The Dark-Hunter Companion was released during the holiday season of 2007, which meant that most of 2006 for me was the Age of the Dark-Hunter. I spent over twelve months immersed in Sherrilyn Kenyon’s dark world of paranormal romance, mining so deep I inadvertently tapped into a greater, older, elemental evil known as the Author’s Twisted Mind.

There’s a saying in the genre world: those of us who know where the cabin is know where the bodies are buried. Being one of the latter, I can confirm that this statement is almost-definitely-partially true.

Under the guise of helping her with the massive preparations for The Year of Acheron, I followed Sherri up to her cabin, plied her with Starbucks, and pinned her down long enough to get her to answer some personal questions…and even squeezed out a confession or two.

I spare no expense when it comes to my Subterranean family.

Alethea: All right. So what’s up with your unnatural obsession with Sephiroth from Final Fantasy?

Sherri: LOL I LOVE HIM!! He’s evil to the core and mean and vicious. What’s not to adore? But seriously, he reminds me SO much of my Nykyrian character from the League series that I wrote back in the 1980’s and early 90’s (even their wardrobe is similar). An incomparable disenfranchised soldier who was made into a fighter against his will, angry at the world out to do it harm… It’s so Nyk and so me LOL.

Alethea: You have SO many books, how do you keep your characters all straight? Do you ever forget which ones you’ve written about and which you haven’t?

Sherri: Yes and no. I usually remember if I’ve written them into the stories, but not exactly WHAT I wrote. There are times when I think something was put into a book that later I realize is only in my head. Oops!

As for keeping them straight, I think it’s why I can’t remember where I put things like my car keys. My brain is so cluttered with character info that unnecessary details-like where I put the banana I was just eating- gets lost.

Alethea: Did you have any imaginary friends as a child?

Sherri: Absolutely. Nykyrian and Rachol and the Acheron prototype were my buddies as a kid. Seriously. I played with my characters all throughout my childhood. It’s weird how many of those early playmates went on to have their own books.

Alethea: Okay, tell me all about your Mustang. (I’ll pretend to understand…) The pretty one with the red leather interior. That one’s my favorite.

Sherri: MY BABY! Tiffany. She’s a classic convertible 1964½ 289 4 speed with factory air. Total frame-off restoration that was born May 8, 1964 in Dearborn, Michigan (the car, not the restoration). And she’s Wimbledon White with red interior. Award-winning car. Yeah, I am a happy gear head LOL. And no, my hubby isn’t allowed near her since every time he touches my baby something falls off.

I’ve loved Mustangs all my life courtesy of my older brother who had a 1966 that we rode around in. I’ve wanted to own Tiffany my entire life. She really was a hard treasure to find. We were looking for a car that was in good enough shape to restore and preserve. Seventeen years after I started my quest to find her, she turned up on eBay and she’s now one of my proudest possessions.

Alethea: Have you ever been tempted to say, “Screw all this testosterone. I want to write chick lit.”

Sherri: Um, no Not that there’s anything wrong with Chick Lit- I love to read it, but I love my testosterone characters. I think it’s because I grew up surrounded by boys and men and am currently raising 3 sons.

Alethea: How cool are your fans?

Sherri: THE BEST! Cool doesn’t even begin to describe them. Male and female, they are wonderful and diverse. I’ve never seen anything like it. They’re willing to drive hours (or even fly in from other countries) to see me at signings. And I treasure every one of them.

Alethea: How patient is your husband?

Sherri: More so than I deserve most days. The man has put up with me since I was a teenager and he’s still here. That says it all He is my real life hero. A former soldier, a father and a sweetie of a hubby. What more could any woman want?

As long as he doesn’t touch my Mustang LOL.

Alethea: What’s your favorite tea? You have this insane cabinet filled from top to bottom with tins of things I have never heard of…

Sherri: Ooo that’s hard. I do have many. Egyptian Chamomile and Very Berry are my most current obsessions. But Mate Vana is a staple.

Alethea: What’s it like to have your own convention? Will you be hosting it in New Orleans again?

Sherri: Yes I will, and it is great. Exhausting, but great. I love meeting my fans and sharing the location of some of my favorite things with them. Not to mention it helps New Orleans.

Alethea: What’s your favorite house in New Orleans?

Sherri: The St. Germaine. It’s one of the most haunted houses in New Orleans and I love it. I’d give anything to own it, but unfortunately it’s way out of my price range.

Alethea: 2008 is the “Year of Acheron”, in honor of Acheron, the most anticipated book in the Dark-Hunter series. Can you give us a hint of your top-secret super-special plans?

Sherri: Oh yeah. We have tons and tons of special events and mementos that will be given out all throughout the year. Some of the plans are still being finalized, but this is the year to watch. It even has its own website: www.YearofAcheron.com

Alethea: Which Dark-Hunter character has been most like you? Are your heroines little pieces of you, or people you know?

Sherri: Nah. They’re all original. I don’t think I’m all that interesting as a person, but I find the people in my book highly entertaining and intriguing. That being said, I wouldn’t mind being Simi- unlimited shopping sprees and hanging out on Ash’s body. Yeah, I could get into that.