Continuing an August full of authors that are made of awesome, we’d like to introduce you today to Laura Kaye. Her paranormal romance series Hearts of the Anemoi kicked off with great reviews and now the second book is out. This is not a series to be missed! And now, we leave you to find out more about Laura.
Hi, Laura, welcome to UTC, we are excited to have you here today!
Thanks for having me here! I’m thrilled to be celebrating the release of West of Want, book 2 in my Hearts of the Anemoi series, with you!
Let’s start with the good news…You recently won the PRISM Award for Best Light Paranormal Romance of 2012 for North of Need! Congrats!! Tell us what went through your head, was this a surprise? How did you celebrate? 😉
Thank you! I was sothrilled! Actually, a whole lot of nothing was going through my head at first. Kerrelyn Sparks was a finalist in the category with me, so I was completely expecting her to win. So when they called my name, I think I might’ve had a short out-of-body experience! LOL Because I was at the Romance Writers of America (RWA) Annual Convention, I got to celebrate not only with a number of my author friends but also with my publisher of North of Need. So a big group of us had dinner and drinks together and shared a ginormous piece of chocolate cake! Plus I got to meet cover model Jimmy Thomas, who’s on my vampire romance cover, In the Service of the King! All in all, a great night!
What can you tell us about your Vampire Warrior Kings series, with Nocturne Cravings?
The Vampire Warrior Kings series is a mini-series of dark paranormal erotic novellas featuring the vampire warrior kings, seven remaining vampire kings who find love amidst an ancient battle with the Soul Eaters, evil immortals who prey on humanity and threaten their exposure and annihilation. The first book in the series is In the Service of the King and the second, which just released in June, is Seduced by the Vampire King. At least two more will release in 2013.
Your contemporary romance, HER FORBIDDEN HERO has created a lot of buzz lately! Congrats! Why do you think readers fall so easily for Marco and Alyssa?
Thank you! I’m so thrilled Her Forbidden Hero took off the way it did! I think readers enjoyed the story because it included several popular tropes—friends-to-lovers, her brother’s best friend, and the protector trope—and because Marco was so tortured and Alyssa so relatable. And what’s not to love about a military hero??? The second book in this series, One Night with a Hero, is scheduled to release this fall!
WEST OF WANT is your latest release. Can you give readers a tease of what’s to come?
Sure! West of Wantis the second book in my Hearts of the Anemoi series, which will likely have five books (four for sure!). Here’s the blurb:
Betrayal is all he’s ever known, but in her, he’ll find a love strong enough to be trusted…
When Marcella Raines’ twin brother dies, she honors his request to be buried at sea, never expecting the violent storm that swamps her boat. Though she’s gravely injured–and still emotionally damaged from her recent divorce–Ella fights to survive.
Zephyros Martius is the Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring, but being the strongest Anemoi hasn’t protected him from betrayal and loss. Worse, he’s sure his brother Eurus is behind it. When Zeph’s heartbreak whips up a storm that shipwrecks a human, his guilt forces him to save her.
Ella is drawn to the vulnerability Zeph hides beneath his otherworldly masculinity and ancient blue eyes. And her honesty, empathy, and unique, calming influence leave Zeph wanting…everything. When Eurus threatens Ella, she and Zeph struggle to let go of the past, defend their future, and embrace what they most want–a love that can be trusted.
In this book, the series-wide conflict is introduced and all the Anemoi gods play a role, so West of Want gives readers a good introduction into the world of the Anemoi, the big bad against which they’re fighting, and the nature of the conflict that will continue to escalate until it all comes to a head!
Do you have a favorite scene from WEST OF WANT?
Several! But if I have to pick just one…I’d go with the Black Moment! I can’t share more with you without spoiling it, but suffice it to say it’s one of the more heart-wrenching scenes I’ve ever written!
An avid reader yourself, what books have you read this year that have made your BEST OF list so far?
I have been so busy with meeting contract deadline after contract deadline in 2012 that I haven’t had as much time to read as I like! But here are some definite favorites:
Lisa Kleypas, Sugar Daddy, Blue-Eyed Devil, Smooth-Talking Stranger
Cara McKenna, Willing Victim
Jennifer Probst, The Marriage Bargain
Gina Maxwell, Seducing Cinderella
J.R. Ward, Lover Reborn
SOUTH OF SURRENDER is up next in your Hearts of the Anemoi series. Can you give us ANY details about what to expect?
Hmm…what can I share about South of Surrender? Chrysander Notos is the Supreme God of the South Wind and Guardian of Summer. The youngest of the Anemoi gods, he is a complete golden boy who has no problem finding a lover. But that’s not what’s on his mind in the book, as he’s driven to save his likely unredeemable older brother, Eurus, who has a Olympic death sentence on his head. Also in this book: an escalating conflict between the brothers, a character death, and a nearly blind heroine… How’s that for a sneak peek?
For someone who hasn’t read the series yet, how would you best describe it?
I’d says that it’s a sexy, heartfelt contemporary fantasy romance series in which the four Cardinal Anemoi find love amidst an escalating fraternal feud that threatens not only the Realm of the Gods but the human world, too.
What does your writing workspace look like? Clean and orderly? Scattered with notes? Any visual would be nice.
I try to keep it clean, but it doesn’t always last very long, especially when I’m in the middle of a book. Here’s a picture:
“Laura Kaye’s captivating writing and vibrant world-building will have readers hooked on the gods of the Anemoi. WEST OF WANT is steamy, spellbinding, and a must-read for all romance fantasy fans.” ~Elisabeth Naughton, author of the Eternal Guardians series
About West of Want:
Betrayal is all he’s ever known, but in her, he’ll find a love strong enough to be trusted…
When Marcella Raines’ twin brother dies, she honors his request to be buried at sea, never expecting the violent storm that swamps her boat. Though she’s gravely injured–and still emotionally damaged from her recent divorce–Ella fights to survive.
