CONTEST: All who comment will be entered to win one free download of two short stories from Kayelle. One is Human Perfect, about spies in the android industry, and the other is Whiskey and Wine, the inspiration for Surrender Love.
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Tell us about the Tarthian Empire. What inspired you to create this place and all the inhabitants there? How many books do you see for it?
The idea for the Tarthian Empire was to create a vast group of worlds with a rich history, and then write books within that setting. I could see no logical reason to create a new world with different life forms and rules every time I wanted to write a story. This was the logical way to go, in my mind. I have various empires and federations all over the galaxy for future works.
If I had to write books only set in the Tarthian Empire for the rest of my life, I would never run out of stories. The empire was founded in their year 4273 Tradestandard when Empress Destine Pietan united thirteen worlds. She also set up a standard of measurement for everything from dates to coins to property, and required all planets in the empire to use it. Known as Tradestandard, it is still in use. Everything is based on what is used on the planet Tarth. The empire has grown to twenty-two worlds by the time the first Tarthian Empire book takes place, in 4659. Until 4645, non-humans had not been discovered. The feline Kin were first, and three of their leaders bartered for a treaty with the empire in return for helping them find another race. The satyr-like Tyrans were next. They had advanced space travel, and often hunted the Kin for sport. They were conquered by Empress Rheyn Destoiya, having been pointed out by the Kin. Shortly after, the planet Ezraki was discovered. Peopled by the Chiasmii, who were all dual-gendered, it was the final non-human world known by the beginning of the first book. I plan to add one more group of non-humans in the not too distant future.
What is the reading order of the Tarthian Empire series? If I was a first time reader of your work, what do you recommend starting with?
First time readers could literally start anywhere and work their way around the overlapping books. However, if you’re a purist who likes to start with book one and work your way forward, then At the Mercy of Her Pleasure is first.
Here is the chronological order of the books based on the empire’s Tradestandard dates, by year.
4659 - Wulf
4662 - At the Mercy of Her Pleasure
4664 - Alitus
4664 - Jawk
4664 - Surrender Love
4664 - Surrender Trust
4664 - Surrender Will
4665 - When I Breathe
At the Mercy of Her Pleasure - 3/23/10
For Women Only - 6/1/10
When I Breathe - coming 2011
Reading order for the Tales of the Chosen trilogy: (Liquid Silver Books)
Wulf - available now
Alitus - available now
Jawk - available now
Reading order for the Surrender trilogy: (Loose Id)
Surrender Love - available now
Surrender Trust - coming 2010
Surrender Will - coming 2011
You have an upcoming release in March called At The Mercy Of Her Pleasure from Loose Id.
Yes, At the Mercy is part of the series. In fact, it was the first book I wrote, and was released six years ago with a different publisher. The sequel, For Women Only cried out for another story to feature the brother-heroes. Because I wanted to do that without splitting the books across different publishers, I pitched the idea of re-releasing Mercy and Women and following them up with a third book. Here are the tag and blurb.
At the Mercy of Her Pleasure
She steals one kiss and her pheromones addict him. How can he return to his master now that she has him at the mercy of her pleasure?
Senth holds a lofty position in the elite Thieves' Guild. Drugged since puberty to suppress his feral half-feline side, nothing suppresses his daredevil, risk-loving human half. His master offers him a deal. Work with a Better, an enhanced woman with addictive, pleasure-laced pheromones, and he'll buy and free Senth's cruelly enslaved older brother. The job? Grab-and-go. The condition? Remain a virgin. The drug he takes ensures it, no matter how tempting the woman or her pheromones. The problem? Nothing goes right. The job outlasts the drug's effect. All Senth wants is one touch, one kiss, one oh-so-tempting lick of her perfect, lush skin. The downside? With his brother's freedom at stake, how can he risk putting himself at the mercy of her pleasure?
Your work is very popular with readers. Did you ever expect this when you first started out writing? Are you ever nervous when you have a new release out to how they may react?
Thank you, Dawn! I started out believing that people would like the characters if I could reveal them the way I saw them myself. It’s been wonderful to see how well-loved they are. What amazes me is that Pietas is gaining a following. He is the uber villain, but I admit, he does have his soft side. I write three-dimensional characters, so I suppose I shouldn’t be a surprise that there are levels to him that make readers want to know more.
