The Making of… The Viking’s Witch (Part 1)

 

Hi everyone,      

Happy September! We’re fast approaching my favorite holiday, Halloween. I’ve decided to blog about my paranormal romances in September and focus on my horror stories for October.

Today I’m sharing a look at my historical romance, The Viking’s Witch. The book is set in Celtic Scotland and blends a sensual love story with adventure and paranormal elements.

In this blog, I’ll discuss how the book came about, the research involved, and the violence that takes place in the story. (Yes, even though it’s a romance, everything’s not all hearts and flowers.) In Part Two, I’ll talk about creating the characters, developing Odaria’s magic “witch” powers, and more.

The Viking’s Witch is a traditional historical romance with paranormal elements set in Scotland in 803 A.D. The main character, Odaria, is what they called a witch back then—nowadays we’d call her a psychic and a healer. Here’s the plot summary:

The Viking’s Witch

Scotland, 803 A.D.

About to be burned at the stake by her fellow villagers, Odaria does what any betrayed witch facing certain death would do. She calls down a curse. Within seconds, rampaging Norsemen raid the village, capturing everyone except her.

But her reprieve is short-lived, and Odaria lands in the clutches of the Norse leader Rothgar. Can she remain true to herself and fight her growing attraction to this domineering man, or will she fall under his influence and be used for his ambitions?

After Rothgar witnesses Odaria’s powers firsthand, he strikes a bargain with her. The raven-haired beauty will use her magical abilities to help him with his quest in exchange for safe passage off the isle. But can this cunning woman be trusted, or is she using him to exact vengeance on her village?

Together they must fight bloodthirsty villagers, battle a mutinous band of Norsemen, find a missing Norse ship, and learn to trust each other…before time runs out.

Order The Viking’s Witch and read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/the-viking-s-witch 

***

Interviewers and readers have asked what my inspiration was when I was writing the book, and are curious about how much research I had to do to create the unique characters and detailed setting.

Like many of my books, the idea for the story came to me out of the blue. One day, the entire opening sequences popped into my head and I knew I had to start writing. At the time, I had the basic plot (Viking warrior falls in love with Celtic witch), but I wasn’t sure about most of the details, like the character names, their back stories, and the subplot. All of that came later, along with the secondary characters, Brennan and Nordskog.

Scotland is a beautiful place and I’ve always wanted to set a book there. Having the story take place on the remote Orkney Islands added a sense of urgency and tension to the plot.

 In a sense, Rothgar and Odaria are “trapped” on the island and are forced to deal with a pack of angry villagers and other Norsemen. The action is condensed into a few days on a very small island, so there’s really nowhere for the characters to go. They’re forced to work together in order to get off the island—and survive.

Before I wrote a word, I had to do a lot of research on where to set the story. I knew the book would take place in Scotland where the Vikings traveled in their early years of exploration, but I didn’t want it to be a populated location. Once I decided on the Orkneys, I had to pick which island to set the story. (There are 70 different islands, but only 20 are inhabited.)

I also researched what life was like in that time period for Odaria and Rothgar. (What kind of clothes did they wear? What did they eat? How did Norsemen travel so far? What were their ships like?) Odaria and Rothgar come from different backgrounds and technically would have been speaking different languages, so I had to blend their two cultures together in a way that flowed with the book.

After I got a feel for what everyday life was like for each of them, I weaved the details into the story. For example, Rothgar’s Norse background intrigues Odaria, and she is curious about their clothes, customs, food, how they travel, etc. Having Rothgar show her how he lives was a good way to introduce readers into the culture.

 And of course, if you were living back in 803 with bands of invading Norsemen and crazy villagers, you could expect some measure of violence. Readers might think that there’s no place for any violence in a romance, but I think that type of realism (when kept in check) enhances the story.

In 803, life was completely different from how we live now—especially on a remote island. People got hurt, took sick, and died. The Viking’s Witch features a violent man (Brennan) and a group of Norsemen with terrible reputations, so including some violence in the story is necessary to move the plot along—while also helping the reader get deeper into the minds and lives of the characters.

I hope you enjoyed Part One of this “Inside Look” at The Viking’s Witch. Next time, I’ll delve more into the characters and discuss Odaria’s magic. 

