Blood and Moonlight by Moira Keith
Moonlight
Trilogy, Book One
ISBN: 9781476298825
ASIN: B008XKUS9C
Number of pages: 270
Word Count: 92812
Cover Artist: Elaina Lee at For the Muse Designs
Book Description:
Though she shares the bloodlines of both Fae and
Wolf, Kiara Morrigan O’Conaill refuses to claim her place in the Fae courts or
submit to the animal within. Witnessing the murder of her Fae mother two years
ago drives her back into those worlds, to search for answers and revenge.
Devlin McClure lives for one thing—the Pack. When their leader, the Cadeyrn, disappears, desperation sends Devlin to the last person he should be asking for help—the Cadeyrn’s estranged daughter, Kiara.
Kiara and Devlin are drawn to each other by fate and destined to embrace the very thing that threatens to rip their worlds apart. Now, Kiara will have to decide which is stronger, blood or moonlight?
Devlin McClure lives for one thing—the Pack. When their leader, the Cadeyrn, disappears, desperation sends Devlin to the last person he should be asking for help—the Cadeyrn’s estranged daughter, Kiara.
Kiara and Devlin are drawn to each other by fate and destined to embrace the very thing that threatens to rip their worlds apart. Now, Kiara will have to decide which is stronger, blood or moonlight?
Interview:
- Where did you get the idea for the novel?
The idea for Blood and Moonlight was the culmination of my love
of Celtic mythology and the fae, my fascination with wolves, and magic. I knew
I wanted to write a book that dealt with the fae or Sidhe right from the start.
But I wanted the idea to be unique. I had a book lying around called Wars of
the Irish Kings which discusses over a thousand years' worth of struggle from
mythological battles to real historical ones. When I started reading about a
mythological battle, The Battle of Mag Tured, pieces started clicking and my
brain began firing off all of these ideas. My story idea was born.
- Your title. Who came up with it? Did you ever change
your title?
I came up with the title with the assistance of a few close
writing friends, who allowed me to pick their brain and run countless
suggestions by them. Originally the title of the book was Chosen. Then I saw
books with the same title and didn't want the two books to get confused. Then
the title changed into Blood Moon, and I ran into a situation where there were
a few books with the title that also dealt with wolves, so the similarities
sent me back to the brainstorming room. Blood and Moonlight was the third title
I came up with and it stuck.
- Which came first, the title or the novel?
The idea for the book came first. Then during the course of
writing the book, the title was worked out. By the time I'd reached that
fabulous moment when I could type 'The End', the book had a title that I felt
was a perfect fit for the book. Sometimes a title clicks right out of the
starting gate. Other times, I find as the story evolves, so does your title.
- Since becoming a writer, what’s the most exciting thing
to ever happen to you?
I'm still waiting. No really, the most exciting thing to date
has just been having people discover my books and then send me an email telling
me how much they've enjoyed a book. It's strange and thrilling to get those
comments from people you don't know. I think when you hear them from friends
and family, we doubt the sincerity. But a reader that doesn't know you from
Adam...well that is where the thrill and excitement really is.
- What book are you currently reading or what was the
last book you read?
The last book I read was Gone
Groom Gone by Nancy Lauzon, which was a fun romantic suspense. I went in
the opposite direction though and just started reading This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers, which has been sitting on
my to be read pile since its release. Figured it was time to delve into that
one.
- What was your first book that you ever wrote (very
first one you wrote, not published)?
Well, the very first book I wrote was written as a birthday
present for my mother. The thought process was, that I would write something
she would read, because she isn't into faeries, wolves, and all that urban
fantasy jazz that I am obsessed with. Originally titled Cowboy Up, I was lucky enough to have the stars align and all the
right people in my corner pushing me, for it to also become my first published
novella Buckling Down.
- What is your writing process?
