I'm so excited to have one of my all time favorite authors on the site today. Kathryne Kennedy is the author of the Relics of Merlin series, acclaimed for her world-building and best known for her historical paranormal romances. Her latest release, MY UNFAIR LADY combines her wonderful characters that are her trademark with a delightful glimpse into Victorian England.
Welcome, Kathryne!
Kathryne: Hi Erin! Thanks so much for having me here on your blog today! I’m really looking forward to visiting with you! So, let me just jump right in to the questions that you asked me:
Erin: Works for me. First question: Most authors have an original idea that sparks the creation of a novel. For MY UNFAIR LADY, what was that spark?
Kathryne: The movie, MY FAIR LADY, based on Shaw’s PYGMALION. Being a romantic at heart, I was kinda disappointed in the ending. I wanted a true happily-ever-after! But it was the theme of the story that inspired me more than the plot itself. 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? And more importantly, do we place too much emphasis on outward appearances, and not enough on an individual’s character? I wanted to explore all those questions in MY UNFAIR LADY, and had fun exploring them with my outrageous, knife-wielding heroine, Summer Wine Lee.
Erin: I loved Summer Wine Lee. She had such personality and energy. I loved her gusto for life. Next question: You know I'm a huge fan and one of the things I love best about your books is the breadth and depth of your imagination. You think of things I'd never even dream of. Does that creativity just come from brain to fingertips, or do you have some process for finding such fresh and creative ideas?
Kathryne: I was blessed (or cursed, depending on your point of view! My poor husband…if he’s late 10 minutes, I’ve got him in a car crash, laying on a street somewhere bleeding from several wounds…you get the idea) with an over-active imagination. Thank heavens I had my writing to turn my imagination to!
(Erin: Unscheduled break from your station sponsor--THE FIRE LORD'S LOVER is FABU-LOUS! I got to sneak preview and love, love, loved it! Comes out in July 2010 if you're wondering.... Okay, back to the interview.)
Kathryne (continued): And then later on, those abilities actually affected the plot. It wasn’t planned, it just happened through the story and characters. Now the hero’s abilities, that of fire magic, was planned from the beginning, as were the heroine’s ability to perform death dances. So I guess it’s half planned, and half not. :}
Erin: What inspires you?
Kathryne: Phew! I wrote an entire blog post for Fresh Fiction on all the things that inspire me! They come from anywhere and everywhere. But, I’m so glad you asked the question, because there was one thing I forgot when I listed them. Music. Now, I don’t listen to music when I’m writing (I’ve heard a lot of authors do) because I have to visualize myself in the world, and then I tell my reader what I’m seeing. But, songs do inspire me. For THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER, there’s a song by the rock band HEART called MAGIC MAN, which inspired my hero, General Dominic Raikes (He’s got magic hands, mama.)
Erin: Did I mention that I was in love Dominic. :-) Okay, next question, Favorite recent books that you've read and have stuck in your mind long after you put them down?
Kathryne: HAUNTING WARRIOR, by Erin Quinn (I’m one of your biggest fans, and feel honored to have read it before its release!),
Erin: Yay! You just made my whole darned month!! Thank you!
Kathryne: SOULLESS, by Gail Carriger (Fun, amazing and romantic), KUSHIEL'S MERCY by Jacqueline Carey (all of her books astound me), SLAVE TO SENSATION by Nalini Singh (a dreamy, passionate romance).
Erin: I have SOULLESS on my nightstand and can't wait to read it. KUSHIELL'S MERCY I haven't read yet, but am adding it to my list. Love Nalini Singh--big fan of her too!
Kathryne: Thanks so much for asking such great questions, Erin! I’ll be giving away an autographed copy of the first book in my Victorian Fantasy romance series, THE RELICS OF MERLIN, ENCHANTING THE LADY, to one lucky reader.
Erin: And I'll throw in an autographed copy of ECHOES OR WHISPERS (readers choice) and a $10 gift card! To enter the contest, go to http://www.erinquinn.info/Contest.htm
Bonus!!! Leave a comment for Kathryne and be entered twice in the contest!
Kathryne, thank you so much for stopping by and chatting! Readers, if you haven't yet read Kathryne Kennedy, you don't know what you're missing. Her books are amazing! Hope you have enjoyed this interview. Don't forget to stop by www.erinquinn.info and click on CONTEST to enter to win!
To learn more about Kathryne's books, visit http://www.kathrynekennedy.com/
In stores December 2009:
My Unfair Lady
By Kathryne Kennedy
Victorian Romance
Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN: 978-1-4022-2990-9
December 2009
$6.99 US/MM Paperback
Purchase from publisher: http://www.sourcebooks.com/
Purchase from Amazon: http://astore.amazon.com/kathkennauth-20
For multiple links to purchase from your favorite on-line retailer: http://www.kathrynekennedy.com/
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…
24 comments:
Your new books sounds fabulous Kathryne! I am going to put it on my list to buy with my Xmas $$!
