BooksChatter: ℚ♫ Lies Ripped Open: The Hellequin Chronicles [5]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Steve McHugh to talk about Lies Ripped Open (25 August 2015, 47North, 530 pages) a Urban Fantasy, book five of The Hellequin Chronicles.

Author Q&A | Synopsis | Teaser | The Series | About the Author | Giveaway & Tour Stops

Hello Steve, welcome to BooksChatter.

First things first... here at BooksChatter we love music ... Do you have a music playlist that you used whilst writing Lies Ripped Open?

"The music I listened to during not only Lies Ripped Open, but most of my work, are things like Two Steps From Hell, Tyler Bates, Henry Jackman, Darren Korb, Joe Hisaishi, Martin O’Donnell & Michael Salvatori.
No particular albums, just a collection of their work."

What was the inspiration for Lies Ripped Open?

"Lies Ripped Open is the basically the book where a lot of answers about Nate’s past are given, but it’s also where a lot of new questions get asked. It was the story I needed to tell to take Nate and his friends to the next stage of the series."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"There’s always some of me reflected in the book, my sarcastic, smart-assed side is definitely in there."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Lies Ripped Open - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"The artist is Eamon O’Donoghue. When I was first picked up by my publisher 47North, they told me I’d be working with Eamon, who just happened to be a friend of mine of many years who lives a few miles from me.

I chose the concept because each of the books in the series has something to do with the flashbacks to Nate’s past that sit inside the main story. The cover shows an old adversary of Nate."

Why should we read Lies Ripped Open and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"I write fun, action-packed, adventure stories about a sorcerer who kicks ass and throws around magic, while also having a slightly skewed moral viewpoint. He’s willing to do some pretty nasty things to people in his way.

I think my books are a fun read with interesting characters and some pretty crazy action scenes. And they also weave actual mythology from various beliefs with a modern day setting, and the gods, goddesses and monsters might not be quite as people know from their original stories."

Who would you recommend Lies Ripped Open to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"I’d recommend this to anyone who like fast-paced, action-adventure stories, or those who enjoy fantasy or urban fantasy.

There’s quite a bit of swearing and violence, so if you’re easily offended by either of those, these books aren’t for you."

If you could / wished to turn Lies Ripped Open and the The Hellequin Chronicles series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"I’ve no idea. The only person I ever thought of was Anthony Starr, who plays Lucas Hood in Banshee, would make a great Nate.

I think it would make a better TV series than movie, although it would have to be handled by someone who could do justice to the action and magic throughout."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I write books that I’d like to read. After that, it’s pretty much up for whatever comes to mind. The Hellequin Chronicles are Urban Fantasy, but I’ve got an epic fantasy and an sci-fi series in the work, as well as a thriller that contains no magic at all. I read fantasy, sci-fi, urban fantasy, thrillers, and horror. I tend to bounce around those genres the most, dipping out every now and then when someone recommends me something that sounds great."

What is your writing process?

"I sit at my desk and start typing. I wish I had something more exciting for it, but it’s really that simple. Go to office, sit down, get on with it. Anything else and I start seeing shiny things that interest me."

What is in store next?

"I have plans for several more Hellequin Chronicles books, and will be working on 6 soon, which will take place in London, as well as a spin off about Kasey Carpenter (the half werewolf daughter of Nates’s best friend Tommy). I’m currently writing a fairly epic sci-fi story and then who knows after that."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?