Name Before the Masses Tour: Interview with Isabo Kelly!

Isabo Kelly is the award-winning, best-selling author of multiple fantasy, science-fiction and paranormal romances and erotic romances. She regularly publishes articles on the craft of writing and the writer’s life and has taught various workshops on world-building (which she claims is a lot more fun than teaching classes on dissecting insect mouth parts).

Reviewers have called Isabo’s books “Hot, hot, hot…”, “sexy, fun…”, “fast-paced, page turning…” and “Beautifully romantic…Isabo Kelly is one author you should add to your auto buy list.”

Her gypsy soul has taken her around the world, including Hawaii where she got her B.A. and worked with dolphins and Ireland where she got her Ph.D. in animal behavior watching deer. Now she’s a stay-at-home mom and a full time writer living in New York City with her brilliant Irish husband, her son and their mad dog.

Isabo's Current Releases:

Where to Find Isabo: 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Email

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TBQ: Let us begin with the typical question: Who is Isabo Kelly? Please tell my readers a little bit about yourself (no cutting and pasting from your bio, please!)

Isabo: LOL. Well, I grew up in Las Vegas of all places, determined I’d go on to work with dolphins (as you do when you grow up in a desert), moved to Hawaii for college, which was awesome, and actually got to work with dolphins. Hawaii was where I first really started writing regularly and even submitted my first few short stories to magazines. You’d think working with dolphins would be enough to keep me well entertained, but I actually found I needed another challenge.

So off I moved back to the US, worked with sharks (also fun), almost got my finger bitten by a little nurse shark while doing a TV spot (my mother still scolds me for this because she was watching and screaming at the TV as it was happening), and discovered Romance novels. I also started my first fantasy romance at this stage. 


Then I toddled off to Germany, then to Ireland for graduate school (watching deer mate this time), and met my future husband (that’s a story in itself). I also managed to get my first novel published during my Ph.D. work. After all of that, I realized the only job I’d never gotten bored with was writing. Though, I still gravitate toward travel adventures (my toddler is great on airplanes because he’s been flying since he was 3 months old). 

TBQ: I see that you have been to many different places, including German and Ireland (I'm very envious about this one!). Do you have a favorite? Is there a place you haven't been to, but you are dying to see?

Isabo: I’m not sure if I can claim to have a favorite place because I loved a lot of the places I’ve visited, but I like to think of Dublin as my adopted home town. I loved living in Ireland a lot. But it’s kind of expensive and it rains a lot! I adore Italy too, especially Florence. And I always have time to visit Paris and Vienna.

As far as places I’m dying to see, oh there are lots. I’d love to get to India at some stage. And my husband and I are talking about Istanbul in 2013 as a possible holiday destination. Actually, I have a list around here somewhere of the places I want to visit. It’s several pages long.

OH! And if they make space tourism affordable in my lifetime, I am so going to the moon! I don’t care if I’m a hundred years old, I am gonna be on that tour!

TBQ: You've written a variety of novels, including paranormal , fantasy and science fiction. Which is your favorite genre to write about?


Isabo: This is so standard, but whatever genre I happen to be writing in at any given moment is my favorite. I know, I know. But actually, I love all of these subgenres a lot, both reading them and writing in them, so it really just depends. The one thing I like the most about fantasy, though, is that I get to make everything up. When I really feel the need to develop a world from the ground up with no actual connection to Earth, I dive into fantasy worlds. That’s great fun.

But then there are the spaceships…

TBQ: Would you (or have you already) considered writing any other genres (for example, historical or erotica?)


Isabo: I’d consider writing in any other genre where I got a good idea for a story. Thrillers appeal to me (and my mom would love that since that and mystery are her favorite genres). I’d consider historicals because I love to read them, but I don’t think I have the right voice for a historical novel. I’ve written erotic romance and have considered writing more straightforward erotica, but I waver on that one. I love the genre, but I’m not sure I could write in it for very long. Maybe one day.

I try not to discount anything because I just never know where my imagination might take me. I used to say I’d never write a horror novel because I’d scare myself too much, but I’ve even been considering a good old fashioned horror book lately. LOL. See, can’t discount anything. (Although, I probably won’t be able to sleep if I write a horror novel. Or climb into bed normally—I’d have to leap from a foot away so the monsters under the bed don’t get me!)

