I’m happy to host an author interview with paranormal romance author K.H. LeMoyne today!

1)         When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I’ve been an avid reader for most of my life and somewhere along the way I started imagining different endings to other author’s books, making up stories for secondary characters that I enjoyed too much to just see disappear. Along that path, I started developing my own characters and plots. The process was vivid in my imagination. Actually learning to write a Story, yes with the capital ‘s’, took more time, but I kept at it in with the help of writers groups and critique partners. After retiring from my previous career in information technology, I started writing full time several ago.

2)         How did you come up with the inspiration for the Guardians of Eden books, and Destiny’s Mark in particular?

I enjoy reading series books. The continuity of favorite characters appeals to me so my instinct was to develop a series of my own. My prerequisite: overall mystery (the darker the better), an infusion of magical powers (but I didn’t want a new race that was all the same in their powers and contributions), and the opportunity to re-write history and the future (mystical beings bring that with them). Hence, the birth of the Guardians of Eden and their struggles after years of imposed exile.

Destiny’s Mark deals with one of the quieter, yet more deadly of the Guardians, Defense Master Tsu Halan. He brings his own backstory of pain and endurance to his ultimate dream of finding a mate who will not only grace his life, but walk beside him as an equal. And Jai Dashkov I strove for a woman who would bring her own brand of courage and perspective to a relationship.

3)         Do you have a writing schedule or do you write whenever you feel like it?

I try to write every day. I have an office, and a desk, and a plan. When I’m in the throes of writing, I usually commit to several pages a day and some pages of editing. I found that once I got into the business of delivering books, the writing, editing, and marketing all have to run in synch. There’s very little luxury to do just one. And until we got our latest puppy at Thanksgiving and I suffered several bouts of illness, that plan worked pretty well. Life derails good intentions sometimes. The good news is that I see adaptability as a skill set. Right now, I’m writing in the kitchen at the table in an area that is tiled and perfect for easy cleanup of puppy accidents. But everyday there is still some aspect of writing I work on and right now I’m just finding new ways to do that.

4)         Who was your favorite character to write about?

This vacillates from the ones I’m working on now to the ones I have planned in the near future. And what determines who gets my love at the moment is the characters who are giving me the least amount of grief! No, really. Some parts of writing a story really flow. This is usually during editing. I love editing. It’s the beef-up, pare-down, and smooth-out part of storytelling. At that point, I’m in the here and now with my characters. When they struggle and balk at my outline during the first draft, then the characters for the next book take the ‘favorite child’ title. A normal reaction. And sometimes I’ll take out time to go write a scene that a future character is clamoring for, just so they’ll be quiet and let me get back to work. That said, I still love each of the characters from my older stories. I read an old snippet and I’m right back there eager for their happy ending.

5)         Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

First thing, keep writing. It takes a while to develop your own voice and even then your writing will change over time. I rather like the advice Neil Gaiman gives in his commencement address to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He is heartening and has perspective that I truly hope to achieve one day. This is a great thing to watch if you are in the midst of self-doubt.

Second thing, keep reading. The more you write, the more your approach as a reader changes. You start to see things you didn’t before and, if you’re lucky, you start to analyze what you read from a perspective of what works and what doesn’t for your own writing. Granted, this perspective is only valid to you! Likes and dislikes in fiction are highly subjective. But since writers have to first love what they write before other readers can, you gain a great deal from enacting this type of analysis.

6)         What is the most challenging part about writing a book for you?

 How long it takes. I have written short novels, but I don’t typically plot or write short fiction and my characters want their time on the page. For me, that means a rather detailed outline, a first draft, several editing drafts, incorporating feedback from critique partners and beta readers, and several runs by my editor and her proofreader. There’s no way to cheat the timeline. Finishing a book takes a while. This is why I have many stories in various stages of outline and draft. Even half-hatched ideas and prose can eventually be polished and reworked to shine and the well never runs dry.

7)         Are you working on something new right now? If so, can you tell us more about it?

I’m finishing the fourth book in the Guardians of Eden series, Honor’s Quest, and hope to have that to my editor in the next month. Then the second book in the Dragon Rider Trilogy, Dragon Rider’s Soul, will get my undivided attention.

Destiny’s Mark (Guardians of Eden #3)

Title: Destiny’s Mark

Author: K.H. LeMoyne

Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Romance

The only difference between fate and destiny is choice.

Tsu Halan, Guardian defense master, has honed his skills and waited patiently over the centuries for the covenant’s promise of a mate to share his soul and a family to cherish. Close enough to taste fulfillment, the dark echoes of the past threaten with danger and death.

Jai Dashkov harbors her own painful secrets of harsh betrayal and tender loss. Her desperate search to reclaim her life doesn’t allow room in her heart to deviate for love.

Together they are stronger than apart, but the promise of the covenant is a perpetual test. One that Tsu and Jai must conquer in time or suffer an eternity for their failure.

THE GUARDIANS OF EDEN:
A race of beings created in a Sanctum at the far edge of Eden. Co-existing with mankind, they safeguarded human souls and the promise of eternity—until a virus killed all over the age of eighteen. The surviving children fled to the Sanctum for protection, children raising children without the full legacy of their history and knowledge. Two hundred years of solitude have produced a race of semi-immortals fortified with powers and intellect but lacking the mates who will make them whole and allow them to fulfill their covenant with mankind.

Author Bio

A former technology specialist, KH LeMoyne now writes romance fulltime with series in urban fantasy, high fantasy, and scifi/futuristic. She lives in Maryland with her wonderful husband and corgi. Much to her dismay, she rarely encounters supernatural beings other than on paper. Visit her website: http://www.khlemoyne.com/  or blog: http://fantasypoweredbylove.com/

Links

Website – www.khlemoyne.com

facebook – http://www.facebook.com/kh.lemoyne

twitter –  https://twitter.com/#!/khlemoyne  or  @khlemoyne

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Destinys-Mark-Guardians-Eden-ebook/dp/B009Q6ZIX8/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1350161197&sr=1-7

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/244809

Giveaway

We’re hosting a giveaway on all blogs participating in the tour!

– one commenter will win a $25 Amazon Gift Card.

– two commenters will receive a Guardian of Eden anthology.

This contest is international. Winners will be notified through mail. And all you have to do to participate is comment!