If you love historical and/or paranormal romances (or want to learn about my other books), visit the Romance section of my site: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/romance

Until next time,

Kelli

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.

Her twenty-fourth romance, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in January 2025.

In August 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Kelli also released her fourth gay romance, A Thousand Summer Secrets, in 2024. This tender contemporary romance takes place over a summer weekend, where two friends reconnect while seeking love and acceptance.

She published The Route 9 Killer, a mystery/thriller set in Central NJ, in 2023. Look for a follow-up story coming in 2026!

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page:https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins

 and visit her website www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.

 

Romance Rewind… A Most Intriguing Temptation: Book 2 of the Royal Desires Series

 

Hi everyone,

Today I’m sharing a look back at the making of my historical/fantasy romance, A Most Intriguing Temptation. This book is the second story in the Royal Desires trilogy that began with A Most Unusual Princess and ends with A Most Unfortunate Prince.

 Together, they make up a fun series, but each story stands alone as a separate read. Why? Because when I wrote A Most Unusual Princess, I never knew I was writing a trilogy.

A Most Intriguing Temptation focuses on the theme of fidelity. Our headstrong Princess Elara wants to test Dalton’s loyalty, so she masquerades as Oonish, a sultry kharim girl in a pleasure palace. She teases and tempts Dalton at every turn and thinks her game is all in fun—until she gets in over her head and lands in big trouble. 

I enjoyed taking Elara out of her element and giving her new experiences. I also got to show a different side to Dalton’s character as he (and readers) learn about his weaknesses and desires. He loves Elara, and yet, Oonish is tempting… This unique storyline was an interesting way to showcase Dalton and Elara’s relationship, discuss their views on trust, and see how they interact and respond to challenges in their lives.

A Most Intriguing Temptation was fun to write. It has a little bit of everything: adventure, humor, sizzling love scenes, an element of danger, and even a drop of sadness. This book also introduces readers to Elara’s charming, wiseass “bad-boy” brother, Prince Allan. 

When readers ask me if I ever have characters who want to “run away” with a story, I always point to Allan. By the end of A Most Intriguing Temptation, I knew Allan needed his own story, and so A Most Unfortunate Prince was born! I’ll be sharing more about him in my next blog.

Here’s the book summary and a brief excerpt:

A Most Intriguing Temptation 

After only four months of marriage to Princess Elara, Prince Dalton is sent to Emperor Salizar’s pleasure palace on business. Not wanting to be left behind, Elara risks her personal safety and sneaks along on the trip.

Aided by her mischievous brother, Prince Allan, she disguises herself as one of Salizar’s sultry kharim women and decides to test Dalton’s loyalty. Masquerading as Oonish, Elara goes out of her way to tempt Dalton at every turn. Despite Dalton’s resolve to resist the indulgent girls, he finds himself falling under the spell of the mysterious Oonish.

After nearly giving in to temptation, Dalton discovers Elara’s trickery and turns the tables on her, making her into his submissive playmate. Their fun and games are quickly shattered when Emperor Salizar learns about Elara’s deception. He holds the royals prisoner and condemns Elara to a fate worse than death.

Can Dalton save Elara before it’s too late, or will her prank bring about the end of their love?

Bonus! This book includes a sneak peek at the third book in the “Royal Desires” series: A Most Unfortunate Prince.

The Excerpt:

Elara dipped the soap into the water and lathered Dalton’s wide back. She took her time and trailed her hands over his hard muscles. She loved stroking his thick chest and broad shoulders after lovemaking. Sometimes just looking at his nude body made her eager for him.

“You are very strong, Your Highness, with many big muscles.”

He chuckled. “I train hard to stay in good condition.”

She massaged his back. “I shall give you a good rub. It will drain the tension out of you and make you feel good.” She kneaded a knot in his neck, and he moaned.

“That feels good. You have very skilled hands.”

“All the better to give you pleasures. You’re so stiff.” She started lathering his chest.

He groaned and leaned back against her.

