Happy Valentine’s Day! I have a real treat here on the blog in celebration–I’m hosting Isis Rushdan, a debut author who writes wonderful paranormal romance. She’s also a very cool lady, as you’ll find out when we speak to her and find out about her brand new book, Kindred of the Fallen, out from Samhain Publishing.
Kindred of the Fallen is the first book in your Kindred Chronicles, and also your debut book. How did the idea for this book and the series evolve?
This might sound crazy, but I promise I’m sane. The characters started talking to me one day while I was in the shower. They’d reached a major turning point in their lives and demanded I listen to their problems. I asked if it could wait until I was dressed, but they’re pretty strong-willed. LOL!
The series developed naturally. The overall story arc simply wasn’t finished after the first book. My main characters, Serenity and Cyrus, are on a journey. The ultimate goal of redemption for all Kindred isn’t supposed to be an easy feat that can be accomplished in 350 pages.
I love that your heroine is a soul-reading tattoo artist named Serenity. What is it about Serenity that you love? Was she an easy or difficult character to write?
I love the way Serenity evolves as a character, not only in the first book, but through the series as well. She’s a beautiful, extraordinary individual who has the potential to be one of the deadliest Kindred to have ever lived.
Writing her was tough because she’s also flawed. I didn’t want readers to be turned off by her short-comings such as selfishness. There had to be the right balance so that readers would want Serenity to get her happily ever after.
You’re an officer in the Air Force Reserves, and you’re also a wife and mother. How do you juggle all the different responsibilities in your life with your writing career?
Yes, I’m a Major in the Air Force Reserves. Juggling everything since my son arrived last June has been nearly impossible. I had to drop a few balls to keep the most important ones up in the air, especially since my husband is deployed. I’m no longer doing full time military orders and I’ve pulled back on my participation in writing groups. Right now my priorities are—son, husband, and writing— in that order.
What’s up next in your writing life?
Book 2 of Kindred is finished and I’m waiting for the contract. Now I need to get the third book finished. It’s completely outlined. I just need to write it and revise, which as you know is the hard part.
Looking forward to reading both books, Isis!
For my readers today, Isis is graciously giving away a $10 gift card to either Amazon or B & N. And to celebrate Valentine’s Day, I’ll also give away a copy of one of my VK Sykes contemporary romances, reader’s choice. Just tell me if you have anything planned for Valentine’s Day (I don’t!) for a chance to win the gift card and my book!
No particular plans. A lovely dinner out where I neither cook nor clean up I would say.
Sounds good, Mary!
I plan on spending the day with my Grandkids.
Fun!
Lemon chicken salad for dinner and that’s all I got planned.. not sure what he’s got planned.
Hope he surprises you, Cate!
No special plans here. Thanks for the giveaway.
Hope you have a nice day, Karen!
Nope… none at all. It’s hard when you have 2 babies in the house!
Beautiful cover btw! 🙂
Isn’t it gorgeous, May? Happy Valentine’s Day to you and the babies!
Thanks again for having me here today, Vanessa! A quiet night and hopefully a call from hubby who is in Afghanistan. We try not to feed into the commercialism of V-day. Romance sprinkled throughout the year is more our style.
So happy to have you here, Isis! Your approach to V-Day is like mine and hubby’s. Hope you get a chance to talk to your guy tonight – give him our best wishes and thanks!
That’s my belief too. My husband never buys me flowers on V-day. He buys them all the time throughout the year for no reason at all. They always brighten my day. I hope you get to talk to your love!
I didn’t realize you were also in the service, Isis. That is a lot to handle.
Isis is an amazing person, Alex.
I bought purply white carnations for my husband to take to his dentist appointment this morning. The receptionist there is the greatest. She’s close to retirement age and told him that she had only received flowers once (from her ex of two years), so she was thrilled to receive them. It provided lots of conversation/smiles with patients and staff alike.
As for my DH and me … well … we agreed to not buy cards or presents for each other (as we celebrate our love throughout the year as well) … we sent corny text messages to each other (that can’t be repeated in print, LOL) … we have the house to ourselves for a couple of hours (wink wink nod nod) … and I’m about to figure out a supper we’ll all enjoy once the kids get home.
Laney, you are a sweetheart! I hope you and hubby have a great day!
No particular plans. Just some lovin’ with my hubby and one of my favorite meals – frozen fish sticks. LOL Thanks for the giveaway and Happy Valentine’s Day.
Sounds good to me!
Just spending an evening in with my two best guys (my son and husband)
Nice, Shannon!
I’m not doing anything special, just staying in with chocolate and a movie 🙂
Perfect, Silvia!
don’t have plans
We don’t either, bn. We just bought some gooey desserts and we’ll watch TV.
I don’t have any plans.
Thanks for the chance to win!
No plan’s Babysitting the Grandchildren so there Mommy’s and daddy’s can go out..Husband is working.. 🙁
No sweetie – so no plans there. But I am going to a Lady Aggie basketball game! So, great fun will be had
Have fun, Karen!
No plans here we did go and have our taxes done. What a way to spend Valentine’ Day.
Ack! Taxes! Good luck.
No plans, we are watching some romance movies.
I do not have plans with the husband because our best valentine turns 18 today so it is all about her and no one else.
Happy Birthday to your daughter!
Spending the evening at home relaxing.
Valentine’s day for me is already over (I live in Asia & it’s already the 15th here). Nothing special but then I don’t have a sweetheart either (drats)
I spent many years looking for my sweetie, Linda. I know you’ll find someone special!
My plans are not moving from my bed. I was in a car accident yesterday so I’m laid up in bed nursing my injuries. My husband has been a gem and pampered me all day with food, coffee, and lots of books. I even get snuggles from all my babies, furry four-legged creatures and my two-legged munchkins. Love, love, love the cover of the book. I definitely am picking that one up soon. Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Oh, no! Shannon, I’m so sorry. Feel better, and so glad your family is taking care of you.
My husband is out of town on business. I will be enjoying a frozen lasagna, project runway, and them my new book. I bought my own chocolate.
Sounds like fun!
No plans V-day. My daughter and I did cards for her classmates that she passed out but that’s it.
Since i´ve worked nights all week (11pm-07am) and slept all day, i don´t have any time to celebrate. We did eat a yummy sandwich layer cake before i had to leave for work, and he did buy me Toblerone chocolate for work =) I´m easy to please, just let me sleep and say you love my yogapants ass =D and i´m happy.
Happy Valentine´s!!
//Linda
LOL!
We went out to eat and had a blast! Nothing like getting the family together, laughing so hard you cry, and shopping 🙂
Amazing things happen in the shower 🙂
My V-day was nice. The hubby and I had my parents over for supper so they could give the kids their valentines. It was a wonderful night full of family and love…and plenty of SUGAR!!
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. Thanks for so many wonderful comments.
This year it happened to be on a day that we usually try to do something with our friends so we went to dinner and a movie. Dinner was great, the movie not so much (Side Effects).Happy Valentine’s Day!
I had a valentine’s dinner with my son. 🙂
Happy V-day to you. I think V-day is not just for lovers but for family and friends too.
I just spent the night at home, watched a little tv, read a good romance book, and had a little chocolate, lol.
Hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day.
No plans for me.