SPECIAL INTERVIEW SHANNON MCKENNA
New York Times best-selling author Shannon McKenna writes sexy thrillers that include hot alpha men and the daring women that love them. Her popular McCloud series is a fan favorite and she returns to the series with her latest book, In For the Kill coming out in January 2015. Yes!!
As one of my favorite authors I couldn't wait to ask her about her stunning conclusion to her beloved series and what she has in store for the future!
1) It is such a special treat having you on our website. Can you tell us how you become an author? And, why romance?!
Shannon McKenna:
I am delighted to be here! Thanks so much for inviting me! And why romance? What a question! What else BUT romance would be my first, knee-jerk response! Romance novels saved me, in my confused and haphazard youth—I always knew that no matter how bad I might be feeling that day, there was a remedy for me in the bookstore—actually thousands of wonderful, delicious, alluring remedies. A bottomless supply. I could just go get a romance, and I could be assured of that delicious rush of endorphins that would make everything OK, at least for a while. I confess, when I was really broke, I would often just stand in the aisles of the bookstores for hours at a time, and read the books, then and there. My uncle called it “shooting up print.” Though I admit, I would never underestimate the power of chocolate as a coping mechanism!
I wanted to write romance novels since I was a teenager. I always had it in the back of my mind that it was something I could really love, and maybe even do quite well, but I never found the time and the focus necessary to get all the way to the end of one until I moved to Italy. There, I suddenly found myself with more time than I knew what to do with. I started with short contemporaries because I thought that Harlequin and Silhouette romances were the lines most open to new, unagented authors. Though H/S never did accept a book from me. I confess, I also had this innocent notion that short contemporaries would be easier, because there would be less research. I have since learned, to my cost, that nothing about writing is ever easy. Everything is equally difficult, in its own unique way.
I love romance as a genre, when it does what I consider the romance novel’s appointed job, and that is to give me that giddy emotional high, to turn me on, make me cry, scare me to death and boost my serotonin up to its proper levels. My happiest moments as an author are when I get an email from a reader saying something like, “your books really helped me believe in love again after my terrible divorce,” or “I was bedridden after gall bladder surgery and your books really helped me through the tedium.” Where the shit of real life hits the fan, that’s when you need the magic of a romance novel, to give you a break, and a boost. That is what I humbly aspire to do.
2) I've read all your books and they introduced me to 'steamy' books. I've never gone back! Did you intend to make your books more erotic on purpose? How would you define your writing style? Or is it definable?
Shannon McKenna:
Little ol’ me? I introduced you to steamy books? Wow, what an honor, and what a responsibility! I hope that I set the bar high!
To be perfectly honest, I did not start out with any intention of writing “steamy.” This was long before the explosion of erotic books on the market, and my first efforts, as I said before, were category romances written in the style of Harlequin Temptations or Silhouette Desire’s, with two and a half relatively tame sex scenes per book. But in 2001, I got a wonderful opportunity to be in an anthology of erotic novellas with three other authors, all of whom were much better known than I, Suzanne Forster, Thea Devine and Lori Foster. I was overwhelmed and delighted, but very timid and nervous about writing an erotic novella. Then my wise editor, Hilary Sares, gave me some wonderful advice—she said, just focus on letting all the action in the novel center around the erotic relationship, have it be absolutely central.
I took this to heart, and made a wonderful discovery while writing that novella. I realized that thinking in this way about making their sexuality integral to the characters and to the plot really made the whole thing pop off the page. Plot development and character development is so much more interesting when it is charged with romantic and erotic energy! And sex scenes are so much more compelling when they develop character and advance plot! It’s like a perpetual motion machine.
After that, I got hooked on the steamy vibe, and all of the many gifts that it can offer to a story. Now I can’t even imagine depriving myself of that sexy edge, that buzz. I just enjoy the hell out of it.
As for defining my writing style, I am the last person on Earth who would be qualified to do that. I just try to be as deep inside the characters heads’ as I can when I write. If they are dictating the story and the dialog, then I know I can’t go too far wrong.
3) Well, please keep them coming! Speaking of which, I love your alpha men. What qualities do they have to have to be one of your hot heroes?!
