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* Skye Warren: Author Override
* Narrator Lorelei King: Interview
* Stephanie Tyler: Interview
* Carolyn Crane: Author Override | UTC Review
* J.T. Geissinger: Interview | UTC Review
* Men and Women of the Military Giveaway Hop
* Keri Arthur: Interview | UTC Reviews

Monday 4 June 2012

Author Override: Larissa Ione

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.

Riding Redemption

First of all, I want to thank Francesca for having me! I had the pleasure of meeting her this year, and she's as lovely in person as she is online. Okay, sure, she tried to get me drunk, but hey, that's part of her charm! *g*

Okay, so...I just had a book release! Lethal Rider, the third book in the Four Horsemen/Lords of Deliverance series came out on May 22nd, and I couldn't be more excited.

And nervous.

Oh, sure, every release is nervewracking for an author, but I have to say that this one has made me an especially crazy basketcase. Why? Well, if you read Immortal Rider and know what happened between Lethal Rider's hero, Thanatos, and the heroine, Regan, you can probably figure out why I'm stressed.

See, out of all of my books, Immortal Rider is the one that brought me the most hate mail. I had a feeling it might happen, but I underestimated the ferocity of some of it.

So why did I write a scene I knew was going to be extremely sensitive and controversial, and that would possibly make readers hate Regan?

It's because I love the challenge of redeeming characters. Well, that's not exactly true. I guess it's more that I like writing characters who aren't what they seem, and I always hope that readers will trust me to reveal the truth behind all the frayed layers. Because the thing is, what readers saw during that particular scene isn't what it appeared to be on the surface. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

There are some characters in the series who are more than the sum of their evil acts. And there are characters who aren't as good as they seem to be. Still other characters will find out that who they are isn't who they thought they were.

So yes, I love writing characters who either aren't what they seem to be, or who need desperately to be redeemed. And Regan was a tough one, because she truly believed that she needed to seduce Thanatos in order to save the world. There's often a fine line between good guy and bad guy...I mean, there are those who would call Navy SEALs bad guys because they sometimes have to make hard decisions that risk innocent lives for the ultimate greater good. We don't want to know about it, and we're glad THEY are doing it instead of us.

That's what Regan did. She set about to do something reprehensible in order to save billions of lives. As a warrior conditioned from birth, she didn't think she'd have a problem doing it, but as she got to know Thanatos, her guard started to come down. But before she could back out of the plan, things went very, very wrong. Now, in Lethal Rider, she has to come to grips with the reality of what happened and somehow make things right.

Did she do that? Can she achieve redemption? And then there's Reseph, whose Seal broke, turning him into an evil bastard known as Pestilence. His vile deeds have rocked the world on a scale never before seen. And what about Harvester, the Horsemen's evil Watcher? That fallen angel isn't exactly a puppies and rainbows kind of girl, and who can forget that she cut off Reaver's wings? (Hint: there's a little insight into her character in the short story included in the Lords of Deliverance Compendium...available in ebook format from most e-tailers.)

Redemption. It's one of my favorite romance themes, and I can't think of anything more satisfying than when an author takes a character I didn't think I'd like and turns him into a hero I'd like to bring home and chain to my...er, we'll not go there. But you can!

They're here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Born of a match between good and evil, four siblings stand between hell's minions and everything they want to destroy. They are the Lords of Deliverance, and they have the power to ward off Doomsday...or let it ride...

LETHAL RIDER

Thanatos, the most deadly Horseman of the Apocalypse, has endured thousands of years of celibacy to prevent the end of days. But just one night with the wickedly sexy Aegis Guardian, Regan Cooper, shatters centuries of resolve. Yet their passion comes with a price. And Thanatos must face a truth more terrifying than an apocalypse-he's about to become a father.

Demon-slayer Regan Cooper never imagined herself the maternal type, but with the fate of the world hanging in the balance she had no choice but to seduce Thanatos and bear his child. Now, as the final battle draws closer and his rage at being betrayed is overshadowed by an undeniable passion for the mother of his child, Thanatos has a life-shattering realization: To save the world, he must sacrifice the only thing he's ever wanted-a family.

