Hey
K.L.!! First I want to say welcome to Two Chicks on Books I’m glad you could
stop by for a chat! PRINCESS OF THE ROSE was AWESOME and I can’t wait for
everyone to read it!
For the readers: can you tell us a little bit about the BLACK ROSE
series and the characters? And especially about PRINCESS OF THE ROSE?
Black Rose is the love story of two captains of the
immortal guard, eternally separated by duty, honor, and the acts of a wicked
queen. Captain Mara, a princess who surrendered her crown for a sword, is the
niece of the cruel-hearted ruler, determined to see Mara forever separated from
her true love, Edward, Captain of the Royal Guard.
Mara’s path takes a dark turn when Liza, a princess
placed under her charge, is taken and murdered by a rival court. Broken by the
loss of her charge, Mara takes the ancient vow of the Black Rose, a promise to
find the princess’ killer. A vow which leads her on a dark path forcing her to
constantly choose between honoring her vows, and protecting those she holds
most dear.
Princess of the Rose is a companion piece to Mara’s story.
Told from the point of view of Princess Liza, the novel shows Liza’s life
during her time held in captivity by the Muir Court and the evil prince intent
of forcing her to become his unwilling bride.
During this captivity, her only comfort comes with a
guarded friendship with the Muir Court Captain; a man torn between obeying his
sacred vows of knighthood and freeing the princess.
Princess of the Rose is an incredibly dark tale of ancient vows, honor vs. morality, and the
heart-break of forbidden love.
I adore this series! How many books do you have planned for it
including all the spin-offs?
When I first began writing, I had only planned to
write two books. However, half way through Heart of the Rose, I knew the
story would expand far beyond my original expectations. Currently I am hoping
to end the story with book 10.
Were any of the characters in the book inspired by people from your real
life?
My characters are fictional, inspired more by
ancient myth than people I know.
Who was your favorite character to write? What about your least
favorite?
As to favorite characters, In the series I would I
have to say either Captain Mara, a strong heroine who honors her personal
codes, sometimes to a fault. Or Queen Clarissa, who is a wicked and sinister
villain who is always fun to write. I love when she appears in a scene, instead
of asking myself, what will she do next, I instead get to ask, what terrible
thing will she do next? She is a very compelling and wicked villainess. In
fact, I’m excited to say that the next book in the series, Daughters of the
Rose, will focus on the queen’s back-story.
Specifically in Princess of the Rose, I’d say
Henri is a favorite if mine. He’s a sub-captain of the Muir Court Royal Guard
who is trapped between loyalty to the court in which he was born, and the one
he swore to serve. There’s a great deal of conflict in Henri, who struggles to
separate his vows from what is right, as the two do not always align.
Least favorite? Probably Prince Nicholi of the Muir
Court. He’s a horrible villainous prince with a single-minded obsession with
the heroine, Princess Liza.
What is your favorite passage/scene in PRINCESS OF THE ROSE?
My favorite scene is a section of the book between
Princess Liza, the heroine, and Captain Erik. Trapped in a forbidden love, they
meet on the beach one afternoon, but are forbidden to express their affection.
They exchange words of deep heartache and undying devotion, a testament though
love can endure even the darkest of moments, it may not always conquer
all.
Favorite Passage:
“Tell her the stories of heroes.
Tell her of your brave uncle. Of the dark-eyed Edward. Your valiant Davith, and
courageous cousin. Tell her the stories, my lady, for children deserve heroes.
And perhaps, one day, she will realize the real hero was you.”
What kind of research did you have to do for the story?
For this series, a great deal of research. I’ve read
a lot of stories and histories on ancient Ireland and England. I’ve studied
different mythologies extensively. I’ve visited castles from the Tower of
London to Bran Castle in Romania to Nymphenburg Palace in Germany conducting
research. Part of book V in the series takes place in Dunnottar Castle, which
is a real place in Scotland. I love conducting medieval research and attempting
to make the scenes seem as real as possible.
I’ve also conducted a great deal of observation for
fight and sword scenes, both in describing various weapons and in styles of
combat. There has also been a great deal of research on medieval society,
torture tactics, and poisons, as these books feature details scenes involving
all three. Research is among my favorite parts of the writing process, as I
love to learn and am never disappointed by all the new areas of knowledge to
which a story so often leads.
Who is your ultimate book boyfriend?
Captain Doyle from Laurell K. Hamilton’s Merry
Gentry series.
What inspired you to write this series?
I lived in Ireland for a few years and the Black
Rose story is based loosely on Irish myth and the tale of Tristan and Isolde.
Much like Romeo and Juliet, or Lancelot and Guinevere, the legend is the
Arthurian myth about a pair of doomed lovers whose hearts refused to be tamed,
even in death. I fell in love with the story, and it had a great influence on
the series.
Lightening Round Questions
What are you reading right now? Or what do you have on your TBR that
you’re dying to read?
Currently reading: Sleeping with Monsters by
Amelia Hutchins! Her books, especially those in the Fae Chronicles, are
amazing!
What Hogwarts House would the Sorting Hat place you in?
Slytherin, always Slytherin.
Twitter or Facebook?
Facebook
Favorite Superhero?
Does Princess Leia count as a superhero?
Favorite TV show?
Game of Thrones
Sweet or Salty?
Sweet!
Any Phobias?
Spiders and missed deadlines
Song you can’t get enough of right now?
Not in Vain by Raven Quinn and Queen of Swords by Idina Menzel.
2018 Movie you’re most looking forward to?
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Thanks
so much K.L. for answering my questions! I can’t wait for everyone to read
PRINCESS OF THE ROSE!
