Elisabeth Naughton, Interview by Michelle M. Pillow (Originally published in Paranormal Underground Magazine)

Elisabeth Naughton, Interview
by Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com

Paranormal romance author, Elisabeth Naughton, left teaching Jr High science to write full time. Her debut release, Stolen Fury, heralded by Publisher’s Weekly as “A rock-solid debut,” was recently nominated for two prestigious RITA awards by Romance Writers of America in the Best First Book category and the Best Romantic Suspense category. She pens novels from her home in western Oregon where she lives with her husband and three children and when she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out at the ball park and daydreaming about new and exciting adventures.

Her latest novel, ENTWINED, book 2 in the Eternal Guardians Series, released in print and ebook July 27, 2010 (ISBN: 9780505528230). It can be found everywhere books are sold.

Please join me in welcoming Elisabeth Naughton!

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In your book, Entwined, you delve into the world of Greek gods and ancient myths. What inspired you to write about this?

Elisabeth:I have always been a huge fan of Greek mythology and the ancient stories. When I was writing STOLEN FURY, my debut release, I spent a lot of time researching mythology for the plot. IN that book, the characters were searching for three ancient Greek relics that depicted the Three Furies, the goddesses of punishment in crime in Greek mythology. When I got done with that book, I knew I wanted to do something else that centered on the ancient stories, and because I’ve always loved the possibility of the paranormal world, I decided to combine the two.

When world building, did you base your story off of known myths throughout history?

Elisabeth:My world is heavily rooted in Greek mythology. The warriors in my books are each descended from one of the great heroes from the ancient myths. Zander, the hero in ENTWINED, is a descendant of the famed hero Achilles. He, like Achilles, is a great warrior who seems to be immortal. He’s lived longer than any of his warrior kin, has watched kings come and go as well as those he loves. He’s been injured just about everywhere a man can be injured, and yet has never taken a mortal wound. But like his forefather Achilles, he has a vulnerability. He just hasn’t found it yet.

What myths or legends inspired you?

Elisabeth:I think all myths inspire me in one way or another. I love reading mythology from any culture. The Aztec myths are fascinating. Irish folklore can keep me awake for hours. And I can easily get lost in the gods and goddesses from ancient Egypt. Historians believe Tolkien pulled from many myths when he created The Lord of the Rings. Someday, I’d love to do that with a series myself.

Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?

Elisabeth: Well, personally, I think people are always fascinated by what they don’t understand. Would I really want to meet a vampire or werewolf on the street? I don’t think so, but the idea those creatures might exist is what intrigues me and many others as well. Human beings by nature are always trying to wrap their minds around things they don’t understand, and the paranormal is one instance where a logical answer just can’t be found, no matter how long you look. And no matter what, someone will always claim they have evidence that will probably leave you guessing even more.

What are your favorite paranormal shows, movies and books?

Elisabeth:I was a HUGE fan of the X-Files before it went off the air. I still watch it in reruns. I also enjoy paranormal romances where, even though I might get scared, I know things are going to work out well in the end.

Do you believe in the supernatural? Or are you a skeptic?

Elisabeth:I used to teach science, and I remember talking to my students about the millions and millions of stars in the universe, and the millions and millions of planets circling those stars. The probability that we are the only planet in the solar system that exists in the life zone of a star is pretty slim. That means the chance that life exists elsewhere, beyond our reach, is highly likely. Do I believe in aliens and little green men? I believe there is a lot I don’t know, and anything is possible.

As for the supernatural right here on earth? Again, I think anything is possible.

Have you ever had a paranormal experience?

Elisabeth:Nothing exciting like a haunted house or being abducted by aliens. Mostly my interaction with the supernatural occurs in those déjà vu moments many of us experience. Something will happen that I could swear already happened, or it’s similar to something I pictured happening. Not entirely sure what that means.

What kind of paranormal creatures do you wish you could meet?

Elisabeth:I would love to meet the characters from my books – descendents rooted in Greek mythology. They look human, act human, are, actually, part human, but have a little something extra as well.

If given the chance, would you become a character from your book?

Elisabeth:No. The hero in ENTWINED has a real issue with being immortal. Looking at the world through his eyes, it wouldn’t be fun to live forever while everyone else around you comes and goes. It would be like that movie Groundhog Day, one day blending into the next with no endpoint in sight.

How would you react if you came face to face with a supernatural being?

Elisabeth:I don’t think I’d believe it. Which means, hey, maybe I’ve already come in contact with something from the supernatural and just don’t know it!

What does the future hold for the Eternal Guardian Series?

Elisabeth:The second book, ENTWINED, released on July 27, 2010 and will be followed by book three TEMPTED in February 2011. I’m contracted for two more books in the series after TEMPTED (currently untitled), but readers can expect them to hit store shelves about every six months.


Learn more about Elisabeth and her work at www.elisabethnaughton.com.Interview by Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com