Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Today's Special - - World of de Wolfe Pack Spotlight and Giveaway


When historical romance author Barbara Devlin told me that Amazon was launching it's first ever historical romance Kindle World, I was thrilled. Even better, she then shared the information that the chosen World would be Kathryn LeVeque's medieval de Wolfe family and that Barbara and several other authors had already signed on to write novellas for the launch. I wasn't that familiar with Kindle World so Barbara put me in touch with the de Wolfe's creator, Kathyrn LeVeque. Our Q&A below should answer all your questions about this exciting new project that you can participate in too! 





Thank you for visiting with us today, Kathryn. I understand you’re about to embark on a new venture with Amazon’s Kindle World. For those of us unfamiliar with this platform, please explain what Kindle World is and how it works.

Thank you so much for having me! And I’ll gladly explain Kindle Worlds - Kindle Worlds is a very unique site in the world of fan fiction – Amazon licenses certain series and/or character worlds from some of its most popular authors. Amazon then creates a ‘world’ for that author, providing a platform where fans can write about that author’s characters or series (whatever the World happens to encompass) and get paid for it. The best part? Authors get to see fans creating amazing stories out of their characters, and the fans doing the writing – using already-established characters – make royalties when their books sell. Here’s why Kindle Worlds is such a good idea: For readers who love a particular series and would like to see other characters perhaps breakout into their own stories, it’s a perfect time to give your idea a try. Why not? Every author started out as a reader, so if you’re a reader who would like to see a particular character have his/her own storyline and you already have an idea about it, why not write your own story? If your story sells, you get paid. If you’re already an author but would like to gain more readership by drawing on the readership of a particular Kindle World, then it’s a perfect opportunity to use existing characters and create a storyline around them. 

That is so exciting for the world of historical romance! Please tell us about the de Wolfe Pack books
that you’ve created and what this partnership with Kindle World means for fans of this popular series.

The de Wolfe Pack is based on the House of de Wolfe, which was the basis for the very first novel I ever wrote. The first book, THE WOLFE, is set in 13th century England along the Scotland/England border. THE WOLFE has turned out to be my most popular novel and there are, so far, five books in the series and growing.

This is what Kindle Worlds means to fans of the de Wolfe Pack  – well, let’s be honest. I will never be able to write all of the stories I want to write using my de Wolfe family. I have readers ask me constantly about a secondary character having his own story, or maybe a child of de Wolfe having his/her own story. I should live so long to write all of those stories! Therefore, the World of the de Wolfe Pack allows for readers and other authors to write all of those amazing stories I just don’t have the time – or even the imagination – to write. I’m so deeply honored that readers and other authors would care enough about my characters to take the time to write in my world, giving new life to my de Wolfe family. I love to see what someone’s imagination can come up with in putting my de Wolfe family in a different place and time.
  
Will other authors be participating in the launch? Who are they and what will their participation entail?

I have fifteen wonderful, talented authors participating in the launch. These ladies are A-listers as far as I’m concerned and I’m so honored that they would lend their time and talent to my World. Essentially, they were asked to write a novella using the House of de Wolfe as the basis. That’s really it. They created ancestors and descendants – Viking, Wild West, Regency, Shape-shifters, etc – and created all of these utterly amazing stories.  The authors participating in the launch are (in no particular order):
Eliza Knight, Anna Markland, Violetta Rand, Lana Williams, Elizabeth Rose, Victoria Vane, Victoria Zak, Barbara Devlin, Hildie McQueen, Catherine Kean, Christina McKnight, Amanda Mariel, Christy English, Scarlett Cole, and Meara Platt.
If you’ve not read these ladies yet, I would strongly encourage you to do so. Each one of them is a spectacular writer.

Will your Kindle World be open-ended or for a finite period of time?

The World of de Wolfe Pack will be up and running for ten years. Ten years of great stories!

How can readers participate? Will we be able to submit stories? Purchase stories?

Readers can absolutely submit their own stories! I would encourage them to do so! And, yes, you will be able to purchase stories from all of the authors I listed PLUS more to come!  I will be encouraging and asking authors and readers to submit stories to my World for years to come, so there will always be something new and great to read about the de Wolfe Pack.

What else are you working on?

It seems like I’m always working on something - this brain never stops! Currently, I’m working on my December release called DARK DESTROYER, which is also a de Wolfe Pack novel.  After that, I’ve got nine novels and two new collections slated for 2016.  Busy, busy!

Where can readers connect with you online?

At my website at www.kathrynleveque.com, on Facebook at Kathryn Le Veque, Author, and on Twitter @kathrynleveque. There are also at least three fan-run sites on Pinterest that I’m aware of, including a de Wolfe Pack Kindle Worlds Pinterest page with some beautiful cover art on it. I’m always very happy to hear from readers and try to respond to everyone.

Thank you so much for answering my questions, Kathryn. Is there anything you’d like to add?

