THE LIGHT BLADE

KYLIE GRIFFIN'S 
world gets bigger!

ALLEGIANCE SWORN
A Novel of the Light Blade, Book 3
Berkley Sensation
Excerpt

"The third outing in Griffin’s rousing Light Blade series provides readers with a breathtakingly strong and dedicated heroine willing to fight and sacrifice for her people. Griffin keeps the tension running high as the world she created heads ever closer to war. This is a series that is definitely improving with age!" 

4 Stars~~Romantic Times Magazine

"It’s very rare for book to have such a phenomenal world where it engrosses me so completely that I am taken away by it. Hands-down, the world alone is amazing." 

5 Stars~~Riverina Romantics

"A fantastic continuation of a story that has well and truly captured my heart." 

5 Stars~~My Book Chatter

VENGEANCE BORN

A Novel of the Light Blade, Book 1

EXCERPT  

"Peopled with intriguing characters, the world of Vengeance Born is unique and filled with compelling mystery. I'm looking forward to seeing where Kylie Griffin takes that world next." 

~~Nalini Singh, NYTimes best-selling author

Enter a bold new series, the Light Blade, where a longstanding war between the demon and human realms rages. Promising new talent Griffin’s characters face danger and hidden secrets that threaten to change the world as they know it. A terrific debut!

~~RT Magazine

ALLIANCE FORMED

A Novel of the Light Blade, Book 2

EXCERPT 

"...does a stellar job envisioning her world and its compelling protagonists. Well worth your time!"  

~~RT Magazine

"A battle scarred, noble hero and a valiant heroine caught in a war of deep prejudice make for a powerfully affecting read."

~~Bookaholics Romance Club

"He had a hard life of abuse and condemnation and yet he was a man worthy of love. Is there anything better than that?..."

~~All About Romance

FIND OUT ALL ABOUT KYLIE

 in her 2 previous 

GLIAS interviews. 

Or visit KYLIE'S WORLD.

THE LIGHT BLADE HEROES

ANGI: How often to you train for battle?

AREK: Daily. I don’t think I’ve missed more than a dozen days of training since I was ten years old. Na’Reish demons are physically bigger and stronger than a human so you can’t afford to slack off. Before I complete my final journey I intend on taking out as many of bastards as possible, so it’s my duty to be the best warrior I can be.

VARIAN: Training? (arching of one eyebrow) I wouldn’t say my scouts and I trained, not until we came to Sacred Lake. In Na’Reish territory it was more like we learned fast how to fight or we died. Survival is a great motivator when demons and humans want to kill you on sight. Now we’re living at Sacred Lake, and part of the Light Blade patrols, we train with the humans every day.

KALAN: (wry twisting of lips) More often than I like, my duties as the Chosen tend to interfere…there are always Blade Council meetings to attend, delegations and Guild representatives asking you to visit them, patrol reports to read…but I try to make it a point of visiting the training fields every day, even if it’s only for a half hour session.

ANGI: What’s your first thought when seeing the woman you love? 

AREK: My first thought? (soft chuckle) Strong. Imhara’s an incredibly driven woman when she sets her mind on something. If anything gets in the way, she adapts. You only have to look at the decisions she’s made to help her Clan survive to appreciate her courage and determination. Those qualities were some of the first things I came to respect in her, even when I thought she was the enemy.

VARIAN:  (quiet grunt) How amazing it is to be her mate. I mean, I’m not the easiest man to live with. Kymora will tell you I can be surly, stubborn, uncommunicative…(lips twitch then briefly twist in a wry upwards motion)…and that’s on a good day.

Nor am I the most desirable warrior she could have chosen… (thumb traces a jagged scar running from the corner of his eye to his jaw)…but whenever she senses me nearby and turns in my direction, I see the most joyous, heart-warming smile shape her lips…and I know it’s just for me. For me…(shakes head)…I’m Lady blessed…

KALAN: Just how lucky I am to be loved by Annika (tender smile curves lips) and how I intend spending the rest of my life letting her know how much that love is returned.

ANGI: Can you tell us about a true hero you’ve met?

