Kendra Leigh Castle and Dark Highland Fire (An Interview)

Desired by women, kissed by luck, Gabriel MacInnes has led a charmed life. A Highland werewolf with Alpha blood in his veins, he'd always known that responsibility was something that he, as the second son, would never have to worry much about. But with his Pack now squarely in the sights of an ancient and rediscovered enemy, everything has begun to change. Guarding the legendary Stone of Destiny has never been more important for the MacInnes Wolves, and keeping watch for things that creep through the darkness is a task that must fall to them all. Having come close to losing everything, Gabriel has begun to want more. He just has no idea that the more is about to be thrust into his arms, whether he wants it or not. And to top it all off, she bites...

Exiled from the Drakkyn realm, on the run from the dragon prince who will stop at nothing to have her as his own, the last thing Rowan an Morgaine wants is to be left at the mercy of a bunch of overbearing shifters in the middle of nowhere. But when her hiding place on Earth is discovered, the MacInnes Pack is her only resort until their common enemy can be stopped once and for all. With blood the only thing that can restore her waning power, the fiery demigoddess has little choice but to accept Gabriel as a protector, something he's stubbornly determined to be. If only he wasn't so deliciously appealing, Rowan might be able to accept his help. But she has sworn to belong to no man. And she's beginning to suspect that no matter how frightening her hunter is, this strangely familiar werewolf poses an even greater danger to her heart.

As the Earthly and Drakkyn realms converge, Gabriel and Rowan find themselves running from enemies who will stop at nothing to see them torn apart. But in the deep woods, under a different moon, there are secrets yet to be revealed. New love will be tested by fire itself. And each must decide how much they're willing to sacrifice for fate...and for one another.

Interview

Terra: How hard is it writing about werewolves? Do you find it easier to imagine them being in one particular culture as compared to another?

Kendra: I don't find it hard to write about werewolves at all...in fact, I love it! To me, they're just regular people with one difference that makes them extraordinary...kind of like superheroes, I guess. They still act and interact in ways that are completely relatable, and I enjoy having that extra magical element to play with. Culturally, I can envision having werewolves in any place on Earth. I just happen to like Scotsmen!

Terra: In Dark Highland Fire you literally throw Rowan into Gabriel's hands. What would say was your inspiration behind this particular scene?

Kendra: Well, I figured that neither one of these characters was going to end up in the other's arms without a push, both of them being pretty stubborn and set in their ways, so dumping an unconscious Rowan into an extremely reluctant Gabriel's arms seemed like the perfect first meeting for them. And as I'd hoped, as soon as she opened her eyes, the sparks started to fly between them! My thought was to have their relationship start with a bang, and hopefully I achieved that.

Terra: You describe the lands and buildings of Scotland with such wonderful detail. Is this a real place or something that you created from your imagination?

Kendra: Thank you! Iargail is fictional, of course, but I did a lot of poking around online for information about that part of the Highlands, and found a real estate situated in about that area that I drew on for inspiration. Tobermory is a real place, very pretty and somewhere I would love to actually visit. Sadly, I had to rely on pictures and written information instead, but I tried to capture some of the detail in my descriptions. What I couldn't see, I imagined, but I did quite a bit of research to try to get the picture I was painting right. Like I said, a research trip would be amazing...the Highlands have always captivated me, and researching the area only made me want to see Scotland with my own eyes more!

Terra: You have two men, one good, one bad, of two entirely different species vying for Rowan in every way possible. They both find her somewhat of a difficultly but still want her just the same. Why?

Kendra: Aww, Lucien isn't bad, he's just, umm...a little messed up. He has ample reason, if you look at his father. And yes, I have a deep weakness for morally ambiguous, semi-bad guys. Just like I have a weakness for pub-owning, smart-mouthed werewolves! But anyway, both Lucien and Gabriel want Rowan because (and I'm not biased or anything) she's fabulous. Okay, I am biased. But Rowan was so much fun to write, I can't imagine any self-respecting hero (or villain) NOT wanting her. She's jaw-dropping beautiful, but actually very down to earth. She's quick-witted, unfailingly loyal to those she loves, and incredibly brave. She can also shoot flame from her fingertips, which I think is cool but is definitely considered one of those "difficulties" by the men in her life. I think the fact that she doesn't really need a man just makes Gabriel and Lucien want her more. And as it turns out, she does need someone...it just takes the right man to make her realize what she's been missing.

Terra: As a writer, do you think out all possible scenarios to a particular scene in your head and then write them down or do you put them in print and examine each several times until you are finally satisfied that you have the right one?

