Spotlight on… The Royal Desires Series

Hi everyone,

Today I’m sharing an inside look at the making of the Royal Desires Series. This trilogy of historical/fantasy romances is made up of A Most Unusual Princess, A Most Intriguing Temptation, and A Most Unfortunate Prince. Together, they are 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.

I’ve been asked how I plotted the series. Did I use note cards to keep track of each character’s description? Did I make an overall outline of the whole trilogy, and then write each book? 

Nope. The truth is… I just wrote the story that was in my head. I didn’t intend to write a trilogy—it kinda happened on its own. (With a lot of typing on my part, of course!) I wrote each book by itself, with its own setting and theme, apart from the book that came before. So, although they share characters, each book can be read apart from the others. 

A Most Unusual Princess is a sensual novella about unruly and willful Princess Elara, and Dalton, the handsome (and incredibly patient) guard tasked with protecting her while she searches for a suitable husband. The book is a unique blend of comedy, human drama, and romance. It’s also the first fantasy romance I ever wrote—and it was a lot of fun. 

I liked the idea of following a very headstrong and spoiled Princess Elara as she looked for a husband. From the outset, we learn that Elara is an opinionated young woman who is used to getting her own way. When Dalton innocently catches Elara doing something very unladylike, the Dalton-Elara love/hate/love relationship is born. 

I enjoyed writing Dalton and Elara’s story and fell in love with them. I never expected I’d visit these characters again, but not long after completing A Most Unusual Princess, I knew Dalton needed his own book, so I wrote A Most Intriguing Temptation. 

A Most Intriguing Temptation focuses on the theme of fidelity. Elara wants to test Dalton’s loyalty, so she masquerades as a sultry kharim girl in a pleasure palace. Naturally, she gets in over her head and into big trouble. I took Elara out of her element and gave her new challenges and experiences. We also got to see a different side to Dalton’s character and learned about his weaknesses and desires. 

While writing A Most Intriguing Temptation, I introduced readers to Prince Allan. He’s basically the male version of his sister, Princess Elara—hedonistic, selfish, and utterly wild at times. I had fun creating the character and enjoyed setting him free in a pleasure palace completely without limitations. I soon realized that Allan needed a book of his own, so I wrote A Most Unfortunate Prince. (Several readers also asked me if Allan’s story would be told, and I was happy to oblige!)

But before I wrote a word, I knew that Allan was going to have to face the music for his bad behavior. At the start of the book (yes, right there on page 1) Allan is banished for his actions stemming from A Most Intriguing Temptation. His father kicks him out into the real world alone and broke, and he’s forced to make his own way in life.

I decided to take this carefree, roguish prince and turn his world upside down. I asked myself: How bad can you make things for him? He has nothing: no food, no fancy clothes, certainly no job skills, and no real sense of identity. He had lived a pampered life where everything was handed to him on a silver platter (literally), and now was in for a rude awakening. I really put the screws to poor Allan, and at times left him broken, sad, and utterly miserable. 

Over the course of the book, Allan suffers life’s lessons at the hands of his evil employer and falls in love—twice. The story introduces us to Claudette, a sassy seamstress who fancies Allan and helps him adjust to the life of a commoner. Once a carefree womanizer, Allan discovers a secret side to himself, and through his relationship with Claudette, he learns what is truly important in life. And to round things out, a more settled Elara and Dalton also appear in the book and help wind up the series. 

I enjoyed writing each of these books. It was fun to create the characters, give them unique adventures, and complicate their lives—all in the name of love. Although these are historical/fantasy romances, there’s enough spicy love scenes, adventure, drama, sadness, and humor to keep readers of all genres entertained and enthralled. 

