I have the delight this month of interviewing sensual romance author, Katherine Kingston.

Tell us about yourself in 50 words or less.

Wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, editor, web development director (retired), author. I've been writing for more than twenty years and published in various formats for most of that time. I'm now getting to fulfill a lifelong dream and am going to try to write almost full time.


If you could be any other writer, who would it be and why?

Barbara Mertz, who writes as Barbara Michaels and Elizabeth Peters. I love her books. I love their intelligence, tight plotting, fascinating characters, and fast-paced, witty dialogue. Or maybe Andre Norton, who introduced me to the concept that you could have a romantic relationship in Science Fiction and Fantasy novels without losing the sense of wonder speculative fiction is supposed to induce.


What are your writing plans for this year and what have you done most recently?

I've got lots of plans! I've recently retired from my day job, although I'm still doing some part time consulting for my former employer. It should give me a lot more time to write. I'm currently working on several projects. In process are a novella featuring space pirates for an anthology, the third book of the GlimmerQuest trilogy (GoldQuest), and a very romantic contemporary BDSM novel. I also have an idea for another fantasy series. That should keep me busy for a while.

What is the process you use when you first start to write a story-or do you use any process at all? (You plot out the scenes, outline the story, etc.) If you could do it differently, how would you do it?

I have tons of ideas for stories floating around in my head. When I decide that one is worth pursuing, I spend a few days thinking about it, walking and living with the characters, and jotting down notes. I usually start working out a few scenes for the story, and I usually know how it starts and (vaguely) how it ends before I begin writing. Then I start, though I often have only a slight idea of how the story will get from point A to point B. I rely on my characters to show me what they'll do when I put them in the situation.

I'd love to be able to do extensive outlines and have a good idea of how the story will work before I start writing. It would save me a lot of re-writing. And it would take away the fear that this might be the time a story falls flat on its face or simply refuses to work out in an interesting way. On the other hand, if I knew what was going to happen, I suspect I'd lose interest in the story too quickly. Much of the fun of writing is finding out what's going to happen next! .

It's July. What do you like/not like about summer?

I love summer! It's time for vacations and baseball and watching my garden grow. I'm not wild about the heat, but I adjust my schedule so that any outdoor time is in the early morning or evening. The only thing I really don't like about summer is the bugs. It's a never-ending battle to keep the ants and other critters out of the house, and the minute I set foot outside the door in the evening, the mosquito-alarm network passes the word: Dinner is Served.


What's something you haven't done yet that you've always wanted to do?

Write full time. Sky-diving. Scuba diving. Ride in a hot air balloon. Seriously, I've never done any of those things and I really want to try them all.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

It's a constant wonder and amazement to me that people actually seem to enjoy reading the stories I write. I'm very grateful to my readers for that, and am always open to hearing from them about what they like and don't like. Please visit my Web site at http://www.katherinekingston.com or mail me at katherinekingston@yahoo.com !

Unedited Excerpt from Karn'al: Jed's Revenge
Available soon from Ellora's Cave
www.ellorascave.com

     The sound of the door opening had every one of his muscles go tense, his body tight as a bowstring. She was back again. No! He'd depleted his remaining energy when he'd resisted her efforts at arousing him. He had none to use now. He mentally girded his remaining strength, getting ready for battle.

     Although she treaded quietly, he heard the soft swish of her footsteps as she came forward, stopping just a few inches away from him. Her breathing was steady, not choppy like earlier. There was something different about her. She seemed calmer. His senses went on high alert. I don't like this.

     Jed fixed his face into a fierce scowl behind the blindfold and inwardly cursed the language barrier that existed. With a few choice words, he could have her scurrying back to where she came from. But bound and helpless as he was, weak and incapacitated, he was very limited in ways to scare her away.

     The deep breath she took reached his ears. He remained still, his face turned towards her, trying to discern every little sound she made. Frustration ate at him. He wanted to see her, look into her eyes and terrify her into leaving him alone.

