Interview & Giveaway with Coreene Callahan

Coreene Callahan Interview Intro:

Hello everyone!  Book Monster Reviews and LITERAL ADDICTION are proud to welcome author Coreene Callahan to our sites today!  

As the only girl on all guys hockey teams from age six through her college years, Coreene Callahan knows a thing or two about tough guys and loves to write about them. Call it kismet. Call it payback after years of locker room talk and ice rink antics, but whatever you call it, the action better be heart stopping, the magic electric, and the story wicked, good fun.

After graduating with honors in psychology and working as an interior designer, she finally succumbed to her overactive imagination and returned to her first love: writing. And when she’s not writing, she’s dreaming of magical worlds full of dragon-shifters, elite assassins, and romance that’s too hot to handle. Callahan currently lives in Canada with her family and writing buddy, a fun-loving golden retriever.

Coreene is the creator of the amazing DRAGONFURY series which currently has two books.  The first book in the series "Fury of Fire" was just released in February 2012 and the second book "Fury of Ice" was just released on June 5.  The third and upcoming book in the series "Fury of Seduction" will be released on October 2, 2012.

In case you have not heard of this awesome new series, we've posted the synopses below so we can rectify the situation stat!

"Fury of Fire"

DRAGONFURY, Book 1
BUY NOW:
Amazon / B&N

When duty calls, a warrior answers—no matter  the consequences.

A clandestine race of half-dragon, half-humans known as dragon-shifters lives among us. Bastian, leader of the Nightfury dragon clan, is sworn to protect humankind at all costs. For him, honor and duty always come first. When the clan dictates he take a human mate to sire a son, he falters, aware that for a human to birth a dragon-shifter she must die. Myst, the woman given into his care, is the most extraordinary he’s ever met, and though he can’t bear the thought of harming her he is bound by duty.

Myst loves her life in the human world, but Bastian has captured her heart in an instant of electric connection. But Bastian and his warriors are in the middle of a deadly battle with the Razorback dragon-shifters, intent on killing every Nightfury clan member—and the humans they protect—the fate of their world and ours hangs in the balance.

An extraordinary blend of action, fantasy, and steamy romance, Fury of Fire brings to life a dangerous new world intertwined with the survival of humanity, all while exploring the meaning of honor and the nature of true love.

"Fury of Ice"

DRAGONFURY, Book 2
BUY NOW:
Amazon / B&N

Homicide detective Angela Keen thrives on the city’s rough streets. But when she becomes the prize of all prizes in the dragon-shifter world due to her “high-energy” status, she gets more than she bargained for. Kidnapped by Lothair of the Razorback clan, Angela barely survives captivity before managing to escape. Hurt and alone with nowhere to hide, she faces certain death when Lothair uses the trace energy she leaves in her wake to hunt her down. But before he can reach her, a mystery dragon-shifter intervenes and saves Angela’s life.

Now a guest of the Nightfury clan, Angela regains her strength as her rescuer, Rikar, the last living frost dragon, gradually breaks down her mistrust. Surrendering to her desire for Rikar, but still uncertain of her feelings, Angela goes against his wishes and agrees to be used as bait to lure Lothair into the open. As the battle commences, the true struggle comes from within: Will Angela return home to the life she loves, or forsake it all to be with Rikar?

"Fury of Seduction"

DRAGONFURY, Book 3

Release Date:  October 2, 2012
PRE-ORDER NOW:
Amazon

We know!!  They sound incredible don't they!!  Before you all run off to buy this awesome series, how about we get to the interview and learn more about the remarkable author behind the books?!

Book Monster Reviews/LITERAL ADDICTION:  Hi Coreene!  Welcome to Book Monster and LITERAL ADDICTION!  We're so happy to have you with us today! We're excited to help you promote your new release "Fury of Ice"!

Coreene:   Hi back! Thanks for having me on today. I’m thrilled to be here!

Book Monster Reviews/LITERAL ADDICTION:  We like to start out by finding out a bit more about our guest author…

Q1): Can you tell us 3 things about yourself that we can't find out on the Internet, in your bio, etc.?