Zephyros Martius is the Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring, but being the strongest Anemoi hasn’t protected him from betrayal and loss. Worse, he’s sure his brother Eurus is behind it. When Zeph’s heartbreak whips up a storm that shipwrecks a human, his guilt forces him to save her.
Ella is drawn to the vulnerability Zeph hides beneath his otherworldly masculinity and ancient blue eyes. And her honesty, empathy, and unique, calming influence leave Zeph wanting…everything. When Eurus threatens Ella, she and Zeph struggle to let go of the past, defend their future, and embrace what they most want–a love that can be trusted.
About Laura Kaye:
Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is the bestselling and award-winning author of over a half-dozen books in paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with all things paranormal. A published non-fiction author, Laura’s work as an historian and training as an archaeologist help her create vivid and accurate portrayals of other times and places. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
Win an ebook of and swag set from West of Want!
Open to international! Good luck!
Thanks for reading!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
A couple of my favorites this year are Colors of Love by Jess Dee & Nailed to the Wall by Jayne Rylon.
Wolphcall(at)bellsouth(dot)net
I have the North Of Need that is waiting to be read and will be reading the rest of this series as well.
Lover Reborn and North of Need…
Yvette
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Hey everyone! Thanks for kicking off the comments! I can’t wait to read all your fave reads! And Yvette and Cutie – thanks for the North of Need mention!
I read North of Need and In service of The King this year and I must say they were both AWESOME! thanks Laura
A few of my favorites have been Karma, Her Forbidden Hero(loved the scene at the lake), and Barefoot in the Sand.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
grave memory kalayna price and thirteen Kelley Armstrong
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My favorite books this year have been Bear Meets Girl by Shelly Laurenston and Oracle’s Moon by Thea Harrison. I also love, love, love Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews.
Fun interview! West of Want sounds great.
For best of 2012 that I’ve read so far I would pick Fair Game by Patricia Briggs (I’d marry her if I could…lol) and Elfhome by Wen Spencer (fantastic urban fantasy)
Thanks for the giveaway!
I jumped at the chance to read Her Forbidden Hero and now it is part of my favorites list for this year! Also I loved Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m enjoying reading about all your favorite reads, guys! My TBR list is groaning! LOL Thanks so much to Carin, Joanne, and yadkny for mentioning a few of my books among their faves–I’m honored!
Good luck, everyone!
There have been so many books that I have waited for a loved this year that it is hard to choose. Lover Reborn and Thirteen are the first two to pop into my head. Thanks for the giveaway.
Oh, Wicked as they come by Delilah S Dawson is the best one so far, and Some girls bite by Chloe Neill is the latest. So many good reads out there, and so little time =) I love it!
best wishes, Linda xo
HI gang!
Favs this year:
Fever – Joan Swan
Seduced by the Vampire King – Laura Kaye (obviously) and
Archangel’s Flight – Nalini Singh
Congrats on all your success Laura. It’s so well deserved! 🙂
More awesome book recs! Woot! And thanks for the shoutout for Seduced, Poison Rose!
I would have to say Lover Reborn.
A couple of books that I have read in the last week that I loved were by by Eve Langlais:
*A DEMON AND HIS WITCH
*A DEMON AND HIS PSYCHO
Both were fun, sexy stories and I can’t wait to read more.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
Hard to say…so many good books. It’s like asking me which one is my favorite son!Among the others, Joan Swan was a very pleasant surprise. I was really impressed with her debut Fever and I really enjoyed her self published recent release Intimate Enemies.
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looking forward ti reading this Alison ([email protected])
Favourite books so far this year are Tall, Dark and Lonely by R.L. Mathewson, A Paratrooper In A Pear Tree by Jianne Carlo, The Sullivans Series(books 1-5) by Bella Andre,Tempting The Beast by Lora Leigh…!
sorry.. Found several new authors this summer while on medical leave .. went back on monday.. going to try and keep up reading again..
Jennifer Estep- DARK FROST
I love anything by her
audie(at)wickerness(dot)com
Thanks for all the comments guys! Enjoying reading! Good luck! 🙂
Kylie Griffin’s Vengeance Born (1st in her Light Blade series) & Kristen Callihan’s Firelight.
Both are debut books & they are absolutely awesome!
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Lover Reborn
Oracle’s Moon
Once Burned
They are the latast amongst some very good books out this year.
I loved North of Need and I’m looking forward to reading this one.
irgl7(at)bonzo15(dot)plus(dot)com
Some of my favorite books this year are DEFIANT and SKIN DEEP by Pamela Clare. I also loved HEARTS IN DARKNESS. I re-read it about a week ago. The Neighbor From Hell series by R.L. Mathewson is laugh out loud funny & I enjoyed it a lot.
My email is tgentry90 at gmail dot com
gunmetal magic, chasing magic…and a dozen more 🙂
kerryjcj (at) verizon (dot) net
I loved Laurann Dohner’s Brawn and Tiger.
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seduce by felicity heaton
thanks ^^
sunshine_pinkystar(at)yahoo(dot)com
A couple of my favorite books this year would have to be, Laura Wrights Eternal Hunger and Eternal Kiss! But Ive read so many other amazing books as well. I want to read West of Want. I keep hearing so many amazing things about this series. Thanks for this giveaway 🙂
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Cinder and the series by Kristen Callihan has been a fav read
Enjoying hearing about all your favorite books, guys! Thanks! And a special thanks to Irene and Tonya for shoutouts for some of my books! Woot! 🙂
So far two of my favourite reads of the year have been Lord of Vengeance by Lara Adrian (writing as Tina St. John), and Conquer the Dark by L.A Banks.