Nervous? Yes and no. I know I’ve written my best, and I have faith in the editors, proofers, and the cover art. When the book is released, it will be as perfect as the publisher and I can make it. I was more nervous at first. Now, I have people waiting for the release date and a lot of excitement surrounds the actual event.
On March 23rd, when At the Mercy releases, I’ll be throwing a party on my yahoo group, Romance Lives Forever. I’ve invited dozens of authors to join me in a two-day free-for-all of excerpts and posting. All genres and heat ratings will be represented, so it really will be a fun bash. How can I be nervous surrounded by friends?
The party is 3/23-24, because on March 24th, The Last Vhalgenn releases as an audiobook from the publisher AudioLark. http://audiolark.com Imagine 48 hours of posting and excerpts… it will be wild. Authors wanting more info should join Romance Lives Forever. I’ll be posting about it there. http://tinyurl.com/rlf4ever
If you could meet any character from your books, who would it be and what would you do together?
It would be Luc and what we would do is none of your business. LOL Actually, I’d try to talk him into taking me back to the Tarthian Empire with him. I’d be happy as his pet, for goodness sake. Anything for Luc. ^_^
Surrender Love has to be my favorite Tarthian book ever though I love the others as well. There is just something about Luc that calls to me and makes me yearn to cuddle with him. What/who inspires this character and do you plan to have more stories that center on Luc and Izzy?
Thank you, Dawn. Absolutely, you will see more of Luc and Rah. The next two books in the Surrender trilogy focus on them, and they will be guest characters in other books that take place in the empire.
Luc was originally a background character in At the Mercy of Her Pleasure. My critique group asked when I was going to do his story, and my first reaction was that he didn’t have one, beyond the basic sketch I do with all characters. After the fourth email from readers asking me the same thing, I realized I had to do some work on his backstory! Once I let him out of the mold I’d fashioned for him, Luc took center stage. He’s been in every book set in the Tarthian Empire.
The actor who is the physical model for Luc is Dennis Haysbert 24, The Unit, Waiting to Exhale). I have an Allstate poster right above and behind my monitor. With all apologies to Allstate, I cut off everything but Dennis (who is their spokesperson) and the background. When I glance up, it’s like Luc is looking at me with a Mona Lisa-esque smile. His eyes seem to stare right at me. I consider him my muse. An autographed photo of Luke Goss (odd coincidence on names, huh?) as Prince Nuada from Hellboy II: The Golden Army is just to the left. Nuada resembles Pietas, another character who is Luc’s nemesis.
Congratulations on your recent award nominations from EPIC and other places. What was it like to see your work nominated? What did you do to celebrate the nominations/wins?
Thank you so much! I wasn’t able to attend EPICon this year *sniff* so I didn’t get to accept the award in person. When I found out that I’d won, after I picked myself up off the floor, I immediately kissed my husband, emailed my editor and publisher, my beta readers, and my family.
LRC’s Best of 2009 Awards honored me with a Runner Up in the SciFi/Futuristic category and a Winner in the Best Cover department. The cover was also in the Top Ten on P&E’s Reader’s Poll for 2009. Anne Cain did an amazing job. She made Luc look tres hot!
How did I celebrate? With food, lol! I changed my eating lifestyle about three and a half years ago, and although I allow myself dark chocolate frequently (it’s good for you), I wanted a little extra. We had chocolate mousse in dark chocolate cups with fresh fruit. It was *almost* too beautiful to eat, but I managed. ^_^
Where can readers go to find more information on your books on the web?
The best place is my own website. I have reviews and excerpts there. http://kayelleallen.com/Books.html You can also tour the empire and find links to book-mentioned sites on Imperinet, a website within a website. http://kayelleallen.com
What can we see coming in 2010 from you?
Lots of things! At the Mercy of Her Pleasure releases on 3/23, and The Last Vhalgenn on 3/24. For Women Only is out 6/1, and Surrender Trust likely in August. I hope to finish Surrender Will in time for an end of year release.
You are world ruler and able to enact three laws, what would they be?