TBQ: Your newest release, Brightarrow Burning, has been out for a few months now. But for those of us not yet familiar with it, tell us a little bit about it—in your own words. Why will my readers love it? :D

Isabo: Brightarrow Burning is a dark, angsty, emotional romp through the war torn city of Sinnale. Okay, romp is probably the wrong word. *g* It’s a sexy high fantasy story about a heroine caught up in a war and forced to distrust the man she’s loved for years because he’s an elf and his brother is officially on the wrong side of the conflict. My elf hero, Ulric, is super sexy and strong and will do anything for the heroine, Layla. Layla would love nothing more than to spend her days and nights in bed with Ulric, but she can’t trust him because of his brother. And if he turns out to be a traitor, she’d be risking more than her own life. She’s strong and conflicted, he’s gorgeous and protective. And they have a lot to overcome before they get their happily ever after—including actually staying alive.

TBQ: I know author's always hate this question, but I have to ask: where do you get the inspiration for your books? For example, Brightarrow Burning?

Isabo: LOL, you know why authors hate this question? It’s so hard to answer! I’m like most authors, though, I get my ideas from everywhere. The idea for Brightarrow Burning actually came to me while I was trying to think of an idea. A former editor asked me if I could write a story for her as a contingency to not getting all the stories due for a particular project. Before answering the email, I let my imagination go and figured it would be fun to work in a fantasy world again so it’d be nice if I had an idea along those lines. But I wasn’t really trying to think of anything specific, just let my mind do its thing in the background while I finished cleaning out my inbox. Then I got this snippet of dialogue. That snippet became the opening of Brightarrow Burning and the idea just grew from that.

More than once I’ve been working on a book and a secondary character jumps up and says, “I need a story now!” The initial idea for my very first published novel (The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan) came to me in a dream. And I got an idea for another science fiction romance (Marshall’s Guard) while I was half-napping, half-listening to Futurama. See, these ideas come from all over the place! It’s actually a little crazy. I’d be willing to bet a non-writer would consider a writer’s mind a scary place to visit.

TBQ: When sitting down to write, do you have any rituals or quirky things that you have to do, either before writing or during the process?


Isabo: My first reaction to this question is to say no, I don’t have any rituals. I really don’t. I don’t have a consistent enough writing schedule (and haven’t ever in my writing career) to be able to develop actual rituals to get me started. But, over the last few years, I actually have developed a kind of bribe for myself that gets me to sit down and put words on the page. I bribe myself by saying I only have to write one paragraph. That paragraph can be a single sentence long if that’s all it’s going to be. But all I have to do is write that one paragraph and then I can go do something else.

Once I get through the paragraph, I’m usually back into the world and too involved to stop writing so soon. But despite the fact that I love losing myself in writing a new book, it’s also hard work, and it can be hard to make myself write when I’m tired. The bribe gets me to turn on my computer and add words to my project without getting overwhelmed by the job ahead. So I guess I do have the ritual of promising myself I can get up and walk away after a single paragraph. Hey, I have a ritual!

 TBQ: Do you have a favorite hero (be it one you've created or one from another author)? Why is he your favorite?


Isabo: This one is hard because I have a lot of heroes I love. One of my favorites from my own books is Jacob Marin from Thief’s Desire. I adored him from the moment he appeared on the page as a secondary character (in a book I’ve never published), and he still holds a special place in my heart. He’s sexy, strong, and he loves women—in a good way. He’s just hard to resist.

I love Roarke from JD Robb’s In Death series (probably because he’s Irish and so is my husband). And I have to say I’m still pretty mad about Simon Bassett from Julia Quinn’s The Duke and I. So tortured and wonderful all at once! This is so hard, though, because there are just so many fabulous heroes out there. The list could go on and on.

TBQ: What about a favorite book (favorite one that you have written AND favorite from another author)?


 Isabo: Favorite book that I’ve written is tough because that’s usually whatever book I’m working on. Thief’s Desire ranks high up there as one of my favorites, but I also really adore this paranormal romance I’ve written and which hasn’t been published yet. It’s a were-tiger story with a really charming and kick ass hero and a lot tension. It’s so fun. I hope I can find a home for it so I can let other’s read it too. And of course, I love Brightarrow Burning! Sexy, dark, adventure stories do tend to make me a happy writer and reader.

Favorite book from another author is really tough too because I have several depending on the genre. But my current tops are Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie, The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook, and the Alpha and Omega series from Patricia Briggs. As well as anything that Linnea Sinclair writes. Oh and Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber. She’s so good at lyrical and spooky and perfectly period books. (A lot of great authors! :D I've read one of Leanna's books, and I have to agree with you--she has a very unique and talented way of writing!)

