It's rare that I'm lucky enough to have to have the chance to interview two authors that I admire in the same week. Yesterday it was Jennifer Malone Wright and now today it's Kay Dee Royal here for an interview and to talk about her book Staring Into The Eyes Of Chance.
First off, welcome to the blog. Can you tell us a little about yourself? Thank you for having me here today, Dana. I’ve been looking forward to our visitJ Okay, a little about me; I’m Kay Dee Royal, an author who loves to read and to write paranormal, fantasy, and contemporary erotica romance. My muse enjoys being taken away by confident, intelligent heroines and rescued by wild, rugged, beastly heroes, both of which harbor shadowy secrets of intrigue. I believe my muse lives for the escape *LOL* You can find more about me and my work here: Kay Dee Royal ~ Paranormal & Erotica Romance Musings; Ravencraft’s Romance Realm; FB; Twitter; Muse It Up Publishing; Amazon Page
How old were you when you decided that you wanted to be a writer? Like most writers, I started very young…writing episodes of Lost in Space (I know…that really dates me, but I was only in fourth grade:), began writing my life in a journal in my early teens, along with more stories, always writing letters to everyone (would have been nice to have the internet back then), and then got married, had children, got a job, and even though I wrote stories, never sent anything in. So, I actually didn’t begin my writing career until about twelve years ago, when I finally left my corporate job to take some writing courses.
For those readers that haven’t had the pleasure of reading your work, can you tell us a little about it? I’m working on a Lycan International Investigation Agency series – Book 1, Staring Into the Eyes of Chance, a paranormal erotica romance. It introduces Chance, an alpha Lycan, three hundred years old and Olivia, a fifty-five year old human widow. Talk about turning back the hands of timeJ Let’s just say, Lycan have a lot going for them in the aging process. Here’s the tagline: Olivia swears off men until she meets Chance, a Lycan alpha. He ignites an undeniable hunger they can only sate together. The tagline gives the grit on Olivia and Chance, but doesn’t really give all that’s going on in the Lycan agency…nor the fact they track a dangerous rogue Lycan, Smoke, who somehow ends up on Olivia’s wildlife preserveJ
Do you see yourself in any of these characters? I resonate with Olivia on different levels. I guess it’s more like a deep respect or admiration…we could be friends, easily.
Do you have any odd writing habits or rituals? Not odd, but rituals. First every morning deciding where I want to station myself in the house, what room, what window, run down a quick to do list and a longer list of things I’ll need to accomplish, light up my scented candle (Citrus & Sage a favorite), and depending on the focus/concentration level of my first project, I’ll play some ambient music in the background. Usually after those decisions, I begin by promoting a guest author on my blogJ
All writers have them, but what was that a-ha moment that inspired you? When my publisher, Lea Schizas, Muse It Up Publishing, who I’ve admired for years, sent me an email accepting my submission, followed by the contract. I realized in that moment, yeah, I really am an author.
What are your most difficult scenes to write? I don’t really have any, but if I had to pick something I work on longer and harder to perfect, it’s the opening…finding the right place to start the story.
Describe your ideal writing place. My most perfect place is in my three-season room…nice breeze, just the right amount of shade trees, and the sounds of the outdoors without the bugsJ
When you first started out as a writer, what were some of your biggest challenges? Keeping my butt in the chair…giving this new career the same respect as any job, adhering to work hours. That took a couple of years and a comment from an important someone saying I’m treating my writing more like a hobby. Grrrr. I might be flexible with my hours, but I still put them in every day, at least 6-8 hours, with many days being more like 10-12. I’m attempting to take time off weekends…not working very wellL
Any advice for other writers that are just starting out? Never, never give up. If you have a deep abiding passion for writing, and know you’d definitely miss it two-fold to give it up, keep writing. You’ll find success.
Are your family and friends supportive of you? Yes, every one of them…most especially my husband. He’s been my grandest cheering section.
What writers have inspired you? I have many for different reasons. A couple of them are, first, Kate Douglas and her Wolf Tales series. Kate has built an exceptional world of Chanku, she labels as an exotic race of shape-shifters…and believe me when I say—they are. This world is so innovative it has lasted through twelve books and Kate’s still going strong with off-shoots of it. (Plus all of her other series). To learn more about Kate and her work: http://www.katedouglas.com/. My second is paranormal YA author, Maggie Stiefvater. Her story-stars in Shiver are so compelling, as is her style and voice. The first person point of view drew me right in, but Maggie’s creativity with her werewolf’s abilities and limitations kept me engrossed completely. So real. *smile* You can find more about Maggie and her work here: http://maggiestiefvater.com/
Who is your favorite character from another author’s work? Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta *smile*…I loved Patricia Cornwell’s series. A strong, confident woman, who had purpose and a mission, plus a few vulnerabilities unseen by most. I admired Kay and years after I’ve read those books, I still think of her. What author doesn’t want a story-star that impacts a reader like thisJ.
