Interview Author Thea Harrison

Filed in Interview , The Smutty Lover , Thea Harrison Posted on May 5, 2011 @ 6:00 am 12 comments
We are very happy to welcome author Thea Harrison here at Book Lovers Inc today. Her new novel, Dragon Bound was just released and with all this pre-release buzz we just couldn’t pass on the chance to ask her some question about her work. Pleas give Thea a warm welcome.
BLI: Thea can you please tell us a bit about yourself?
Thea: I have been lucky in that I’ve had the opportunity to travel. I lived in England for several years, and that allowed me to see a bit of Europe. When I was nineteen I wrote my first category romance, and for many years I was Mills & Boon UK’s youngest author. Somehow I’ve still managed to wear quite a few hats—as a teenager I was a waitress, and I’ve been a receptionist, an office manager, a penniless graduate student, a director of development and research, and a single mom. My graduate degrees are in Philanthropic Studies and Library Information Science, but my first love has always been writing fiction. I’m beyond delighted to be writing again.

BLI: Describe a typical day of writing? Are you a planner or pantser?
Thea: In true Gemini fashion, I am both a planner AND a pantser. I plan things out to a certain extent, but the writing of it really comes alive when I start flying by the seat of my pants, or writing intuitively. Sometimes that means I have to deviate from what I had planned… but end result is always worth it!
BLI: What do you think is the difference between a reader and a real Book Lover?
Thea: A reader enjoys reading and may even consider herself to be a book lover. But a real Book Lover is someone who goes through withdrawal if she doesn’t have at least two or three books going at once. She haunts her library and double checks her grocery budget to see if she might be able to squeeze out enough money for just one-more-book. She knows the route to every book store within fifteen miles by heart, and she has multiple accounts at various online booksellers. She… wait, I’m talking about me again. *cough* Sorry.
BLI: Some of our readers might know you as Amanda Carpenter- you wrote contemporary romances for Harlequin in the 80s and now your back with a new paranormal romance novel. Why did you decide to start your comeback with this genre? Do you plan to dip your toes into other genres, too?
Thea: Paranormal romances combine so many of my favorite things. While I cherish my memories of writing as Amanda Carpenter, I’ve also been a long-time sci-fi/fantasy lover and pulling all those elements together into one package is very exciting for me. But I can also see myself trying other things too. I love mysteries and thrillers, and I’m quite intrigued (and a bit intimidated) by the YA market. There are so many possibilities to explore!
BLI: What can we expect of Dragon Bound and what kind of world is it?
Thea: Dragon Bound is your typical boy meets girl story—okay, no it isn’t. It is the story of what happens when an immensely old, Powerful dragon has something stolen from him. Dragos Cuelebre is unbelievably rich, privileged and, let’s face it, bored. Then something unprecedented happens. Someone actually breaks into his hoard and steals from him, and he’s out for blood. He chases down his thief and discovers that he… likes her. He actually likes her quite a lot. And the heroine Pia Giovanni, who had been running from him as hard and as fast as she could, discovers she likes him quite a lot as well.
In the process of discovering each other, Dragos and Pia also find out that one of the most Powerful men in world was behind the events that forced Pia to the theft. Urien, the Dark Fae King, wants Dragos dead. And Urien doesn’t care who he has to kill, or what he has to destroy, in order to make that happen.
The world of the Elder Races is an exciting and dangerous place, an alternative present day Earth where mythological creatures live, love, plot and hold grudges for an awfully long time. And nothing is ever quite as it seems.
BLI: The pre-release buzz has been awesome and everyone at Book Lovers Inc I am eagerly awaiting it and the rest of the books, how do you feel about how well received the book has gotten?
Thea: I am thrilled, honored, and a little skeert! My only hope right now is that the book’s performance in the marketplace justifies all the hard work everyone has put into it—and that readers enjoy it as much as I hope they will.
BLI: The hero is primal and intense in Dragon Bound. What is appealing about this type of hero?
Thea: This type of primal and intense hero (in my opinion) is appealing when he falls completely head over heels for someone. Because seriously, then what does he do? Writing a character like Dragos was my opportunity to find out. I’m not terribly kind to him because he’s so much fun when you put him under pressure.
BLI: Who is your ideal hero and if you could combine elements from real/fictional heroes to make one up what would they be?
Thea: My ideal hero has heart. He might deny it for all he’s worth, or try to hide it. He might forget about it for years on end, or discovering that he actually has heart might come as a bit of a shock.
In real life, my ideal hero is laid back, loves to talk, is kind, and has a terrific sense of humor. In fiction, it’s possible to enjoy heroes with much more bite. I’m actually not all that interested in a hero that needs to be saved in some way. I don’t enjoy the trope as a fantasy, and in real life I’ve personally never seen that dynamic work. I’m more interested in a hero that discovers how to save himself, and how to save others.
(c) Bilderkiste.de
BLI: Why dragons? What attracted you to these usually neglected paranormal species/creatures?
Thea: I’ve always loved dragons, so when I sat down to write a paranormal romance, I knew I wanted to have a hero as a dragon, and I wanted to make him unique. Part of that decision was because I simply love dragon mythology, and part of it was because I wanted to write a hero that was a bit of a bad man. The two things seemed to be a perfect match.
BLI: Can you briefly hint what the next books, Storm’s Heart and Serpent’s Kiss will be about? Do you also have plans for more in this series?
Thea: Storm’s Heart and Serpent’s Kiss follow very quickly on the heels of Dragon Bound. In a way, the stories are like a large novel in three parts. Storm’s Heart is about two secondary characters from Dragon Bound, Tricks and Tiago. Serpent’s Kiss is the story of Dragos’s First sentinel Rune and the Vampyre Queen Carling Severan, who is introduced in Storm’s Heart.
We have also just finished signing the contract for books four, five and six in the Elder Races! (Pardon me while I woot like a maniac for a few moments. WOOT! YAY! YIPPEE! WAHOO! *cough* Okay, that’s better. *straightens clothing, pretends to be dignified*) I’m currently developing plot lines in the overarching story for the potential of book seven and beyond.
BLI: Who is your all-time favorite romance and couple?
Thea: This is such a great question! My answers change frequently whenever I’m asked about my favorites. I love so many different things, and so many stories, I tend to answer according to my mood.
Today, my all-time favorite romance and couple might be Thurston and Lovey Howell from Gilligan’s Island.
For heaven’s sake, why? you ask. I’ll be happy to answer that. They had a marriage that lasted. They had all the money in the world, and they even loved each other when they were stuck on a tiny desert island. Come on, you’ve got to admit. That’s true devotion.
BLI: If you had a dream dinner with your favorite characters or with real people who would they be and where would you set it – it can be otherworldly or somewhere real?
Thea: I would dine with the Elves in a woods by the sea, and listen to their ballads while watching the reflection of strange stars in their ageless eyes. And I think it would be so beautiful it might break my heart, but I would still go there.
BLI: Can you tell us 3 reasons why people should read your books?
Thea: People should read my books because they are surprising, funny, sexy, and yet they are serious too. They have touches of real heartache and fear and loss. That makes the triumph sweeter and the love more poignant and, let’s face it, all of that for the mere price of a paperback is some quality entertainment.
BLI: Can you summarize Dragon Bound for us twitterstyle (140 characters or less)?
Thea: They argued a lot and made some fierce love, and it was more fun than they’d ever had. And that wasn’t the end. It was only the beginning.

