Shannon Delany Guest Post + Giveaway

Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Shannon Delany.  Shannon is the author of the 13 to Life series (13 to Life, Secrets and Shadows, Bargains and Betrayals, Destiny and Deception, Rivals and Retribution) and Weather Witch.

Keep reading for a chance to win a prize pack from Shannon Delany.

Guest Post: Shannon Delany

You know I have a love of the paranormal, I mean, my debut series was all about hot Russian-American werewolves... So where's the paranormal in this steampunk novel WEATHER WITCH? It's everywhere and nowhere.

WHAT?! Well, if you live in our world (which I expect you do if you're reading this) anything beyond what science interprets as normal is paranormal, so many of the characters in this novel are of paranormal origin. The Weather Witches, Wardens and Wraiths, all of the Wildkin (including merrow, pooka, kelpies, gytrash, oisin, wolfkin, and kumiho). BUT. If you live in the world of WEATHER WITCH, none of those characters or creatures are paranormal. They're all distantly linked through heritage (thank you, Darwin for clearing such things up) although you probably wouldn't invite most of them to a family reunion because you might suddenly find yourself served up.

So, normal or paranormal, WEATHER WITCH is somewhat about getting along with your kin. Before they kill you.

Weather Witch by Shannon Delany.

In a vastly different and darker Philadelphia of 1844, steam power has been repressed, war threatens from deep, dark waters, and one young lady of high social standing is expecting a surprise at her seventeenth birthday party–but certainly not the one she gets!

Jordan Astraea, who has lived out all of her life in Philadelphia’s most exclusive neighborhood, is preparing to celebrate her birthday with friends, family and all the extravagance they might muster. The young man who is most often her dashing companion, Rowen Burchette, has told her a surprise awaits her and her best friend, Catrina Hollindale, wouldn’t miss this night for all the world!

But storm clouds are gathering and threatening to do far more than dampen her party plans because someone in the Astraea household has committed the greatest of social sins by Harboring a Weather Witch.

Release Date June 25, 2013.

Thank you Shannon for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about Shannon Delany and her books, please visit her website and don't miss our interview with Shannon here at From the Shadows.

Weather Witch Tour Giveaway

We are giving away a prize pack including:

•     a signed copy of Weather Witch
•     a Weather Witch coffee mug with special goodies
•     signed copies of 13 to Life and Secrets and Shadows
•     a handcrafted mask
•     a special metal and crystal bookmark
•     a mini top hat
•     a silhouette of their own profile cut and matted by the author (Author note: it'll take a few weeks after getting their profile before I can get it to them, of course).

To enter, use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below.  This giveaway is open internationally. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Author Interview: Shannon Delany

Please welcome today's guest author Shannon Delany!  Shannon is the author of 13 to Life and the upcoming sequel Secrets and Shadows.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Shannon:  I started writing in 4th grade because of an awesome teacher who believed everyone had a story to tell (which I believe, too). We did little books and it helped inspire me. Then, when my grandmother fell unexpectedly ill during a family vacation (I was a preteen) I turned to writing to keep me entertained. Later I realized writing had also given me a way to creatively express my fear about the situation.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Shannon:   I've had a lot of weird situations happen in my life and I come from a very traditional group of people who have beliefs that don't always mesh with the mainstream. I read a lot of things related to the studies J.B. Rhine and others did with parapsychology (and couldn't read enough of Hans Holzer's stories as a ghost hunter--way before it was "cool"). My science fair projects as a kid involved testing younger students for psychic powers. So, I guess, writing in the paranormal genre is sort of "my normal." ;-)

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
 
Shannon:   Hmm. There are several paranormal powers that crop up during the 13 to Life series and some of them are handier than others. But I think I'd want the very supernatural ability to temporarily stop time. It would help me a bunch with meeting writing deadlines (and give me time to think up more clever quips in real life).

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Shannon:  I hope readers enjoy 13 to Life (and the upcoming sequel, Secrets and Shadows) for a multitude of reasons. First: these aren't your average characters. The mythology behind them is unique and came from real (though odd) research and Cold War info. They also have a unique chronology (readers of 13 to Life should have picked up on this already and know what I mean, but if they missed it, they'll see it even more clearly in Secrets and Shadows). And they are far from stupid-they may make choices that will make you scream, but you'll realize why they did (and recognize people in your own life who might make similar choices due to having "good intentions).

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
 
Shannon:   Oh. Every time I see a movie I change my mind about who I'd like to see cast. Luckily authors have almost no say in this, so I can name whomever and never have to be worry about being taken too seriously. ;-) The ones I go back and forth with most are Jessie and Pietr. Jessie could be played by almost any decent-looking (but not outrageously gorgeous) girl with brown hair. Pietr is more specific. He's pretty tall with a lean build, strong jaw and cheekbones, slightly slanted eyes and dark hair with red highlights (based in mythology). He needs to look a little angular and foreign whereas Jessie needs to be the girl-next-door. One character I can definitely name an actress for is Amy (one of Jessie's BFFs). I saw a movie recently with Skyler Samuels and I think she could totally play that role. If you want to see my previous cast list (and make your own!), it's on StoryCasting.com here.

13 to Life (13 to Life, book 1) by Shannon Delany.

Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.


Thank you Shannon for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about Shannon Delany and her books, please visit her website.