Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Spotlight on: Erin Kellison!!!

I'm really excited to have debut author Erin Kellison as my spotlight author today.  I met Erin through my local Romance Writers of America chapter and it's been exciting watching her journey on the road to publication!  Erin Kellison is the author of the Shadow Series, which includes SHADOW BOUND and SHADOW FALL. The first was just released and has so far recieved fabulous reviews.

Erin, welcome.  It's great to welcome another Erin to my blog.  :)  Tell us about your Shadow Series:

Erin K:  First of all, a big thank you to Erin Quinn for sharing her blog with me! I am giving away a copy of both my debut release, Shadow Bound, and its sequel, Shadow Fall, to one lucky commenter today. Also, consider popping by my website, http://www.erinkellison.com/, to sign up for my newsletter and to put your name in the hat for my Nook raffle.

Erin Q:  Wow, a Nook raffle?  Do you hear that readers???  And a giveaway here too.  Be sure to leave a comment!  Okay, onto the meat.  Tell us about the Shadows.....


Erin K:  When I was first beginning Shadow Bound I had a good idea of who my hero, Adam Thorne, and heroine, Talia O’Brien, were as people. I could picture them. I could hear them speak in my head. I knew exactly what they would do next, and why. I can’t say the same of Adam’s good friend, Custo Santovari. I tried to delete him from the manuscript of Shadow Bound several times. He was the guy that did the dirty work for Adam, and I wanted Adam to do his own dirty work, as any hero should. Delete.

A couple days later, I’d be writing him back in again. I didn’t even like him, but I needed him for this spot right here. And that scene. And in the chapter to come. As I was writing, I discovered that Custo wasn’t just a guy who got things done and helped to move the plot for me. In fact, not one of those convenient helper-outer scenes remained. Instead, he became a foil for Adam and Adam’s psychotic brother. In the darkest of times, Custo kept Adam grounded, kept him sane, kept him human.

Something bad happens to Custo in Shadow Bound. Very bad, but critical to the book. One of my critique partners said, “Reconsider. You can’t do that to a sidekick.” I remember reading the message on my computer screen and shaking my head in bafflement. Custo had gone way past sidekick. Custo was a hero.

At least in my mind.

Up until that point, I had never remotely considered writing a book about Custo, but now he was stuck in my head. When I got “The Call” from my editor with an offer for Shadow Bound, she asked if I had ideas for future books. She seemed interested in one direction in particular, but I wanted Custo. I didn’t have a pitch prepared, and had very little of a story in mind. My passion must have come across, however, in the near-incoherent, please-let-me-try plea I gave on behalf of Custo. She asked to see a proposal. Shadow Fall comes out July 27th.

And I’d wanted to delete him altogether in the beginning. Now, frankly, he’s my favorite.

Who are some of your favorite characters?

Here’s the back cover blurb for Shadow Fall:

Sacrifice

Custo Santovari accepted pain, blood, even death, to save his best friend. But a man with all his sins just isn't cut out to be an angel.

Mystery

One moment he's fleeing Heaven; the next, he's waking up stark naked in Manhattan. In the middle of a war. Called there by a woman who's desperately afraid of the dark.

Shadow

It gathers around Annabella as she performs, filled with fantastic images of another world, bringing both a golden hero and a nightmare lover.

Wolf

He pursues her relentlessly, twisting her desires even as she gives herself to the man she loves. Because each of us has a wild side, and Annabella is about to unleash the beast.

Erin Q:  I can't wait to read these!  I've had them on my TBR since before they were published and since I'm not one of those readers who has to wait for a whole series to come out before starting, no more delay.  :)

Want to know more about Erin?  Go to:  http://www.erinkellison.com/ and don't forget about that raffle on her site for the Nook or the contest here for autographed copies of her books!
Erin, thanks so much for stopping by!!!!

19 comments:

Modokker said...

Wow sounds like a awesome series. Congrats Erin! I hope you have many more book deals in your future. Can't wait to check out your new book.

Lisa B

modokkerat yahoo dot com

Lanae T. said...

For sure adding this series to my to-read list!

Thanks so much for sharing with us!

ftatman5 at yahoo.com

Ramblings from the Edge said...

When is Shadow Fall's release date? Shadow Bound I read last week and loved your writing style.

