Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
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In the Service of the King
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AC: Laura Kaye of In The Service Of The King (February 1 - February 3)
Welcome Laura, it's a pleasure to have you with us! I hope you enjoy your time with our members; and good luck to you all!
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Members, if you can please write the questions in bold; it would be easier for her to know that you have asked a question and less chance that it will be missed. Thanks!
How long did it take you to write 'In the Service of the King'? I never read any of your book and would love to try :-)
Thanks for joining us Laura! I am looking forward to hearing from you.
When did you start writing? & Who is your favorite all time author?
Laura, I'm delighted to join your Q&A tomorrow. You're an imaginative writer! You write such strong male characters which I know from experience isn't always easy. I can't wait to read 'In the Service of the King,' and wish you great success!Char Chaffin
char@chaffin.com
I love to ask quirky questions and I have a few:What books are piled up beside your bed if any?
Do you keep a writers notebook?
What is your favorite writing and reading beverage?
I am new to your books and am delighted you are stopping by. I am always looking for a new author to dig into.
Welcome, I hope you have a blast.
Blair Mirth
Greetings friend! What I want to know is where you came up with the idea for this one? :)
What puts you in 'the mood' for writing? Does it suddenly come up or do you have a ritual that is all your own before you start the creative process?
Nisha Mslvoe wrote: "How long did it take you to write 'In the Service of the King'? I never read any of your book and would love to try :-)"Thanks for kicking off the questions, Nisha! I wrote ITSOTK in about three weeks, and then spent another week or two revising it. This story just poured out of me and it was an amazing experience writing it!
Monica wrote: "When did you start writing? & Who is your favorite all time author?"You guys! I'm totally blown away by how many questions there are already! Thank you for the warm welcome! (And here I thought I was coming over to post a quick "thanks for hosting me" on an otherwise as-yet blank forum!!!)
Monica--I've been a writer all my life - I'm a historian by training - but I started writing fiction about three and a half years ago. Favorite all-time author...hmmm...I grew up on Stephen King and Anne Rice, but my current favorite author is J.R. Ward. I am so addicted to the Black Dagger Brotherhood it's not even funny!
Char wrote: "Laura, I'm delighted to join your Q&A tomorrow. You're an imaginative writer! You write such strong male characters which I know from experience isn't always easy. I can't wait to read 'In the Serv..."Oh, thank you for that compliment, Char. I've often said I learned everything I know about writing male point of view from reading J.R. Ward and Sherrilyn Kenyon. And I stand by that!
Tennille [A.K.A Blair] wrote: "I love to ask quirky questions and I have a few:What books are piled up beside your bed if any?
Do you keep a writers notebook?
What is your favorite writing and reading beverage?
I am new to ..."
Hi Blair! Great questions! I'm chuckling about your first one--I wrote a blog post over the summer called something like "the archaeology of my bed-side table," in which I dug through my mountainous piles to find there were over 70 books there (I'd say it's grown since then). Most it's paranormal romance, vampire romance, some YA paranormal, and a few other random things. You'll find the whole Black Dagger Brotherhood series, plus a lot of Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan, Lara Adrian, Pamela Palmer, Stephenie Meyers, and more!
Keeping a writer's notebook would require me to remember to put one in my purse and carry with me. Sometimes I remember to, sometimes I don't. I do have lots of notes written on napkins, the backs of receipts, etc. If I looked in my purse right now I'm sure I'd find some! :)
On drinks, I'm alternately addicted to diet Snapple and diet Ginger Ale. But I always have one or the other!
Stephanie (Purdueliz) wrote: "Greetings friend! What I want to know is where you came up with the idea for this one? :)"
Hi friend!! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE!!! Everyone, say happy birthday to my friend Stephanie!!!
This idea came to me out of the blue while driving home from an urgent care clinic late at night (I had bronchitis. Awesome. ;) ). Driving often allows inspiration to come to me, and this story was all of a sudden in my brain. I got home around midnight and everyone else was asleep, so I sat on the couch and started writing, and went to bed at 3 a.m. with 20 pages written.
