Today, I welcome Kiki Howell!
To what age group is your work geared toward?
KH: Those over the age of 18 since it is erotic romance.
Into which genre would you say your work falls and why?
KH: While it is erotic romance, my novel Torn Asunder, falls into a few other genres as well. It is a Regency-set historical romance, a paranormal romance of witches and shapeshifters, and romantic suspense.
Tell us a little about your book.
KH: Fraught with scenes of explicit intimacy, romantic spells and mystical shapeshifting, Torn Asunder is a unique blending of the age of manners with sexual magic.
Who is your favorite character in your bookand why?
KH: I could not possible pick between the hero and the heroine. I love their strength, even when beaten, when the odds are against them and they have to act in the best interests of those they love, they are strong, do what they need to do. This is not to say they don’t have their faults or make their mistakes, but in the end, I just saw their resilience. An author I love to read says that a person is defined by how close they can get to chaos without having a nuclear meltdown! I am quoting badly there, but you get the point. I like to teat my characters, and these two impressed me.
What other writers would you say have influenced your work and why? What are some of your favorite books in the genre?
KH: Mixing these genres, although it is not erotic (but it is hot), I just love Teresa Medeiros’ Cabot sister series, After Midnight and The Vampire Who Loved Me. The series is so exciting! One of the few books that I can say I have read more than once.
What is your writing process like?
KH: I am a plotter. I write out plot points for each chapter with notes from research too. For Torn Asunder, I had so much fun with the Regency cant that sometimes I would put favorite expressions I had stumbled upon in chapters to be included in them. I don’t have a critique group, but I do have a few wonderful authors who will read and give me comments on my work in various stages depending upon the story. I have a good friend too who I rely upon to be very honest with me about my work.
Do you have any advice for young or beginning writers?
KH: Just to be true to their own voice. Don’t censor yourself as you write wondering what and editor or reader might think of it. Everyone has different opinions. This is your story to tell. It will show in the end if you stay true to your voice. I don’t want that to sound like you can’t take advice, advice is a good and often positive thing. Your voice though, that is different, your style, what make you, well, you if that makes sense.
Who is your publisher and where are your books available?
KH: I have three other releases with Excessica. I also have books available with Whiskey Creek Press Torrid, http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/torrid/ and stories in various anthologies with other publishers.
What is your website and/or blog where readers can learn more? Can they friend you on Facebook or other sites?
My website is http://www.kikihowell.com/.
I am on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/kikihowell and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/KikiHowell
Here is some more info on Torn Asunder and Kiki:
Kiki Howell spins a wonderful tale of passion, magic, betrayal, and a love that conquers all. Enjoy." ~NY Times Bestselling Author, Hannah Howell
Blurb:
Aubrey Griffen is a witch whose true reasons for coming to London soon fall to the wayside when she catches the eye of Edmund Bryant, the Marquess of Dalysbury. He seduces her into a whirlwind romance until the lies and threats of his mother force her to flee to Triaill Brimuir, a secret island of her ancestors off the coast of Ireland. Edmund goes after her only to be hit by Aubrey’s confusion and anger when she magically transforms him into an elemental beast of her own creation.
However, it is when Edmund’s lust mysteriously turns him back into a man that the couple are forced to deal with a family secret and untold of powers. Now, Edmund must learn to shift himself into the beast in order to save her in a battle of black verses white magic.
More Advanced Praise for Torn Asunder:
Kiki Howell I feel has a major hit on her hands with Torn Asunder. I was so glued to this book that I was up til 4AM reading it, and mind you, I had to be up at 7AM to see my kiddies off to school....lol. I was just so captivated by the story of Aubrey and her love Edmund. They are drawn together by an unseen force that unites this couple body and soul. You would think that would be a good book to read but lets add witches, shapeshifting, white and black magic, a despicable mother, and a malevolent father to the mix. That is the story I had the very great pleasure of reading. It seemed at every turn our fated couple had more than there fair share of obstacles to over come…In between all the chaos our couple must endure is the most breath taking love story. Think Romeo and Juliet without them both dying at the end....lol. Their hearts and minds are linked for all time by an unforeseen connection that real couples only dream of. After reading this story you truly believe in soul mates and that love conquers all. On a scale of 1-10 I give this book a 10 and encourage everyone 18 and over to get a copy of this book and fall under Aubrey and Emund's spell. It is so worth the ride. ~5 out of 5 Stars, Review by Raquel Vega-Grieder for Sinfully Tasty Reads
“Torn Asunder is what a Regency novel should be. Prior to this book, I have never had a historical romance keep my interest for more than a chapter or two. Kiki Howell has written a historical novel that sings.