What do you do when you are not writing? Mostly spending time with hubby or grandchildrenJ We fish, golf, hike with our dogs, and I read whenever I can fit it in.
What can we expect from you in the future? I’m almost finished with the 2nd book in the LIIA series, Savage Smoke. I also have a shorty coming out in December 2012, How to Net A Prince, part of the Lacey Lamp fantasy erotica anthology published by Muse It Hot Publishing.
First off, welcome to the blog. Can you tell us a little about yourself? Thank you for having me here today, Dana. I’ve been looking forward to our visitJ Okay, a little about me; I’m Kay Dee Royal, an author who loves to read and to write paranormal, fantasy, and contemporary erotica romance. My muse enjoys being taken away by confident, intelligent heroines and rescued by wild, rugged, beastly heroes, both of which harbor shadowy secrets of intrigue. I believe my muse lives for the escape *LOL* You can find more about me and my work here: Kay Dee Royal ~ Paranormal & Erotica Romance Musings; Ravencraft’s Romance Realm; FB; Twitter; Muse It Up Publishing; Amazon Page
How old were you when you decided that you wanted to be a writer? Like most writers, I started very young…writing episodes of Lost in Space (I know…that really dates me, but I was only in fourth grade:), began writing my life in a journal in my early teens, along with more stories, always writing letters to everyone (would have been nice to have the internet back then), and then got married, had children, got a job, and even though I wrote stories, never sent anything in. So, I actually didn’t begin my writing career until about twelve years ago, when I finally left my corporate job to take some writing courses.
For those readers that haven’t had the pleasure of reading your work, can you tell us a little about it? I’m working on a Lycan International Investigation Agency series – Book 1, Staring Into the Eyes of Chance, a paranormal erotica romance. It introduces Chance, an alpha Lycan, three hundred years old and Olivia, a fifty-five year old human widow. Talk about turning back the hands of timeJ Let’s just say, Lycan have a lot going for them in the aging process. Here’s the tagline: Olivia swears off men until she meets Chance, a Lycan alpha. He ignites an undeniable hunger they can only sate together. The tagline gives the grit on Olivia and Chance, but doesn’t really give all that’s going on in the Lycan agency…nor the fact they track a dangerous rogue Lycan, Smoke, who somehow ends up on Olivia’s wildlife preserveJ
Do you see yourself in any of these characters? I resonate with Olivia on different levels. I guess it’s more like a deep respect or admiration…we could be friends, easily.
Do you have any odd writing habits or rituals? Not odd, but rituals. First every morning deciding where I want to station myself in the house, what room, what window, run down a quick to do list and a longer list of things I’ll need to accomplish, light up my scented candle (Citrus & Sage a favorite), and depending on the focus/concentration level of my first project, I’ll play some ambient music in the background. Usually after those decisions, I begin by promoting a guest author on my blogJ
All writers have them, but what was that a-ha moment that inspired you? When my publisher, Lea Schizas, Muse It Up Publishing, who I’ve admired for years, sent me an email accepting my submission, followed by the contract. I realized in that moment, yeah, I really am an author.
What are your most difficult scenes to write? I don’t really have any, but if I had to pick something I work on longer and harder to perfect, it’s the opening…finding the right place to start the story.
Describe your ideal writing place. My most perfect place is in my three-season room…nice breeze, just the right amount of shade trees, and the sounds of the outdoors without the bugsJ
When you first started out as a writer, what were some of your biggest challenges? Keeping my butt in the chair…giving this new career the same respect as any job, adhering to work hours. That took a couple of years and a comment from an important someone saying I’m treating my writing more like a hobby. Grrrr. I might be flexible with my hours, but I still put them in every day, at least 6-8 hours, with many days being more like 10-12. I’m attempting to take time off weekends…not working very wellL
Any advice for other writers that are just starting out? Never, never give up. If you have a deep abiding passion for writing, and know you’d definitely miss it two-fold to give it up, keep writing. You’ll find success.
Are your family and friends supportive of you? Yes, every one of them…most especially my husband. He’s been my grandest cheering section.