If she got him to relax, she could work her magic on him. “I am happy you kept me, Your Highness. I promise not to disappoint you. I will make your stay here most pleasurable,” she said as she trailed her soapy hand across his flat stomach…

***

Order A Most Intriguing Temptation here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Most-Intriguing-Temptation-Historical-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B01D8P8604

Other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/47kkvj

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-intriguing-temptation

Catch up on Book 1, A Most Unusual Princess, here: 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Most-Unusual-Princess-Historical-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B01CBX43D8

Other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/me00L9

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-unusual-princess

 

Don’t miss Book 3, A Most Unfortunate Prince: 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Most-Unfortunate-Prince-Historical-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B01DMBYJ6E

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3yPPM6

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-unfortunate-prince

 

I hope you enjoyed this look at the second book in the series. I’ll be writing about the last book in the trilogy in a future blog.

I welcome questions and comments from readers. If you’ve read the series, I’d love to know what your favorite book (or scene) was. You can contact me via the form on my site.

Happy Reading,

Kelli A. Wilkins

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.

In August 2024, Kelli released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Kelli released her fourth gay romance, A Thousand Summer Secrets, in April 2024. This tender contemporary romance takes place over a summer weekend, where two friends reconnect while seeking love and acceptance.

She published The Route 9 Killer, a mystery/thriller set in Central NJ, in May 2023.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins 

and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.

 

Kelli's Quill Newsletter - Welcome Summer 2023 Issue!

 

Welcome to the summer 2023 issue of the Quill. As most of you may know, I’ve been on hiatus for a while. I’ve been working on a lot of projects and I’m sharing my latest news here.

This issue features info on my new release, links to my Still Moments articles, and includes a “romance rewind” showcasing some of my sizzling summer romances. Enjoy!

 

 

New Release - The Route 9 Killer (A Mystery/Thriller)

Here’s an idea: Start your summer with a new mystery/thriller… The Route 9 Killer!

My latest mystery/thriller, The Route 9 Killer was just released on ebook platforms. See if you can figure out the mystery…

The Route 9 Killer

(A Mystery/Thriller)

Detective Jim Rourke suspects a serial killer is hunting women in Central New Jersey. The victims are held captive, brutalized, then murdered and dumped along deserted stretches of Route 9.

There’s no physical evidence, no witnesses, and the killer is smart enough to leave no clues.

Rourke is alone on a manhunt, and time is running out. Eight victims have already fallen prey to this madman.

Can Rourke catch the killer and rescue the next victim before it’s too late?

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Route-Killer-Mystery-Thriller-ebook/dp/B0C63NHC51

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/m2qd16

 

Don’t miss… Still Moments Magazine

Kelli has been contributing to Still Moments Magazine, a digital magazine of positive reading and enjoyment. So far in 2023, she has authored articles on setting goals, exploring the writing/gardening connection, and adopting older cats. New articles are posted every other month, so don’t miss an issue!

Read her articles and catch up on back issues here:

https://stillmomentsezine.blogspot.com/

Follow them on social media here:

Facebook Page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Still-Moments-Magazine/111477208866396

 

Get Ready for Summer with Kelli’s Sizzling Summer Romances

 

All of Kelli’s romances make great beach reads, but these romances are specifically set in the summer months… Follow the links to learn more about each book, read reviews and order you copy today.

 

Love, Lies & Redemption: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/love-lies-and-redemption

Trust with Hearts: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/trust-with-hearts

Loving a Wild Stranger: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/loving-a-wild-stranger

Beauty & the Bigfoot: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/beauty-the-bigfoot

Dangerous Indenture: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/dangerous-indenture

A Deceptive Match: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-deceptive-match

Confession of a Vampire’s Lover: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/confessions-of-a-vampire-s-lover

In Another World: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/in-another-world

See all her romances on her site: www.KelliWilkins.com

 

Celebrating Pride Month with Kelli’s Gay Romances

Kelli has written 3 gay romances (and is working on a new one). Catch up on these spicy reads here:

A Secret Match: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-secret-match

Killer in Wolf’s Clothing: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/killer-in-wolf-s-clothing

Four Days with Jack: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/four-days-with-jack

 

I hope you enjoyed this summer issue of the Quill. Be sure to follow me on social media and check out my blogs to get the latest news. Links to all my social media pages can be found here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/contact

Visit my site for a full title list: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/

Enjoy the summer!

