Shona Husk-Interview and Giveaway

Shona Husk-Interview and Giveaway

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DARK SECRETS (Arcane) by Shona Husk
Carina Press
18 February 2013
ISBN: 978-14268-9511-1

Dark Secrets

Amazon / Barnes and NobleiTunes
ABOUT THE BOOK:

Six years ago, Haidyn Mast left his home and his betrothed Anisa to follow his magical calling. Too weak to join the Arcane Guild and too ashamed to return home, he has made a life as a prostitute—to all outward appearances. In truth, he sells his mind but not his body, using magic to let his clients experience their most secret fantasies while his hands stay clean. Even the Lawman, the arbiter of justice in Reseda, is one of his clients, but Haidyn would rather not know the extent of that man’s depravity.

Though successful, Haidyn is shunned as a whore and his lack of formal training is causing his power to grow out of control. He’s ready to retire and leave the city, but when he sees his Anisa standing at Lawman’s side, he knows he must rescue her from the abusive enforcer. Risking his life and his sanity, he devises a plan, knowing that failure will mean death for him, and a lifetime of torment for her…

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Shona Husk

Shona Husk lives in Western Australia at the edge of the Indian Ocean. Blessed with a lively imagination she spent most of her childhood making up stories. As an adult she discovered romance novels and hasn’t looked back. Drawing on history and myth, she weaves new worlds and writes heroes who aren’t afraid to get hurt while falling in love.

With stories ranging from sensual to scorching, she is published with Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing, Carina Press and Sourcebooks.

Printable Book List

Shona Husk

LET’S BEGIN!

Follow Shona:

TRC: Hi Shona and welcome to The Reading Café.  Congratulations on the January 2013 release of FOR THE LOVE OF A GOBLIN WARRIOR and MIDSUMMER’S EVE and the February release of DARK SECRETS.

Shona: Thank you :). It’s been a busy couple of months.

TRC: We would like to start with some background information.  Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Shona: I was an avid fantasy reader before I became a writer and along the way I discovered romance and decided that was what I wanted to write. I love creating new worlds and exploring them through my characters. I do tend to be rather mean to my heroes as I like to see how well the cope.

Dark SecretsTRC: DARK SECRETS is the latest release in your ARCANE SERIES.  Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Shona: It really is about keeping secrets that if told would wind up with someone’s death. Haidyn, the hero, is in a very delicate position and finding a way out is almost impossible. I knew what he was a whore as soon as he appeared in his fancy red jacket, what followed was an interesting journey into magical mind control, depravity and redemption.

TRC: Will all 10 LORDS have their story told?

Shona: The series focusses on the powerful Arcane Union and the effects it has on magic users. I have two more books in the series plotted before I finish the Arcane arc. By the end the Arcane Union won’t be quite so powerful, so maybe another Union and Lord will fill the power gap…

For The Love of a Goblin WarriorTRC: FOR THE LOVE OF A GOBLIN WARRIOR is the third installment (4th storyline) in your SHADOWLANDS series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Shona: The Shadowlands series is about six cursed Celtic warriors. By the time The Summons (the free prequel) starts two of the men are dead, and one has turned goblin. The Goblin King is about the struggle to break the curse and be free the other two books dovetail into that but following the other men’s journeys. FOR THE LOVE OF A GOBLIN WARRIOR is Meryn’s story, he is the man who turned goblin nearly two thousand years ago. He has a long way to go to become human again, but a little love goes a long way.

TRC: We have heard rumors this is the final book in this particular series.  If so, do you have plans for a spin-off?  Another series?

Shona: It is the final books in the series. At this point in time there are no plans for spin off but I never say never. I have a new series starting in July with THE OUTCAST PRINCE. This series is set between the fairy Court of Annwyn and our world. Nothing says fun like the scheming fairy who rule the Underworld 😉

Midsummer's EveTRC: MIDSUMMER’S EVE (Hot Down Under) is another one of your January 2013 releases.  Would you please tell us something about this particular storyline?

Shona: This was such fun to write and probably my least paranormal story (gasp!). It’s a little story about a couple who split up for all the wrong reasons finding a way back to each other, there is wine and a lusty spirit involved.

TRC: Do you have plans for a number of novels in the HOT DOWN UNDER  erotic –romance series?

Shona: I have an idea for another, but it is unwritten. Most of my erotic works are with Ellora’s Cave and I’m super excited that my first erotic sci-fi will be out later in the year.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception about you?

Shona: I don’t know…what have people been saying?

TRC: If you could change something about yourself personal or professional, what would it be and why?

Shona: I’m actually quite happy. I know that’s terribly un-fashionable to be happy with myself and content with my life, but I am. That doesn’t mean I’m perfect, but no one is.

TRC: Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life and why?

Shona: My grandmother when I was young. She’d had a really interesting life and she taught me to play mahjong. It was the kind of relationship I didn’t value enough when she was alive.

Now it would be my kids, they remind me to have fun, to make the time to play but also do my own thing.

TRC: Who is the first person you think about when you need someone to talk with and why?

Shona: It depends on the problem. If it’s writing related my crit group, otherwise my hubby.

TRC: Is there a question that you would like to be asked in an interview, but nobody has asked? If so, ask away!

Shona: Why are you so mean to your characters? Because it’s fun to push them, I want to make sure they really deserve their HEA.

TRC: What would you like to accomplish in the next ten years?

Shona: I’d like to write a couple more series, quite the day job, get my black belt. The usual 😉

TRC: What or where is the one place you would recommend for anyone visiting Australia?

