Wednesday 7 March 2012

Welcome Loose ID author, Louisa Kelley!


Welcome to my site today, Louisa! Hope you enjoy your time here and thank you for letting me host a day of your ongoing tour. Shall we get started with my questions??


1) When and why did you decide you wanted to be a published author?

It seems that I’ve always been a writer, a scribbler of stories and poems, and the family bard. I am also a huge reader of sci fi and romance. I love paranormal romance and urban fantasy in particular. In 2006 I discovered the organization Romance Writers of America, and decided to take the plunge and find out if I could write one of those hot little stories myself! I joined the local chapter here in Portland, Oregon called Rose City Romance Writers and set about learning all I could about how to get published. Images of dragon shape-shifters were pounding through my head and the stories started tumbling out. In 2009, my first book , “Lydia and the Draca,” was published by Loose Id. My second book, “Cara and the Draca” was released in January 2012. They are two books of my intended trilogy series “Daughters of Draca.”

2) What is the best and worst things you have learned from an editor/agent?

The best thing my editors have taught me is to recognize passive writing. Since I write novella length stories, my action has to be fairly tight. The story needs to move along. No time to waste on passive writing or scenes that don’t have a clear purpose. The ‘final edits’ with my editors while preparing for publication was excruciating on some levels, but also extremely enlightening.

I don’t think I have a ‘worst’ thing I’ve learned from an editor. What I did learn is the value of having an editor who is friendly. Who seems to care about your career and wishes you well. Some editors are all business, no fluffy stuff at all, and that’s fine. Just not my fav.

3) Favorite author/s?

I would say top picks (the ones on my keeper shelves) are Emma Holly, Susan Krinard, Susan Squires (her older stuff, not the current series), Kim Harrison, Rachel Cain, Catherine Asaro (her science fiction series), Patricia Briggs, Jade Lee and Kresley Cole.

4. What is your typical day?

I work full time, M-Friday so that takes up a lot of my day! I enjoy writing, reading and watching movies in the evenings. I also do a lot of volunteer work for a Buddhist world peace organization. A typical weekend would find me taking urban walks around Portland, going to the theatre or a dance performance, having fun with friends. And writing, of course!


6.) Who would you cast to play your hero & heroine in a movie?

No one comes to mind so I think I would be looking for that hot ‘unknown’. Actors with passion and mystery. Subtlety. And that extra special something sex appeal.

7.) Did you plan this book? Or write it as it came?

The first book evolved in a very natural way from a manuscript that started off being about vampires, and ended up being all about dragons. And I totally found my groove in dragons, to say the least. I wrote mostly as I went along, the story unfolding and revealing itself in the process. A few times I stopped to outline the action, which was useful, but mostly I’m a ‘pantser.”

8.) What surprised you the most when you became published?

That I sold any books! Who knew?! I figured on friends and family, but would the rest of the world find my book? And somehow, they did. It’s been immensely gratifying.

9.) Do you have a dedicated writing space? What does it look like?

I love my writing space. On the wall next to my writing desk is a huge, framed picture of one of Ciruelo Cabral’s fabulous dragons. He’s a master of dragon art and his dragons are the inspiration for the ones in my book. I’ve got a link to his art on my own website. There are framed cards of vintage and erotic women on the shelf above my computer. My walls are filled with images and quotes that inspire me, including a poem by Anais Nin about why writers write, a picture of Einstein walking with Marie Curie in 1925, a moon calendar, and several poems by William Stafford and it goes on… Basically I’ve surrounded myself with the tools I need to write (I’m a Mac girl all the way) and lots of items that inspire my muse.

10.) What’s next for you?

Coming up next is the third book in my Daughters of Draca series:

“Nareen of the Draca.” Nareen is the de facto Queen of the Draca, and is a major secondary character in both books. She’s been clamoring for me to tell her story so I am happy to oblige. There are also a few underlying plot lines that will have some fun conclusions in the third book.

