Interview with Cheyenne McCray

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Cheyenne McCray. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

Yum! Chocolate! Thank you for having me and allowing me to indulge in my favorite treat! I think my slogan should be: “Got Godiva?”

I understand you have a new release out called Dark Magic. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Dark Magic brings my “Magic” series full circle and is filled with intrigue, betrayal, and everything paranormal!

A review from the Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine:
4.5 Stars TOP PICK for DARK MAGIC!

"It's down to the final epic battle in the conclusion of McCray's inspired and magical series. This star-crossed couple faces long odds--both in their war with evil and their fight against destiny. Fans of this blistering series won't be disappointed. McCray does a stellar job layering the danger, passion, and betrayal.” Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine

Dark Magic is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Magic has been the theme of this series and Dark Magic came naturally given all of what happens in this book.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I started out writing fantasy/paranormal in young adult novels in 2000—under a different pseudonym—and my very first book was a fantasy. I just love the imaginary that is made to feel so real that the reader feels like she/he is right there.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

This is the 5th and final book in the “Magic” series. It naturally came full circle with Jake, captain of the Paranormal Special Forces, and Cassia, a gray witch who isn’t what everyone thought she was. She has and incredible legacy and heritage. There is also betrayal among the San Francisco witches. This is the 5th book, but it can be read as a stand-alone. All of the books can.

What are your favorite paranormal research books or sites, and why?

I have so many. I have books on San Francisco (which I have been to many times) books on Wicca and Paganism, information on law enforcement, books with Celtic mythology, and so on. I did a lot of hunting on the internet and also went on research trips.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

I loved writing both Cassia and Jake. Cassia has been very mysterious and no one knows how truly powerful she is. She’s tough but down to earth at the same time.

Jake is hot. He is Captain of the Paranormal Special Forces and knows how to take control and develop mortal ideas to fight the force of immortal evil they face.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and/or world affect your character development?

My characters come to me organically. They’re already in my head and they speak on paper as they would if they were real. They have personalities that bring out the best or the worst in them depending on the situations.

How do you go about building your world if you use one? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

It depends on the book and the world. In the past I used Excel spreadsheets to keep track of characters, etc. in my books. Now I use a fabulous free program from the internet called wikipad. http://wikidpad.sourceforge.net/. There’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you “get it,” it’s terrific.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

James Lee Burke, Elizabeth Lowell, Jayne Ann Krentz, Anna Windsor, Elizabeth Peters, J. K. Rowling and more. It’s hard to think of everyone!

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

That’s hard because I do so much. One of the things my readers love is that I have a book-a-week-giveaway on my chat group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cheys_Fantasies.

In December I’ll be giving away a BOOK-A-*DAY* as a gift to my readers.
I also have subscriber only contests for my newsletter readers. http://www.writerspace.com/contests/cheyennemccray.html
The readers go into a drawing when they join the newsletter, and I also give away books in contests in my once a month newsletter.

What do we have to look forward next?

November 25th is ZACK: Armed and Dangerous. (Romantic Suspense)
February 3rd is THE FIRST SIN: A Lexi Steele Novel (Suspense)
June is DEMONS NOT INCLUDED: A Night Tracker Novel (urban fantasy)
Thanks, Chey!

To celebrate her book release, Cheyenne is offering a free print book of SHADOW MAGIC, the book prior to DARK MAGIC to one lucky commenter on today's blog. Cheyenne had surgery yesterday, so unfortunately will not be around today. But she will be back for the weekend and answer any questions you have posted. Plus everyone who posts today will go into a drawing for SHADOW MAGIC. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cheyenne McCray would give just about anything to run away with Jason Bourne to any foreign country (minus the getting shot at part) or visit an Otherworld realm. Either one, she's so there.Chey is the author of the upcoming “Lexi Steele novels,” a thrilling series filled with suspense and intrigue. Demons not Included will be the first in the exciting new “Night Tracker” urban fantasy series. Cheyenne has three sons, three dogs, a messy house, and she will do anything to get out of cleaning which may be why she writes so much. Visit Chey's website at http://cheyennemccray.com/

Check out author’s website at http://cheyennemccray.com

Buy DARK MAGIC at any local bookstore or your favorite online store.
St. Martin's Press
ISBN-13: 978-0312949594