#Authorpalooza2010 featuring Guest Author Chandra Ryan

Today is great day for my next guest author because not only do I get to share with you all today and get a glimpse of what makes her rock, but also because Chandra has new book being released today!

Many thanks and Congratulations Chandra on your book, Dragonborne book birthday!

How long have you been writing?

I wrote a lot in high school, but it was mainly poetry. And it was awful. Really, really awful. After I graduated and started off to college, my writing fell to the wayside and I didn’t pick it up again until my first son was born. Even then I was trying to write children’s picture books. They weren’t as bad as the poetry, but none of them ever made it to being published. I do have one about a penguin who wants to fly that received very positive rejections, though. Then, about three years ago, I started writing romance. Out of everything I’ve written, I think I express myself best with romance.

How thrilled where you when you heard your first book was going to be released?

Sad but true, I actually made my husband read the e-mail just to make sure I was reading it right. After he assured me that the publisher was indeed offering me a contract (it was attached to the e-mail) I was euphoric. Someone else liked my story. It’s the best feeling in the world.

What's one day in the life of Chandra Ryan like?

The late bell at my oldest kid’s school rings at 7:45 so my days always start out in a rush. Coffee on, kid dressed and feed, homework checked, then nudging him out the door. After he’s off, though, things settle down. I’m a stay-at-home mom, so the next couple hours are usually feeding youngest, playing with him for a bit, and running errands. Who knew there were so many errands to run in life? Not me, that’s for sure. I usually don’t get to sit down to write until early afternoon. But I typically have a large block of time in the afternoon that’s mine, so I’m not complaining.

Do you have a current project you’re working on or something you plan to begin soon?

I’m working on several things right now. My husband keeps telling me I need to focus on one and commit. Pfft… Actually my biggest project right now is the sequel to Ink in the Blood. It’s, hopefully, going to be novel length when it’s finished. But Nikki, Izzy’s sister, is giving me fits. Other than that, I have a novel that’s set in Dragonborne’s world, only five hundred years later, that needs a rewrite and a sci-fi piece that needs wrapping up. Hmm… Ya know, he might be right about needing to commit. Nah.

In your opinion, what is the most difficult part of being a published author?

Having my stuff out there for other people to read will probably always be the hardest part for me. I know, that’s the whole point of getting published, but it’s still hard. I want everyone who reads my work to like it, to love the characters as much as I do, but I realize that’s not realistic. It also makes it hard to write sometimes. Every line I type, I ask myself if it’d be one that’d make me roll my eyes if I were reading it.

What’s the most rewarding?

Getting e-mails and reviews from people who liked the story. There’s no better feeling than knowing I captured a character or an emotion I was looking for in a particular scene or in the story as a whole. I know I did okay writing it when I get that kind of feedback.

If you could co-author a book with any of your fellow authors or anyone from anywhere, who would you choose and why?

I think that’s the most challenging question I’ve ever been asked. There are so many authors I respect and would love working with. Moira Rogers, Barbara J Hancock, Ann Aguirre, Larissa Ione, Stacia Kane, Suzanne Rock…they’re all fantastic and I love reading them all.

Describe your writing process.

I’m a total pantser. When I sit down to write a story I have a character in mind and a vague plot. Then I usually start thinking of what it would take for them to accomplish their goals and start writing a counterpart that would compliment them and help them rise above whatever it is that’s holding them down…after making their life difficult for a couple chapters, of course.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever visited?

Italy. The people and food were fantastic and the culture was amazing. I loved gawking at the architecture and watching the people zoom by on their scooters while smoking a cigarette and talking on a cell phone. Now that’s multi-tasking taken to a whole new level. We were only there for about a week, but I fell in love. If there were anywhere other than the U.S. I’d live, it’d be Italy.

What can we expect to see from you in the near future?

Dragonborne, my fantasy-romance novella, is being released today from Samhain and I hope to have Nikki’s story (the sequel to Ink in the Blood) finished and submitted soon.

To find out more about Chandra and find her online here:

 

Website

Twitter

Facebook

 

Here's a little bit about Chandra's new book released today. Check it out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title: Dragonborne

Genre: Fantasy/Romance

Length: Novella

Published By: Samhain Publishing

Release Date: 4/27/2010

ISBN: 978-1-60504-990-8

Read Online Excerpt here

For her people, she’d sacrifice anything. For her, he’ll sacrifice everything.

 Now that we know more about what makes Chandra so freaking amazing lets get down to business. . . Today, Chandra is giving away a download of her book Dragonborne to one lucky commenter.

When the children of her village start dying of a mysterious plague, Sophie refuses to believe it’s the will of their deity. As the town cleric, she’s always followed the church’s strict rules, but enough is enough. She vows to do anything to find a cure—even if it means defying the church.

The giant black dragon she finds injured and poisoned near the abbey seems beyond her ability to heal. Until he suddenly shifts into a dangerously handsome man who, even in his weakened state, is a temptation beyond her ability to resist.

Reuel has never trusted humans, but this delicate young woman entrances him with more than her beauty. Her bravery, devotion and passion call to his wounded heart, and he’s moved to lend his magic to her cause. Magic that is not only powerful, it’s all too tempting to abuse—something his family has never let him forget.

Sophie is hopeful when Reuel solves the secret of the plague, until one healing uncovers a sickness that runs far deeper than the children’s vulnerable bodies. Now she is being persecuted, and to save her, Reuel may have to become the monster his family believes him to be…

Warning: Contains a stubbornly sexy cleric who’d rather have her hands tied to a headboard than exhibit any self-control, a shape-shifting dragon who’s too busy running from himself to see where he’s going, an epic dragon battle, and sex in the great outdoors.

 

To enter:

 

Follow Chandra on Twitter @ChandraRyan say hi and tell her V sent ya!

 

Tweet about this giveaway with link and tag #Authorpalooza2010

 

 

And answer me this...

 

What book or series would love to see become into a either television show and/or movie?