Author Interview: Kinley Baker, Author of Ruined, Talks About Writing

Hello Everyone in the Blogosphere!

Today I want to welcome Kinley Baker, one of Crescent Moon Press's new authors. I recently reviewed her book, Ruined, and it was great! (I hope you get a chance to pick it up!)

Welcome Kinley!

*applause*

Why don't you start by telling my readers a little bit about yourself?

I absolutely love a good romance and if it makes me laugh and cry along the way, that’s a plus! Laughing out loud is a win especially on a bad day. I live with my husband and dog, Joker, in the Pacific Northwest. I went to college for writing and now I’m finally starting to understand what they were trying to teach me.

What drew you to the craft of writing?

A penchant for matchmaking (which was a disaster in real life) and my personal belief that the world needs more happy endings.

Are you a pantser or plotter?

Panster more than a plotter. Although, I do need to know Goal, Motivation and Conflict for each character before I start. And I generally have an idea of where I’m going with the story. But sometimes there are curves.

When do you like to write? Mornings, Afternoons, Middle of the Night, or somewhere in between (like when the kids sleep)?

I usually get up early. I write on my lunch breaks, in the evening and on the weekends. I’m usually checked out after 8:00 p.m. but I have been known to work later during official edits. I pretty much write whenever I’m not doing something else.

Do you have some favorite music that inspires your writing? A movie? What inspires you?

My Pandora station usually involves Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert, Hinder, The Verve, Eminem, Rihanna, John Mayer, Oasis, Joe Bongiorno, Johnny Cash, David Cook, Dido, and Journey. Consider me versatile. Although sometimes Lady Gaga doesn’t work for fantasy romance. I find most music and movies inspiring. And the ocean. I’m a big fan of foggy beaches and I’ve always wanted to live in a lighthouse on big cliffs.

When you're not writing, do you have a favorite author or genre you enjoy?

I am big on contemporary romances right now. I just picked up Lori Wilde and she makes me laugh and cry. Can’t get better than that. I’ve read tons of paranormal, but I’m going through an odd stage where I can’t seem to read it at the moment.

What advice would you give to others in the journey to becoming published?

I would tell aspiring authors to keep writing, to believe in their stories and prepare for a rough road. I’m writing a post that might be relevant to this question. It will post on October 14th and if you follow me on Twitter, I’ll be tweeting about it that day.

Did you have a long line of submissions before you “got the call”?

Ruined definitely made the submission rounds. I queried at least fifty agents. A lot of them told me fantasy romance wasn’t selling. I didn’t have a ton of success until I started submitting directly to Editors, who at least had positive things to say. I received some great feedback from Editors that helped me find a home at Crescent Moon Press.

Where can we find you and your books?

My home base on the internet is www.kinleybaker.com.

I’m also on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kinleybaker 

Facebook at www.facebook.com/kinleybaker. I have a page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kinley-Baker/196649877015210. 

I also blog if you don’t have enough ways to stalk me yet. Lol. http://authorkinleybaker.blogspot.com. My books are on Amazon @ http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ruined+by+kinley+baker&x=0&y=0

Barnes & Noble @ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ruined-kinley-baker/1104429885?ean=9781937254148&itm=1&usri=ruined%2bby%2bkinley%2bbaker in eBook and Print forms.

Share with us something about your current book.

Right now, I’m spending time with Caleb, the leader of the Varner. Caleb rocks! I’m having a lot of fun writing his book. I love his heroine. I didn’t think I’d ever love someone more than Jessa, but I do. Don’t tell Jessa. I’m working on getting Ruined II wrapped up and over to my publisher now. Some really emotional parts have been hanging me up because they were so hard to write. But I think they will be worth it!

What are your future plans for your series? Are you cooking up a new one?

Ruined is part of a trilogy. I’m currently wavering over Book 3 because some of the characters in Book 2 piped up and want their story told now, too. I do want to write Ari’s story. I’m going to worry about getting Caleb’s story told first, then I’ll figure out Book 3 in case vital information changes during my edits on Book 2.

I can't wait to read Caleb's story! He's such a strong leader, not easily misled or twisted, but still so tortured...having been driven from his homeland. Oh, I'm really going to look forward to him!

I do have a few other series in the works, but nothing contracted yet.

Some fun stuff!

Coffee, Tea, or Something Harder?

Can I choose all three? Lol. It depends on the time of day.

Cake or Ice Cream (or both, what flavor)?

Although I do have coffee flavored ice cream in the freezer, it’s been sitting there for a long time. Can I choose chips? I am a big chip addict. The sweet stuff doesn’t call to me anymore. I’m not a fan of cake, but I try to keep that quiet since people get pretty passionate about chocolate.

Favorite all-time movie?

