Author Interview: Kris Kennedy (And a Giveaway!) Back to Blog
Update: Winner!! Congrats to Lisa F! Lisa, you’ve won THE CONQUEROR!
I talked about this author and her book on Monday, and now I”m super thrilled that the very talented Kris Kennedy is joining me today for some author interview fun. Thanks for answering my questions, Kris!
1. Please tell us a bit about yourself and the genre (or genres) that you write.
Hi Cynthia! I’m excited to be here today, chatting with you all! Hi everyone. 🙂
Let’s see . . career-wise, I started out as psychotherapist, specializing in work with highly chaotic, suicidal and para-suicidal women. It was incredibly rewarding work, but not ‘following my bliss,’ and I knew it.
Then, as I was working my way through the local library about 9 years ago (or thereabouts), I kept coming upon these ‘silly’ historical romance books. I’d turn away—no, not those books! Not those covers! You’re above all that. Look away!
But, alas, I looked. I picked up. I read. I was . . . captured. The night I finished my first historical romance, I was up until 3 a.m., writing. And I haven’t stopped.
I write medieval romances right now, based in England and Ireland, although I do have a few half-finished beasties that may one day see the light of day. A Georgian or 2, a could Revolutionary War era stories, as well as a few contemps.
2. Describe your current release in 15 words or less.
Damn you. 15 words? Or LESS??
Let’s see . . . How’s this?
A reluctant hero, a desperate heroine, & a passion that could destroy a kingdom.
Not 100% accurate, but close ‘nuff. 😉
3. Definitely close enough! Okay, now use as many words as you’d like to describe your story.
Ha! I was trying to go with my first responses, so I didn’t read the questions ahead. Therefore, this question was a big relief. 🙂
England, 1152: After seventeen years of civil war, things are about to change.
Reluctant hero Griffyn ‘Pagan’ Sauvage is single-minded in pursuit of his mission: overthrow England. He disavows everything related to a destiny, as he’s rejected everything related to his brutal father. He veers from his quest only once, to rescue a brave woman from a midnight abduction.
Guinevere de l’Ami is equally focused, with an earldom to protect. But Griffyn awakens emotions that will make her risk everything for a single night of unforgettable passion.
Their explosive reunion, a year later, follows betrayal and a bloody invasion. Now revenge, the lure of buried treasure, and a deadly enemy closing in threaten a love that could unite a kingdom, or being it crashing to the ground.
129 words. How’s that?
😉
4. Which character do you like better from THE CONQUEROR—the hero or the heroine? Why?
Ah, well, we do love our heroes, don’t we?
I love the heroine, because she is someone who has made real mistakes, not the ‘pretty’ kind, where she ‘thinks’ she did something wrong, but really, there’s no blame to be had. Guinevere has made real mistakes, and others have paid.
It’s up to the reader to decide if Gwyn is making even more mistakes over the course of the story.
In part, it’s sort-of the question: Is it better (or worse) to do the wrong thing for the right reasons, or the right thing for the wrong reasons?
I won’t give any more away. But this is reminding me, I need to get my Reader Discussion Questions up on the website!
Now, all that being said . . .I love Griffyn. I totally love him. I think he’s chocolate icing. His tortured-ness, his honorable nature that’s getting all twisted up. I love his sense of humor, his fractured confidence, his body—I mean. His brain. I love his mind.
🙂
5. What is the most challenging part of being a writer?
Hmm . . that’s a good question. And a tough one, which is the reason it’s good.
I think for me, it’s confidence. I don’t know if I’m good enough. And it’s such a subjective world, that for many readers, I won’t be good enough. Won’t float their boat.
Somehow, you have to remain confident enough to go on, get better, persevere.
You know what? That’s true for all of us, everywhere, no matter what we do. If we know it’s important or right in our gut, we just have to keep doing it.
6. In a fight, who would win…Dracula or the wolf-man? What? This question seems odd? Please, folks are dying to know this answer.
Totally, Dracula. Because he’s always true to himself. Sure, he has to avoid daylight and all, but he’s still a vampire when he’s in his coffin, or his basement watching DVDs, or whatever.
Wolfman is torn on a fundamental level, and so will always be weaker.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
😉
7. What’s your favorite scary movie? Come on, spill. No explanations—just name it. Let everyone else guess why.
OMG, let me tell you, when I was a kid, Poltergeist scared the bejeezus out of me. Totally.
My grandparents got my brother& me each a TV for our bedrooms (I won’t even go into what a bad idea I now think that was—this was back in the day, late 70’s, when TVs were not so ubiquitous, the shows were more innocent, & there was only white static playing in the middle of the night.)
Anyhow, you know how those old B&W TVs, how the screen would sorta glow after you turned out the lights in the room? The tubes or something . . .