Cat wrote: "What puts you in 'the mood' for writing? Does it suddenly come up or do you have a ritual that is all your own before you start the creative process?"Fun question, Cat! Sometimes inspiration strikes and I just have to write right then. But mostly, I try to force myself to write everyday. I have a number of contracted books due over the next six months, so I have to keep a pretty steady progress. The only ritual I have is that I need to re-read what I wrote the previous day before I can start writing new words. It gets me back into the story so I can continue on and keep things consistent.
Hi Laura, welcome back! I recently read Forever Freed and absolutely fell inlove with Lucien. What was the inspiration behind Lucien?
Laura wrote: "Stephanie (Purdueliz) wrote: "Greetings friend! Hi friend!! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE!!! Everyone, say happy birthday ..."
Happy birthday Stephanie :-) May today be filled with sunshine and smiles, laughter and love.
Laura wrote: "I have a number of contracted books due over the next six months, so I have to keep a pretty steady progress. The only ritual I have is that I need to re-read what I wrote the previous day before I can start writing new words. It gets me back into the story so I can continue on and keep things consistent."Hi Laura,
With all the contracted books needing to be completed; does it ever become a chore for you?
What happens when inspiration doesn't strike and the books need to be completed?
Do you usually have a book outline before you start one?
Thanks for the Q&A Session.
And Happy Birthday Stephanie!
Hello Laura! what of your books will you like to be made into a movie?
Hi Laura, I just woke up to find out "In the Service of the King" had been delivered to my Kindle already. Yippee! Is this story part of a series?
Hi Laura,You already know that I love your work! (I am asking Santa for Lucien for Christmas next year ;P) My question: What writers groups/organizations do you belong to and do you think such memberships facilitate your writing? If yes, in what way?
Sharon
Hi Laura--Congratulations on yet another page turning sizzling book! What inspired you to write this one?
Hugs,
Sharon
Welcome Laura. What books do you have beside your bed? Will In The Service Of The King be part of a series? How many books will be in the series? When will West of Want be released?Joanne
Iris wrote: "Hi Laura, welcome back! I recently read Forever Freed and absolutely fell inlove with Lucien. What was the inspiration behind Lucien?"
Oh, yay! Lucien was my first hero, and Forever Freed the first novel I sold. I was intrigued by the idea of a vampire forming a relationship with a human child, so I actually knew about his story with Ollie before her mother. In terms of *physical* inspiration, though, Alex O'Loughlin provided the inspiration for that. Yum.
Kryptonite wrote: "Laura wrote: "I have a number of contracted books due over the next six months, so I have to keep a pretty steady progress. The only ritual I have is that I need to re-read what I wrote the previou..."Hi Kryptonite! Good question! I'm very excited about everything that's contracted, so it's never a chore, but that doesn't mean my brain (or the story) always cooperates. So, of course, I then find myself scrambling to finish in the 1-2 weeks before the book's due to my editor. LOL Hellooooo, procrastination. *snort* I find that reading or watching some good trash TV are ways to reset my writing brain so I can dive back in.
I almost never write an outline beforehand. I write from the seat of my pants, which often means things happen in a story I had absolutely no idea would happen! SO FUN!
Thanks!
Coco wrote: "Hello Laura! what of your books will you like to be made into a movie?"Oh, man, wouldn't that be awesome? I think either Forever Freed or my upcoming West of Want. Part fantasy, part action, part romance - I think both of these would translate especially well to the big screen! :)
Rosalie wrote: "Hi Laura, I just woke up to find out "In the Service of the King" had been delivered to my Kindle already. Yippee! Is this story part of a series?"Yay, Rosalie! Yes, this is Book 1 in the Vampire Warrior Kings series. Book 2 will be released this summer, and Harlequin just expressed an interest in more in the series! Woot!
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon wrote: "Hi Laura,You already know that I love your work! (I am asking Santa for Lucien for Christmas next year ;P) My question: What writers groups/organizations do you belong to and do you think such me..."
Hi Sharon--good question. I can't recommend enough that writers should surround themselves with other writings pursuing publication. They're a great support system, offer advice, and provide invaluable feedback on your writing. I belong to the following:
Romance Writers of America
Maryland Romance Writers (RWA chapter)
An MRW Critique group
Futuristic, Fantasy & Paranormal RWA chapter
Savvy Authors
Among others...I definitely think these organizations have helped develop me as a writer and develop my career as an author.