AREK: (blue gaze turns inward a moment and mouth pulls downward) A few months ago Na’Reish slavers attacked and razed a small crofters’ settlement near the border. Several villagers were taken. I was part of a patrol sent to rescue them. But it turned out the raiding party wasn’t alone and I ended up captured in the melee. One of the farmers, a young man called Yenass, knew I’d be killed on sight if the Na’Reish saw me in my armor and wearing my Lady’s amulet. The Na’Reish had set their Vorc loose to track us down. Yenass told me I was of no use to them dead, so he traded clothes with me just before the Vorc attacked…(eyes close briefly)…he sacrificed his life for mine so that I could try and help the other crofters when the time was right.

VARIAN:  I doubt she’d agree with me, but Hesia, the human slave who helped the Na’Chi survive, is a true hero. For twenty years she smuggled half-blood children born to human slaves outside the Gannec Fortress. She risked her life every time she brought us food and supplies. She also taught us to dream of a better life and gave us the courage to reach for it when the time came.

KALAN: Commander Yevni, the Light Blade’s Master of Arms. He’s been the head of the Light Blade training program for the last thirty years. Every warrior who passes through the ranks, and survive each patrol, owe their lives to his knowledge, dedication and skill.

ANGI: What’s your favorite weapon of choice?

AREK: A strong, fire-tempered sword. Nothing beats a well-made blade. The weight, the length, the sound it makes as it cuts through the air…a deadly weapon in the right hands.

VARIAN: When you’ve spent most of your life hiding from your enemies, combat tends to be up close and personal. Vicious in nature. So I prefer a dagger. Time is crucial. Cutting an intruders throat from behind with a sword is unwieldy. A dagger is quiet. Swift. (Gives a wicked grin.) Much more efficient.

KALAN: I have to agree with Arek. Light Blades are physically outmatched in strength and size against the Na’Reish so we’re taught to use our Gift through a sword. We can project energy through any blade – a rare few, like Arek, can direct it through flesh to flesh contact – but we need every advantage the sword can give us in a battle against them.

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

AREK:(shares a look with the other two warriors. Kalan smiles. Varian’s mouth flattens, his brow creases.) Umm, you sure like to ask the hard questions, Angi. I’m going to have to think about that one…anyone else want to answer this first?

KALAN: (snorting a laugh) Arek, you can’t be at a loss for words. I distinctly remember one young lady you charmed with “love” words at The Traveller Rest that night we broke curfew to wander the Night Markets.

AREK: (eyebrows raise) Lady’s Breath, Kalan, that was over fifteen years ago! How can you remember that particular night so clearly?

KALAN: (grinning) You were both headed upstairs to “chat” in her room within ten minutes of meeting. I was in awe of that feat and am still wondering just what you said to her to convince her so quickly.

AREK: A gentleman never gossips…(here he levels a narrow-eyed look at Kalan)…and Imhara better not hear about that night, or any other night we spent wandering the Night Markets, my friend. She’s staked her claim on me and I’d rather not spend the rest of my life chained to her bed.

VARIAN:  (blinks and stares at both men) She has shackles attached to her bed?

KALAN:(bursting into laughter) Hasn’t Arek ever told you how he and Imhara first met? (The Na’Chi shakes his head.) He woke bound hand and foot to her bed…

AREK:(interrupting in a dry tone of voice) And you call yourself my best friend? (Glances to the Na’Chi) Varian, I’ll fill you in later. Angi, I think we’d better move onto the next question. Please.

ANGI: Who is the last Na’Reish demon you'd like to tangle with?

AREK: (grunts) The Kaal Clan aside, why would I want to avoid fighting demons, Angi? They prey on us. They want to enslave or kill those we love. We kill them. Simple.

VARIAN:  Succinct answer but well put, Arek. Kalan?

KALAN: (grimacing) Savyr. The demon king. He’s one power-hungry bastard. Ambitious. Cunning.

AREK: Cruel, too. (hands fist, gaze grows cold)

VARIAN:  (when Angi looks puzzled by Arek’s icy response) Savyr raped his mother.