Well, the glowing TV screen almost made my heart stop beating.
I’d squeeze my eyes shut, flip off my bedroom light, run and LEAP onto my bed. I’d pull the covers up, eyes shut. A few minutes later, I’d peek up. As soon as the glow was gone, I was fine.
Quite a spectacle, for about 5 years there. And no one knew. I’m just realizing that now. My mom and grandparents had no idea how petrified I was every night between 9-15 y.o. LOL
Aw, now see, Kris, you were supposed to let folks guess! But we’ll let you slide this time….
8. Tell me the one thing you wish you’d known about being a writer, um, before you became a writer.
As far as the craft of writing, I wish I knew the ‘less-is-more’ approach, to almost everything.
As far as the act of it . . . let’s see . . . I wish I’d worked out a lot more, so I could now rely on that fitness to get me through the HOURS and HOURS of sitting on my tush. LOL
9. What is your writing schedule like?
Ha! Very funny. ‘Schedule,’ she says.
It’s been so all over the map this winter and spring. I was on a deadline, and was revising an entire manuscript from the bones up. I was writing all the time, almost non-stop, aside from the mom-ing.
That one is an Irish medieval (excerpt here, if you’re interested in hot, funny Irish heroes <g>, and I sent it off to my editor the last day of March. A few days later, we went to Germany for a month. I’ll just say that I didn’t get much writing done there.
We got back about a week ago, & it’s been all about the release of THE CONQUEROR and promoting it.
But, I have some good ideas, and really want to get back to writing.
Generally, I get the bulk of writing time a couple days a week, when my son is at daycare. And I ask for some weekend time too, when hubby is home, and I usually get it.
Kindergarten starts this fall, though, although only half-day. Still, it’ll be an every day thing, so that will be good.
10. Tell me anything you’d like to tell me.
I’d like to say a big thank-you for the chance to come and visit! I’d also love to ask your readers a question.
If you could go into any book, which would it be & why? Like time-travel, only it’s book-travel. 🙂 Would you go and travel back in time, and experience life in an historical? Forward? Or would you go into a book with an altered, fantasical version of ‘now’? Like Cindy’s awesome books.
Thanks for visiting with us, Kris! And for those of you in blog land…I’ll select one commenter to win a hot-off-the-presses (so to speak) copy of THE CONQUEROR!
Tweet It
Good morning Kris. Lovely interview thank you so much for sharing yourself with us.
If I could time “book” travel it would be to back in time to Scotland to be ravished by a Scottish Laird. That time period really grabs ahold of me. Beautiful settings and sexy men in kilts. whats not to love.
Sara~
Yea–ravished! Me too. 🙂 Great answer.
Kris, the story of how you started writing was interesting. I was too snobbish to read romance when I was younger, too, until my sil dropped a bag full of Harlequins at my house. I read all the books, and I was hooked.
I’m off to read your excerpt! I love hot, funny Irish heroes. 🙂
Kris, I just read your excerpt and I’m smiling! You wondered if you’re good enough. Stop wondering. You’re way more than good enough!
Edie~ It’s so funny, how we used to be ‘above’ all the romance stuff. I am fairly certain that many of the people who ‘diss’ romance are secretly drawn to it, as you and I were.
And you are too sweet, with your comments on the excerpt! Thank-you! 😉
Cynthia~
Whoops! I just realized I totally answered the ‘scary movie’ question when you SPECIFICALLY asked me not to. LOL So sorry–I got swept away by my remembered fear of ‘Poltergeist.’ 🙂
I was telling Cynthia how I was actually meant to be an absent-minded professor. It shows more than I think at times. 🙂
Book Travel? Wouldn’t that be fab! 😀
I would love to dot about here, there and everywhere. Can I? Can I? Part historical, although the bathroom facilities I am sure, would have me racing out of there after a while . .
And then to dip into the Paranormal with vampires, shifters and such – ala Cynthia/Larissa Ione. Mmmm Colin & Eidolon – chocolate icing! Be still my beating heart!
And a good contemporary road romance wouldn’t be amiss either – ala Linda Howard. Am spoilt for choice really.
Interesting & funny interview – enjoyed it! 😀
Terrific interview, Kris. I’m afraid I’m not a huge fan of historicals but I might just have to give yours a look see.
Well, Willa, of *course* you can hop around!It sounds like a great idea.
When the over-seasoned, under-toileted bathrooms of the past become tiring, you can just hop into a Linda Howard world for awhile. And of course, grab a little bite of–or from–a vampire as needed.
😉
Great interview Kris! The Conqueror sounds like a great book, and enjoyed the excerpt you included about Irish medieval you have written.