Kelli

Like feisty Irish heroines? Love a good mystery? Don’t miss Dangerous Indenture

 

Hi everyone,

Imagine this scenario: a young woman moves to a new town to work for a family. She is on her own and has to adjust to her employer’s rules while adapting to life in a new environment. After she arrives, she discovers the job isn’t exactly what she thought it would be and realizes she has gotten herself into a troubling situation. All seems lost until she meets a handsome young man…

This premise could be the basis of any number of romances: a Victorian-era story about a governess moving to a remote estate, a contemporary tale about a physical therapist or teacher relocating across the country, or, in the case of my historical romance, Dangerous Indenture, an Irish indentured servant leaving everything behind to start a new life.

Dangerous Indenture is set in Pennsylvania Colony and blends a sensual romance with mystery and suspense. Right from the start, readers (and the heroine, Shauna) are warned about Stewart House: “It’s got more haunts than the Tower of London.”

Here are the book summary and links:

DANGEROUS INDENTURE

Indentured for five years… how long can Shauna resist her master’s son?

Desperate to escape her past in Ireland, Shauna Farrow signs on to become an indentured servant to Joshua Stewart, a wealthy man in Pennsylvania Colony. But a life of servitude quickly turns to drudgery, and Shauna’s hopes for starting over and creating a better life for herself are waning—until she meets her master’s roguish son, Ashton.

Ashton needs to redeem himself in his father’s eyes and earn the respect he has always longed for. Meeting Shauna turns his life around, and he sets out to win her heart. Torn between propriety and passion, Shauna struggles against her growing attraction to Ashton as long as she can.

But amidst their flirting, something dark stirs. Shauna soon discovers why no other servants wanted to work for the strange Stewart family.

Stewart House has an unsavory reputation: a previous servant died there under mysterious circumstances. When another servant goes missing in the middle of the night, Shauna is convinced that a member of the family is responsible.

Shauna’s investigation leads her close to the truth, and yet, she’s not sure who she can trust. Events take a deadly turn when she confronts the murderer and discovers the mystery of the Stewart family.

Will Shauna be rescued before time runs out, or will she meet with the same fate as the other servants?

Available here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PJVQ7XJ

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3JyROP

***

When I wrote the book, I wanted to evoke a sense of danger and mystery around every corner. This wasn’t going to be a typical romance with the hero and heroine from different classes falling in love and having a forbidden affair. Nope.

The romance is almost a sub-plot of the book, and when the story begins, finding love is the last thing on Shauna’s mind. She’s more concerned about doing a good job than getting involved with Ashton (even if he is handsome).

I liked creating the incredibly dysfunctional members of the Stewart family. They all have secrets and practically have dual personalities. Joshua (the patriarch) is a big bear of a man who comes across as gruff and insensitive, yet at times can be caring. Colin (Joshua’s son) appears to be a respectable married businessman, but underneath his proper exterior lurks a dark and dangerous manipulator (among other things).

Colin’s beleaguered wife, Minerva, is mentally unstable and trapped in a terrible marriage. Readers and the other characters in the story aren’t sure if she’s truly mad or not. And she might be a murderess…

Our hero, Ashton Bailey, is flawed and has a lot of problems to overcome. For starters, he’s the black sheep of the family and has been sent home in disgrace. He drinks too much, womanizes too much, and has nearly given up on life. He’s a failure in his father’s eyes and wants to redeem himself, but isn’t sure how. Ashton knows that Stewart House is a terrible place and vows to protect Shauna while she’s working there.

This cast of characters and their interactions (fighting, name-calling, secrets, and lies) carry the plot. Everyone has an agenda, and readers learn that not everyone is telling the truth… or is exactly what they seem. Ashton wants to become respectable, Colin wants him disowned, Minerva wants Shauna gone, Shauna wants to stay out of trouble, and Joshua just wants some peace.

Writing the twists and turns of the mystery was a lot of fun. When the new servant, Lila, goes missing in the middle of the night, Shauna is convinced someone in the house killed her. But who? Shauna is a clever amateur sleuth, and when she starts to solve the mystery, she realizes that she’s in danger.

