Welcome to FAR Ms. McCray. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us.
Tell your fans something about you they would never guess.
I'm so boring I can't even think of anything to answer that question!
What would we find on your bookshelf? What do you do to relax?
I have Sherrilyn Kenyon, Laurell K. Hamilton, Lynsay Sands, Susan Wiggs, Elizabeth Lowell, Elizabeth Peters, Janet Evanovitch, James Lee Burke, J.K. Rowling, and a host of others
To relax . . . well, I'm not good at relaxing! I'm a workaholic. I do like to play board games with my sons, read, and see movies.
Could you tell us your biggest pet peeves?
People slurping soup, smacking gum, and when I've been out of town to a conference, coming home to my dh's car parked in the very middle of the garage instead of in his space. I'm tired, I'm grouchy, and I just want to park the car! He tends to like to park in the middle when I'm gone. Don't know why that is.
What makes a book a great book to you?
There's just so much. Voice, characterization, plot, and so on. I don't think it's any one thing. It's how well the whole book is written.
What is your favorite paranormal thing? Is it the possibility of life after death? Magic? Superpowers?
Magic!
I am writing this interview on Halloween, so I am going to ask you. What's your favorite scary movie and who's your favorite Hollywood monster? Personally I'm a Young Frankenstein fan, so Eye-gor holds a special place in my heart. LOL
I don't like scary movies! The Sixth Sense is about as scary as I get, and I loved that movie. As far as monsters . . . does Lestat de Lioncourt count from Interview with a Vampire?
What is your favorite part of a book to write?
The sex scenes, as well as the battle scenes. :)
I've been seeing quite a few e-book authors making the jump to more traditional publishers. Do you think this is a sign of a changing market?
I think it's more the fact that the authors making that leap have the talent the publisher is looking for. They started out as e-book authors to establish themselves, and for the experience and perhaps income. But at the same time they have an eye on New York, and sometimes New York has an eye on them.
I've read all of the Seraphine Chronicles as well as the original Wonderland series and have loved them. (I'm saving for the cowboys and the Return to Wonderland) Where do you get the inspiration for such fantastical stories?
Thank you so much! I get the inspiration from a variety of places. Dreams, brainstorming, odd thoughts, the desire to try something new and letting it develop from there.
You also pen young adult novels under a different pseudonym and are a member of the Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators. Can you tell us a little bit about the books you write for YA?
They're all contemporary fantasy, geared for ages 12 and up. Adults seem to enjoy them as well!
You've had quite a wonderful bit of news this year from St. Martin's. Can you tell us about it?
There's so much that has happened. The summer of 2005 my editor contacted me and asked me to submit proposals for a contemporary paranormal erotic romance series, and a contemporary suspense erotic romance series. From those proposals I was offered a 4-book contract.
This year, about twenty wonderful authors read Forbidden Magic and gave me the most fabulous quotes! They're all up on Amazon when you look up the book itself.
It also received the Romantic Times BOOKclub's 4.5 Star Top Pick, and the cover of Forbidden Magic will be featured on the January issue of the Romantic Times.
The first book coming out from St. Martin's in December is Forbidden Magic. (available for preorder at Amazon.com) Can you give us a little peek please?
Silver is a sexy, savvy witch who work with the Paranormal Special Forces to solve paranormal crimes. She's a descendant of the Ancient Druids and is a very powerful witch.
Hawk is of the Tuatha D'Danann, powerful warrior Fae that are the only known beings to defeat the Fomorii, the demons trying to overcome San Francisco.
Here's the back cover blurb:
STRANGERS
D'Anu witch Silver Ashcroft knows she walks a perilous line by practicing gray magic. But it's the only way to protect herself from the evil that surrounds her. After the horrors she has witnessed, Silver thinks she is ready for anything…until the most intensely arousing being she has ever encountered swiftly-and sensuously-proves her wrong…
LOVERS
Hawk is a Tuatha D'Danann warrior-powerful beings descended from the Fae. And for him duty has always come before pleasure. Then, clad only in moonlight, Silver Ashcroft welcomes him to her city of San Francisco and makes his blood sing with a passion beyond compare. But the terrifying reality of his mission lurks in every shadow…
HEROES
Only the strongest will survive the upcoming battle, and the forces of darkness are more powerful than ever. Now, warrior and witch must trust in their hearts above all else-for to claim victory, they must first claim each other…
Can you tell us a little about your other upcoming works?
The sequel to Forbidden Magic is Seduced by Magic, and it will be out in October 2006. January 2006 Erotic Stranger will be probably released with Ellora's Cave. I'll also be working with Mackenzie McKade on the sequels in the Return to Wonderlands series. And another bit of exciting news is that I will have a story in Ellora's Cave's first hardcover anthology, scheduled for release on Halloween, 2006.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
I love to hear from my readers! You can contact me at chey@cheyennemccray.com. I also have a blog on my website as well as a new message board. To sign up for my newsletter, you can go to http://cheyennemccray.com/community/newsletter.htm.
If you'd like to learn more about this talented lady you can check out her website at http://www.cheyennemccray.com. Thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions.
Thank you so much for having me!
Interviewed by: Serena