Who is your favorite romance character -- male or female -- who went through a massive redemption? Answer in the comments for a chance to win a copy of Lethal Rider + a Demonica/LOD tote bag and swag! Be sure to leave your email address in the comment so we can contact you if you win.

48 comments:

Tyraa said...

I love a character that has to redeem himself and when its something amazing when an author can pull it off. Lothaire in the IAD series is probably who I'd choose.

molly.frenzel said...

I just gotta say that Larissa Ione is one of my absolute favorite authors. My favorite character that went through a massive redemption is Wraith from Passion Unleashed. He was so buck, you never expected him to find a mate and I love that you never know what's gonna come outta his mouth.

molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com

Barbara E. said...

I love Lucien, inhabited by the demon of death, from Gena Showalter's The Darkest Kiss, although all of the Lords of the Underworld go through a massive redemption before they get to claim their mate.

Barbed1951 at aol dot com

RachaelM said...

I love Larrissa Ione and all her books. There are many of her characters that go through a transformation/redemption. I can't wait for Reseph's book to read about his redemption. There is just something about a bad boy who changes his ways and becomes a better person for all that his went through.

Thanks for the giveaway.

Neyra said...

I love the Lords and I love Larissa's characters, but if I had to choose, I'd take Zarek of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series. He was the most shattered, the most psychotic, the most sadistic. How does he redeem himself? He finds love in the one woman who chose to look past his defenses, Astrid. Whom, ironically was sent to see if he could be redeemed or not. I just loved Dance with the Devil, Zarek's story will stay with me forever, and I don't care how cheesy that sounds :P Lol

darkestaddictions@yahoo.com

JessS said...

I do love the redemption of a hero in romances, but I can't think of any specific ones at the moment! Someone above mentioned Lucien, whom I really loved, and a lot of Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld have to be redeemed.
Is the giveaway international??

jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com

mrsworldwidewebb said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mrsworldwidewebb said...

Okay...I had to think and I do believe that I love JR Ward's Z character that was redeemed from an awful past. He was the first one I fell in love with.. I love Larissa's books and I do love Lethal Rider! Read the book in 2 days but still want to win :) My email is mrsworldwidewebb@cox.net

BlackwaterMama said...

I love tormented men who their women save! LOL. It is really hard for me to say just one character is my favorite. I'm a bookaholic so I have read a LOT of books. One of my most recent is Thantos. I absolutely fell in love (lust) with him and his sotry. Thanks Larissa for creating such wonderful characters that we all love and hate!

Francesca said...

I'm cracking up over that pirate in the background, LOL

Ann

Kassandra said...

What started me reading Larissa's work was the dynamic between Tayla and Eidolon in Pleasure Unbound. The growth that Tayla goes through in the book and the things she has to accept about herself as well as her past was quite a journey to read. The amount of pain that both her and Eidolon have to overcome to be together is gut wrenching at times but so damn worth it!!

sionedkla@gmail.com

Joanne said...

I would say Dragos from Thea Harrison's Dragon Bound. You never expect Dragos to try to be good and fall in love and bond with a human, but Pia brings out the best in him.
Thanks for the giveaway.

elizabeth said...

I would have to say Zsadist from the Blackdagger Brotherhood. Could throw in Phury, too, as it was a personal redemption.

Elizabeth Gray
elizabethgr@sbcglobal.net

June M. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Ohh Elizabeth ^^ those were good choices. Z and Phury I absolutely love. But I think Regan was one of my favorite heroine redemption's. I loved Lethal Rider.

jeneseleon@gmail.com

http://readersconfession.blogspot.com

June M. said...

I love all of Larissa's characters. My favorite is Wraith, a sexy half-demon/half-vampire who went through great changes in his story. He had such a tortured background and because of this he became a pretty hard man. He started out so sure that he could do whatever it took to save his life, without thought to others. But once he met Serena, he changed so much.

