Interview: Ally Shields (Elvenrude Trilogy Tour) ~ Excerpt

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Hello and Welcome All!

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Ally Shields author of The Elvenrude Trilogy series. 

Hello Ally, thank you for agreeing to this interview.

For those readers not familiar with you, would you please tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi, Angela. Thanks for inviting me to visit you and meet your readers.

I’m a Midwesterner, transplanted to the East Coast, and back again. Before taking up full-time writing, I taught school, practiced law, and worked in the Juvenile Justice System, including several years on a joint investigative team handling criminal child abuse cases. I have two grown sons, eight grandkids, and one miniature pinscher (Ranger). You can often find me wandering around the Twitterverse (@ShieldsAlly).

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way wither growing up or as an adult?

I read…a lot. Any number of books have affected my writing. The Black Stallion by Walter Farley inspired me to write my first novel at the age of nine; J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy cemented my love of fantasy; Tanya Huff introduced me to urban fantasy, but Laurell K. Hamilton’s Guilty Pleasures made me want to write in the genre.

What do you do when you are not writing?

Did I mention the eight grandchildren? Or the dog? 🙂 I also love to travel to absorb beautiful scenery and explore historical ruins. My publishing schedule and world circumstances have kept me in the US the last few years, but there is still so much to see. I have a long list, including a return to New Orleans by next fall, and maybe a train trip.

How did you choose the genre that you write in? 

My first character chose it. When I decide to pursue serious writing in 2008, I began my manuscript, eventually titled Awakening the Fire, intending to write a traditional mystery. On day three my heroine told me she was a witch, and I had to stop and invent an entire world for her to live in! After completing seven books in that first urban fantasy series, it felt natural to stick with the genre.

What gave you the idea to write The Elvenrude Trilogy? 

It also started with a character. Kameo appeared in my head, told me a little about herself, and then I began playing “what if” games, thinking about the settings and events that would fit her personality. I knew she had to live in an elven world, so it was logical she’d need a portal to get to the human world. Since I’d been planning a trip to New Orleans, the city was on my mind, and it seemed the perfect contemporary location—mysterious and picturesque.

Please tell us a little about Kam and Seth, our heroine and hero? 

Kam and Seth are both members of the elven aristocracy but belong to rival families who’ve been feuding for centuries. Kam is striving for independence in a male-dominated society and has taken the unusual career step of joining the King’s Guard. When pressured by family and her current boyfriend to marry and assume a more traditional role, she convinces the king to send her through the portal to manage their antiquities business in New Orleans. Seth has been living in the human world most of the last five years running a successful guild business. When circumstances bring the two together, they have to cope with the family feud, a growing attraction to each other, and a rebellion at home that also endangers the human world.

If you could have given your characters one piece of advice before the opening pages of their story, what would it be and why? 

To reassess their world as they know it, and to expect the unexpected.

During the events of the Elvenrude Trilogy, Kam and Seth—in fact all of Elvenrude—will face challenges that require them to take a look at their past and their potential future. They’ll experience unforeseen events and people, forcing them to modify their own attitudes and their society in order to survive.

What was your favorite scene to write in The Elvenrude Trilogy? 

The scene in book three which takes place in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt.

Why? It was a pleasure to research and return—in memory and through my own photographs—to a country I’d love to visit for a third trip. It was the perfect setting for action and drama.

If you could spend a day with one of your main characters from The Elvenrude Trilogy, who would it be and what would you do with them?

Kam’s sister, Esty, would be so much fun. Her bubbly personality is infectious. We’d go shopping in New Orleans and end the day at the spa.

But if I chose a character to be a best friend, I’d pick Kam, a brave, confident woman with strong loyalties, and I’d love to accompany her to check out a new antiquities’ find at some ancient ruins.

Last, what is next for you? 

My latest project is the Maggie York Paranormal Mystery series. Ghost Walking is book one, and I’m currently writing Ghost Witching (book two). Maggie York is a New Orleans homicide cop who has a near-death experience after being shot on the job. The event triggers a latent ability to see the ghosts of murder victims…and Maggie’s not the least bit happy about it.

