Kelli's Quill Newsletter - Welcome Winter 2021 Issue

 

Hi everyone! It’s hard to believe another year is winding down… I hope you made the most of 2021 and are looking forward to starting the New Year.In this issue of the Quill I’m recapping my 2021 releases, my blog series, and more! Let’s get started...

Two New Releases…

In October, I released Silent Sentinel.

Silent Sentinel - A Mini-Thriller One afternoon, Valerie visits a flea market and meets a peculiar man who tries to sell her an ancient statue of Anubis—the Egyptian god of the dead. Despite her protests, the man insists that she must have the statue. Valerie gives in and brings her new “guardian” home. Later that night, Valerie awakens to discover an intruder has broken into her house. She’s forced to fight for her life and relies on Anubis to save her. When the police investigate, they make a shocking discovery about her attacker and his motive. Only then does Valerie realize how lucky she was— the statue was the last thing she wanted, but exactly what she needed. Links: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JB57751 All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/mgExB0

I released More Than I Bargained For - A Paranormal Mini-Mystery in August. This 4,500 word story blends offbeat humor with the paranormal. More Than I Bargained For - A Paranormal Mini-Mystery Katie doesn’t like going to estate sales. Why? Because she sees dead people. When Katie reluctantly attends an estate sale with her friend Diane, she gets more than she bargained for. The deceased former owner of the house, Grace, realizes that Katie can communicate with her, and she has a lot to say. As Katie pretends to shop, Grace tells her the story of how she was murdered—and reveals that her killer is still in the house. It’s up to Katie to uncover the murder weapon and get it to the police… before time runs out. Links: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CG4J8B2 All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/me9jzl Read reviews on my site: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/more-than-i-bargained-for

Kelli’s a Chicken Soup Author!

I’m happy to report that my non-fiction story, "The Dog That Wouldn't Bark" was included in the September 2021 Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Hilarious, Heroic, Human Dog anthology. Purchase of this book helps support American Humane, creating a better life for dogs everywhere. Order your copy here: https://www.chickensoup.com/book/237161/my-hilarious-heroic-human-dog

Need to vent what bothers you? Want to explore your memories? Try Journaling!

In case you missed it… Earlier in 2021 I released my non-fiction guide, Journaling Every Week: 52 Topics to Get You Writing. This fun and innovative book is filled with hundreds of journaling prompts that cover your childhood, friendships, beliefs and values, your career, coping with grief, fears, forgiveness, your purpose, and much more. Whether you are experienced in journaling or completely new to the process, this book is designed to get you thinking about—and writing about—your life, relationships, patterns, goals, and some of your fondest memories. You’ll benefit from writing about these thought-provoking prompts and learn something about yourself along the way. Journaling is a useful tool for self-discovery. In your journal, you can explore a wide range of subjects, themes, and ideas, revisit the past, and vent about anything (or anyone). In a way, you play counselor to yourself by digging deep into your innermost thoughts and emotions and writing about how you feel. Journaling Every Week makes a great gift for yourself or someone you care about. Order it today and start journaling! Learn more about the book, read reviews, and order your copy here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/journaling-every-week

Want to add some romance to your holiday season? Looking to spice up the New Year? Why not try…

Romance Every Weekend: 104 Fun Ways to Express Your Love

Whether you’re just starting out dating, in a committed relationship, newlyweds, or you’ve been married for twenty years, Romance Every Weekend will show you how you can strengthen the bond between you and your loved one and deepen your relationship. Romance shouldn’t be reserved for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or an anniversary. Why should people wait for a special occasion to show someone they love that they care? Love can (and should) be expressed every chance you get. Romance Every Weekend features 104 fun and easy ways you can express your love to that special someone in your life. Perfect for men or women, it focuses on tender, everyday gestures that let your partner know how much you love him or her. Romance Every Weekend makes a great gift for you – or for your sweetie! Why not order it now and try all 104 suggestions in 2022? Get your copy here: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08124HBMS All other Platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3npVVP

Want to Write in 2022? Get Started Here!