Coreene:   I love chocolate. It’s my guilty pleasure, which I indulge in WAY too often. My Pilates instructor tells me so.

I’m a shoe hound. I love beautiful shoes (flats, stilettos, boots…it doesn’t matter) and have the worst time resisting when I see a to-die-for pair.

I had difficulty learning to read as a child. So I guess that just goes to show you that everyone’s brain is wired just a little bit differently, and we all learn at our own pace.

Q2):  What are some of your hobbies or things that you enjoy doing when you’re not working, writing or taking care of other business?

Coreene:   I’ve played sports all my life, so I can usually be found playing street hockey (or the real thing, depending on the season), skiing, skating, hiking or taking the dog on long walks. I love to hang out with my friends or head to a movie at the cinema (I go so often my friends give me gift cards for the movies on my birthday!).

I also read a lot and listen to my fair share of audiobooks.

Q3):  What are some of your favorite TV Shows and Movies?

Coreene:  My favorite TV show is Criminal Minds. I am fascinated by the study of human behavior, so the psychoanalytic angle always sucks me in.

My favorite movie? Hmm, that’s tough one. As I said above, I’m a real movie buff. But here are just a few: The Shawshank Redemption, The Bourne Identity, Chocolat, The Thomas Crown Affair (the one with Rene Russo and Pierce Brosnan), The Blind Side, King Arthur (with Clive Owen) and The Thirteenth Warrior.

Q4):  What books do you have in your TBR pile right now?

Coreene:   The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson

Game of Thrones – George R. R. Martin

Somebody to Love - Kristen Higgins

Immortal Rider – Larissa Ione

And many, many more!

Q5):  What’s a typical work day like for you?  Do you have a routine; is there something that you absolutely have to have with you to get through your day, etc?

Coreene:   I’m an early bird, so I’m up and writing by 5 a.m. every day (weekends included!). I know, it sounds crazy, but my imagination comes alive the minute I open my eyes and I hit the floor running. There is just something about a quiet house and the stillness before anyone else is awake that I can’t resist.

So, my day breaks down like this: mornings are for the new story I am working on. Nothing else gets done until I have my daily word count in the kitty. Afternoons are for everything else I need to do (revisions, editorial stuff, Facebook, Twitter, emails etc.).

As for what I absolutely have to have with me? Coffee. My computer. And Winston, my dog and writing buddy. He sleeps under my desk and keeps me company (and my feet warm…essential, I tell you) while I write.

Q6):  If you could eliminate one thing you have to do every day on a daily basis, so that you never had to do it again, what would it be? 

Coreene:   Cook! I’m a fly by the seat of my pants kind of girl, so sitting down to create a meal plan each week just about kills me. I would worship the person who made me supper every night.

Q7):  If you could have any one super power, what would you want it to be? Why that one?

Coreene:   Fairy dust. All right, I know that sounds strange, but a little fairy dust goes a long way. You can do things like…fly, conjure anything you need at a moment’s notice (think food, or more specially, chocolate!), make plants grow, talk to animals and…well, you get the idea. Anything is possible with a little fairy dust!

Q8):   What character trait do you feel is paramount for all heroes and heroines to have?

Coreene:   Oh, there are just so darn many. Intelligence. Resourcefulness. The ability to care for another. But I think, at least for me, the MOST important trait is determination. You can have all the intelligence in world, but if you aren’t determined to reach your goals, you never will.  So, although, I work very hard to create multi-dimensional characters that act and react like real people, each character I write always possesses a wicked amount of determination.

Q9):   Who was your hero growing up as a child, and who do you consider your hero now, as an adult?

Coreene:   You know, I don’t remember having a “hero” growing up. I was simply too independent—too freethinking—to idolize another person. There were people I admired (and still do), like my Dad and Grandpa. Nelson Mandela is certainly on my admiration list.  Oh, and Boomer Esiason, a retired NFL quarterback. I loved watching him play as a kid.

 But now as an adult, I must say that my Mom tops the list of people I admire. Her generosity, energy, fortitude, and wisdom amaze me. We talk almost every day, and I find myself inspired to be more like her and asking “What would Mom do?” when I face difficult situations.