Thank you, Ally, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview. We loved having you visit and sharing The Elvenrude Trilogy series with us.

Thanks again for hosting me. I so enjoyed the visit!

 

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Elvenrude Trilogy

by Ally Shields

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GENRE: Paranormal romance (sweet/sensual)/urban fantasy

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Cross Keys (Elvenrude Book 1)

1_Cover_CrossKeys_Elvenrude TrilogyWhen a common elf—forbidden portal travel to the human world—is spotted in New Orleans, Kameo Ryndel is ordered by the king to bring him home. Before she can intervene, he’s shot and his body inexplicably stolen. Even more puzzling is Seth Lormarc’s appearance at the scene. Although he’s an Elite elf from a rival guild and the sexy, arrogant heir to the centuries-old feud between their families, she’d reluctant to believe he’s a murderer.

As their paths continue to cross and a deadly plot unfolds, they struggle to set aside the past, deny the growing attraction between them, and root out a conspiracy hidden deep inside Elvenrude…a conspiracy threatening their entire way of life.

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Cross Keys #1 Official Trailer: Click Here

Cross Keys: Revelation (Elvenrude Book 2)

2_Cover_Revelation_Elvenrude TrilogyKam and Seth’s romance hasn’t been smooth over the past six months. She’s been on too many CIA missions; he’s had to shoulder more of his clan’s duties. Then invisible assailants attack an elven guild worker, and Kam and Seth pull together to track down the intruders. The CIA interrupts again, and she and Seth part on angry words.

Returning from the short CIA mission, Kam is kidnapped by the mysterious intruders and taken to a place she never knew existed—beyond the Louisiana bayou. When she learns a terrible secret and the intruders’ deadly plans, she’s desperate to get home and warn Seth.

He’s searching day and night, not sure whether she’s dead or alive…but knowing he has to have her back.

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Cross Keys: Revelation book trailer: Click Here

Cross Keys: Unity (Elvenrude Book 3)

3_Cover_Unity_Elvenrude TrilogyDespite unrest in their Elven homeland, Kam and Seth have scheduled their long-awaited promise ceremony for the night of the Winter Solstice. But once again fate intervenes in the form of an elf captured by human authorities, an escalation of the local rebellion, and a widespread theft of ancient human artifacts that forces the Elven king to break an oath thousands of years old.

When a spirit woman predicts a world-ending catastrophe, Kam and Seth set out on a worldwide hunt to stop an old enemy, while back in Elvenrude, Rhyden (Seth’s cousin) and Esty (Kam’s sister) have issues of their own. If any of them fail, there may be nothing left…and tomorrow might not come.

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Cross Keys: Unity book trailer: Click Here  

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Excerpt – Cross Keys: Unity (Elvenrude Book 3)

She crouched and hid the small box under the bed. He’d be home from the guild meeting soon, and she didn’t want to ruin the surprise. The Winter Solstice celebration was less than two weeks away. She could keep the clasp a secret until then, couldn’t she?

The ding of the house portal sent her scurrying from the bedroom. By the time Seth found her, she was leaning against the kitchen counter with a glass of red wine.

He gave her that slow smile, his green eyes bold with promise. Her heart turned over, as it had every day since they’d met, and, eager for his touch, she set her wine glass on the counter. Kam lifted a hand to run through his black, unruly locks and met his kiss with a hunger of her own.

When he lifted his head, his mouth curved into a grin. “I love finding you here at the end of the day.” He smoothed her hair and planted a second kiss on the tip of her nose. “Now if you were only barefoot and pregnant.”

“Don’t even joke about it.” She widened her eyes in mock horror. “My parents are ignoring our cohabitation, but a pregnancy would have my father on our doorstep with a priestess.”

“As he should.” He looked into her eyes. “Maybe we shouldn’t wait.”

Her mouth dropped open. “For a child?”

“Well, that wasn’t what I had in mind, but why not?” He laughed then. “OK, we should start by announcing the engagement. Why wait for the solstice? Most members of both clans will be pleased.”