The book has a “Dark Shadows” feel to it. A mysterious house, a strange family, everyone has secrets… In fact, several of the character names in the book (Colin, Joshua, and Minerva) appeared in the original “Dark Shadows” series.

Readers and reviewers love the mystery elements, too. Here are a few kind words:

“5 stars! This novel will keep you riveted from start to finish! I was hooked from page one and did not put it down until I finished it. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this novel. If you love romance with mystery then pick up a copy of this one today and get lost in the story. I certainly did. It’s perfectly written to keep you turning page after page, and I promise, you won’t be able to guess the ending! If you’re looking for a great romance story with a whole lot of action, drama, and mystery then this is your book!!! Definitely a MUST READ!” - April P., Reviewer, My Book Addiction & More

“Combining mystery with romance, this novel keeps the pages turning. Shauna and Ashton are well-developed characters readers can root for. Overall, a great beach read.” - Emily Thompson, SUNY-Oswego, Library Journal

“Kelli A. Wilkins delivers a colonial-era mystery that will appeal to mystery and romance readers alike.” - Lisa Marie Wilkinson, author.

"4 stars! This book was a thrill a minute! No leisurely stroll through the gardens in this romance, but non-stop danger and drama. A flawed hero and heroine fight for their lives and their relationship to get to their HEA." - Paula, Amazon Reviewer

I can’t add anything to that!

I welcome comments and questions from readers. Be sure to follow my blog for the latest updates and visit me on social media. I also made a Facebook page for my historical romances: https://www.facebook.com/Historical-Romances-by-Kelli-A-Wilkins-1703805359922371/

Happy Reading,               

Kelli 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, 7 non-fiction books, and 5 horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror stories.

Her latest novel, In Another World is a contemporary mystery/romance set in the world of the paranormal.

She also released two horror shorts, More Than I Bargained For and Silent Sentinel in 2021.

Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins

Visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and to find all her social media links.

 

 

Behind the Scenes: A Most Unfortunate Prince

 

This “Behind the Scenes” blog is part of a series examining my romance novels. In each blog, I’ll talk about why I wrote the book, share my thoughts on the plot and/or characters, and reveal what I loved most (or least) about writing the book. Warning: Blogs may contain spoilers.

A Most Unfortunate Prince picks up soon after A Most Intriguing Temptation. King Maxwell is furious at Prince Allan and blames him for the disastrous events at Emperor Salizar’s palace. As punishment, the king banishes him. Allan is a spoiled, pampered prince who is used to living the good life and getting his own way. Now he is being sent to the worst/poorest area of the kingdom.

At first, Allan doesn’t seem to take his banishment seriously. He is experienced in manipulating people and situations to his advantage and figures he will be punished for a few weeks (or maybe a month), and then his father will change his mind and welcome him home.

But deep down, Allan is concerned. A part of him knows he is responsible for nearly getting himself, Dalton, and Elara killed. He starts to realize the severity of the banishment and has no idea how he will survive on his own. He has lost favor with his father and basically has been told to get out and grow up. The king has cut off all his funds and only lets him take what he can carry. But to save face, Allan jokingly tells Elara he’ll take the family silver with him to pawn if he needs money.

So begins Allan’s trials and tribulations. As readers can imagine, life is not going to be easy for this fallen prince. He is forced to find work at the docks doing manual labor—something he has never done before. Working at the docks for an abusive boss brings its own set of mental, emotional, and physical challenges.

But life isn’t all bad for Allan. He meets a sweet and savvy seamstress named Claudette and wants to impress her. In the past he could seduce women with his wealth and prestige—but now he has to rely on his charm and true personality. Claudette is a sensible, no-nonsense young woman who is not taken in by Allan. In fact, their first meet is disastrous (and physically painful) for him.

Claudette has overcome her own challenges and is used to making her own way in the world. She doesn’t trust that Allan’s motives are sincere and makes him work for her affection. In doing so, Allan learns many lessons about himself, relationships, and what it means to be in love. He helps Claudette stand up to her nasty boss, and together they create a good life for themselves. It’s a simple life, but they’re happy.

