Monday, July 19, 2010

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!

56 comments:

  1. It sounds like a really good book. I think orlando bloom sounds like the perfect person to play the lead character.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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  2. Hi debbie! Glad to hear we agree. :}

    Hi Anna! So good to be here! I'm looking forward to meeting your readers, and saying hello to some of mine again today. Thank you so much for the terrific interview questions and hosting the give-a-way!

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  3. Kathryne, what are a few of your favorite historical fantasy romances? I read the Shadowlands series by Anne Kelleher a few years ago and really loved it! It's set in an alternate medieval world and the Otherworld of the Sidhe. Fantastic!

    I never thought of elves as really sexy until I saw Orlando Bloom as Legolas. Wow! Great choice for your muse!

    bookofsecrets(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  4. Hi Diana! Good to hear from you again! Shana Abe writes a wonderful series of victorian era dragons, and Erin Quinn writes fantastic historical fantasies with a time travel element, and I love Mercedes Lackey's Victorian fantasies (although they are not romances), and I adored Stevermere's Sorcery & Cecilia. If you have any suggestions of books similar to my subgenre, I would love to have them!
    Oh, and so glad we share a fondness for my muse. :}

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  5. Oh, I love Olando Bloom as an elf! This book looks wonderful.
    What is your favorite book?
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  6. I enjoyed the interview and the book sounds great! Love Orlando Bloom!!

    myra0502@yahoo.com

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  7. Hi mbreakfield!
    So glad to hear your enthusiasm! I have several favorite books, including Haunting Warrior, Sorcery & Cecelia, Soulstring, and Saving Grace, to name a few. But my favorite thing is to find an author whose voice I love, and I read all of their titles, tracking down their backlist.
    Thx so much for the question!

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  8. Woops! We must have been posting at the same time, Myra C. Hello and good to meet you!

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  9. The Fire Lord's Lover sounds like a fantastic story and I'm really looking forward to reading it. I haven't read a lot of stories featuring elves, so this would be a welcome change.

    Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com

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  10. This book looks and sounds awesome!

    rae_reads@hotmail.com

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  11. Book looks great

    vidishamun@gmail.com

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  12. Super interview. I would love a chance to win this. I love the book and the cover.

    dorcontest at gmail dot com

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  13. Hi Barbara E! I do hope you enjoy it.

    Hi Rae (In the Forest)! Love your name.

    Hi Vidisha! Thanks much!

    Hi Simply Stacie! Thx for joining in.

    Hi dor! Thank you for such a lovely comment. :}

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  14. Yes, I spent many hours happily drooling over Orlando Bloom as Legolas in the LOTR trilogy and I'm definitly interested in reading The Fire Lord if he's the inspiration behind it. :)

    Judi
    sidhevicious(at)shaw(dot)ca

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  15. This book sounds like a great read.I love stories about Victorian and Regency England.
    Have not read a lot of stories with elves as main characters.

    kissinoak at verizon dot net

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  16. I like Orlando Bloom but he's just a bit too "pretty" for me. Your hero, Dominic, on the other hand sounds just about perfect - I like it when the hero has that element of danger about him. Looking forward to reading the book.

    jen(at)delux(dot)com

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  17. I read all of Kathryne's novels, lovely!!!!

    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  18. Ooh, I didn't realize that this was going to become a series! How great. I like that setup, individual HEAs but overal story arc won't get closure until final book, way to get readers hooked! :)

    jenma76 at hotmail dot com

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  19. This book sounds great, my kinda book! Looking forward to reading it!



    van
    Littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  20. LOL, sidhevicious!

    I hope you enjoy them, Estella!

    Hi Jen M! You'll have to let me know how Dominic compares. :}

    Hi etirv! That's so wonderful! Thank you for the very kind words.

    Hi again ScorpioM! I have to have a HEA in each book...can't seem to write a story without one. :}

    Hi van_pham! I do so hope you enjoy!

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  21. I have been reading some great reviews for The Fire Lord's Lover lately on different blogs. I would love to read it! Kathryne, thanks for recommending the author Erin Quinn. I love books with time travel. I'll have to check those out, too.
    peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  22. It sounds like a really good book. Please enter me in contest. Thank you. Tore923@aol.com

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  23. Loved the interview! I've heard wonderful things about Kathryne's book so please count me in!

    lilazncutie1215 @ yahoo.com

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  24. Sounds klike a great book! MY wife would love it!

    jeff72768@yahoo.com

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  25. This book is right up my alley, I'd love a chance to win it!!

    chirth7@yahoo.com

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  26. Wow, sounds awesome. Please count me in too :)

    I too vote Orlando Bloom!

    robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

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  27. Hi Melanie L! I'm so very glad readers seem to be enjoying TFLL. And I know you will absolutely enjoy Quinn's books!

