Aloha to Kathryne Kennedy and THE LADY OF THE STORM

I have previously written that I gravitate to those from the Pacific Rim.  Imagine my surprise when I read Kathryne Kennedy's bio:

Being an Air Force brat, I traveled a great deal, and over the years I've lived in Guam, Okinawa, and several states in the U.S. I currently live in Arizona with my husband, two sons, and the rest of my wonderful family.


I'm addicted to reading, chocolate, and shopping (in that order). I have two chihuahuas named Precious and Baggins (think Lord of the Rings) who I'm rather goofy about, so I included a couple of pictures of them below.

Reading and chocolate - a woman after my own heart!  So I invited Kathryne to join us at SOS Aloha!

Aerial view of Guam

Kim:  Can you share a favorite memory from Guam and Okinawa?   What did you learn from being an Air Force Brat that you can apply to writing and publishing?


Kathryne:  A favorite memory from Okinawa is swinging from a rope hanging from a palm tree over the beach. A favorite memory from Guam is catching the geckos and making my own private zoo.  I learned a lot about foreign cultures, places, the wonder of new worlds. I think I apply that to all of the fantasy worlds I create.

Katsuren Castle on Okinawa

Kim:  As you wrote on your website, "I don’t often write contemporary short stories, but I had an opportunity to appear in an anthology alongside my son, and could not pass up the opportunity."  How did this come about?   What has your son learned from you about writing and publishing?


Kathryne:  When I first started writing, I had a short story published in a magazine, and years later the editor remembered me, and contacted me when he was putting together a book anthology, and asked if I might have anything to contribute. I was buried in my most recent book, so told him I would see what I could do, but in the meantime, my son had started writing fantasy and would he like to look at a story of his? The editor loved it, I sent him a story of my own, and together my son and I appeared in the short story anthology NIGHTBIRD SINGING IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT. I have to say that my son’s story has a better twist to it than mine.

I have taught my son that writing is an unpredictable business, and he has taken that precaution seriously. On the other hand, I have learned just as much from him. We play with our worlds together, and he has kept the joy of creating something new alive within me.


Kim:  I've heard Arizona has a magical element in a very Southwestly way.  Yet you write Georgian fantasies.  What inspired your current series?  What resources do you use to write the Georgian time period?


Kathryne:  I love history, all the drama and pageantry. I was writing a Victorian series and thought it would be fascinating to delve into the Georgian era, and it turned out to be so very true. I use many resources, including the Internet, but I think the most practical, information-packed research book I use is: Daily Life in 18^th Century England by Kirstin Olsen.

Kim:  Tell us about your new book, THE LADY OF THE STORM.


Kathryne:  Giles Beaumont is a half-breed with a cursed sword, and a spy for the Rebellion tasked with protecting its most formidable weapon: Lady Cecily Sutton. Lady Cecily has inherited her elven father’s magic of sea and sky, and has had her heart broken…by Giles Beaumont. As they travel across an England altered with elven enchantments, they will discover a valuable clue to the freedom of the English people. And that their hearts are just as bound together as their fates.

Georgian lovers by
Thomas Gainsborough

Kim:   What's next for Kathryne Kennedy?


Kathryne:  The third book in THE ELVEN LORDS series will be released February 2012. THE LORD OF ILLUSION is about a scholar who is sent on a quest to rescue a slave, and finds his destiny and heart along the way.

Thank you so much for having me here today, Kim! My publisher is giving away a copy of THE LADY OF THE STORM (U.S. & Canada mailing addresses only) to one lucky commenter today, and I’m looking forward to meeting your readers.

The Three Elder Princesses by
Thomas Gainsborough

Mahalo,  Kathryne, for joining us at SOS Aloha!   Indeed, I was drawn to THE LADY OF THE STORM because it is set in Georgian England - I posted my reviews at:

- Amazon at this link
- Goodreads at this link

To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about a project you would consider with your child, spouse, or friend -  magazine article?  chili cookoff?  Habitat for Humanity?  The Amazing Race?

I want to know your hidden talents!

2.  The Sourcebooks giveaway is open to North American residents only ... but I will giveaway my review copy * to an international reader.  So comments from all readers are welcome!

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 6, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 7.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

August's Reading Challenge - Bring Me Heroes:  In THE LADY OF THE STORM, Giles is a "reliable" hero - he readily accepts his assignment to pose as the village blacksmith to protect Cecily.   Yet he rises to the occasion to battle the evil army of Lord Dewhame.

To learn more about the August Reading Challenge, check out this link.   

Georgian hero by 
Thomas Gainsborough

*  Sourcesbooks provided an ARC for me to review THE LADY OF THE STORM.