Interview with Kathryne Kennedy

I’d like to welcome our guest today, our very own Kathryne Kennedy. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

It’s a magical new world of romance, adventure and passion within the Georgian era of England. My half-elven hero, Dominic Raikes, finds that his arranged marriage to Lady Cassandra Bridges brings him much more than he bargained for. Trained as an assassin to murder Dominic’s father, the last thing Cass expects is to fall in love with her new husband. But dark magic and secrets threatens not only their newfound love, but also their very lives.

THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

The meaning of the title becomes clear toward the end of the book, and since I don’t want to give any spoilers, I’ll have to pass on answering this one.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I started writing a straight historical, kept imagining a new world of magic within that context, and began to combine everything that I love: fantasy, history and romance.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

I fell in love with Legolas in Lord of the Rings, and have always been fascinated with the Sidhe, and created a new world with the elven lords as central characters, with my half-blood humans as the heroes and heroines.

What are your favorite fantasy research books, and why?

I don’t have fantasy research books per se, although I have quite a few historical research books. Here are some of my favorites for the eighteenth century:

Costume in Context/The Eighteenth Century by Jennifer Ruby ISBN 071345772
Private Places/Life in the Great London Houses by Christopher Simon Sykes ISBN0670809640
A History of Fashion in Costume/The Eighteenth Century by Anne Rooney 0816059489

Books I own:
Daily Life in Eighteenth Century England by Kirstin Olsen 0313299331
The Hanoverians by Jeremy Black 1852854634
The Story of Britain by Rebecca Fraser 9780393329025

My research into fantasy is comprised of reading lots and lots of fantasy novels. And having a vivid imagination and a love for creating new worlds.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

My elven half-blood hero, Dominic Raikes. With the physical beauty of the elven (and let’s not forget the pointed ears) he became so beautiful in my mind. He’s the most tortured (literally) hero that I’ve ever written. Knowing the pain he went through that made him such a cold man, and realizing that he became that way because he had such a sensitive heart, made me fall for him very hard. His bravery even stunned me at times. He had to have a strong enough heroine to break through that shell, and I had a great time writing Lady Cassandra for him…the only woman who might manage it.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and world affect your character development?

Everything is woven together, sometimes only in my mind. I used to do sheets on all of my characters, including their favorite color, foods, where they went to school, etc. But only a small part of that information actually wound up in my books, and with deadlines I needed to utilize my time more efficiently. So I now use index cards for each of my characters, with their basic information. I shared my character cards here on MCTT, in my June 15th blog post.

How do you go about building your world? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

All of the above. I have posted them on various blogs for my Virtual Tour (my schedule is posted on my personal blog http://www.kathrynekennedy.blogspot.com/), and I will have them up on my website once my tour is over at the end of July.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

So very many, including the inspiration that I receive from my chapter mates in Desert Rose and Valley of the Sun writing groups.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

Website, first and foremost. Having a place where readers can stay in touch with you is so important. In conjunction with that: a newsletter, an easy link to email the author, a new release page, purchase links, and some information about your books that only those who visit your website can discover.

What do we have to look forward to next?

The re-release of my first novel, BENEATH THE THIRTEEN MOONS, in paperback in December of this year. And then after that, book two in THE ELVEN LORDS series, currently titled: THE LADY OF THE STORM, where we continue the adventures of Cecily, who you’ll meet in THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER.

Thanks, Kathryne!

To celebrate her book release, Kathryne is offering a free book of THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

Due to a family emergency, Kathryne will be checking in periodically today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away and she'll respond when she can. Thanks.

THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER BY KATHRYNE KENNEDY—IN STORES JULY 2010

Kathryne Kennedy's historical fantasy romances have garnered awards and a growing readership. This exciting new series, set against the lavish backdrops of Georgian and Victorian England so beloved by romance readers, is deliciously dark and exciting.

Fighting for control of a kingdom that is split into seven domains, Elven warlords use their human slaves to breed an endless supply of soldiers for their armies. Dominic Raikes, the half-blood son of the Elven Lord himself is one such warrior. Betrothed to Lady Cassandra, who has been raised in a convent to keep her pure, he little suspects that she's been secretly trained as an assassin to murder his father. Dominic and Cassandra soon discover that each one is not what they seem, but the price of trust may be their very lives, and the destruction of the magical realm each is desperately trying to save…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathryne Kennedy is a multipublished, award-winning author of magical romances. She’s lived in Guam, Okinawa, and several states in the U.S., and currently lives in Arizona with her wonderful family—which includes two very tiny Chihuahuas. She welcomes readers to visit her website where she has ongoing contests at: www.KathryneKennedy.com.

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