What writers have inspired you? I have many for different reasons. A couple of them are, first, Kate Douglas and her Wolf Tales series. Kate has built an exceptional world of Chanku, she labels as an exotic race of shape-shifters…and believe me when I say—they are. This world is so innovative it has lasted through twelve books and Kate’s still going strong with off-shoots of it. (Plus all of her other series). To learn more about Kate and her work: http://www.katedouglas.com/. My second is paranormal YA author, Maggie Stiefvater. Her story-stars in Shiver are so compelling, as is her style and voice. The first person point of view drew me right in, but Maggie’s creativity with her werewolf’s abilities and limitations kept me engrossed completely. So real. *smile* You can find more about Maggie and her work here: http://maggiestiefvater.com/
Who is your favorite character from another author’s work? Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta *smile*…I loved Patricia Cornwell’s series. A strong, confident woman, who had purpose and a mission, plus a few vulnerabilities unseen by most. I admired Kay and years after I’ve read those books, I still think of her. What author doesn’t want a story-star that impacts a reader like thisJ.
What do you do when you are not writing? Mostly spending time with hubby or grandchildrenJ We fish, golf, hike with our dogs, and I read whenever I can fit it in.
What can we expect from you in the future? I’m almost finished with the 2nd book in the LIIA series, Savage Smoke. I also have a shorty coming out in December 2012, How to Net A Prince, part of the Lacey Lamp fantasy erotica anthology published by Muse It Hot Publishing.
Staring Into the Eyes of Chance
by Kay Dee Royal
Muse It Hot Publishing
Releasing March 2012
Book one in the LIIA Series (Lycan International Investigation Agency)
Featuring Werewolves, Paranormal Abilities, Explicit Love Scenes
Tagline:
Olivia swears off men until she meets Chance, a Lycan alpha. He ignites an undeniable hunger they can only sate together.
BLURB:
Olivia endures a thirty-four year passionless marriage, discovering her dead husband’s philandering history at his funeral. She devotes her energy and life-long sensitivity with animals to her wildlife refuge and preserve.
Chance, a Lycan alpha and leader of the Lycan International Investigation Agency (LIIA) throws himself into his investigations. He chooses to neglect his duty of finding a primal-mate after watching his father become an empty shell over the loss of his.
A murderous rogue pack draws Chance onto Olivia’s wildlife preserve, sending Olivia’s animal sensitivities into overdrive. Chance and Olivia discover a sizzling force driving them together.
Will they succumb to its enticing tether, or fight to resume their loveless lives apart?
Muse It Up Publishing: http://tinyurl.com/6rubdud
Amazon link: http://tinyurl.com/7lhhx2z
by Kay Dee Royal
Muse It Hot Publishing
Releasing March 2012
Book one in the LIIA Series (Lycan International Investigation Agency)
Featuring Werewolves, Paranormal Abilities, Explicit Love Scenes
Tagline:
Olivia swears off men until she meets Chance, a Lycan alpha. He ignites an undeniable hunger they can only sate together.
BLURB:
Olivia endures a thirty-four year passionless marriage, discovering her dead husband’s philandering history at his funeral. She devotes her energy and life-long sensitivity with animals to her wildlife refuge and preserve.
Chance, a Lycan alpha and leader of the Lycan International Investigation Agency (LIIA) throws himself into his investigations. He chooses to neglect his duty of finding a primal-mate after watching his father become an empty shell over the loss of his.
A murderous rogue pack draws Chance onto Olivia’s wildlife preserve, sending Olivia’s animal sensitivities into overdrive. Chance and Olivia discover a sizzling force driving them together.
Will they succumb to its enticing tether, or fight to resume their loveless lives apart?
Muse It Up Publishing: http://tinyurl.com/6rubdud
Amazon link: http://tinyurl.com/7lhhx2z
Excerpt:
Olivia closed her eyes, calling up her animal sensitivity ability, while shoving down her own panic. After years of psychically working with animals, she knew they sensed panic and fear. Her breathing needed regulating.
Olivia relaxed as best she could and opened her mind. She sensed the wolf; masculine. He came across with an urgent need to protect, more like helping her feel safe. Another howl, with a deep and sinister timbre, shattered her concentration. A stab of electricity zipped through her, pumping adrenaline and tightening every muscle. This howl came from farther inside the forest than the first one. She sensed aggression in the wolves within the forest, ready for battle. Her heart drummed against her ribs in anticipation of an answering call, and she couldn’t stop the tremors running rampant in her belly.
Instead she saw the lights go out through her closed eyelids. She opened her eyes and saw nothing but blackness.
