February 23, 2007
The Brotherhood of Kathryn Smith
Written by Jaunty Quills in Jaunty Guests
Jaunty P. Quills here, interrupting your regular blog with a special announcement. I’ve managed to find historical and contemporary author, The Fabulous Kathryn Smith (which she tells me is her official name). Last year, Avon released the first book in Kathryn’s Brotherhood of Blood series about a group of vampires reunited by evil. The first, Be Mine Tonight, made me cry so hard that I almost put an eye out with a quill.
Um, I mean, I nearly poked my eye out and then it watered. I didn’t cry. Nope. Not me, I’m a manly porcupine. Ask anyone. What have you heard?
But I digress. Please welcome Kathryn!
So what’s the deal with this Brotherhood of Blood? I’m also in a secret club, but I can’t tell you about it or I’d have to quill you.
You’re a prickly little thing, aren’t you? Well, that’s all right. The Brotherhood of Blood are five former soldiers of fortune who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They drank from a cursed chalice and became vampires. The series is set in the Victorian period and the boys are being pursued by an ancient order that calls themselves the Order of the Silver Palm. They want the chalice and they want the Brotherhood — but I’m not going to tell you why because that would spoil the series. Don’t you bristle at me like that, Jaunty! I’m not telling.
Our own Jenna Petersen called the first book, Be Mine Tonight, the best romance of 2006. She also started rambling about it being so emotional and I sort of roamed out of the room. How did you manage to perfect the balance of an adventurous story and something so emotional that it made certain porcupines cry?
Aww, did you actually cry? I think Prince has a song about that. Thanks to Jenna for saying that about my book. I never set out to write a book that would strike so many emotional chords with readers, it just happened. What I wanted to write was a man who had given up and a woman who was determined to carry on. The rest just came from that. As for blending emotion with adventure, I guess that just came naturally as well. I suppose the adventure was as necessary to the story as the emotion and that’s why it worked. These are hard questions, Jaunty.
Ah yes, “When Porcupines Cry”. It’s my favorite Prince song. What about the next book in the series, Night of the Huntress? Can you tell us more?
Night of the Huntress features Bishop, who is not so brooding as Chapel, although he has his own painful past. Bishop returns to Romania, the place where his wife was killed and meets up with a vampire slayer named Marika, who captures him because she thinks he can lead her to another of the brotherhood. It sounds more complicated than it is! lol. Anyway, these two have many reasons to despise each other and they do for a little bit, but then they start to respect and understand one another. And when Marika’s world starts to fall apart, Bishop is the only one she can turn to for help. Adversity sparks their initial attraction, but as they work together that attraction turns into a deep, abiding love. Of course, there’s adventure in this one too as the Order of the Silver Palm is up to no good.
So what’s the deal with this USAToday thing I’m hearing so much about? The Porcupine Times also does a bestseller list. Bark was #1 last week. Is it kind of the same deal?
Not that I would ever dare presume to compare myself to bark, which seems to have remarkable distribution, but I suppose it’s similar. Except that the USAT list is based on books sales, not tree-leavings. My book, Night of the Huntress made the top 150 best-selling books in the US.
Wow. That’s way cooler than bark (which is tasty and leaves your breath with that oh-so-dirty feeling). So, your heroine sounds pretty tough. Do you think you could take her?
I think Marika is one of the most kick-ass heroines I’ve ever written. Could I take her? Of course. I created her, didn’t I? I know all her weaknesses. lol.
Speaking of violence, I heard a rumor about you and JennaP and an umbrella?
No comment. Jenna P scares me.
Me too. We’ll just change the subject
Saint’s book, Taken by the Night is next in November 2007. Reign’s book follows and then Temple’s book will end the series. I think I may use Marcus, the archaeologist from Be Mine Tonight to launch a new series. At the very least, I’ll give the guy his own story. He deserves it.
I’ve heard rumors of a contemporary series, as well. Tell us more.
I call it The Nightmare Chronicles. The series revolves around Dawn, who is a psychologist specializing in dream therapy. She’s also a Nightmare — literally. Nightmares are guardians of the Dream Realm
and protectors of all who pass through it. It’s a romantic series with Dawn forging a relationship with former patient Noah Clarke who is also a lucid dreamer. I plan to have Dawn come up against a new external challenge in every book, as well as putting her relationship with Noah to the test. So far it’s shaping up to be creepy and scary but sexy and sassy too!
I have bad dreams. About dogs chasing me. And I can’t find any bark or pine nuts. It’s just awful. Any advice from a nightmare writer?
I think you have a persecution complex and gender issues. Really, Jaunty. It’s just all about you, isn’t it? What about me, Jaunty? Me!!! Ahem.
