters) for an urban fantasy/supernatural thriller series. I am having so much fun exploring new characters and stories, and I can’t wait until I can share all the details. Once we sell the series, I’ll be able to.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your experience in writing.
I’ve been writing since I could put words together to form a sentence, and I have made up stories in my head for as long as I can remember. I was bitten by the novel bug in college. I was in a local bookstore and couldn’t find anything that I wanted to read. My roommate got tired of hearing me gripe about it, and asked why didn’t I just write my own? That’s what got me started, and I’ve been going ever since.

What inspires you?
What makes me write is that there are stories in my head, and I have to get them out. And once I write what’s in my head, it (thankfully) fills up again. Also, reading a book that’s just so cool and so well-written that it inspires me to go off in a completely different direction writing-wise than I’ve ever done before. There are always new ideas, so writing never gets old.

Who are some of your favorite authors? What books do you love?
I cut my fantasy-reading teeth in the 80s with David Eddings, Raymond Feist, and Terry Brooks. My fave urban fantasy author is Jim Butcher (I do love me some Harry Dresden). I really enjoy reading mysteries and thrillers, and if they have a touch of the funky or supernatural, all the better. I especially enjoy Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child’s Agent Pendergast series.

What do you do when you’re not writing? In your spare time?
Spare time? (chuckles) I don’t think I have any of that. When I’m not writing, I’m reading and reading and reading. Oh, and there’s sleeping and eating in there somewhere. Human contact is important, so I try to fit some of that in there, too.

How did you get into rescuing Greyhounds?
My husband and I saw greyhounds at the Renaissance Faire that our fencing group would perform at. We also saw a greyhound when we were doing fencing demonstrations at the Biltmore House in Ashville, NC. When we found out that there are so many retiring from the race tracks that need homes, we just had to adopt some. Greyhounds are the sweetest dogs! Derek and I would like to move out into the country so that we could foster dogs that have just come off of the race track and are looking for their forever homes.

Thanks for your time! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you so much for inviting me! And humongous thanks to Raine’s fans! Your boundless enthusiasm for Raine’s adventures never cease to amaze and inspire me. I write these books for you.

Courtesy of Ace Books, I have a copy of All Spell Breaks Loosefor one (1) lucky winner!

Contest is open to US and Canada only. No PO Boxes, please. To enter, just fill out the form below. Contest ends June 1. I’ll draw a name on June 2, and notify winner via email.

Good luck!