You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction

Have you always wanted to write? Are you looking for an extra boost of motivation? Do you have a great story idea, but don’t know how to develop it? If you’ve always dreamed of writing and getting published, but have no idea where or how to start—THIS is the book for you! Each easy-to-read chapter: *Is based on my experience as a writer, advice I’ve received over the years, and the technical “know-how” I’ve gained in writing classes and workshops. * Gives you practical advice on how to create a story, step-by-step: from getting a great idea to meeting your characters, developing a plot, and on to writing, revising, and submitting your work. * Contains helpful tips all writers can use, PLUS fun writing exercises to get you motivated! Once you have the basics down, you can write—really! Order your copy here: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Write-Really-Beginners-Writing-Fiction-ebook/dp/B00THWLFQU All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4AqYN4 Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/you-can-write-really

Kelli’s Continuing Blog Series…

This year, I started two new blog series. The first is called Behind the Scenes. Each Behind the Scenes blog examines my romance novels. 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 second blog series is called Meet the Character Day. These blogs are fun chats with the heroes and heroines from my romances. Each series is featured on both of my blogs. If you missed one, you can catch up here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/blog OR https://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/ (P.S.: My Blogger blog has a new look – be sure to check it out! I also made new banners on some of my social media pages.)That’s the recap! What’s in store for 2022? I’m putting the finishing touches on a full-length paranormal mystery/romance novel, writing a few more horror stories, and working on a contemporary gay romance. Stay tuned to my blog and social media pages for more details. I hope you enjoyed this issue of the Quill. I welcome questions and comments from readers and other authors. Want to get in touch with me on social media? All my links are listed on the contact page of my site: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/contact ​Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for a Great New Year! Kelli

RIP Mike Nesmith, my favorite Monkee!

New Release - Blood Red Moon (Worlds of Fire Series)

 

Hi everyone!

I’m kicking off December with something new… a spotlight on a great romantic fantasy novel from Deborah A. Bailey. Blood Red Moon is part of her Worlds of Fire Series, and if you like fantasy, vampires, shapeshifters, and stories filled with twists and turns… this new release is definitely for you!

Here’s the book description, buy link, and an excerpt. 

Blood Red Moon

Out of the ashes, a new beginning...

When his family and most of their kind were destroyed by the Guild, Derek inherited the position of Vampire Lord. Alchemists held the keys to creating portals to other worlds, knowledge they passed down to phoenixes. Their utopian society was crushed when the Guild invaded, intending to unlock the powerful secrets phoenixes possess. Lovers Derek and Avani met the night their city was sacked and after the city succumbed, they were lost to each other.

Love will be resurrected in blood and fire…

Having lost her memory, Avani became a protégé of the Guild Master, conditioned by magic to believe shifters and vampires were evil. Eventually, she was made Seeker, tasked with finding the Vampire Lord in order to gain access to phoenixes.

When Derek finds Avani, he neutralizes the magic that’s kept her from remembering who she is. However, the Templars have almost certainly made a pact with the enemy of all supernatural creatures, in order to gain access to the portals. Only a phoenix can save the world from utter ruin now, but that was precisely the asking price…

Here’s an Excerpt:

As he studied me his eyes were more hazel than brown. And they showed me his raw desire. This was Derek desperate to reclaim me.

“You’re not hungry for blood right now, are you?” I asked.

He shook his head, then averted his eyes as though he was afraid of revealing too much. But I’d already seen and felt it. When he met my eyes again, his were darker. Mesmerizing, pulling me in so that I was unable to look away.

An intense vampire gaze burning into me, arousing me to the point where I gripped the edges of the towel I’d wrapped around me. If I said yes, we could be together now in the way that he hungered for.

The image of him running towards me flashed in my mind. The sunshine, the sound of the water lapping on the shore, the smell of the grasses and sweet flowers…all of it came back to me in that instant. His arms around me. His touch. His scent that reminded me of the fresh, comforting earth.

Another image cut into my mind. The Guild house…our plans to purge the vampires, finish them off…destroy the evil. It had to be done and that was our purpose.

Before I could stop it, a sob pushed its way up into my throat. I covered my mouth before I voiced it. He can’t know what you’ve done. He’ll never understand.

Derek gripped my shoulders. “What is it? Is the heart magic still—”

“I’m not the person I was back then. We’re not the same people.”

“I know that. But you and I are connected, Avani. We have a purpose.”

“I’ve been told that before.”

“That was a lie. This is real,” he said.

***

Order your copy here:  https://books2read.com/BloodRedMoon

 

Author Bio

Deborah A Bailey’s Science Fiction, Fantasy and Paranormal Romance novels include suspense, a bit of mystery and a lot of romantic heat.

Her short stories have won awards from the Philadelphia Writers’ Conference and have been published in US1 Magazine and the Sun and are included in Electric Dreams: Seven Futuristic Tales. She’s the author of non-fiction books and articles for various online publications.