“That’s why we’re making the big announcement so public. It’s symbolic. Remember? This was your idea. To formalize the end of the Ryndel-Lormarc feud.”

He tightened his arms possessively. “I didn’t realize how impatient I’d be.”

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Ally Shields will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Ally Shields grew up in the Midwest along the Mississippi River, still considers herself “a river rat,” and currently resides near Des Moines. After a career in law and juvenile justice, she turned to full-time fiction writing in 2009. Her first urban fantasy, Awakening the Fire (Guardian Witch #1) was published in 2012, and she currently has ten published novels. She loves to travel in the US and abroad and incorporates many of those settings into her books. Ms. Shields welcomes reader contact through her website and can frequently be found on Twitter.

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I'm an outdoor sun loving reader living near San Fransisco. I’m a mother, wife, animal & book lover. I'm the owner, reviewer & mind behind Angel’s Guilty Pleasures. My favorite animals are horses & dogs. As for reading I love all things paranormal & urban fantasy & my favorite shifters are dragons.

135 comments on “Interview: Ally Shields (Elvenrude Trilogy Tour) ~ Excerpt

  1. Thank you for all of your great writings including Interview: Ally Shields (Elvenrude Trilogy Tour), the excerpt and for the giveaway. Keep up the good work in the future.

  2. Thanks for this giveaway contest.

  3. Happy Wednesday! Shared!

  4. Thanks so much for having this great giveaway.

  5. It would be fun to raft the Mississippi

  6. The book sounds really fun and exciting.

  7. Thank you for the chance!

  8. Did you plan a trilogy before you started writing?

  9. Would one marriage really end a feud?

  10. What is your favorite movie?

  11. Thank you for the chance.

  12. Sounds like a great read.

  13. I am excited to read this book. I have added it to my summer TBR list.

  14. Stopping by to share. Enjoy your week!

  15. At what age did you realize that you wanted to be a writer?

  16. What does CIA stand for (I am assuming it is some elite elfin cadre?)

  17. Kameo is an intriguing character. I’ll be excited to read her story.

  18. At first glance, I thought the sister’s name was etsy – like the website. LOL

  19. What is the name of your favorite restaurant?
    Ally Swanson recently posted…Plant a FREE Tree with Paul Mitchell #GreenTakeoverMy Profile

  20. thanks for the giveaway!

  21. Thanks for the giveaway and I hope your book does really well, the story seems awesome!

  22. Hope you are having a fabulous weekend! Looking forward to reading this book!
    Ally Swanson recently posted…Plant a FREE Tree with Paul Mitchell #GreenTakeoverMy Profile

  23. Since the clasp is so important, a description of it would be awesome.

  24. I like the excerpt! I haven’t read anything by this author before.

  25. Stopped by to share post. Have a great Memorial Day

  26. Your trilogy sounds like a fantastic read. I’m adding it to my “to read” list

  27. The Egyptian museum does sound like a cool location

  28. I have a feeling this book about elves will fly off the shelf!

  29. This sounds like an exciting series. I’ll have to read it! 🙂

  30. Thanks for the giveaway!

  31. Thanks for giveaway

  32. Love the cover very badass, the excerpt is also very intriguing whobwants a dead body???

  33. Min pins are cute.

  34. The archaic crack about barefoot and pregnant, exacerbated by no reaction by Kam makes me question the whole premise that she is fighting to escape a male-dominated society. I will concede that a male dominated society might accept that kind of statement, but to have her partner say it and not get a reaction…
    Otherwise, interesting excerpt.

