{Author Interview + Giveaway} with Lisa Shearin of All Spell Breaks Loose

Today on Seeing Night Reviews we have a wonderful guest author! Lisa Shearin who is hear to answer a few questions about her writing and talk about her final book in the Raine Benares Series.

Lisa, thank you so much for being a guest author on Seeing Night Reviews.
Thank you so much for inviting me!

SNR: Can you tell us a little bit in your own words about All Spell Breaks Loose?

LS: 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.

SNR: All Spell Breaks Loose is the last in Raine Benares’ series, how does it feel to be at the end? What are you going to miss about writing for the series?

LS: Writing the end of ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE was made a lot easier by the fact that the series isn’t really over, just the Saghred storyline. If I’d been truly ending the series, I’d have probably been blubbering like a baby. I absolutely love these characters, I’ve been with them a long time, and I couldn’t bear the thought of never writing another book with them again.

That being said, I’ve always wanted to do multiple series. The Saghred storyline was all-consuming (hmm, kind of ironic that a series about a soul-sucking rock would consume my life). In reality, the six books of the Raine Benares series are one humongous book divided into six smaller books. The story arc begins with MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND and ends with ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE. So basically, for the past six years (actually a lot longer than that if you count the years I spent trying to get published) I’ve been writing ONE book. So while I adore Raine & Company, we need a little away time.  ;  )

My goal with ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE was to tie up the loose ends, leave others open, and make the story live up to the title—and I do believe I’ve done it. You all can tell me for once you’ve read it. 

There are so many possibilities for spin-off series: Raine & Mychael, Tam & Talon, Phaelan & whoever he’s pissed off lately. And the list goes on. So when I’m ready to jump back into Raine’s world, I’ll have plenty to choose from.

SNR:Do you have any interesting quirks when writing? Ex. Listening to certain music for inspiration, watching television, writing outside, etc. 

LS: I start each chapter writing longhand in a journal with one of my vintage fountain pens. And my official “writing chair” is a huge a 120-year-old mahogany rocking chair. My thoughts flow better from brain to pen to paper (while sitting in that chair). I think writing longhand gives me a more direct path to my inner storyteller. Once I’ve written a first draft, then I key it in to my computer and start expanding from there. 

As to music, I wrote most of the six Raine Benares books to various Harry Potter soundtracks. Movie soundtracks are great for writing. They set the mood without distracting vocals. For some reason, I can’t write while listening to anyone else’s words except the ones coming from inside my head.   

SNR: What was your favorite experience in writing this book? 

LS: Getting to the end. ; )  Seriously, it was writing the last chapter. It was such a great wrapping up of the entire series—ending ongoing plotlines while opening others for future books. As I typed the last few words, I had a big, goofy, happy grin on my face.

SNR: Out of the whole series do you have a favorite book out of all 6? 

LS: Hmm, that’s like trying to pick a favorite child; you love them all, but for different reasons. If I had to pick one, I would have to say BEWITCHED & BETRAYED, because a lot of relationship issues were resolved in that book.    

SNR: Who are some of your favorite writers or books?

LS: I loves me some Harry Dresden. In my opinion, Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files are danged near flawless. I think my favorites of the entire series are DEAD BEAT and WHITE NIGHT. I also adore Rob Thurman’s Cal Leandros series. Dark, snarky, and mmm, mmm good.  I also really have enjoyed Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child’s Agent Pendergast series.  At the moment I’m reading NOCTURNAL by Scott Siegler, MONSTER HUNTER ALPHA by Larry Correia, and LEGEND by David Golemon. I generally have more than one book going at any given time and bounce back and forth between them depending on what I’m in the mood to read.

SNR: Can you tell us what you’re working on next? 

LS: I’ve just completed a proposal package for an urban fantasy/supernatural thriller/comedy series.  You all know how I love to mix & match genres. I have the series premise written, as well as the synopses for the first three books, and I just finished the final sample chapter today (for a total of six). I promise that as soon as I get a contract for it, I’ll tell you more—in fact, you probably won’t be able to shut me up. I’m so excited about this project—it’s just pure fun.

Thank you so much for visiting Seeing Night Reviews Lisa!

Please visit Lisa : Site | Twitter | Blog | Facebook Purchase: All Spell Breaks Loose

Giving away 1 paperback copy of All Spell Breaks Loose

a Rafflecopter giveaway