TBQ: Can you give us a little bit of a preview on any of your upcoming works? (Titles, brief summaries, release dates, etc?)


Isabo: My next release is a science fiction romance which is the sequel to my very first published novel, The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan. The Secret of Narava is due out in late spring/early summer. When I have an exact date, I’ll put it up on my website. I’m really excited about this release because this book has been a long time in the works. The story revolves around learning much more about the alien species, the Shifters, first seen in The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan, and a quirky, geeky heroine finding her super sexy hero.

After that, my Christmas novella, Christmas Present, will be re-released in October. This is a fun paranormal romance, playing with the Ghosts of Christmas and came from the initial idea—what if the ghost of Christmas Present fell in love?

My works-in-progress include a sequel to Brightarrow Burning, which I hope my editor will like enough to contract. It’s about an elf heroine, cousin to the hero in Brightarrow, and her romance with the most dangerous elf in all of Glengowyn. The war is ratcheting up and danger surrounds them. That’s all I can say without getting into spoilers. I’ve also got a hockey romance novella, part of an anthology, that’s being shopped around. There’s a paranormal element in because that’s what I do, but there’s also a hot professional hockey player hero (Alex is very yummy too!).

That’s what I have coming up so far, but readers can check back at my website for all updates on my releases. (Might I say, I hope that the sequel to Brightarrow Burning comes through, I look forward to it!)

TBQ: Your turn to ask a question, this time for our readers:


Isabo: Thanks for having me! This was such fun. Now I would love to ask your readers, what makes you buy a book? (I think most authors would love to understand this better!) I usually decide to buy a book based on word of mouth, the author, the genre, and the blurb. Cover art may or may not get my attention, but I don’t tend to buy books based on things like cover art and title, those are just things that might make me pause over a book to read the blurb. So what about you all? I’d love to hear how other people choose their books.

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Brightarrow Burning by Isabo Kelly
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (October 4, 2011)
Genre: Fantasy Romance

Summary (Amazon.com):

War tore them apart. Betrayal could bring them together…

Layla Brightarrow’s world fell apart the day the Sorcerers invaded her city, intent on using her fellow humans’ pain to augment their spells. Worse, the neighboring elven kingdom declared neutrality, effectively abandoning her people to struggle for survival.

Then some of the elves break neutrality to trade with the Sorcerers, and Layla is ordered to assassinate Althir, brother of the elf lord she has secretly loved all her life.

When Ulric of Glengowyn uncovers his brother’s plot—and that Layla is one of the assassins sent to stop him—his first instinct is to protect her from all possible harm. He’ll even use seduction, if necessary, to get her into a position to talk some sense into her.

Years of pent-up desire is too much for Layla to resist…and one touch unleashes an unquenchable fire that changes everything. Leaving Layla caught between duty and a love that could be her destruction. Or her salvation.


Warning: This book contains evil sorcerers, a scarred heroine, a sexy elf hero, naughty language, and an intoxicating and addicting pheromone that leads to wildly hot sex. Plus traitors, deadly magic, bespelled baddies, and a really, really rotten brother. 

Where to Buy*:  Kindle | NOOK | Samhain Publishing

Read my review for Brightarrow Burning--I absoutely loved this book!

 

Excerpt 1 (from Chapter One):


“I knew I’d find you here.”


Layla Brightarrow flicked a glance over her shoulder, then returned her stare to the labyrinth of cobbled streets below. “What do you want, Ulric?”


“I’d like to know when you’re going to stop trying to kill my brother.”


“When he stops luring, capturing and selling my people.” She felt Ulric move up close behind her but refused to flinch. Her every sense, however, focused on his presence, his movements, his breathing. Her muscles instinctively tensed, preparing for action, but she forced her body to relax.


“You know I don’t condone what he’s doing…” Ulric murmured.


“So you’ve said.”


“But this is dangerous. For you.”


She snorted, still refusing to face him. Ulric of Glengowyn was beautiful, sexy, and the man she’d been in love with since she was old enough to understand what those strange feelings in her gut meant whenever she looked at him. He was also an elf, and while he wasn’t exactly an enemy now, he wasn’t an ally either. “Go away, Ulric.”


“No.”


“If you’re so concerned about your brother—”


“I could care less about that traitor, and you know it.”


She turned her head just enough to glance at him from the corner of her eye. “Do I?”


“Don’t play games, Layla. You know I don’t support the traitors.”


She made a vague noise in the back of her throat to keep from giving him a direct reply and looked out over the cityscape again.

 

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During Isabo's tour, she will be giving away:

A $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to one randomly drawn commenter!

