I started reading about an intriguing world created by Shayla Black (aka Shelley Bradley) and knew that I not only had to read the series, but have her as a guest Over Coffee.I’m pleased to have had a chance to talk with Shayla a bit about The Doomsday Brethren Series and Seduce Me In Shadow, released September 29th. Shayla Black is a national bestseller and writes various genres, and now paranormal/urban fantasy romance.
When Shayla says, “Magic has never been so devastatingly sexy,” she means it. I have to tell you that her heroine, Sydney, is not the only one that thinks Caden MacTavish is yummy (as you know, I do have a weakness for sexy Scots). Get out your fans, girls, you’re gonna need them, because we’re talking a very hot hero.
- You've also written Contemporary Romance and Erotica, what made you decide to branch into paranormal romance?
I’ve had this idea in the back of my head for about a dozen years. I finally think all the pieces of the puzzle fell together mentally for me, which enabled me to write the books. But they’ve always been in my head and near and dear to my heart.
- I love to read paranormals, and especially with a new slant. Your series is called the Doomsday Brethren staring magical knights, wizards, and witches who must fight evil. What drew you choose magical warriors?
- What's special about your heroines, Olivia and Sydney? Any magic? Are they aware of these magical knights or just average women who walk into this blind?
Olivia from book 1, TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS, was unaware of the magical world she was born into, then shielded from who whole life. The heroine of my current release, SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW, is Sydney, a human who is sure this magical world exists…but can’t prove it. She’s a journalist determined to dig until she finds answers. She gets a whole lot more than she bargained for…
- What was the most fun about writing this series?
Dreaming up the new world, the characters and their interaction. Crossing between their world and ours is a ton of fun, and I enjoy making it accessible for us mere human, but still fantastical enough to take the reader on a journey.
- What was the hardest to write?
Keeping all the strands of the plots together. These books are intricate, and as I write book 4, most characters have an established history and backstory that I’m working within, so keeping it all straight keeps me on my toes.
- Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Don't give up. Tenacity is 90% of this business. Keep writing. Keep submitting. The minute you stop knocking on doors is the minute you lose all chance of selling. And it may be cliché, but read, read, read. Don't assume that what you like to read most is immediately what suits your voice. Try a few different things and see what feels good to you. Remember, your voice is what an editor is looking for. Tell the story that only you can tell.
- When will your next book be published? Can you tell me a bit about it?
SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW just released 9/29, so it should be in stores now. Book 3 in the series; POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT, releases 10/27. Here are the “official” blurbs for both:
SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW
- Ex-Marine Caden MacTavish has shunned his magical heritage all his life, but he will do anything to heal his desperately ill brother, a Doomsday Brethren warrior in mourning for his missing mate. Posing as a photographer, Caden must convince firecracker tabloid reporter Sydney Blair to reveal the source of her recent exposé on a supernatural power clash. Unfortunately, keeping his hands off the sizzling redhead proves as hard as getting them onto the potent and mystical Doomsday Diary he discovers at her bedside. A bloody rebellion led by an evil, power-hungry wizard is imminent. If Sydney divulges the book’s existence, she will jeopardize magickind’s most deeply guarded secrets and become the ruthless wizard’s number one target. Caden has never trusted magic’s cruel and dangerous powers, but he will protect Sydney with his life and magic—even if it means risking his heart.
POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT
- As a mysterious dark cloud drains the life of her beloved brother, Doomsday Brethren leader Bram, Sabelle Rion can think of little else. Still, every time she meets Ice Rykard’s intense green gaze, her body aches with need for the sexy warrior. Their attraction is explosive, incredible—and forbidden. As dangerous as he is unpredictable, Ice is her brother’s sworn enemy. But as Bram weakens, a more sinister force is gaining power. Evil Mathias and his ruthless Anarki army are on a bloodthirsty hunt for the Doomsday Diary. Sabelle must guard the potent book with her life—and Ice vows to protect the beautiful witch with his. Duty demands that Sabelle deny her lover’s fiery call of possession and mate with a man who can sway the magical Council against the impending rebellion. With the fate of magickind hanging in the balance, will she forsake the burning desires she can’t ignore or turn her back on her people for the courageous man she can’t resist?
Thank you, Shayla, for taking time out of your busy writing schedule to answer my questions.
Be on the look out in November 2009 for a review of The Doomsday Brethren Series, here at Over Coffee.
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SHAYLA BLACK is the nationally bestselling author of more than twenty sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances, including the Doomsday Brethren novels Tempt Me with Darkness and Possess Me at Midnight. Her novel Decadent was nominated for Best Erotic Romance of 2007 by Romantic Times. She lives in Texas with her family.
Visit her website at http://www.shaylablack.com/.
Check out additional information about The Doomsday Brethren
Be sure to get the first in the Brethren series, and it's trailer: Tempt Me with Darkness.
