Azagoth
(A Demonica Underworld Novella)
by Larissa Ione
Even in the fathomless depths of the underworld and the bleak chambers of a damaged heart, the bonds of love can heal…or destroy.
He holds the ability to annihilate souls in the palm of his hand. He commands the respect of the most dangerous of demons and the most powerful of angels. He can seduce and dominate any female he wants with a mere look. But for all Azagoth’s power, he’s bound by shackles of his own making, and only an angel with a secret holds the key to his release.
She’s an angel with the extraordinary ability to travel through time and space. An angel with a tormented past she can’t escape. And when Lilliana is sent to Azagoth’s underworld realm, she finds that her past isn’t all she can’t escape. For the irresistibly sexy fallen angel known as Azagoth is also known as the Grim Reaper, and when he claims a soul, it’s forever…
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An Exclusive Interview With Larissa Ione:
~ with Jillian Stein of Read Love Blog
We are all SO excited to have Azagoth’s story! Was he someone you were always planning to give a story to?
Thank you! I’m excited too! And you know, I knew from the moment he appeared in a scene in Ecstasy Unveiled that he needed a story. I wasn’t sure when or how I’d do it, because when it comes down to it, the scope of his world is really small. I knew I couldn’t get a full-length book out of him because he can’t leave his realm, so when the 1001 Dark Nights opportunity arose, it gave me the perfect chance to explore his unique world and keep the focus on the romance – not on an involved outside plot. It’s funny though, because even without a huge world, his book still turned out to be twice as long as my usual novellas. Yay!
Azagoth and Lilliana are such an amazing couple and I adore them. Was there ever an idea for a different heroine or did you always have Lilliana in mind?
I’ve had Lilliana in mind for a year or so…not long. She started popping into my head while I was working on Reaver. I wish I’d included her in Reaver’s book, but she at least got a mention in the Reaver Christmas story I wrote for a freebie on my website. But yes, I’ve had her in mind…at least, I had her character in mind. I wanted Azagoth to have someone who was being forced to be with him, mainly because he wanted someone willing. Poor guy has been so lonely, and all he wants is a female to share his life with – so naturally, I have to give him Lilliana, who doesn’t want to be there. At all.
Will we get to visit more with Azagoth and Lilliana and the Unfallen? It’s such a fascinating new aspect to the world.
Thank you! And yes, you’ll see more of them. I’ll be giving Hades his own story next year (It’ll be a 1001 Dark Nights book!) so we’ll be revisiting Sheoul-gra for sure, and a certain Unfallen angel you’ll meet in Azagoth with get to fall in love!
You’re amazing at writing the damaged hero. From Wraith to Reseph and now with Azagoth, we always want your guys to get their happily ever after. Do you find it hard to give the reader the perfect balance of toughness and vulnerability with that type of hero?
Actually, that’s the easiest hero for me to write. I’m not sure why, but I LOVE writing damaged, tough heroes. The “together” ones like Eidolon, Arik, and Ares are the ones who are difficult to write. Yes, each of them is damaged in their own way, but for the most part, the well-adjusted ones are hard because their vulnerabilities aren’t out there on the surface for all to see. It’s much easier for me to write the ones who have flashing neon lights over their heads that say, “DAMAGED. BAD.”
Although you primarily write paranormal, you do have a contemporary out: Snowbound. I read it and really enjoyed it…any plans to do more contemporary work?
Eventually, yes. I’d like to write a sequel to Snowbound – Todd’s story. I enjoy writing contemporary, and right now that’s what’s really hot. But I’ve got to get some other stories out of my head before I can get back to contemporary writing!
Your ACRO series with Stephanie Tyler is also another amazing series. If you could choose one other author to work with, dead or alive, who would it be?
Joss Whedon. I know he’s a screenwriter, but man, the dude is a genius. To spend even a day with that guy would be a dream come true. Also, I’d probably end up with a restraining order…
I know you’re a huge Star Trek fan. If you could be in one episode, what would it be and who would you play?
OMG, what a great question! Also, a hard one! I think, rather than an episode, I’d love to play ANYTHING in one of the new movies. I’d put on a freaking horta costume and just sit like a lump, and I could still say I’d been in a Star Trek movie! (For those who don’t know, a horta is a creature that looks like a big rock. Yep, I’d dress up like a ROCK to be in a Star Trek movie.)
Do you have any writing rituals you totally have to do when you’re writing?
Coffee. Just coffee.
You’re a huge animal lover and are amazing with calling attention to animal issues within the world. Has anyone ever named a pet after one of your characters that you know of?
Yes! Every once in a while a reader will tell me about their pets and how they named them after characters. Sometimes they send pictures! Shade, Wraith, and Ares seem to be popular names, as well as Gem and Sin. It’s awesome, because as you said, I’m a huge animal lover.
We’ve seen some of your amazing pictures from your Europe trip. Do you have a favorite part?
Oh, gosh…all of it! This most recent trip has been one of the best of my life, and I’ve done a LOT of traveling. I guess what stands out on this particular trip is our time in Bruges. I’ve been in several places in Europe multiple times, but this was my first time in Belgium. I wasn’t sure what to expect, so I didn’t think I’d love it as much as I did, but seriously, I could move to Bruges. Around every corner was another “OMG, wow” moment, the people were nice, and the food was awesome. The laid-back way of life was charming, and the canals and houses were gorgeous. I also VERY much enjoyed Paris with the book tour group. We had wonderful company and hung out with amazing people. This really was a trip of a lifetime!
Biography:
Larissa Ione is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. An Air Force veteran, she traded in a career as a meteorologist to pursue her passion of writing. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of Champagne chilling in the fridge…just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her U.S. Coast Guard husband, her teenage son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhound, a King Shepherd named Hexe.
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