Interview: Keri Arthur, author of 'Fireborn'
New York Times best-selling author Keri Arthur joins HEA to chat about her latest paranormal romance (Fireborn, out today!), supernatural powers and what readers can expect to see from her next.
Joyce: Welcome back to HEA, Keri! Please tell us about your new Souls of Fire series, which kicks off with Fireborn.
Keri: Fireborn is the story of Emberly, a phoenix blessed (or cursed) with foresight. When she sees the death of the man she once loved, she steps into alter fate — and in the process becomes involved in not only the investigation of her boss's murder, but the efforts to recover his stolen research before it falls into the wrong hands — and changes the human race forever.
Joyce: What can you tell us about heroine Emberly Pearson? How is she different/similar to Riley and/or Risa from your Riley Jenson Guardian and Dark Angels series?
Keri: Beside the fact she's a fire spirit who can take flesh, fire, or bird form, she's also experienced many different lifestyles and times. I guess she's similar to Riley in that she's very independent, and similar to Risa in that she really just wants to live out one lifetime happily. But Fireborn is set in a very different world to that of the Riley Jenson and Dark Angels series, and in this one, not all the paranormals are "out."
Joyce: If you could see the future (or have prophetic dreams) like Emberly does, what would you do with that power?
Keri: I probably wouldn't do a whole lot with it, because — let's face it — people with that sort of power really aren't taken all that seriously at the best of times. Although if I had dreams about anyone I loved or knew, I'd certainly tell them, whether or not it made them think I was crazy!
Joyce: The last time we spoke, you mentioned that The Bourne Identity inspired Destiny Kills, the first of your Myth & Magic books. Have you had any other similar pop-culture inspirations lately?
Keri: No, unfortunately! Although I haven't had the chance to go see many movies lately thanks to the current writing schedule, but I'm hoping to cure that in the near future. : )
Joyce: What TV shows are you most passionate about these days?
Keri: I still love NCIS and NCIS LA, and Hawaii Five-O. I'm a season and a half behind on Arrow, and two seasons behind on Game of Thrones (thanks again to the writing schedule of the last year). I tend to watch a lot of British lifestyle programs such as Escape to the Country, The Great British Bake-off and My Dream Derelict Home, simply because they're fun to watch, but it doesn't really matter if I happen to miss a week.
Joyce: Read any good books lately?
Keri: I tend to read a mix of both fiction and non-fiction books, depending on my mood. My recent reads have been — Fitness Confidential by Vinnie Tortorich, The Great Cholesterol Con by Dr. Malcom Kendrick, Nina Tempted the Lord by Kelly Hunter and The Sorcerer's Spell by Dani Kristoff. Right now I'm reading The Wolf Within by M.J. Scott.
Joyce: What can readers expect to see from you next?
Keri: Darkness Falls the very last book of the Dark Angels series — comes out in December. In 2015, we'll have Fireborn's sequel, as well as City of Light, the first of a new series, and one that I'm really excited about. This was a project of the heart, and a story that eluded me for three long years. It wasn't until October last year that the characters started talking to me again and I finally had a direction. And — like Fireborn — City of Light is a little different. The heroine is a genetically designed courtesan assassin.
Joyce: Is there anything you'd like to add?
Keri: Just a thank you for inviting me back to your wonderful blog!
Joyce: Thanks, Keri!
Find out more about Keri and her books at www.keriarthur.com.
HEA curator and contributor Joyce Lamb is a Paste BN best-selling author of romantic suspense and three-time RITA finalist and has been a professional journalist for 25 years. You can reach her at jlamb@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter (@JoyceLamb). You can also follow HEA on Twitter (@HEAusatoday).