AREK: To avenge his son’s death at the hands of my grandfather. (mouth tightens) Savyr kidnapped my mother and raped her until she fell pregnant with Annika.

KALAN: Annika is my wife, and Arek’s half-sister.

AREK: Savyr physically and mentally abused Annika all her life, until she escaped him by coming here.

KALAN: While I’d cross blades with Savyr if I had to, he’s one I’d think twice about challenging. He hasn’t been Na’Rei for nearly thirty years without surviving more than a few assassination attempts or emerging victorious from several leadership challenges.

VARIAN:  His ledger of offences will be repaid. (Voice deepens with lethal promise) One day.

KALAN & AREK: (grimly together) Lady willing.

ANGI: What is your biggest vice?

AREK: That’s easy. Sex. Give me a bed, a willing woman, preferably Imhara…

VARIAN: (dead-pan) Chains?

AREK: (wry grin) Again, I’m too much of a gentleman to kiss and tell, but she sure makes bed time interesting, Na’Chi.

KALAN: (chuckling and shaking his head at Arek’s response) I think I’ll stick to safer ground and go for a hot bath. It’s something Annika and I have in common.

VARIAN: Sweet-treasures. Kymora introduced me to the honey-filled pastries last Summer’s End Festival. They melt in your mouth and I can’t stop at just one.

ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: Has anything "tripped you up" while writing in the LIGHT BLADE world?

KYLIE'S GOTTA ANSWER: Oh, yes. Just something small, believe it or not. Funny how a tiny detail can be the biggest gaff out. Originally, when writing the series and casting secondary characters, I decided on the names Zarian and Vaune for two Na’Chi warriors. I eventually swapped the initial letters around to make Varian and Zaune, but in all three books I’ve managed to mix their names up constantly. A pain in the butt when you have to go back and Find & Change each instance and make sure every single one is found. Nothing worse than getting a character’s name wrong!!!

FINDING KYLIE

Email    Website   Facebook   Twitter   GoodReads    Blogs    Shelfari   

KYLIE IS GIVING AWAY

one signed copy of ALLEGIANCE SWORN or VENGEANCE BORN (winners’ choice) to a blog commenter  (International book giveaway)

Note: COMMENTERS are encouraged to leave a contact email address to speed the prize notification process. Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address.

DON'T FORGET to FOLLOW us on Twitter #GetLostStories or LIKE us on Facebook to keep up with all our guest authors and their prizes. Join us next week for Maureen's COMPLIANCE release. ~Angi 

AREK, VARIAN, KALAN & KYLIE WANT TO KNOW: Is there a weapon you'd like to learn to use? why? Or if you already have learned to use one, which one and why? Have you mastered a martial art and what attracted you to learn it?

Kylie Griffin

ALLIANCE FORGED

A Novel of the Light Blade
Berkley Publishing Group
ISBN 10: 0425256014

There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not purebred is virtually powerless. Until a blind priestess lays claim to a half-breed warrior, body and soul… 

Hunted and marked for death by Na’Reish demons for their half-blood heritage, the Na’Chi are searching for a new home—something an alliance offered by the human leader could provide. With both races divided by prejudice, when Light Blade rebels brutally attack the Na’Chi, the alliance seems doomed to fail. 

Varian, leader of the Na’Chi, a hybrid race of gifted warriors, is cursed with the darker impulses of his demon heritage. Controlling the part of himself that craves the high of the battle is a struggle he’s afraid he’ll lose—until he meets Kymora Tayn, a priestess driven to serve her deity. While he’s unwilling to trust anyone outside his people, he finds himself drawn to Kymora’s strength and passionate nature, and discovers she has the power to calm the darkness inside him. 

When the Na’Reish raid human territory for blood-slaves and kickstart a war, the key to the survival of both races—Na’Chi and human— is an alliance. However, when Kymora is kidnapped, pitting human against human, Varian realizes he must embrace his darker half, not only to save the alliance…but also the woman he loves. 

ALL ABOUT KYLIE

Kylie Griffin’s obsession with all things paranormal/fantasy started at an early age, when she used to imagine the jacaranda tree in her front yard was a spaceship used to defend the world from invading enemies. Writing stories seemed a natural extension to her childhood adventures. 