Ever After. I think if you like Ever After, you’ll probably like Ruined. *crosses fingers*

Well, Ever After is one of my favorites and I loved Ruined, so I think you may be right! I loved Drew Barrymore and Dougray Scott in the classic Cinderella story...ahhhh... so lovely! I can see a little Cinderella in Jessa! And a little Prince Charming is Vale...in a larger than life kind of way!

Favorite paranormal creature?

Shadow Shifters like in Ruined :-) I’m biased. But I also have a story about a succubus I want to write. I’m not really picky when it comes to super powers or magic. It’s all cool and I’m jealous of all the people who have special abilities. That’s why I write about them. I live vicariously through my characters.

Your Shadow Shifters are so cool, folding shadows to move through space, loved it! Of course, vampires are my reigning favs! Not often can someone offer to bite you and it feels good, hehe.

Thank you so much for the awesome interview, Dottie! I really enjoyed answering the questions.

Thank you for visiting with us today Kinley! It has been a pleasure!

Ruined by Kinley Baker

Publisher: Crescent Moon Press
Pages: 282

(Released: July 16, 2011)

From the Cover:

Jessa is one healing away from death. Under the thrall of her gift, the Court's Senior Healer risks giving her life in exchange for her patient's.

Vale is a rebel ruler. When his brother is killed, he's given the throne and the decree from the Court to produce an heir or lose his family's hold on the land--and his deceiving advisors aren't afraid to use murder as a weapon if their directive to stay away from the Senior Healer goes unheeded.

But Vale burns to possess Jessa. The heat between them leaves a wake of smoke, and even the powerful forces above want to bind them in a union that lasts forever. Vale taking another would be a betrayal neither could survive.

Their enemies fear a child born of such a powerful Healer and Warrior, but the true threat lies in the bond forged in shadows and fused in fire.

Jessa has had her named besmirched all because she's a healer. Everyone in her village thinks she has given herself to Vale's brother, King Zander. She's tarnished, wanton, used. When Zander goes missing, she's called to confirm whether she can feel his life force even as it ebbs away. She can't save him if she can't touch him. Though her heart breaks with the loss of her friend, now she'll be forced into the service of his brother, Vale.

Vale believes the rumors, that Jessa uses sexual healing and has willingly given herself to his brother, Zander, and it burns into his soul. When he's forced into the Kingship, he stubs the young healer, thinking to replace her, but no one has her talent. When she saves his life, he realizes his mistake. Slowly, as he spends time with the healer, she reveals her secrets, and Vale comes to realize, he must have her for his own... and it is forbidden.

A race from a distant place crosses into their realm, hoping to find a home, but what they find is a woman, beaten and battered, something intolerable in their society. Instead, they find themselves forced into war not of their own making and just when King Vale's kingdom finds itself in near shambles.

Ruined by Kinley Baker is a fast, fun read with twists and turns, and there's not only a tortured hero, but a tortured heroine, each made for the other. Their people have learned to use the shadows, gifted. When Zander goes missing, Vale is forced to take his place, bringing Jessa and the rebel King together. Vale and Jessa are like coal and flame, and it takes but a spark to ignite their fire. But, even as they consummate their relationship, Vale discovers they can never be married, he must choose another. Though it goes against everything in his soul, he's forced to ask another to be his wife, someone he doesn't want and can't ever love, someone who is already in love with someone else. Crushed beyond reasoning, Jessa agrees to stay, but another problem arises, one she can't share with her lover, Vale, because he has vowed to marry another. Jessa has to make plans to escape his castle, and if she must, their kingdom. To watch Vale with another woman is beyond her capacity. When she recognizes that Vale's intended is pregnant, she knows the time to leave has come. There is evil brewing in the realm, ready to take Vale's place, and this evil is like nothing the realm has seen. Can Jessa live without the one person who stirs her blood? Can Vale understand that Jessa can't share his bed while he beds another? What will become of the love Jessa and Vale share?

Ruined is a great read, from the first pages of the book, I was rooting for the love shared between Jessa and Vale, even before he can understand and acknowledge their love. Jessa is an innocent wrongly accused. Vale is the misunderstood brother of the King, hoping to never have to fulfill his obligation. When these two come together, they share more than love, the ancients brand them, one for the other, a perfect match. Both choose to ignore this branding as law forbids Vale to marry any healer. Ruined is a story of lost love and hope, a love story that ignites the pages. It takes Jessa's disappearance for Vale to realize he can't live without her. Evil is brewing in their kingdom, waiting to take Vale's life and his kingdom. Ruined captured my heart as the two young lovers struggle to be together. Paranormal romance lovers as well as historical lovers should give this one a try. I'm glad I did. This is Kinley Baker's debut novel, and I hope there is much more to come from this author. 5 out of 5 fairy kisses for this paranormal romance lover.  PS: If you visit Kinley Baker's blog and Jean Murray's blog, you can entered to win a copy of their books: Ruined by Kinley Baker and Soul Reborn by Jean Murray.

I received this ebook from the author, Kinley Baker, for review. All opinions expressed are my own.