Fresh Interview | SPI Time: Lisa Shearin Talks THE DRAGON CONSPIRACY

Urban fantasy author Lisa Shearin discusses her latest book with Features Editor Pasha Carlisle in another Fresh Interview!

Pasha: Welcome, Lisa! Thanks for joining us today. Your urban fantasy series is centered around the Supernatural Protection & Investigations agency, also known as SPI. The debut novel in the series, THE GRENDEL AFFAIR, was described as Men In Black meets Janet Evanovich. What fantastical thrills can we expect in the second installment of the series, THE DRAGON CONSPIRACY?

Lisa: Seven cursed diamonds—collectively known as the Dragon Eggs—are stolen from a gala opening night exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art by three harpies that, moments before the robbery, were just another statue in the exhibit. In the hands of the right gem mage, the diamonds have the power to “cure” the supernaturals of the tristate area—but for many older vampires and werewolves, that means turning into dust. Mac and her fellow agents have only 24 hours to find the diamonds and prevent a massacre and save New York’s supernatural community.

Pasha: This series takes place in a magic-infested Manhattan, giving it a distinct flair of urban fantasy. What first attracted you to writing this genre?

Lisa: I’ve always loved the idea of mages, magic, and fantastical creatures existing alongside the world we know and live in. There’s just so much potential for fun and adventure-filled stories.

Pasha: We love the concept of SPI. What were some of your inspirations while creating this agency?

Lisa: I mainly read paranormal thrillers or thrillers with an unknown element that could be supernatural. I absolutely adore James Rollins, David Golemon, Greig Beck, and Jeremy Robinson. And I’m a huge fan of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child’s Agent Pendergast series. And I love the idea of a secret organization that knows that supernatural beings exist, and their job is to protect us from them—and them from us.

Pasha: When you aren’t writing about cursed Dragon Eggs and the battle for supernatural safety, what do you enjoy doing?

Lisa: I’ll be writing three books this year: THE BRIMSTONE DECEPTION (SPI Files #3), a new Raine Benares novel (Raine & Mychael’s wedding is in this one—and the expected chaos that will go along with it), and the first book in a Tamnais Nathrach series. This will be the first time I’ve written from a male POV. So . . . it’s not like I have a lot—or really any—free time. Thankfully, I love what I do. Being a writer is the best job in the world. Period. That being said, my husband Derek and I do enjoy antiquing. He’s into mid-century modern, and I collect (and use) vintage fountain pens, tea pots, and tea cups/saucers. And as a writer, I’m also a stay-at-home mom to three retired racing greyhounds ranging in age from 3 to 13. That keeps me more than busy.

Pasha: Thank you for joining us today, and we look forward to reading the new stories you have in store for us! We have one last question. Fresh Fiction Readers want to know: What’s on your to-read list?

Lisa: James Rollins has the third book in his Order of the Sanguines series, Blood Infernal, coming out. And David Golemon has the latest Event Group thriller, The Mountain, in August. But right now, in preparation for writing new books in my Raine Benares series, I’m re-reading all six of my Raine books. Since I haven’t read any of them since I wrote them, I’m able to enjoy them from a fresh viewpoint.

I’m also starting a monthly newsletter to keep readers up-to-date with publication dates, writing progress, contests, and more. Anyone who would like to be added to the distribution list, just send me an email at [email protected] with your name and email address, and I’ll sign you up.

Thanks again to Lisa for being our guest! Readers, dare to investigate beyond the natural: Buy your copy of THE DRAGON CONSPIRACY today!

About THE DRAGON CONSPIRACY

We’re Supernatural Protection & Investigations, known as SPI. We battle the real monsters of myth and legend, but this Halloween, we’re searching for diamonds.

A gala opening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art has attracted the upper crust of Manhattan—and thieves. A trio of vile harpies attacks the crowd and steals the stars of the exhibition: a colorful cluster of seven cursed diamonds known as the Dragon Eggs.

In the right mage’s hands, each stone can pack a magical wallop. Together they have the power to “cure” the supernaturals of the tristate area—but for many of those vampires and werewolves, that means turning into dust.

I’m Makenna Fraser, a seer for SPI. With the help of my partner, Ian, and the other agents, I have twenty-four hours to prevent total global panic, find the diamonds, and save the supernatural community. No biggie...