    Thanks for commenting Tore!

    Good to hear from you again, Jeanette8042! Good luck!

    Hi urbanL! I hope she does. :}

    Hi ChristineH! Thanks so much for your interest.

    Hi RobinK! Mmmm. Orlando. ;}

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  28. I have to agree it does have that Tolken feel
    and the cover is wonderful
    very Legolas like.
    I know it's nothing like the lotr series.I do need a new series to read this would be perfect....
    Great Interview Kathryne & Anna.
    Have a good one.
    Ann.

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  29. I love your work and have been waiting for this release. Congrats! annhonATaolDOTcom

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  30. "The Firelord's Lover" sounds like a fascinating and magical tale just as you described in your interview.

    I enjoy stories about elves and magic and would love to be entered.

    Thanks so much for sharing the wonderful interview with Kathryne Anna, and for the chance to win!

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  31. THE FIRE LORD'S LOVER sounds like a book I would love, and it's already on my "wish list." :)

    Thanks for the great interview & the contest!

    karenwitkowski AT aol(dot)com

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  32. Hey ladies... Great interview!
    This book sounds awesome!
    alliwantandmorebooks{at} gmail.com

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  33. Great interview. I enjoyed it and the books looks so very good. Thanks.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  34. Hi Anna & Kathryne, what a great interview.

    I enjoy getting a peek into the creative minds of authors.

    :o)

    MsM

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  35. Hi Alba! It's inspired by Legolas in LOTR, but yes, I think you'll find it to be quite different. :}

    Hi Cybercliper! Wow! That's so terrific to hear.

    Hi Lea! I'm so glad it appeals to you. Good luck!

    Hi Karen W.! It's great to be on your wish list!

    Hi Cecile! Love your name. In book two of The Elven Lords series, my heroine's name is Cecily. You'll meet her briefly in TFLL. (The title of book two is The Lady of The Storm. :)

    Hi rubynreba! Thank you for the kind words.

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  36. Woops, must have been posting at the same time. Hi MsM! Glad to hear that you enjoyed the interview. Anna asked great questions.

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  37. Kathryne,

    Sourcebooks Art department did such a great job with your cover. When I first saw it I couldn't help but think... Legolas! :)

    Thanks again for stopping by and chatting with us.

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  38. Thank you so much for having me here, Anna! And a big thank you to everyone who left such kind comments.
    It was a pleasure!

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  39. I really want to read this one! It sounds good but the cover is initially what caught my attention,

    ksg_amg(at)yahoo.com

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  40. I'm hoping to win a copy of the book, but don't know if I can wait that long. Want to read the book now!

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  41. Enjoyed the interview! Please enter me in the drawing. Would love to read this book. Thank you!

    cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  42. Great interview, I loved the Relic of Merlin series and can't wait to read this one!

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  43. Hi Anna and Kathryne!

    Excellent review, so agree with Orlando Bloom as your top pick!!

    I've read nothing but good things about this book, I would love to give it a try!

    Thanks for a great giveaway!

    Dottie :)
    gymmom_027@yahoo.com

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  44. I would love to read this book, sounds great.

    miztik_rose@yahoo.com

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  45. Oh, wow, this book sounds awesome! I haven't read any of this authors work but I'm definitely going to now.

    linaramz at yahoo dot com

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  46. This looks like it could be a fun one! I think my sister would like it too :)

    jenny.maurer84 at gmail dot com

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  47. This one sounds good. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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  48. I love the cover!
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

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  49. Great interview Kathryne. I know I will enjoy reading The Fire Lord's Lover.
    I think Orlando Bloom would be perfect and maybe they will make this book into a movie. Thanks for stopping by to chat with us.

    Thanks Anna for the opportunity to enter this giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  50. Great interview!! I agree, it is pretty rare to find a historical fantasy romance, and I love when the two genres are mixed! Looking forward to reading this one!! Thanks for the contest!

    inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

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  51. I love to read fantasy and historical romance too! And I have yet to read a historical fantasy, but I think that sounds amazing so I think your book (which sounds like a great read) should be my first!

    twilightforever.edward(at)gmail(dot)com

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  52. the books sounds great, loved the interview!

    blue_star_10@hotmail.com

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  53. Sounds like it promises to be a good read.


    hdtermite at yahoo dot com

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  54. Looks like a good book. Thanks for the chance to win it!
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com

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  55. This book looks great! Exactly my kind of book :)

    bmweida at yahoo dot com

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  56. The title alone is intriguing! Definitely a must read novel!
    Thank you for hosting this giveaway!

    terrymac1a at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

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