Friday Author Spotlight: Author Kendra Leigh Castle

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Friday Author SPOTLIGHT! We will feature a Young Adult, New Adult or Adult Author. These post will contain interviews, author posts, book blasts, fill in the blanks, etc... This is just our way to get authors noticed and out there as much as possible. So we hope you enjoy and stay tuned Fridays to see who we have on and what they shared. To see previous posts click here.

Today OUaT is happy to feature Author Kendra Leigh Castle. She is the author of Harvest Cove series (A MUST READ SERIES!) along with numerous paranormal romances. Including the MacInnes Werewolves trilogy, the RITA award-nominated Renegade Angel, the Dark Dynasties series, and the Hearts of the Fallen series.

Author Kendra Leigh Castle 

Kendra Leigh Castle is a RITA award-nominated, multi-published author of contemporary and paranormal romance.  Raised in the far and frozen reaches of Northern New York, where her love of curling up with a blanket and a good book came early, she penned her debut novel as a Navy wife living in the Nevada desert.  Since then, she has managed to continue working in her pajamas while moving around the country.  Kendra currently makes her home in Maryland, where she lives with her husband, three children, and a menagerie of pets.  She drinks too much coffee, stays up too late, and loves to hear from her readers, who make this crazy job worthwhile.

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From the author of Every Little Kiss, a heartwarming novel that proves sometimes the only way to let people in is to let go...

Moving to Harvest Cove has been like a dream come true for Zoe Watson, providing her with a job she loves and close friends she considers practically family. The only problem: a certain prickly—albeit handsome—park ranger who can’t seem to help tracking mud into her art gallery…or showing up in her dreams.

Jason Evans swore off relationships the day his ex-wife walked out the door, and the local gallery owner is no exception. But when an accident forces him to accept the one thing he hates most in the world—help—he discovers that with Zoe in his life, there are more highs than lows. Despite their long-simmering attraction, neither Jason nor Zoe thinks that two people with so little in common could possibly have a future together. But one of these nights, they may just discover how alike they are.…

 

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Interview

1. Hi Kendra, I am a fan of your Harvest Cove series. Can you please tell us what inspired you to write this series?

Hi!  Thanks for loving the series, and for having me here today.  When I decided to write a contemporary series, I was very much inspired by my favorite Nora Roberts books.  I think she has a real gift for bringing places and characters to life, and for showing not only the growth of the main relationship, but also the relationships between friends and family.  There’s a cozy warmth to her stories that’s just wonderful to snuggle up with.  I wanted to capture that feeling.  I also wanted to have a small town that’s a character in its own right, and to really showcase the bonds between the people who live there.  New England towns are my favorite, especially in the fall when the leaves are ablaze with color—and that’s how Harvest Cove was born. 

2. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

I’m a thirty-eight year old Navy wife with three kids, two dogs, a cat, and a guinea pig (that last one is supposedly my daughter’s, but I do seem to end up feeding him a lot).  We’ve lived all over the country, but we seem to be pretty settled in Maryland, at least for the time being.  I’m originally from Northern New York, so I’m happy to be on the east coast.  I have a degree in secondary education, but I don’t use it…instead, I get to curl up with my laptop and make stuff up, which is something I’m thankful for every day.  Sweatshirts and comfy pants are basically my life.  Also my life: tea and fuzzy socks.  And crunchy food covered in artificial flavoring.

3. What is the hardest line to write - the first or the last?

The first, definitely.  The beginning of a book is something I always tinker with endlessly, because I want it to start in a way that draws readers in.  Plus, I’m still getting a feel for the story at that point, so figuring out where and how to jump in is kind of a process.  The end always seems to come more naturally to me, but by then I’ve been living with the characters for months and have a better sense of how to wrap things up for them.  That last line always makes me smile, and I always hope it does the same for my readers.

4. What's your dream cast for One of These Nights?

I love these questions!  I always have casting ideas for my characters, and I like to have visual references as I go along.  So, for me, Zoe has always looked just like Nicole Beharie (from Sleepy Hollow) and Jason has always looked like Joe Manganiello (from True Blood).  Someday they should be in a show together just so I can admire my genius in pairing them up!

5. When you’re not busy writing, how do you like to spend your free time?

With two of my three kids in high school, I don’t have as much free time as I’d like…but it’s a good kind of busy.  Usually.  When I do have down time, I love to read, or play video games, or catch up on all the shows I have on the DVR.  I can be a little hobbit-like, honestly.  I like home, and comfortable, quiet things.  And food.  Definitely food.

6. Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it?

I don’t have a favorite book…it would be impossible for me to pick just one!  Books on my keeper shelf are things like Stephen King’s The Stand, Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series, Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings books, JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.  But I’m always finding new things I love.  I’ve just started Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey, and I’m completely engrossed.  It’s fantastic.

7. Is there any other news of upcoming projects or events that you’d like to share with us?

Of course!  The fourth book in the Harvest Cove series, COME ON CLOSER, will be out in March.  I’ve just finished up the edits on it, and I’m very excited to share it with readers.  This is Larkin and Shane’s story, and I’m very pleased with the way it turned out.  The two of them ended up being a perfect match!  I’m about to start on Harvest Cove #5, which is Fitz’s book and will be out next September.  I’m just decompressing a little right now before diving back in.

Thanks so much for having me here!  Happy reading!