Spotlight On Shannan Albright And Characters

I have a special treat for you today! Author Shannan Albright AND her characters, Kyra Navarone and Tegan Murin, are here! Oh, and a decadent chocolate silk cheesecake for the ladies. Tegan declined in favor of a beer. *shrugs* No accounting for taste.

Kyra Navarone

Tegan Murin

Shannan’s new book, Passion’s Flight, A Dark Breed Novel, tells Kyra’s and Tegan’s story, and will be available at the end of February 2012.

Go to Shannan's page at Evernight Publishing

 Passion’s Flight

With ferals attacking the human populace in greater numbers than ever before, Tegan Murin has his hands full these days. When he is ordered to find and destroy a deadly artifact known as Oman’s Seal, deal with his estranged step-father and find a missing archeologist. He’s a bit irritable. Add into the mix a recurring dream of one sexy seductress leading him to his death… well, you get one very pissed off were-panther.

Kyra Navarone is an archeologist who is more than what she seems. Escaping from the ferals who captured her, she ends up running into the brooding, irritating man who makes her blood run hot just with one look. Her life depends on the betrayal of this compelling man, but how can she live with herself afterward?

With ferals, An Atlantean Tracker and Lucien closing in on them, they are running out of time, Tegan and Kyra must learn to trust each other in order survive. More hangs in the balance than their lives. Their actions could very well spell the end of everything for not just their world, but the world hidden beneath the waves as well.

Now that the preliminaries are out of the way, let’s get down to business. Seriously, Tegan? No, you can’t have the remote!

Shannan, this question always comes up during author interviews, but the answers are as varied as the stories. Might as well get it out of the way right at the beginning. What inspired you to write Passion’s Flight?

*Snort from Tegan and Kyra elbows him in the arm*

Shannan – Hey you two play nice. Excuse Tegan he wanted have his story told first. He still is sulking about it.

Kyra – He can be such a grouch some days.

Tegan – Hey, I’m a cat. What do you expect?

Shannan – Fine. As you can see Tegan can be quite insistent when he wants to be. I actually got the idea for Tegan’s story half way through the first book. The more contrary he became the more curious I got as to why he was such a pain in the –

Tegan – Hey, Kyra hates swearing. Let’s keep this clean.

Shannan – Anyway, there seemed something potent smoldering in him whenever he appeared in a scene. Frankly, I had a hard time reining him in.   

Tegan, why did you and Kyra choose Shannan to tell your story?

Tegan – I knew she would get it right. She may get frustrated with me, but she is like a dog with an effing bone! She did a decent job with Marcus and Tambra’s story so I knew, you know, she got it. Got me.

Shannan, was Tegan ever reluctant to let you in on how he felt and what was happening in his mind? How about Kyra?

Shannan – Oh God, it took me seven months to write his freaking book. Seven months!

*Tegan gives an indignant huff and Kyra just pats Shannan’s hand in sympathy.* He was great during the fighting and um…ah…more intimate scenes. But once his step-father got in the picture I had hell to pay. Kyra was hard because she finds it difficult to trust anyone with her thoughts. It took time for her to get to know me, but once we got working more with each other, the easier it became.

Kyra – *Smiles apologetically*Sorry about that. Trust has always been a bit difficult for me.

Tegan- *Barks out a laugh* That’s putting it mildly, Sweeting. Between you and Shannan, I had a damn hard time of it.

Tegan, I thought you were keeping this clean for Kyra’s sake? Or does that rule just apply to everyone else?

Tegan – *looks at the floor, a little sheepishly*

Wow, I think I just shamed him to silence! …Ahem… Kyra, was it your idea or Tegan’s, to share your story this way? Did you have to convince each other it would be a good idea?

Kyra- Well to be honest, it was my idea. I did nudge Tegan a bit. Our story needed to be shared and it was the least we could do for all the work Shannan did to give our story the voice it deserves.

Tegan- You didn’t have too much trouble getting me to go along with this interview, Sweeting. I’m powerless to say no to you as you da… uh, well know. Besides, Shannan is tight with all of the Enforcers, except for one that is.

Shannan – Ah, yes. Well Cody is a bit of a problem at the moment.

Tegan – *snorts* Yeah, all I can say is, that mouthy Cajun is going to wind up in some serious shit if he doesn’t wise up, and fast.

Shannan – I’ll handle him when the time is right. Don’t worry Tegan.  Now, let’s get back to Kenra. I’m sure she has some other questions?

I’m more than a little curious about the kind of trouble Cody is, but, since I’m sure that will all come out when he decides it’s time for his story to be told, I’ll refrain from asking. Shannan, did you know Kyra and Tegan well before you started their story, or get to know them as you wrote?

Shannan – I already knew Tegan pretty well. It was Kyra who turned out to be my revelation. I saw her one way, and as we worked out the story she turned out to be something completely different. And I must say I really got to respect her a whole lot more, with her gentle nudgings.

Kyra – Thanks, Shannan. I knew after a while we would click.

Kyra, were there any times either of you were uncomfortable sharing your story with Shannan?

Kyra -*blushes while Tegan wiggles his eyebrows suggestively* I think getting the intimate scenes down turned out to be a bit of a revelation for me.

Tegan – I was Kyra’s first, and only, lover. So it was something both Shannan and Kyra had to adjust to at first.

Kyra – Yes, um…well, I believe it was something Shannan had never before tackled and when I told her I was a virgin, well, I think she worried how believable she could make that particular scene. I hear her writing can tend toward the erotic from time to time.

Shannan – Oh Lord, Kyra! Don’t help! Yeah, I found it quite a challenge putting Kyra’s first time on paper. Geez, she is this kick-ass fighter, an archaeologist traveling the world you would think she had some experience with sex.

Tegan, lots of men have issues with “performance anxiety” when they know someone is watching them take part in certain “activities”. Did you have any difficulty performing with Shannan recording every nuance?

Tegan – *grins evilly* I’m a shape-shifting cat, and I’m comfortable with my body. When I’m with Kyra I forget all about everything but this beautiful, extraordinary woman who I’m blessed to have in my life. So to answer your question. Fuck no.

Kyra – Tegan, please watch your language.

Oh, so the rules do apply to you! I absolutely love seeing someone put a cat in his place! *LOLing* Ahem. Sorry ’bout that. Shannan, now that the story is written, will you continue your relationship with Kyra and Tegan, or will they settle peacefully into life together without further intrusions by readers?

Shannan –Tegan and Kyra will be an integral part of the whole, just as Marcus and Tambra are. Although to a lesser degree, as the others take their turns telling me their stories. They all live together, fight together and love one another. Brothers in arms and all that. Then, there is a war brewing, plots hatching, and villains to be thwarted. 

Tegan – *Groans and finishes his beer* Just effing fantastic. Just once I would like to spend a night not freezing my ass off fighting ferals.

Shannan – He really, really hates cold weather.

Kyra – And what would you do with that free time, love?”

Tegan – Monday night football, of course.

*It’s Shannan and Kyra’s turn to groan out loud.*

Kyra – Can we have some of that lovely cheesecake now?

I thought you’d never ask! Will you cut and serve while I get coffee?

You can find Shannan and her incredible books at:
Her Blog
Twitter
Facebook