Conversation with Kimberly Llewellyn

Q&A with Kimberly Llewellyn
Author of the Best-selling Romance, Almost a Bride

Kimberly Llewellyn is the author of several best selling romantic comedy novels, including her newly released Almost A Bride.

Hi Kim, thanks for being with us today. You’ve recently self-published several titles, what made you jump into self-publishing and have you been pleased with the results? Did it live up to your expectation?

Kimberly: I’m traditionally published (Kensington, Penguin/Berkley) and the time just came for me to dip a toe into indie publishing. Little did I know that my initial foray — with two books, Siren Call and Almost a Bride — would land me on the Amazon Best Sellers List. It’s been a thrilling time. And so, yes, it has lived up to my expectations, but it comes with its share of hard work, too!

Congrats on the Best seller status! What inspired Almost A Bride?

Kimberly: I wanted to explore a social situation many women still face today, The Madonna/Whore Complex. We are expected to be a good girl, but also be a bad girl. Some call this, “a lady in the living room, a whore in the bedroom.” What’s a girl to do? So I decided to tackle the dichotomy between these two expectations through the character, Ivy Hammond, in Almost a Bride. This very dilemma actually caused her broken engagement.

(And readers, guess who broke off the engagement? Feh, men! ) Ahem, so Kim, by what authors would you say you are influenced?

Kimberly: Too many to list! Each and every book I’ve ever read has had a great influence on me, from Margaret Atwood’s hauntingly poetic language to Kathy Lette’s over-the-top humor. But the one author who had a huge influence on me was Norman Mailer. One summer, many, many years ago, I got to hang out with him in Provincetown, MA. He taught me to go for your dreams. His attitude about “going for it” changed my life.

Oh, wow! What a neat occurrence for you!  Now that Almost A Bride is out, what can curious fans expect from you next?

Kimberly: Oh, goodness, I’ve gone old school with my next novel, a medical romance. It’s a heartrending doctor-nurse love story. It’s a curious experience when your own story gets you choked up. I’m worried about these two people, truly worried. Don’t get me started about the baby whose life they’re trying to save!

Aw!! Of course I’m sure all will work out for them. Is there anything you haven’t yet achieved in your career—or any specific thing you haven’t written about yet—that you dream of doing something?

Kimberly: Besides hitting the New York Times Best Sellers List (Hey, I’m working on it!), I think it would be fun to see one of my books made into a movie. While I love writing romance, I do have some young adult novels inside that are clawing to get out. But we’ll see!

I’m sure you’ll get the NYT list/movie deal sometime!  Maybe with Almost A Bride?

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Feel free to visit my website at http://www.kimberlyllewellyn.com and
connect with me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/kimllewellyn. I would totally love that.

Until then, below is the back cover copy to my fun, sexy contemporary romance. Thank you so much for letting me share with you!

Almost a Bride
available at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Almost-a-Bride-ebook/dp/B006NUK0OM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332767421&sr=8-1

Award-winning author, Kimberly Llewellyn, introduces a sexy fun story about two people who discover they have a lot more to share between the sheets than they ever bargained for.

Ivy Hammond got dumped at the altar, all because she was too much of a good girl in the bedroom. So when a research study on sex appeal needs participants, she jumps at the chance to learn what it takes to be sexy.

Kip Lockehart owes his foster brother his life. He repays the debt by agreeing to participate in a new sex appeal study. From the first sizzling assignment, Kip is immediately intrigued by the lovely Ivy, who’s innocently curious about what makes a woman sensual. Kip is more than happy to show her. But as each passionate assignment brings them closer, he fears they may break the study’s number one rule–don’t fall in love. But when he can’t stop picturing Ivy as his bride, he sets out to convince her some rules were made to be broken.

And how about a book trailer?

About Kimberly Llewellyn:

Known as “the Wedding Writer,” Kimberly Llewellyn has worked with four publishing houses over the years and is the author of seven contemporary novels. Berkley Books, part of Penguin Putnam, published her most recent releases, two humorous comedic women’s fiction novels in trade paperback. Her current indie books include Siren Call and the best-selling romance, Almost a Bride.

Thanks so much for being with us, Kim! Good luck with all you do. Folks, if you’d like to, please leave a comment or question for Kimberly and Friday, we’ll pick a winner for a free Kindle download* of Almost A Bride. Until later then, keep reading–and laughing!

*Giveaway has ended.