     For the longest time, she didn't say anything, just stood close by. The longer he waited for her to make her move, the angrier he got. He hated being toyed with. His fists clenched, impotent fury knotted tightly in his chest. If he could just get out of these manacles and make some necessary repairs, he'd tear this whole fucking place apart.

     "My name is Kate." Once again, she spoke in that strange language he didn't understand. "I don't know why they're holding you prisoner, or what you've done to deserve this. I'm sorry they hurt you like this."

     Although he couldn't understand a word of what she was saying, her soft voice began to have the most incredible effect on him. His anger gradually lessened, the husky, melodious sound easing the tension in his body. The pain slowly began to ebb away. He resisted. She's one of them, he reminded himself sternly. Don't forget that.

     Jed turned his face away from her, hoping she'll get the message and leave.

     She simply moved to the other side. "I really wish you could understand what I'm saying. This would make it easier for both of us." Her tone was earnest, almost pleading.

     His lips thinned, still refusing to look at her. Her voice was doing strange things to his body, drawing a reaction with her strange, lilting accent. What was wrong with him? She's the enemy. He took a deep breath and willed the heat slowly unfurling in his body to die down. Resist. This is all part of her plan. With desperation, he scoured his energy sources, hoping there is something left somewhere he could use to halt his body's reaction to her.

     "Please listen to me."

     When she cupped his chin and forced him to look at her, he was grateful for the blindfold covering his eyes. He didn't want to see her. Just hearing her voice had the strangest effect on him. By the gods, was his brain addled too? Was he damaged far more than he thought? What was wrong with him? He'd been beaten, electrocuted and bound by the enemy, who happened to be her people. Why would he react to her this way? He kept his face impassive, showing no reaction, but secretly wishing he could see her. What did she look like? Would she have long, flowing hair and lips that begged to be kissed? He drew his thoughts to an abrupt halt. Cease this madness right now. Remember that she's one of them!

     But his body did not heed his mind. As he depended on his senses to tell him what she was doing, his imagination ran wild. He felt weak and unable to resist the allure of her voice. Without his com-plant controlling his body, he was almost powerless. By the Gods of Karn'al, he was a fool.

     "I have to do this." Her voice was breathy, tentative, almost embarrassed. "I have to lose my virginity tonight. It's-it's very important that I do so."

     How he wished he could understand what she was saying. Jed felt like he was fighting a losing battle and tried to hang on to his sanity. Remember who she is. She's the enemy. He mustn't succumb to this weakness attacking his senses.

      "There's no one else," she continued softly. Her voice became stronger. "With you, I-I could be in control of how," she trailed off and took a deep breath. "I have to arouse you now. I can't fail," she finished on almost a whisper, as if she was telling that to herself.

     All his senses screamed in warning as he heard a soft swish of clothing. His heart almost leapt out of his chest as something fell to the floor. What was she doing? Did she take her clothes off? His head cocked towards her, trying to decipher her actions but he heard no more. Her scent rose in the air, filling his lungs, dominating his senses. He could imagine her body, generously proportioned, perfect for him.

     Jed steeled himself as much as he could, filling his mind with memories of the murderous ambush that led to his capture. Anything at all to divert his attention to what he could feel was coming. When her touch came, he jerked away. But where could he go? He was tied down. Helpless.

     The first touch of her warm palm on his chest was like a shock. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to remain calm and unmoved. Her fingertips moved in circles, in random patterns on his skin. The light touch left tingles running under his skin. His muscles contracted when her hand slid down to his stomach. As a last ditch effort, he turned his face toward her. "Ie panga kalai muna," he declared in a steely voice. "rreke kalan man." I swear vengeance upon you if you touch me.

     His hopes dimmed when she ignored his words. With a light touch, she explored his body. Her breathing accelerated, as if he fascinated her, as if she'd never touched a man like this before. This thought provided the impetus for the reaction he didn't want to produce. The last thing he wanted to happen occurred at that moment.

     His cock grew, swelled, and stiffened rapidly to its full length.

     Jed tightened his jaw, cursing his undisciplined reaction to her touch, angry with himself for his lack of control.