In Torn Asunder, Ms. Howell carefully spices her text with appropriate language, but does not go overboard. She lets the language flavor the story, instead of overpowering it. Her love for the time period is reflected in every part of the story, from the vivid characters to the clear imagery of her settings.
I give Torn Asunder five of five hearts.” ~D. Alexx Miller, Book Reviewer for Romance in the Backseat
EXCERPT:
The roses, elegant in their refinement, fell from one another with little grace as she undid the paper around them. Staggering back a few steps until her back met with the wall, she slid down to the floor letting the wrapping and flowers fall where they may. Aubrey wrapped her arms tightly around her midsection. Her chest ached more with each beat of her heart as she swallowed hard, blinked away the mistiness over her eyes, and remembered.
It had been the beginning of the season, a bit over a fortnight ago, when she first encountered Edmund Bryant, the Marquess of Dalysbury. Although she rolled her eyes still at the title, she felt impelled to live through it all again--through the days of fantasy in which she had allowed herself to participate. Love at first sight didn't always give way to rational thinking. It did, however, make possible even the wavering delusions of believing impossible dreams could come true. She had just come to London to live with Lord and Lady Sanderly, her cousins who had paid for her travels under the guise of giving a poor relation of marriageable age a chance to find a good husband.
Whereas, the truth of the matter was, she was a relation who had shown a great aptitude for learning of the magical powers she had inherited. The good Lord and Lady, while holding the public title of Earl and Countess, were actually descendants of one of the notorious Pendle witches. They were to teach her to harness and utilize her innate talents in secret while flaunting her about from various parties and balls in the public eye.
She recalled with a weak smile the first ball Lord and Lady Sanderly had thrown to immerse her into proper society. At the time, she had consciously gripped her hands before her waist to resist fidgeting while trying hard to fix to memory all of the titles of those to whom she was being introduced. Her level of discomfort had increased, however, as an unsettled awareness of someone in the room, a haunting premonition of sorts, had made her heart race and her mouth dry. She had paid mind to ignore the successive shivers which rushed the length of her spine until they pooled as heat in her tightening stomach.
Reminded she was holding her breath only when forced to speak, her ribs had begun to ache. When a chill more pervasive that any she had ever known even in the drafty county cottage she had been raised in permeated her shoulders, she had turned in the direction of the source, and her eyes had met with a man standing just across the room looking back at her. She had immediately felt challenged to not look away from the gaze of his dark eyes. They radiated a raw energy unlike anything she had ever encountered before even among those with her own esoteric abilities.
A connection was made. Her heart beat at a frantic, uneven pace like a horse racing over shoddy roads. At the same time, a vague forewarning had made her break out in a glistening of sweat while she fought the urge to escape as well the need to move toward the man. She had given merit to her reactions based only on the fact she had captured the glance of an aristocratic gentleman with a lady in a lavish satin gown on his arm of obviously higher circumstances.
Engrossed in his fine manners, she watched as his hand removed the one holding onto him from his arm with a slight nod of his head. The lady in return had given him a slight curtsy but glorious smile before turning back to her other acquaintances which Aubrey recognized to be a duke and duchess she had recently met. His tempestuous form fit in posh attire spun on the heel of his expensive footwear to find her again with his haunted and hungry eyes. He seemed an odd mix of rugged and refined. She had felt the thrill and danger of being pursued by a beast which lurked inside of the man.