I have no clue. Can I phone a friend on this one? ^_^
If you came back as a spirit, what would you want to say to the world?
Believe.
What was the most recent movie you saw that blew you away and recommend to others to see?
Avatar! Real3D isn’t about things popping out at you. It’s about the movie pulling you inside itself. You are *there* as things happen, able to focus your eyes on every detail as if you were right inside the room or on the world.
At the Mercy of Her Pleasure
She steals one kiss and her pheromones addict him. How can he return to his master now that she has him at the mercy of her pleasure?
She steals one kiss and her pheromones addict him. How can he return to his master now that she has him at the mercy of her pleasure?
Senth holds a lofty position in the elite Thieves' Guild. Drugged since puberty to suppress his feral half-feline side, nothing suppresses his daredevil, risk-loving human half. His master offers him a deal. Work with a Better, an enhanced woman with addictive, pleasure-laced pheromones, and he'll buy and free Senth's cruelly enslaved older brother. The job? Grab-and-go. The condition? Remain a virgin. The drug he takes ensures it, no matter how tempting the woman or her pheromones. The problem? Nothing goes right. The job outlasts the drug's effect. All Senth wants is one touch, one kiss, one oh-so-tempting lick of her perfect, lush skin. The downside? With his brother's freedom at stake, how can he risk putting himself at the mercy of her pleasure?
Buy Link: http://loose-id.com
Available: 03/23/10
Genre: Erotic Science Fiction Romance, Action Adventure
Heat Level: R=graphic sex
Warnings: Explicit sex, kidnapping, violence, references to abuse
Heat Level: R=graphic sex
Warnings: Explicit sex, kidnapping, violence, references to abuse
EXCERPT
Setting up the scene: NarrAy Jorlan has hired professional thief Senth Antonello to steal back an heirloom confiscated by the despotic empress. In itself, the item has only sentimental value, but in it, NarrAy's parents hid a code to finishing the secret technology they were developing before they were murdered. After meeting Senth in person, NarrAy returns to her ship. But she can't get the thief's image out of her mind…
All People's Liberation Army Ship Jalane
Officers' Quarters
NarrAy brought Senth's image to mind, picturing him as he'd looked at the Ghost, minus the overbearing Saint-Cyr and the audience of her aides.
"Mmm, hell-O, Senth." Standing naked before him, she slid one hand up the front of his shirt. "Can I interest you in a sugar-cookie snack?"
He leaned forward, bending down to kiss her, his dark, curly hair a cloak around them. The hesitant brush of his lips against hers made her press up against him, capturing his kiss.
She pulled back enough to speak. "Hold me. Please, Senth, hold me. No one ever touches me. I'm so alone."
Senth drew her fully into his arms and embraced her, fitting the entire length of his body against hers. "I'll touch you anywhere you want, NarrAy. Everywhere you want." He slid his fingers through her hair, his smile revealing fangs. "Let me kiss you again."
NarrAy gripped his jacket with both hands and drew him down.
The wet heat of his mouth against hers brought a crest of pheromones.
Senth slid one hand down her body, cupped one of her breasts, and then bent to suckle her. His rough, catlike tongue against her sensitive skin triggered a line of heat straight to her core. Moisture seeped onto her thighs.
Senth inhaled. "Mmm. You smell so good." He slid his hand down the front of her body and pressed his palm against her outer lips. He slipped one finger between them. "You're wet." He lifted his hand to inhale her fragrance, then licked his finger. "Sweet." He went to his knees before her, his pale blue gaze lifting to hers. "May I taste you?"
She shook her head no, but her mouth said "yes." She leaned back against the wall of her cabin and widened her legs.
He paused, looking up at her as if for permission.
NarrAy touched his face. "Please."
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The Last Vhalgenn
For centuries, the Vhalgenn have loved the kings or queens they were born to serve. Bedmates, soulmates, companions and friends, the Vhalgenn know no other master, they obey no other lord. Until the final plea of a dying queen commands betrayal by the Last Vhalgenn.
If she takes the newborn prince to the queen's homeland for a ritual blessing in the Old Ways, who--or what--will she bring back?
The Last Vhalgenn is in the 2008 Fantasy EPPIE finalist anthology A Time To...
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