Kimberley Lllewellyn–Almost a Bride

Author Kimberly Llewellyn‘s new one Almost a Bride is free at Amazon now. If you don’t know her (you should. She guested here last October!), she writes cute Romantic Comedy so if you in the mood for some fun, go snag Almost a Bride now, here.

Kimberly Llewellyn–Can comedy and Paranormal Coexist

*Night Mistress peeks cautiously into the room* Oh, it’s just you, my friends. *sighs relief* Oh good.  Late again, I know, but…do you remember that man I mentioned last night… well, he showed up again last night. I don’t want to say we didn’t have a nice little time together he and I but…his kids, you know. Though I entirely enjoyed our time together, I just don’t think I’m mother material. I mean, how would I ever explain missing parent-teacher day? *sigh* Plus there’s the whole… no reflection thing. How in the world would we explain that?Oh well…. Maybe a wedding isn’t in the cards.

Speaking of weddings, our next guest, Kimberly Llewellyn, is known for writing wedding mishaps. She’s tried her hand at a different kind of misadventure this time however, in her new paranormal romance, Mermaid Catcher series, so she’s here to give us her take on the subject of mixing comedy and paranormal…. Kimberly, my dear, step right up. The mike is yours.

Can Comedy and Paranormal Coexist?

by Kimberly Llewellyn

Can you mix comedy with paranormal in a book? Let me answer that question with a question…Why not?

Trick is, decide what kind of book you want to read (or write!). A 50-50 blend of comedy and paranormal might be a little confusing to the reader, so one element needs to be dominant.

If a reader chooses a paranormal romance with comedic elements, then she expects a certain kind of story. Specifically, a love story. The comedy cues will be there too. A not-as-edgy cover on the front. The use of lighter language in the copy at the back. Oh, scary moments will be found within those pages. And in most cases, passionate love scenes will be there too. After all, the dominant feature is romance. The humor is secondary.

Siren Call, my first book in the Mermaid Catcher series is just that. A romance with paranormal elements tightly woven throughout. It’s the dire paranormal situation that brings together Serina James and Alex Waters. The comedic edge comes from Serina with her sassy attitude toward her predicament when she discovers she must fend off seductive, ruthless mermaids. Due to the pain of her past, she’s learned to rely on humor to deal with terrible situations.

Serina leaned back in surprise. What? Her? See mermaids? Yeah, right. She didn’t know what [her mentor] had been smoking, but she needed to end this conversation before a herd of unicorns galloped by, kicking up magic fairy dust all around them.

On the other hand, a comedy with paranormal elements promises the reader some good laughs, with the supernatural as secondary. And romantic comedy? Well, the attention shifts back to the romance once again.

Why is this so important to discern? Because of reader expectation. A reader wants to escape to another world, or escape from the world she lives in. And she does so through a good book. She doesn’t want to be disappointed…lest she throw the book against the wall. No one wants to see that kind of literary abuse.

So what’s the appeal of a paranormal story with comedic elements? With the use of both, you get a double dose of the element of surprise. One moment, you are captured by suspense only to be jolted by the shock of terror that leaps off the page. The next moment, you are surprised by something unexpected, like a character’s sudden wisecrack response that makes you chuckle. As a reader, this dueled-edged assault of emotions leaves you on the edge of your seat.

In Siren Call, Serina is a person of interest in the missing person case of her ex-boyfriend, Frankie Luca. Alex, our hunky hero is the cop questioning her. She is angry and scared, but stands up to the hero by hiding behind her confident facade and through the use of language.

“Are you done with the Dirty Harry routine?” Serina crossed her arms defiantly before continuing. “And I hope you’re finished with your big, bad verbal pistol whipping, because I’m telling you, I did not get into a boat with that no-good Frankie Luca.”

In the world of the macabre, humor is a great way to survive the worst of any situation. For example, gallows humor means being funny in the face of a hopeless, dire, and deadly situation. It’s when the hero makes a witty retort about his predicament as the villain is sending him to his death. It’s a way to de-stress. It’s also a way to show he fully intends to rise above this life-or-death situation.

And the reader is right there with the hero, holding on for dear life. Admiring his bravery, shocked by his cocky responses in the face of danger, but always clinging to the hope that he will survive. Yes, the reader will be wracked with worry, but through the fear, through the chuckles, she will remain riveted until the last page of the book.

Cue the sinister laugh now…

Finally…the reason behind the man shortage.

A beautiful soul with a seductive power…

When Serina James, a popular swimwear designer, discovers ruthless mermaids stealing the eligible men in her seaside town, she learns of her own ancient aquatic ties to the sirens. And it’s no coincidence that the sudden carnal changes in her body coincide with the ocean tides. The sea awakens her desire, as does the hunky new man invading her life—the skeptical police detective, Alex Waters.

