First, a brief bio:Once upon a time, Kelly dreamed of becoming an entomologist, then a gymnast, and then an architect. Instead, a career in healthcare became the chosen path. After years of devouring other people's books, she decided to give writing a try. An arduous journey and many hot fudge sundaes later, her first paranormal romantic suspense debuted in July 2012.
Now she writes a variety of fiction, spanning genres from humor to paranormal and flash fiction to full-fledged novels. An ideal day consists of coffee, no phone, and writing quirky characters for her fans to fall in love with. Stop by www.kellywhitley.com, where the paranormal is an everyday occurrence and get your fix for vampires, werewolves, shifters and more. Kelly loves visitors, human and otherwise.
Kelly lives in the Rocky Mountain West. Contact her at kelly_book_maven@yahoo.com.
Here's the blurb for Kelly's latest release: INTO THE RED
Human blood is an illicit and highly addictive
drug--if you're a vampire. Known as Red, its side effects are insanity, and
eventual death. A group of Red-addicted vampires known as Poisoners are killing
women as part of an extortion plot involving a lost ancient vampiric tome, and
they’re leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. The discovery of each new
victim risks exposure of the entire vampire race to humans. Then one victim
survives…
Dr. Evan Nichols, oncologist and vampire, lives a
monk-like existence, by his own choice, focusing on patient care and research
to benefit his vampire brethren. It’s been twenty-five years since his world
turned upside down—the night he lost his fiancée and discovered his hidden
vampire heritage. Now his government has ordered him to take a mate—or they’ll
choose one for him. It’s a horrible prospect, and one that might push him over
the edge—until Fate throws him together with a human female.
Wary of relationships, Tara West has poured her
energies into work and inventing cutting edge climbing equipment. She doesn’t
like the gorgeous Dr. Nichols, yet finds herself unaccountably drawn to him.
When a crazed vampire attacks and poisons Tara,
Evan rescues her. With time running out, he has to create an antidote to the
poison before he loses his chance at love.
In order to make the vaccine which might cure
her, he has to find the bastards who poisoned her and take their venom—before
they die of their addiction. If he doesn’t reach them in time, saving her will
be impossible.
Thus the journey begins—into the Red!
Before treating us to an excerpt, Kelly Reveals:
Who controls the story – you or your characters?
The characters. If they would just do the editing, I’d be set!
What do you hope your readers come away with after reading your books?
Satisfied they’d read a great book, and wanting
more.
What do you think are the main ingredients for a successful book? Memorable characters, and an engaging plot—in that order.
Characters are what I remember years later—not so much the details of the plot.
What do you most enjoy about writing romance? I like weaving the romance into the suspenseful plot—it’s
tricky. Compared to mainstream fiction, I get more out of a romance—it’s like
getting a twofer: mainstream fiction and
a hot romantic plot thread.
What do you like best and least about writing? Best:
having one of those days where the words flow faster than I can type. Finding
the perfect word to describe something. Inventing a great metaphor. Least:
those days where every words is squeezed out with difficulty. Plot holes that
loom like gaping defects in the fabric of the story.
Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? Yes.
I’d actually characterize it more as burnout. Too many arduous days with every
free moment spent at the computer. What would be your tips to overcome it? For writer’s block—I hand write on paper. Play “what if…” and let myself get as outrageous as possible. Sometimes that shakes it loose. Burnout: avoidance is best. I ended up taking a few days off from the computer and work. Watched TV and did nothing.
Do you have a writing routine? Yep. On
non-day job days, I eat breakfast (which I highly recommend) while watching the
morning news. Be at the computer by 8:30 or 9:00. Check email for things I’m
expecting and personal emails. Social media if I need to get word out about a
blog post/book, otherwise, I leave it alone. I’m not a big social media person,
which I think is good.
On work days, generally I try to squeeze in a little
writing before dinner, then write after dinner until 10 pm.
What can we look forward to from you in the near future? Flash fiction and short stories! Next novel out within
the year, I hope.
How do you like to spend your free time? Reading.
Otherwise, I occasionally watch DVD movies and football.
What would you most like to
accomplish this year? I’m finishing third round
edits on a MS now, and want to get it submitted. An acceptance would make an
excellent Christmas present.
The caged light above the emergency exit cast a pallid, purple glow over the alley and the pair coupling against the brick wall. Barely twenty feet away he watched, hunkered down in the murk of the shadows, thinking about the merits of killing them both, or waiting for the girl to be alone.
The bar catered to the darker element; men who came to drink, drug,
and fornicate. Dangerous men. Men who committed violent crimes as easily as
they breathed. Few women frequented this establishment. Most of the females
present worked there as waitresses with benefits for purchase, for the men with
sex on their minds.
Management took a cut of everything—the liquor, the drugs, and the
sex. He also knew the management dictated who did what to whom and when, so it
had been just a matter of time before a pair left the bar for the privacy of
the alley.
The guy from inside the bar was clean, well-dressed in something
other than biker gear and blue jeans, and wasn’t drunk or high.
Which was better than usual.
Hidden, he watched while the man finished and then disappeared back
inside. The girl stayed in the alley. A match flared as she lit a cigarette and
walked in tight circles by the back door. Based on his observations, he knew
she wanted to attract a customer who didn’t come from the bar.
A quickie.
She didn’t realize she’d just sealed her own fate. It would be a
quickie. A hell of a quickie.
He separated from the shadows and approached her from the end of the
alley. He wasn’t clean, well dressed, or sober.
Which was worse than usual.
But he did have fifty bucks. He bit back a laugh as he caught the
expression on her face—half victory, half revulsion. She took his money,
tucking it into her bra before turning to face the rough brick of the building.
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He leaned into her, pressing her chest against the alley wall and
inhaling the smell of her neck as he yanked up her skirt and entered her from
behind. He ran his hands over her body, relishing the feel of her soft skin as
he plunged into her, ignoring her little yips of pain.
As he slammed into her and finished, the leech of his addiction
demanded satisfaction, and he snaked an arm around her throat. For a moment she
didn’t react, then the fragrance of her relief gave way to the smoky scent of
panic. She lashed out, connecting with the unforgiving brick wall. Her
struggles kicked his anticipation into overdrive, and he sank his teeth into
the exploding pulse of her fear.
Within a few seconds, her legs gave out, leaving her limp against
the wall; he supported her around the waist. Anyone encountering the scene
would assume they’d not yet concluded their transaction. The ache of withdrawal
eased its way into euphoria as the Red hit his bloodstream. With jerky
movements, he laid the body out of sight behind the filthy packing boxes before
grafting himself to the shadows.
Soon, another couple would exit the bar for an outdoor tryst.
And he’d be watching.
Review: “Such a unique take on
vampires, and Evan is a great hero. His love for the heroine is so intense it's
palpable. Whitley's writing really throws you into each and every scene as she
touches your heart with every word she writes. LOVED this!!”—Catch the Rush (on
Amazon), Sept. 2012
Pleasure to meet you, Kelly!
Leave a comment for the chance to win an ebook copy of Into The Red (please remember to leave email address)
Leave a comment for the chance to win an ebook copy of Into The Red (please remember to leave email address)
Hi Kelly and welcome. I find hand writing on paper most effective too.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, ladies. :) Into the Red is a fantastic read! I always write on paper instead of the computer when I'm stuck with a plot or the words aren't coming together.
ReplyDeleteWhat is paper and pencil? Kidding of course. When something doesn't come together for me, I have to think, roll it around in my head for a few days, then hit the computer again.
ReplyDeleteNice interview. I like the premise of the story. Very, very tempting. Okay, you convinced me. On my TBB list.