Interview & Giveaway with Cynthia Garner/Sherrill Quinn

Cynthia Garner/Sherrill Quinn 

Interview Intro:

Hello everyone!  LITERAL ADDICTION and Book Monster Reviews are very proud to welcome author Cynthia Garner (a.k.a Sherrill Quinn) to our sites today.   

Cynthia has a wonderful Bio on her website, so we thought we’d borrow it for today’s Event so that you all can learn a little bit more about her before we get to the interview:

“My interest in writing got an early start when my sixth grade teacher told us to complete the following sentence:  “It was a dark and stormy night…”  With that my love of all things paranormal was born.

I didn’t start writing with an eye toward publication until 1999. I had a few short stories win some contests and get published in now defunct publications. A move to Arizona in 2000 and a new job put my writing on hold. In early 2005 I couldn’t keep the stories inside any longer, and made the decision to focus on a writing career, beginning with electronic publishers. Under the pen name Sherrill Quinn, I signed my first contract in September 2005, and my first novella was published in March 2006. In 2009 the first of three Kensington Brava books was released.

I’m very excited to have my Warriors of the Rift series find a home with Grand Central. You’ll get to meet vampire Tobias Caine, half-demon Nix de la Fuente, werewolf Victoria Joseph, human cop Dante MacMillan, demon Finn Evnissyen and fey princess Keira O’Brien.

By day I’m a mostly mild-mannered Human Resources Manager for a local non-profit organization. I’m originally from northeast Ohio and fled the snow over ten years ago to live in the heat of southeastern Arizona.”

As mentioned, as Cynthia, our V.I.P is the proud creator of the WARRIORS OF THE RIFT series which currently consists of “Kiss of the Vampire”, “Into the Rift” (just released 5/1/12), and “Secret of the Wolf” (just release 6/26/12).  The 3^rd full length novel of the series, “Heart of the Demon”, is due out in 2013.

As Sherrill Quinn, our V.I.P brings us the MOON, DRAGONFIRE, and SASSY DEVILS series as well as some wonderful Contemporary and Historical single titles. 

MOON currently has 3 books – “Daring the Moon”, “Seducing the Moon” and “Taming the Moon”.  DRAGONFIRE has 3 installments as well – “Dragonfire”, “Dragonheat” and “Dragonlight”.  The SASSY DEVILS series currently has 2 installments – “Demon of Her Dreams” and “Fallen Angel”. 

You can find information on her entire backlist as both pseudonyms HERE and HERE so you can add those desired to your TBR lists and then find them at your favorite bookseller, but we thought we’d give you the synopses of a handful of titles to peak your interests even more.

“Kiss of the Vampire”

 WARRIORS OF THE RIFT Book #1:

Buy Now:  

Amazon | B&N

Once a generation, the rift between the paranormal world and the human world opens, allowing supernatural entities to cross. Vampire, demon, or shapeshifter, they can save the world-or send it spiraling into chaos.

Half-demon, half-human, Nix de la Fuente is accepted by neither and mistrusted by both. Determined to prove she's more human than not, she devotes herself to solving crimes between the world's mortals and its most unsavory undead. But her latest case brings her face to face with the one vampire she could never resist . . . 

Called in to investigate a string of violent murders, special agent Tobias Caine isn't interested in rekindling his relationship with Nix. Yet one look and the vampire knows his need for her is as strong as ever. Once, their all-consuming passion nearly cost Nix her fragile hold on her humanity. Now, as their hunger for one another intensifies, exposing them to an unimaginable danger, it could cost them both their lives.

 “Secret of the Wolf”

 WARRIORS OF THE RIFT Book #2:

Just Released 6/26/12

Buy Now:  

Amazon | B&N

Once a generation, the rift between the paranormal world and the human world opens, allowing supernatural entities to cross. Vampire, demon, or shapeshifter, they can save the world-or send it spiraling into chaos.

As a werewolf liaison to the Council of Preternaturals, Tori Joseph is used to straddling the world between humans and immortals. She plays by the rules and always delivers justice, no matter the cost. But after a string of increasingly brutal attacks results in humans turning into werewolves, Tori doesn't reveal her horrifying suspicion: Someone very close to her might be responsible.