My website has a lot of detailed information about both books and links for purchase http://www.louisakelley.com/

My publisher: http://www.loose-id.com/

I am also on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/author/louisakelley, as well as all the major eromance book sellers.

Come check out some fantastic photos of Portland on my Facebook page: Louisa Kelley Author.

Thank you so much for hosting me today on your blog!

XO

Louisa Kelley

Louisa will be giving away a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/01/virtual-book-tour-daughters-of-draca.html


Daughters of Draca

by Louisa Kelly

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BLURBS:

Lydia and the Draca, Daughters of Draca Book One:

Lydia has no idea why an entire race of shape-shifters is lusting after her. They tell her there's something special about her blood and they want it for themselves... but they don't actually want her blood. No, they want much, much more. And they want it delivered fresh, hot and as fast as possible.

Science fiction geek Lydia Neal is just recovering from her latest relationship burnout. When she wakes up in a glowing cave surrounded by enormous dragons she's pretty sure she's having a sci-fi themed nightmare. Then she meets the smoking hot Draca Eremon and suddenly things aren't quite so scary. Especially when Eremon shows her the very special kind of ecstasy a Draca male can offer her...whether on the ground or in the skies.

Something powerful is waking up inside Lydia, something triggered during her capture by these primal, gorgeous creatures. Whatever the sexy, obsessed Draca want from her, she's ready to find out... She agrees to go along with a series of fantastical and erotic "tests" and discovers she's signed on for the wildest, hottest ride of her life.


Cara and the Draca, Daughters of Draca Book Two:


Cara is haunted by recent memories of a warehouse explosion that took the life of her best friend and caught her in the blast. Desperate for a way to cover the burns scars on her shoulder, Cara heads for the mysterious tattoo shop in Portland everyone is talking about.

Aedhan, the gorgeous tattoo master, leaves her senses reeling and her knees weak. Just the touch of his talented hands brings welcome relief and a sense of release from her emotional pain. His charming, eccentric ways combined with his tangerine hair and odd accent create an intoxicating mix. To her delight, the incredible tattoo he expertly lays over her scar hides everything-- and makes her long for more of his healing touch.

Soon Cara is pulled into an erotic journey of unimagined delight, terror and transformation. Dragons? In Portland? Magical and sexy beyond belief? Yet, something isn’t quite adding up. Is Aedhan really telling her the truth about what he’s doing in that shop? But she's so crazy in lust and wonder, it's hard to care.

Dragon shape-shifter Aedhan fully intends to follow the rules of his secret mission, number one being no sex with the human women in Portland. Then Cara shows up at his shop and her sweetness and delightful freckles almost stops his heart. When he perceives the sorrow in her life, he is consumed with the need to know more. Who has hurt her? After he gets a taste of her blood on his tattoo needles and discovers the extra special something in her fluids, he decides he must see Cara again, even if it means breaking the rules. And that's when things start to go terribly wrong...or perfectly right.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt from Cara and the Draca, Daughters of Draca Book Two:

Cara opened her eyes to a surreal scene. A rough, cave-like interior had replaced the pale beige walls of the massage room. Reddish rock surfaces surrounded them, and to her left lay an entrance to the outside where she caught a glimpse of an azure sky and a few drifting white clouds.

In the distance, wild flying creatures with immense wings soared above rugged cliffs, dominating the sky.

Dragons.

Her breath caught in wonder. Aedhan continued to kiss her, tracing the lines of her cheek with his mouth, whispering soft, heated words in a language she didn’t recognize. He flicked his tongue into her ear, and she nearly climaxed at the sensation. He knew her favorite erotic spots as if they had done this before. More than once.

Aedhan grasped her bottom and shifted his weight to the side, neatly flipping her to her back with him propped on his arms above her.

Gritty sand pressed against her backside. She stared in speechless wonder at his face. His skin glowed with a hint of iridescent green as he met her gaze. Arousal gleamed from his eyes.

