Monday, August 27, 2012

Interview with Marne Ann Kirk Author of Love Chosen



Roxanne, thank you so much for having me on your blog. I’m excited to hang out with you and hope I can entice you away from vamps for a book or two . Fae can be pretty hot, too; though I must confess, I love many fang stories…and shape-shifter, and demon, and Lords of the Underworld, and gods…what can I say, I’m an other-lover!

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?

I’m a romantic at heart, and I’m particularly infatuated with medieval times--the dark ages, Genevieve, King Arthur, knights, dragons, magic—as well as with mythologies. Greek, Celtic, Norse…you start talking gods and goddesses, and I’m enthralled. So it wasn’t a huge reach for me to write fantasy romance and paranormal romance. And I love both equally.

Please tell us about your latest release.

Do you have a special formula for creating characters' names? Do you try to match a name with a certain meaning to attributes of the character or do you search for names popular in certain time periods or regions? It’s rather funny you ask this. Issie is a variation of one of my daughter’s names, Tyler was just a great name, Meisha is the name of one of my daughters’ friends…I could go on and on, but you get the idea, I think, I don’t really get worked up about the names in the Fae Dragon Chronicles. Which is odd, because in my paranormal romance, Goddess on the Run, I researched and worried about every single name. I guess what the author focuses on depends on the book, right? (oh, and I should mention, the names are the only similarities between these characters and real people. The characters are only real in my stories)



Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others? 

Well, Issie was amazing. I just adored her. She was tough, and fun, strong, yet so scared deep down. I never really knew what would come out of her mouth or how she would react until we were in the middle of a scene. Then, as I was typing, I’d think, “really? You’re really going to do that? Okay…” She never let me down, though. I didn’t have to go back and tear out scenes because they didn’t fit her. Everything just flowed with her.
Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?

I develop a character sketch for each of my characters, list out their physical attributes, their personalities, fill out questionnaires…I’m pretty brutal with this. I’ve even begun using a book about birthdays to help me really nail down personalities. And I am so grateful one of my girls is an astrology aficionado, or I never would’ve found this book. It’s a perfect tool for me. I put all of the character information, along with a whole lot of other things, in what’s called a story bible. I’m sure some of you have heard of them; but for those of you who haven’t, it’s just a tool for keeping track of details—like a binder or computer files.

What is the most interesting thing you have physically done for book related research purposes?

Whenever I’m in an unfamiliar town, my husband and I try to go on a haunted tour of that town. It’s one thing I’ve started doing as research, because I learn fascinating stories about towns this way. The stories are just a different experience than what you get in history books, and it has given me some fantastic inspiration. We’ve done this in Galveston, TX, Salem, MA, Denver, CO, Charleston, SC, Glenwood Springs, CO…

Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?

The climate on this planet changes faster, and within a much smaller area, than our own. This planet is like a medieval version of Earth, only much smaller. However, there are two poles, and the climate is much the same. I love creating creatures, and there are a few creatures in the Fae Dragon Chronicles to keep your eyes out for (other than the dragons). The golgae is mentioned in Love Chosen, but in book two, Love Dared, these beasties really come out to play. Watch out for them, as they’ll keep you up at night. Snafhors are another creature to watch out for, but they don’t attack anyone until book three, so you’re safe for a while. In Love Chosen, the reader sees only the fae’s protected world. In the second book, though, the fae are no longer protected and the world becomes so much bigger .

With the book being part of a series, are there any character or story arcs, that readers jumping in somewhere other than the first book, need to be aware of? Can these books be read as stand alones?

The interesting thing about The Fae Dragon Chronicles is I actually wrote Love Dared (book 2) first. Then I realized there was a story before Willow and Dare’s story. I kept asking myself, “how did things get to this point for the fae?” and I had to answer that question. That’s why I wrote Issie and Tyler’s story (Love Chosen, book 1), and that’s how I can honestly say these books can be read as stand alone books or in order. Your choice…although, since Love Dared doesn’t come out until 2013, you might want to go ahead and read Love Chosen .

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?

I don’t suffer from writer’s block, no. I suffer from “Life is getting in the way” block, and it’s an issue I really struggle with. Believe it or not, it was easier to write when my kids were younger. I don’t know why that is… However, I have one night a week I leave the house to write, and I also ignore the housework… a lot.

When did you consider yourself a writer?

 I considered myself a writer in 2002, when I received my degree, my husband gave me permission to quit my day job for a year and stay home to write, and my I joined some writers’ organizations. I still question the validity of that, sometimes, though. When I’m at my darkest points, and I feel like maybe I’m not REALLY a writer… I hope that makes sense to some…

What are your guilty pleasures in life?

Oooh. Chocolate. And secretly looking at well-muscled men, and did I mention chocolate?

Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?

Baking, reading, gardening, and my children and grand-children.

What was the last amazing book you read?

The Immortals After Dark series. I love the entire series!

What can readers expect next from you?

September 17, my next book, Goddess on the Run, comes out through Crescent Moon Press. It’s a paranormal romance about a demi-goddess hiding from her destiny on the human realm. The leader of the Tuatha de Danaan warriors has plans for her, though. She holds the key to salvation, for both him and their worlds, whether she wants to or not. He’ll do whatever it takes to convince her of her duty. But can he find the key to her heart?

Where can readers find you on the web?

I can be found at:
Twitter: twitter.com/MarneAnn
Or, I hang out with some author friends at: www.cowboysndragonscafe.blogspot.com

Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
Why sure…

I’ll leave you with an excerpt for Love Chosen:

Tyler pushed his way through the onlookers. They reeked of sex and sweat. The foul odor made his eyes water and his vision blur as he forced his way to the front of the crowd, almost stepping on the female lying in a heap on the floor. He turned, saw his guards at the rear of the crowd, and addressed the unfortunate Lowers. “Leave now.”

He turned back to the scene, expecting them to follow his orders. Disgust filled him as he assessed the scene. Blood pooled on the bed where two bodies laid holding each other. The heads from both bodies were missing. He wouldn’t bother searching for them now. He wouldn’t find them. The killer, it seemed, liked to keep the heads as trophies.

Tyler sighed, becoming aware again of the others crowding the room. When he found those heads, he’d find the sick bastard who did this.

“But what ‘bout Lenore?”

“I ‘eard Issie scream.”

“She all right?”

One chattered over the next in their efforts to find out what happened. They weren’t listening to him.

His eye twitched. He hated when that happened.

How could he make these dullards leave? Did they not see the violent murders on the bed? Or did they not care? Were their lives so barren and meaningless, death didn’t bother them?
His gaze fell on the female at his feet. Her face covered by her mass of honeyed tresses, she lay in a limp pile, her robes undone and revealing a creamy swell of ample breast.

The two victims in the bed were beyond help, but this unconscious female held the concern of the others.

He knelt by her side and lifted her in his arms. She smelled clean, like moss and sea air, instead of the sweaty body he’d expected. Her hair caressed his arm when he stood with her nestled to his chest. It fell like a lowered curtain and hung almost to his knees. A waterfall of honey.

She felt right in his arms; her neck fit into the crook of his shoulder, her breath warmed his chest like she belonged there. Where had such a thought come from? He didn’t associate with the powerless Lower class. Ever.

He pushed aside a rising need to draw her even nearer.

Tyler faced the crowd again. “As you can see, she sleeps. She’s not injured. Now go. All of you.” He fixed a few of them with the glacial silver stare which always yielded results. “Go back to your beds. I’m Tyler, of the High Council. My warriors will take care of this.”

“But, Issie. Is she hurt?” one barmaid asked, wrapping her arms around her waist as if she feared retching.

“You, take me to Issie’s rooms. The rest of you, go. She’ll be fine.” Or at least I’ll be, if I can have some quiet to think.

“But--”

"What ‘bout Lenore? She pass through the gates?”

