Thursday, December 10, 2009

Guest Blog & Giveaway with Kathryne Kennedy

Today I'm excited to have Kathryne Kennedy as my guest. She's here to talk about her latest release My Unfair Lady. Welcome Kathryne!

Thank you so much for hosting me as a guest on your blog, Anna. I have to say that I love your graphic header! I adore fairies, and yours is particularly lovely.

I should start by introducing myself. My name is Kathryne Kennedy, and I have a Victorian romance releasing in December titled, My Unfair Lady. I’m writing today about my inspiration for the book.

I loved the movie, My Fair Lady, based on George Bernard Shaw’s, Pygmalion. But, being a romantic at heart, I was rather disappointed in the ending. I adore a definitive happily-ever-after and unfortunately, it was left to the imagination. Did Eliza return to Mr. Higgins, or did she run off with Freddy? Would I have been content with either scenario? For despite Higgin’s bullying, I waited for him to see Eliza’s true character and fall madly in love with her…but that never quite happened.

Which, in truth, makes it a unique twist on the Cinderella story, a theme that draws me time and again.

There’s something alluring about a woman coming out of her cocoon to transform into a butterfly. And yet, it’s always a surface transformation, for we know that the heroine is a beautiful person inside, it’s just that situation or circumstance doesn’t always allow her beauty to be obvious. But we root for Cinderella, who is always a good person inside, instead of her stepsisters, who despite their advantages, are truly wicked.

But…must a woman transform herself to find a man to love her? Will changing your outward appearance have any effect on what’s truly inside of you? Do we place too much importance on outward appearances, and not enough on an individual’s character?

And that is the inspiration for my story, and the title, My Unfair Lady.

I wanted to explore all those questions in My Unfair Lady. My heroine, Summer Wine Lee, is truly brash, a Wild West heiress who has had to be tough in order to survive growing up in a mining town. Her reasons for wanting to be remade into a lady are at first easy to understand. She’s fallen in love with an American who is related to Lady Astor, the grand dame of the New York set. Only in London—where Summer can be presented to the Queen—can she acquire the polish of a lady and make herself acceptable to her fiancĂ©’s family. But she learns that perhaps the reasons for wanting such a transformation lies deeper than surface appearance.

Summer managed to raise even more questions. Can anyone love you, without loving yourself first? And can someone really love you when they want you to change? Should you try and change yourself, when you’re doing it for someone else, and not yourself? It was a joy for me to watch my heroine struggle for those answers for herself.

My hero is a duke, the cream of London society, who, like most of the large landowners in the late Victorian era, is practically penniless. He has supported himself by becoming feared among the social set for his merciless wit and his friendship with Prince Albert Edward. And truly, like so many of the social set, he’s bored out of his mind. My heroine is like a breath of fresh air to him, and unfortunately, or so he thinks, he starts to fall in love with her just the way she is. But he has a long struggle ahead of him to convince the heroine to trust her own heart. And in order to win her, he will be forced to break down all the barriers he’s so carefully erected to protect himself from the world. Although he has all of the beauty on the outside, what truly lies inside of him will be difficult to find.

Despite their struggles, one of the things that constantly draws them together is their sense of humor, and a love for stray animals. I had a grand time with all the fun scenes they created together.

As you can tell, My Unfair Lady is not a remake of Pygmalion, but loosely inspired by the classic. Are there any themes that draw you to a fresh rendering of a story? Do you find yourself drawn to books that have similar themes? I would be very interested to know, and will be checking in throughout the day to comment.

Wishing you all my very best,
Kathryne

My Unfair Lady by Kathryne Kennedy—in stores December 2009!

He created the perfect woman…
The impoverished Duke of Monchester despises the rich Americans who flock to London, seeking to buy their way into the ranks of the British peerage. So when railroad heiress Summer Wine Lee offers him a king’s ransom if he’ll teach her to become a proper lady, he’s prepared to rebuff her. But when he meets the petite beauty with the knife in her boot, it’s not her fortune he finds impossible to resist…

For the arms of another man
Frontier-bred Summer Wine Lee has no interest in winning over London society—it’s the New York bluebloods and her future mother-in-law she’s determined to impress. She knows the cost of smoothing her rough-and-tumble frontier edges will be high. But she never imagined it might cost her heart…

About the Author
Kathryne Kennedy is the author of the Relics of Merlin series, acclaimed for her world-building and best known for her historical paranormal romances. She has also written a fantasy romance and this Victorian historical romance. She has also published nearly a dozen short stories in the SFF/Romance genre, receiving Honorable Mention twice in the “Writers of the Future” contest. She has traveled a great deal and has lived in Guam, Okinawa, and several states in the U.S. She is a business owner and currently lives in Arizona with her husband and two sons. For more information, please visit http://www.kathrynekennedy.com/

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Giveaway:
Thanks to Sourcebooks I have a copy of My Unfair Lady to giveaway. To enter leave a comment along with your email address. The winner will be announced on December 16th. Good Luck!!

41 comments:

  1. Kathryne i wanna say congrats on your book first off sounds awesome cant waitto read it justw ante dto syaty for spotting in

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  2. Hi :)
    Thank you for taking the time to post here today. I enjoyed learning about the backstory to MY UNFAIR LADY. It sounds like an excellent read.
    There are classic themes that are constantly reworked and reimagined and I enjoy the fresh take on them. I love fantasy most of all, but I read everything and I'm drawn to stories of characters overcoming great obstacles and heartache to prevail.
    :)
    Happy Holidays,
    RKCharron

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  3. Hi! Thanks for the background on My Unfair Lady! I love Kathryne's work, read them all, great books! You don't have to enter me in the contest, I already read My Unfair Lady and loved it!