Thank you so much for having me today and thank you for your interest in the World of de Wolfe Pack and the authors helping launch it.  The Indie community of authors is such a great group of women and I am very happy to call many of them friend.  Most importantly, I always want to give a shout-out to the readers who make all things possible for authors like me. Without you, there would be no me – I say that many times, but it’s true. I have great respect and appreciation for my readers and I try my best to keep them happy!

Would you like to ask the readers a question today?

Sure! I’d like to know (other than Medieval Romance – heh!) what their favorite genres are and what genre, if any, would they like to see me write in.  I’m always open to suggestions!

Thank you again for having me – it was a pleasure!


Dark Destroyer
By Kathryn LeVeque
Release Date: December 24, 2015
Available for Pre-Order at only $0.99


1380 A.D. - The great-grandson of the legendary William de Wolfe is not as his family had hoped; although a man of legendary skill and strength, like his great-grandfather, Gates de Wolfe is something of a legendary rake as well. A man with an eye for women, he has left a string of broken hearts all across England and rumors of at least two bastards, possibly more. But Gates is also a man of humor, charm, and great charisma, making it difficult for women to resist him and making it even more difficult for men to despise him because he is such a likable character. Moreover, in battle, he is a destroyer - a knight without equal. He is a man to be feared. 

Lady Kathalin de Lara is part of the mighty House of de Lara, great marcher lords. A young lady who has been educated in a convent, she is rather naive in the ways of men. When Gates meets Kathalin, he treats her with surprising respect. She is different from other women he has known and because he greatly respects the woman's uncle, a close friend, Gates makes no attempt at another conquest. He treats her with great regard. But in that regard, and in declaring she is out of bounds for his usual conquering ways, a seed of attraction for her sprouts. Gates, unexpectedly, begins to have real feelings for the lovely Lady Kathalin. 

But his reputation as a rake works against him. No decent family, including the House of de Lara, will permit him to seriously court one of their daughters, and Kathalin's family denies his suit. For a spoiled, cavalier man who has always gotten what he wanted, Gates must face the reality that he must actually fight for what he wants and fight for a love he never knew he could feel. 

Join Kathalin and Gates on an impossible adventure of life, love, discovery, and devotion that only angels dare to dream of. 


Here are a few of the other authors, including Barbara Devlin, who are participating in the World of de Wolfe Pack launch.

Barbara has generously offered a giveaway today! Leave a comment to be entered to win one of the following:

Three ebook copies of Lone Wolfe

One 7" Kindle Fire 
(U.S. only. International winner will receive $50 Amazon gift card substitute.)




LONE WOLFE by Barbara Devlin (Medieval Romance Novella)

It is the tempestuous time of the Wars of the Roses and, as the Lancasters and the Yorks battle for the Crown, Lady Desiderata de Mandeviel is caught in the games men play in their lust for power and privilege. Contracted to wed from birth, she welcomes a union with the love of her life, the greatest lancer in England, Titus Saint-Germain. When her father delivers news of her betrothed’s untimely demise, and demands she marry another, Desi must choose between her heart’s desire and family loyalty. Will Desi trust her instincts or yield to paternal authority? Harboring a secret, the truth of his parentage, imparted by his mother on her deathbed, Titus Saint-Germain finds himself trapped between two warring factions with no escape. A loyal Yorkist, the warrior knight serves with distinction and valor, until his own men, in the heat of battle, betray him. It is a scene eerily similar to the one that claimed the life of his father, the great Titus de Wolfe, at Towton, with a singular exception. Help arrives in the form of an unlikely ally—an uncle unaware of his brother’s progeny. Will Titus resist fate and deny his destiny, or will the Lone Wolfe, at long last, journey home to the Lair? 
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BRETON WOLFE by Victoria Vane (Medieval/Viking Romance Novella)

She swore to defy him to her dying breath... But passion blurs the line between love and hate...
The bluest blood and the hardest heart... at least when it comes to marriage... The daughter of a duke and granddaughter of a king, Adele of Vannes was bartered at birth in a marriage treaty for the sole purpose of producing a royal heir. When her philandering husband is slain by Norse marauders, she is coerced to wed again in order to protect her home and her people. Adele knows that her beloved Brittany needs a strong hand to survive, but how can she ever reconcile her bitterness and hatred with the desire she feels for her mortal enemy?

She’s the jewel he seeks for his Breton crown...A Barbarian bent on building a dynasty, Valdrik Vargr, ‘the Norse Wolf,’ is renowned for both his bravery in battle and shrewdness in statecraft. Setting his sights on claiming the kingdom of Brittany, he knows that siring sons from royal blood would solidify his hold, but the woman he would claim as his queen refuses to have him. Will he fuel her hatred by taking her to his bed, or will the man who strikes terror in the hearts of men be reduced to wooing his bride? 