Although the scene with Regan & Than was hard, I don't think it affected me like it did so many others. I loved the book and knew that the story would be resolved in LETHAL RIDER. Can't wait to read more of these terrific stories :)
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

Danni T said...

Love Larissa's books. I've got to agree with some other people and say Zsadist. I absolutely loved his book. He went from such a badass who couldn't touch anyone but in the end he tried to change himself for love.

danni0113(at)gmail(dot)com

felinewyvern said...

I love Larissa's books but the redeemed hero at the top of my list is from Sherrilyn Kenyon and he's Zarek from her Dark Hunter series:D

Unknown said...

Cool!!! I love, love Larissa and I adore all of her characters, but when it comes to redemption I have to say it hasn't been written yet, but I already know for sure that she will use her magic to turn Roseph around to make him one my favorite redeemed heroes.
As in now my favorite has to be Z for BDB.
You guys look great!

Maria D. said...

I love Larissa's books and already have a copy of this book so no need to enter me in the contest. Good post.

DhesiX said...

Oh good question... i have to say... Lucien from Blood Moon Trilogy by
Karin Tabke.

But i have a feeling, Reseph will take the lead...

rea0903(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I can't even answer that question. There are just to many. I love all of Larissa's books...

Hoping Reseph will take the lead by the end of the year.

Ashley

Smartmouthtexan(at)hotmail(dot)com

erin said...

Thanks for a great post and giveaway! I'm so excited cuz a friend just lent me this entire series! So now I can finally catch up and not be the only one whose hasn't read Larissa's books... lol...

Ummm... I'm terrible at questions like these, I can't think of anyone and I read *alot*... the only one that pops into my mind is Spike from Buffy... not a book... but he was the epitome of a villain/bad guy who found redemption albeit reluctantly and not by his choice at first :)

efender1(at)gmail(dot)com

Barbara said...

I LOVE Larissa's books and I agree redemption is one of my fave themes too. I'd have to say J.R. Ward's Zsadist is the redemption character that sent my heart into overdrive. That such a tortured and dangerous man held that kind of untapped, tender and overwhelming love for his woman and daughter...when he finally accepted them...was truly a beautiful thing to behold. He made me cry.

barbbattaglia @ yahoo.com

Di said...

I don't think I've read about a character who has gone thru a huge redemption. Perhaps just a recognition of what they want & deserve in life. I haven't read any of Larissa's books yet, but I'd like to try one.
sallans d at yahoo dot com

LilyElement said...

I think I would have to choose Zsadist from the Blackdagger Brotherhood series. Thanks for having the contest!

lilyelement(at)gmail(dot)com

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

I thought of Z from the BDB as well! I think that was a huge transformation!
books (dot) things (at) yahoo (dot) com

laceyblossom said...

I have to agree with a lot of people and say Zsadist from the BDB series! I love Larissa's Demonica series and I have yet to read The Lords of Deliverance series, but I can't wait to start!
laceyblossom1@gmail.com

Jennifer @ The Book Nympho said...

Sin from Sin Undone. She was a deadly killer that turned into a kick ass heroine.

thebooknympho AT gmail DOT com

Miss Vain's Paranormal Fantasy said...

Zsadist!!! I love that tortured hero so much!!!!
Thanks for the giveaway girlies!! Great picture too btw.

Thanks Annie Girl for the heads up! XOXO

Ezinwanyi said...

I think Sin from Sin Undone is a character that redeemed herself. I also think Rehvenge from the BDB series was an unlikeable character that I ended up liking.

Larissa Ione is definitely one of the best writers in this genre and I have enjoyed every single Demonica & LOD book so far.

If she can pull it off, Reseph would be the character who has done the most to redeem himself. I don't know how she will do it because I still associate Reseph with Pestilence. So I hope she really works more on the dichtomy.

Chinyere E.
ezinwanyi1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Timitra said...

Zsadist hands down!!!


taccb_1981@yahoo.com

Julianne said...

