Catching Up With Kylie Griffin

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Catching Up With Kylie Griffin

The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome back Kylie Griffin. Kylie recently released her third book in her The Light Blade series. She is here to discuss Allegiance Sworn, as well as what else we may have to look forward to in 2013

Before we start the interview, let’s refresh your memory about Kylie.

Kylie photo

Kylie Griffin’s obsession with all things paranormal/fantasy started at an early age, when she used to imagine the jacaranda tree in her front yard was a spaceship used to defend the world from invading enemies. Writing stories seemed a natural extension to her childhood adventures.

Today, she’s a primary school teacher sharing her love for the written word with young children. In her spare time, she writes and reads all things paranormal.     

Kylie lives in a small rural village in outback New South Wales, Australia, where she volunteers in a number of emergency service organizations in her local community. Visit her website at www.kyliegriffin.com

 

Interview seafoam:blackTRC:  Hi, Kylie.  Thank you for taking the time to revisit us at The Reading Cafe to discuss your new release “Allegiance Sworn”, as well as to give us an update as to what else you may be working on.

Kylie: Hi Barb, thanks for the chance to meet your readers again. I loved visiting The Reading Cafe last time, so it’s great to be back!

TRC: You have just released the 3rd book in your Light Blade series.  For our members who may not have read this series, can you give us a description of the premise of this series? 

Kylie: Without giving away any spoilers, in the Light Blade world there are three different races – the Na’Reish (demons), Na’Chi (hybrid half-breeds, and humans. The Na’Reish outnumber the humans, and the human race is under threat of enslavement. Both races loath the existence of the Na’Chi as neither can tolerate their mixed heritage.

Each story in the series so far has shown the struggle between the races to survive, and a myriad of secrets and power struggles have thrown characters together and driven others apart. All the while demons and humans have been pushed closer to war with one another.

While the series isn’t epic fantasy in its purest form, it does have similar elements. The overarching plots employ typical themes such as a quest, a guiding deity, struggles against an opposing force, the threat of world domination, revenge and redemption, but readers also get to focus on a romance between main characters.

So if readers like this sort of epic-style story with a good romance then the Light Blade series is one to try. There’s enough back sotry in ALLEGIANCE SWORN to get the gist of the series arc, and each book can be read as stand-alone romances, but I’d recommend reading them in sequence for the full impact.


allegiance sworn

 

TRC: Allegiance Sworn was released on April 2, 2013.  Can you please tell us briefly about the book?

Kylie: ALLEGIANCE SWORN is the third book in the Light Blade series and one I was very excited to write as it features Arek, a rather deliciously tormented (yes, I do like torturing my heroes), secondary character, and one of my Light Blade warriors, who appeared in both VENGEANCE BORN (#1) and ALLIANCE FORGED (#2).

 

Links to order Allegiance Sworn:
Amazon / Barnes&Noble / The Book Depository / Kobo

 

vengeance born

Alliance forged

 

Click pictures to link to reviews of each book.

 

 

 

Links to purchase:
Vengeance Born:  Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository / Kobo
Alliance Forged: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository / Kobo

At the end of ALLIANCE FORGED Arek was wounded and captured by demon-slavers. In ALLEGIANCE SWORN he’s claimed by Imhara, a demon Clan leader.

He’s sworn to die fighting before allowing her to enslave him but then discovers she’s been living a double-life; that her Clan don’t enslave humans and accept half-bloods. And more significantly, they have one goal in common – to kill Na’Reish leader Savyr, the demon who murdered their families and destroyed their lives.

I had a LOT of fun making Arek face his greatest fears in this book but what surprised me the most was the way a couple of plot threads within the story ended – I intended the story to finish with the characters achieving certain goals but they refused to take that path and led me down another!

Lives being threatened, fighting, the death of a major character – all of this was supposed to occur, and it did, but not in the manner I expected and it brought about an entirely different conclusion to the story.

TRC: Will there be more books for the Light Blade series, if so, how many?