To what age group is your work geared toward?
KH: Those over the age of 18 since it is erotic romance.
Into which genre would you say your work falls and why?
KH: While it is erotic romance, my novel Torn Asunder, falls into a few other genres as well. It is a Regency-set historical romance, a paranormal romance of witches and shapeshifters, and romantic suspense.
Tell us a little about your book.
KH: Fraught with scenes of explicit intimacy, romantic spells and mystical shapeshifting, Torn Asunder is a unique blending of the age of manners with sexual magic.
Who is your favorite character in your bookand why?
KH: I could not possible pick between the hero and the heroine. I love their strength, even when beaten, when the odds are against them and they have to act in the best interests of those they love, they are strong, do what they need to do. This is not to say they don’t have their faults or make their mistakes, but in the end, I just saw their resilience. An author I love to read says that a person is defined by how close they can get to chaos without having a nuclear meltdown! I am quoting badly there, but you get the point. I like to teat my characters, and these two impressed me.
What other writers would you say have influenced your work and why? What are some of your favorite books in the genre?
KH: Mixing these genres, although it is not erotic (but it is hot), I just love Teresa Medeiros’ Cabot sister series, After Midnight and The Vampire Who Loved Me. The series is so exciting! One of the few books that I can say I have read more than once.
What is your writing process like?
KH: I am a plotter. I write out plot points for each chapter with notes from research too. For Torn Asunder, I had so much fun with the Regency cant that sometimes I would put favorite expressions I had stumbled upon in chapters to be included in them. I don’t have a critique group, but I do have a few wonderful authors who will read and give me comments on my work in various stages depending upon the story. I have a good friend too who I rely upon to be very honest with me about my work.
Do you have any advice for young or beginning writers?
KH: Just to be true to their own voice. Don’t censor yourself as you write wondering what and editor or reader might think of it. Everyone has different opinions. This is your story to tell. It will show in the end if you stay true to your voice. I don’t want that to sound like you can’t take advice, advice is a good and often positive thing. Your voice though, that is different, your style, what make you, well, you if that makes sense.
Who is your publisher and where are your books available?
KH: I have three other releases with Excessica. I also have books available with Whiskey Creek Press Torrid, http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/torrid/ and stories in various anthologies with other publishers.
What is your website and/or blog where readers can learn more? Can they friend you on Facebook or other sites?
My website is http://www.kikihowell.com/.
I am on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/kikihowell and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/KikiHowell
Here is some more info on Torn Asunder and Kiki:
Kiki Howell spins a wonderful tale of passion, magic, betrayal, and a love that conquers all. Enjoy." ~NY Times Bestselling Author, Hannah Howell
Blurb:
Aubrey Griffen is a witch whose true reasons for coming to London soon fall to the wayside when she catches the eye of Edmund Bryant, the Marquess of Dalysbury. He seduces her into a whirlwind romance until the lies and threats of his mother force her to flee to Triaill Brimuir, a secret island of her ancestors off the coast of Ireland. Edmund goes after her only to be hit by Aubrey’s confusion and anger when she magically transforms him into an elemental beast of her own creation.
However, it is when Edmund’s lust mysteriously turns him back into a man that the couple are forced to deal with a family secret and untold of powers. Now, Edmund must learn to shift himself into the beast in order to save her in a battle of black verses white magic.
More Advanced Praise for Torn Asunder:
Kiki Howell I feel has a major hit on her hands with Torn Asunder. I was so glued to this book that I was up til 4AM reading it, and mind you, I had to be up at 7AM to see my kiddies off to school....lol. I was just so captivated by the story of Aubrey and her love Edmund. They are drawn together by an unseen force that unites this couple body and soul. You would think that would be a good book to read but lets add witches, shapeshifting, white and black magic, a despicable mother, and a malevolent father to the mix. That is the story I had the very great pleasure of reading. It seemed at every turn our fated couple had more than there fair share of obstacles to over come…In between all the chaos our couple must endure is the most breath taking love story. Think Romeo and Juliet without them both dying at the end....lol. Their hearts and minds are linked for all time by an unforeseen connection that real couples only dream of. After reading this story you truly believe in soul mates and that love conquers all. On a scale of 1-10 I give this book a 10 and encourage everyone 18 and over to get a copy of this book and fall under Aubrey and Emund's spell. It is so worth the ride. ~5 out of 5 Stars, Review by Raquel Vega-Grieder for Sinfully Tasty Reads
“Torn Asunder is what a Regency novel should be. Prior to this book, I have never had a historical romance keep my interest for more than a chapter or two. Kiki Howell has written a historical novel that sings.
