Author Override: Amanda Bonilla

 

Author Override is the place where authors take the reins and take you on a journey into their world. Some may allow you into their private writing dens. Others may take you along with them on research trips or interviews. Whatever the case may be, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride because here you’ll get an in-depth look into an author’s musings.

Today we are thrilled to have debut Urban Fantasy author, Amanda Bonilla here with us today! For more information on Amanda and her stellar series, please check out her website here. Without further ado, take it away, Amanda!

Thanks so much to Under the Covers for hosting me on my blog tour today! You guys have the best blog banner. Too sexy!

(Thanks!)

One of my favorite characters in the Shaede Assassin world is Levi. Seattle’s resident bartender is as human as they come, but there’s nothing mundane about Levi. He’s chocked full of supernatural knowledge and he’s got connections that go way beyond the average bartender. Levi’s tip jar is always full thanks to his all-American good looks, and preppy, college-boy wardrobe. But there’s more to Levi than just a gorgeous face and a flirty smile. He’s connected, and he knows about all of the heavy-hitters in the supernatural world.

Amanda: *Blushes at Levi’s million-watt, flirty smile* Hey Levi, thanks for letting me interview you today! Out of everyone in Seattle, you seem to be the guy to talk to.

Levi: No problem. I don’t mind talking, but I don’t work for free.

Amanda: Um, yeah. You got my check…right?

Levi: *winks* We’re good.

Amanda: How does a cute preppy guy like you end up in this line of work, anyway? Not the bartending... I mean, how did you become a walking, talking supernatural encyclopedia?

Levi: The cool thing about working at a bar is that I have plenty of opportunities to observe people when they might not realize anyone is watching. If you pay close attention, you’ll see some crazy shit after a while. Bartenders don’t just serve drinks, you know. Alcohol has a way of loosening lips. And when I’m behind the bar, people tend to open up. After a while, you get a pretty good bead on who’s human, and who might be “other”. Folks usually tell me when they’re looking for something: be it information or a person, place, thing… Whatever it is, I usually know how to get it. I like to think of what I do as a community service. The only difference is, I’m not running a charity. Information comes with a price.

Amanda: So that’s it? You have the inside track on the supernatural population of Seattle just because you’re a good listener?

Levi: Well, that, and I dated a smokin’ hot witch who was pretty high up in one of the local covens for a few years. I learned a lot about the supernatural from her.

Amanda: I always sort of figured you worked for some super-secret organization with all of the inside knowledge you have.

Levi: *grins*

Amanda: Okaaay… Moving on. What did you think of Darian the first time you met her?

Levi: Darian’s cool. She pays good, too. Took her a while to open up, though. She started coming in to The Pit about five years ago. The same time she started hanging with Tyler. She keeps to herself, mostly. It took a year or two before she’d even make eye contact with me. Sort of cracked me up, you know. She’d slink around, acting all inconspicuous. She didn’t think anyone could tell there was something just a little off with her. But I pay attention. Inconspicuous sort of sticks out in a bar. Shaedes have this look… I don’t know how to describe it. It’s almost like shadows cling to them when they walk by. Magnetic. I used to think she was a total ice queen, but she’s thawing out. Darian’s not shy, she just doesn’t trust anybody. She gives off this “back-off” vibe. Helps to keep people at arm’s length.

Amanda: Wow. Sounds like you know a lot about Darian.

Levi: Nah. Like I said, I’m just really observant.

Amanda: You work for Tyler, don’t you? Seriously, you have to work for someone in “the know”.

Levi: Next question.

Amanda: *sighs* All right, what can you tell us about Seattle’s supernatural community?

Levi: To be honest, there wasn’t much of one until about six months ago. When the Shaede nation uprooted and made Seattle their home base, the population of supernaturals in the area exploded. But supes have a tendency to do that. They get bored where they are after a hundred or so years and put down roots somewhere new. Seattle has quite an assortment: Shaedes, Lyhtans, Sylphs, Fae of all kinds, Sidhe, a few demons, shifters… Pretty much anything you can think up. They’re good at keeping themselves hidden, though. So unless you’re really looking, you won’t even notice them.

Amanda: Speaking of Lyhtans, they freak me out. Don’t you ever worry about running across one?

Levi: Lyhtans are nasty. I definitely wouldn’t want to tangle with one. They use the venom in their teeth to turn their prey’s insides into mush and then they just slurp it out. My advice: if you’re walking around the city after dark, try to stay out in the open and avoid any dark alleys.

Amanda: What about during the day?

Levi: Lyhtans can make themselves invisible in sunlight. Best to be on guard all the time.

Amanda: Well, you’ve certainly given me a lot to think about. Like, wearing a suit of armor everywhere I go to ward off Lyhtan bites. And since I suspect I’ve asked about as many questions as I could afford answers to, I’ll end with one last question: Do you have any idea what’s in store for Darian in the future?

Levi: I can’t say for sure. There’s been talk…and since I keep my ear to the ground, I do know that she’s usually in way over her head. The thing about Darian is that she thinks she’s hiding out below the radar, but I don’t think she realizes that there’s always someone who’s paying attention. I like her, but Darian is too big for her britches. She’s going to have to learn how to ask for help. If she doesn’t, I have a feeling all hell’s gonna break loose.

Amanda: Thanks for stopping by and answering my questions, Levi. Hope to see you around.

Levi: You’ll see me around. As long as the supes stay in Seattle, I’ll be making a buck.

Amanda: Gotta keep your closet stocked with Abercrombie and Fitch, huh?

Levi: *smiles* You know it.

10/30 – Spooky Legends Blogfest with Dark Faerie Tales 
11/14 – Wicked Little Pixie
11/23 – Book Chick City 
11/29  – Manga Maniac Café
11/30 - Full Moon Bites
12/1 – Seeing Night Reviews 
12/2 - Literary Escapism
12/5 – Paperback Dolls 
12/6 (Release Day!) – My Bookish Ways 
12/8 – Rabid Reads 
12/9 – All Things Urban Fantasy 
12/12 – The Qwillery 
12/13 - Lovin' Me Some Romance
12/14 – Michelle’s Book Blog 
12/15 - Smexy Books
12/16 - Dark Faerie Tales
12/19 – Book Lovers, Inc.
12/20 - Urban Girl Reader
12/21 -  Bad Ass Book Reviews
12/22 - Fangtastic Books
12/23 – Under the Covers

Amanda Bonilla would  love to know:  

If you could interview any fictional character, who would it be?

She's giving away a copy of her debut novel Shaedes of Gray to a lucky follower.
Open to US/Canada only.

In the shadows of the night, Darian has lived alone for almost a century. Made and abandoned by her former love, Darian is the last of her kind-an immortal Shaede who can slip into darkness as easily as breathing. With no one else to rely on, she has taught herself how to survive, using her unique skills to become a deadly assassin. 

When Darian's next mark turns out to be Xander Peck, King of the Shaede Nation, her whole worldview is thrown into question. Darian begins to wonder if she's taken on more than her conscience will allow. But a good assassin never leaves a job unfinished...

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