When you’re brainstorming for a new story, what usually comes first for you, the plot or the characters?
Neither. I start with one scene. Then I work out why it happened that way. That gives me characters and the start of my plot. I have an idea where I’m headed too, but it’s not a fixed route. My stories develop as I write.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Pantster
When you’re writing, who is more in control, you or your characters?
A bit of both. I start off thinking they’ll do as their told, but boy do they have different ideas.
Can you write sex scenes at any time or do you have to be “in the mood?”
I can write them any time. I don’t find them easy though. Basically, it’s insert part A in slot B, but my readers demand more than that. I was thrilled when a review called one of my sex scenes sensual.
What do you like about writing series books?
My Scattered Sibling’s series revolves around the Fae King. His father was a man-whore, and Leonidas is gradually tracking down his relatives. I love how previous characters pop up, and then there’s this naughty dragon. Not a shifter. A true dragon. He even popped up in Claimed by the Vampire, Seduced by the Werewolf, even though that’s not strictly speaking a Scattered Sibling’s book.
What is one of your favorite ways to learn about your characters?
By letting them develop. Sometimes I fill in a questionnaire about them. There are some on my Pintrest writing tips page. It helps, but putting them in the firing line makes them more real.
What do you like best about writing ménage?
I find ménage difficult, although two of my books, Taken by Twin Doms, and Claimed by the Vampire, Seduced by the Werewolf are both ménages. I found it easier the second time around. The best bit is messing with the heroine’s head until she decides she wants the ménage. Then the men can move in.
What usually comes first for you, characters or plot?
Plot. No matter who is in the story or how much sex they have, if there isn’t a great story behind it, I wouldn’t want to read it.
Do you find it harder to write novels or short stories?
Short stories. The last one I started I thought would stretch to 20,000 words. It’s currently at 62,750 but it isn’t finished yet.
Would you tell us about your latest release?
I’m so pleased with Claimed by the Vampire, Seduced by the Werewolf. As I said, it’s a ménage, but the two heroes hated each other when they were human. They see no reason to change when they become immortal. The trouble is, they both want the same witch, Tempest. I had fun with that. http://amzn.to/2pLmmK4
What are you working on now?
I’ve almost finished my fourth Heroes of Westhorpe Ridge series. This is the one that keeps growing. It’s a BDSM romance featuring a soldier recovering from PTSD and the woman who makes him whole. This is a book where the characters took control of their own destinies. The story I set out to right got sidelined while Luke and Kathryn fell in love.
Do you have an excerpt from your latest release you would like to share?
Tempest grabbed a fallen branch and yelled like a banshee, ready to charge the demons. Their high-pitched jabber grew louder. More dark shapes dropped to the ground behind Elias. No matter how many demons Elias ripped apart, their numbers kept growing. The way they waved their legs and homed in on their prey horrified her. She froze when four scuttled into the trees and swung around Elias, heading toward her. The way they waved their too-thin limbs as they moved over the ground or dangled from webs they’d spun around the overhanging leafy branches sparked a primeval terror in Tempest’s soul. She wished she’d run rather than summoned her useless magic. Although she swung her stick like a madwoman, fear pulsed in her soul. The closer the demons came, the harder she found it to breathe.
A beast charged from the shadows, all fur, fangs, and fury. Over eight-feet tall, it towered over the spider demons. The overhanging tree branches brushed the golden hairs on its ears. Its growl sounded like thunder, and when it extended its claws, the beast looked like it belonged in a slasher movie. Bizarrely, it carried a sword.
The beast’s shaggy blond fur and contorted features chilled Tempest’s blood. He looked like a giant wolf, albeit one with supersized fangs and claws. Goddess, is that a werewolf? Whatever its origins, the beast roared a challenge at the demons. The sound echoed down the deserted footpath and set the demons chittering again. When the beast moved toward her, she took a faltering step back, but she lifted her makeshift weapon. She wasn’t going down without a fight, but if it came after her, she wouldn’t last a minute.