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BENEATH A SILVER SKY by Hildie McQueen (Western Historical Romance Novella)

Trouble follows Brogan Hage into Silver City, Idaho, when injuries force him to seek medical attention. An unexpected offer has him thinking about settling in the bustling town. Between outlaws showing up and a beautiful passionate woman, the hardened lawman is not sure which is more dangerous. Town doctor's daughter, Sarah Sutherland, finds herself fiercely attracted to the wounded U.S. Marshal in her care. The fact he has a reputation for ruthlessness does not stop her from falling in love. What happens with a young woman's first love is a hardened man? 
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32 comments:

  1. Whatever makes YOU happy. If you're happy, then we're happy!

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  2. I do love historical reads. Just travel through history and I'll be pleased.

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  3. Love reading all this and meeting new authors. So very exciting. Thank you :-)

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  4. PJ, thank you for the lovely spotlight. It was such an honor to be asked to write a book for the launch, and I am even more grateful for the opportunity to work with such fabulous authors.

    Dishes, I hope you give our books a chance, because we worked very hard on our installments in the series, and there is something for everyone. Do you like chivalrous knights? We got 'em. Fiery Vikings? Check. Hot cowboys? Yes, ma'am. Courageous SEALs? Oh, yeah. So the only difficult choice is which one to read first. Enjoy!

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  5. So proud to be part of this amazing new venture! World of the Wolfe truly does have something for all romance readers! Thanks so much for helping us spread the word, Dishes!

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  6. This was a fabulous collaboration that I think readers are really going to enjoy! I loved being part of it!

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  7. It has been a wonderful adventure to write in Kathryn's World.

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  8. I've read 2 so far! Looking forward to reading all the books in the World of de Wolfe!

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  9. I have downloaded many of them to my Kindle. Looking forward to diving in! Thank you for sharing your writing talents with us, ladies!

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  10. I enjoy the Regency & Victorian Eras, but I wish an author would try setting a story in the Gilded Age. It's a fascinating time period in America's history.

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  11. Historicals have always been my favorite. Maybe a mixed genre such as historical fantasy but I love variety so I'm open to almost anything.

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  12. Kindle World is an intriguing concept! I need to find out more about it.

    I enjoy historical romances, especially those that take place in the Regency, Medieval, and old American West periods.

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  13. What a great interview, Kathryn! It has been such a joy to be involved in the De Wolfe World!

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  14. "The Wolfe" by Kathryn Le Veque is my very favorite book of all time. When Kindle opened the World of de Wolfe Pack, I was thrilled for Ms. Levque and excited to continue reading about the de Wolfe Family. I have already read Barbara Devlin's "Lone Wolfe" and loved it! Looking forward to picking up all the books in the World of de Wolfe Pack and continuing my love affair with that amazing family originally created by Kathryn Le Veque! ;)

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  15. I'm so happy to have someone writing about this time period!!!

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  16. Love the concept. A whole new world has opened up and I look forward to reading so many of the books. They sound so interesting.

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  17. This is super great!Thanks for the great interview,looking forward to read these books :)

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  18. Thanks for such a fun post! This "world" sounds awesome ;) I'm all about being a passenger. I go where and when the author takes me, they drive! I read! Thanks for sahring!

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  19. This sounds like a wonderful set of books and an awesome project to be involved in! I love to read about most time periods, so this is perfect being able to following the family through time!

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  20. Medieval stories were the first romances I read and are still a favorites. Westerns share that favorite spot. I don't have room on all mine on my book shelves. A kindle or oyjrt trading device makes it to indulge without feeling guilty.

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  21. Besides Medieval Romance, I love Historical Romance / Time Travel/ Paranormal. I think it would be pretty cool to see you write a Medieval Romance with Time Travel.

    I look forward to reading all the books in the de Wolfe World. It may take me a bit, but I will do it. You ladies rock!

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  22. i always love to read, anything that catches my attention. Last time even i don't know the author as long as the cover is gorgeous i will have it. I love mostly paranormal/historical/and contemporay

    Angela

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  24. I love the Wolfe and couldn't be happier to see spin off stories using such a strong and powerful family. I have read and reviewed three so far and none of them was a disappointment. Looking forward to reading more and browsing through more great stories, some from my favorite authors. So people get writing!

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  25. I love the Wolfe and couldn't be happier to see spin off stories using such a strong and powerful family. I have read and reviewed three so far and none of them was a disappointment. Looking forward to reading more and browsing through more great stories, some from my favorite authors. So people get writing!

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  26. Historical is my favorite romance sub-genre. Thanks for a great post and giveaway.

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  27. I love historical romance. Thanks for the interesting post and giveaway!

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  28. I have read the books that started it all, and loved them Now I want to read all these that will connect with them . . My poor one click finger will get worn out.

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  29. What a wonderful idea! I was a bit hesitant about the idea at first but the more I read about it the more the more it sounds appealing.
    I love all kinds of historicals as well as paranormal romance.
    Good luck on this new venture!

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  30. Medieval romances were the first I read and are still a favorite. This is a wonderful collection of stories and authors. I look forward to reading all the books.

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