To Enter:

Mandatory: Leave a comment answering Isabo's Question, complete with a valid email address!

Or, if you do not wish to leave your email in the comment section, it must be visible on your Blogger profile. No Email Address, No Entry!

Here is Isabo's question: What makes you buy a book?

And be sure to stop by the other stops on the tour, not only to learn more about Isabo's work, but also to increase your chances of winning. Good luck!

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I would like to say a big thanks to Isabo for being here today--I enjoyed our interview, and I look forward to reading more of your books in the future! 

I would also like to thank Goddess Fish for allowing me the opportunity to host Isabo, as well as providing me with a copy of Brightarrow Burning to review (my reviews posts March 26th--please check back then!). 

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Author Interview w/ Dawn Halliday & CONTEST!

Hello, and welcome to my first author interview (and contest). I hope you enjoy, and remember to enter the contest (winners will be announced no later than next Thursday, though hopefully before then!)


Now, this particular author is fairly new to the romance novel business, but by no means a newbie. She writes under two names: Jennifer Haymore and Dawn Halliday, and no matter which one of her books you pick up, I assure you, you won't regret it!


Jennifer has been nice enough to answer a few questions that I had for her, and hopefully you too will find her comments interesting. With such a busy schedule (Highland Obsession comes out August 4th ), she may not be able to stop by and answer every one's questions/comments, but know that if you leave a comment on this post, I'm sure she'll still read them!


So let's get started! I'm proud to introduce to you the amazing, very talented....Ms. Halliday!

TheBookQueen: It's a cliche question, I know, but what inspired you to write Highland Obsession?
Dawn Halliday: When I started Highland Obsession, I’d just finished a story about a very intense love triangle for another publisher, and I had love triangles on the brain. I wanted to keep exploring the “torn between two lovers” theme. In historicals, that dynamic can be so intense because the ideals of marriage of the time were so stringent and divorce was essentially unheard of. So I thought, “What would happen to a woman who is torn between her old lover and her new husband…?”

Then Sorcha, the heroine of Highland Obsession, came to life, and she had some different ideas about how the story should be played out. Her interpretations of honor and duty turned out to be far stronger than I expected. Ultimately the story ended up being less of a love triangle and more about how two strangers grow to trust and ultimately love each other against all odds



TBQ: Have you always wanted to write romance? And how did you decide what to write?


Dawn: I started off writing fantasy and historical fiction. Eventually I began to notice in books I was reading that I was most drawn to the relationships and how those relationships developed over time. I realized that romance books are not all fluff and froth and gratuitous sex, but the stories of people who struggle and grow over time and ultimately discover how to be happy. I love reading (and now writing) about people who find their way to true love and ultimate happiness.



TBQ: What, in your opinion, makes a great romance novel? Do you use any of these 'qualities' when writing your own novels, or do you just let the story flow?


Dawn: As with any book, I think it’s mostly compelling characters, a great writing voice, and an engaging plot! I certainly try for all three, but I’ve found my voice is my voice, and there isn’t much I can do to force it to change. As for characterization and plot, I constantly strive to make those the best they can be.


TBQ: How do you come up with the character names? I especially liked the name for the heroine in HO, Sorcha.
Dawn: I spent a lot of time browsing around in Scottish baby name dictionaries and other name references in historical texts. I was looking for names that were accessible to modern-day readers, didn’t have too much of an “English” sound to them, and that fit the characters. Sorcha means “bright” or “radiant,” and I thought the name fit her character perfectly.

**Possible Mini-Spoiler**

TBQ: I was a bit surprised while reading HO that Alan was willing to share Sorcha with Cam (at least for the one night), but I wasn't opposed to this turn in events. I knew that Sorcha and Alan loved each other, trusted each other, and it wasn't just a sex scene that could have just as easily been out of a porno movie. My question is, while writing the book, did you find it difficult to write the very erotic scenes while still keeping the same basic core to the novel (Sorcha's and Alan's love story)?


Dawn: The scene you mention above is a big turning point in the novel—it affects all three of the characters significantly and drives the story toward its climactic scene. That’s how I try to approach all love scenes in my books. They must enhance characters’ growth and development as well as be integral to the plot.

Along those lines, I feel that without the love scenes, Highland Obsession would be missing part of its backbone, because each scene forces the characters to recognize something within themselves and moves them to a new level of development within the story. I’m a linear writer (I write chronologically from the beginning of the story to its end), so to me, writing the love scenes are like writing any other scene in the book—I’m working to develop the characters along an arc of growth within the novel as well as move the plot along.



