Interview/Giveaway with Kathryne Kennedy

Give a warm welcome to author, Kathryne Kennedy. This is her second time at my blog. This time around she's here celebrating her latest release The Fire Lord's Lover.

Hi Kathryne, Welcome back to Anna's Book Blog! I'm glad to have you here. To start off can you tell the readers a little about yourself?

Hi Anna! It’s great to be back! Thanks so much for having me. I write magical romances that will sweep readers away to new worlds of adventure and passion. I live in Arizona with my wonderful family and two very tiny Chihuahuas.

The Fire Lord's Lover is your newest release, can you tells us a little about it?

It takes place in an alternate eighteenth-century England, where seven elven lords have invaded the land with their magic and madness. My hero is a gorgeous half-breed who has hidden his heart in order to survive, and my heroine is his assassin bride who uncovers his secrets.

What is your writing day like?

I get up early, before the rest of the house is awake, and start writing, immersing myself in my world and characters before the ‘real’ world can intrude. Once there, I can stay in this dreamy kind of state for the next five to seven hours, writing straight through.

When you’re not writing what kind of books do you like to read?

I tend to read fantasy, and then a historical romance, and if I get lucky, a historical fantasy romance, although I’ve noticed more books in the sub-genre now.

What type of research did you do for the book/series?

It’s like going back to school and studying again. I read many books over and over until I have a feel for the clothing; landscape, social climate etc. so that when I’m writing that info can fall naturally into place, with notes for back up.

What are 3 things that are "must haves" for you when you sit down to write a book?

Great question that I haven’t really considered before. Besides my computer, my notes (research, sketches, character cards, world/magic rules) and a glass of ice water.

Are there any real life people that have inspired the characters in your series?

A little…I think there are bits of everyone and everything within my experience that wind up in my stories.

I really love the cover of The Fire Lord's Lover. The art reminds me a little bit of J.R.R. Tolkien's Rivendell from The Lord of the Rings. Were you inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien when writing this book?

I have always loved what I consider the ‘true’ elven, the Sidhe, (as opposed to Santa’s elves) and I think Tolkien made them more recognizable. But what truly inspired me was Legolas in The Lord of the Rings movie. I fell in love with his character, and always wanted to write a romance focusing on the elven…in an entirely different world and manner, of course.

If The Fire Lord's Lover was being made into the movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?

Orlando Bloom, of course, although he would have to play a half-breed, for his beauty is at least human. The elven have evolved so much in my mind and world that I don’t think a real person could portray the lords themselves.

What is up next? Will The Fire Lord's Lover become the first in a series or are you moving on to something else?

It is the first in a series, and we will see a bit of Dominic and Cassandra again in book 2, The Lady of the Storm, where we follow the adventures of Cecily, half-breed to the elven lord, Breden. Each book will focus on a new love story that will end in a happily-ever-after, although a true resolution to a happy life will not happen until the elven lords are finally defeated.

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: http://www.kathrynekennedy.com/.

To Purchase The Fire Lord’s Lover:
Amazon|Barnes and Noble|Borders|BooksAMillion|
Chapters/Indigo|Kathryne’s Bookseller Directory

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Giveaway:

Thanks to Sourcebooks I have two copies of The Fire Lord's Lover to giveaway. To enter leave a comment along with your email address. Open to U.S. and Canada. Winners will be announced on July 24th. Good Luck!