Investigating the paranormal violence, no-nonsense detective Dante MacMillan believes Tori is hiding something. His search for the truth draws him into greater danger as he gets closer to the dark realm of the immortals-and to the sexy werewolf who stirs his primal lust. Now with evil closing in around them, Dante must convince Tori to trust him . . . before her deadly secret destroys them both.

 “Daring the Moon”

 MOON Book #1 – Sherrill Quinn:

It takes a lot of ruffle Taite Gibson, investigator with the Pima County Attorney's Office. But the enormous, snarling werewolf that's stalking her through the streets of Tucson? Yeah, that oughta do it. 

Those terrifying attacks convince Taite to seek out Ryder Merrick, a reclusive British horror writer reputed to know everything about werewolves, including how to kill them. 

Turns out he also knows how to leave her shaking with desire...On his remote private island, Ryder can live safely with the beast inside him, unable to harm others or himself. Then Taite arrives, her lush, sweet scent and gorgeous curves tempting him to give in to every wicked hunger. And as a full moon rises, the only way to keep Taite safe from the evil that's followed her here is to convince her to trust in an attraction that's deeply dangerous, and wilder than she ever guessed...

“Dragonfire”

 DRAGONFIRE Book #1:

Leilani Aster and her sister are the last of the descendants of a powerful Druid. When an old, brutal enemy is determined to destroy them, Lani must call upon her ex-lover, Aleksandar Lyaksandro--the mighty leader of the shapeshifting Dragon Order--for help.

But Aleksander had betrayed Lani once before. Can she really trust the man who had broken her heart in order to keep the Druid's safe? And Aleksander must overcome the doubts of the past and learn to love, once and for all.

Can Lani and Aleksander finally accept that love is the greatest power of all, especially in time to save their lives?

 “Demon of Her Dreams”

 SASSY DEVILS Book #1:

Sassy Devils, LLC is a conglomerate of good and evil headed up by the Big Guy Himself, controlling all aspects of otherworldly interaction with humankind.

Urian is a son of the Devil — literally — an incubus working for the Demon Division. His assignment brings him back into the life of human Hailey, a woman he's fallen in love with through the sex dreams they've shared over the years.

Hailey isn't sure how to deal with this recent twist in her reality. The man of her dreams is really a demon and she discovers other supernatural beings are taking advantage of the magic of Halloween. And her relationship with Urian makes her a mighty tasty target.

Their passion burning hotter than the flames of hell, it takes both of them to bring things to an explosive climax.

We know… too much and not nearly enough all at the same time, right!?  We highly suggest you check out more when you have a moment, but for now, join us in learning some more about this phenomenal author and her incredible library of literary excellence – especially the WARRIORS OF THE RIFT series and it’s new release.

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  Hi Cynthia!  We’re honored to have you here today. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us a bit.

Cynthia: Thanks so much for having me! I appreciate the opportunity.

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  We always start by getting to know our guest authors just a little bit better… 

Q1): What are 3 things about yourself, no matter how random, that we couldn’t find out easily on the internet?

Cynthia:  I love horses. I used to collect pandas and skunks. (Hmm. Must have been a black-and-white phase…) I am by nature an introvert.

Q2):  What are 2 things that always make you smile, and 2 things that never fail to piss you off?

Cynthia: Who doesn’t smile at a child’s giggle and fuzzy little kitty videos? As far as pissing me off, just be a bully (or an insensitive jerk) who can’t or won’t control your mouth, or a piece of technology that doesn’t do what I think it should.

Q3):  If you could spend the day with any of your characters, with whom would you want to spend it, and what would you want to do?

Cynthia: Wow, this is a hard one. I think maybe Tori, because she’s so kickass, and I’m so…not.

Q4):  What are some of the things that you enjoy doing when you’re not writing or taking care of other author business?

Cynthia: I feel like I’m always writing, because I do it evenings/weekends when I’m off the day job. But I do quite a bit of reading (though I’m currently behind because of my writing schedule), and lots of TV watching.

Q5):  Are there any specific titles and/or authors that you feel have directly influenced you to become the writer you are today?