Kylie: Well, at this stage there are at least three secondary characters with stories demanding to be told. For example, Rissa, a young child introduced in VENGEANCE BORN, and is a character who definitely has a story to be written but as she’s only 10y.o, she has to grow up first. LOL

So it’s lucky there are some other secondary characters clamoring for their stories to be told in the meantime. They’ll keep me busy for a while yet, and give Rissa the time to grow up.

TRC: Would you like to share with us what you are currently working on?

Kylie: What am I up to, besides a manic blog tour to promote ALLEGIANCE SWORN(and the mass market version of Vengeance Born, which was also released on April 2nd)?

Well, I have a few plans I’m juggling. I’m writing books #4 and #5 in the Light Blade series. There’s no release dates yet for them as that depends on whether the book-gods smile on a new publishing contract.

For those who’ve been following the series, books #4 & #5 are characters you’ve met earlier in the series, or will have, once you’ve read ALLEGIANCE SWORN. 🙂

I’m also keen to write a new post-apocalyptic romance, one that’s been mulling in the back my mind for a few years now. A change of genre would be refreshing and I’m quite excited about this one as I’m venturing into new territory. It’s rather more erotic in tone than I anticipated.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Kylie: Two ideas inspired ALLEGIANCE SWORN.

The first was Arek, the hero, and his hatred for all things demon. Throughout the series and of all the characters he’s probably had the toughest time. He’s found out he has a demon half sister. His grandfather not only tried to kill her but he kept the secret that demons and humans once lived harmoniously together and then betrayed the human race by leading a rebellion to keep the war between them going.

In ALLEGIANCE SWORN Arek is confronted by the truth that his whole life and every decision and action he’s made has been based on a lie, one foster by his grandfather’s deception.

And, having been captured by demon-slavers at the end of Alliance Forged, he now faces one of his greatest fears – being the blood-slave of Imhara Kaal, his new owner. Anyone who’s already read the series will know Arek prefers death over serving as a blood-slave, so you can imagine the conflict this is going to create!

The idea of a double agent gave me the plot thread for Imhara Kaal, the heroine, in ALLEGIANCE SWORN. Unlike other demons, Imhara and her people have create a utopia of sorts where human, demon, and half breeds live peacefully and equally in the Old Ways but they’ve had to sacrifice a lot to remain undiscovered. Living a double-life and adopting two separate lifestyles was essential for their survival.

But it puts Imhara and Arek at odds right from the get go because she had to portray her alter-ego in order to claim him as her slave. You can image how well that went down with Arek, and trying to convince him of her other persona is nigh impossible.

I loved being able to throw these two opposing personalities together and watching the sparks fly!

TRC: Thank you, Kylie for giving us an update on Allegiance Sworn, as well as what we can look forward to in the future.   It was a pleasure having you visit us again. 

Kylie: Barb, it’s been a pleasure catching up with you and I look forward to chatting with your readers!

If you want to learn more about Kylie, you can find her at the following links:

Website: http://www.kyliegriffin.com
Blog: www.kyliegriffinromance.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kylie-Griffin-paranormal-romance/152760788151938
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/KylieGriffin1
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4882841.Kylie_Griffin

Giveaway-Black and Seafoam

Kylie has graciously offered to give one member of The Reading Café a prize pack of a signed copy of Vengeance Born (paperback just released April 2nd), as well as an Allegiance Sworn Tote Bag,

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3.  Please post a comment answering the following question:
    What’s your favorite paranormal/sci-fi/fantasy movie, and why?

4.  Giveaway open INTERNATIONALLY

5.  Contests runs from April 26 to April 30, 2013

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50 thoughts on “Catching Up With Kylie Griffin”

  1. welcome back ms griffin. i enjoyed reading this interview. i enjoyed twilight, since its vampires & werewolves, i think of it as paranormal. it was a fun series, with excitment and romance.

    • Hi Mari, it’s great to be back at TRC.

      Is now the time to reveal I haven’t read Twilight yet? Maybe I should, to see what all the hype is about. 🙂 But it’s the same problem, so many books, so little time!