It leaped between her and Tuchulcha, its huge head swinging left and right as if deciding whether to snatch her in its claws or fight the demons. Finally, sword in hand, it turned toward the Tuchulcha. Another growl—deep and rough—rumbled from its throat. “Nothing touches what’s mine.”
The beast’s rough, raspy voice made Tempest think of unrefined whisky and sex. Her toes curled in delight. Better still, the beast sounded as though he was on her side. She pointed toward Elias and begged, “Help him. Please.”
The beast’s roar drowned out the sounds of Elias’s battle. It stared at Tempest for a full five seconds. Finally, he bowed his head toward her and tossed the sword to Elias. “Spartan, catch.”
Without waiting to see if Elias caught the weapon, the beast leaped into the fray. Fangs bared, claws out, it tore off Tuchulcha limbs or bit out throats. Green gore surrounded its mouth and stained its claws. She’d never seen anything so terrifying or deadly.
Elias swung the sword, getting the feel of the blade as he beheaded the nearest demon. Another slash. Another one down, its limbs spread across the tree-lined footpath. Two more swings. Two more Tuchulcha died. Elias cut a swath through the cluster of demons before standing alongside the beast and killing more.
Tempest stared at the beast, shocked it could speak let alone understand her words. Demons only existed in her grandmother’s world of superstition and spell books—or so she’d thought. Now she stood on a deserted footpath and watched a vampire and werewolf fight demons to keep her safe. The beast flexed a massive, fur-covered bicep and slashed his claws through a demon’s throat. Its head rolled toward her in a sickening tribute.
Do you have a favorite character or characters you feel especially close to?
I love Jared Armstrong in Murder, Mystery, and the Marine. As a former Marine sniper, he’s cold and untouchable, but he melts around Abigail Montgomery. She advertises for a husband, to help his family out of a hole, he marries her for her money.
What are a few of your favorite book covers that have been done for your books?
My first published work, To Wed a Werewolf has such a beautiful cover that it featured in America Today. As a Brit, it took me a while to realize what an honor that was. http://amzn.to/1mIMW1s
If you could meet one of your characters, which one would it be?
Lipstick. My naughty dragon. Of course, I’d to remortgage just to feed him. It’s the only way to keep him out of trouble. He certainly stirs up a hornet’s nest in Curse of the Fae King http://amzn.to/2f9eHwu
If you were a shapeshifter and could become any one item owned by your latest romance hero (or heroine), what would it be?
Hades Spell Book. Tempest, Heroine of Claimed by the Vampire, Seduced by the Werewolf buys it in a second-hand bookshop. As the weakest witch out there, she doesn’t expect it to work, but she accidentally summons a vampire from the Etruscan Hell Zone when she uses it.
If you could step into one of your books, which one would it be?
I’ve already stepped into them as I wrote them. I’d avoid my Scattered Sibling’s world since it’s full of man-eating plants, misogynistic Elves, and sexy werewolves. Oh, hang on… Sexy werewolves. Okay, I’d like to join Joel’s pack in To Mate a Werewolf. There’s a hot, unattached wolf there. http://amzn.to/2ftcrlN
What are your favorite genres to read and write?
I’ll read anything. It’s an addiction. Unsurprisingly, I love paranormal romance and military romance.
Where can we visit you online?
https://www.facebook.com/KryssiesFortune
How long have you been writing?
Ever since my heart valve collapsed in 2001. I started with magazine articles. They didn’t come hard, but when Loose id accepted my first novella, I screamed like a banshee.
Where would you go on your dream vacation?
North Carolina. It’s the setting for my Heroes of Westhorpe Ridge. The more I researched it, the more I fell in love with the state. It has rolling mountains and golden beaches. Never forget the pirate connection. That pops up in the stories too.
Name three fictional characters (not your own) that you find hot. They can be from books, movies, or TV.
James T Kirk in the reimagined Star Trek film series. Loki in the Marvel universe series. Wolverine in X-men.
If you could be any kind of shapeshifter, what kind would you be?
A wolf. They are fabulous animals with such a complex society.
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