Human.
Supernatural.
Everyone deserves a place to call home.
Welcome to Harmony.
Like all thirteen-year-olds, Dillon just wants to fit in, but being a werewolf makes that an even greater challenge than normal. After almost being discovered by some neighbors in their old neighborhood, Dillon's parents move all the way to Harmony, in Northern California, hoping to protect their son and keep his condition a secret, no matter how ashamed it might make Dillon feel. However, it turns out Dillon might have caught a break when he learns he is not the only supernatural being in Harmony. Some readily embrace him, while others view him as a threat.
The greatest danger Dillon has to face though is his parents discovering the truth about Harmony. They are already disappointed in having a werewolf for a son. Learning that other supernaturals exist in Harmony could cause them to run again, even though Dillon not only fits in with the folks in Harmony but has been able to flourish there as well.
Winner Teen-Category 2015 ONEBOOKAZ writing competition
2016 Self-e Selection Library Journal
READ. WRITE. REBEL!
An Interview with Dan O'Mahony, author of the Horror in Harmony series.
* So without giving away any spoilers, what can readers expect from Welcome to Harmony?
I've always had a thing for werewolves, and I wanted a protagonist that was a young one. I think it can be a potent metaphor for adolescence, going through a "change" that you can't quite understand or control. I also think it can be a metaphor for alienation, you know, feeling different on the inside than everyone else.
* I like it. Very literary.
Thanks. I prefer to write very character-centered stories. If that qualifies as literary, I'll take it.
* What else can we expect from Welcome to Harmony? No spoilers!
It takes place in a small town that is filled with secrets. Let's just say there are different supernatural communities living in Harmony, and my protagonist, Dillon, is introduced to them so he learns he is part of a larger supernatural world.
* He finds a place to fit in. I like it. That's very important for kids that age.
I think that's important for everyone at every age.
* True. So acceptance and belonging are some themes in the book. What are some others?
No spoilers. Dillon becomes part of a very diverse group of friends that cross the supernatural-spectrum: werewolves, witches, vampires, and even a ghost. So I guess friendship and diversity can be considered themes as well.
* Nice. Anything else?
Family too. Dillon's parents aren't exactly thrilled to have a son that's a werewolf. There are other family dynamics to explore in the book as well.
* I like it. Where do you expect to go from here?
There are two more Harmony books for sale. Gwen Gladstone and Bloodline. They're not sequels. They're companion pieces. Since the town of Harmony has such a diverse supernatural population, I want to explore to explore each group further but through the eyes of another protagonist.
* So no more Dillon?
No. The characters will crossover from book-to-book, so you haven't seen the last of Dillon. And sequels aren't out of the question. Dillon's story has just begun. Welcome to Harmony is just his coming-of-age story.
* Great. Well thank you for your time. I loved Welcome to Harmony and can't wait to dive into Gwen Gladstone and Bloodline. I encourage our readers to check them out as well. They may be intended for middle-grade readers, but I know of many teens and adults who have enjoyed it as well.
O'Mahony, Dan: -
As an avid reader and writer, the man known as Dan O'Mahony is a firm believer that too much reality can dull one's senses and that one should purposefully engage in at least one act of make-believe and/or complete nonsense a day.
He has been a lifelong fan of the fantasy genre, seeing it as the home of dreamers and outsiders who do not feel quite at home in the 'normal world" and know they are heroes at heart destined to for epic adventures and great deeds.
Dan currently resides near Chandler, Arizona but spends most of his time exploring new worlds and associating with unique characters. When not engaging in fulfilling flights of fancy, he teaches elementary and junior high students, hoping to inspire within them a love of reading and writing (The trick is to get them while they are young.).
