Kris Kennedy

Get Lost in This Story…

A warrior with questionable intentions . . .
On the eve of Magna Carta, Jamie Lost, King John’s favored lieutenant, is sent on a mission: retrieve an exiled priest with dangerous information before the rebel forces close in.  The mission is simple, until he encounters a mysterious woman on an errand of her own.  She first steals his quarry, then his heart.    

A lady of remarkable courage . . .
Eva is also seeking Father Peter, but she intends to protect him from a secret that endangers his life, even if it costs her own.  She is well aware danger lies everywhere, especially in the knight showing too much interest in her activities.  But deep inside, Eva knows the danger lies not in Jamie, but in her, in the desire he awakens in her body and her heart.

A secret that could overthrow the king. 
When a mysterious band of armed mercenaries upends both their plans and abducts the priest, Jamie and Eva form an uneasy alliance.   As civil war unfolds around them, they embark on an epic journey that betrays the truth about their identities, their unexpected loyalties, and the dangerous attraction that will seal their fates forever.

Their love can save a kingdom. Or destroy it.  DEFIANT.

I am so excited to host fellow historical author and agency sister, Kris Kennedy on the blog today.  I was first introduced to her stories when I heard an editor raving about this fabulous Medieval story she’d just bought after someone on a panel had asked if Medievals were dead.  That same day, I was given Kris’ book, The Irish Warrior, by another person who said I had to read it and I thought, “That’s twice now I’ve heard her name in one day. I’ll have to check her out.”  And believe me, Kris’s books live up to the hype—and, as I’ve learned as we’ve gotten to know each other, she's just truly a nice person, which is a total bonus!  I highly encourage you to pick up one of her stories today.    

Wife, mom and former psychotherapist, Kris Kennedy left behind the office for the wilds of medieval England and Ireland, writing sexy, adventure-filled medieval romances for Pocket Books.  Her current release, DEFIANT, got a starred review from Publishers Weekly.  Her former release, THE IRISH WARRIOR, won RWA® 2008 Golden Heart Award for Best Unpublished Historical Romance, and released in June 2009 from Kensington.  Visit the website for more info, or to drop Kris a line: http://kriskennedy.net

So, let’s get to the Get Lost Interview!!!

Heather:  What’s your favorite movie of all time?

Kris:  That is incredibly hard, in part because ‘favorite’ depends on mood.  But some of the movies I watch over and over for nothing-but-fun escapism include Jaws and two of the three Indy movies.

Heather:  How often to you get lost in a story? 

Kris:  I wish I could find more time! These days, I’m pretty driven on tasks—write a scene, clean something (anything—I’m not picky, and everything can use it), drop off at school, pick up from school, walk the dog, play games with kids, go to the baseball practice, go to the baseball game, shop, cook, clean up, write some more, fall into bed.

Heather:  What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in?

Kris:  Hot, sexy adventure.  I’m pretty liberal with my definition of ‘adventure.’  I need it to feel exciting and sweeping with engaging, humorous characters, and as long as it’s got all that and it involves a battle of wills, I’m probably good.  :-)

Heather:  What’s your favorite “love” word?

Kris:  My son and I say we’re in love with each other. :-)  It’s not how we adults mean the phrase, but it works perfectly.  The notion of being ‘inside’ of love with another person is pretty amazing to me, and exactly how I feel.  :-)

Heather:  Where do you read and how often?

Kris:  I’m a mom with deadlines, so I read whenever I can grab a moment, which isn’t often. I always read before bed, but sometimes that doesn’t last long. :-) What would feel like real luxury is to read during the day, on the couch, with no plans to do anything else but read some more.  Maybe take a nap. LOL I’m so wild and crazy.

Heather:  Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?

Kris:  Sometimes I do!  And if so, it’s always an alternative rock kinda sound.  Think Goo Goo Dolls

Heather:  Is writing or story-telling easier for you?

Kris:  I love them both with a fierce love.  I think writing is easiest, storytelling comes next, and writing well is the hardest of all. ;-)

Heather:  Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why?

Kris:  Oooh, cool question!  You know what?  I’d love to have ALL the heroes from my stories together for a BBQ.  And we’re going to make it a potluck.  Yep.  Some of them are secretly great cooks.  (Anyone who knows the books can try & guess which. :-) )

And I just realized something.   They’d all get along.  Really well.  What a great image. I picture a lot of laughter and storytelling. 

Heather’s GOTTA ASK – Kris’s GOTTA ANSWER  J

Heather:  As much as I LOVE Regency historicals, I am so very thrilled to see how well your fantastic Medievals are doing!  Please tell us how they came about, what you love so much about that time and what kept you writing when the publishing world insisted Medievals were dead.

Kris:  Honestly, had someone implanted my business-savvy, retrospective mind on my younger, story-loving self, I may have tried to write in other, higher-selling sub-genres.  But all I  knew is what moved me, what excited me, so I wrote there.

I think there is something so inherently dramatic and romantic about the middle ages.  Knights, battles, a certain kind of lawlessness that can allow anything to happen…it’s pretty ripe for tension and conflict and sensual energy.

That said, I have snippets of stories set in other eras.  I have easily half written of a story set in 1650’s, as well as a few Revolutionary War era stories, a few Georgian era ones mocked up, and even some contemporaries!   One day, I’ll get to them.

GOT A QUESTION YOU’D LIKE TO ASK YOUR FANS?

Kris:  What are some of the elements YOU all consider most romantic?  Do you like the lawlessness of the wild west?  The refined polish of the Regency drawing room?  Something else entirely?  What feels like great backdrop for a romance, and why?

WILL YOU HAVE A DRAWING FROM THOSE LEAVING COMMENTS?**

Kris:  Yes, we’ll be giving away a copy of Defiant to one random commenter.

Thanks so much for being with us today, Kris!  Where can your fans learn more about you on the web?

http://kriskennedy.net

http://twitter.com/KrisKennedy

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kris-Kennedy/300051018336

**Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North American addresses only. If an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.

Be sure to join us next week, when Maureen hosts Barrie Summy on Monday and I host Emma Wildes on Tuesday!