TBQ: I've heard that your next novel, which isn't out until 2010, covers the story of Cam. Did you know, even before finishing HO, that Cam would need his own story? Can you tell us anything about Cam's story, or is it one of those 'If I told you, I'd have to kill you' moments? ;-)


Dawn: When I started Highland Obsession, I wasn’t positive what the second book would be about, but as the story progressed, it became clear to me that Cam needed his own story.
Highland Surrender deals with Cam’s continuing struggle for happiness. As an earl, he faces political expectations from his English peers, but he’s also rooted to the land and people of the Highlands. Highland Surrender starts off with Cam returning home after a six-month absence in England with his English fiancée and her uncle in tow. But when they are just a few miles from Cam’s castle, highwaymen attack and shoot Cam. None of their lives will ever be the same!


TBQ: Have there been any authors over the years that helped to inspire you, or helped you to realize what it was you wanted to do?
Dawn: There are many authors whose writing has inspired me. To name a few: Diana Gabaldon, Wilbur Smith, Sharon Kay Penman, Laura Kinsale, and Julie Garwood. I’ve also been inspired by writer friends (and brilliant writers) Christine Wells, Anna Campbell, Tessa Dare, and Maya Banks.
TBQ: Any plans for writing contemporaries or paranormal romances/erotica in the future, or do you prefer the historical?
Dawn: I’ve written a few short light paranormal and contemporary romances for Ellora’s Cave and Samhain Publishing, and I enjoy writing them—I especially like the freedom of language after being mired in my “historical voice” for so long. I definitely intend to write more of both when time allows. Right now, though, I’m continuing to focus on my hot Highlanders!

Speed Round!

Question: Chocolate OR Vanilla ice cream? Dawn: Chocolate

Q: A day on a secluded island OR a day relaxing at the spa? Dawn: Relaxing at the spa

Q: Reading a steamy romance novel OR a suspense-filled mystery? Dawn: Steamy romance novel

Q: If you had a choice (before you married your husband, of course!) which would you rather have an affair with: a sexy highlander OR a devilishly handsome English lord? Dawn: Uhhh….both?

Q: Hot summer days OR cold winter nights? Dawn: Hot summer days

Q: Where would your dream house be: in the city, where all the action is OR nestled in the mountain where you can enjoy the quiet and the wilderness? Dawn: Nestled in the mountain

Q: If you could live in any time period, past or future, which one would it be? Dawn: I’d love to have a glimpse into the future, maybe see where humanity is 1000 years from now!

Again, thank you Jennifer/Dawn for allowing me the pleasure of not only interviewing you here, but also for Highland Obsession (My review HERE). I loved it, and I can't wait to read your other books...written under both names!

GIVEAWAY IS NOW OVER--THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!

Now, the part you've all been waiting for! Jennifer is offering up an ARC of Highland Obsession to one lucky reader.

Pre-Order at Amazon.com

Pre-Order at B&N.com

Pre-Order at Borders.com

And all you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post.
One comment = One entry. You can always comment more than once, BUT YOU WILL ONLY BE ENTERED ONCE.



However, here are a few ways to gain extra entries:

Two Entries:

~If you are already Following my blog

~ If you help to spread the word about this contest/interview on your own blog, website, etc. You may post it in more than one spot, but you will only get the two entries.

One Entry:

~If you decide to start Following my blog now

Whether your comment is a simple hello, or a question for Jennifer, your name will be entered into the drawing (winners will be chosen using random.org). Please leave some way to contact you (a simple email address) or sign in before posting.

If you are already following me, state that in your comment (though I'm sure I can remember the 9 on my list). Same with the other ways to enter. If you post about this somewhere else, please link your post directly to this page, and when you comment on here, leave the link from YOUR post in the message. And if you are going to start Following me, please say so as well.

Simple enough, right? And if you win, you'll have your own (ARC) copy of Highland Obsession on your doorstop soon. I promise, you'll love it! It wouldn't hurt to post some sort of review of your own if you win, but it's not required.

You have until Saturday, June 6th at Midnight to enter. After that, the comments will be closed. I'll be out of town for the first part of the week, so I might not be able to draw the winner and post it on here until Thursday, but I promise I will do it ASAP. After I post the winner, that person will have one week to contact me with their information so that I may pass it on to Jennifer. After one week, if no one steps forward, the names will go back in, and I will draw a new name.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Jennifer's books, along with her website, so you can stay up to date on all her upcoming releases and news.

Until Next Time,