How did you get started writing?
I was an avid reader as a child. I was reading by age four and always had a book (or three) from the library on the go. Reading inspired me to try writing my own stories early on in elementary school. I still have handwritten copies of a novella I wrote when I was 12 and a young adult romance novel I penned at 16. As far back as I can remember, I wanted to grow up to be a writer. It was a dream come true when I signed a contract for one of my medieval romances, released in paperback in 2005. I’m continuing to live my dream as a full-time author.
What genre(s) do you write in and why?
I write historical romances because that’s what I enjoy reading. My novels are set in the Middle Ages because I love the romantic ideals of chivalry and find the history of that time fascinating. I own quite a few research tomes on life in the Middle Ages, plus books on armor, medicinal herbs, a few recipe books, and guide books from the castles, museums, and historical sites I’ve visited.
Tell us about your current series.
In June, I published the fifth and final novel in my award-winning Knight’s Series, set in the fictional English county of Moydenshire. I received so much reader email asking whenA Knight’s Seduction would be released, it was clear that my illegitimate, bad-boy hero Tye had garnered himself quite a following. J While all of the books in the series can be read as stand-alones, I strongly recommend that they be read in order, to get the full impact of the story arc that involves a very nasty courtesan and the plots she devises to bring down the hero introduced in my first series novel, Geoffrey de Lanceau, who happens to be Tye’s father. Readers who like plenty of drama, adventure, a few plot twists, and spine-tingling romance will love my series.
What is your favorite part of writing?
I love the creative process. There are days when the words are flowing from my fingers to my keyboard and the scene I’m writing is crystal clear in my mind. That’s when writing is fun and exciting.
What is your least favorite part of writing?
Revisions. They are necessary, though. With my books, I usually write a rough first draft and then go back through the story two or three more times from start to finish to add in details, refine dialogue, cut extraneous paragraphs, and generally smooth out all the rough sections and make the story cohesive. That takes time, but also makes for a better novel.
What is your typical day like?
Most days I work from home. In the morning, I make coffee and breakfast and then check my emai (I get hundreds every day, including digests from various online writing groups) and look at my sales stats for the previous day; this is helpful if I’ve done paid promotion and want to see if the ad has generated an increase in my sales.
I write whenever I have two or three consecutive hours of free time. Physically, I can’t sit and write all day; I admire authors who can, but I value my health and that routine doesn’t work for me. Sometimes I write in the morning, sometimes early afternoon. It varies depending on my other commitments. I do most of my writing at my dining room table, with my two kitties sleeping in their beds nearby (they love to be close to me when I work). However, sometimes I will pack up my netbook and go to a coffee shop or the library for a change. I also do PR for my books every day, including promotion for boxed sets I’ve done with other authors. Along with my current work-in-progress, I always have at least one more project in the planning stages. Right now I have two more Medieval novellas lined up to write after I’ve completed the one I’m working on now. My days are busy, but I’m very proud of my stories and have many more to write.
Excerpt from A Knight’s Seduction (Knight’s Series Book 5):
Tye was close. Too close.
With each quickened breath, she inhaled his scent, the smell of leather strongest, the hint of soap less intense, and most tantalizing of all, the earthy masculine essence that was uniquely his. Her head swam with both anxiety and anticipation.
“Tye—”
His finger pressed to her lips, silencing her. “No more questions. I am finished talking about me.” His hungry gaze settled on her mouth.
He wanted to resume their discussion about kissing.
With a sideways jerk of her head, she dislodged his finger. Still, though, she felt the weight of his skin pressing to hers. “W-what you want, I—”
“What I want, I take. If you learned naught else about me, you must have understood I am that kind of man.”
“You are going to kiss me,” she whispered.
“Aye.”
“Even if I am not willing?”
“Aye.”
“Even if I have already had the perfect kiss?”
”Especially if you believe that.”
His face was barely a breath from hers. She pressed back against the hard stone, expecting the brutal and unrelenting crush of his mouth. Instead, the tip of his nose brushed hers in a gentle, teasing caress. Loose strands of his hair tickled her face, while his breath skimmed over her cheek.
“I could be wrong,” he murmured, sending tingles racing across her skin, “but I thought you might be willing.”
His hands settled at her waist. His hold, light but firm, sent sweet fire racing through her veins. Oh, but she mustn’t let him kiss her. If he knew she wanted his kiss, there was no telling how far the intimacies might go.
Her mind whirled, desperately trying to think of a way to stop him. Tilting her chin up, she asked, “Why would you think—?”
His mouth covered hers. His soft, warm lips brushed against hers with the lightest of touches. Her body answered instantly. The heat within her leaped, soared. She suddenly felt hot, weightless, as if she’d been caught up in a blinding beam of sunlight.
She hadn’t realized she’d closed her eyes until she heard his husky laugh.
Her eyelids fluttered open. The air in her lungs expelled on a sigh.
He grinned. “Well? Was that as good as your perfect kiss?”
“Nay,” she managed breathlessly. A lie. A necessary falsehood. She had to get away, for the kiss had been wonderful. So astonishingly marvelous, in fact, she wanted another, but she was not going to swoon in this rogue’s arms.
If she made him angry, he’d release her and step away. Wouldn’t he?
“Nay,” Tye repeated. His eyes narrowed.
He didn’t look at all deterred. Indeed, he appeared even more determined to prove her wrong.
Buy Links:
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Knights-Seduction-Book-ebook/dp/B0106VDBA8/
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-knights-seduction-catherine-kean/1017786869?ean=2940151109420
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/a-knight-s-seduction-knight-s-series-book-5
Website: http://www.catherinekean.com
BIO
Award-winning author Catherine Kean’s love of history began with visits to England during summer vacations. Her British father took her to crumbling medieval castles, museums filled with artifacts, and historic churches, and her love of the awe-inspiring past stuck with her as she completed a B.A.(Double Major; First Class) in English and History. After finishing a Post Graduate course with Sotheby’s auctioneers in England, she worked in Canada as an antiques and fine art appraiser.
She wrote her first medieval romance while her baby daughter was napping. Catherine’s books were originally published in paperback and have been translated into several foreign languages. Her stories have won numerous accolades, including the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Her novels also finaled in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the National Readers’ Choice Awards. Catherine lives in Florida with her husband, daughter, and two spoiled cats.
Thanks so much for the interview, Cindy! I’m excited to be featured on your blog.