Read the Royal Desires Series from the start:

Book 1: A Most Unusual Princess

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

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1135216413

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1017485724;jsessionid=6540685BC6B5D5C5C6B56564F6EAD5B0.prodny_store02-atgap10?ean=2940153348230#productInfoTabs

Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/book/317882471/A-Most-Unusual-Princess-Royal-Desires-Series-1

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/a-most-unusual-princess-historical-fantasy-romance

Page Foundry: http://www.inktera.com/store/title/0a506ade-183c-49be-b36d-2fe4c1b9e92d

24 Symbols: https://www.24symbols.com/book/x/x/x?id=1557852

Book 2: A Most Intriguing Temptation:

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

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1135216386

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1124084387?ean=2940153367491

Kobo:  https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/a-most-intriguing-temptation-historical-fantasy-romance

Page Foundry: http://www.inktera.com/store/title/8228d54a-27b8-4ee8-a9b2-8dcfbacd396a

24 Symbols: https://www.24symbols.com/book/x/x/x?id=1557870

Book 3: A Most Unfortunate Prince:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DMBYJ6E

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1135216402

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1124084269?ean=2940153366067

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/a-most-unfortunate-prince-historical-fantasy-romance

Page Foundry: http://www.inktera.com/store/title/0af090ac-ba5d-458b-8b90-3852c123aff7

24 Symbols: https://www.24symbols.com/book/x/x/x?id=1557765

If you’ve read the trilogy, let me know what you think. What was your favorite book? Which scenes did you like best? Post a comment here, contact me via the email address on the “News” page of my site, or connect on social media.

Happy Reading!

Kelli

An Inside Look at… Confessions of a Vampire’s Lover

Hi everyone,

My latest contemporary paranormal, Confessions of a Vampire’s Lover, is a different type of romance. For starters, the novella is told in the first person from the hero’s point of view. The story also makes use of a setting where you don’t normally find vampires—the beach! 

I got the idea for the story while sitting on a nearly deserted beach at the end of the summer season. (I’m not a beach person, but I was there with my husband, a surfer.) As I sat there watching the few people milling around, I wondered: “What if a vampire went to the beach? And what if she fell in love with a surfer?” 

I liked the idea of contrasting typical sun worshipping beachgoers and surfers with a darkness-loving elusive vampire. Besides, what could be more mismatched than a die-hard surfer falling in love with a nocturnal blood-drinker?

I started toying with ideas and knew that although the book is about a vampire, I wanted to keep the central focus on Brian and Anya’s relationship and not on the ‘bloodier’ aspects of vampirism (show her feeding, etc.) There’s a fine line when blending horror and romance into paranormal romance. Too much gore or a “too terrifying” creature can snap the readers (and the characters) out of the romance and into a full-on horror story. 

When I wrote the book I made sure that the love scenes were highly sensual and almost surreal. Aside from being a vampire, Anya is a woman with needs, and she makes sure Brian satisfies them. I don’t remember how I was inspired to have the story told by Brian, but it worked. Readers and reviewers like the first-person aspect—it pulls you into a story that would seem unbelievable.

Several people have asked me if it’s hard to write horror and romance. Not really. I enjoy it. Writing horror allows me to change up my writing style, use different settings, and create characters you wouldn’t find in a romance. My horror stories are more psychological/spooky/creepy than gory, and I like to explore darker plots and not always give the characters a happy ending (as I do in my romances).

Here’s the book summary and links:

Confessions of a Vampire’s Lover

The moment Brian spotted Anya sitting on the moonlit beach, he was hooked. Beautiful, smart, and sexy, Anya was the girl of his dreams. She didn’t mind that he spent the hot summer days riding the ocean waves, because once the sun set, he belonged to her—all night long!

Everything is perfect between them—until Brian discovers Anya’s shocking secret. Can Brian give up the sun, sand, and surf to be with the woman he loves?

Read Brian’s first-hand account of their unusual love story in… Confessions of a Vampire’s Lover.

Order your copy of Confessions of a Vampire’s Lover here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Vampires-Lover-Paranormal-Romance-ebook/dp/B01IBYWYCI

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1135216230 

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/confessions-of-a-vampires-lover-kelli-a-wilkins/1017484568 

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/confessions-of-a-vampire-s-lover

Page Foundry: http://www.inktera.com/store/title/a3d290b2-9c32-4a40-92ec-aac57fd0fcd7

24 Symbols: https://www.24symbols.com/book/x/x/x?id=1565223

* * *

If you’re looking for a summer romance, I hope you’ll check out Confessions of a Vampire’s Lover. If vampire love stories aren’t your thing, visit my Amazon author page or website to catch up on all of my romances in other genres.