  35. Great interview! I’m really intrigued by these books and will certainly check them out!
    Rachel B recently posted…New Releases – Sabrina YorkMy Profile

  36. Stopped by to share post. Have a great week.

  37. I enjoyed reading the excerpt! Thank you for sharing it. 🙂

  38. Kam and Seth are an interesting couple. This story sounds magical.

  39. Do you travel a lot? If you do, are you inspired by visiting cities or the countryside?

  40. These sound interesting! I’m going to have to get to them soon!

  41. I wonder why someone would want a dead body (I assume dead)

  42. I hope to read this soon, thank you for the reveal! 🙂

  43. I like Tanya Huff’s books too.

  44. I like the color scheme chosen for the covers

  45. Thank you. Sounds interesting.

  46. My daughter would love this series and would make a great birthday present for her.

  47. Wow, this book series sound like such great reads! Can’t wait to check these books out!
    Ally Swanson recently posted…Simply the Best by Various Authors – Book Blast & Giveaway – Enter Daily!My Profile

    • Thanks for stopping, Ally Swanson, and for promoting.

  48. Do you prefer to type or go old school with pen and paper when you are writing?

    • Funny you should ask. I just had elbow surgery, and my crit partner and I were trying to figure out how I could keep working with only one good hand. We ran through several alternatives, but it never occurred to us until much later that I could still write perfectly fine with pen and paper! 🙂 We get so used to technology.

  49. Thanks so much for working to help abused children. That must have been a very hard job, I am sure that I would not be able to control my anger at those horrible people. On a lighter note, I am wonder how I have never heard of this series before! I can’t wait to start reading!

    • Thanks, Amanda. It was a hard job, very stressful, but also rewarding when you could help children who couldn’t help themselves.

  50. Shared post. Thanks for hosting. Have a great week!

    • Thanks for sharing, Sandra. I appreciate that so much!

  51. I have added these books to my TBR list and look forward to reading them!
    Ally Swanson recently posted…No Reason To Hide by P.H. Turner – Book Blast & Giveaway – Enter Daily!My Profile

    • Thanks for adding them. If they make it to the top, I hope you enjoy the read.

  52. Thanks for the introduction to what looks like a great series. And thanks for the giveaway!

    • Thanks for reading and entering the giveaway.

  53. Where do your idea for books come from.

    • My books always start with characters that just seem to pop into my head. I build the plot around what I think that character might get involved in. Thanks for asking!

  54. I’m always looking for exciting new fantasy series. This looks like a great read!

    • I hope you’ll enjoy it! Thanks for commenting.

  55. Shared post. Have a good week.

  56. Love the interview. Thank you for sharing!

    • She asked good questions! Thanks for commenting.

  57. What was the hardest part of writing these books for you?

    • Remembering the details and not leaving unanswered questions is the hardest part of any series, but it wasn’t too bad with only three books in a trilogy. 🙂

  58. What is the hardest part of writing a book for you?

  59. When you finish a book do you get straight into the next one or have a holiday 🙂

    • I take off the rest of that day! 🙂 Then on to the next. Right now I’m working on book two of another series, but I’m already thinking about book three.

  60. Excellent interview! Totally can’t wait to read these books!
    Ally Swanson recently posted…No Reason To Hide by P.H. Turner – Book Blast & Giveaway – Enter Daily!My Profile

  61. This sounds like my kind of read! Have u had any movie deals? 😉

    • No movie deals, although I was contacted by an indie film producer about my Guardian Witch series. That brief excitement ended when they wanted me to write the script. 🙂 Not my area of expertise!

  62. Thanks so much for introducing me to this new-to-me author! I really like the cover designs and was wondering how much of a say you, as the author, had in their creation?

    • I’m very lucky that my publisher gives me any say-so on my covers, many don’t. But there are issues behind the scene that limit what you can do. In fact my most recent book I had to do some minor rewriting to fit the cover. They couldn’t find a model who met the original description. But I have fantastic cover artists!

  63. Thank you for the review

  64. Oh, this sounds steamy… I love it! 🙂

  65. Congrats on the new book and good luck on the book tour!
    Ally Swanson recently posted…No Reason To Hide by P.H. Turner – Book Blast & Giveaway – Enter Daily!My Profile

  66. Thank you for the review. It looks like an interesting trilogy.

  67. this sounds great

  68. Thanks for the giveaway!!!

  69. Thanks for the chance to win!!
    Edye recently posted…Giveaway: 4th Generation DesignsMy Profile

  70. This looks awesome! Any movie deals?

  71. Random question, but what do you like to do for hobbies?

  72. I know I’m gonna really enjoy this read because it involves a female working int he CIA.

  73. I am really enjoying following this tour, thank you!

  74. How has your environment & upbringing colored your writing?

    • Not an easy question because we aren’t always aware of our influences. But I grew up along the Mississippi River and most of my stories are set somewhere along its length and often incorporate the river culture and legends.