He lowered himself so the whole of his muscular body settled on top of her, heavy and warm. Gazing over his broad back, she could see images of scales rippling down the length of his spine with the same greenish glow she’d witnessed during the massage.

“Aedhan,” Cara gasped between wild kisses, “what is happening?”

Aedhan raised his face, and something shifted. He gave a startled exclamation and ducked his head but not before she saw his eyes narrow and lengthen. The skin under her hands tensed and thickened.

In seconds he changed to something…more. Soft, foreign growls issued from his throat. He started to rise off her.

“No,” she said, tightening her arms around him. “I’m not afraid.”

A sound in the distance pulled her attention to the beautiful flying creatures again. Wonderment filled her. Was she in a fantastic, waking dream?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Romance and science fiction took hold of Louisa Kelley at age nine, when she read Little Women and the Narnia series. She is convinced that the genre paranormal romance, which developed years later, was purely for her benefit. After all, it’s what’s been in her heart all these years. She resides in Portland Oregon where, in a strangely perfect combination of rainy winters and urban skyline, her writing inspiration abounds.

Meet the sexy world that’s been evolving in her fevered brain…she’d love you to join her in some over the top erotic adventures with the Draca; dragon shape-shifters of a very different kind.

www.louisakelley.com

http://www.loose-id.com/

Louisa Kelley Author@ Facebook

Member of Romance Writers of America

Member of Rose City Romance Writers

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8 comments:

  1. It must be an incredible feeling to not only have your books out in the world, but that the world is buying and reading them.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  2. How great to learn that there are two books that were written before this one. I love series.

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  3. Great interview. Thanks for sharing. This series sounds amazing.Can't wait to read it. Thanks for the blog tour.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

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  4. Hi everyone- great to hear from you all. Thanks for checking in!
    As a special note- I recently started a Facebook author page. I would love it if you'd go to my page and 'like' it. As an incentive, send me an email when you've done this (and when) and I'll send you some custom bookmarks with my FAB cover art on them when I get them done! Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Louisa-Kelley-Author/358724387477857
    My email: louisakelley@yahoo.com

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  5. I've liked your Fb page.

    Each time I read an excerpt, I think, "MAN, that's wild." I'm a romance newbie and I wonder if it will be too out there for me?? The excerpts are so intriguing. I may have to just dive in and read it!

    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

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  6. Playing catch up again. Life is hard...sigh...

    Anyway, in case you check back for late questions, here's one for you: I am often struck by the fact there is a lot more to the writing process itself than just sitting down and writing a book. In your opinion, what percentage of 1) book-learning including but not limited to, college courses, reading how-to books); 2) seminars, workshops, association membership; 3) talent/imagination/life experiences; and 4) actual writing of a story is really involved in getting a finished published book?

    kareninnc at gmail dot com

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  7. Hello Louisa,

    Thank you Rachel Leigh for hosting Louisa Kelley on your Blog as your Guest for her DAUGHTERS OF DRACA Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway.

    Thank you also to Louisa for taking the time out of your busy day to spend with Us, it was a Great Interview. You shared a lot about yourself with Us throughout the interview & listed your Author Bio with links to LQQk further into your writing. The Blurbs you posted from the Book 1 & 2 of your “Daughters of Draca” Series were very Good & the Excerpt from Book 2 just interested me even more...so much so that I had to read further on your website.

    OMG The Cave Scene between Lydia & Eremon from “Lydia and the Draca” Book 1 in your “Daughters of Draca” Series was pass me a fan HOT because this was Sizzlin!!!! The Excerpt on your website from “Cara and the Draca” Book 2 of your “Daughters of Draca” Series again left me wanting MORE!!!!
    I HAVE to get this Erotic Urban Paranormal Romance Series, it’s HOT, HOT, HOT…& not because of fire-breathing Dragons. LOL

    Have Fun on the Rest of your Blog Tour,
    PaParanormalFan (Renee’ S.)
    paranormalromancefan@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete