Sunday, March 10, 2013

Book Tour: The Telepathic Clans Saga by BR Kingsolver Interview


The Succubus Gift,

Book 1 of the Telepathic Clans Saga
BR Kingsolver

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance (Adult/New Adult)
ISBN: 9781476406077
ASIN: B007X7POWW
Number of pages: 240
Word Count: 85,000
Cover Artist: Rebecca Sinz
INDIGO.CA  Also available on Apple iTunes book store

Book Description:


The history of the Clans, called the Sidhe by the Irish, stretches back to antiquity. The Goddess blesses Her people with 25 Telepathic Gifts. In addition to Telepathy, the Gifts include command over Air and Fire, Telekinesis and Teleportation. In over 2,500 years, She has never bestowed more than 15 Gifts on a single person.

Brenna Morgan was orphaned at eight when her parents were killed in a plane crash. Through one foster home after another, she carried the ornate, carved wooden box her mother had left with her, keeping it always a secret. Then one night she stumbles over a man who claims her as family.

Brenna’s life isn’t the same after she discovers her unusual and mysterious heritage. In addition to being a telepath, Brenna learns she has the Succubus Gift.

That’s just the beginning of her problems. Someone is stalking her. Then there’s the tall, dangerous woman who shadows her and hints a Goddess has linked them. And what is she going to do with a handsome, charismatic, womanizing man she knows she should avoid?

Some days a girl just wants to pull the covers over her head and stay in bed -- with a willing young man of course.


Succubus Unleashed

Book 2 of the Telepathic Clans Saga
BR Kingsolver

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance (Adult/New Adult)
ISBN: 9780985763800
ASIN: B008EMW4Q4
Number of pages: 248
Word Count: 85,600
Cover Artist: Mia Darien

AMAZON   BN   SMASHWORDS     GOODREADS
Also available on Apple iTunes book store

Book Description:

It's not easy being a succubus.

After a crash course in learning about her genetic heritage, Brenna O'Donnell has discovered what it really means to be a succubus and has learned to embrace her strange Gift. Her major concern is whether Collin will accept her for what she is. As she adjusts to telepathic society, others in the Clan have plans that will strip the last of her freedom. Rival Clans still hunt succubi, and discovering their dark motives is paramount.

The social season is also around the corner, including events that Brenna never imagined in her wildest dreams. The succubi, representatives of the Goddess on earth, are at the center of an ancient worship. And if a girl is going to be the center of attention, then obviously she needs a new dress.


Succubus Rising

Book 3 of the Telepathic Clans Saga
BR Kingsolver

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance (Adult/New Adult)
Word Count: 87,000

Book Description: 

The Goddess has plans for Brenna and Rebecca, and the Goddess has a wicked sense of humor.

Rebecca Healy is a true wilder, growing up with no contact or knowledge of other telepaths. Discovered by a Clan member on the streets of San Francisco, she felt like she’d hit the jackpot. Finally, she knew what she was, or at least she thought she did.

When Brenna O’Donnell, long-lost heir of the O’Donnell Clan, and the strongest telepath in history, is returned to her family, she and Rebecca form a tight bond. Brenna has it all, looks, money, power, and men falling all over her.

Rebecca isn’t jealous, but it would be nice to find someone who would really love her and stick around in the morning. She’s intrigued by a handsome South American general, but of course, he has his sights set on Brenna. Carlos de Vargas wants more than love. His Clan has its back to the wall, and they hope for an alliance with O’Donnell. An alliance that would lead to war.

The story began in The Succubus Gift and continued in Succubus Unleashed. In Succubus Rising, questions are answered and new mysteries are revealed.


