Friday, September 23, 2016

Q&A with Kathy Kulig, author of Secret Destiny




Now available to purchase from Burnt Stilettos Press is the sexy contemporary romance “Secret Destiny” by the USA Today & NY Times Bestselling Author Kathy Kulig. The author has taken a few minutes out of her busy schedule for a Q&A about her newest novel.


When did you become interested in storytelling?

Since I was pretty young, my storytelling skills got me in trouble a few times where I was scolded for making up stories. I wasn’t trying to lie; my imagination just got carried away. Later, I tried writing short stories a few times for Science Fiction magazines and gave up when I felt I had no idea what I was doing. (I didn’t back then) I took some creative writing classes, read books about writing, got encouragement from a teacher who said I should write a book.

What was your first book/story published?
I first had an erotic contemporary romance novella published in a small print press publisher in 2004, then I published a few short stories. My first novel was in 2007 with Ellora’s Cave. It was a paranormal adventure romance. I’ve published over a dozen novels and novellas, plus and number of short stories.

What inspired you to write Secret Destiny?

A couple things inspired me to write this book. I lived in South Florida where the book and series takes place. I remember years ago when they were filming the movie Striptease with Demi Moore. Someone pointed out the mansion along the Intercoastal where she lived during the filming. In that movie, the heroine is in a desperate situation—a single mom who needs money to regain custody of her daughter. In Secret Destiny, my heroine is in a desperate situation. She’s a law student and about to lose the home she’s inherited from her parents. She accepts an indecent proposal from a billionaire to entertain wealthy and powerful men. During my research I actually met a stripper who also did a similar side job to what Destiny and her boyfriend does in my book.

What character in Secret Destiny is the most/least like you, and in what ways? 

I think we can’t help to include some aspects of ourselves in our books. I do like complicated characters. Ones who are good in some ways and bad in others, but are motivated or are placed in difficult situations to act in not so appealing way. It makes for interesting characters and stories and they have to deal with the consequences don’t they? Destiny is like me in that she’s tenacious and won’t give up when she sets her mind to something. She’s kind-hearted and hard working. But she’s not like me when she crosses a number of lines to get what she wants and has to decide if the risks and consequences are worth it.

Cover Artist: Seneca Featherstone
What is your favorite part in Secret Destiny?

Of course I can’t give the good stuff away. LOL. But there are a few twists and turns in the book that I think will surprise the reader. She begins to like the naughty side of herself and it threatens her love life and career. Destiny is not the same person in the end. See if you like how she’s changed.

What was the hardest part to write?


As a writer we tend to get attached to our characters. They’re practically friends or family while we’re writing the book as odd as that sounds. So it can be hard to make mean and bad things happen to them. But that creates an interesting story.

What would your ideal career be, if you couldn't be an author?

I couldn’t imagine NOT ever writing. It’s so a part of me. I do work part time as a bartender and I get to meet and chat with people. It sometimes gives me ideas for stories and characters. I think my ideal alternative career would be as a bartender at a tropical resort, then I could write my books on the beach during the day.

Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?

Yes, I do. Good and bad. Sometimes the bad reviews have made good points if it relates to character or plot development, etc. I appreciate those. Others like ‘there was too much sex’, I ignore. I write sexy books and don’t hold back in describing the sex scenes. I know not everyone will like my books and I’m okay with that.

What well-known writers do you admire most?

Way too many to mention here. I read a lot, in a variety of genres. I guess Ray Bradbury was a great influence to me as an early writer and reader.

Do you have any other books/stories in the works?

Yes!! I have a number of projects going on. I have two more books in this Sins of Odyssey series about ready to be released. Secret Escort and Secret Sins. And I’m planning more in this series. I’m also working on a group boxset project coming up in the spring with the Naughty Literati. I’ll have a book included in that set.

Enter the Endless Summer Giveaway

Prizes:
1 Sea Glass Bracelet
1 signed print copy of either Red Tape or His Lost Mate (winner’s choice) 
5 $10 Gift Cards (Amazon or Barnes and Noble) 
(Bracelet and Print book for US and Canada only please)
 


About the Author:  New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kathy Kulig is known for her sexy contemporary and paranormal romances that are passionate, intense and riveting. These emotionally-charged stories are full of heart and always have a happy ending. She began her writing career in journalism, publishing articles in magazines and newspapers. Kathy has been featured or quoted in the Chicago Tribune, Writer's Digest, Romantic Times Magazine, USA Today HEA, Bustle Magazine, Florida Weekly, and appeared on several radio shows. She has spoken at national and local conferences, writer's groups and libraries.

When she's not writing, she loves to work out, travel, read good books, watch movies and have dinners out with her darling husband. She lives in Pennsylvania in a 100 year-old Victorian house with a garage built out of reject tombstones.

You may read more about Kathy, her books, contest and upcoming projects by visiting her website http://www.kathykulig.com and subscribing to her mailing list. http://eepurl.com/FC_nP

You can follow Kathy on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and Instagram.

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