I always get a little giddy when an author chooses a character interview. Today it’s Arianna Calin of [amazon_link id=”1939194970″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Fire Within (Guardian Witch #2)[/amazon_link].
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1.  Tell us a little about yourself. How did you come to your author’s attention? Occupation?

It wasn’t easy getting her attention. She wanted to write some boring story about a woman named Samantha who hadn’t a single witchy power! I’m not even sure this Samantha was going to be a cop. Imagine that—trying to solve crimes with no supernatural powers and no badge.

Occupation? I’m a Guardian, a supernatural cop sworn to keep the peace between the Otherworlders and the human population. My heritage is useful on the job, since I’m a fire witch. Not only can I do magic like spells and potions, but I can shoot magical fire from my fingertips and summon the fire spirits if I’m in major trouble.

2.  What or who is the greatest love of your life? Why? What drew you to them?

Um, I suppose you mean a guy. I’m not sure love is the right word, but Andreas, the really hunky vampire prince of Riverdale, and I have this “thing” going. Our magics really like each other, and the chemistry is definitely there, but more than that, who knows? I don’t have much time to think about it.

3.  What’s your greatest fear?

That some time I won’t be good enough, that I’ll come up against some evil creature I can’t stop, and people I care about will die.

 4.  What’s your motto in life?

Live and let live. But that’s only if the other guy is doing the same.

 5.  How do the other characters in your book view you?

Depends. I guess most of them would say I have an attitude, that I don’t hold much back. It doesn’t stop anyone from coming to me when there’s trouble.

 6. What do you prefer? To spread & hear gossip, or be the creator of gossip fodder?

Being a cop, I’m more interested in the facts. I hate gossip because it causes too much trouble. But if I had to choose one, I’d rather hear it. I like to know what’s going on in my town.

 7.  What is it about you that is going to draw us readers in?

I live in a really interesting world, full of unusual beings. They do things and think thoughts that are sometimes foreign to readers, which I think makes them interesting. Readers also seem to enjoy the police procedural aspects, like the crime lab. Of course, I hear a lot about Andreas and where our relationship is going. Who knew readers would be so interested in that?

 8.  What was your happiest moment?

Our family was at the lake when I was five and my parents were still alive. I found a big caterpillar and my father paid me a nickel for it. It was nice being together that day. By the next summer by parents were dead, my brother and sister lived with my grandparents, and I was in training with Great-Gran. But I still remember that day.

 9.  What trait in others do you find most deplorable?

Deceit, disloyalty. I can’t imagine a good enough reason for turning against those who depend on you.

10. The random question: If you were a color, what color would you be and why?

I’d be red for fire. The ability to call fire is an integral part of who I am.

 

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Book Blurb: Ari Calin refuses to believe her human friend Eddie murdered a vampire—in spite of his confession. Her human partner Ryan thinks the case is a slam dunk, even though there’s no weapon and no witnesses, but Ari’s not about to let her friend take the rap without finding out more.

When Ari attends a charity event on the arm of a handsome werewolf, she finds someone she never expected to see again—Andreas De Luca, the charismatic vampire she used to date. When their eyes meet across the room, memories come rushing back. His kiss, his touch, a savage death…and a terrifying magical bond. A reconnection is the last thing she wants. Only by staying away and forgetting Andreas can she hope to avoid the Legend of Ramora.

But when vampires keep dying, one thing becomes clear: Riverdale has a serial killer on its hands, and Andreas could be next. Ari begins to fear there’s more to it, though. Something truly evil is stalking the city, waiting to take control…

Excerpt:

         Ari paused when she spied a champagne dinner for two from Club Dintero. She wouldn’t be bidding on that. Claris’s attempt to hurry them past, to skip that particular auction item, brought a frown to Ari’s face. Like she wouldn’t notice. Apparently, Claris wasn’t convinced the past was in the past.

Ari’s frown deepened. She knew she had been a little touchy on the subject of Andreas and his club. Unbidden, a series of scenes flashed through her head: strong arms holding a grief-stricken young witch; a dark figure singing on stage, the crowd captivated; the same sexy figure sipping Chianti; a forbidden kiss. Ari determinedly brushed aside such highly selective memories. Those were only the good things—and there were some not so good. She flashed a reassuring smile at Claris and turned her attention to the next item, a spa package.

As if Ari’s traitorous thoughts had conjured it, a surge of Otherworld power touched her. Vampire. And not just any vampire. Sensation raced across her skin, her witch magic singing in recognition as the air shimmered with his dark, slightly wicked energy. She whipped her head around, focused on the front entry, and there he was.

Andreas’s dark eyes captured hers from across the room. Her breath caught, and like always, that compelling swirl of power wrapped itself around her, beguiling, irresistible. She barely registered the presence of the other vampires with him. Seconds, perhaps hours or years, passed with her caught in his gaze. As suddenly as it came, the magic withdrew, leaving a void. Andreas turned away and said something to the woman at his side. His companion laid a possessive hand on his arm.

Shaken, Ari took a shallow breath. After eight months she’d thought her reaction to him would be diminished. She’d be the last one to deny Andreas De Luca was heartbreakingly attractive, despite being one of the undead. That still didn’t explain his almost paralyzing effect on her.

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Author Bio:  Ally Shields was born and raised in the Midwest, along the Mississippi River, the setting for her urban fantasy series. After  a career in law and juvenile justice, she turned to full-time writing in 2009, and Awakening the Fire, the debut novel in her Guardian Witch series, was released in September 2012.  Ally still lives close to the Mighty Mississippi with her Miniature Pinscher, Ranger. When not writing or reading, she loves to travel in the US and abroad. Way too often she can be found on Twitter.

Author contact links:

Website: http://allyshields.com

Blog: http://allyshields.com/blog.html

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShieldsAlly

Facebook: http://facebook.com/AllyShieldsAuthor

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6527209.Ally_Shield