Author Guest Post: Tiffany Shand (Denai Bound)

Today we welcome Tiffany Shand to That’s What I’m Talking About. She’s celebrating the release of Denai Bound (Excalibar Investigations Series #2, March 26, 2016) and is here sharing about her inspirations for her main character, Cate McCray.

What inspired me to write my main character?

I got bored of contemporary fiction when I was a teenager. My first urban fantasy novel was Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison and I absolutely loved it. I’ve always had a fascination with witches and it was nice to read about them being betrayed in a good way instead of being persecuted. I think this was probably what inspired me to start writing my own paranormal/urban fantasy novel.

I’d had this character floating around my head for a long time and always knew her name was Cate McCray and that she was a witch. Reading about immortals was something I always enjoyed in paranormal novels so that inspired me too. The story went through several different incarnations before I finally settled on one idea.

The idea was there would be a woman who was extremely powerful and born with a lot of authority over people. Her working in law enforcement seemed to fit with that idea.

I wondered, what would this woman be like? And what kind of person would love her? She turned out to be a very strong and independent woman, feisty and she tells it like it is which is one of the things I love about her. But she always has a vulnerable side too.

Excerpt:

“Damn it, they must have followed us here,” Jason groaned.

“What’s to stop them from destroying the temple?” she asked. “I know Devas can’t set foot on holy ground, but…”

“Their power can’t destroy anything on hallowed ground,” said Emrys. “They can try, but we’re safe inside these walls.”

“You’re welcome to come to Elaris with us,” Cate added.

“It would be good to see the Serenity again.”

“I–” Another tremor cut her off as power stirred the air.

“The portal!” Emrys grinned. “Someone is trying to open it.”

“They must be having trouble getting through.” Vivienne touched the wall where the large circle of Silveron stood.

“Can’t you open it?” Jason prompted.

“Not from this side, no,” replied Emrys. “If the Devas on their side catch them they are as good as dead.”

“Devas can come and go through the old portals,” explained Vivienne. “Only the Ashralis have power over them.”

“I’m half Ashrali. What do I have to do?” Cate stepped forward and rolled up her sleeves.

“It’s not something that can be taught. Few ever have the ability to open the ancient doorways,” said Vivienne. “You are the Goddess Marked. Focus on the portal and try to imagine one opening.”

“Try placing your hand on it,” Emrys suggested.

Cate placed her right palm on the ancient stone and tried to imagine a door opening. “I’m not very good at this kind of thing,” she said when nothing happened.

“You’re young. Control will come in time,” the old man reassured her.

“Jason, perhaps you should help. A bond binds your powers to each other,” Vivienne added.

Jason touched the other side of the circle, staring at the strange runes etched into the metal. Now what?

About the Book:

Denai witch, Cate McCray should be enjoying married life with her new elemental husband, Jason. But their arrival in a new city soon has them stumbling headlong into a new case with dangerous connections to the very people that govern their world.

Cate and Jason face opposition from those they once considered allies. Together with their team of enforcers, they must find the killer before anyone else dies.

With danger from all sides and the threat of ancient, dangerous magic, the team must pull together and use all their strength to find their enemy before disaster strikes.

About the Author:

Tiffany Shand was born in Essex, UK and started writing short stories when she was a child. She has always done writing in one form or another and started writing novels in her early teens.

Tiffany loves to read books and discovered her love for fantasy and paranormal romance during this time.

She writes both non-fiction and fiction, but mostly fantasy and paranormal romance.

After doing a creative writing course in her early 20s she is now a freelance writer and professional proofreader. She is currently studying for a journalism degree.

Tiffany lives in Essex with her two spoiled cats and one very nutty hamster.

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