But A Most Unfortunate Prince isn’t all about Allan and Claudette’s romance. While working at the docks, Allan uncovers a smuggling/illegal trade operation. In the course of his investigation, he is subjected to mental and physical abuse at the hands of his vile supervisor and other dockworkers.

Although the primary focus is Allan, Dalton and Elara appear as secondary characters. Elara and Allan exchange letters, and when Claudette finds letters from a mysterious woman with the initial “E” she becomes jealous. She accuses Allan of having a secret life (and a wife). This causes all sorts of problems in their relationship.

As a result of his investigation, Allan is attacked and viciously beaten. When he is whisked away by strangers and taken to a manor house to recover, Claudette’s suspicions grow. And when Claudette meets Dalton, Elara, and King Maxwell, she is in for quite a shock. Learning Allan is a prince throws their love into a tailspin.

After Claudette learns who Allan really is, she questions everything about their relationship. She wonders why Allan never told her his true identity, questions if he has only been toying with her for fun while he’s slumming it in the poorest section of the kingdom, and is unsure if she is truly worthy of being with him.

One of the things I liked best about writing the book was showing Allan’s growth and transition from the drunken womanizer he was in A Most Intriguing Temptation, into a respectable man. Claudette’s guidance and love has reformed him in a way no severe punishment could have. I enjoyed writing ways for them to get to know each other and fall in love, and I liked inventing clever ways for Allan to learn his lessons.

Spoiler Alert: The one thing I hated most about writing this book was killing off Alex, a secondary character. Alex isn’t in a lot of the book, but he made a dramatic impact on Allan’s life. When Allan’s money ran out, he was living on the street begging for food and nearly froze to death. Alex rescued Allan and they became extremely close friends (and more).

I originally had no intention of creating Alex at all. He was a secondary character who appeared out of nowhere and became an important element of the story. Alex was a good friend to Allan and may have unknowingly died for him. It broke my heart to kill him off, but it had to be done for the sake of the story. (I still wish I could have found a way to keep him alive.)

Later in the book, Allan is so overcome with grief and guilt over Alex’s death that he nearly dies out in the cold on Alex’s grave. Claudette finds him in the cemetery, distraught and broken, and brings him home. This was a heart-wrenching, powerful scene to write and a major turning point in the novel.

Dalton and Elara are mostly off-page for the book, but they play a large role in the events at the end of the story. A very pregnant Elara gives birth and needs Claudette’s help with the delivery. Allan consoles a terribly worried Dalton and confesses a secret he has been keeping from everyone.

I leave Dalton, Elara, Allan, and Claudette in good places at the end of the book—and the trilogy. (I even wrote a special epilogue to wrap up everything.) It’s a satisfying conclusion for the characters and the readers.

The Royal Desires series is my favorite. All three stories are sensual romances that blend adventure and humor while taking readers on an emotional roller coaster ride. Whether you read this book as a stand-alone story or as the last part of the series, I think you will love reading A Most Unfortunate Prince as much as I loved writing it.

Here’s the summary:

A Most Unfortunate Prince

This time, it’s all about Allan… and he never expected to fall in love!

Banished by the Royal Family, pampered Prince Allan is forced to abandon his life of luxury. The former Royal Shipmaster General is sent to the worst part of the kingdom and manages to find work at the docks. Lost in a commoner’s world, Allan is miserable—until he has an unusual encounter with a saucy shop girl named Claudette.

Allan must earn the respect of the woman he loves while keeping his true identity a secret. In an effort to redeem himself in his father’s eyes, he exposes a dangerous smuggling operation involving the Royal Fleet. But his loyalty to duty comes with a deadly price.

Can he keep Claudette and his royal title? Or will he lose her forever when she discovers his secret?

 

The Royal Desires Series is available on Amazon & other platforms. Catch this hot historical/fantasy trilogy from the start:

 

Book 1: A Most Unusual Princess:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CBX43D8

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/me00L9 

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-unusual-princess

 

Book 2: A Most Intriguing Temptation:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D8P8604

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/47kkvj

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-intriguing-temptation

 

Book 3: A Most Unfortunate Prince:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Most-Unfortunate-Prince-Historical-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B01DMBYJ6E

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3yPPM6

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-unfortunate-prince

 

I hope you enjoyed this “Behind the Scenes” look at the making of this romance. I welcome questions and comments from readers and other authors. Contact me via the form on my site or on social media.