  75. interesting little excerpt

  76. Oh those sound exciting! How fun on the grandbabies! I bet they do keep you on your toes 😀
    anna@herding cats & burning soup recently posted…Audio Files– {Irresistible Force by DD Ayres} & {Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs}My Profile

    • Absolutely! And I wouldn’t have it any other way! Thanks for your comments.

  77. Wow. this series sounds awesome. thanks so much for sharing it with us. I’m definitely adding it to my big TBR pile.
    Rachel B recently posted…New Releases – Sabrina YorkMy Profile

  78. Did you always know that you wanted to be an author?

    • I knew from a fairly young age that I wanted to create my own stories. When I was nine, I finished all the Walter Farley horses stories and wanted more. So I wrote my own, entitled Golden King. Fortunately, it has not survived the passage of time. 🙂

  79. I enjoyed reading the excerpt. These books sound like such an interesting and intriguing reads. Looking forward to checking out this book series.
    Ally Swanson recently posted…No Reason To Hide by P.H. Turner – Book Blast & Giveaway – Enter Daily!My Profile

  80. Thanks!

  81. thanks for hosting, good luck with the book

  82. Really great post, this sounds like a great series! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  83. They all sound like great stories. I really enjoyed your comments.

  84. what a really cool cover

    • My cover artists are the best. I’ll pass on your comment.

  85. Sounds like a great read.

    • Hi, Rita. Thanks for stopping. I love talking about my books and characters! 🙂

  86. I have not read this series of books. I do think that they sound good. Thanks for introducing them to me.

    • Thank you for taking time to read about my books!

  87. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SERIES AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

    • Thanks, Shelley. Best of luck in the giveaway!

  88. I’m always interested in how the author aquires inspiration for their books.

    • I think it’s safe to say authors get their inspiration from everywhere! I never imagined how many of my past experiences would end up in print – in one form or another. 🙂

  89. Thanks for Angels Guilty Pleasures for hosting my books! Terrific post!

    • It was my pleasure and thank you for a great interview. It was fun to learn about your books and you.

  90. Looks like a great series. Thanks for the post!

    • Thanks so much for stopping by. This was a fun series to write!

  91. Thanks for sharing 🙂 the books sound interesting and the covers are really cool!

    • I’m so lucky to have wonderful cover artists! Thanks, I’ll pass on your comments.

  92. read the Excerpt thanks for the giveaway

    • Thx for participating. Good luck!

  93. Your book sounds like a fantastic read. I added it to my “to read” list. Thank you for a chance in your giveaway.

    • You’re welcome. Thanks for adding my book to your list!

  94. This book sounds like it be a great read

    • Thank you! It was a pleasure to write…and research! Of course, that included a trip to New Orleans. 🙂

  95. This sounds like an interesting series.

    • Thank you for taking time to read the excerpt!

      • Can we expect any more books in the series?

  96. Have an awesome, fun Wednesday and I appreciate you giving us the chance to win

    • Thanks for stopping by and entering the drawing!

  97. sounds like a great book! 🙂

    • Thank you! Good luck in the drawing!

  98. Interesting post! Interesting that your heroine told you she was a witch! Also interesting is that my son did his thesis on Tolkien!!

    • Wow, a thesis on Tolkien! Must have been fascinating to research. Thanks so much for stopping by this morning and taking time to read about my books!

  99. Thank you for hosting today.

    • It was my pleasure and so much fun to have Ally Shields visit with all of us.

  100. I have a feeling sparks are going to fly between Kameo and Seth. That makes for an exciting read.

    • Let’s just say they don’t have the easiest relationship! 🙂 Thx for commenting.