Shannon McKenna:
I have to fall in love with him myself! He has to be smart, intense, brave, creative and emotionally alive, to say nothing of super hot, physically powerful, sexually skillful, with a devilish grin and a smoldering gaze! And if that’s stereotypical, well, then, phooey. Just sue me, already. If I’m going to have a sexy fantasy, I’m going to go all out!
I think that a romance hero can be flawed almost to the point of ruin, but not quite—he must be redeemable. He has to be courageous, because apart from his requisite dose of mortal peril, he has to go on a frightening journey of self-discovery to become a viable romance hero. Volcanic sexual lust is the catalyst. True love always takes my heroes by surprise, and it usually takes them more or less unwillingly, but it does take them—completely, and for all time. I love it when love brings a difficult hero to his knees, melts his barriers, sweeps away his emotional blocks. It tears him open to make space for the new reality, the new paradigm of his life. Then he can finally bond, grow, take root in his own life, become a lover, a husband, a father. That moment of sweet surrender is such a huge turn-on. It’s the true payoff for his valor.
4) How did you come up with your popular McCloud series?
Shannon McKenna:
It was entirely by accident! I was an innocent newbie when I wrote BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, and I did not dare to presume that my publishing company would actually buy another book from me. So when I created the McCloud brothers, it was just to give the lonesome, miserable Seth Mackey, the hero, some help, and someone to talk to. Then as I got further into writing them, I realized that that those McCloud brothers were, well . . . kinda hot. And interesting. And I realized that maybe I could write another three books, since there were three brothers, being as how one of them had tragically died long ago. I had no idea that Kev McCloud was still alive. When Sean discovered in EDGE OF MIDNIGHT that the body in Kev’s grave was not his brother’s body, I was genuinely gobsmacked. Horrified, too, at the responsibility, and the size of the task. It took me years to figure out what the hell happened to that poor guy. I wrote three books in the meantime!
If I had been more crafty and forward-looking, I would have made more McCloud brothers at the outset—hell, maybe even a few McCloud sisters, and I might have tossed in a few McCloud cousins for good measure. But I think they did OK, with their ragtag group of friends and associates. They created their own tight-knit family group, and that is one of the dynamics that makes the books special. Because I think that at the heart of a romance novels is ultimately a search for a true home of the heart, a place where you are safe, and genuinely loved and accepted for who you are. That’s the ultimate fantasy behind a love story, and it’s certainly the reason that I’d love to be part of the McCloud Crowd family! Other than the fact that, if anyone ever messed with me, my McCloud Crowd pals would kick their asses soooooo very hard . . . .
5) Your books have a very real-life, edgy feel. I like how you incorporate issues that face us today and create heroes that fight the war against them! Where do you get your inspiration for your characters and stories?
Shannon McKenna:
You don’t have to look very far to get inspiration for stories! Just looking over news headlines seems to do the trick. Human trafficking was the big theme in Sveti’s story, and that issue is all over the news right now, and also the stories about the boat people flooding into Italy is very much in the forefront of everyone’s thoughts, particularly with Africa and the Middle East convulsed with war and terrorism. People are disposed to do any desperate thing to get themselves and their families away from it. It’s heartbreaking, particularly when the refugees are exploited or abused or abandoned to their deaths on a stormy sea, as all too often happens.
Conflict is everywhere—it’s terrible for people and families and countries, but the one single thing that it is good for is stories.
6) I really enjoyed your book Fatal Strike which included paranormal elements. Will you write more books with the paranormal theme in them?
Shannon McKenna:
Oh, God, yes. I had a wonderful time with the paranormal elements in the McCloud series, and I want to include similar elements in future books. I’ve been fascinated with the idea of extrasensory perception since I was a little girl. I wish I could say that I had personal experience with it—how cool and mind-blowing that would be! But probably inconvenient. Take telepathy, for instance. Can you imagine what a nightmare it would be, to be able to read people’s thoughts? So uncomfortable socially! The mind just boggles. It’s bad enough to navigate the world socially just limited to guessing what people are thinking of you, let alone actually knowing! (shuddering)
But seriously. I’ve read about all manner of miraculous abilities that have been attained when certain parts of the brain became active, and the possibilities tickle my fancy no end. I’ve also spoken to people who have direct personal experiences of such things. But none of this titillating stuff has ever happened to me personally. My feet stay planted stolidly on the ground. No ghosts, no visions, no astral travel, no precognition, no telekinesis. I guess I’m not meditating hard enough! But whatever. I can fantasize, and get my dose of speculation by writing novels about it. That way, I don’t have to adhere to any sort of objective reality—I can just make it all up as I go along!