Excerpt:


Brenna had no choice about taking a limo, so she offered a ride to the group. They all went out to eat together then rode to the reception. Watching Jeremy and Margaret over dinner, it became obvious to her they were falling hard for each other. She counted Jeremy as a close friend and was happy for him.
Still fresh to Washington, Brenna enjoyed the reception. It was so much like being in a movie with all the beautiful dresses and elegant surroundings. Carlos was the perfect escort, introducing her to many influential people, and she also made a number of contacts through Margaret. There was some hostility from a few of the Argentine telepaths, but the ambassador was very polite. Indeed, he was complimentary about her work on the Ecuadorian trade treaty and asked for her card.
Flushed and feeling quite good, she thanked Carlos for holding her coat as they prepared to leave. He proposed a place for late drinks and dessert and Margaret agreed. Rebecca called for the limo and they went outside.
There was a line of cars waiting, and their limo was fourth in line. As they waited, she watched the other people standing around. Finally, their car pulled up, and as Carlos stepped forward she had a flash of danger from the entrance of the embassy.
“Gun,” Rebecca cried.
Jeremy pushed Margaret behind him and leapt at Carlos, pushing him. Brenna located the woman holding the gun and smashed her shields, seizing control of her mind, but it took far longer than it normally did, and she was too late to stop her pulling the trigger. The shot sounded very loud, and she saw Jeremy and Carlos fall.
JEREMY! A mental scream assaulted the minds of all who were able to hear it.
Rebecca jumped toward the shooter, wresting the pistol from her hand. O’Donnell Protectors swarmed the scene along with the security guards from the embassy. Hands urged Brenna into the limo, and she resisted only long enough to make sure Margaret was with her. She saw Rebecca grab the shooter and physically pick her up and carry her to the car, throwing her in the open trunk. One of the Protectors slammed it shut while a line of O’Donnell Protectors stopped several men who attempted to follow her.
Clambering into the limo, Brenna saw Carlos who was pale but alert. Jeremy lay against the far door, holding his arm and covered in blood.
Margaret frantically scrambled toward him, but Rebecca restrained her.
“Let Brenna see to him,” Rebecca spoke into Margaret’s ear, “she’s a healer. He’s only wounded and it’s not too bad. He’ll be okay, Margaret, he’ll be okay.” She tried to enter the older woman’s mind to calm her, but found shields blocking her.
My God, Brenna, she’s a telepath.
I know. She’s the one who screamed, Brenna answered. Then she entered Jeremy’s mind and sought out the wound. He’d taken the bullet in the right bicep, but it missed the bone. She searched for any damage to major veins or arteries and didn’t find any. A huge sense of relief rushed through her and she started working on shutting off the bleeding. The other Protector in the back of the limo with them handed her a pressure bandage.
I need two. It’s all the way through, she told him. He fumbled in his kit and handed her another. She got Jeremy out of his jacket and ripped the sleeve of his shirt, exposing the wounds. She applied the pressure bandages and then took the roll of tape the Protector handed her. The wound covered, she began shutting off the bleeding with her Healing Gift.
Do we need a hospital? Rebecca asked.
No, Brenna answered. The limo took a turn and she knew it was headed for the O’Donnell compound.
Two healers were awaiting them when they arrived. She turned Jeremy over to them and looked down at the blood on her dress. It would never come out of the silk.
“Well, this was an expensive evening,” she said to no one in particular. Turning around she found the rest of her party standing in the foyer. Rebecca still held Margaret and Carlos stood with Protectors close around him.
“He’s okay,” she told them and saw them relax. “Where’s the bitch who shot Jeremy?”
“On her way to the basement,” Rebecca told her. “Do you still have her mind?”
“Yeah. Margaret, Jeremy is going to be all right. The wound isn’t very bad. Do you understand me? He’s going to be all right.”
 Townsend stared at Brenna, wide-eyed and confused.
Margaret, Jeremy’s going to be okay. He’s not badly hurt, Brenna sent on a spear.
“Oh my God. What are you?” the congresswoman asked, terror filled her voice.
I’m a telepath, just like you are. Margaret, we’re the good guys. Please, let us help you.
“A telepath?” Margaret said, her face blank and her eyes wild.
Brenna could feel the chaos in the woman’s mind. Using her O’Donnell Gift as carefully and gently as she could, she found her way through weaknesses in the woman’s shields and managed to lay a comfort on her. Margaret calmed, and the tension seemed to drain out of her body. She slumped and Rebecca held her up. Two Protectors picked her up and carried her to an upstairs bedroom. 