Kendra: I am, in writers terms, mostly a "pantser," which is what we call people who do less concrete plotting than just flying by the seat of their pants into a book and seeing what happens. I do a basic outline at the outset of where I think the book will go, because I do need some direction. But that outline shifts and changes throughout the book, and I never end up quite where I thought I would, which is part of the fun. It's difficult to explain, but I drop the characters in and see what they do, and I write it. I always have ideas, fairly nebulous, for specific scenes, and they generally end up in the books. But how they end up incorporated and how they actually turn out might not be quite what I'd envisioned at first...it's all up to the characters. Things always gum up when you try to force a character to behave in a way that isn't true to who they are. Sometimes a scene won't feel right to me, for whatever reason, and I'll redo it. Or sometimes my critique partner or editor, both of whom have great eyes, will catch that something isn't working when I've been too engrossed to be able to step back and see it. And I'll redo it. My process is probably sort of messy, but it is what it is, and it seems to work okay.

Terra: Having your husband in the military and with small children, do you find it difficult to juggle each different aspect of your life to make them all fit and feel comfortable with each other?

Kendra: Oh, there's plenty of juggling! Sometimes it's harder than others. When a deadline is creeping up on me, especially, because my brain wants to focus on one thing and I have fifty other things a day to do. Other times, it's just fine. I mainly work at night, after the kiddos are in bed and my husband is vegetating on the couch. I often work quite late, but that's a sacrifice I'm happy to make, because writing is what I want to do. More, it's what I need to do. I'm out of sorts when there isn't a story I'm spinning!But despite the fact that it isn't always easy, I have a wonderfully supportive family, which makes all the difference. They're as proud of me getting to follow my dreams as I am of them in all that they do, so I'm fulfilled. A little sleep-deprived at times, and I won't tell you that I never feel stretched or cranky, but life is messy and imperfect by nature. I'm very happy with mine.

Terra: I have to say that the ending of Dark Highland Fire completely blew me away, how did you ever come up with such a disgusting dysfunctional family of Dragons?

Kendra: LOL, Terra! I'm glad you enjoyed the ending! I love my dragons, really. I know they're dysfunctional, but I love them. They're not all bad, either...it's a complicated tribe, with a tangled web of alliances that depend on who the ruling house is. I won't say they're necessarily good, either. They like conquest and treasure, and are definitely a tough crowd. But they aren't all like Mordred, the ruling dragon, and his dwindling group of supporters. How did I come up with them? I wish I knew. I think dragons are fascinating creatures, so I had to include a tribe of dragon shifters in my other world. And it seemed fitting to give them shifting and unclear motivations...I did mention I like to have morally ambiguous characters, right? Flat-out bad guys are fun to write, but I like it when there's more beneath the surface as well. Like Lucien, for instance:-)

Terra: What are the possibilities of there being a third book to accompany Call of The Highland Moon and Dark Highland Fire?

Kendra: I actually just finished edits on Wild Highland Magic, which is the story of Rowan's brother, Bastian. He's got a deadly secret, and thinks that Iargail is just the place, secluded and quiet, to try and deal with it. But the annual Pack gathering brings with it a few surprise guests, one of whom isn't about to leave Bastian in peace...and of course, who Bastian can't seem to stay away from! Everyone from Dark Highland Fire will be back, and I hope that my readers enjoy what transpires.

Terra: Okay I know this question is a little off the wall but what do you think of the possibility of actual creatures such as in your novels being on a planet somewhere else in the universe?

Kendra: Hey, I'm a writer...I believe that just about anything is possible! I'm hoping there are all sorts of fascinating creatures out in the universe. And that most of them are friendly! I'd love it if Middle Earth really existed somewhere...Tolkien painted it so vividly, it would be lovely if it were a findable place.

Terra: I personally think you have an exceptionally bright future in the literary world. How do you think you would handle life if all of a sudden you became a New York Times best selling author?

Kendra: Oh, I should be so lucky! Thanks for the faith, Terra. I think I would handle it just fine. I'm sure there's a little more stress involved since the audience is so big, and more work involved in keeping your email and commitments straight (I know many of the big time authors have assistants to help, and ugh, I'm a little scattered as it is). But one of the nice things about being a writer is that there's a separation between your regular life and your "writer life." There are no paparazzi. Most people wouldn't know a famous author if they fell into one. You get known for your work, not your face, which is great. So, if I ever became a NYT Bestseller (again, your lips to God's ears), I'd throw a party. I'd take some of the extra money that comes with fame and take the family on a fun vacation. And then I'd get back to work:-)

Thanks so much for having me, Terra! I love coming by. I'll be here all day to chat and answer questions, and every commenter will be entered in a chance to win a copy of my October release, Dark Highland Fire. Two copies are up for grabs, so please pop in and say hi! And for more information about me and my books, you can visit my website, http://www.kendraleighcastle.com/. I also blog regularly at http://www.wickedlyromantic.blogspot.com/ and http://www.casablancaauthors.blogspot.com/ with the other amazing authors who write for Sourcebooks Casablanca.

-Kendra