Today, she’s a primary school teacher sharing her love for the written word with young children. In her spare time, she writes and reads all things paranormal.              

Kylie lives in a small rural village in outback New South Wales, Australia, where she volunteers in a number of emergency service organizations in her local community. Visit her website.  

Kylie's first release won the RWA Golden Heart in 2010. Please welcome back our Unsinkable sister...

THE Q&A

MAUREEN: What was your favorite book when you were 12?

KYLIE: THE HOBBIT by JRRTolkein - my 6th grade teacher read it to us one term and I loved it! When I went to my grandparents place I discovered the book in their library and my grandfather gave it to me to keep. I still have it.  

JILLIAN: Since the 2010 Golden Heart, what has been your most rewarding publishing moment?

KYLIE: Holding BLOODBORN (as it was titled then), the GH winning entry, in my hands as a print book (now known as VENGEANCE BORN). Opening that box of print books every author gets from their editor was an incredible moment. I was so excited I opened mine in the local post office, pulled out the first copy, looked at it and promptly burst into tears. It was such an emotional milestone. 

SIMONE: What inspires you daily?

KYLIE: For writing? Setting myself a word count and being accountable to someone for producing it. :-) In general? Nature. I love being outside in the garden, in the bush, sitting on rocks or sand at the beach listening to the waves, star gazing... 

CAT: What has surprised you the most about being published?

KYLIE: The way some people perceive you as being the "expert" on all things writerly once you get THE CALL. It's humbling (flattering and astounding) the number of emails from I've received asking me for my advice or opinion on certain topics.

I don't think of myself as an expert in anything - the simple fact is, I'm a newbie to the publishing industry.  I'm still learning about the business and I'll always continue to develop and improve my craft. Maybe in about 50 years I could reassess that point of view! :-D 

DONNEL: Complete this sentence. When I want to relax, I. . .

KYLIE: ...dive right into my To Be Read pile of books and gorge on them. I usually read them in an easy chair out in my back entertainment area (which is enclosed, so no flies or mozzies - mosquitoes). If there aren't any interruptions I can read two or three single title books in a day. I never get sick of reading. 

ANGI: Which already filmed movie represents your writing style?

KYLIE: The Lord of the Rings trilogy - fantasy, romance, adventure, friendship, sacrifice, other races, empirical wars, good vs. evil. 

ANGI: What is your biggest vice?
KYLIE: For times when my sweet tooth kicks in - chocolate (caramello or snack flavored). For the savory tooth - Twisties (an Australian cheesy or chicken flavored food). 

ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: Who inspired your hero for ALLIANCE FORGED?

KYLIE’S NAME GOTTA ANSWER: Despite being a leader, Varian's been very much a loner all his life, looking from the outside in because of an event he experienced in his past.

Characters like Preacher in Pale Rider (actually Clint Eastwood played quite a few loner characters in his movies), Aragorn in LOTR, Riddick in Pitch Black, Mariner in Waterworld, Wolverine in X-Men, Max in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome all had troubled pasts or were isolated in some way because of something they did or had happen to them. 

Each of them ended up with leadership thrust upon them or in a role where they were responsible for someone and this was made harder as they struggled with personal demons. I guess these sorts of characters were all inspiration for Varian.

In Varian's case, he was lucky enough to end come across Kymora and...well, I can't tell you exactly what happens between them, but their story has a HEA (it's a romance after all)! :-) 

FINDING KYLIE:

Email    Website   Facebook   Twitter    GoodReads    Blogs    Shelfari  
Newsletter sign up on my website or blog
CHECK OUT KYLIE'S FIRST GLIAS INTERVIEW

UP NEXT FOR KYLIE:
ALLEGIANCE SWORN, the third book in the series. I don't have a confirmed release date or cover for it yet but as soon as I do I'll post it up on my website and other social media sites.