VampFanGirl said...

Hello Erin & Erin!

Just popping by to say how much I loved SHADOW BOUND. What a thrill ride! And Adam had me fanning myself on more than one occasion. Whew did he ever!

Congrats on the great releases, Erin K., and I'm looking forward to SHADOW FALL.

Mary Anne Landers said...

Thank you for your post, Erin Kellison. Your books sound fascinating.

I've read about other writers who claim characters take on lives of their own. Apparently it's not unusual for supporting figures to "demand" sequels in which they become protagonists.

Here's an open question for both Erins, and any other published writers. The fiction market is increasingly geared to series novels. What do you think about this trend? Does it make your job easier, or more difficult?

Keep up the good work!

Erin Quinn said...

Hi everyone and thanks for stopping by! Mary Ann, what a great question...I think the trend toward series is both great and not so great. :) I have found myself hopelessly addicted to books in a series and so I know from a reader's perspective that they have a lot to offer. From a writer's perspective, it has both postive and negative aspects.

The blank page of a new book is always scary, and when its a series, that is lessened because you already know the back story and people going in. The hard part is keeping it fresh and exciting and NOT rehashing the older stories--while at the same time, making sure any new readers can follow along. The Haunting books are my first series so I can't speak from a seasoned professional's POV, but hopefully I'm doing an okay job of it.

That's my 2 cents anyway. :)

Gram said...

Definitely another two for my t-b-r list. Thanks Erin(s)

Erin Kellison said...

Hi everyone!
Thanks so much for coming by and commenting! Ramblings and VampFanGirl, I am so glad you enjoyed Shadow Bound. I hope like Shadow Fall just as much. It comes out officially July 27, but is shipping from online stores right now. :)

Mary Ann, your question actually came up during a panel I attended at RomCon earlier this month. My understanding is that readers like to return to a world and characters they've loved. As author, I like to spend more time there as well. The discussion at Romcon included an inquiry about readers' preferences regarding how the series were presented, a series of stand-alones or a series with a continuing character. I've debated it myself, both as a reader and an author, and can't decide.
Erin

Amber Scott said...

I loved the premise and tone of Shadow Bound and can't wait for Shadow Fall to come in the mail. My fingers are crossed it arrives early just like Shadow Bound. Not that I'll brag...much.
I now have a thing for windows.
:}

Margaret said...

Sounds absolutely amazing! I can't wait to pick them up.

Erin K, good luck to you!

Maggie

Ivy said...

I just picked up the first in this series last wk....It looked really interesting. It's sitting on the table by my chair (vs in the basket on the floor by my chair) which means it's high on the tbr mountain..

Nicole said...

Your covers are beautiful! They are the kind of covers that would immediately draw my eye and have me pick it up!! Love it!

minnchica(dot)bookpusher(at)gmail.com

LilMissMolly said...

Congratulations on your new release and for getting published. I'd love to win a copy of both books! I'm always curious how long it takes authors to get published. Some say it takes years and others are lucky. My youngest wants to be a writer when she grows up and I'm not sure if I should encourage this, or discourage it. ;)

Nora W. said...

All right ladies, you think Adam Thorne is sexy, wait till you meet Custo Santovari! T-minus 7 days and counting till Shadow Fall hits the book stores.

Go Erin!

Nora W.

KC said...

I have to agree with Nora W. Custo is hot in a bad### way. My fav of course.
I have a question for Erin K. Custo is a hero on the brink and he does some questionable things. Is it hard to write a hero who's armor is a bit tarnished?

Kris Tualla said...

I read both these books in pre-release and they are AWESOME!!! Erin is a gifted writer; no doubt about that. Way to go, girl!

Sarah Simas said...

ACK! I know I'm late to the party, but I enjoyed the interview a lot. :) It was great to meet you Erin and learn about your books and characters. I'm definitely adding them to my list. Best wishes for a long and successful career!

Erin Quinn said...

And the winner is....

Gram posted on July 20, 2010 12:24 PM

Gram, please email me at write2erinquinn (@) aol.com with your mailing address!

Congratulations

Ina said...

argh, I missed your post Erin :(

congrats on your release! I heard a lot of good things about it and will def keep it in mind!
wish you all the best for the future,
Ina