Guest Interview: Anna Kyle

Skye, a Fae-shapeshifter halfing, could die if she doesn’t find out how to wake her dormant wolf, so mere rumors of the Wolf King’s return are enough to convince her to sneak through the portal between Faerie and Chicago in search of his aid. But the dizzyingly bright lights and sounds of the human realm are too tempting to ignore. So is the sexy shapeshifter wolf intent on capturing her—the one who stirs her sleeping wolf just long enough to bind the handsome stranger in a mate-bond.

Lake is willing to do anything to protect the Wolf King, a man he also calls friend. So when he receives word that a Fae princess has slipped into Chicago, he suspects a plot to assassinate the Wolf King. He’s certain capturing her will be as easy as locating her—that was his first mistake. Not only is his wolf a little too interested in Skye, but the wolf accepts her mate-bond without any say-so from him. As he unravels the truth surrounding the smart-mouthed princess and whether she’s hunting his friend or being hunted by someone else, Lake’s mission changes: protect Skye at all costs. And keep her for himself.

I’m pleased to host Anna Kyle on the blog today. SKYE FALLING was released by Red Moon Romance on August 27, 2015.  So, Anna…

MRP: What do you think makes the relationship between you romantic protagonists, Skye and Lake,  work?

AK: Lake spent his adult years on the front lines of their Endless War. I think that molded him into a very deliberate, orderly, actions-have-consequences kind of man. Skye, on the other hand, is an impulsive, smart-mouthed Fae princess who never met a rule that shouldn’t be bent or flat out ignored. Because of her secret, the long term isn’t something that crosses her mind.  Or if it does, it is very quickly kicked to the curb. So it’s a bit like opposites attract. Lake and Skye each need a slice of what the other has.

MRP: If Skye and Lake had not mate bonded (real or fake), would they still have wound up as a couple?

AK: Absofreakinglutely. It may have taken longer but I’m confident that fate would have found a memorable way to throw them together – perhaps she’d accidentally run him over in her car (a Prius, of course) or he’d be caught in the cross-fire of one of her hare-brained schemes gone awry. They’re perfect for each other.  Sigh.

MRP: Cal is a fascinating character. His motives and morality are delightfully unclear. Will we see more of him in the future?

AK: Thanks! I’m so pleased you find him fascinating, too! I LOVE Cal for those exact reasons. And yes, he plays a role in the series.

MRP: If Lake and/or Skye had a guilty pleasure, what would it be?

AK: Hmmm.  That’s a tough one.  Skye indulges her senses in so many things but doesn’t feel an ounce of guilt (perhaps that’s her princess side peeking through?) If you twist my arm, first I’d say unhand me, you loutish brute, and probably pinch you back, but then I’d say her guilty pleasure would be food related. I could see her hoarding bars of chocolate to eat in the bathroom.

Lake’s guilty pleasure would be cuddly, soft things like bunnies. He’s a hard man, a bit of a badass, so I love imagining him snuggling with a cute animal when no one was looking and being totally embarrassed if he was caught. His wolf, though, would love those bunnies for a whole ‘nother reason. 🙂

MRP: As a writer, what moment in the story was your favorite to write?

AK: I really enjoyed writing the scene at the gas station.  I fall in love with it every time I read it (not that I wouldn’t change a sentence or a word or two because I totally want to do that. I’m a tinkerer. In fact, I’d still be revising it now if there hadn’t been a deadline!).  It’s a sweet moment, simple, but both Lake and Skye are different at the end of it.

MRP: What inspired you to tell this story?

AK: I already knew Lake from the origin novel, Omega Rising, and he kept on talking to me, even while I was revising. So I gave in and wrote his story. First draft was pretty awful. In hindsight it was because I had the wrong back story for Skye so into a drawer it went. Six months later I rewrote the hell out of it and it was fun and easy (ish) and the characters were so clear and vivid in my head.  I’d finally gotten Skye right – they’re perfect for each other. Another sigh. I do so love HEAs.

MRP: If Lake had a motto, what would it be? What about Skye?

AK: Since music was constantly in the background during the creation of Skye Falling, can I use songs instead?  K, thanks!

For Lake – Takin’ Up Space by Van Zant because it rocks and captures his personality.  Back in Black by AC/DC because it also rocks and that’s his color palette. Come With Me Now by Kongos. Yum.

For Skye – Don’t Start Thinking About Tomorrow by Fleetwood Mac sounds kind of like her anthem for life. Get Lucky by Daft Punk because that’s the one playing in dance scene (in my head as I wrote it, anyway). Chelsea Dagger by the Fratellis because BLACKHAWKS!

MRP: What makes a sex scene suck?

AK: I think it’s subjective but I’ll tell you what I don’t like.  Scenes that are descriptive only feel mechanical to me.  Readers are invested (hopefully) in the characters and their emotions and thoughts (scattered though they may be, and should be J ) and, for me, the writer should give us a peek into their heads during sex.  If I find myself skimming pages it’s usually because of that.  Also, specific words will throw me out of a scene. The C word jumps to mind here.  Ooh ooh, one more.  I’ve read books that go into excruciating detail of a woman’s, hmm, I’ll just say “orange juices.” Just no. No.

Here’s one thing I found out writing my paranormal romances. In writing a steamy scene, it is surprisingly difficult to keep track of hands.  One scene (written late at night in my defense and caught by me in the morning, thank goodness) the hero had one hand in her hair, one on her thigh, and one gripping her shoulder. Whoopsie. Betcha didn’t know that!

MRP: What makes a sex scene good? Is there a certain trope that will never go out of style?

AK: What leads up to sex, the buildup of their tension, is super important to me.  I like to know how the characters react in their heads a bit. We all know and experienced the mechanics of sex, so give me reactions, too – is he a bit nervous? Does a flash of worry go through her mind for some reason? It’s very human and relatable.  For example, if there is an instant orgasm in the scene, the buildup to it had better be damn good and believable.  Mmmm, yep, I sure do like the buildup.  Oh, and I like to be surprised sometimes, both as a woman and as a reader.  Sex scenes from books that stick in my head are ones that surprised me.

Regarding tropes, there are trends, sure, but I think all the romance tropes find their readers. Personally, I’m a little tired of the billionaire hero but if I see one highly recommended I’ll still buy it.  My favorite is the paranormal romance but I read everything; contemporary, suspense, mystery, etc. The beauty of the romance genre is that there is a heat level and a story for every reader.

Skye Falling can now be found at All Romance ebooks, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, OmniLit, and WorldWeaverPress.com.