Happy Reading,

Kelli

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 95 short stories, 19 romance novels, and 5 non-fiction books. Her romances span many genres and heat levels.

In 2016 Kelli began re-releasing her romances previously published by Amber Quill Press. Visit her website and blog for a full title list, book summaries, and other information as it becomes available. Look for her Medallion Press historical western romance, Lies, Love & Redemption, coming in September. 

Her writing book, You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction is a fun and informative non-fiction guide based on her 15 years of experience as a writer. It’s filled with writing exercises and helpful tips all authors can use.

If you like to be scared, check out Kelli’s horror ebooks: Dead Til Dawn and Kropsy’s Curse.

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

Visit her website, www.KelliWilkins.com to learn more about all of her writings, read book excerpts, reviews, and more. Readers can sign up for her newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/HVQqb.

Kelli's Quill Newsletter - June 2016 Issue

Kelli’s Quill

All Romance Double Issue

May/June 2016

Hi everyone,
The warm weather is finally here, and believe it or not, summer is just around the corner. This issue of the Quill is loaded with info about my new romances. Why not add a few to your summer reading list? 

3 HOT ROMANCES

Kelli’s contemporary wrestling romances, A Deceptive Match and A Secret Match, were released in May. Although these books are related and share characters, they each stand alone as individual reads. Here are the summaries and links:

A Deceptive Match

Falling for the wrestler she had been assigned to interview wasn’t part of Danni’s plan, until Vinnie Valentine pinned her heart in a flash.

Disgruntled with her job as the office assistant for a national sports magazine, Danni Stone impersonates a reporter to prove herself to her boss. Her assignment? Spend thirty days on the road with Vinnie Valentine, a sexy professional wrestler.
Life isn’t going well for the Heavyweight Champ. Vinnie is struggling with a manipulative boss, prepping for the most important match of his career, and feuding with his arch-enemy, Thorn. The last thing he needs is a nosy reporter following him around—even if she is hot.
Thrown together in close quarters, Danni can’t help falling for Vinnie, and she unwittingly becomes a key player in his title match. Their mutual attraction grows, and late one night, they give in to the lustful feelings they’ve been fighting. 

As their relationship deepens, Danni considers telling Vinnie her secret. But before she can confess the truth, Vinnie discovers she isn't the reporter she claims to be. Her lie threatens to ruin everything between them. Will their relationship be destroyed by her deception or will their love win out?

Order your copy of A Deceptive Match here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F18X3XQ

A SECRET MATCH
Everett Kinkade is a world-famous professional wrestler and the sexy heartthrob of millions of adoring female fans. But Ev has a secret he doesn’t dare share with anyone. He’s gay.
After years of being Ev’s secret lover, Josh is tired of hiding in the shadows and wants Ev to openly acknowledge their relationship. Coming out is the last thing Ev wants and fears it will ruin his career.
One night in a moment of truth, Everett outs himself on live TV. There’s no going back, and his announcement sparks a firestorm of problems—both personally and professionally. He’s forced to come to grips with who he really is while facing down a manipulative boss and a tag-team out to destroy him.
Torn between living a lie and losing the man he loves, Ev has risked everything… can he find a balance between his career and his heart?

Order your copy of A Secret Match here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FERW65A

In June, Kelli released Killer in Wolf’s Clothing. This super-hot gay paranormal/shifter is a fun look at the werewolf legend and blends romance, mystery, danger, humor, and sizzling love scenes.

KILLER IN WOLF’S CLOTHING

A super aggressive Alpha male, a serial killer, and a visit to a kinky sex club…What has Larry gotten himself into?

When Larry learns that his boyfriend Greg changes into another man during the full moon, he has a hard time accepting it—until he meets Deke, Greg’s alternate Alpha personality.

Deke doesn’t play nice and has no time for games. He only wants two things—to get laid and to get revenge against the arsonist who murdered his friends. Finally free from Greg’s restraints, Deke is ready for action, and Larry is more than willing to submit to Deke’s needs.

Together, Larry and Deke set out to find the killer. Their hunt takes them to an all-night Alpha sex club where things heat up for the two of them. But when Larry unwittingly falls into the clutches of the murderer, it’s up to Deke—and Greg—to save him before it’s too late. 