Visit her site https://dbaileycoach.com/brightbooks for more information and subscribe to her newsletter here: https://eepurl.com/bokGdX. You’ll be the first to find out about giveaways, book launches and sneak peeks.

Follow Deborah on Social media:

https://www.instagram.com/AuthorDeborahB

https://www.twitter.com/AuthorDeborahB

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDeborahAB/

Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/deborahannbailey

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/deborah-a-bailey

Meet the Character Day: Chatting with Rothgar from The Viking’s Witch

 

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 Rothgar, the hero from The Viking’s Witch, a historical/paranormal romance from Kelli A. Wilkins. Before we hear from Rothgar, let’s learn more about the book.

 

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 your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/%20ebook/dp/B07T15MHSW

Link to all other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4EQe0o

 

Welcome Rothgar. Can you tell us how you came to the Orkney Islands and met Odaria, the heroine in The Viking’s Witch?

Ja. I was sent there to look for my cousin, Orvind. His ship had vanished and my uncle wanted me to find him. After we came ashore, I found Odaria hiding in a gathering hall and I rescued her from an attack. To repay my kindness, she hit me! (Chuckles.) It was a very unusual first meeting.

What’s your story/back story? What was your life like before your author started pulling your strings?

Before Kelli brought me and my fellow Norsemen to Stronsay, I was living a very different life. Once upon a time, I was known as “Rothgar the Ruthless” and I was a fierce and respected warrior. However, after my wife and son died, I gave up raiding and traveling and was considered “soft” by many of my fellow warriors. I was content to live on my farm and tend to my animals. I’ll admit, when Kelli gave me this mission, I was reluctant to take it. But I resurrected my stronger side and became a warrior once again. I’m glad I did, because sailing to Scotland and meeting Odaria renewed my strength and self-confidence, and gave me a second chance at a happy life.

You sound very noble. How would you describe yourself?

A strong warrior who does not tolerate disloyalty or fools. I’ll fight for a cause I believe in, but I cannot stomach excess violence or abuse toward women. I’m a disciplined man who stands by my word, and I expect the same from others.

What’s your goal in this story?

When the story begins, my primary goal is to rescue Orvind. After I met Odaria, I had another goal: to protect her from her fellow Picts. Along the way, Odaria and I decided on a common goal: to bring her home with me.

What conflicts are you facing in the book?

I have conflicts everywhere! My fellow Norsemen are reluctant to obey my orders; they want to raid the nearby islands instead of searching for Orvind. The Picts refuse to cooperate and won’t tell me where Orvind has been hidden, and they all want to kill Odaria. Odaria is also a bit of a problem at times. She’s very headstrong and refuses to listen to me for her own good.

What was your first impression of Odaria?

I had never known a woman like her before—soft and tender one minute, then feisty and fighting the next. I was impressed by her inner strength (she had just been tied to a stake and nearly burned to death), and her ability to cope with tragic situations. Later, when she wept like a frightened girl, I saw how vulnerable she was deep down, and my heart melted.

What is it about Odaria that makes you crazy in a good way?

She’s very strong-willed and opinionated and likes to do things her own way, no matter what. When I first met her, this was very frustrating and drove me crazy, because I knew what was best for her, and yet, she fought me at every turn. Only later did I come to realize that all these traits made me love her even more.

Who is the one person you respect and trust the most?

Odaria has proven that she’s unlike any other woman, and I trust her with my life. I have the utmost respect for her and know that she will fight with me, and for me, if necessary. I also have great respect for my berserkr friend, Nordskog. His great courage and loyalty saved Odaria and me from certain death.

Do you sometimes want to strangle your author? Thrash her to within an inch of her life for what she put you through in the book?

Yes! Over the course of the book, Kelli put me through several very emotional trials. I had to discipline (and battle) fellow Norsemen, contend with the local villagers, protect Odaria, and still look for my cousin. It was a very exhausting few days, but I know that Kelli did it all for a good reason. She brought Odaria and I together and changed our lives forever. We’re both very happy now and quite indebted to Kelli for all she’s done for us. (Although she could have made things a little easier!)

Thank you for your time, Rothgar. Before you go, tell us a little something about your author. Where can readers find her website/blog?

On Kelli’s behalf, I’d like to invite everyone to visit her website: http://www.KelliWilkins.com blog: http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/ and Amazon Author page: www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins to see all her writings. She has written several other great romances in all genres (historical, paranormal, gay, erotica, and contemporary) that readers will enjoy.

Thank you for letting me share my thoughts today. I hope everyone who reads The Viking’s Witch will check out Kelli’s other romances. She’s a talented writer and creates interesting stories that are hard to put down. (And her heroes are all very handsome, too!)