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  4. Justpeachy36@yahoo.com

    Great background on the book! Please enter me in the giveaway!

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  5. I would love to be entered! Love it when an authors provide background stories on their books. Very nice!

    email: pearl (at) realmsonourbookshelves (dot) com

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  6. I would love to have a copy of "My Unfair Lady."

    teakettle58@yahoo.com

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  7. I would love to win a copy. Pygmalion is such a classic theme, it never gets old. Thanks!

    jenma(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  8. i've been eyeing this book for quite some times. And I do love to read this book !

    uniquas at ymail dot com

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  9. I would love to be entered in for the book. After reading about it in Yankee Romance Reviews and this blog too, I want to read to it.

    Sue
    okibi_insanity[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  10. Congratulations on your release! The backstory is interesting - I love My Fair Lady (I own it on DVD). This twist sounds like a good read.

    pspinney at cox dot net

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  11. Anna:It's wonderful to be here today! Thanks so very much for having me and making me feel so very welcome. You rock!

    SiNn: Thanks so much!

    RKCharron: Hi! I have a passion for fantasy as well! Thx so much for commenting.

    Marissa: How wonderful of you to stop by and leave such a kind comment. Means so much to me!

    Justpeachy36: Thanks, and good luck!

    Pearl: Good to hear!

    Tea: Best wishes!

    Scorpio M: Good luck!

    Mariska: Good luck to you too. :}

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  12. Woops! I missed a couple:

    Hi Sue! Glad to hear about your interest in My Unfair Lady. :}

    Thanks so much, Patti.

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  13. This book sounds like just the kind I can't put down once I start. Please enter me. Thanks!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  14. Hello! This is my very favorite kind of love story. The man and woman are very much opposites, yet they learn from each other and grow as human beings as they fall in love. Kathryne has created a very special love story that I would love to win!

    gcwhiskas at aol dot com

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  15. WooHoo! Another new author for me to check out! You rock Anna with giving me new writers to enjoy!

    Amy J
    djsfoxylady@gmail.com

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  16. Hi rubynreba! I hope that's the case with MY UNFAIR LADY. :}

    Thank you, Virginia. Lots of luck!

    Hi Amy. Yes, Anna totally rocks!

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  17. Congrats on your release - it sound like a wonderful tale. My favorite themes are beauty and the beast where the beast is tamed by kindness and the wallflower - where the Plain Jane gets the guy. The only time I have a problem with this theme is when "Jane" gets a make over. I want her accepted as she is. annhonATaolDOTcom

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  18. Ooh! This was already on my to read list!

    the[dot]distant[dot]light[at]gmail[dot]com

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  19. I'd love to be entered in the draw. I've been reading reviews for this book here and there and it sounds like a really great read. Thanks for the chance!

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  20. Hi Cibercliper! Ah! Then you will absolutely love MY UNFAIR LADY ...and you might also enjoy my RELICS OF MERLIN series, esp ENCHANTING THE BEAST, which is all about taming the beast, although my heroine is a stronger, older woman. You're welcome to check them out at my website. Thx for the comment!

    That's terrific to know, D.L.! Thx!

    Hi Christine! Anna did write a lovely review. :}

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  21. Great post. I enjoy reading about the inspiration for a book. My Unfair Lady sounds wonderful.

    Crystal816{at}hotmail{dot}com

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  22. Please enter me.

    mary dot mckinney at gmail dot com

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  23. Enjoyed the story background.

    kissinoak at verizon dot net

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  24. Awesome post! The book looks and sounds fabulous!

    lilazncutie1215 @ yahoo.com

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  25. Hi CrystalGB! Thanks for the kind comment. :}

    Hi Marymc152!

    Good to hear, Estella!

    Thanks much, Jeannette8042!

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  26. Congrats on the new release! I have been reading some wonderful reviews of this book around the blogs!

    castings at mindspring dot com

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  27. cool sounding contest!(:
    My Unfair Lady sounds really interestin, i'll make sure to put it on my christmas list.

    cookiedevil94@hotmail.com

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  28. I'm so glad everyone has enjoyed this guest blog. Kathryne thanks again for doing the post and stopping by to chat. :)

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  29. Congrats on your new release! I love this kind of storyline and would love to get my hands on your book!

    joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com

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  30. Hi Cheryl C! That's so great to hear!

    That's wonderful, Nicoliolipoli!

    Anna, it was my absolute pleasure. You made me feel very welcome, and I so appreciate it. Thanks again for having me!

    What a great comment, Joder! Thanks so much. :}

    Bye, all! And best of luck!

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  31. Sounds interesting! Please enter me

    Dey@mts.net

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  32. Count me in! This one sounds really good :)

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  33. The book sounds very good so I would like to enter to win this.

    jen4777[at]hotmail.com

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  34. I would love to be entered!

    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  35. I've always loved the story Pygmalion and its derivatives. There are so many lessons shown in those stories. I read because I believe a great book helps us evolve to be better people.

    Your book sounds wonderful and I love the play on words in the title. Count me in too!

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  36. Please count me in.

    simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

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  37. This book sounds wonderful. I love kathryne's Relic of Merlin series and so I would love to try this book as well.

    cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  38. Love your books - great to see you are writing a classic historical! Can't wait to read it :)

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  39. I love the Relic of Merlin series and would love to read this one too!

    eva.silkka at gmail.com

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  40. I like the idea of the story and how it looks at appearances.
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

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  41. Please include me in your giveaway


    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

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