Interview/Giveaway: Erica Hayes

Please help me welcome author Erica Hayes.  Erica writes the magical Shadowfae Chronicles.  Book two, Shadowglass, hits shelves March 2, 2010.

1. For any new readers, would you please tell us about your Shadowfae Chronicles?
EH: It’s a steamy urban fantasy/romance series, set in a shadowy city where paranormal creatures are hidden from ordinary human eyes by glamour. Fairies, banshees, vampires, demons, incubi, they’re all there, on the street, in the clubs, drinking coffee at Starbucks. Living next door, for all you know. Turns out Melbourne is run by a demon lord and his vampire gangsters. Who knew? It’s a gritty, dirty, dark and colourful world.

Each book has a new heroine and hero, and a HEA, but there’s an over-arching story too, and you’ll meet lots of recurring characters, like Kane, the demon lord, and his enemies, the shady DiLuca clan.

Book 1, Shadowfae, is about Jade, a succubus — she’s in thrall to a demon for a thousand years, and she’s sick of her brutal life as a supernatural killer, forced to sleep with men she doesn’t want and suck their souls to hell. She’s looking for an end to her misery, and she discovers an ancient ritual that just might break her demon thrall and let her die. And then, she meets a guy she does want — a sexy 400-year-old incubus named Rajah — and sparks fly. Only he’s seeking his freedom too, and there’s only enough ritual for one...

2. Each book features a new heroine. Who will we meet in book two, Shadowglass?
EH: Fairies! The heroine is Ice, a waterfairy thief looking for that one big score that’ll set her up for life. What she finds, of course, is trouble — she steals a magic mirror from a demon, and it erodes her common sense and her sanity. Not only that, she’s now being chased by vengeful demons, nasty shapeshifting gangsters and a spooky body-snatcher. Not to mention Indigo, a sexy hot-eyed metalfairy with mirror-madness problems of his own.

In my world, fairies are trash, the unwanted ones — they aren’t strong or particularly powerful, and no one really cares if they live or die. Ice isn’t physically strong or magically formidable, and she has to use her wits and wiles to get by against enemies who are far more powerful than she is. She’s a trick-ass heroine :)

And she has friends. A lot of heroines seem to be loners, but Ice can’t survive without her two fairy besties, Blaze and Azure. So when the mirror puts their friendship in jeopardy, she fights back.

If you’d like, you can read an excerpt and watch the trailer at me site: http://www.shadowfae.net/

3. How many books will there be in the Shadowfae series? Are you currently working on any other projects you would like to share with us?
EH: At the moment I’m contracted for four books, and I’m writing book 4 now. I’m hoping to do more — I do have an ending in sight — but I guess we’ll see! Other than that, I’ve got a science fantasy idea in the works. But that’s a sekrit, so don’t tell anyone.

4. Prior to publication, you had several different careers including Air Force officer and Musician. Did you every think you would wind up as an author?
EH: I’ve always written, but I never really gave it serious thought as a career. Writing for a living was something other people did. But I was lucky enough to get an opportunity to take some time off work to concentrate on writing, and I never went back! I’ve had some interesting jobs (the air force was fun, though I didn’t have much of a clue!) as well as some mind-numbing ones. But for me, nothing beats working for myself, keeping my own hours, doing something I love.

5. Given the choice, which kind of paranormal creature would you want to be?
EH: Hmm... I think I’d be a vampire. Vampires don’t take nonsense from anyone, and they live for a long time. And the diet can’t be worse than fast food.

6. A man in a long trench coat approaches you on the street. He whips open his jacket and you see...VIALS. He is selling magic potions for health, love, beauty, wealth, anything you desire. Which potion do you take?
EH: So many problems could be solved if I only had the time — so I’ll take the one for eternal youth, thanks. So long as I can afford it. No doubt he’s asking an exorbitant price. And so long as it doesn’t come with pesky small print about spending eternity in hell, or something.

7. If you won a dream vacation with a famous guest, where would you go and which person would be at your side?
EH: I’d love to visit Tahiti. Lounging in one of those overwater bungalows, sipping cocktails, a massage or three... Do I have to take anyone? How about Jamie Oliver, so he can cook for me? Or Johnny Depp, just so I can look at him (mmm) and absorb his aura of coolness.

Erica, thankyou for taking the time to interview with us.  Congratulations on your new release!
EH:Thanks for having me!

For more information about Erica and her books, visit her website. 
Preorder Shadowglass at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.  If you are new to the series, but sure to read Shadowfae. 

*Erica has offered a copy of her new release Shadowglass to a lucky reader.  To enter, please complete the form.  You can earn an extra entry by spreading the word!  Don't forget to leave Erica some love in the comments section!   Please enter by 3/6.  Open to those with a US mailing address.    Good luck.