ALLEGIANCE SWORN

Book #3 of the Light Blade series

There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not purebred is virtually powerless. Until a demon leader seeks to unify the races… 

With the alliance of the humans and the half-blood Na’Chi forged, the demon Na’Reish prepare for war by seizing human blood-slaves. Captured during a rescue mission-gone-wrong, Light Blade warrior Arek Barial finds himself claimed by a Na’Reishi female who offers him an unexpected choice. 

Raised in the elite ranks of a society she abhors, Imhara Kaal lives a dangerous double life as a Na’Reish Clan-leader and an advocate for a caste-free life that honors the Old Ways. Openly rebelling against the Na’Reish would mean her death, unless she can find an emissary willing to present her petition to the human Blade council.

But Arek isn’t about to blindly follow a demon—despite the intense attraction growing between them. And while hatred for the Na’Reish is all he has ever known, Arek must learn to trust Imhara, or risk the destruction of all three races…

PREVIOUS RELEASES:

VENGEANCE BORN
Berkley Sensation
ISBN 10: 0425245365
EXCERPT 

KYLIE’S GIVE-AWAY:
I'd love to offer a copy of ALLIANCE FORGED. Feel free to make it a random (international) draw, Angi. It will come from TBD but I'm happy to send out a signed bookplate to go with it. 

Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed by the author. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address.

DON’T FORGET to FOLLOW us on Twitter (#GetLostStories) or LIKE us on Facebook to keep up with all our guest authors and their prizes. Join me tomorrow for the Q&A of my friend Robin Covington’s debut. ~Angi

THE QUESTION FOR TODAY

Kylie’s biggest vice are chocolate and a savory treat known as Twisties. What’s your biggest vice (besides chocolate!)?  FYI: remember that Kylie's located on a different continent...but she will respond.

VENGEANCE BORN

Berkley Sensation

ISBN 10: 0425245365

THE STORY

There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not pure bred is virtually powerless. Until an unlikely champion is born...

Annika, half-blood daughter of the Na'Reish King, longs for more than her tormented life among her father's people. Conceived in hatred and bred as a tool of retribution, she's gifted with a special talent that can heal as well as destroy...

With the Na'Reish vastly outnumbering them, Kalan, a Light Blade warrior, knows the future of humankind depends on him alone. Incursions into human territory and raids for blood-slaves by the Na'Reish Horde have increased. As Chosen-leader, he faces the task of stopping the demons-and convincing the Council of aging Light Blade warriors that change is necessary for survival.  

When Annika learns Kalan is a prisoner in her father's dungeon, her dream of escape seems within reach. She agrees to free him in exchange for his protection once they reach human territory. Now, marked for death for helping him, Annika must learn to trust Kalan as they face not only the perilous journey to the border but enemies within the Council-and discover a shocking truth that could throw the human race into civil war...

THE REVIEWERS SAY

"Peopled with intriguing characters, the world of Vengeance Born is unique and filled with compelling mystery. I'm looking forward to seeing where Kylie Griffin takes that world next." – Nalini Singh, NYTimes best-selling author

“Vengeance Born is a great debut novel; Kylie Griffin has me hooked. This story grabbed my attention and raced down several dangerous, intense, enthralling paths, making it very hard to put down.

The tale of Annika and Kalan is set in a well thought out, fascinating world filled with danger, intrigue, betrayal, passion, revulsion, tenderness--Griffin has given her readers a whole gamut of emotions to feel, and leaves her readers with the hope for more stories set in this compelling universe.

It's not only good on the first read, it's still good on the second; this is definitely one for my keeper shelves.” – Jean Johnson, author of The Sons of Destiny series

"Kylie Griffin builds a compelling and fascinating world that pulled me right in!" – Joss Ware, author of The Envy Chronicles

“In Vengeance Born, Kylie Griffin spins an intriguing story of two races who are mortal enemies, and the half-breeds that are despised by both who must transform their cultures.  The book has solid world building, sympathetic characters and a twisty story line.  I'm looking forward to the next in the Light Blade series.”  – Robin D. Owens, RITA award winning author

