I'm happy to be part of Kelly A. Harmon's blog tour for her latest book,
Stoned in Charmed City. Let's learn a little more about her:
Please tell us about yourself.I play with words: twisting them together to tell stories in a way which, I hope, entertains and amuses.
Please tell us about your latest work.Assumpta Mary-Margaret O’Connor has a gift: she can find things that people have lost. Even though she needs the money badly, she turns down a gig to find some demons that archeologist Greg LaSpina released from a buried urn. When she finds herself demon-cursed, she’s got no choice but to help him. Then she’s offered a deal by the enemy: sleep with a very sexy demon and learn how to track the escaped evil—but the offer comes with a pretty steep price tag: her immortal soul.
What drew you to writing urban fantasy?I’m not certain. I usually write traditional fantasy or horror stories…but the character of Assumpta kept rolling around in my head. Her story wanted to be told. This novel took me to places I’ve never been before as a writer…using religion as a backdrop, for example—something I wouldn’t have done with my other stories—and writing sex scenes. I’d never even tried to write one before, and hadn’t planned to include one in this story. But one evening I was in a serious groove, typing scene after scene as the story unfolded in my mind, and suddenly the tale turned left: just like that there was sex in the book.
How do you get the inspiration for your stories?Inspiration comes from everything around me. A lot of times it’s visual: I’ll see something unusual and it sparks an idea. More often, it’s dialogue. I’ll hear a snippet of conversation and then off my brain wanders off to finish it up. I can build an entire novel based on one conversation.
Of all the stories you’ve written, which one is your favorite and why?I don’t have a favorite—that probably sounds ludicrous, but it’s true. I’ve liked each story very much as I was writing it, but once the telling is down, it’s over. I move on to the next project.
Do you write in any other genres? If so, which ones? If not, what would you like to try?I write fantasy and horror as well as urban fantasy, but everything seems to lean toward the darker side. I think I’d like to try a historical romance at some point. I love reading them—they’re like decadent candy—but having to get the history right scares me a little: I’d much rather make things up as I go along.
Who are your favorite authors and why do you admire them? There are so many to list!
I like Dean Koontz a lot. He’s one of those authors that could write down his grocery list and I’d read it. I’ve never read a book by him that I didn’t enjoy. He tells a good story and has a flair for language, too. I like Carol Nelson Douglas’ early fantasy fiction. When I was younger, I carried a dictionary around with me when I read her books. She never failed to teach me a new word. And, I can’t forget the king of the quest novels: Terry Brooks. He’s a master of intricately woven stories.
What other writing projects are you currently working on?I’ve got a fantasy trilogy that’s begging to be completed. I received a publication offer on the series in October, but the contract terms were so egregious I turned it down. I think I’d like to indie publish the first book late this year or early next year. I’ve also got a dragon book waiting in the wings. It’s nearly complete.
What’s one of the goals you hope to achieve with your writing?I just want to entertain. I initially tell myself the story, and if I’m pleased with it, I write it down. I figure if I like it, someone else might, too.
What’s something people wouldn’t be able to guess about you just by looking at you?I love heavy metal music—lots of my fight scenes are written while listening to Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.
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Forty dollars. Two crisp twenties. All that stands between Assumpta Mary-Margaret O’Connor and homelessness.
For
the price of forty dollars, she helps archeologist Greg LaSpina find
something he's lost–and causes all Hell to break loose.
Literally.
With
demons tormenting their every step, Assumpta and Greg become both
hunted and hunter in their search for a way to send the demons back to
Hell. But one careless mistake could cost them their lives.
Wrestling
with her faith, Assumpta considers an offer made by one very sexy
demon: sleep with him, and learn how to rid the world of the escaped
evil.
But the offer comes with a steep price: her immortal soul.
Kelly
A. Harmon used to write truthful, honest stories about authors and
thespians, senators and statesmen, movie stars and murderers. Now she
writes lies, which is infinitely more satisfying, but lacks the
convenience of doorstep delivery, especially on rainy days.
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