  2. I love to read sci if and fantasy, but I don’t usually like the corresponding genre movies. My favorite is probably The Lord of the Rings trilogy

    • I’m with you MK – I LOVE LOTR movie trilogy. In my travels to New Zealand I’ve now been to the movie set of Hobbiton 5 times. Awesome!

  3. Hi Kylie!! Welcome back! I am such a fan of your work!! It’s nice to read updates on our favorite authors!! I love the Lord of the Rings, but to be different, I am going to say Firefly!! Yes, it’s mainly a TV show, but there was a movie Serenity too!!!

    • Jules, I loved Firefly also, and the movie Serenity. Nathan Fillion is one of my favorite actors, and love him on Castle. Of course, I’m a huge fan of Joss Whedon (love loved Buffy, as did you) 🙂

      • Buffy, Angel, Dollhouse, Firefly, Serenity, The Avengers, Dr.Horrible, co-writer/uncredited writer for Toy Story, Waterworld, Twister, Alien Ressurection, Speed, – the man is a genius!

        And Nathan Fillion…sigh… 😀

    • Jules, thank you, it’s always a fabulous feeling to know a reader has loved your books. Comments like yours are like little jump starts of emotion to keep me going forward knowing someone appreciated the stories that have driven you to write them. 🙂

      And there’s no power in the ‘Verse to stop us Browncoats from loving Firefly and hoping one day to see the series with new life!!! What a great series, so many awesome characters and I bow down to Joss Whedon’s script writing!

  4. Hi Kylie and welcome back to The Reading Cafe. Congratulations on another amazing release.

    *whispering*…who are the amazing cover models? I will have to check into more interviews…*blushing*

    • Hi Sandy,

      I’m afraid I have no names for these cover models but Gene did say he’s worked with the woman on many occasions. She’s an actress as well as a model. The guy is a first time hire for him.

      I love Imhara’s leather vest – it’s the first time Gene used this particular piece of costuming for a photo shoot. Very cool! 😀

    • G’day Alexis! Thanks for the warm welcome back.

      Gene Mollica is the cover artist for this series. He recently told me he now has the covers for his PNR books available for purchase on his website. About time, I replied, because there’s been so many queries about my book covers…if only I had a dollar for every time someone asked about them! LOL

      Do you have a fav. PNR/SF/FR movie or TV series, Alexis?

    • Vickie, there’s a copy of VENGEANCE BORN up for grabs this giveaway. Don’t forget to answer the question listed in the GIVEAWAY info above – would love for you to kick start your reading of the series with a chance of winning VB! 🙂

    • Hi Amy, thank you! Do you have a favourite in the series? One of the heroes or heroines?

      And chalk up another fan of LOTR ! Woohoo!

      I can’t remember how many times I’ve watched the trilogy now. I’ve had at least three marathon sessions. Aragorn is to die for…sigh…

  10. Well, I have to say that movies Lord of the Rings, but I haven’t read the books. Now UF in books has to be The Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost she is genious, I love all her books.

    Thank you for the international giveaway, fingers crossed 🙂

    luarroyave(at)hotmail(dot)com

    • Now there’s a series I NEED to buy and watch. I’ve only just managed to find the time to watch the Spartacus series (RAW-R!!!!) and have been told GOT is just as awesome!

      Must start dropping hints to my family about this series as my birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks… 😀

      • Sandy watches Spartacus, and Game of Thrones. Though I love the series on tv, I will not read George RR Martin books. I hear he kills too many of the good guys, not to mention take over 5 years for the next book. lol Tv show is great though.

        Last week’s episode with the young dragons, was totally awesome.

        • Again, I have the first in this series on my bookshelf to read (a friend lent it to me) and it’s as thick as a doorstop!!! I can see WHY he takes 5 years to write the books if this is standard! LOL

      • OMG..love, love, love Spartacus…*sniff* and it is over. Rumor floating around about a sequel for Julius Caesar…Maybe Todd will get his own show.

        Games of Thrones is amazing as well, but in a completely different category than Spartacus.

        • Andy Whitfield is my fav. Spartacus – my goodness, his eyes and facial expressions were to die for! Sigh.