From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "In Griffin’s well-drawn fantasy world, humans are oppressed and enslaved by the demonic Na’Reish. Annika is a Na’Chi, the result of cross-breeding between the races. She possesses powerful healing powers and her father, Na’Rei Savyr, is leader of the Na’Reish, but she’s nonetheless reviled, considered an abomination. When she rescues Kalan Tyn, leader of the human’s Blade Council, and asks his assistance in freeing the Na’Chi from the Na’Reish, the wheels of romance are deftly set in motion. A complex plot involving the Na’Chi freedom struggles keeps the taut and intricate narrative moving as Annika and Kalan slowly develop their emotional connection. Readers will look forward to future installments in a potentially long-running series. Agent: Elaine Spencer, the Knight Agency." (Feb.) Reviewed on: 12/9/2011

From RT Magazine Book Reviews (Feb.2012 issue): "Enter a bold new series, the Light Blade, where a longstanding war between the demon and human realms rages. Promising new talent Griffin’s characters face danger and hidden secrets that threaten to change the world as they know it. A terrific debut!"

TAKEA PEEK

Annika hated visiting the dungeons. The dank cells reeked of pain and fear as well as blood. Anyone unfortunate enough to be imprisoned here risked dying of exposure if the torture inflicted by the Na’Reish guards didn’t claim them first. 

“This had better be worth it, Hesia,” she muttered and tugged the skirts of her dress away from slime-covered walls. 

The furious squeaking she heard coming from a shadowed corner made her glad she was wearing her knee-high boots. Bare feet—or any naked skin, for that matter—were fair game to the scurriers scavenging down here. She’d treated many prisoners for bites and wounds caused by the vicious, little carnivores. A draft of air brought with it the stench of unwashed bodies, which almost overpowered her. She coughed and lifted a sleeve to cover her nose. 

“You know none of the others will come down here.” The old healer’s tone held censure for her surliness. 

If Annika were honest, the physical conditions of the dungeon weren’t the real reason for her reluctance. It was the mumbling voices of prisoners: some babbled, driven mad by circumstance, some cried piteously, others wailed in despair. The sound of their helplessness was heartbreaking and she could do little but try to ease their pain.

Hesia shot her an arch look. “’Sides, you’re the only one the demons will let into the Pit.”

Her face heated. Her half-blood status was a boon and a curse. While even the lowest caste of the Na’Reish outranked her, their fear of her father was the only thing stopping the guards from refusing her access. 

“Who’s imprisoned there now?” she asked. 

“Rumor has it that Na’Hord scouts captured a warrior during a slave raid in the Outer Provinces.” A thread of excitement colored the old woman’s voice. “He refuses even to give his name.” 

Hope fired deep inside her and she glanced sharply at Hesia. “A Light Blade?”

“Yes.”

Annika bit her lip as hope surged from deep within her. Lady’s Blessing, this could be the opportunity she’d been waiting for, the chance to escape. 

THE AUTHOR

Kylie Griffin’s obsession with all things paranormal/fantasy started at an early age, when she used to imagine the jacaranda tree in her front yard was a spaceship used to defend the world from invading enemies. Writing stories seemed a natural extension to her childhood adventures. 

Today, she’s a primary school teacher sharing her love for the written word with young children. In her spare time, she writes and reads all things paranormal.          

Kylie lives in a small rural village in outback New South Wales, Australia, where she volunteers in a number of emergency service organizations in her local community. Visit her website.

THE Q & A

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

KYLIE: Every time I sit down to write or read a book or even watch a movie! Nothing beats disappearing into another world. Spending a few hours getting to know the characters - their goals, desires, weaknesses and strengths; the problems they face, the challenges they overcome, the joy they experience; how they interact with others, the world - when I'm totally immersed in a story sometimes it's a shock to come back to the 'real' world.

The times this happens the most is when I go to the picture theatre to watch a movie. There's something about sitting in the dark, not really taking much notice of anything except what's happening on the screen. It's large, it's loud, you feel everything, and when the credits roll and the lights brighten, I'm often the one still sitting in the seat adjusting to coming back to the real world and wishing I could go back into the movie and experience it all over again. LOL 

ANGI: What’s the first book you remember reading?  