Book Monster Reviews/LITERAL ADDICTION:  O.K, now we’ll ask some questions directly related to the DRAGONFURY series… 

Q10):   For those who have not read the DRAGONFURY series yet, can you please tell us a little about the series?

Coreene:   In essence, the Dragonfury series is about a lethal group of half-dragon, half-human warriors battling a rogue faction of Dragonkind to not only preserve their way of life, but also protect the human race from extinction.

Q11):  What was the inspiration that lead to the concept and creation of the DRAGONFURY series?

Coreene:   The inspiration came from the book I wrote before starting ‘Fury of Fire’ and the Dragonfury series. I never expected dragons to show up in ‘Knight Awakened’, but when they did, I became so intrigued by them I started asking all kinds of questions. Things like where they came from, who created them, and how they lived etc. As I unearthed the answers, Dragonkind and the world they inhabit took shape and form. The second it did, Bastian and Rikar walked into my head and…wham! The Nightfury dragons-warriors were born.

Q12):   What are some of the challenges (research, literary, psychological, logistical, etc) of bringing the DRAGONFURY series to life on the pages?

Coreene:   I deal with a large cast of characters in all of my books. One of the challenges inherent in that is making each character distinct or uniquely him/herself. The Nightfury dragon-warriors live together in a ‘pack’ and share some of the same Alfa male traits, and yet, all are undeniably individuals, with their own temperaments and talents, likes and dislikes.

The trick, I think, is in the psychological profiles I created for each warrior/heroine before I started writing ‘Fury of Fire’ (and for which I continue to tweak and add to as each of my characters evolve and grow as people). These individual profiles serve to cut through to heart of each character, helping me to understand them in profound ways (their hopes, dreams, fears, personalities and purpose) as I write each of the Dragonfury novels.

Q13):   What's coming up next for Coreene Callahan?  Do you have any other projects in the works that you can share with us?

Coreene:  Yes! I’m also working on a paranormal historical series, The Circle of Seven, about a group of elite assassins and the magical order they protect. These guys are just as smart and crazy aggressive as the Nightfury dragon-warriors, so they always keep me guessing (and as I mentioned above, there are dragons in this series too, so get ready!). The first book, KNIGHT AWAKENED, will be released on December 4^th, 2012.

Q14):   Is there a question that you have always wanted to be asked in an interview but have never been asked?  How would you answer that question? 

Coreene:   Oh, boy. That’s a tough question.

I think perhaps, the question is WHY? People often ask me ‘how’. How I established my writing routine? How to create a compelling story? How to break into the publishing industry? But the question that underlies and drives the “how” is why I write in the first place. ‘Why’, I believe, is the most important question because it has power, focus, and meaning. In other words, it’s both goal-oriented and passionate without apology.

So why do I write?

Because I’m driven to…because I love words and how they come together…because I am passionate about storytelling, and the escape inherent in it...because if I don’t my characters set up camp inside my head, crack open a beer, and complain.  Which, honestly?  Becomes very annoying after a while!

Q15):  Is there anything specific you would like to say to the readers while we have you here today?

Coreene:  I would like to say a HUGE thank you to all my readers for falling in love the Nightfury dragon-warriors as much as I have and sharing your enthusiasm with me. It’s incredibly exciting (inspiring and humbling) to know you are enjoying the stories, and also, to have you along for the ride as I journey into the next adventure in the series.

Book Monster Reviews/LITERAL ADDICTION:   Coreene, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to sit down and talk to us today.  We'd love to have you back again in October for the release of "Fury of Seduction" if you're interested.

Coreene:  I would LOVE to come back for Fury of Seduction’s release! Thank you so much for the invitation and for having me here today. It’s been a blast answering all your questions (even though some of them made me think really hard!) and chatting about the Dragonfury novels.

 All the best, and I’ll see you all in October!

If you'd like to keep up with Coreene and her latest news, you can visit her Website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter or Goodreads.

Coreene is giving away  an autographed paperback of FURY OF FIRE to a winner from Book Monster and another winner over at the LITERAL ADDICTION website.

Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter

a Rafflecopter giveaway