Interview with author Kayden Lee

Have you ever wanted to take a walk on the wild side? If so, “Abandoned Angel” by Kayden Lee may be just what you need. This novel centers on a victimized woman named Angelina “Angel” Hart, who is frantically trying to rescue her small son from her abusive, ex-con husband Spike. Things become even more interesting and complex when she accepts help from sexy, bad boy biker Blaze, resulting in the ride of her life.

So, what does author Kayden Lee have to say about “Abandoned Angel”?


Q: I got the sense that the story, or at least parts of it, had been ruminating for a sometime. Did you live with the story for a while, allowing it to grow and develop gradually, before you put pen to paper; or did you go right to work on it soon after the idea came to you?

A: After coming up with the idea for Abandoned Angel, I simply sat down one day and wrote the first chapter. I was so excited about the story line that it seemed to flow without much effort. From there, the story sat untouched at times while I developed the characters and the plot in my mind. I often feel asleep at night envisioning what might happen next, only to awake the next morning eager to put it on paper.

Q: In what ways, if at all, do you identify with the character of Angel?

A: I have had a wonderful life while Angelina, on the other hand, has had a life full of heartache and abuse. Although we are very different, I can identify with her love of her child, and willingness to do whatever it takes to protect him. I believe many parents will identify with Angelina because of this. As parents, we do the best we can, and although we make mistakes, we pick ourselves up and work at keeping our kids safe.

Q: Are you the kind of writer who writes continually or just when a particularly compelling idea strikes?

A: I write when the desire to write hits, which is usually centered around an idea that intrigues me. At that time, I can become a bit obsessive with the story – or so my husband would say. I am also the type of writer though, who tends to rewrite things frequently, which can become frustrating and time consuming.

Q: “Abandoned Angel”, despite all the grittiness and abuse, could be an escape for readers who have never inhabited a world as raw, dangerous and action packed as this one. Was it your intention to create an environment so foreign to the average reader it would peak their curiosity?

A: I believe that most people are looking for some type of excitement in their lives - something that gets their blood moving. Although the world created in Abandoned Angel is not ideal, it is exciting, and dangerous, and ultimately, something to get lost in. It was my intention to draw the reader into a world that would both intrigue and, perhaps, unsettle them.

Q: How did you get the initial idea for “Abandoned Angel?”

A: The idea came to me while my husband and I were on a motorcycle trip enjoying the serenity and beauty that riding allows. There is a freedom that comes with being on the back of a Harley that is hard to explain, but this “freedom” is what triggered the characters in Abandoned Angel. When I first started writing the story, I would jot down notes from the back of the bike to help me remember the sensations felt while riding.

Q: The most compelling part of “Abandoned Angel” is Angel’s desperation to rescue her kidnapped son, Justin, from her abusive, ex-con husband. Did you set out to write a story centering on the all-encompassing love of a mother for her child?

A: When I began writing Abandoned Angel I did not have a clear direction in mind. I created the relationship between the main characters, and went from there. Somewhere along the way this love and desire to protect her child became pertinent to the story.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish with this book?

A: I hope to allow people to escape the reality of their own lives, while getting caught up in the danger, love and adventure of the story. In my opinion, a good book is one that affects the reader in such a way that they experience different emotions while reading the book. It is my hope that Abandoned Angel causes many people to simply feel.

Q: What are your future writing plans?

A: I am currently working on Dead End Stranger, a suspense novel centered around three young women who become stranded after trusting a group of strangers. After Dead End Stranger is complete I will be finishing a sequel to Abandoned Angel.