A jaded cop destined to be the one…

Detective Alex Waters considers Serina the prime suspect in her ex-boyfriend’s disappearance. He should take her into custody, but he’d rather take her into his arms. He fights the passion she stirs deep inside him, keeping it on lockdown. Luckily, he has the moral firewall to resist such temptation. But a man can fight the siren’s call for just so long.

Friend the author on Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/kimberlyllewellynbooks

Follow her on Twitter  http://www.twitter.com/kimllewellyn

Author website  http://www.kimberlyllewellyn.com

Yeah, I think it works, don’t you? Thanks for being with us today, Kimberly! Folks, Kimberly is giving away a copy of a book of your choice. For the authors her helpful little tome:  I Want to be an Author: Now What?*

 Or if you’re a reader, and don’t write, a download of Siren Call or Quest for the Holy Veil, whichever you prefer. You know what to do: Leave Kimberly a question or comment, and we’ll pick a name out of the cauldron at the end of the event. Or if you’d like to purchase Siren Call, it’s now available at Amazon.com

Have a great…erm, night!

****

Giveaway has ended.

*Winners shall be chosen at the end of this event.

(Legalese silliness: My apologies to my Canadian friends but contests only open to US residents, and void where prohibited by law.

No extra entries necessary other than, of course, to leave a comment on the appropriate contest entry for that time period.

Full site giveaway disclaimers here)

Kathy Carmichael–do you believe…

*yawns*Morning again?  My apologies, my friends. Your humble hostess overslept this morning.  While the minions are off cleaning up from last night’s shindig, let me introduce our next guest, romantic comedy author (and ghost hunter!) Kathy Carmichael. 

Author Kathy Carmichael

A fan of things ghostly, herself, and with a sense of humor we adore, (hey, Night Mistresses need laughs too) she comes by today to give us a story about her first meeting with the Otherworld. Kathy, my dear, you have the floor.

Do You Believe in Ghosts?

Several years ago, an author friend told me she’d taken up a hobby in order to find balance in her life. It really struck home for me when she said she wasn’t living life. She was writing about it.

I obsessed over this for several days. Thus began my big hobby chase.

My friend took up bowling. This wasn’t something I’d done very often (and admittedly I was bad at it), but I thought I’d try it since she enjoyed it so much. Another friend took me to a bowling alley and tried to teach me some basics.  Every muscle in my body ached for days afterwards. This was not the hobby for me.

I went to museums. I attended lectures. I sampled all sorts of hobbies. I even tried to take up cussing as a hobby. That one didn’t work out so well; I just don’t have enough of a potty mouth.

One of my favorite TV programs is Ghost Hunters on the SyFy channel. I enjoy Ghost Hunters because I grew up in a haunted house. I like the concept of going in as a skeptic and trying to disprove something is paranormal. What cannot be disproved provides evidence of the existence of things outside our normal sensory range. And if that paranormal phenomena interacts with you in an intelligent manner, then chances are, you’re communicating with a ghost.

It was only a short leap for me to realize ghost hunting was an ideal hobby. I joined several ghost hunting groups, acquired equipment to aid in ghost hunting and started investigating with groups and on my own.

I recently participated in an investigation at the Heritage Museum in Brooksville, FL. This youtube video provided by the West Florida Ghost Researchers shows snippets from that investigation, including a tidbit from when we used a K-II meter to play patty cake with the spirit of a three-year-old girl. Be sure to keep playing the video after the pause because some of our EVP (electronic voice phenomena – voices the human ear can’t hear but are picked up via digital recorder) are played toward the end. I hope you enjoy!

(Your Night Mistress interrupts to say: I personally saw this presentation, recently, and oh dear! It’s super spooky! *shivers* ) Pardon me, Kathy. You were saying?

In my new novella, Your Magic Touch, there are three wizards who masquerade as ghost hunters and investigate the haunted mansion in the story. I had a lot of fun including details I’ve garnered from my own ghostly investigations.

Thank you, Kathy for this interesting look into the unknown, and your new book. Folks, feel free to  leave a comment or question for Kathy, here, and at the end of this event, we’ll pick a winner to whom she’ll gift a free download of Your Magic Touch*. Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about Kathy and her works, visit her blog the Daily Doodle, or her website at: http://www.kathycarmichael.com/ Enjoy…and have a spooky evening!

*Giveaway has expired