Thanks for the great interview and post Erin! I love discovering new authors to read!
Happy Holidays to you both!
Thank you for this interview, Kathryne and Erin.
I too am fascinated by the themes of appearance vs. reality; why we human beings in every age and nation place so much (too much?) emphasis on looks, especially in women; and how much a person can and should transform for love, or any other reason.
Kathryne's "Fresh Fiction" article about the many sources of inspiration is wonderful. I believe the best source or sources for a writer are whatever works for her. The readers typically don't know or care where she gets her ideas, but they're the ones who benefit from the process.
I dig Kathryne's thoughts about an overactive imagination. If someone has it, why not put it to use?
Keep up the good work!
I think your new book sounds like a great read I really enjoyed your interview.
I also want to add you have some wonderful covers! and your books sound wonder.
This book sounds really really good. I will definately be checking this one out.
So many good reviews about this book... definitely have to read it.
Congrats on your release !!
I enjoyed the interview. This book sounds great; I look forward in reading it.
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 AT gmail DOT com
That was a very interesting interview and I like your take on appearances and how we're judged by them.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com
Hello, Ladies! Thank you for a delightful interview! The first time that I saw the movie, "My Fair Lady", I was so disappointed in the ending! I kept waiting for there to be more to the story. However, I have seen the movie a couple of more times, and I now have a different take on the ending. The Professor remained insufferable, yet he had revealed his vulnerability. Eliza returned to him, fully aware of his faults, but knowing that in his way, he loved her and needed her. Eliza was illegitimate and raised in the streets, yet she offered Professor Higgins what no one else could: her spirit, her mind and her heart. When she became aware that he needed her, she felt reborn. I believe that their relationship grew through the years, but they still remained unique individuals. Others would not understand the complexities of the relationship, but Eliza and her Professor lived and thrived in their own exclusive world. Needs determined, needs met. Compromise and compassion added as needed.
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
Love the interview. The book sounds wonderful. I wish you a Merry Christmas.
Great interview. My Unfair Lady sounds wonderful. :)
ErinT: Thanks a million for the lovely comment! Have a wonderful holiday to you, as well.
Mary Anne Landers: I'm so glad to hear you are fascinated by the theme in My Unfair Lady, and that you enjoyed the Fresh Fiction article. Great to hear from you again, and my best wishes!
Sherry: Thank you!
Catslady: Our publishers are responsible for the covers...and I have to agree, they did a terrific job! Gotta love Erin's new one. ;}
Tigger9: Thanks!
Emmanuelle: Good to hear that you've read good reviews. Thx!
Booklover0226: Erin asked all the right questions. :}
VirginiaC: Thank you so much for sharing your insights on the movie, My Fair Lady. Brilliantly done!
Joan: Merry Christmas to you!
CrystalGB: Thanks. :}
Woops, my apologies, Maureen, I missed you! Thanks so much for the very kind comment. :}
In regard to My Fair Lady, I agree with you Kathryne, I wanted a happily ever after ending also.
Kathryne your new book sounds delicious..
Great interview Erin.
Thanks
Thanks for this great interview. Kathryne you a new author to me, but your new book sounds really great. I have added it to my list to get. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year both of you.
Misskallie2000: Wonderful word, delicious! Thanks for the lovely comment!
And for yours as well, Becky! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
I love interviews like this in which I get to know something more personal about an author! Thanks Kathryne and Erin!
Congrats on the release of MY UNFAIR LADY!
Hello Kathryne & Erin great Interview My Fair Lady is one of my Favorite movies I too wanted to know what happened after...
looking forward to reading your books.
Have a good one Ladies.
Happy Holidays.
Greetings Erin and Kathryne...I didn't win My Unfair Lady in a recent contest, so I bought it:) I'd liked what I'd read about it and love independent heroines. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the host of animals included in the story was a complete surprise and because I'm an animal lover, well, it was a bonus. I loved that Summer Lee Wine stayed true to herself even if she slipped there for a bit;) ~Nancy
nbristow at cox.net
Our pleasure, Sue A. And thank you!
Happy Holidays to you too, Alba. :}
That is so fantastic to hear, Nancy. Thanks a million for letting me know that you enjoyed the book, and I loved hearing that the 'critters' were a bonus. ;}
If this book is anything like the title, I'm all in. Growing up, one of the essays I wrote was about I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas. I like twists on the usual things people do.
Thank you for the interview today, Ladies! Your books sound like a fun read, Kathryne. Yours too, Erin! Happy Holidays to you both!
I like the excerpt and would love to win this book.
The interview was awesome.
Merry Christmas Ladies I loved the interview on the blog and glad to see what books were on Katheyne's TBR list. I find those books to be more to my reading tastes than just simple reviews.
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