Another double hit this month, it’s the 25th and I’m thrilled to showcase another author.  Kryssie Fortune a British author who has the pleasure of living near the coast. What I love about Kryssie is, she does not let anything hold her back with her writing. I enjoyed interviewing Kryssie, I got a real sense who she is as a writer, we seem to have a few things in common on the “writer’s life” view point. Let’s get to know Ms. Fortune’s style….

Hello nice to meet you! Tell us a bit about you where are you from and other than writing what else do you enjoy?

Lovely to meet you too. I’m Kryssie Fortune, an English writer of erotic romance, both paranormal and contemporary. I live on the Yorkshire Coast and spend part of each day walking by the beach with my husband. If I’m not writing, I’m baking or gardening.

How did you start writing? What was your inspiration to create?

I don’t think I’m creative. I just like to tell made up stories. Even as a small child, I lined my dolls up and made them listen. Apparently, I told friends I’d write a book one day back when I was in my teens. I’d won the occasional writing contest, but didn’t think much of it. When my heart valve collapsed and I almost died I knew I need to reach for my dreams. Thankfully, I’m fine now. I have eleven e-books on Amazon. 12 if you count my box set, and number 13 – Claimed by the Vampire, Seduced by the Werewolf – is for release on May 2^nd

Kim:  * opens up Amazon* wow that’s great thirteen books! I’ve got to take a look. Also, I think you are creative, you write- that’s creativity.

Who is your favourite author, is there anyone out there that inspires you?

It changes constantly. The one I go back to is Kresley Cole. I love her Immortals After Dark series.

Kim: We have something in common, if I’m thinking of the same author I too have an Immortals After Dark book on my Kindle. I’ve not read it yet, thanks for prompting me.

What genre do you enjoy reading?

I’ll read anything. Mostly I stick with romances. Any kind, from Regency, through military, to paranormal. I enjoy the occasional adventure / mystery too.

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

It gave me more self-confidence, but it didn’t change my process. I’m still a punster. The best description I ever saw was that a writer has a series of islands to swim to before reaching the mainland. I start with a scene in my head and work out things around it as I go. Oddly, in a couple of instances, the scene I used for inspiration never made it into my book.

Kim:  *raises an eyebrow*  I hear all of that and understand. I have a romantic thriller I’ve been working on for the best part of two years. I’ve ripped it to sheds many times, taken out scenes and gone through the same experience you describe. What’s funny is, once I ripped it apart, I now have two book ideas lols. I agree with the islands you describe, sometimes those islands are so bloody far apart! But it makes it all worth while when a project is complete.

So you’ve published a series, what is the series about?

I have two series. One is my Scattered Siblings paranormal series full of werewolves, Fae, and an ever-hungry dragon. The old Fae king was a lecher who left children everywhere. Now his son, Leonidas has taken the throne, he’s trying to find them. Much to his eire, they keep mating with werewolves.

The second is my Heroes of Westhorpe Ridge series. It’s about former military men building civilian lives in Westhorpe Ridge. Of course, for warriors like them, true love never runs smooth. There are kidnappers, arsonists, and even spies hunting the women they love.

Kim: I’ll take a peek at the Scattered Siblings, feel free to send me one of your Author Review Copies.

What was it like creating back to back stories that link?

Fun. I liked that the worlds were already built and readers would meet old friends as each stand-alone romance unfolds. The Scattered Sibling world I invented, but Westhorpe Ridge was harder. I’m a Brit who doesn’t do long haul but I needed an imaginary town in North Carolina. Fortunately, my Facebook friends don’t mind me asking them stupid questions about their state. For the town itself, I mentally transplanted the Yorkshire town of Whitby to America. Of course, since the stories are contemporary, I left the Dracula connection back in Yorkshire.

Kim: good job! Yorkshire to the USA, sounds good to me. 

Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre? If you could what genre would you like to dabble in?

I’d like to write a detective story or a Dan Brown type adventure. I have a couple of ideas, but I need to sit down and plot. I’ve never done that in detail, but maybe someday I will.

Kim: welcome to my world. Thrill and suspense is such a great genre to write. I wish you well keep us posted over at Meet The Author when it takes off.

What has been your most proud moment as an author?

The day Loose id accepted my first story, To Wed a Werewolf.

I read their e-mail and screamed so loud my husband thought I was hurt. I remember leaping around like a loon. It meant the world that such a brilliant publisher was willing to invest time and effort in me. It still blows me away every time I get a new book accepted.

Kim: awww, yes I know that feeling! Good job and well done.

Was there ever a time you wanted to pick up your laptop, and then launch it out the window with frustration?

When I did the writers course, it was aimed at magazine articles. My first few efforts were rejected. Looking back, I’m not surprised. I hated every rejection but it made my first accepted feature – a centre page spread on the history of York – so much more special.

Kim: Amazing, rejection can be a bitch. I had a rejection from a major romance publisher I’d love to work with last year, for my romantic thriller.  I sent over the first three chapters. Only because there’s a murder, they said nicely “we love it Kim but in this line we can’t feature murder in romance. Send us something else you have” 😦 . But another publisher picked it up right away! Turns out they’d love a romantic thriller story with a murder. I’ve just got to finish writing it. Sometimes, rejection leads to better things, and a better fit for your work.

Am I the only one who gets hung up on commas? Do they make you go blah! when you’re writing?

Me and commas? We’re not friends. I was taught you put a comma wherever you pause for breath. I swear Americans breathe in different places. My editor moves nearly all of mine. But, to quote an Ashe Baker, an author friend of mine, “do I look like I’m the sort of person to worry about a comma.” That sort of puts it in perspective for me.