Hmmmm, if I could go into any book which one would I want to go into? For me it would have to be in today’s world with paranormals 🙂
Michele~
So glad you liked the Irish excerpt! It was a blast to write. 🙂
I keep wondering, when people say they’d go into a paranormal world, wouldn’t it scare you? If so, what would be the most scary aspect, and conversely, what would be the draw, *despite* the fear?
Liking these replies!
Liz~
Well, what a great compliment! I am very honored. If you do get it, let me know what you think!
Fun interview. I love the way you described your hero, Griffyn. He sounds like he has the qualities to make a fantastic hero. I definitely want to read The Conqueror after reading that description.
If I could go into a book, I would choose a historical. Vampires and other paranormal creatures are fun, but my first love is anything historical. It would be interesting to experience a completely different way of life – without some of the luxuries we have today.
Great interview! The Conqueror sounds great!
Going into a book?
erm… is there are ‘coming back out’ part there? ’cause I really like my now (right now at least 😉 ) and wouldn’t want to leave it forever.
So if there’s a time limit on this… I would love to meet Edmond Dantés, Comte de MonteCristo 😀
Hi Cynthia! Hi Kris! I had to laugh when you were given 15 words or less 🙂 You ask great questions Cynthia! I was smiling all through this interview Kris!!
Its hard to decide where I’d go back in Time (I won’t go forward, I have enough trouble with learning anything techy and it will be worse then, LOL). I so love Medieval and Regency and I think today I’ll pick Regency. I want to fill up my card for the dances and go to a ball!
If I could go back too, I could go back immortal so I’ll have that! Maybe a succubus like I read in session with Cynthia’s HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT 🙂 (I think I got that scene right or i’ll have to go back and re-read 😉
Hi Kris, great interview, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading The Conqueror. I’m with Sara, let me go back and find a sexy Laird to ravish me.
Hi, Kris! Great interview, and fun question! I’m not sure… assuming this would be for a limited time visit, it’d be fun to attend a Regency ball. I’d also love the chance to try a futuristic one, with space travel and all that cool jazz!
I would love to go into Lora Leigh’s breed compound and see just how alpha those men are! That was my first thought and I’m sticking to it!
I’ve never read your books but this one sounds interesting and I really liked the excerpt on your site.
Hi Kris. Great interview. The Congueror sounds good. Love the cover. If I could go back in time, I would like to visit Regency England and attend a ball.
Lori Ann~
Can’t tell you how pleased I am that you liked how Griffyn sounded. I think he’s pretty cool too, but then, I’m biased, as he lived in my dreams for awhile. LOL
I agree with you completely–it’d be fascinating to see how people lived in a time with fewer luxuries. Depending on the era, luxuries like . . . running water and tractors for farming. 🙂
I think I’d be especially interested to see what they took for granted and what they didn’t.
Thanks for saying hi!
Amy S~
Thanks for saying hi1 So glad the book sounds good–hope it sounds even better after reading. 🙂
Azteclady~
Okay, fine, you’re allowed to come back out of the book era again if you insist. Altho, if you’d be with the Count of Monte Cristo . . .ya sure ’bout that? 🙂 Great choice!
Caffey~
I know–15 words!! What was Cynthia *thinking*??? 🙂
You have me wishing bedtime would come earlier, b/c I just got Hotter After Midnight in the mail TODAY, and I’m starting it tonight. It’s a real treat to have something I *know* will be fabulous to dive into.
Pam P ~
Okay, got you down for ‘nother vote for the Scottish lairds. (I have to admit, my fingers automatically typed’ Irish’–TWICE– instead of Scottish, so what’s that say about where *my* head is? 😉
Fedora~
You can go 2 places–I shall swirl my wand and allow it. 🙂
It’s funny–I’m SO not into space travel. My husband is incredulous. He’s asked me, repeatedly, “Okay, so if a spaceship came down RIGHT HERE, and everyone on board was all nice, you wouldn’t wanna get on?’
I’m saying, “No freaking way. I like trees and mountains and home. Maybe next time around.”
Probably just shows how limited I am. 🙂
Lisa F~
Oh, yeah, go with THAT first thought! It’s a great one. 🙂
Crystal~
I think that’s 3 votes for Regency balls. You girls can all go together-it’s always more fun with friends. 🙂
You all have been such fun to hang out with! Thanks for having me, Cynthia, and whoever wins the book, write and and let me know what you think after reading it.
That goes for anyone else too. If you get THE CONQUEROR, and like it–or don’t–do let me know.
Thanks!
Thanks for the contest! I’ve sent you an email.
Congratulations Lisa!!!!!! 😀
Congrats, Lisa F!
Congrats, Lisa! Just waiting for Amazon to get my copy to me so I can dig in.