Kind Regards,

Rothgar

Behind the Scenes: The Viking’s Witch (A Historical Paranormal Romance)

 

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.

Today I’m blogging about one of my favorite historical romances, The Viking’s Witch. The book is set in Celtic Scotland and blends a sensual love story with adventure and paranormal elements.

I loved everything about writing this book—the characters, the setting, the plot—and readers and reviewers loved it, too. When the book was originally published in 2012 by Medallion Press, it won an IPPY award for best historical romance e-book. 

I’ve written a few detailed blogs about the characters, setting, research, the gritty details, conflicts, violence, and even the use of magic in the book. I won’t rehash all that here (you can read the other blogs in the blog section of my site: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/blog , but I will talk a bit about the origin of the book.

Like many of my romances, the idea for the story popped into my head one morning. I know it sounds strange, but the book came to me in a dream. It played out like I was watching a movie. When I woke up, I grabbed a pen and paper and wrote down everything I remembered. It took me about two hours, and from there I created an outline and started writing.

I had to do a lot of research while I wrote the book. I knew the story took place in Scotland, but I wasn’t sure where—or when. I needed to set the book in a place where the Vikings traveled in their early years of exploration, but it had to be an isolated location. After much back-and-forth, I decided on the Orkney Islands, then I had to decide on which island to set the story. (There are 70 different islands, but only 20 are inhabited.) 

After I knew the setting, I did more research to learn what life was like in that time period for Odaria and Rothgar. I had to make the details realistic for the characters and the readers. Once I got a feel for what everyday life was like for each of them, I weaved the details into the story.

One way I did this was to have Odaria ask Rothgar questions (How did Norsemen travel so far across the ocean? What are their ships like?) and address the differences in their backgrounds. Rothgar also comments on how things are different on the island compared to his home and is proud to teach Odaria about his Nordic culture.

When writing, I also faced another big challenge: technically, Odaria and Rothgar would have been speaking different languages and would have trouble communicating. So I had to find a clever way for them to understand each other. In essence, I had to blend their two cultures together in a way that flowed with the story.

The opening scene is very powerful, and it was one of my favorites to write. When we first meet Odaria, she is about to be burned at the stake for being a witch. Her fellow villagers have turned against her, accused her of murder, and she’s been betrayed by everyone she knows. It’s a very dark time for her, and although deep down she is afraid, she doesn’t show it.

Instead, she calls down a curse on the villagers, and seconds later, screaming “demons” appear out of the darkness and capture most of her tormentors. Odaria is saved from the pyre—only to find herself facing another big problem—hordes of Norsemen have invaded the island.

In the beginning of the story I deliberately kept the truth about Odaria’s “abilities” vague. Did she really conjure up the Viking warriors who unwittingly saved her from certain death? Or was it all a coincidence? I wanted readers to follow the story and wonder “does she have abilities or not?” Is Rothgar right when he suspects Odaria is using trickery and manipulating circumstances to scare people into thinking she’s a witch?

Over the course of the book, Odaria never denies being a witch. She warns Rothgar not to cross her or she’ll hex him. Rothgar laughs at her threat. He calls her “my little witch” and makes fun of her… For a while.

Later, Rothgar needs Odaria’s help and tells her to prove she has magic powers. Although reluctant, Odaria doesn’t disappoint. After a few highly charged scenes, readers and Rothgar learn the truth about Odaira’s abilities. I loved showing readers (and Rothgar) Odaria’s powers of clairvoyance, telekinesis, and psychometry. The scenes that included the “magic” elements were a lot of fun to write.

Rothgar and Odaria are my favorite historical romance couple. Odaria is strong-willed and doesn’t take any nonsense from Rothgar. Although she’s tough and feisty, Rothgar uncovers a vulnerable, soft side to her. And while Rothgar appears gruff and violent on the outside, underneath he’s really a gentle and sensitive man. Together, they make a pretty good team. There’s lots of push/pull between them and plenty of hot love scenes.

If you love historical romances, paranormal romances, or romances filled with drama, emotional rollercoasters, and danger, you’ll want to read The Viking’s Witch. I’m happy to say readers and reviewers fell in love with Rothgar and Odaria as much as I did.

Here is the summary and book links:

 

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 your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/%20ebook/dp/B07T15MHSW

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4EQe0o

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/the-viking-s-witch

 

I hope you enjoyed this “Behind the Scenes” look at the making of this sensual historical 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