Nine o’clock on a September evening, what did she expect? Damn power company! Hopefully Lacey sat in the Jacuzzi and wouldn’t come running out.
She lay listening for any sound. Her own breath, the loudest panting she’d ever heard, came in at a close second to her heart banging against the walls of her chest. Slowly, she sat up. The back of her head throbbed, her spine hurt, and the front of her body ached, especially her breasts. She bent her legs to stand and in that same moment a jet of hot mist coated her face.
Wolf breath.
Olivia froze, tamping down the run-for-your-life urge. Her mind reached toward the beast beside her, searching his energy markers, his emotions, urges. She read him as curious, stimulated. Maybe a misread of…sexually stimulated? She sat back on her haunches, figuring if she stretched at least four feet of her five-foot ten frame, maybe she’d appear larger. His breath assailed her from above, she remained squatted.
Damn, this thing is huge!
He sniffed the top of her head, down by her ear, licked the length of her neck and up the side of her face. Another howl close by, echoing near the tree-line, got the wolf’s attention. He raised his head from her and shoved her body back with his own. She went down on her butt, folding her legs sideways. Fur from his backside pressed into the front of her, including her face. Olivia turned her head away and took a breath. A shiver began in her belly and inched through her arms, legs, and up her neck. She sensed his urgency, he must move and his need…again, to keep her safe and again something else, another misread?
He moved back, his head next to hers. A growl vibrated, harsh and deep, beside her ear. Olivia jumped when he yipped instead of howled. He circled her, stopping behind her. A sudden scratch of claws and pebbles from rain washout near the barn pelted her. Air swirled around her as the wolf leaped over her head in the direction of the woods.
Olivia’s breath whooshed out like a balloon being released. Tears welled and trickled down her face. The wolf’s size was about as abnormal as it got. She’d never heard of any wolf being that large. She’d done plenty of research on the species, brushing up for the wolf pup she rehabilitated and released back into the wild years ago when Ray and she first opened the refuge, before they owned the preserve property.
Olivia pushed herself up onto wobbly legs, her stomach lurched, and before she could blink, vomit spewed. She retched hard, falling onto her hands and knees, weak and crying, something she hadn’t done since Ray’s funeral. As if on cue, all the lights popped on, illuminating her shadow against the barn wall.
Oh, that’s lovely. Damn power company.
A howl, and then another and another, echoed from different locations in the forest. Her forest, her wildlife preserve, not a place for a beast like her visitor, and most definitely not a place for the aggressive lot in the forest. She swiped her face with the bottom of her shirt and looked toward the woods.
About thirty yards away in the mowed meadow, her wolf circled with another, close-in-size, milky-eyed wolf with a deformed face, both spot-lighted in the yard light. They flashed razor sharp teeth and glowing eyes, with the exception of the one’s coated eye. Their vicious growls and snapping jaws filled the air. Olivia found her tranq gun on the ground and grabbed it. By the time she turned for a shot, she saw the tail end of both wolves leaping into the woods, her wolf chasing the other.
Olivia leaned against the barn, adjusting her position in accordance with her pain. She thought of the curious readings she sensed from her wolf, not sure of their meaning. She never questioned first impressions from readings anymore. Years of experiences proved first intuitive readings rang as authentic truth in almost every case.
She closed her eyes and pictured her wolf looking at her for the first time, the way his head snapped in her direction and how their gazes met and connected. She touched her neck, sliding fingertips up her cheek where his tongue touched her skin.
Her breath caught, heart raced, and her eyes opened wide. She laughed out loud, maybe in relief, maybe in a small fit of hysteria, or maybe because she consider that wolf as “her” wolf. Her “stimulation” readings from him threw her off, knowing it wasn’t a possibility.
Olivia closed her eyes, calling up her animal sensitivity ability, while shoving down her own panic. After years of psychically working with animals, she knew they sensed panic and fear. Her breathing needed regulating.
Olivia relaxed as best she could and opened her mind. She sensed the wolf; masculine. He came across with an urgent need to protect, more like helping her feel safe. Another howl, with a deep and sinister timbre, shattered her concentration. A stab of electricity zipped through her, pumping adrenaline and tightening every muscle. This howl came from farther inside the forest than the first one. She sensed aggression in the wolves within the forest, ready for battle. Her heart drummed against her ribs in anticipation of an answering call, and she couldn’t stop the tremors running rampant in her belly.
Instead she saw the lights go out through her closed eyelids. She opened her eyes and saw nothing but blackness.