 

Order your copy of Killer in Wolf’s Clothing here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G3V9VWW

RECENTLY RELEASED: The Royal Desires Series

This spring Kelli released the Royal Desires Series. This trilogy of spicy historical/fantasy romances is made up of A Most Unusual Princess, A Most Intriguing Temptation, and A Most Unfortunate Prince. As an added bonus, each book contains a sneak peek excerpt from the next book in the series.

Here are the summaries and links:

A Most Unusual Princess

Princess Elara needs to find a royal husband, but claims that no man can satisfy her. Her father hires Dalton, a special guard, to watch over her while she’s courting suitors. Dalton finds her unusual behaviors charming—and enthralling.

Dalton’s aloof manner intrigues Elara, and despite their differences, they share tender moments and intimate nighttime encounters. Elara is heartbroken when her father chooses a “proper” husband for her—until she meets the mystery man.

Order A Most Unusual Princess, here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CBX43D8

And… A Most Unusual Princess got a new 4 Star review:

http://www.lovelustandlipstickstains.com/2016/04/book-spotlight-and-review-most-unusual.html

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?

Order your copy of A Most Intriguing Temptation here:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D8P8604

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?

Order your copy of Book 3, A Most Unfortunate Prince here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DMBYJ6E

KELLI’S BEEN GUEST BLOGGING!

Read about the making of the Royal Desires Series: http://dawnsreadingnook.blogspot.com/2016/05/series-spotlight-kelli-wilkins-royal.html

Learn more about A Most Unfortunate Prince: http://fallenoverbookreviews.blogspot.com/2016/05/spotlight-most-unfortunate-prince-by.html

Get an inside look at A Most Intriguing Temptation:

http://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-most-intriguing-temptation-by-kelli.html

Read about the making of Kelli’s hot wrestling romance, A Deceptive Match here: http://lushbookreviewss.blogspot.com/2016/05/spotlight-deceptive-match-by-kelli.html?m=0

IF YOU LIKE HISTORICAL ROMANCES - DON'T MISS:

A naughty interview with Ashton Bailey, the hero from Kelli’s Colonial historical/mystery romance, Dangerous Indenture:

http://dawnsreadingnook.blogspot.com/2016/02/meet-character-day-with-kelli-wilkins.html

A spicy excerpt from Dangerous Indenture:

http://dawnsreadingnook.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-spotlight-dangerous-indenture-by.html

This Month’s Writing Exercise: Secrets…

Each month, I’ll leave you with a writing prompt or short exercise. Use it for a freewriting warm-up, write a few paragraphs about it for fun, play the “what if” game, or just muse it over. 

To celebrate the release of A Secret Match, this month’s writing prompt is all about secrets! In A Secret Match, Ev (our hero) is hiding a secret from the world (he’s gay). During the course of the book we learn that keeping this secret is causing Ev a lot of grief, anguish, and heartache. (Danni, the heroine in A Deceptive Match, is also hiding a secret from Vin. Lots of secrets in these books!)

Do your characters have secrets? (Most people do, so your fictional “people” should too!) If not, why not give them one? Secrets, deception, and lies (whether innocent or down-right deliberate) can add layers of drama to your story, increase the tension, and let you explore your characters’ emotions from many different angles. All of this can enhance the story and give your characters some heavy-duty motivation.

Ask yourself: What secret can I give my hero or heroine? Maybe he’s hiding the fact that he’s being blackmailed; she’s keeping quiet about her role in a murder; a husband knows his wife is cheating, but keeps the information to himself to avoid a scandal; or a worker discovers something strange about his boss…

Once you know the secret, you can really turn up the heat on your characters. Start asking: What happens if someone else finds out the secret? What if the person feels the need to confess? (Who does he or she confess to and then what happens?) How does holding this secret make him/her feel? (guilty, like a phony, has no remorse about it, nervous at being found out, tired of holding the secret?) What (if anything) will make the character confess the secret? 

Secrets and deception add twists and turns to your plot and can make things very interesting for everyone involved. What sort of secrets you can invent for your next story?

I hope you enjoyed this issue of the Quill. Next month, I’ll be sharing more about my romances, links to guest blogs, writing prompts, and more!

Enjoy the summer!

Kelli