Shona: Tasmania is very beautiful, but also harsh (particularly as you head south) and it can be very cold. The wine region in Western Australia is also lovely.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Shona: I’m working on Lord of the Hunt which is book two in the Court of Annwyn series (after The Outcast Prince). One that’s polished up and submitted I have some novellas to write.

Would you like to add anything else?

Shona: Thank you for inviting me over!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
chocolate

Favorite Dessert
lemon tart

Favorite TV Show
Supernatural

Last Movie You Saw
Rise of the Guardians (I have children). Last adult film would be Skyfall

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Dark

Do you have any pets?
2 cats

TRC: Thank you Shona for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you all the best!

Blog Tour Schedule-red

02/03 – GraveTells
02/04 – I Smell Sheep
02/05 – United by Books
02/06 – The Reading Café
02/07 – Romancing the Book
02/08 – Bookworm 2 Bookworm
02/09 – All Things Books
02/10 – All The Fun Starts After Dark
02/11 – Close Encounters with the Night Kind
02/12 – Cocktails and Books
02/13 – Book Lovin’ Mamas
02/14 – Vampires, Werewolves, Fairies Oh My!
02/15 – Book Monster Reviews & Literal Addiction
02/16 – Ramblings From This Chick

Giveaway-redandblack_zps8ff4dc4b

Shona is offering an ebook copy of DARK SECRETS at every Blog Tour stop including The Reading Cafe

1. Please register using the log-in at the top or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment as Twitter and Facebook do not allow for email information.

3. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY

4. Giveaway runs from February 6-17, 2013

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DARK SECRETS (Arcane) by Shona Husk-a review

Dark Secrets (Arcane) by Shona Husk-a review

Dark Secrets

Amazon / Barnes and NobleiTunes

Release date: February 18, 2013

Dark Secrets by Shona Husk explores the world of Arcane magic. If you’re considered strong in your particular talent, you gain an apprenticeship and earn your membership in the guild overseen by a particular Lord of the genre. Confident that he had the potential to be something special, Haidyn Mast asked his betrothed, Anisa, to wait for him. Haidyn was refused. Ashamed of his rejection into the Union, Haidyn turned to a life of degradation, whoring, to be specific, and never returned to his love. When destiny brings Anisa to his town…will there still be a spark between them?

Did I mention Anisa thought Haidyn was dead? **Ripping off band-aid** and…that she’s new to town…because she married Haidyn’s enemy? Yiiiikes. Which issue should Haidyn tackle first? First, Haidyn will have to apologize for dropping off the face of the earth, tell her that he’s been selling “himself” to a lust house (at least he’s the owner now), and that one of his most despicable clients happens to be her husband. *Gasp!* A daunting task no matter which way he approaches.

…he has made a life as a prostitute – to all outward appearances. In truth, he sells his mind but not his body, using magic to let his clients experience their most secret fantasies while his hands stay clean.

Brixen Saw is the Lawman of the town. A once formidable man with the responsibility of upholding and dispensing the town’s justice (any way he sees fit), does his job amidst a shadow of judgment upon his character. Two previous wives died mysteriously; the town has always been suspicious of those circumstances. In spite of the muttering rumors (you’ll discover the truth), the Lawman, tasked with maintaining order and eradicating lawlessness, furtively visits Haidyn’s establishment, the Red Lust House every ten-night (hypocrite much?), but it’s to seek out Haidyn…as he prefers men to women. Yeah…I’d have given Anisa THAT knowledge first. But in rediscovering Anisa, and the love he thought had withered away with his refusal six years ago, Haidyn lays himself at Anisa’s feet and begs her forgiveness.

Skeptical to be sure, but definitely re-inspired by Haidyn’s admission of guilt and regret, the Lawman’s henchmen witness Anisa and Haidyn’s brief exchange and Anisa pays dearly for it (in spite of his marriage, the Lawman still visits Haidyn and a peek into his thoughts through his magic, sends horrific images of Anisa’s ruined back at the hands of her adoring husband). Haidyn might have failed Anisa before, but he’s smarter and stronger now; both in mind, magic and body. Now all he has to do is convince Anisa to trust him anew…and, what…run away? What to do…what to do?

I’d learned long ago that hope was worth more than gold. A man could live without gold but not hope.

Aside from the love story that is battling to survive from within and against outside sources, the subplot of the great divide between the licensed Arcane magic users and the “rogue” faction who has gone on to form its own guild, the Free Arcane Association, was just as interesting. Haidyn sympathizes with the latter (for obvious reasons), but as the owner of an establishment that sits on the fence of impropriety, coin pays for silence…on both sides. His clientele is comprised of paying, thrill-seeking patrons who check their allegiances at the door. I enjoyed the heck out of this story line as the reader decides who the bigger evil is.

Ms. Husk delivers a great story. Anisa is the jilted lover coming to terms with this new incarnation of Haidyn while discovering her husband harbors secrets and fury. Haidyn must continue his magical prowess long enough to…in order to…UGH…I CAN’T VERY WELL TELL YOU! There’s a lot to love in this short story. I will admit to getting lost a few times along the way with regard to the Arcane terminology (Kindle failed me this time; unaware of Ms. Husk’s magical world!). I was certain Dark Secrets was written as a sequel, but when I reached out to Ms. Husk (you knew I would!), she said it could be read as a stand-alone. I took great pleasure from this book, but look forward to reading Dark Vow (released in 2011) to visit the beginning. But I’m/WE’RE not done yet — Ms. Husk advised me she is working on a new book in the world of the Arcane. I’m clearly a fan…you think I can get some insight??? 😉

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy supplied by author.

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