Hi Coleen, welcome to Under the Covers! Lets start by getting to know you a little better. Tell us five interesting things about yourself that readers wouldn’t know
- · I am a reluctant cook. I have a few favourite meals that get trotted out on a regular basis. I’m sure my kids would like more variety, but they don’t complain (or hardly ever). After a long day wrestling with my writing, I just want to prepare something quick and easy for dinner. Any suggestions would be very welcome!
- · I am extremely short-sighted. I think I started wearing spectacles when I was ten, and my eyes have steadily gotten worse. Now I am hitting a certain age, I’m also becoming long-sighted. It’s very frustrating sometimes, especially when I need to read the fine print on bottles and packets.
- · I studied astronomy at university. It was only a one year course but it was fascinating. We got to sit in a planetarium and learned to identify all the major stars and constellations.
- · My favourite chocolate is Whittaker’s Hazelnut. Love the whole, crunchy hazelnuts and the creamy milk chocolate.
- · I once worked in a diamond research laboratory. Unfortunately I didn’t get any free samples.
Can you please tell us more about your latest release, DARKE LONDON?
Darke London is a historical romance with supernatural and steampunk elements. The story is set in Victorian London. It delves into the seamier side of this vast metropolis. The hero is an idealistic young doctor searching for the truth of his origins. The heroine is the young woman he rescues from certain death. Though she’s scarred and frightened, she’d determined to discover the truth behind her attack.
Here is the book blurb:
The only way to save her life is to resurrect the dead…
Julian Darke was only a newborn when he was abandoned on the doorstep of a gentleman doctor. Though raised with love, he is driven to discover his true origins.
Convinced Sir Thaddeus Ormond knows something, Julian shadows him one night—and is shocked to see a young woman thrown from Ormond’s carriage and accosted by a thug. Julian manages to save her life, but not her face and hands from horrific injuries.
Nellie Barchester doesn’t recognize the scarred, disfigured stranger in the mirror. Though the gifted doctor and engineer has done his best to repair the damage, scars ravage her body, and chill her soul with the realization that her own husband may have plotted her death.
Julian’s tenderness is a balm to her soul, and Nellie is drawn to the edge of passion by a man not repelled by her deformities. But as their pursuit of the truth draws them into London’s underbelly, they cross the path of a ruthless enemy who will stop at nothing to fulfill his schemes.
Warning: Can a brilliant but troubled doctor find happiness with a woman scarred both inside and out? A hint of the supernatural plus a night of passion spice up this Uncanny Chronicle.
We are seeing more and more authors blend two genres, in this case historical and paranormal romance. What’s the best and worst part of writing a mix genre novel?
The best part is not having to stick to the rules! I like that. The mixed genre gives a writer a certain latitude. The worst part is not knowing if the story will resonate with readers. Some readers have certain expectations and can be disappointed if the mixed genre story doesn’t satisfy them.
Some of your previous titles are definitely lighter and flirty. Did you always know you wanted to write something grittier?
Definitely. I like reading both light and flirty and gritty books, so it’s natural I’d want to write in both styles. Also, as a writer it’s good to vary the tone and stretch those creative muscles. I don’t have a light and flirty personality, so the gritty stuff definitely comes more naturally to me.
Care to share a teaser from the book with us?
He smiled at her. “Miss Barchester? You look quite fierce now that you’re armed. I should hate to accost you in a dark alley.”
She blushed faintly and smiled back at him. “‘Miss Barchester’ is so stuffy and formal. Please call me Nellie.”
His grin widened. “As long as you’re happy I’m not taking liberties. And of course you must call me Julian.”
“Thank you, Julian.” She flicked the blades up one last time. “From here on, no one will be taking liberties with me.”
If we were to be unforgivably rude and looked into your purse, what would we find there?
Well, since I recently bought a new one, it’s relatively clean and tidy. I have my wallet, hairbrush, sunglasses, pens, notepad, and BandAids. I think the BandAids are a holdover from when my kids were younger and were always scraping their knees.
What’s next for Coleen Kwan?
I have a contemporary romance coming out in October called ‘Baiting The Boss’, and then a contemporary novella which will be part of a Christmas anthology.
BUY NOW:
Author biography:
Coleen Kwan has been a bookworm all her life. At school English was her favorite subject, but for some reason she decided on a career in IT. After many years of programming, she wondered what else there was in life — and discovered writing. She loves writing contemporary romance and steampunk romance.
Coleen lives in Sydney, Australia with her partner and two children. When she isn’t writing she enjoys avoiding housework, eating chocolate, and watching The Office.
Website: www.coleenkwan.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ColeenKwan
Facebook: www.facebook.com/coleenkwan.
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/
I wish they made more chocolate in sugar-free. I used to love the milk chocolate with hazelnuts when I was a child and could eat sugar. Sigh. Now I eat what I can find without sugar and thus far, the choices have been limited.
I enjoyed the interview and look forward to learning more. Thank you for sharing.
This book sounds good…..can’t wait to read it!…. thanks
I enjoyed the interview as well as the excerpt for Darke London. I’m very much looking forward to reading the book, it sounds fantastic.
Love the cover and the sound of Darke London!
Oh, I really liked her contemporary romances! I’ll have to check this out!
Fun facts about the author and I loved the introduction to a new author and intriguing book. I like the idea of the blended genres.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Nice interview! Thank you for the chance!
Kassandra
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sound fantastic! thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Coleen! I love that you drove into this genre! Victorian and steam punk is one of my faves and well I’m super excited for this book. Love you contemporaries too~
i love contemporary romances and Victorian and steam punk is really my favorite genre books to read. i will have to read this one thanks so much
Coleen, I’m sorry about your eyesight deteriorating as you age. Mine did too. I now wear what is equivalent to a trifocal…but I get blended lenses so I don’t go nuts with all the lines. Now I can read, do computer work and see far away…but I have to wear my glasses all the time. They make some pretty fab eyeglass wear now though. Not those ugly cat eye shaped plastic frames. Ugh. 🙂 In any event, I sure like the combo of historical and paranormal. I like to read from both genres separately…so I think I’d like them together as well. I was intrigued by the excerpt you shared above. Nice to meet you today!
great interview
This book sounds very intriguing. I like the combo of historical/supernatural/historical elements and bet it will be a great read.
Love the interview, =) can´t wait for my chance to read this one!
Happy Sunday!
//LInda
Hi Colleen, we have a few things in common! I loved the astronomy course I took in University, I love Whittaker’s chocolate ( I have brownies in the oven with the Dark Ghana in them) and I am very near sighted 🙁
I do love cooking though… I would love to read your book!
Love the mix of genres, especially since I like reading the historical romance & fantasy romance genres best.
I read my first historical steampunk romance book last month by Bec McMaster. Now I’m hooked on them. I went on the web to look for other writers on the genre. I saw your name included. I just love steampunk , Historical, supernatural and romance books and if there all together or not. I dont’ care I will read all the books that I can. I can’t wait to go to my local store and get your book. I’m diabetic so no sweets but i can dream!! I thank you for writing the book and I’m glad that I found a new genre to read.
I enjoy Victorian era novels and the addition of the setting being in a alternative paranormal London is even better!! Thank you for the excerpt! I have a feeling I’m going to adore Julian Darke!
Great interview!!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Love the description of this story.
Pleased to meet Coleen Kwan. Diamond samples would be very cool.
Great interview!! I can’t wait to read it 🙂
I love the blending of genres, it makes for such interesting reads. This book sounds fantastic. Steampunk has become a new love of mine and adding a bit of romance and paranormal is even better. Definitely added to my TBR.
Thanks for the spotlight and giveaway.
interesting facts