Good question. I ask myself this all the time. Up until
recently, all I needed to get my story off and running was some good music and
a basic story blurb (and I do mean basic). With my past stories I totally flew
by the seat of my pants. Hit a wall. Changed music. Knocked out a few more
words. Hit another wall. And so my process went until I hit the end and had
several re-writes. Now I've started thinking out my story a little more before
getting too far into it. And have even started trying my hand at *gasp*
plotting a little. That has been difficult for me. Plotting makes me feel kind
of locked into the story, but I'm finding out that it is a give and take
process. So, my long answer to your question really comes down to this—my
process is evolving.
- Who are your favorite authors of all time?
So many line my shelves. Let me see...Dean Koontz, Harlen Coben,
Janet Evanovich, Laurell K Hamilton, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Kelly Armstrong, and my
newest addition to the list is Vicki Pettersson. These are people who can
always rekindle my love for writing fiction with their fantastic stories.
- At a book signing, do you just sign your name or do you
write a note? How do you come up with stuff to say?
I haven't done a true book signing, however I have autographed
copies of books, and honestly, I think it depends on the person. Family and
friends, there is always a little bit more of a personal touch to the notation.
Readers, well they get as personal as I can give them depending on how much
information I've garnered from them prior to signing. However, I always try to
do more than a simple autograph. Usually, I will try to have a few different
'themed' sayings to scrawl on the inside of the book along with my name.
- What is something people would be surprised to know
about you?
Nothing. I'm an open book. Okay, one thing that I will put out
there that people may or may not know about yours truly...for all the talk
about Irish and Scottish obsessions, I have one more that I typically keep to
myself. I love the ocean. Wanted to be a marine biologist. Even more so after
reading about programs where they bring dolphins and children with special
needs or who are at risk, wounded vetrans and their families together to help
rediscover joy and discovery new abilities. Instead, I became an author, a
mother, and a run of the mill daily nine to fiver.
- How do you react to a bad review?
Over the years I've learned that even a simple 'thank you and
sorry the book wasn't your cup of tea', isn't often a good thing to do, so I
read the review, and I let it be. Not everyone will like what I write. I'm okay
with that. My books aren't for everyone. That is just the nature of reading and
writing. Just as in life, with reading, we can't please everyone. We strive
too, but in a world with so many different tastes, the chances that everyone
will like the same book are pretty slim.
- How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
The sale of my first book we didn't actually celebrate until its
release. My book was contracted a week before Christmas, so you can imagine the
panic, excitement, panic, and chaos that ensued. So we decided to wait until
release day, which was Cinco de Mayo! We celebrated with good food, good
friends, margaritas and beer, and cake of course!
Thank you so much for a great interview and hosting me on your
fantastic blog. This has been a lot of fun!
Excerpt:
"Thanks for nothing!" I slammed down the phone, then picked it back up and screamed into the handset once more. "Asshole!"
As if on cue, the office door opened and Reese breezed in
like a tornado, the local paper tucked under her arm. Her hair, the perfect
shade of cotton-candy pink, trailed down her back in a waterfall of curls from
the taut ponytail atop her head. The dagger strapped to her thigh was the only
indication there was more to the woman than met the eye. Perching herself on
the corner of my desk, she studied me with eyes flecked with shades of
midnight, turquoise, and powder blue. She was a beautiful representation of
full-blooded fae and my best friend.
"I take it the lead was a dead end."
"The elusive white fucking rabbit." I rested my
head on the edge of the desk. Today marked the second anniversary of my
mother’s death and the blame I felt for her absence was overwhelming.
"Tá grá agam duit,"
Reese softly professed her love for my mother as she kissed her finger and
touched the photo of the woman who’d given me life. Her picture held a
prominent place on my desk and served as a constant reminder of the pain and
loss I’d suffered. After displaying her reverence, she put the photo face down
on my desk and looked at me. "Kiara, maybe you aren’t meant to solve this
puzzle."
"Perhaps, but considering we keep getting the same
canned response I think we’re on to something here." I spun my mother’s
ring, which now sat on my finger and sighed.
"You want answers. Need them so you can move on. I get
it." She turned her head slightly. "You look like hell."
"The visions are getting worse." I pinched the
bridge of my nose, trying to fight them even as they pushed their way into my
consciousness. Haunting screams, wolves with feral eyes and the constant
feeling of unease flooded my mind.
