Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Today's Special - - Kylie Brant

It's my pleasure to welcome contemporary romantic suspense author, Kylie Brant back to The Romance Dish!  It's been almost twenty years since Kylie's first book was published and, in that time, she's written twenty-five romantic suspense novels for Silhouette Intimate Moments and five romantic suspense novels for Berkley.  That's a lot of good reading for those of us who enjoy romantic suspense thrillers!  When she's not writing, Kylie is a busy special education teacher who also enjoys traveling, reading, flower gardening and, believe it or not, exercising!  She's also a regular blogger at the multi-author blog,  Riding With the Top Down.  You can find more information about Kylie and her books at her website and connect with her at facebook and myspace.  Please welcome Kylie as she talks about the fourth book in her Mindhunters series, DEADLY INTENT, an intensely emotional and suspense-filled thriller that kept me awake reading long past midnight! 



Deadly Intent
by Kylie Brant

Thanks so much, Dishers, for having me back on the blog to discuss my newest release, DEADLY INTENT! I was thrilled and excited when my editor asked for three more Mindhunters books. DEADLY INTENT  is book 4 and continues to follow investigators for Raiker’s Forensics as they consult with law enforcement on urgent high profile crimes.

And it doesn’t come more urgent than a child kidnapping.

I was a bit squeamish about telling this story, despite its insistent demand in my imagination. Readers don’t like books about children in danger, I told myself. They aren’t going to want to hear about the trauma eleven-year-old Ellie Mulder has encountered in her short life. Sure I write dark romantic suspense, but how dark is too dark? I toyed with going in a different direction with it. Changing it completely. But the character of Ellie wouldn’t let me. She insisted on being heard.

She refused to be a victim.

This is the first time in thirty books that a secondary character has taken over like that. I’ve had minor skirmishes with a hero or heroine who wanted to dictate their storyline along the way. Usually we work out a compromise.   But Ellie is too young to have learned the art of give and take. So with a lot of self-doubt and trepidation, I began to write this story. And fell a little more in love with it with every chapter.

Ellie wasn’t the only one who revealed a stubborn streak as I wrote the story. The heroine, Macy Reid, didn’t turn out to be the quiet unassuming character I had first thought either. Turns out she’s used to being underestimated. People meeting her for the first time are charmed by her quiet competent air and faint British accent. They don’t see the strength beneath. They don’t suspect the sort of trauma in her past that has forged it.

Kellan Burke comes head to head with that strength over the course of the story. He hasn’t been able to get their one-night stand six months ago out of his head. It might be pride—he’s used to female attention, after all—but he hasn’t been able to forget her. The investigation requires them to work closely together, and being a multi-tasker, he’s more than up to the challenge of working the case and working to shred Macy’s defenses at the same time. Except that the more he learns of the woman the more intrigued he becomes. He wants to protect her at all costs, but learns that a person can’t be protected from their past. They can only be supported as they confront it.

It occurs to me that if there’s one common theme running through this book, it’s the danger of underestimating people. Colorado Bureau of Investigation Assistant Director Calvin Whitman makes that mistake with Kell. He sees only the rogue wise-cracker and doesn’t recognize the keen mind beneath until it’s almost too late. Kell, in turn doesn’t immediately realize that Macy is far more than a delicate English rose born with a silver spoon.

And as for Ellie…no one suspects the sort of courage a young girl can exhibit when she’s already been to hell and back. Or how the chilling circumstances of her captivity can wind up bringing her a bit of closure…and healing.

Since I’m not a plotter, it goes without saying that I love to be surprised by developments in my stories. Ellie surprised me time and again! Do you like your characters to follow a predictable pattern of development or do you enjoy twists along the way? How have you been surprised by your favorite author’s story people?

Readers can read an excerpt of DEADLY INTENT on my site at http://kyliebrant.com/current_excerpts.html#intent

One randomly selected person leaving a comment today will win one of Kylie's books.  You must have a U.S. or Canadian mailing address or live in a country where bookdepository.com mails in order to be eligible for this giveaway.   

38 comments:

  1. Hi Kylie

    I have heard a lot about this book and the series I need to start with the first one and then I will have a few to read one after the other YAY.

    I like twists and turns in a story especially romantic suspense they keep me on the edge of my seat.

    Congrats on the release

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  2. I prefer characters to not be too predictable. Real life doesn't always take us where we thought it would. Too many look at the surface and fail to see the real person underneath. in a crisis, they are surprised by the actions of others. That is because they never took the time to look deeper into just who these others are.
    I've heard good things about this book. We all like to see people face challenges and come out the stronger for it.
    Best of luck with the release of DEADLY INTENT.

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  3. I love surprises, i love mysteries, that's why i love reading books that has twists along the way. And i love your books :)

    oh, i just wished that i could win this book ! Congrats on the release !

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  4. I like the unpredictability of characters in suspense novels. Favorites: Karen Robard's Steve (Frankenstein) in Walking After Midnight. Lisa Jackson has several twists in her books, Shiver etc as does Heather Graham Tall, Dark and Deadly etc..

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  5. Good Morning, everyone! It's a cold, rainy day where I am - perfect for curling up with a great romantic suspense story!