7) Please, say it ain't so!! Does In For the Kill have to be your last in the McCloud series? Do feel writing this book was bittersweet?
Shannon McKenna:
Oh, my God, yes! It is so hard to say goodbye! To be honest, I meant to finish the series much sooner than I did. but I got attached to Bruno, Aaro, Miles and Sveti, once I had written scenes from their points of view. Once they came to focus inside my mind, they just continue to grow. I wrote one scene scene from Aaro’s point of view in FADE TO MIDNIGHT, and from that moment on, he bugged me relentlessly, like a mafia goon who wanted his story right now or he would mess me up. And I’ve loved Miles ever since he shuffled out of the second McCloud book, STANDING IN THE SHADOWS, and in to the clutches of the McCloud brothers, blinking in the light. God knows, the noble, selfless, heroic Sveti deserved her own Happily Ever After, considering the hell that she went through. I would have writhed in guilt forever if I had not written her a happy ending.
In the very beginning, even in my wildest dreams, I never thought to write past Sean McCloud’s story. Then I discovered Kev was still alive, so I wrote EXTREME DANGER and ULTIMATE WEAPON while gestating Kev’s book. Then after Kev’s book, I had gotten interested in Bruno, and during the writing of Bruno’s book, I got hung up on Aaro . . . one thing just led to another! It was out of control! Which for me is a clear sign that something is really working, and should therefore be aggressively pursued.
Each book seemed to get progressively harder, though, because the characters from the previous books are all there, swarming around, butting in, forcibly offering their opinions and their help. Tam is always in everyone’s faces, and Sean is bouncing around making smart-ass remarks, and there are toddlers running around screaming, getting into trouble, and the whole thing just gets way out of hand. But still. I will miss them so much. What a wild, wonderful ride it has been.
8) So I am sooo excited to read your latest book. Can you tell us about your main characters and what makes them so special?
Shannon McKenna:
IN FOR THE KILL came out January 27th of this year, and it is Sveti and Sam’s long-awaited story. Sveti is finally facing down the demons of her past, and Sam is just the man to help her do it!
It took so long for Sveti to grow up! She was almost thirteen when I first met her in EXTREME DANGER, and not for an instant did I ever think the series would go on long enough for me to even consider writing a romance with her as the heroine! But then people started asking me to write her story. For while, I just continued to just say to them, get real, that poor girl is only fifteen years old! (or sixteen, or nineteen, or wherever she was in her timeline when they asked.) But as time wore on, Sveti took on form in my head, I starting thinking, hmm. She’s cool. Heroine material, if she were just a little older. Grow, Sveti, grow. So I started tapping my foot, waiting for her to get on with it—and she was finally ready for it, just in time to close out the series!
Sam Petrie, the hero, came relatively late to the McCloud Crowd, and only to follow the elusive Sveti around, although she coldly spurned him for years. But Sam wouldn’t give up. When he was given a chance to protect her, he grabbed it with both hands, no matter the danger. He’s not ashamed to offer her his heart, nothing held back, and he’ll put everything on the line for his chosen lady. I personally just melt for his selfless ardor and incredible valor, if I do say so myself. Ah, Sam. (hands fluttering)
The book is big and sexy and scary, and jam-packed with intense emotion. I am very proud of it. I think it closes the McCloud series with a big, loud bang and a shower of colored sparks. I hope you all enjoy it!
9) I can't help myself, so I have to ask, of all the McCloud brothers do you have a favorite and why?
Shannon McKenna:
Gosh, that’s tough! I love them all! They have such completely different attributes. Maybe Kev McCloud is the one who resonates with me the most, but damn—as I’m writing a book, the hottest hero is always the one I’m wrestling with at the time! I’ll have to waffle on this, because the moment that I named Kev, I had a sudden stab of guilt, as if I had betrayed Miles and Sam and Nick and Val and Aaro and Davy and Sean and Connor and Seth and Bruno . . . and how could I do that to them?
10) Since In For the Kill is to be your final in your popular series. Is there another book or series we can anticipate soon? Can you give us a sneak peak?!
Shannon McKenna:
I’m playing with a bunch of different new ideas. It’s so strange, to emerge from the familiar McCloud world! But it’s exciting, too. I’m hard at work on some new projects.