KYLIE: My dad gave me a Hans Christian Anderson collection of fairytales. I think I was about 7 years old. The cover was blue, the title was in yellow (can you tell I was color orientated?) and it had a collage of pictures of the fairytale characters featured in the book.

These were the original tales - you know, where the ugly sisters had their eyes picked out by crows etc. - blood, gore, and bad consequences :-), not the censored versions you get in some fairytale books. I loved reading it.

ANGI: What’s your favorite fairy tale?
KYLIE: Oh, a fairytale theme - cool! I have to claim it's The Enchanted Princess, mostly because of the awesome pictures that went with it.

The story is about two tradesman's sons - one lazy and selfish (for some reason the father favors this son), the other honest & hard working (he received abuse).  The father overhears a story that the king's daughter is kidnapped by an evil sorcerer. The king offers his daughters hand in marriage to any man who can rescue her.

Of course, the older son sets out to save the princess, in the process he's mean to animals along the way and when he reaches the sorcerer he fails the tests and dies.

The younger son also sets out to try his luck, comes across the same animals who then help him pass the tests, he frees the enchanted princess and they have their HEA.

ANGI: What’s your favorite cartoon character?

KYLIE: The Road Runner! What a character! He and Wiley Coyote makes me laugh every time I watch one of the old Looney Tunes cartoons. 

ANGI: What turns you off like nothing else?

KYLIE: People who use or cheat and don't see why they should make an effort, let alone help others. Their selfishness, abuse of others generosity and arrogant attitude that "the world" owes them and it's "their right" (for whatever reason) just gets me riled.

ANGI: Where do you read and how often?

KYLIE: Where ever and whenever I can! While I'm eating lunch, 10mins before I go to bed, in the bathroom, waiting to see a doctor... LOL

I don't have as much time as I used to for reading - my writing has to come first. I used to read 3-4 books a week. I'm lucky to read 1 every few weeks now.

But I do make up for it once I finish a writing a book and send it off to my editor. I take a couple of weeks off and do nothing but refill the creative well by devouring my teetering To Be Read pile. 

ANGI: What sound or noise do you love?

KYLIE: The sound of running water - a river, creek, waves, waterfalls, rain. It's so soothing and I can sit for ages just listening to it.

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

KYLIE: You mean I have to choose just one? :-( That's so hard!!! Umm, OK, I'll go with Lord of the Rings - there's so much packed into this movie. I've watched it about 14 times.

There's romance, action, strong & flawed characters, good vs.evil, loyalty, magic, believable villains, mystery, a damn fine cast...and it's filmed in one of the most beautiful countries in the world (New Zealand). 

Living just over the ditch from New Zealand, I've travelled there a lot and I loved doing the whole LOTR fan-tour thing - I've seen Mt.Doom, wandered through parts of the Shirt, visited Hobbiton, danced under the Party Tree and stood inside Bilbo's house. I just wish I'd met Aragorn along the way! :-)  

ANGI: Who’s your favorite villain?

KYLIE: The Borg from Star Trek. When I first saw them in the TV series ST:The Next Generation I was enthralled with them. They were relentless, uncompromising, chilling because of their lack of humanity, and nothing rivals them when you compared them to all the other villains who've appeared in the show. 

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

KYLIE: Both! In my other life I'm a teacher of 5/6/7/8 year olds, so the whole ad-lib oral story-telling is something I enjoy doing, but only with kids.

Ask me to pitch one of my stories to you in person and I flounder and get very self-conscious. So I'm more likely to hand you my book than tell you about it! *grin*

ANGI: What’s something you’d like to tell your fans?

KYLIE: Thank you to anyone who has bought my book. I hope you get sucked into Annika & Kalan's story and enjoy disappearing into their world for a few hours! :-) And for those who've read it and are wondering if there's another due out soon - YES! there is. It's called ALLIANCE FORGED and it comes out on July 3rd, 2012. And, all going well, Book #3 will be released early in 2013.

Also, I love to hear from readers. There's nothing more thrilling than getting a letter or email from someone who's taken the time to contact me and say hi, or who's willing to share their thought about your work (the good and the bad).