     "Oh, my."

     The awed sound of her voice inflamed him further against his will. He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes tightly, steeling himself for what would surely come next.

     She took his cock in her hand and squeezed gently. Jed bit back the moan that threatened to erupt from between his lips. The thick heat rapidly eddying in his system grew in density when she began a gentle massaging motion up and down his cock.

     "Parra," he ordered her to cease, though his voice lacked steel behind it.

     She ignored him and continued her ministrations. Jed was consumed by a barrage of sensations he didn't want to feel. His cock swelled under her touch, welcoming her caresses. The more aroused he became, the angrier he got. He didn't want this. He didn't want to feel this way. But his body certainly didn't mind.

     "Uu tangan dis," he growled, mustering enough force to cause her to pause. You'll regret this. His fists clenched, his wrists bumped painfully against the unyielding steel.

     "Please don't be angry," she pleaded. "After this, you won't ever see me again. Please understand that I have to do this."

     She didn't speak any more, concentrating on rousing him further. She ran a finger over the slit on his cock, taking him completely by surprise when she tongued him down there. He grunted, singed by the heat that surged inside him. She did it again, rimming his cock with her tongue. Jed grimaced. The pleasure of her touch was incredible. He was having a hard time resisting her and that made him madder.

     She fitted her lips over the broad head. It was only by sheer will that he managed not to thrust up and inside her hot, tight little mouth. When she took him deeper, his eyes almost crossed behind his closed eyelids. When he touched the back of her throat, he wanted to shout in rage. Her inexperience showed when she gagged. He shook his head and shut his eyes, grateful yet resentful for being denied the sight of his cock in her mouth. He was nothing but an experiment for her yet he wanted to see his cock stretch her lips wide apart.

     She inhaled deeply before pushing on. Desperate to distract himself, he ran a full system diagnostic on his com-plant, looking over minute details he could have missed earlier. Anything to get his mind off her soft lips and soft tongue currently licking up and down his cock. He bit back a groan when she laved the ridge of the head, tracing the mushroom shaped tip around and around. Fuck. She was merciless, determined to bring him to heel.

© 2005 Beverly Havlir

Titania Ladley
http://www.titanialadleyromance.com/

A WANTON'S THIEF excerpt
Copyright © 2005 by Titania Ladley
Available now at Ellora's Cave!

Setup: In Titania's version of the tale of Robin Hood (aka Falcon Montague), the legendary outlaw has just kidnapped Lady Salena Tremayne and taken her to his lair. Though she doesn't believe him, he's snatched her from her chambers in order to protect her from an assassination. But it only leaves her wondering…who will guard her heart and soul from this handsome bandit and his soul-brother, Little John? The taboo lovemaking and dark magic the two men show her are enough to transform an innocent lady into a shameless wanton.
     
     
     Ecstasy raced through her veins. She slapped her hands onto the pelt and fisted them into the long fur. "Falcon…Falcon I'm going to-"
     
     Just as she arched her back to welcome the orgasm, he retreated.
     
     "No…oh, please, do not stop." She reached down between her legs, grappling for his hand. He pulled it out of reach.
     
     "Salena, I told you to relax. Lie back." His voice held a trace of barely contained restraint. It told her she wasn't the only one in desperate need and the realization gave her a sort of wild satisfaction.
     
     She did as he bade. "You are a cruel master, but still, I want you."
     
     Falcon took her leg and stretched it out, setting her ankle upon his shoulder. "Then you shall have me. Or should I say, I shall have you?"
     
     The cryptic words passed without comprehension until she saw his intent. He bit and licked, sucked and scratched first the flesh of her calf, then her inner thighs, then…
     
     "W-what…are you-" His mouth closed over her pussy. Salena screamed her pleasure, heedless of her voice carrying out into the woods. Falcon's tongue did wicked, evil things to her. And she wondered in that moment if he were the devil in disguise masquerading as a thief in the dark forests of England.
     