    Welcome back to the Dish, Kylie! We're so pleased to have you visit with us again. I read DEADLY INTENT this past weekend. I started it Sunday, planning to take a few days to read the entire story, and turned the final page about 3:30 Monday morning. Once I got started, the characters absolutely refused to let me go!

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  6. Helen, I hope you enjoy this series. Kylie's stories will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat!

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  7. Good morning, Kylie! Welcome back to The Romance Dish. We're happy to have you with us today. Congratulations on your new release! It sounds intense!

    I have to say that I really enjoy unexpected twists and turns in a story...as long as it fits the story and it is an outcome that I'm happy with. While reading, I sometimes find myself trying to guess/predict what might happen (though I don't read ahead), so if the outcome of the surprise is one that is satisfying in my mind, I'm good with it. :)

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  8. Librarypat said, I prefer characters to not be too predictable. Real life doesn't always take us where we thought it would.

    So true! I much prefer R/S stories that surprise me.

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  9. Mariska, thanks so much for stopping by!

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  10. Hi Laurie! Lisa Jackson is a master of twists and turns. Have you read Jeanne Adams? Her latest, Deadly Little Secrets has some great twists and most unexpected turns!

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  11. Andrea, I'm the same way - always trying to guess who the villain is and what will happen. I'm much too good at it which is why I love an author who can surprise me!

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  12. Good morning, Kylie! We're glad you're back with us again. Your new release sounds like it would keep me turning the pages long into the night! :-)

    I love twist and turns in a story. It's what keep things fresh and interesting.

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  13. Hi Kylie *waves*,
    Your book sounds wonderful. ^^ I love the twist and turns in a plot. It keeps you on the edge and the feeling of "omg how that happen or howwwwwwwww". ^^

    Melissa
    jedisakora@msn.com

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  14. Thanks Helen! I love to read suspense myself. Hope you enjoy the series!

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  15. Thanks, Librarypat! I agree, what lurks beneath the surface of people is always the most intriguing. There's an Iowa soldier in the news right now receiving the medal of honor for his bravery in combat. Yet when he was interviewed he described himself as a mediocre soldier. That to me is a true hero. The everyday average Joe who finds the strength and courage deep within himself in times of need.

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  16. Laurie, of the ones you mentioned, I read Shiver and really enjoyed it, too!

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  17. Thanks, PJ :) That's what an author likes to hear! Thanks for having me back on the dish!

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  18. Andrea, you are so disciplined :) I have to admit I frequently turn ahead to the ending. A bad habit of mine!

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  19. Thanks, Gannon, it's great to be back!

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  20. Melissa, I always have that reaction when I read Lee Child. "How is he ever going to get Reacher out of this situation!" He's the master of suspense, IMO.

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  21. I like surprises and all the twists and turns of a good suspense book, show, or movie. I also like trying to figure out who the bad guy is when I'm watching it on the screen. But when it comes to books, I always flip to the back to find out who the bad guy is. I find that it doesn't lessen the excitment and suspense of the book for me, for some reason. My friends always tell me not to do this and just go along for the ride, but I haven't been able to break the habit. ;)

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  22. Hey Kylie
    I'm just hear to let everyone know that I've READ the book and WOW! What a ride.
    Great job, girlfriend - as usual!
    Buy the book, people. You won't be sorry. in fact, the entire series is GREAT!

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  23. Jedisakora, I love that "WHOA" feeling that I get when an author takes me in a totally unexpected direction!

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  24. Thanks for stopping by, Karyn! Kylie's new book is certainly suspenseful. I loved it!

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  25. Lisa said, But when it comes to books, I always flip to the back to find out who the bad guy is.

    I have friends who do this but I never have. I guess I just enjoy the ride too much to know the answers beforehand. ;-)

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  26. I like unexpected twists in plot and character...keeps things interesting and fun. Looking forward to reading your latest.

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  27. Cindy Gerard said, Buy the book, people. You won't be sorry. in fact, the entire series is GREAT!

    Cindy should know! She's a two-time RITA winner who writes terrific romantic suspense books herself!

    Thanks for stopping by, Cindy!

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  28. Karyn, the surprises keep us reading!

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  29. Lisa, I do the same thing! And then I try to go back and piece together the clues that should lead me to that character!

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  30. Thanks, Cindy :) Everyone, Cindy is a brainstorming partner so she gets a sneak peek in to coming attractions, LOL!

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  31. Hi Kylie I loveeee your books really truelly they are awesome i cant wait toread this one as well


    all the tists and turns and the who done its is awesome!
    congrats on the release
    mortalsinn@yahoo.com

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  32. I love the twists! I'd rather not have the story be predicatable.

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  33. Hi! Congrats on your recent release! I'm looking forward to reading DEADLY INTENT.

    I do like to be surprised by characters as long as the surprises are consistent with the characters themselves. Also, if the main character (whose POV the book is told from) figures something out, I would love it if hints were dropped beforehand instead of having it come out of nowhere.

    ironss[at]gmail.com

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  34. Hi SiNn! The twistier the plot the better!

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  35. Right, Chey. If I can figure out where the plot is going too soon then I'd just as soon not finish the book I'm reading!

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  36. Sheree, I find the foreshadowing to be the trickiest part of writing suspense. It seems so clear to me where it's going it's hard to put myself in the reader's place, and know how much is enough!

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