ANGI’S GOTTA ASK:  Which scene from VENGEANCE BORN is your favorite? Or is there a scene you cut that you just ached to include?

KYLIE’S GOTTA ANSWER: Again, I'm restricted to just one? Darn! :-) Well, I was lucky with VENGEANCE BORN - a story thread had to be changed during the editing process, but there were no scenes cut. Phew!

So, my favorite scene is in Chapter 15. Without giving too many details away, it's here the trust between Annika and Kalan strengthens and both commit to an even deeper emotional connection. Readers learn more about Annika's past, see Kalan's reaction to it and both explore the physical attraction developing between them. Here's just a little teaser...

Annika swung her legs around to sit on the ledge facing inward, her gaze fixed on him as she tried to sort out the tangle of emotions his words evoked. He was treating her as if she were human, and making it easy for her to forget the fact that she wasn’t.

She shouldn’t like that but she did. She clenched her hand around the edge of her cloak. His recent behavior was making it safe to share things she’d never have thought to reveal to anyone else. He didn’t criticize her, didn’t laugh at her ignorance, hadn’t taken advantage of her weaknesses. Other than Hesia, no one had ever kept their promises to her.

He treated her like a friend.

Annika started to shake. Not in fear, but with the strength of an unknown emotion filling her heart. With every beat, the warmth of it spread through her. He stood close enough that she could feel the heat of his body, even through two cloaks. She lifted her hand toward him then hesitated.

Touching Kalan, exposing her need for him, lifted the hairs on her neck. She hated being vulnerable. But she wanted to show him the same amount of trust he’d finally given her.

Mouth dry, she cupped his cheek then trailed her fingers along his stubbled jaw and shuddered, liking the rough sensation of it beneath the palm of her hand. Her gaze dropped to his lips. They looked soft, unlike the rest of his lean body. She wanted to kiss him but wasn’t sure if she had the courage. The scent of his arousal filled her lungs.

“I don’t bite.” The corners of his mouth turned upward ever so slightly. “Not unless you want me to.”

 THE DRAWING

A LUCKY WINNER will receive a signed copy of Kylie’s VENGEANCE BORN. Mailed anywhere, since it’s coming from Oz-land !!

Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to International addresses. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address. Some contests may continue to remain open for eligible commenters through the following Sunday at noon.

THE LOCATIONS

Email    Website   Facebook    Twitter   GoodReads 
Blogs   Shelfari

THE NEXT BOOK:

ALLIANCE FORGED

A Novel of the Light Blade

Berkley Publishing Group

July 2012

ISBN 10: 0425256014

There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not purebred is virtually powerless. Until a blind priestess lays claim to a half-breed warrior, body and soul… 

Hunted and marked for death by Na’Reish demons for their half-blood heritage, the Na’Chi are searching for a new home—something an alliance offered by the human leader could provide. With both races divided by prejudice, when Light Blade rebels brutally attack the Na’Chi, the alliance seems doomed to fail. 

Varian, leader of the Na’Chi, a hybrid race of gifted warriors, is cursed with the darker impulses of his demon heritage. Controlling the part of himself that craves the high of the battle is a struggle he’s afraid he’ll lose—until he meets Kymora Tayn, a priestess driven to serve her deity. While he’s unwilling to trust anyone outside his people, he finds himself drawn to Kymora’s strength and passionate nature, and discovers she has the power to calm the darkness inside him.

Then the Na’Reish raid human territory for blood-slaves and kickstart a war, the key to the survival of both races—Na’Chi and human— is an alliance. However, when Kymora is kidnapped, pitting human against human, Varian realizes he must embrace his darker half, not only to save the alliance…but also the woman he loves. 

DON’T FORGET to FOLLOW us on Twitter or LIKE us on Facebook to keep up with all our guest authors and their prizes. Join me tomorrow when I host Medical Romance author Connie Cox. ~Angi

BUY LINKS:

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, BookDepo, Fishpond, IndieBound, Penguin

?? THE QUESTION TODAY??

If you had the chance to travel to any place in the world, where would you go and why?