Thanks so much for coming over and answering our questions?
What did you always want to know about Thea and her writing? 

Copyright 2010-11 Book Lovers Inc.

About Susi


Susi is a geeky vegetarian from Gemany. She just finished university and now works as a civil engineer in steel construction. Besides her reading addiction she also knits like a maniac while listening to audiobooks. Susi also blogs at the Secret HEA Society.

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12 Comments

Join the Discussion
  • Sharon S. May 5, 2011 at 8:10 am

    I have seen nothing but great reviews for this.

    You had me at-
    "primal and intense hero"

    Dragon meat taste gooooood 😉

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  • Victoria May 5, 2011 at 9:38 am

    I'm following you all over the place Thea. And I'll keep saying that I've read nothing but glowing reports on DRAGON BOUND. Now all I have to do is go get a copy. Waiting until I need to go to the city, you know, saving gas.

    vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

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  • Johanna R Jochum May 5, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    My friend recommended this book to me and I have heard it is awesome! One of my favorite authors Eloisa James mentioned it too! So I have been trying to win this book. I feel like a stalker! LOL! I'm buying this book regardless if I win or not! When you mentioned funny and sexy you had me! Thanks for sharing today!

    evjochum[AT]aol[DOT]com

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  • Thea Harrison May 5, 2011 at 12:06 pm

    Hi everybody! I'm super excited to be here today- I had so much fun with the interview. Thanks so much to Book Lovers for having me here today!

    Writing Dragon Bound was a hoot for me, and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
    Best regards and happy reading,
    Thea Harrison

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  • Raonaid Luckwell May 5, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    I first seen about you was on Nalini Singh's blog. Then, in a book group, someone titled the post "Rao did you see" with the picture and back synopsis of your book.

    They know my tastes well. Dragons, Elves, Celtic, I am so there for it because you just can not have too many dragon books.

    You would have loved my old apartment, we literally had dragons painted on the walls. LOL

    Raonaid at gmail dot com

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  • Bea May 5, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    The Howells as your favorite romantic coupel? What a great answer!

    I've been hearing so much buzz about this book, I can't wait to get my hands on it.

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  • Barbara E. May 5, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    I've always loved dragons too, and there just aren't enough books about them in my opinion. I'm so happy you've decided to write your series with dragon heroes, and I can't wait to read them.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

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  • Sheree May 5, 2011 at 11:33 pm

    I've never thought about the Howells that way before. Good point.

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  • Ren May 6, 2011 at 8:27 am

    I hear so many praises about Dragon Bound in Goodreads and many friend of mine give this book 5 stars

    And Dragon rule! So I will buy this book 🙂

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  • Ina May 7, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    Hi Thea!
    I just discovered your books and it was great to learn more about the series!
    and I've read that the first book will be released in German in February 2012 too – many congrats on that!! I'm looking forward to it!
    wish you all the best, Ina

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  • Thea Harrison May 7, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    Wow, Ina, that'a great news! We had accepted an offer from a German publisher but I hadn't heard a date yet about the German release, lol. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for the good wishes, everybody!
    Warm regards,
    Thea

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  • funyhony May 8, 2011 at 2:32 pm

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