Everyone began speaking at once, like a gathering of Lower younglings after a sweet. They had no regard for his orders. Such disrespect was unacceptable. He had to get this under control.

”Go,” he roared, silencing the room.

The crowd shuffled down the hall and disappeared behind different doors. Bits of conversation-- “Can’t believe Lenore’s gone,” and “who could do such a thing?” --floated back to him.

Who indeed? The fae were peaceful caretakers for the dragons. Murder didn’t happen among them. It was a coarse crime of the mortals--until three moons ago. And now, it had happened again--to another messenger and another whore-maid.


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Love Chosen
The Fae Dragon Chronicles, Book One
By Marne Ann Kirk      

Genre: Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Crescent Moon Press

ISBN:  978-1937254490
ASIN: 978-1-937254-50-6

Number of pages: 277
Word Count: 86,100 words


Book Description:

For millennia, dragon and fae have peacefully co-existed, but the fae themselves have lived segregated and very different lives.

Now a malevolence threatens to separate them all permanently. Can a Queen's guard and a rebellious outlaw join forces to defeat this common enemy?

Tyler's touch sparks fierce desire, drawing Issie to him, but she despises his way of life and all that palace society represents. If he learns she wields majic to help the less fortunate escape the kingdom, he'll charge her with treason. Her punishment - death.

Issie is a sassy rebel who is constantly looking for ways to circumvent the conventions of their society. Tyler's head warns that she's a non-majical lower, beneath him. His heart sees by her inner strength and outer beauty. Only a binding love will lend them strength to save her life - their world.

Author Bio:

Marne Ann Kirk grew up wild, exploring the vast high deserts and mountains of the West with her family as a child. Marne Ann loved making up stories and, well, lied about just about everything. Thankfully, she grew out of the lying stage...now she calls it story-telling.

Her debut novel, “Love Chosen: Book One of The Fae Dragon Chronicles,” is available now. “Love Dared: Book Two of The Fae Dragon Chronicles,” is coming soon. “Goddess on the Run,” a paranormal romance, will be available September 17, 2012. You can find out more about Marne Ann through her publisher, Crescent Moon Press, or visit her at: www.marneannkirk.com  or www.cowboysndragonscafe.blogspot.com



Twitter: MarneAnn


                                    


a Rafflecopter giveaway

10 comments:

Marne Ann said...

Roxanne, this was FUN! Thank you again, for having me on your blog!

Sherry said...

Sounds like a very good book. Thanks for the giveaway.

fourdognight said...

Love the idea about ghost tours! Ghosts scare the pants off me, but I do love history.

Marne Ann said...

Sherry, I wish you luck with the giveaway!
Fourdognight, you should definitely try a haunted tour of a city near you. The walking tours are the best, and the older the city, the better the tour. I've never (yet) had anything creepy happen, but the stories are A-Mazing!
My story Goddess on the Run takes place in Glenwood Springs, in part because of a haunted tour I went on there. I have a fantastic idea for a future book in that series which stems from that haunted tour and the Colorado Hotel.

Elizabeth H. said...

Sounds like a good book and I love the title! Thanks for the giveaway!
ehaney578 at AOL dot com

mariehahn13 said...

Ghost tours are THE BEST! I'm a huge fan :) This book sounds like so much fun, I can't wait to read it! :) Thank you for the opportunity to win!

songbird1613@yahoo.com

bn100 said...

Nice interview and excerpt. The book sounds good.

Marne Ann said...

Well, good luck, Elizabeth! Thanks for stopping by...

Marne Ann said...

Marie,
In a perfect world, I'd live on a beach or in an old city like New Orleans, and I'd be a tour guide for one of those walking ghost tours...when I wasn't writing, of course. lol...
Good luck!

Marne Ann said...

Thanks, bn100. If you read Love Chosen, you should visit my website and let me know what you think.
My next book, Goddess on the Run, comes out September 4th. If y'all enjoy paranormal romance, this book is right up your alley...

 
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