Interview:


1.     Where did you get the idea for the novel?
I’ve always thought the idea of telepathy was the neatest thing I could imagine. So when I started thinking about what kind of character could be strong, kick-ass, and blatantly sexual while still being one of the good guys, I thought about the idea of a telepath who could drain a man’s life energy, but wasn’t aligned with the devil, and didn’t do him permanent harm.
From there the idea started to grow. I envisioned a matriarchal society, worshipping a Goddess, with Telepathic Gifts where the women are as strong as the men -- a society of equals. And in an equal society, women and men are free to express their sexual identities.

2.     Your title. Who came up with it? Did you ever change your title?
I came up with the title of the first book, and it never changed. It comes from the idea of calling telepathic talents Gifts. For the other two books, I fished around for titles. Once I settled on the title, it never changed. The third book was originally called In Succubus We Trust, but most of my beta readers weren’t very excited about it. The book also changed a lot during the editing and revising stage.

3.     Which came first, the title or the novel?
For the first book, the title came before I started writing. For the other two, the titles came after the books were written.

4.     Since becoming a writer, what’s the most exciting thing to ever happen to you?
The most exciting things that are connected to my writing were the first reviews for each of my novels. As a writer, you sort of hold your breath when you publish. You never really know how readers will feel about the book.

5.     What book are you currently reading or what was the last book you read?
I’m reading Dante Valentine, by Lilith Saintcrow. I just started it. It’s a complete five book series, and thick as a phone book. I’m only a few chapters into it. I’ve read a book by her before and enjoyed it.

6.     What was your first book that you ever wrote (very first one you wrote, not published)?
The Succubus Gift was the first book I ever wrote, and the first one I published. I had never attempted to write fiction before.

7.     What is your writing process?
I make an outline and character sheets for each of the major characters. I try to develop the characters’ back stories and personal statistics. The character sheets may get added to while I’m writing. I usually develop the characters first, then figure out a story for them. Then I sit down and write. Every so often, I’ll go back through what I’ve written and edit and revise. When the story is finished, I’ll read and edit from beginning to end. When I think it’s good enough, I’ll send it out to my beta readers. When I get their feedback is when the real work starts. Editing, revising, then editing and revising again. My last book took two months to write and six months more work before it was ready to publish.

  1. Who are your favorite authors of all time?
That’s hard, because I read so much and in so many different genres. Robert Heinlein, Marion Zimmer Bradley and C.J. Cherryh in science fiction, Tolstoy and Bulgokov and Steinbeck in classical fiction,  Richelle Meade in urban fantasy and Nora Roberts in romance fantasy. David Eddings in epic fantasy.

9.     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’ve never had a book signing. The first book just came out in print, and the few I’ve signed have been for friends. I wrote a short note. Ask me again when I get famous.

  1. What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
Probably a lot of things, but I’m a very private person and I’m not very comfortable sharing my life in public.

11.  How do you react to a bad review?
Sometimes hurt, sometimes irritated. I’ve only had one bad review published, though some people have said they didn’t like the book and didn’t finish it or write a review. One woman sent me an email saying she was publishing a review and that she liked the book, but the review said she couldn’t relate to the characters and didn’t like it. The worst review said it was well written, then she tore into it about the characters’ morals and panned it because it didn’t follow a standard romance formula with an HEA. That one irritated me.

But in general, I don’t think writers should react to reviews, at least not in public. It makes the author look bad. I posted on my blog a few months ago about that sort of thing. Some writers have been very nasty in public, and I think it hurts the rest of us.

12.  How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
I laughed, danced, called my best friend, and celebrated by cracking a bottle of wine and taking a hot bath. With a good book, of course.

About the Author:
I made silver and turquoise jewelry for almost a decade, ended up in nursing school, then took a master’s in business. Along the way I worked in construction, as a newspaper editor, a teacher, and somehow found a career working with computers.

I love the outdoors, especially the Rocky Mountains. I’ve skied since high school and I’ve hiked and camped all my life. I love to travel, though I haven’t done enough of it. I’ve seen a lot of Russia and Mexico, not enough of England. Amsterdam is amazing, and the Romanian Alps are breathtaking. Lake Tahoe is a favorite, and someday I’d like to see Banff in Canada.

I have a very significant other, two cats and two Basset Hounds. I’m currently living in Baltimore, nine blocks from the harbor, but still own a home in New Mexico that I see too infrequently.

Twitter: @BRKINGSOLVER




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