Hey, they only let me take over the blog on rare occasions, Kate!! Fine. We’ll talk about you Miss Hoity Toity “I’m a big time national bestseller”. You’ve written books in lots of different genres like regular Regency historical, young adult and now you’re writing paranormal historicals and contemporary. Do you have ADD or just like to keep things fresh?
Hmmm, my therapist says I’m in a state of constant flux. I think I just like to try new things. I’ve always loved romance novels and I love the paranormal, so for me to be able to combine those two loves is wonderful. I love YA books too — I’ve got an idea for this series…Oh, and another paranormal series…and this historical thing…What was I saying?
I don’t know, I was thinking about pine nuts… Finally, I have to ask… do you think you could ever love… say… a porcupine? Or at least write a porcupine-related romance? Come on, there is an audience for this stuff!
Jaunty, you’re not the sharpest guy I’ve ever met — wait, I suppose you are. Huh. Okay, sure. I could love a porcupine, why not? I’ve been involved with guys who are prickier…er, pricklier than you. As for a
porcupine romance? Ask Jenna. She writes faster than I do.
I already told you, she scares me, too. Thanks again to USA Today Bestselling Author Kathryn Smith for joining us today! And be sure to pick up anything in her backlist you can get your quills on. It’s worth it!
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Robyn DeHart Says:
Jaunty! Honestly, you really must be nicer to our guests. I don’t know if you deserve that new box of chocolate-covered pinenuts. We’ll have to think about that.
Kate, welcome and congrats on you USAT showing, how very exciting and well deserved. Can you tell us what you did to celebrate?
Jenna Petersen Says:
I just finished NIGHT OF THE QUILLTRESS… I mean, HUNTRESS this week and it ROCKED. Seriously people, if you haven’t picked it up yet, you are seriously missing out!
And I don’t just say that because of the umbrella thing (how do you know these things, Jaunty??).
Cherie Japp Says:
Funny interview! The series sounds great Kathryn.
AndreaW Says:
Hiya Kate! Great interview! I love your BoB series and am eagerly anticipating your Nightmare Chronicles. Any idea when the first book might release? Oh, and can’t wait for Saint!
Jaunty, you’re such a hoot…quills and all!
Clarisse Says:
I am so excited to hear that Marcus will be getting his own book someday. It is no secret how much I loved Be Mine Tonight and Night of the Huntress was an amazing followup. Can’t wait for Saint’s book. Congrats on the USA Today Bestseller listing. So well deserved. As for umbrellas, keep watching the mail (that’s all I’m saying).
Shirley Karr Says:
Kate, thanks for stopping by, and mega congrats on the USAT showing! Yes, please tell us what you did to celebrate!
Anne Mallory Says:
Welcome, Kate! Rock on, girl, with that USA Today showing! Congratulations again! So excited for you.
*whacks Jaunty on the quilly nose* Bad, porcupine!
kathryn smith Says:
Thanks, ladies! And a big smooch to Jaunty for being so adorable. He’s just a big flirt, you know? Well, I did’t do anything to celebrate the USAT showing that day because it was late when I found out. Steve took me out to dinner the next night and we played some World of Warcraft. I’m such a geek. lol.
As for the Nightmare Chronicles, the first book is supposed to be released in early 2008. I haven’t gotten the exact date from Avon yet, but I’ll let you know as soon as I do!
And again, thanks for all the warm wishes and support!
Lois Says:
Hi
I haven’t picked up the newest ones yet, but I did just loooove your Ryland Brothers series - Wynthrope’s being my just total favorite. 
Lois
Kathryn Says:
Well my TBR pile is growing, yet another author that I have to check out. I have a teenaged daughter who is in to vampires so maybe I’ll pick it up for her (and me!). She is presently chugging through Nora R’s vampire trilogy and liking it.
Isabel Says:
Kate, congrats on hitting the USAT list, well deserved!
Looking forward to anything you write in the future, I’ve been hooked since BMT.
Jaunty ~ You are as adorable as ever!
kathryn smith Says:
Thanks, ladies! I apologize for not being around much today but I’m visiting family in Nova Scotia and internet is scarce.
Lois, Wyn is one of my all time faves too.
Kathryn, I hope your daughter enjoys the series, and you too!
Isabel, thanks for the congrats!
And a big hug to Clarisse, who I’m going to have to start paying for all her great promo.
Clarisse Says:
Aw, Kate, you already paid me with two of my favorite books! I hawk your book to total strangers because they will enjoy them so.
Shana Says:
Thanks for stopping by, Kathryn! Sorry for the late comment. I’m at a conference in Miami. You are a saint to put up with out Jaunty