Alex Walker in Borne Vampires III: Wulf's Redemption. It's a fantastic read with lots of emotion and turmoil and love and redemption and some surprises. I love this series.
luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

Carol L. said...

It's going to be Zsadist from the BDB. The torture and agony he went through and survived stole into the depths of my heart. :)
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

Mary Preston said...

Z from the BLACKDAGGER BROTHERHOOD series comes immediately to mind.

I love Larissa's books.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

sienny said...

z from BDB for me too.

smile_1773@yahoo.com

Alina P said...

Lothaire from Immortals after dark series! I kind of liked him before, when he was this mysterious evil dude who kind of did whatever he wanted, ignoring all the consequences. I can't say he cares much now either, but there is that one person who he'll do anything for, disregarding his own skin.


I loved reading LI thoughts about redeemable characters, and I knew even before I read Than's book that she'll make everything right.

alinutza4u2004(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk

Book Savvy Babe said...

Favorite romance character? man, that's tough, but i'm gonna have to go with my tried and true choice... Barrons from the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning. What can I say, he's more bad than good, and I love him for it... Book Savvy Babe
booksavvybabe at gmail dot com

my4sons said...

Argh..so hard to choose! I really like Zhadist from Ward..the way his character developed by the end of his book..holy hannah! I was a mess..and Granny Smith apples will never look the same!
I cannot wait for Reseph's book! He's just sooo evil..but can just feel his character wanting/needing to be different.

Adria's Musings said...

I'm going to have to go with Lothaire in the Immortals After Dark series even though I don't think he's completely reformed. But that's what makes them memorable right?

Adria
adria(.)rose_03(at)yahoo(.)com

Jen B. said...

I love Zarek from the Dark Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Of course, I loved him as a psycho too! jepebATverizonDOTnet

Emily said...

The only one I can really think of right now is Jacob from Twilight and that's more personal. I absolutely hated Jake in the first book yet after the other 3 books and the movies, I love him to death right now and am totally Team Jacob.

Think about it, in the first book, he's a brat, a little kid with a crush. And to see him maturing and facing hard decisions in the future books...seeing the boy become a man? Totally sexy.

tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com

Proserpine said...

Hi! Thanks for this chance! As Barbara E. mentioned: Lucien (keeper of the demon of Death) from Gena Showalter's The Darkest Night was one of my faves Male Character! I love the way he acted in presence of her mate before and after he realize that he needed Ashlyn!

proserpinecravedfor(at)hotmail(dot)com

SdyLion said...

I love Tegan from Midnight Breed series and him and Elise bith have what I consider massive redemptions in the story that Lara Adrian weaves for them. It is one of my favovorite books in the series. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com

mcv said...

I've also got to go with Zsadist from BDB!
I've heard good things about Larissa, but I haven't read anything of hers yet. I've definitely been missing something!
mcv111 at hotmail(dot)com

Sheree said...

Hm, Rhevenge comes to mind. Hard to top a drug dealer and pimp who earns his HEA.

ironss [at] gmail [dot] com

Phyllis M said...

Larissa is a new author to me. I mean I have heard so many good things about her over the years, but had so many authors I already read, didn't think I could add any more. Yeah, that went over well. I went out and bought the entire Demonica series and the first two books in The Lords of Deliverance series! Now I hope to get to them before the end of the summer...

For me, a character that went through an incredible transformation was Razvan, from Christine Feehan's Dark books. In 'Dark Slayer' we see the culmination of that change. I just loved how he went from evil to redeemed, and everything that brought him to that point. He was still scared, still had done very bad things, but his emergence to the 'good' side was realistic, not corny. Which speaks to what Larissa was saying about the challenge in redeeming a character that has done some seriously hateful stuff. I love to read about that and understand the need to write those very characters.
Thank you for this great giveaway!!

brandypm(at)optonline(dot)net

Darlene said...

I'd have to go with one of the brothers from The Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward. Zsadist is my fave :)

Thanks for the giveaway!

darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com