Sharon wrote: "Hi Laura--Congratulations on yet another page turning sizzling book! What inspired you to write this one?
Hugs,
Sharon"
Thanks Sharon! *waves* This story came to mind while driving - always a great way to relax the mind - and I couldn't resist starting to write the moment I came home! I can also trace my family back to Ireland, so I loved using that as the setting! Thanks for dropping in!
Joanne wrote: "Welcome Laura. What books do you have beside your bed? Will In The Service Of The King be part of a series? How many books will be in the series? When will West of Want be released?Joanne"
Thanks Joanne! I have 70+ books on my bedside table (not kidding), most of which are paranormal romance (J.R. Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Stephenie Meyers, Lara Adrian, Pamela Palmer, Christine Feehan, etc.). ITSOTK is part of the series (book 1), and book 2 releases this summer. And the publisher has just requested more! West of Want releases this April, though I haven't been told the specific day yet!
Thanks for all the wonderful questions everyone! I'm enjoying chatting with y'all! :)
Welcome Laura!Thanks so much for joining us :)
I've read
and
so far and loved them! You have an amazing talent to write the bad-boy/scarred/haunted Hero with a heart of gold. My favorite kind of guy to read about.Do the Heroes in you other books share those same similar characteristics? What is the Hero in your current release In the Service of the King like?
Fran wrote: "Welcome Laura!Thanks so much for joining us :)
I've read
and so far and loved them! You have an amazing talent to ..."Hi Fran! Great question! Kael definitely shares that bad-boy/scarred/haunted quality (as does the hero in Book 2 of this series, Nikolai Vasilyev!). Having lost a mate centuries ago on an attack on Dunluce Castle, he's loathe to risk loss again no matter how much the strength of his immortality and humanity depend on the blood of a mate. I hope you this as much as the others! :)
hi Laura - thanks for joining us!when you write your books, do you have a soundtrack that you think of, or music that you associate with each character?
Dee wrote: "hi Laura - thanks for joining us!when you write your books, do you have a soundtrack that you think of, or music that you associate with each character?"
Hi Dee! Fun question! I always assemble a soundtrack, though I can't usually listen to music while I write (I like to sing too much! LOL). I'll be blogging about music and ITSOTK next week!
Ohhh, Alex O'Loughlin... yum. I could so totally see that! I've read Hearts In Darkness,Just Gotta Say and most recently Forever Freed. Your Heroes just keep getting better and better!I know you're a very hands on type of author. You interact with your readers on a daily basis on facebook (not just advertising your latest book, you actually interact with them and have conversations). Do you feel having that connection with your readers effects your writing at all?
If you could have one of your books turned into a movie, which would it be and why? Who would you like to see play the lead?
Lynn wrote: " If you could have one of your books turned into a movie, which would it be and why? Who would you like to see play the lead? "Fun question Lynnn! Though I can only narrow is down to two:
Forever Freed = Alex O'Loughlin
West of Want = Hugh Jackman
:)
Iris wrote: "Ohhh, Alex O'Loughlin... yum. I could so totally see that! I've read Hearts In Darkness,Just Gotta Say and most recently Forever Freed. Your Heroes j..."Hi Iris--thank you for the very nice compliment! I'm not sure my relationships with readers impact my writing in a direct sense, but it certainly makes me so much more excited to get my writing out there, see how readers will respond, and talk to readers about it! I also feel a pretty deep desire not to let my readers down, not to disappoint them in some way, but authors have to accept that once it's out the door, it's out of their hands and belongs to the readers. Very thought-provoking question!
Laura wrote: "Lynn wrote: " If you could have one of your books turned into a movie, which would it be and why? Who would you like to see play the lead? "Fun question Lynnn! Though I can only narrow is down t..."
I love your choices.
Hi Laura - I have really enjoyed the excerpts you've put out of In The Service Of The King. How do you decide which clips to use? Do you pick or you have help deciding which ones to use? Will I love Kael as much as Owen ;)?
Victoria wrote: "Hi Laura - I have really enjoyed the excerpts you've put out of In The Service Of The King. How do you decide which clips to use? Do you pick or you have help deciding which ones to use? Will I..."