"They won't cease until there's closure. I'm
exhausted." The only reason we were in this godforsaken city of sin had to
do with my hellish visions.
"Or until you stop carrying around that damn letter.
Isleen promised you answers in that note and we’ve heard nothing from her
since." Reese shifted slightly on the desk. "Did you drink the tea I
made you?"
"Of course I did, but you know none of your fancy
concoctions work on me."
"Yeah, well I keep hoping I’ll hit the magic
combination one day and all of your sleeping woes will disappear." She bit
her bottom lip and her brow furrowed. "You are the only person who’s
unaffected by anything I whip up. I just don’t understand it."
"Blame the wolf blood in my veins." Silence fell
like a heavy cloak over the room and I quickly changed the subject.
"Anything new in the paper?"
She unfolded the paper and placed it in front of me without
commenting. I prepared myself for what I would read, knowing the headlines
would reveal nothing good. I glanced down, not surprised to see the mayor’s
latest showgirl-flanked appearance took top billing. Unfortunately, the
headline beneath the fold didn’t hold much shock value either:
Local Pack Loses
Another.
I’d followed the story since it first broke but I ignored
the temptation to pick it up, not wanting to feel the pain I didn't want to
feel or even admit existed. It came as each new story or detail surfaced. One
day I feared the news would offer confirmation that my visions were accurate and
the names listed would bring my search for answers to a tragic end. I rubbed at
my temples.
This was too much. Reality and vision meshed in a mix of
macabre surrealist imagery that often left me feeling sick. It was difficult to
explain, even to Reese. To her credit, she never pushed.
"Why don’t we discuss what’s in the lobby asking to
speak with you." Excitement laced her voice as she fanned herself. Often,
she could be read like a book. Whatever waited in the next room would be, at
the very least, a nice piece of eye candy. Hopefully, the tantalizing feast
would be interested in a nice art piece, but years of friendship and studying
Reese’s body language told me otherwise.
"What, exactly, is waiting in the other room?" The
faint musk of wolf trailed from the direction of the door. There was something
familiar about it but it was so subtle, I couldn’t place it. Every inch of me
screamed danger, while at the same time something called to a part of me I
tried to forget existed and never could. Not good. Nearly every shifter
encounter I’d faced ended in the battle scars that now marred both my mind and
body. In a deliberate attempt to mask my unease, I snatched up the paper,
leaned back in the chair and kicked my feet up on the desk. The steaming cup of
coffee on the blotter would have helped, but I didn’t trust my hands to remain
steady enough to allow for spill-free drinking.
My nervously twitching foot drew Reese’s gaze to my recently
purchased Louboutin heels and her eyes glimmered, but even shoes weren’t enough
to divert her attention from the man in the other room. "Nice try, Kiara,
but your mastery in the art of distraction will not work this time. Just smile
and be polite."
"You take away all of my fun."
"We’ve been living in this neon jungle for months now,
yet you spend all of your time here. If this is fun—" She dramatically
waved her arm around the office—"Then I’m seriously misinformed."
I stuck my tongue out at her. A soft knock sounded on the
door and Deanne, our secretary, stepped into the office.
"Miss Morrigan?"
The masculine scent, laced with spicy undertones, wafted
through the door more strongly, more enticing, more…
When Reese nudged me slightly, I glanced up to see them both
watching me. Damn it. "Sorry,
you were saying?"
"There is a gentleman here, insisting he speak with
you. He says he is here on behalf of a Mr. O’Conaill."
About the Author:
Moira Keith has a penchant for men in kilts, is a
lover of shoes, Celtic mythology, connoisseur of Guinness, baker of cupcakes
and overall complete mess! As an author of paranormal, urban fantasy and
contemporary romance, Moira writes stories that are often filled with the magic
of love and the mayhem that ensues, threatening to keep her couples apart.
Currently, Moira resides in Las Vegas with her
twin zombie sons, their beta fish, and a turtle.
Giveaway:
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