I’ve come to understand, over the last few years, that my readers fall into two camps. There are those who love the paranormal elements that began to crop up in the last few McCloud books, and there are those who just absolutely hate them, and want the straight romantic suspense like before, no funny stuff. So, I must figure out how to write books faster, because I really like writing both kinds of novels, and I love all of the esteemed readers who appreciate the McKenna vibe. I wish to serve both groups, with books that delight and satisfy!
To that end, I’m dreaming up two distinctly different series. I am keen to try my hand at self publishing, but I also want to continue to enjoy the advantages of a publishing house’s support as well, so I aspire to be what they call a “hybrid” author.
For my self-published series, I’m dreaming up stories with a paranormal, urban fantasy kind of edge. This series features, as heroes and heroines, a group who as very young people were swept up into a secret experimental program in which they were being groomed with implanted techno-enhancements and brain stimulation to be super-agent/soldiers with amazing abilities. They realized just in time the criminal lengths to which their experimenters were willing to alter them, and banded together to rebel and escape. Now they’re all adults, with new identities and many painful and complicated issues because of their enhancements and their problematic special abilities—to say nothing of the looming menace of their nemesis, the Obsidian Corporation, from which they fled. I’m having great fun with it! I like a paranormal element that springs out of the real, bottomless human potential that science is only beginning to reveal, and I could go any number of wild directions with this. Which means, freedom, scope, and wild, outrageous plots by the handful! Hog heaven.
I also have fun and juicy ideas for new straight romantic suspense novels, but it’s too soon in my process to talk about those yet! But you can bet that they will be intense, steamy, scary, over the top fun.
I’m excited for the future, and so keen to write all of these novels! I’ll be making announcements and posting excerpts as soon as I have news, so be sure to check my site, shannonmckenna.com, and sign up for my mailing list so I can keep you up to date! Or visit me on facebook, https://www.facebook.com/AuthorShannonMckenna?ref=hl
Ohhh, sounds so good! I can't wait!
Thank you, thank you for letting us interview you! :) Having you on our website has made my day.
It’s been a delight, Steph! Thanks for having me!
Interviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
For Additional Information about Shannon McKenna check her out at:
http://shannonmckenna.com/index.php
and check out her contest at:
http://shannonmckenna.com/contest.php
Recent and Upcoming Romances by Shannon McKenna:
In For the Kill -Jan. 27th 2015
Years ago, the McClouds and their friends rescued little Sveti Ardova from ruthless organ traffickers. Now she’s all grown up, and getting into some scorching trouble of her own . . .
NO SURRENDER
The risks ex-cop Sam Petrie has taken have turned his life into a train wreck. So he has nothing to lose by doubling down as the elusive Svetlana Ardova’s unwanted bodyguard on her ill-advised trip to Italy. Her crusade against modern slavery has blazoned a bullseye on her chest, but when one of the death threats against her almost hits the mark, Sam’s protective instincts go into overdrive. Every lethal obstacle and trap they encounter ups the stakes—and the undeniable heat between them.
Now they’re spiraling in on a deadly and explosive secret—one that could either redeem them or destroy them … and the closer they get, the shorter the fuse …
Fatal Strike -Sept. 23rd. 2013
When Lara Kirk was abducted months ago, Miles Davenport vowed he’d bring her home. But the mission failed. Miles has become totally obsessed; he can practically hear Lara pleading for him to save her. Finding her after all this time will be next to impossible…
Lara Kirk lives in a shadowy world where reality and fantasy are one. Her captors have poisoned her body with concoctions that enhance psychic abilities–and they seem to be working. To escape, Lara has formed a deep attachment with a man whose virile, sensual presence in her mind is her only comfort. She’s not even sure if he’s real–until the six-foot-five-inch powerhouse bursts in to rescue her…
Once freed, Lara has no choice but to trust Miles with her life as they run from enemies too twisted to imagine. But they’re also fighting a dangerous attraction that could kill–or save–them both. Either way, it’s going to be a hell of a ride…
One Wrong Move -Sept. 1st, 2012
Alex Aaro has spent most of his life on the run from his Ukrainian mafia family. But when he learns that crazy Aunt Tonya, the only relative who ever gave a damn about him, is dying, he risks returning home to say goodbye. He’s prepared for anything except the call from his friend, Bruno Ranieri, that sends him on a wild and dangerous ride with a mysterious woman who holds a deadly secret and a white hot passion that binds them together.