Hi Victoria! Fun question. Usually I try to find clips that show something interesting or unique about the character or plot, or that end on a nice cliffhanger, and I usually try to keep them under 300-400 words. However, with ITSOTK that was *really* hard because the book is so steamy pretty much from the first pages to the very end that it was hard finding PG-ish excerpts! I managed to find a couple! LOL
Oh, geez, Owen vs. Kael? They're SOOOOO different! Kael has his sweet, soft spots, but he's a much harder-edged guy overall. Owen is probably more likeable, but Kael is more alpha. Does that help at all??? Aaaah! ;)
Hi Laura!How do you pick the names for your lead characters? I LOVE the name Kael and just wondered how you came up with it.
Alyssa (Hesperia Loves Books) wrote: "Hi Laura!How do you pick the names for your lead characters? I LOVE the name Kael and just wondered how you came up with it."
Hi Alyssa! I'm so glad you like Kael's name. I'm a big user of baby name websites, and particularly ones that allow you to search by ethnicity and meaning. That was how I found Kael, it's means "mighty warrior" and can also mean "fair." A lot of times, though, the main characters' names just come to me. They're there from the beginning with no research needed!
Laura wrote: "Stephanie (Purdueliz) wrote: "Greetings friend! What I want to know is where you came up with the idea for this one? :)"
Hi friend!! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE!!! Everyone, say happy birthday ..."
LOL, Thanks for the bday wishes. And so very glad to see I'm not the only one hit with the late-night writing bug. :)
Nisha Mslvoe wrote: "Laura wrote: "Stephanie (Purdueliz) wrote: "Greetings friend! Hi friend!! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE!!! Everyone, say happy birthday ..."
Happy birthday Stephanie :-) May today be filled with ..."
Thank you very much! I'm reading Laura's North of Need at the moment, so it's a pretty great birthday so far!
How 'bout a little teaser? Shayla's first impression of Kael:“God, she’d barely been able to breathe when she’d first laid eyes on him. He was the most fascinating man she had ever seen. The vibrant deep green of his eyes was surreal. Dim lighting seemed to reflect out of them and, like an animal’s eyes, they glowed and flashed. His amazing mane of bronze hair hung down over his shoulders, and a braid with green, red, blue and clear stones tied back the hair on one side of his head, revealing the incredible angularity of his masculine face. His brow was strong, pronounced, and his cheekbones were high and sharp. His square jaw framed a mouth so full and expressive her own mouth filled with saliva at the thought of getting to taste him.”
Laura wrote: "Kryptonite wrote: "Laura wrote: "I have a number of contracted books due over the next six months, so I have to keep a pretty steady progress. The only ritual I have is that I need to re-read what ..."That's interesting. And it's awesome to have a career that you find so exciting. Thanks for sharing.
Is there any research involved with your books? Or are they strictly from your imagination?
Hi, Laura! And Happy Birthday, Stephanie *waves*!!
I know you love history - do you have any plans for travel for research purposes?
If your children grow up with the writing bug, does that make you anxious or happy?
My mouth is still watering for Kael here...
Gena Robertson
robertsongena@hotmail.com
I know you love history - do you have any plans for travel for research purposes?
If your children grow up with the writing bug, does that make you anxious or happy?
My mouth is still watering for Kael here...
Gena Robertson
robertsongena@hotmail.com
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
In the Service of the King (other topics)North of Need (other topics)
North of Need (other topics)
In the Service of the King (other topics)
Just Gotta Say (other topics)
More...
Meet Laura: Laura Kaye is an award-winning and bestselling author of paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance. If you like a story to make you breathe a little harder or your heart beat a little faster…if you like your heroes so sexy and tortured your arms ache to console them…if you like your heroines smart, resilient, and real…then curl up in your favorite reading chair with one of Laura’s books and let her take your heart, imagination, and body on a hot, heartfelt, feel-good journey.
Laura grew up amidst family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses, cementing her life-long fascination with the supernatural. Though an avid fiction writer as a teenager, a career as a historian took her in other directions until recently. Now that Laura's inner muse has awakened, she's constantly creating new story ideas! Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
Website:http://www.LauraKayeAuthor.com
Books:
Giveaway: Laura will be giving away 1 ebook copy of her latest release In the Service of the King as well as 1 ebook copy of North of Need.