Nine o’clock on a September evening, what did she expect? Damn power company! Hopefully Lacey sat in the Jacuzzi and wouldn’t come running out.
She lay listening for any sound. Her own breath, the loudest panting she’d ever heard, came in at a close second to her heart banging against the walls of her chest. Slowly, she sat up. The back of her head throbbed, her spine hurt, and the front of her body ached, especially her breasts. She bent her legs to stand and in that same moment a jet of hot mist coated her face.
Wolf breath.
Olivia froze, tamping down the run-for-your-life urge. Her mind reached toward the beast beside her, searching his energy markers, his emotions, urges. She read him as curious, stimulated. Maybe a misread of…sexually stimulated? She sat back on her haunches, figuring if she stretched at least four feet of her five-foot ten frame, maybe she’d appear larger. His breath assailed her from above, she remained squatted.
Damn, this thing is huge!
He sniffed the top of her head, down by her ear, licked the length of her neck and up the side of her face. Another howl close by, echoing near the tree-line, got the wolf’s attention. He raised his head from her and shoved her body back with his own. She went down on her butt, folding her legs sideways. Fur from his backside pressed into the front of her, including her face. Olivia turned her head away and took a breath. A shiver began in her belly and inched through her arms, legs, and up her neck. She sensed his urgency, he must move and his need…again, to keep her safe and again something else, another misread?
He moved back, his head next to hers. A growl vibrated, harsh and deep, beside her ear. Olivia jumped when he yipped instead of howled. He circled her, stopping behind her. A sudden scratch of claws and pebbles from rain washout near the barn pelted her. Air swirled around her as the wolf leaped over her head in the direction of the woods.
Olivia’s breath whooshed out like a balloon being released. Tears welled and trickled down her face. The wolf’s size was about as abnormal as it got. She’d never heard of any wolf being that large. She’d done plenty of research on the species, brushing up for the wolf pup she rehabilitated and released back into the wild years ago when Ray and she first opened the refuge, before they owned the preserve property.
Olivia pushed herself up onto wobbly legs, her stomach lurched, and before she could blink, vomit spewed. She retched hard, falling onto her hands and knees, weak and crying, something she hadn’t done since Ray’s funeral. As if on cue, all the lights popped on, illuminating her shadow against the barn wall.
Oh, that’s lovely. Damn power company.
A howl, and then another and another, echoed from different locations in the forest. Her forest, her wildlife preserve, not a place for a beast like her visitor, and most definitely not a place for the aggressive lot in the forest. She swiped her face with the bottom of her shirt and looked toward the woods.
About thirty yards away in the mowed meadow, her wolf circled with another, close-in-size, milky-eyed wolf with a deformed face, both spot-lighted in the yard light. They flashed razor sharp teeth and glowing eyes, with the exception of the one’s coated eye. Their vicious growls and snapping jaws filled the air. Olivia found her tranq gun on the ground and grabbed it. By the time she turned for a shot, she saw the tail end of both wolves leaping into the woods, her wolf chasing the other.
Olivia leaned against the barn, adjusting her position in accordance with her pain. She thought of the curious readings she sensed from her wolf, not sure of their meaning. She never questioned first impressions from readings anymore. Years of experiences proved first intuitive readings rang as authentic truth in almost every case.
She closed her eyes and pictured her wolf looking at her for the first time, the way his head snapped in her direction and how their gazes met and connected. She touched her neck, sliding fingertips up her cheek where his tongue touched her skin.
Her breath caught, heart raced, and her eyes opened wide. She laughed out loud, maybe in relief, maybe in a small fit of hysteria, or maybe because she consider that wolf as “her” wolf. Her “stimulation” readings from him threw her off, knowing it wasn’t a possibility.
Author Bio:
Kay Dee Royal writes paranormal and fantasy erotic romance—maybe because it's also her favorite genre to read! She pens tales with wild, rugged heroes and strong, intelligent heroines. She'll give them both a few shadowy secrets, making her stories intriguing and fun. She resides in Southern Michigan with her family (her dogs, her cats, her caged husband... you get the idea) You can reach her at her blog and find the latest on her titles from her publisher, MuseItHot.
Kay Dee Royal writes paranormal and fantasy erotic romance—maybe because it's also her favorite genre to read! She pens tales with wild, rugged heroes and strong, intelligent heroines. She'll give them both a few shadowy secrets, making her stories intriguing and fun. She resides in Southern Michigan with her family (her dogs, her cats, her caged husband... you get the idea) You can reach her at her blog and find the latest on her titles from her publisher, MuseItHot.
RSS Feed