     He swiped her labia and darted his long tongue into her creamy hole. She gasped, her stomach quivering with the intense sensation of it. Instinct took over and she raised one knee, the other leg still slung over his shoulder. Salena thrust her pelvis up against his face so that he fucked her with that talented tongue. His arms went under her ass and hooked over the top of her legs so that he could hold the swollen lips open. He made noises that boiled her blood, noises that indicated bliss and a rabid hunger of his own. Salena thought at that moment she'd lost her mind, but she soon realized there would be more torture to come.
     
     Pinpricks of wet-hot fire blasted through her veins when he removed his tongue from her hole and swirled it around her pebble-hard pearl. Her breath caught, released, caught, released. Fisting handfuls of fur, she bucked upward, her head rolling from side to side. She was almost there. The sensation of it made her groan with anticipation.
     
     Further riding on that instinct, she gripped his head, sinking her fingers into the thickness of his hair. He growled and increased the pressure. But it wasn't enough. Each flicker took her to the gate and back but not through it. Clamping her teeth together on a feral moan, her palms spanned his scalp and she ground his mouth into that magic spot. Her hips moved in short little bucks, making his tongue vibrate hard and fast over her clitoris.
     She lifted her head suddenly needing to watch him devour her. Those emerald eyes were already watching her face intently. The glazed look in them told her he experienced maddening paradise just as she did. The sight of him devouring her most private area pushed her upward toward that peak she desperately reached for. She could almost taste what he tasted, could swear she could feel what he felt. The scent of her own arousal wafted up to tease her nostrils. The lapping noises he made sounded against the backdrop of the autumn winds as they whistled outside the cave. It tapped into a beastly urge within her, and she knew in that instant she was lost to this man forever. The intimacy they shared coupled with the ambiance of the setting nearly moved her to tears.
     
     "Falcon…" she whispered on a gasp. "I never knew such… Ah, I love watching you feast on me down there."
     
     He grunted, never removing his mouth from her. His tongue wiggled faster and it brought to mind the flapping wings of a hummingbird. Her eyes struggled to stay open, to watch him satisfy her so expertly. The explosion came upon her with almost deadly force. Her heart stilled. She couldn't breathe. Red-hot bliss crested over her and she growled out her release. But it wasn't the end. As soon as she reached the pinnacle, riding its last few waves, he forced several fingers into her passage and pumped in rhythm with his tongue. The move brought her back to the glory and delight of his carnal heaven.
     
     "I'm going to-oh, yes, again!" His fingers pummeled her, filling her up like his cock had. Her legs wrapped around his head making her skirts slide further up and bunch across her abdomen. She couldn't hold onto his head anymore. The blaze of ecstasy, so close on the last one's heels, forced her to surrender completely. She slapped her hands onto the fur pelt as his tongue and fingers drove her along the path of insanity. It went on forever it seemed.
     
     Salena gasped in and out, turning her head toward the cave opening. Crying out, she finally reached the last ridge of madness at the very second her eyes fell upon John. He sat just inside the cave's narrow opening, outlined by the early evening dusk, his back leaning against the rocky wall. His head turned toward the interior of the cave and firelight danced over his rugged, handsome face. Her gaze fell ever lower. She could see the enormous bulge in his codpiece. He rubbed himself outside the garment while his eyes held hers from across the space. An image of that large cock filled her mind, of him stroking himself, stroking her. Amazingly, she felt desire soak her core once again.
     
     Falcon slowly withdrew his fingers and crawled up and over her. He planted his elbows beside her head and she turned to look up into the restrained face of a beast.
     
     "It is time." He said it huskily, dragging his sticky mouth back and forth over her own. She could taste the salty flavor of her sex on his lips, could detect the wild fragrance. It made her hunger to lick all the white cream from his face. But his words had caused her pulse to pound dangerously fast.
     
     "Time?"
     
     "Time for you to couple with us," John rasped crawling toward them on all fours. "Both of us…at the same time. I…I need your energy."
     
     A WANTON'S THIEF available now at Ellora's Cave!