Happy Reading,

Kelli A. Wilkins

 

Meet the Character Day: Chatting with Prince Dalton from A Most Intriguing Temptation

 

This “Meet the Character Day” blog is part of a series examining my romance novels. In each “Behind the Scenes” blog, I talk about why I wrote the book, share my thoughts on the plot and/or characters, and reveal what I loved most (or least) about writing the book. The “Meet the Character Day” blogs are fun chats with the heroes and heroines from my romances. Warning: blogs may contain spoilers.

 

Hello romance lovers! Today we’re chatting with Prince Dalton, the hero from A Most Intriguing Temptation by Kelli A. Wilkins.

 

Q: Greetings, Prince Dalton. A Most Intriguing Temptation is the second book in Kelli’s Royal Desires series of historical/fantasy novels. Can you tell us about the trilogy?

A: Certainly. As readers may already know, A Most Intriguing Temptation is the second story in a trilogy that began with A Most Unusual Princess and concludes with A Most Unfortunate Prince. Although the books are related, each stands alone as an individual read.

A Most Unusual Princess introduced readers to Princess Elara and myself. The book brought us together through unusual circumstances. (Elara discussed our interesting first-meet in a previous blog.)

In A Most Intriguing Temptation I’ve been called away to attend a business meeting with Emperor Salizar. Elara got jealous of the fact I’d be away and surrounded by Salizar’s sultry “kharim” women, so she decided to follow me and her brother, Prince Allan, to the palace. Needless to say, she got into a lot of trouble.

A Most Unfortunate Prince (the last book in the series) is all about Allan’s banishment from the kingdom and his journey as he finds true love. Elara and I are also in the story, and we play a central role in the ending.

Q: Tell us about yourself. What got you in the crosshairs for your author?

A: I was charged with guarding Elara while she received suitors. Of course, one thing led to another and we ended up falling in love. I’m a very patient and understanding person and it takes a lot to push me to the edge. However, in A Most Intriguing Temptation, Kelli (my author), tested me at every turn.

In this novel, Kelli explored the themes of fidelity and trust. I was sent to a palace full of women whose only function is to satisfy the male visitors’ every wanton need. When Elara learned where I was going, she followed me, and to my surprise, impersonated a “kharim” woman to test me and my loyalty to her. I admit, I was tempted, but when I learned of her deception, I turned the tables on her to teach her a lesson.

Q: What drew you to Elara?

A: Elara is headstrong and intelligent, and she has a sweet and vulnerable side she only shows to me. Of all the people in her life, I’m the one who understands her best and can “manage” her moods and unpredictability. I love her dearly, and yet, at times, she is vexing. As we spent time together, I realized she was putting on a brave front most of the time and I learned not to be swayed by her tantrums or tricks. Elara needs to be treated like an equal, both in and out of the bedroom.

Q: A little naughty fun, where was the wildest place you seduced your partner? Or where she seduced you?

A: A Most Intriguing Temptation is definitely naughtier than A Most Unusual Princess. We’re not shy about our lovemaking at home, or anywhere. Elara (disguised as Oonish) tried to seduce me everywhere—in the bathtub, in bed, in a hallway… In the book, we made very naughty use of a settee, and later we got frisky on a pile of satin cushions (and we were not alone!). After the story ended, we wanted to recreate the wanton atmosphere of the palace, so Elara and I set up a tent outside to engage in a few wild fantasies. She likes fooling around outside in the dark, and it’s something I look forward too, as well.

Q: Do you sometimes want to strangle your author because of the situations she puts you in?

A: Yes! Kelli put me through several physical and emotional trials in this book. She says it was “for the good of the story” but I would have been content not being tormented, teased, and driven mad with lust on every other page. Kelli thought it was fun and has admitted that creating those scenes was one of the highlights of writing the book.