          And then there’s Crixus, the undefeated Gaul, and Gannicus…and Oenomaus…by Jupiters C—, the whole ludus of gladiators!!!! 🙂

  12. There are so many wonderful paranormal/sci-fi/fantasy movies that I’ve loved, but I have to go with Serenity because it’s based on a fantastic series (Firefly), with such a wonderful cast of characters and exciting action. The series didn’t have a chance to continue and the movie was such a long time coming, there were many fans, including me, who were ecstatic to see it. I hope one day there will more more movies based on that series, I know I’d love to see them.

    • I’m with you Barbed1951 – Firefly and Serenity was such a great series/movie. The characters had such depth and layering to them, and the plot threads were entangled so well!

      Are you a Mal fan? I found it hard to pick a favourite character as they were all so diverse and each had something that really appealed to me – even Jayne! I loved his obsession with weapons!

  13. Hey Kylie, so glad to meet you. This series sounds amazing…another one I just have to read! Can’t wait to get into it! Thanks for chatting with us!

  14. Hey Kylie, it’s nice to hear from you again . And again love your covers , there always so nummy.

    As for movie wow I so don’t get to watch tv much, But the one that comes to me is THE FLY with Jeff Goldblum . what was it the early 80’s when it was made. But I can still picture him at the very end of the movie caught in a spider web scream HELP MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE LOL. I love SCI FI Tv and have seen many great movies Like The BIRDS .Another oldie but goodie . I hope you have heard of these movies.

    Have a G Day

    • Hey, Lori!

      I’ve only just recently seen The Birds, Lori. It was a bit of a corny movie for this day and age but given the era it was made in I can understand how it could have been scary to watch. And I can understand why my mum hated large flocks of birds! 🙂

      And while I have heard of The Fly, I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing it. But I do like Jeff Goldblum as an actor. I remember him about the same era in the movie The Big Chill – not sure if this dates us… 😀 But I have to say I quite liked the characters he played in the Jurassic Park series, Independence Day and Silverado!

  15. Hi Kylie, so nice of you to come back and catch us up on what’s happening with you and your books. Looking forward to reading them. They sound great and I have to say I absolutely love the covers on your books. Just eye catching.

  16. Hi Kylie and welcome back to The Reading Cafe! I am not familiar with your books but that will be rectified soon enough! LOL 🙂

    What series … hmm… good question! I have to agree with Sandy and say Spartacus, but The Hunger Games really did it for me too! Wow how different can those two be huh??? LOL

    Rachel 🙂

    • It’s funny, but when I first answered that question, later I thought of so many more. I loved the Hunger Games, and I hear the second movie is going to be good. They are also making the movie from Divergent, which should be good.

      But when Kylie added books, I remembered I also loved Sword of Truth, which had for two years the tv version Legend of the Seeker.

    • Hi Rachel, I think a good story is a good story regardless of the chasm between series – book, movie or tv series. 🙂

      I have The Hunger Games on my TBR shelf (the pile teeters!).

  17. Gee I am not much into watching TV and I have seen a lot of people talking about the Hunger Games . Guess I will have to check it out sometime.

      • HUH see what happen when your a first time mom at 51 . And it’s only been 8 1/2 months. God help me when he turns 2 . lol Thanks Barb for the update now I know these are books .

  18. Welcome back to our beloved TRC Ms. Griffin. A wonderful interview ladies as always. Favorite fantasy books, or show you say? Well, this may come as a surprise to some of my friends on here *cough* that my utmost favorite literary series is The Sword of Truth written by Terry Goodkind. If you are more into movies, or TV–there was a phenomenal show based upon this amazing books titled Legend of the Seeker. Only ran for two seasons, and did not follow the books very closely–but it was made up of a superbly talented cast, and it is a show the whole family could enjoy. I highly recommend.

    • Miranda, Legend of the Seeker is a good family show. Did you know it was filmed Down Under, in New Zealand – one of my favourite countries to visit. It’s so pristine and green, beautiful! 🙂

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