Ask the Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Answered Questions (55)
Kerrelyn Sparks
Thank you so much, Aly! I am still plugging along here-- some deaths and serious illnesses in the past year have delayed my writing, but I'm determined to keep going. The next book will release in Spring 2022, titled When a Princess Proposes. It will be a continuation of the Embraced series, set 20 years into the future so the children of the past books will now be the heroes and heroines.
Kerrelyn Sparks
Hi Neha, thank you for your patience. I'm afraid my family has been hit with some deaths and serious illnesses in the last year, and that has severely cut into my writing. But I am determined to keep going. Kensington has asked me to write two more Embraced books, set 20 years ahead, so they will be Next Generation books. The first one is titled When a Princess Proposes, and it will come out in Spring 2022.
Kerrelyn Sparks
She writes paranormal and fantasy mostly, also some YA suspense. Her sense of humor is very much like mine!
Kerrelyn Sparks
Each book was designed to stand alone, with a different hero and heroine, so if you are reading mostly for the romance, I think you will enjoy them no matter the order. But if you are really interested in the overall arc of defeating Casimir and then Master Han, then you should probably read them in order.
Kerrelyn Sparks
He was definitely inspired by Robin Hood, and his personality inspired a bit by Legolas in that I made him very calm and always in control. I wanted him to be calm like that because it was the opposite of Sorcha's personality. I also wanted to come up with a unique power for him, one that seemed elfish. I had already set up the mystery as to why the elves would attack neighboring countries, and I knew this book had to answer that question, and I thought it best if his power was somehow related. The clues had always been there, what with the name of the country being Woodwyn and the tree on their flag. I never plan these books ahead, but I do write subconsciously and always plant clues ahead of time that only later do I understand.
Kerrelyn Sparks
The first chapter of Sorcha's book, How to Love Your Elf, has been posted on my website at www.kerrelynsparks.com!
Kerrelyn Sparks
I wouldn't pay any attention to what's going on in the industry. If you write a book that an editor loves, he/she will buy it and find a place for it. Rejections happen-- I still get rejected today. My publisher who did the first 3 Embraced books rejected doing the last two, so I had to find another publisher-- that's why there is a long break between the first three and last two. It's just part of the business and you keep going. Published authors are simply the writers who didn't give up. Believe in yourself, believe in your story. There will always be naysayers who will try to bring you down. Pay no attention to them--or better yet, put them in your book and kill them off, ha ha!!
Kerrelyn Sparks
Yes, now that I have finished the Embraced series, I plan to do some more with the Love at Stake gang. There will be a time jump so the kids will be grown up.
Kerrelyn Sparks
I really don't know. Someone who can do a convincing job of being Italian?
Kerrelyn Sparks
Yes, the last two Embraced books are coming out in 2020. Sorcha's book is How to Love your Elf, releasing Feb. 25, 2020. The last book is for Maeve and Brody, titled The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea, coming out August 25, 2020.
Kerrelyn Sparks
Yes, the publishers do it on purpose. I started off making up my titles, but after the books became popular, the editors and marketing departments got involved.
Kerrelyn Sparks
Eberon was based on France and Italy, the northern part being more like France and the southern Duchy of Vindalyn like Italy with its vineyards and olive trees. But the castle of Vindemar was inspired by Dunnotar in Scotland for its location and by the Danish castle of Kronberg for the building and catacombs. Tourin was a bit like England and Scotland since it had the Highlands in the north, and the north and south were always fighting for control of the country. Norveshka was a mashup of Norway and Russia. And then Woodwyn, the land of the elves-- that was mostly inspired by the Lord of the Rings.
Kerrelyn Sparks
I guess you're referring to Xiao Fang, who was kidnapped in Love at Stake #15, How to Seduce a Vampire (Without Really Trying). He was rescued in Love at Stake #16, Crouching Tiger Forbidden Vampire.
Kerrelyn Sparks
Hi Mei, I'm so happy you're enjoying the Embraced series. Sorcha's book is next, titled HOW TO LOVE YOUR ELF. I turned it in Jan. 2. I don't know the release date yet, but I will announce it to everyone as soon as I know. Thank you so much for your support and patience!
Kerrelyn Sparks
Yes, we will! I turned in Sorcha's book on Jan. 2, and now I will be starting Maeve's story. As soon as I know the release date for Sorcha's book, I will let everyone know. It is titled HOW TO LOVE YOUR ELF. Thank you for your support and patience!
Kerrelyn Sparks
Yes! If you'll go to my website at www.kerrelynsparks.com, you will see the books listed in the correct order. I believe if you go to my page on Amazon or B&N.com, they also make it clear what the correct order is. Happy reading!
Kerrelyn Sparks
Happy New Year! The last two books will definitely happen! I finished writing book 4 and turned it in on Jan. 2. It's Sorcha's book, titled HOW TO LOVE YOUR ELF. I don't have a release date yet, but will announce it as soon as I know. I'm starting book 5 now, Maeve's book. Thank you so much for your patience and support!!
Kerrelyn Sparks
No, there is not eating of humans!! That was what the gossips said in Eberon and Tourin, but we find out in the third book that King Petras and his dragon followers were kidnapping young children for his mad wife who had lost all her children. At first, Freya believed they were her own, but when the children grew past the time that hers had died, she would figure out that they weren't hers. Then the children were sent to Norveshki families who were eager to adopt them cause they couldn't have children of their own. It was a serious crime, of course, and very tragic for the parents who believed their children were dead. But the children were raised in loving homes. Once Queen Freya died, the kidnappings stopped. Silas had always done his best to stop the kidnappings, but it was hard to go against the king.
Kerrelyn Sparks
Yes, I am currently working on book 4 of the Embraced series! It will be Sorcha's story and go into the elfin country of Woodwyn. I am really sorry that there is a delay between books 3 and 4. I had some serious health issues that required surgery, etc, and it knocked me off schedule. But I'm happy to say that I am much better now and back at writing!! Thank you so much for your support of my work!! I'm thrilled you're enjoying the Embraced series!
Kerrelyn Sparks
Hi Allysia, basic ideas are not copyrighted. If they were, there could only be one marriage of convenience, etc. It's been said that Shakespeare already did all the ideas out there. Ideas or common tropes are not original-- it's what you do with them that is. Now if you named your hero Howard and your heroine Elsa and made him a bear-shifter, then that would be a problem, LOL. But as for ideas, feel free to use your imagination!! Good luck!
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