Social worker Nina Christie has no idea how much trouble she’s in when her Aunt Helga shows up unexpectedly, emaciated and bleeding, and injects Nina with an unknown drug. Now a ruthless crime syndicate will stop at nothing to make Nina disappear, and only Alex Aaro, that inscrutable six-foot-four rock hard slab of lean muscle, stands between her and certain death. Now Nina and Alex are in a race against time, death, and their desire for one another . . .
Blood and Fire -Oct. 1st. 2011
Restless and impulsive, Bruno Ranieri has the temperament to fit right in with the McClouds. And just like the McCloud brothers, Bruno has a dangerous past to contend with—one that’s about to come crashing back into his life…
Bruno Ranieri has always lived at a chaotic pace, and that goes double lately. Since his uncle’s untimely demise, Bruno is working himself to the bone, trying to keep his nose clean and save the family business. Not easy when the nightmares that plagued his childhood are hi-jacking what little rest he gets.
So when exotically beautiful Lily Parr sashays into his all-night restaurant, claiming to be on the run from mysterious assassins, Bruno starts to wonder if sleep deprivation is finally getting to him. Especially when Lily implies that Bruno is involved. But the violence that accompanies her arrival is no illusion. Nor is the blisteringly hot, completely inconvenient desire that explodes between them.
Lily Parr has been a fugitive ever since her father’s death a month ago in a mental hospital. Officials claimed it was suicide, but Lily’s gut—and the savage murder attempt she barely escaped afterwards—say different. Snippets of information led Lily to Bruno’s door…and his magnetic charisma compelled her right into his bed. But there are cold-blooded killers on her heels, with resources as limitless as their cruelty.
Running won’t help, not when the biggest threat is the terrifying secret lurking in Bruno and Lily’s pasts. A secret their mysterious enemy will gladly destroy them to protect—unless they can uncover it first…
-Sept. 1st, 2012
Alex Aaro has spent most of his life on the run from his Ukrainian mafia family. But when he learns that crazy Aunt Tonya, the only relative who ever gave a damn about him, is dying, he risks returning home to say goodbye. He’s prepared for anything except the call from his friend, Bruno Ranieri, that sends him on a wild and dangerous ride with a mysterious woman who holds a deadly secret and a white hot passion that binds them together.
Social worker Nina Christie has no idea how much trouble she’s in when her Aunt Helga shows up unexpectedly, emaciated and bleeding, and injects Nina with an unknown drug. Now a ruthless crime syndicate will stop at nothing to make Nina disappear, and only Alex Aaro, that inscrutable six-foot-four rock hard slab of lean muscle, stands between her and certain death. Now Nina and Alex are in a race against time, death, and their desire for one another . . .
Blood and Fire -Oct. 1st. 2011
Restless and impulsive, Bruno Ranieri has the temperament to fit right in with the McClouds. And just like the McCloud brothers, Bruno has a dangerous past to contend with—one that’s about to come crashing back into his life…
Bruno Ranieri has always lived at a chaotic pace, and that goes double lately. Since his uncle’s untimely demise, Bruno is working himself to the bone, trying to keep his nose clean and save the family business. Not easy when the nightmares that plagued his childhood are hi-jacking what little rest he gets.
So when exotically beautiful Lily Parr sashays into his all-night restaurant, claiming to be on the run from mysterious assassins, Bruno starts to wonder if sleep deprivation is finally getting to him. Especially when Lily implies that Bruno is involved. But the violence that accompanies her arrival is no illusion. Nor is the blisteringly hot, completely inconvenient desire that explodes between them.
Lily Parr has been a fugitive ever since her father’s death a month ago in a mental hospital. Officials claimed it was suicide, but Lily’s gut—and the savage murder attempt she barely escaped afterwards—say different. Snippets of information led Lily to Bruno’s door…and his magnetic charisma compelled her right into his bed. But there are cold-blooded killers on her heels, with resources as limitless as their cruelty.
Running won’t help, not when the biggest threat is the terrifying secret lurking in Bruno and Lily’s pasts. A secret their mysterious enemy will gladly destroy them to protect—unless they can uncover it first…