Guest Blog by Erin Kellison - Spotlight on a Shadow

Please welcome Erin Kellison to The Qwillery. Erin is the author of the Shadow series and the upcoming Shadow Kissed series.

Spotlight on a Shadow

by Erin Kellison

First, a huge thank you to Sally for having me here today. I’m celebrating the release of Shadow Play, the second e-novella installment in my Shadow Touch novella series. And I’m offering a $25 gift card to a random commenter who answers the question below.

While I was writing Shadow Fall, the second book in my Shadow series, I had an idea for a heroine I later named Eleanor Russo. She grew up a shut-in and is basically terrified of the world (and herself) because her shadow can move, speak, and act independently of her flesh and blood body. The shadow is the most primal part of Ellie, the part that has no shame, cannot lie, and is instinct personified. She is the id (think Freud) and will do what she must to survive.

If my shadow could do all that, I’d be in a lot of trouble. I think I’m a pretty peace-loving person, but I do contemplate murder all the time (for my stories, and yeah, okay, the occasional person who ticks me off). And I’m generally truthful, except when I’m not. And no one except my husband is very aware of my libidinous side. Okay, maybe my readers might guess about that. My point is, on the surface, I’m just like everyone else. And underneath… well, I think I’m just like everyone else there too. And so is Ellie, except her dark side roams freely while the rest of her has to contend with the aftermath.

I wondered… what if the dark side was stronger than the thinking part that’s supposed to control it? And wouldn’t it be cool to write the character arc of the person finally mastering her dark side and kicking the crap out of bad guys at the same time?

I loved the idea of the character, but I ended up writing a different book (Shadowman). Around that time, I was contracted to write a novella in my Shadow series. I knew instantly that it would feature Ellie and would introduce Dr. Cameron Kalamos as well, her love interest (I get giddy thinking about his character too).

That novella became Shadow Touch, the first in my Shadow Touch series in which Ellie Russo goes to the Segue Institute for help. It’s a last-ditch effort, an act of desperation. She doesn’t exactly get what she wants from Segue (and Dr. Kalamos), but it’s enough to keep her alive, and her shadow (somewhat) in check.

Shadow Touch wasn’t enough for me. Once I had written Ellie and Cam, I knew I had to continue their story. Their arcs were conceived for a full novel, and that’s ultimately what I wanted to do. My publisher was fantastic and agreed to three more novellas to complete Ellie’s story. The second, Shadow Play, was just released. I’m working on Shadow Hunt right now (bwahahaha) and am looking forward to the final installment, Shadow Untitled (catchy, huh?).

Each story stands alone, with a romantic arc connecting the four. And ALSO, the novella series bridges my original Shadow series and the Shadow Kissed series (a spin-off), which debuts with Fire Kissed on July 3.

Here’s the blurb for Shadow Play:

Shadow

The world is growing dark with it as mysteries from antiquity and legend creep into our time, bringing a new world of danger, beauty and...

Magic

Dr. Cam Kalamos has dedicated his life to studying its strange properties, but nothing is more intriguing than a woman whose soul is split in half, one part under her control, one part bent on...

Seduction

How can he resist the lure of a lover with no inhibitions and an insatiable desire to possess him? Both Ellie and her shadow want Cam, but there is an innocent child to be rescued from the forest and the strange fae creatures of...

Twilight

Love, loyalty, betrayal - which will rule? As Ellie sends her other self into the darkness, there is only one certainty: Trusting in shadows is a dangerous game.

About Erin

Erin Kellison is the author of the Shadow Series, which includes Shadow Bound and Shadow Fall, as well as Shadowman (Sept 2011), and the e-novella Shadow Touch (June 2011). Stories have always been a central part of Erin's life. She attempted her first book in sixth grade, a dark fantasy adventure, and she still has those early hand-written chapters. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in English Language and Literature and went on for a masters in Cultural Anthropology, focusing on oral storytelling. When she had children, nothing scared her anymore, so her focus shifted to writing fiction.

Erin's Links:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

The Giveaway

THE RULES

What:  One commenter will win a $25 gift card from Erin. US ONLY.

How:  Leave a comment answering Erin's question:

If you were in Ellie’s shoes, what would your shadow capable of??

Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.

You may receive additional entries by:

1)   Being a Follower of The Qwillery.

2)   Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.

3)   Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.

There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.

Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. You MUST leave a way to contact you.

Who and When:  The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a US mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Saturday, May 5, 2012. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*