Kim: *cracks up laughing* OMG, you and I are on the same page. I was taught this in school also. When it comes to us Brits and USA editors and publishers, we can face some challenges. I’ve had my spellings changed to American English too, I go back and change it…. I’m British let’s stay real! I love your friend’s take on commas, what a refreshing view point.

Every writer has a word(s) that they always slip up on when they write, then slap their forehead when they notice their typo. For me it’s further and farther exit or exists-  but hey I’m over it now.  Do you have a word (s) that make you go blah! Go away not another damn typo.

I’m dyslexic. I never knew it until my daughter became head of English in the school where she teaches. I do the classic d and b thing and I don’t see my own mistakes. Every word is a challenge for me.

Kim: but you keep going, love it. Thirteen books lady…. remember that!

What three tips would you give any aspiring writer?

1. Practice Polish  3. Remember it doesn’t need to be perfect and let go.

Kim: such wise advice. We can be so hard on ourselves. Thanks for your view point.

So… where can we get your books?

Buy links
Loose id https://app.bitly.com/BebnjNZnvC8/bitlinks/2pFyQ5Z
Amazon USA http://amzn.to/2pLmmK4
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/2pd1Hvt
Kobo http://bit.ly/2qBMdl5
Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/2q36rI5

What are you working on now? What will you release next?

My next release is Claimed by the Vampire, Seduced by the Werewolf.

I guess the title explains the story, but it involves Spartans, Persian princes, and witches all in a modern-day setting. Hades and the Etruscan Hell god, Orcus make an appearance too.

Look out for a Vampire who likes to spank his immortal bride and a werewolf with a riding crop.

I’m currently working on another Heroes of Westhorpe Ridge story, Submission, Secrets, and the Soldier, but I haven’t submitted it to my editor yet.

Kim: Oh my. Did I mention I’m a True Blood Junkie? I could get into the Vampire story. Sounds very erotic. Do keep us posted on Meet The Author. I have massive respect for you paranormal writers, the talented.

What was your hardest scene to write?

Sex. I mean basically it’s insert part A into part B. The reader wants far more than that so I try to make my sex scenes so hot they burn the readers’ fingers. I was made-up when one review called my sex scenes sensual.

Kim: *giggles* you can’t beat a good sex scene. Yes inserting parts I agree with. You do need to transport the reader. Sensual is a massive compliment, shows you set the tone well in your scene. Good job.

Do you Google yourself?

Yes. I’ve found pirate copies of my books that way and had them removed.

Kim: Oh S*it! Really? I’d like to speak with you about this in more detail. This could be a good guest post on the topic, if you’re interested? A heads up for other authors.

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

I’ve met Bella Settarra at a few conferences, and you won’t find a nicer lady.

I’m good friends with Ashe Barker and Jennifer Denys. We get together for lunch on a regular basis.

What’s your favourite movie?

I love Romancing the Stone. It’s an oldie but a goodie. When Jack Colton first kisses Joan Wilder it’s magical.

Back to the twenty-first century. I love the Marvel Universe films and recently went to see Marvel Live at Sheffield Arena.

What’s your favourite book and why?

Can I have a play instead? I love Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The mix of slapstick and romance always delights me. I’m greedy, so I’ll go for another play too. I recently saw the National Theatre production of Henrik Ibsen and Hedda Gabler. The woman was wrong in the head, but the consequences of her actions made fascinating watching.

Where would you like to travel to and why?

Don’t laugh. North Carolina. I’ve learned so much about it while researching my Heroes of Westhorpe Ridge books. It has a mix of everything I love, from mountains to coast. I’d have to win the lottery and cruise there though. I’d love to explore their replica of Queen Anne’s Revenge – the pirate ship Blackbeard used. Yes. It does make it into one of the stories

I’d head to Washington after that. Dan Brown’s Lost Symbol gave me a tour of American treasures. I’d love to see them first hand.

Kim: I read a great story set in  North Carolina by Diane Chamerbaine it’s based on real life. There was a project in the sixties that allowed the state to sterilise women who they felt were “retarded”, or “over sexed.” The women were from poor backgrounds, and victims of rape half the time…. it’s Necessary Lies. Check it out, I followed up with my own research, I read about some of the victims.  This was the first book I read by this author a few years back. Since then I buy her books as they come out, without even reading the blurb I just see her name and click buy now! She’s so good.

Tell us about how you develop your characters?

Over many versions. Remember the dyslexia? I have to check each manuscript repeatedly. The more I do, the better I know my characters. I keep adding to them with each reread.

Which one of your characters is your favourite and why?

Caleb the Cold. Now there’s a werewolf who is hot. He’s the hero of my first published book, To Wed A Werewolf. He can be a real pain in the backside but when he finally recognised Sylvie as his mate, he redeemed himself.

I love Jared Armstrong too, the hero of Marriage, Mobsters and the Marine. He’s cold and tough, a retired military sniper with an impressive kill rate, but he needs to marry money to get his family out of a hole. When Abigail Montgomery advertised for he husband he jumped at the chance.

Kim: sounds good!

And that’s a wrap I LOVED meeting Kryssie here this month, and I look forward to reading her work. I hope you enjoyed it  too.

Connect with Kryssie here:

My amazon Author ages are

Amazon USA – http://amzn.to/2oP9Yq9

Amazon UK   – http://amzn.to/2q6Hebx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kryssie.fortune

Author site http://kryssiefortune.blogspot.co.uk/

 

If you’re an author and you’d like a feature contact me via the “contact Kim” page.