Laura Kaye

Meet Laura Kaye!

A multi-published author of paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance, Laura Kaye’s hot, heartfelt stories are all about the universal desire for a place to belong. Laura is the author of the bestselling contemporary romance and award-nominated HEARTS IN DARKNESS and the bestselling and award-winning paranormal romance FOREVER FREED (NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Best Paranormal of 2011), as well as an erotic romance novella, JUST GOTTA SAY. Her fourth book, contemporary fantasy romance NORTH OF NEED, is the first in the 4-book Hearts of the Anemoi series. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

First question:

Eggnog or Mimosas? Are you old enough to drink?

Ha! I’m nearly old enough for two people to drink…which, geez, on that note, pass me a mimosa!!

We’re also taking pictures with Santa, did you bring a gift for him? (Maybe a new release or a pretty book cover…)

Oh, look, I did! He’s too embarrassed to tell you himself, but Santa totally posed for Owen’s image on the cover of my recent release, North of Need! Wasn’t that nice of him, and when he’s already so busy! And this book is right up Santa’s alley, filled with sweet holiday magic, hot paranormal romance, and a unique mythology full of Greek Gods—awesome!

Blurb:

Her tears called a powerful snow god to life, but only her love can grant the humanity he craves…

While attempting to escape the agonizing memories she associates with Christmas, twenty-nine-year-old widow Megan Snow builds a snow family outside the mountain cabin she once shared with her husband–and collapses in tears against the snowman at the sight of what she’ll never have.

Called to life by the power of Megan’s tears, snow god Owen Winters appears unconscious on her doorstep in the midst of a raging blizzard. As she nurses him to health, Owen finds unexpected solace in her company and unimagined pleasure in the warmth of her body, and vows to win her heart for a chance at humanity.

Megan is drawn to Owen’s mismatched eyes, otherworldly masculinity, and enthusiasm for the littlest things, and her heart opens enough to believe he’s a Christmas miracle. But this miracle comes with an expiration–before the snow melts and the temperature rises, Megan must let go of her widow’s grief and learn to trust love again, or she’ll lose Owen forever.”

Please enter. Drinks are served by the elves in the corner.

Ooh, elves with drinks. I love this place!

What’s your favorite holiday and why?

I’ve always loved Christmas best because of the lights and the festivities and the togetherness and the incredible spirit of generosity everyone seems to have.

Did you ask Santa for anything good?

I just wrote my first letter to Santa in many years! And I asked him for three things: a new laptop (mine is at the making-weird-noises stage), a visit from my mom (who has been gone for nearly 7 years, but I figured at the North Pole he must be closer to her wherever she is than I am…), and the ability to quit my job and write full-time. Those might be too tall of an order for Santa, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to ask.

What’s your favorite place to spend the holidays?

At home, especially now that I have little kids (ages 5 and 7). I like to wake up to our tree and our presents and let the kids have the whole day opening and playing with their new presents. I always love to see people, but Christmas day at home is such a nice treat!

What is your favorite Christmas memory?

So many to pick from! My favorite might be the year my mom gave me a plane ticket to Italy to visit my then boyfriend (now husband of 15 years) who was away on a study-abroad program. We were poor when I was growing up and this was my first trip out of the country, so it was huge on so many levels.

Do you have personal resolutions for the New Years? Anything interesting?

Some goals for 2012 include continuing to build my career, landing an agent, going to the Romantic Times convention for the first time, and getting/staying healthy(er). I need to fit more time in for exercising. In general, I don’t really make resolutions, because somehow that always makes it feel like more pressure, but I do like to set goals—it seems different to me! LOL

Why do you write romance?

Because I love to read them, and because to me romance tells the story of people finding the things they most need in life to be happy—and what could be more fulfilling than that?

How long have you been writing for? And how would you describe your publication journey?

I’ve been writing for a little over three years. I have four books out from three presses, and was very fortunate to have my first manuscript ultimately accepted for publication as my first book (Forever Freed)—that took about 16 months from beginning the book to the sale, and then there was another 15 months from contract to release. Since then, I’ve had the great fortune to have three more books release and it’s just been a wild ride, one I wouldn’t trade for the world!

Are you a plotter or pantser? What is your routine?

OMG, a total pantser. And, really, I have no routine. As long as I have my laptop, I can write anywhere, any time. I prefer longer chunks in which to write, but honestly, #1k1hr on Twitter has really helped me maximize my productivity during shorter windows of writing time, too. Other than writing out pretty detailed character sketches, I hardly write anything down about the plot itself. The story just comes to me, often going in directions about which I had no idea.

What characteristics do all your heroes/heroines have in all your stories?

Hmm…this is interesting. Maybe that, on some level, they’re all lonely and yearning. They don’t always know for who or what, but finding a place or a person to call home, that gives them a safe, soft place to land, tends to be a goal all my characters share.

What writing resources do you abide by as a writer?

This is an area where I want to develop myself, because I use very little in the way of writing resources. I like to take online and in-person workshops, and I belong to a local RWA chapter that offers a lot of good classes and speakers, but I don’t read very many craft books at all. With so many deadlines approaching, it’s just been hard to make the time.

What advice would you give aspiring authors?

1) Butt in chair, fingers in keyboard. When you finish the first story, start the second. You can’t edit or sell what you haven’t written. 2) Find other professionally oriented writers to serve as critique partners. Other writers are best positioned to give you the most useful advice on how to improve your writing. 3) Join professional organizations in your genre—they will give you contacts, support, and workshops to support your professional development as a writer. 4) Have patience! Writing itself takes time, revising takes even longer, and making a sale takes longest of all. So just keep writing during those down times of waiting, it makes it easier to be patient when you can feel yourself making forward progress in other ways. And have fun!

What are you working on right now?

I have two current works in progress. The second novella in my Vampire Warrior Kings series for Harlequin. That one’s set in Russia and it’s just the coolest thing! And the third novel in my Hearts of the Anemoi series called South of Surrender, which features the South Wind/Summer god, Chrysander Notos.

What news would you like to share with your readers?

I’d love to share the following:

~ North of Need was picked as THE romance for holiday gift-giving by Paperback Dolls!

~ North of Need is up for Sizzling Read of the Year at Sizzling Hot Book Reviews and I’d love it if you would consider voting!

~ In the Service of the King, the first dark paranormal novella in my Vampire Warrior Kings series releases 2/1/12!

Where can readers find you?

Buy Laura’s Books

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

List other books you have out:

Forever Freed, paranormal romance

Hearts in Darkness, contemporary romance

Just Gotta Say, contemporary erotic romance

North of Need, contemporary fantasy romance

In the Service of the King, paranormal romance, releases 2/1/12

West of Want, contemporary fantasy romance, releases April 2012

Thank you so much for joining us at Romance Author Hotspot!

Thank YOU so much for hosting me! It was great fun!

PRIZE: 1 signed 11”x17” North of Need poster (U.S.), 1 set of glitter snowflake ornaments(U.S), $5 Amazon Gift Certificate (International) So, 3 winners!

 

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