Dragon Rising, Interview character Lyra

Story blurb:

Clues left by her missing father lead Lyra to a gorgeous, mysterious Caido, a descendent of fallen angels. When she discovers that his brother is also missing, she's determined not to let the exasperating man shut her out.

The last thing Archer needs is an emotional Dragon at his side, especially one whose heat reaches beyond the icy walls he, and all Caidos, erect for good reason. Working together? Smart. Falling in love? Foolish … and inescapable.

Series blurb:

Miami, a city of decadence, sunshine, and Dragons, Angels, and Sorcerers. As humans who hold the essence of ancient gods, Crescents walk the knife's edge between the mundane and the Hidden, a world of dark magick, deadly power, and hot passion.

　

　
Blurb: They are the Hidden. Not quite human. Far from normal. And never, ever safe . . .

After her father falls victim to a serial kidnapper, cunning Dragon shifter Lyra Slade is determined to rescue him. When she discovers a clue to his disappearance that leads her to a sexy but aloof stranger, she knows she shouldn't trust him to help her, but she's run out of options.

Archer Grant, a descendant of fallen angels, is reluctant to aid the beautiful dragon because her evidence implicates his own brother . . . But when his brother also goes missing, Archer must work with Lyra to uncover the truth. But even as a supernatural desire grows between angel and dragon, they are hunted by an evil force. Faced with the deadliest of dark magick, can even love save them?

ABOUT JAIME RUSH: Things that go bump in the night have always fascinated Jaime Rush. Sometimes those things are human; other times, not so much. Now she has twisted them all together in the Hidden, a trilogy about humans with the essence of gods who walk the knife's edge between the glamour of Miami and a place filled with dark magick and dangerous beauty.

Jaime is the author of the Offspring series and also writes under the name Tina Wainscott. She is the bestselling author of eighteen romance novels. She lives in Southwest Florida with her husband, daughter, and cat.


I thought it would be fun to celebrate the e-publication of Dragon Rising by interviewing my intrepid heroine, Lyra. Since I’m about to put her through some pretty tough times, I’ll give her the chance to tell me what she’s about before things get hairy. To give you an idea of what she looks like, I see Lyra as a twenty-something Reese Witherspoon.

[Lyra narrows her eyes.] I like the Reese Witherspoon part, but that ‘pretty tough times’ comment is scaring me. This has something to do with my father being missing?

Jaime: Yeah, sorry about that. But if you’re part of one of my books, darlin’, there’s going to be all kinds of conflict and danger. On the upside, there’s also a lot of sexy romance.

[Lyra waves her hand.] Now you’re just throwing too much at me. First let’s talk about this conflict and danger stuff. And my father. My Pops, he means the world to me. He raised my twin brother Kirin and me after Mom died. We run a bakery together, Pops and I. Though I suppose you know that.

Jaime: I know everything about you.

[Lyra frowns.] Well, that’s just kind of creepy.

Jaime: I did create you, after all. Let’s move past the semantics. I’m supposed to be interviewing you.

Lyra: I know, but I’m still hung up on all that conflict and danger stuff. What’s going on with my pops?

Jaime: That’s for you to find out. It’s your story.

Lyra: It was supposed to be for me and Kirin to find out. But a fat lot of good he is, running around with his ex-girlfriend. And not telling me a damn thing.

Jaime: He has his own mystery to solve, and though it dovetails into your father’s disappearance, it’s his story (Dragon Mine). I have someone much more interesting for you to work with. That’s where the sexy romance part comes in.

[Lyra splays her hand on her chest.] Wait a minute. I’m going to have a sexy romance and save my pops? How is that even possible?

Jaime: Oh, it’s a juggle. But I’ve been doing this for a long time. Trust me, it works.

[Lyra frowns] I don’t deserve a sexy romance. Not after what I did to Kirin’s relationship. I suppose you already know that.

Jaime: You do deserve it. You just have something to work through. That’s the conflict part. The guy involved in that sexy romance has some things to work through, too.

Lyra: I’m not interested in any kind of romance. I’ve got too much going on, and— tell me more about this guy.

Jaime: How do you feel about non-Dragons?

Lyra: I’m totally not interested in a guy who is not a Dragon like me. I need fire. I need passion. Besides, my inner Dragon wouldn’t go for it. [Pause] What is he then? Well, he must be a Deuce. I’ve never been attracted to any of those sorcerer types, unlike my twin. I just can’t imagine falling in love with someone who doesn’t hold the same god essence I do.

Jaime: He’s not a Deuce.

Lyra: He’s not a Mundane, is he? You know it’s against the rules for a Crescent like me to date a regular human. [Rolls eyes] Of course you know; you created the whole world.

Jaime: Yes. Yes, I did. [Feeling supreme satisfaction] So, of course, it’s not a Mundane. You’re forgetting one type of Crescent.

[Lyra’s eyes widen.] A Caido? No. No way. I’ve never even met one of those fallen Angel descendents. They’re snobs, you know. I mean, none of the three types of Crescents really get along, but Caidos hardly leave their ivory towers. They keep to themselves, they’re reclusive, and from what I’ve heard, they are cool. Like in the opposite of heat and passion. Not happening.

Jaime: If you say so.

[Now Lyra narrows her eyes.] You’re up to something. That’s where this conflict comes in, right? You’re going to throw us together, aren’t you? Is he going to help me find my pops?

Jaime: Not willingly.

Lyra: Oh, nice. An unhelpful, cool, Caido. Yeah, I’ll be falling for that. Stop giving me that cat-that-ate-the-canary grin. [Crosses her arms over her chest.] You can’t make me. I may be one of your characters, but I do have a will of my own.

Jaime: That’s what I love about my characters. They surprise me and turn the plot in amazing ways.

Lyra: Okay then. So I can make a choice. Right? This Caido, he’s not going to use the Thrall on me, is he? I know those Angel types have this sort of mesmerizing effect on others. You’re not thinking—or planning— or plotting— that he’s going to seduce me, are you?

[Jaime laughs] Oh, no, he has no intention of doing any seducing. Especially with a Dragon.

[Lyra sighs in relief.] Good. Then there won’t be any of that sexy romance stuff going on between the two of us. You’re giving me that smile again. It scares me. If you do one of those evil villain laughs, I’m out of here.

[Jaime holds back just such a laugh.] You should probably get going anyway. You have a lot to do. Oh, and good luck with that not falling thing. Let me know how that goes.

Giveaway!
2 winners will be chosen, they can have their pick of an E-book copy of  Dragon mine or Dragon Rising. They have to comment, follow our blog, and leave an email. US ONLY and winner will be announced at the end of October.