In Torn Asunder, Ms. Howell carefully spices her text with appropriate language, but does not go overboard. She lets the language flavor the story, instead of overpowering it. Her love for the time period is reflected in every part of the story, from the vivid characters to the clear imagery of her settings.
I give Torn Asunder five of five hearts.” ~D. Alexx Miller, Book Reviewer for Romance in the Backseat
EXCERPT:
The roses, elegant in their refinement, fell from one another with little grace as she undid the paper around them. Staggering back a few steps until her back met with the wall, she slid down to the floor letting the wrapping and flowers fall where they may. Aubrey wrapped her arms tightly around her midsection. Her chest ached more with each beat of her heart as she swallowed hard, blinked away the mistiness over her eyes, and remembered.
It had been the beginning of the season, a bit over a fortnight ago, when she first encountered Edmund Bryant, the Marquess of Dalysbury. Although she rolled her eyes still at the title, she felt impelled to live through it all again--through the days of fantasy in which she had allowed herself to participate. Love at first sight didn't always give way to rational thinking. It did, however, make possible even the wavering delusions of believing impossible dreams could come true. She had just come to London to live with Lord and Lady Sanderly, her cousins who had paid for her travels under the guise of giving a poor relation of marriageable age a chance to find a good husband.
Whereas, the truth of the matter was, she was a relation who had shown a great aptitude for learning of the magical powers she had inherited. The good Lord and Lady, while holding the public title of Earl and Countess, were actually descendants of one of the notorious Pendle witches. They were to teach her to harness and utilize her innate talents in secret while flaunting her about from various parties and balls in the public eye.
She recalled with a weak smile the first ball Lord and Lady Sanderly had thrown to immerse her into proper society. At the time, she had consciously gripped her hands before her waist to resist fidgeting while trying hard to fix to memory all of the titles of those to whom she was being introduced. Her level of discomfort had increased, however, as an unsettled awareness of someone in the room, a haunting premonition of sorts, had made her heart race and her mouth dry. She had paid mind to ignore the successive shivers which rushed the length of her spine until they pooled as heat in her tightening stomach.
Reminded she was holding her breath only when forced to speak, her ribs had begun to ache. When a chill more pervasive that any she had ever known even in the drafty county cottage she had been raised in permeated her shoulders, she had turned in the direction of the source, and her eyes had met with a man standing just across the room looking back at her. She had immediately felt challenged to not look away from the gaze of his dark eyes. They radiated a raw energy unlike anything she had ever encountered before even among those with her own esoteric abilities.
A connection was made. Her heart beat at a frantic, uneven pace like a horse racing over shoddy roads. At the same time, a vague forewarning had made her break out in a glistening of sweat while she fought the urge to escape as well the need to move toward the man. She had given merit to her reactions based only on the fact she had captured the glance of an aristocratic gentleman with a lady in a lavish satin gown on his arm of obviously higher circumstances.
Engrossed in his fine manners, she watched as his hand removed the one holding onto him from his arm with a slight nod of his head. The lady in return had given him a slight curtsy but glorious smile before turning back to her other acquaintances which Aubrey recognized to be a duke and duchess she had recently met. His tempestuous form fit in posh attire spun on the heel of his expensive footwear to find her again with his haunted and hungry eyes. He seemed an odd mix of rugged and refined. She had felt the thrill and danger of being pursued by a beast which lurked inside of the man.
2 comments:
Thanks so much for having me :)
A pleasure to have you here!
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