Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Welcome author Kris Tualla!

Kris Tualla is taking the publishing world by storm.  She has another new release and I've asked her to stop by and tell us about it.  Be sure to check out all the ways to win at the end!!! 

Welcome Kris Tualla:


Why a member of Clan Bell says: "Norway is the new Scotland"!


Before you condemn this Scots/Irish lassie, here's my story:

I've been to Scotland; it's a very beautiful country. Yes, we tasted haggis. Yes, it is disgusting. Yes, it required a pint of Guinness to wash away the taste.  My most memorable Scottish moment was with a handsome, kilt-wearing Loch Ness tour guide:

Me: "I bought a kilt!"

Him: "Is it forrr yoo?"

Me: "Yes..."

Him: "Then it's no' a kilt, it's a skairrt!"

Me: "Okay. I bough' a skairrt!"

Him: "Oh! Nice accent."

Me: "Thanks."

But when I started writing novels in 2006, I wanted to go a different direction from the highly over-crowded and fanciful "kilted warrior" market. Trust me - I obviously understand the appeal of a man in a plaid. Still, I didn't think the world needed another romance about one. There simply aren't enough bookcases.

The key is the man IN the kilt. He needs to be sexy hero material.



So who else is sexy? Vikings! Big, blond, buff, and beautiful, with oceanic eyes. But the Viking era was pretty harsh. And limited. And dirty. So my Norwegian hero's story takes place in the 1800s. And it quickly grew to a trilogy, with the second book pulling my Nicolas Hansen to Norway to candidate for a reclaimed Norse throne!

But, as enamored I became of my Norse men, I wasn't willing to ignore my own heritage, so while my heroes are all members of the fictional Hansen family of Arendal, Norway - in homage to the Bell clan, I have given some of my heroines the name.

In an attempt to schmooze the Powers That Be, I did set my fourth book - a Hansen prequel - in 1354 on the northern coast of Scotland. The hero is a shipwrecked Norseman trying to get home, rescued by a spunky red-haired healer. This story tells of the re-establishment of the Hansen family following the cataclysmic Black Death.

Loving the Norseman is scheduled for a Fall 2011 release, as is the sequel, Loving the Knight. There, my heroine takes the Bell name as she steps into the role of Lady of the estate and raises the plague-orphaned Bell heir on the Scots/English border in 1355. The hero is a Scottish knight from whom she is keeping her true "English/bastard/servant" identity a secret.

Trust me - there is a Hansen in that story as well! I must remain true to my brand. Because Norway is the new Scotland!

So. Is it time you found a new sort of hero? Please allow me to help.

For every 10 people who comment here, I will give away one free e-copy of A Woman of Choice - the beginning of the trilogy. And, yes. Commenter #11 warrants 2 copies! Comment #21? I'll give away three.

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!

In February at the end of my blog tour, I'll give away one SIGNED PAPERBACK SET of the trilogy. Here's how you can get in on that deal:

1. Go to http://www.kristualla.com/  and find the "Secret Word" on my home page.

2. Send an email to ktualla@cox.net  with "Signed Trilogy Giveaway" in the subject line. Put the secret word in the body.

3. Comment on any blog at any time in the tour to activate your entry. Each day's blog location is listed at http://kristualla.wordpress.com/blog-tour-dates-locations/


A Woman of Choice, A Prince of Norway, and A Matter of Principle are all available at http://www.goodnightpublishing.com/



A Woman of Choice - Missouri Territory, 1819

A woman is viciously betrayed and abandoned by her unfaithful husband. She is rescued by a widower uninterested in love. In desperation, she becomes engaged to his best friend. One woman, three very different men. Life is about choices.


A Prince of Norway - Christiania, Norway, 1820

American-born Nicolas Hansen has been asked to candidate for his great-grandfather's throne. His new wife Sydney isn't about to let him go to Norway and face that possibility alone. The moment they arrive at Akershus Castle, the political intrigue and maneuvering begin. Can Sydney trust anyone? Will Nicolas resist the seduction of power? Or will he claim the throne for himself? Most importantly: will their young marriage survive the malicious mischief of the ambitious royal family?


A Matter of Principle - St. Louis, State of Missouri, 1821

Nicolas Hansen has returned from Norway determined to change the world. But when he runs for State Legislator in the brand-new state of Missouri, the enemies he made over the past two years aren't about to step quietly aside. Sydney has made enemies of her own, both by marrying Nicolas and by practicing midwifery. When a newspaper reporter makes it his goal to destroy them, Nicolas must rethink his path once again. But this time, it's a matter of principle.

9 comments:

Dana McNeely said...

Wow! Keeping track of all that history and geneology calls for extreme organizational talents! Can't wait for "Loving the Norseman" to come out! The Black Death - shudder. It all sounds very dangerous - and exciting!

Audrey said...

Hey I'm the first comment again (yay!)
I decided to follow the whole blog tour (I'm on vacation anyway, so it's not like it'll prevent me from studying or anything) and so far, I really enjoy it!
I've been to scotland once, but I must've been around four. The only thing I remember is the princess bed I got to sleep in.
I'll have to go back some day (and Norway too)

e-mail: pitiponc@hotmail.com

Kris Tualla said...

Thanks, guys! I'll be going to Norway this summer and visiting the towns I put my characters in! I'm SO excited.

Kris :)

Judy said...

Kris! You're having way too much fun!! I always think it's silly when someone says, "The place or that genre isn't sellable." No, what isn't sellable are awful characters. If I like the characters, I will follow them anywhere. So, GO YOU!!

Margaret said...

Good lord, you certainly give a lot to look forward to! I absolutely can't wait to find the books; winning them would be awesome. Scotland and Norway are two places on my Must See list.

margaret.mater@gmail.com

Kris Tualla said...

One of the great effects of free self-e-pubbing and indie-print-on-demand is that us "out of the box" authors can take our product to the people.

Of course, it's a bucket-load of work!!!

Stay tuned to my blog tour for next week's post on why self-pubbing is NOT ALWAYS a good idea!

Kris :)

http://kristualla.wordpress.com/blog-tour-dates-locations/

Unknown said...

Kris...You have a great blog tour going. Great marketing too! I know it's hard work, but we have to market and brand ourselves.

Di said...

Love your Scottish accent! Can you do a Norwegian accent?

Erin Quinn said...

And the winner is..... Well I told you there was no way to lose with a Kris Tualla book and I wasn't lying! Kris said that EVERYONE who left a comment gets a book download!!!! Woo woo! Send me an email at write2erinquinn at aol dot com and I will send you the down load instructions! Thanks for visiting!