Q: Tell us more. What was one of the most embarrassing things Kelli did to you in A Most Intriguing Temptation?

A: Throughout most of the book, I’m in a state of sexual frustration. Oonish is at my side every minute of every day, and she’s practically naked. She goes out of her way to tease me, arouse me, and test my loyalty to Elara. And since Oonish is Elara, she knows just what to do to get me hot and bothered. At one point in the story, I get very, very excited and want Oonish so bad… I have a naughty dream about her and… Well, let’s say, my body reacted in a physical way to an extremely erotic dream. It was highly embarrassing to be discovered like that, and I’m not thrilled with Kelli for putting me in that awkward situation. Naturally, Oonish/Elara thought it was funny!

Q: Kelli has written romances in all genres in all heat levels. Does she find the love scenes difficult to write?

A: Not at all. A Most Unusual Princess was a mild book (I believe you’d call it a heat level of 1) and A Most Intriguing Temptation is much hotter (a 2 or 3, depending on your taste) and contains a lot of graphic sexual activities taking place at the palace.

Kelli’s books have different heat levels because she matches the intensity and situations with the characters and plot. She says makes the love scenes as natural and as real for the characters as possible, given the story, the characters’ personalities, motivations, and backgrounds, and what level of intimacy they share.

She admits that sometimes she’ll be writing a scene and the characters “take over” and decide the scene should go a different way, or something she planned on happening changes. (This can happen during regular scenes or love scenes.) Characters can jump off the page and take the story in a different direction. (“Of course we can,” I told her. “This is our story!”)

Kelli confided in me although she thought knew all about her characters before writing A Most Unfortunate Prince, she was surprised to discover a different side to Prince Allan. (I have no idea what that means exactly, but Allan will be here in a few weeks to address his book, so you can ask him.)

Q: Anything else you would like to add?

A: Although A Most Unusual Princess, A Most Intriguing Temptation, and A Most Unfortunate Prince make up the Royal Desires series, each of our stories stand alone as individual reads. You can start with book 2 and then go back to book 1 to see how everything started, or start with book 3 and go in reverse order. However you read them, I encourage romance lovers to catch up on all of our adventures. I’m content with the way the trilogy ends—but I don’t want to give away the ending. I can say Kelli left all of us in very good places.

I’d like to add that Kelli has written several fantastic books in all genres, not just historical romances. She has contemporary, paranormal, and gay romances that bring incredibly interesting characters to life.

This visit was fun. Thank you for having me. Elara has arranged for Prince Allan to answer a few questions in another chat. Brace yourself, because he’s a wiseass.

Thank you, Prince Dalton, for joining us today. Readers can learn more about all of Kelli’s books on her site: www.KelliWilkins.com

Here’s the book summary:

A Most Intriguing Temptation

After only four months of marriage to Princess Elara, Prince Dalton is sent to Emperor Salizar’s pleasure palace on business. Not wanting to be left behind, Elara risks her personal safety and sneaks along on the trip.

Aided by her mischievous brother, Prince Allan, she disguises herself as one of Salizar’s sultry “kharim” women and decides to test Dalton’s loyalty. Masquerading as Oonish, Elara goes out of her way to tempt Dalton at every turn. Despite Dalton’s resolve to resist the indulgent girls, he finds himself falling under the spell of the mysterious Oonish.

After nearly giving in to temptation, Dalton discovers Elara’s trickery and turns the tables on her, making her into his submissive playmate. Their fun and games are quickly shattered when Emperor Salizar learns about Elara’s deception. He holds the royals prisoner and condemns Elara to a fate worse than death.

Can Dalton save Elara before it’s too late, or will her prank bring about the end of their love?

***

The Royal Desires Series is available on Amazon & other platforms. Catch this hot historical/fantasy trilogy from the start:

Book 1: A Most Unusual Princess:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CBX43D8

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/me00L9 

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-unusual-princess

 

Book 2: A Most Intriguing Temptation:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D8P8604

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/47kkvj

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-intriguing-temptation

Book 3: A Most Unfortunate Prince:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Most-Unfortunate-Prince-Historical-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B01DMBYJ6E

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3yPPM6

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-unfortunate-prince