Cynthia: I love Sherrilyn Kenyon, Angela Knight, Jory Strong and… Well, there are a lot of very talented authors out there who spin fabulous tales. I read their books and try to figure out what they did that made the books work for me as a reader, then I try to apply that to my writing.

Q6):  What are the best and worst parts about writing for you?

Cynthia: The absolute best part is creating the characters and the world, and the actual writing. The worst part is plotting (because I completely suck at it) and revisions.

Q7):  Since “Secret of the Wolf” was just released, we’ll focus a bit on the WARRORS OF THE RIFT series.  Was there any specific inspiration behind the creation of the series?

Cynthia: I love vampire and werewolf movies. I wanted to write a new series but needed to add a twist that made those legends a little newer. Since I’m also a sci fi geek from way back, when I read an article about an asteroid, the idea of a rift between dimensions was born. And that’s how my creatures got a little bit of a twist.

Q8):  How many books do you have planned for the series and do you know when we might expect the next installment?

Cynthia:  At this point there are only three books planned, though I am working on a proposal for a fourth. The third book, HEART OF THE DEMON, is due out early in 2013.

Q9):  What were some of the challenges (research, literary, psychological, logistical, etc) in bringing “Kiss of the Vampire”, “Into the Rift”, and “Secret of the Wolf” to life?

Cynthia: The biggest challenge was stopping the research. LOL It was so easy to get lost in it all, especially the science. They tend to use big words, which I’d have to go look up, and even bigger words to explain what I was looking up, so I’d have to go look that up as well. And even though I’ve been writing and reading paranormal books and watching paranormal movies/TV for years, I can still get lost in that research, too.

Q10):  Out of all of your Cynthia and Sherrill books/series, do you have a particular favorite in your backlist thus far, maybe one that had special meaning for you when it was written, etc?  Why?

Cynthia: I have two, actually. The first one is the concept behind my Sassy Devils novellas at Ellora’s Cave (DEMON OF HER DREAMS and FALLEN ANGEL, written as Sherrill Quinn). I was flying home to Ohio for my dad’s funeral when the concept came to me. It’s a bittersweet thing, you know? The other one is the first book in my Moon series with Kensington—DARING THE MOON was the first full-length novel I sold, and the late Kate Duffy signed me to a 3-book deal. I was able to only work with her on the first two books before she died, and I have great memories of her.

Q11):  What’s going on with your other series (upcoming releases, re-releases, etc) that readers and fans can look forward to?

Cynthia: Right now I’m focused on finishing up the WARRIORS OF THE RIFT series. I’m kicking around an idea for an Old West steampunk romance, and also a futuristic/sci fi story. Time will tell!

Q12):  Do you have anything else in the works that you can share with us?

Cynthia: I am between projects at the moment, so unfortunately nothing to share as of yet. But I hope to have news soon.

Q13):  What has been the biggest surprise of your career thus far?

Cynthia: That I have a writing career. Seriously. I’m surprised all the time that this thing is working for me.

Q14):  What has been the proudest moment of your career thus far?

Cynthia: Selling my first novel. I’d written a couple dozen novellas and short stories and really wasn’t sure I could write long.

Q15):  Would you like to say anything special to your readers while we have you here today?

Cynthia: I am so very appreciative of people spending their finite discretionary funds on my books and taking time out of their busy schedules to read them. I hope to continue providing fictional escapes for many more years.

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  Cynthia, thank you so much for being with us!  It’s been a pleasure, and we really hope that we’ve introduced some new readers to your amazing work.  We’d love to have you back for the next big release if you’d be interested!

Cynthia:  I’d love to come back! I enjoy interacting with readers, some of whom happen to also be reviewers. Thanks so much for having me here!

If you want to keep up with Cynthia/Sherrill online, you can find her at her Cynthia Website, Sherrill Website, Cynthia on Facebook, Cynthia on Twitter, and Cynthia on Goodreads.

Cynthia is graciously offering up  a signed copy of SECRET OF THE WOLF and other swag to a winner from from Book Monster Reviews and another winner over at LITERAL ADDICTION . 

To Enter, find out the Rafflecopter widget below for Cynthia’s Event, follow the directions, take action, and mark as ‘Done’.

a Rafflecopter giveaway