Guest Author Interview: Seleste Delaney

Please welcome today's guest author Seleste Delaney!  Seleste is the author of The Ghost of Vampire Present, Of Course I Try, and steampunk novel Badlands.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Seleste:  The easy answer is when I could hold a pencil, but I started writing seriously in 2007 when I found my writing group. I haven't stopped since.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Seleste:   I've always been attracted to things that are speculative in nature. Most of the stories I wrote as a little girl featured talking dogs. It was a natural progression as I grew up to move on to horror, and once it took off as a genre, paranormal. Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire was the book that probably most set me on this path, but there have been so many authors along the way whose work has inspired me that I can't even be certain about that.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Seleste:   Right now? The ability to slow down time. I have so many stories to tell and not enough hours in the day to accomplish that and everything else I need and want to do.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Seleste:  Badlands is actually a departure from the supernatural for me. It's a steampunk/alt-history romance, but it still has the attitude of my other work. I don't like to play it safe, not even in a romance, and I think that's one thing readers value about me and my work. So, it's the same me, just a new world with more toys than talents. Plus, Ever is my favorite heroine of all the ones I've written. She's kick ass and take names and who cares if someone finds the bodies. I really love that about her.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Seleste:  I am an author who needs visuals, so I "cast" my characters as I write.
Ever = Peyton List (Ever was inspired by a piece of artwork, and Peyton looks so much like the model it's a little scary. Plus from what I've seen of her, she could pull off the attitude.)
Spencer = Ian Somerhalder (Spencer isn't supposed to be a really big muscley guy, but he is strong, and he has a very haunted look. That's something Ian pulls off perfectly.)
Henrietta = Scarlett Johansson (Henri is the buxom blonde with a brain. Really? Is there anyone else?)
Zeke = scruffy/Blade3 Ryan Reynolds (Zeke was a tough one for me, but the moment I saw Ryan in Blade with the scraggly beard and messy hair and muscles...he was all Zeke. He just needs the Texas accent.)

Badlands by Seleste DeLaney

After a brutal Civil War, America is a land divided. As commander of her nation's border guards, Ever is a warrior sworn to protect her country and her queen. When an airship attacks and kills the monarch, Ever must infiltrate enemy territory to bring home the heir to the throne, and the dirigible Dark Hawk is her fastest way to the Union.  Captain Spencer Pierce just wants to pay off the debt he owes on the Dark Hawk and make a life for himself trading across the border. When the queen's assassination puts the shipping routes at risk, he finds himself Ever's reluctant ally.

As they fly into danger, Ever and Spencer must battle not only the enemy but also their growing attraction. She refuses to place her heart before duty, and he has always put the needs of his ship and crew above his own desires. Once the princess is rescued, perhaps they can find love in the Badlands— if death doesn't find them first.


Thank you Seleste for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about Seleste DeLaney and her books, please visit her website.