The Romance Dish: HotDamn

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Today's Special -- Kimberly Killion

Who is this Kimberly Killion anyway?

KIMBERLY KILLION, the designer…

TRD: What is Hot Damn Designs? And how are you affiliated with it?

KK: www.HotDamnDesigns.com is my graphic design company. I work almost exclusively with those involved in the Romance Community. At least that’s where I tend to stretch my networking legs. I do a lot of book cover designs for authors putting up their backlist, but I also build websites, and design bookmarks and business cards…I do it all really. ;)

TRD: You’ve recently launched a new website called www.HotDamnStock.com. What inspired you to create it?

KK: I’ve been designing for romance authors for many years now and the hardest part of any project was finding the right image. I spent hours upon hours searching stock sites, but the models on those sites just didn’t have the look I was searching for. I had mentioned to a friend in jest that I was just going to hire my own models, and she said, “I know a guy who could be a model…” The whole thing exploded from there. I got in touch with Angela Brewer of Todd Studios and the whole thing exploded from there.

Our first photo shoot was insane. We shot for 3 days, working 12-14 hour days. We had 17 amazing models to work with though, so that made it all worthwhile.

TRD: Can you tell us about a memorable moment that took place during the photo shoot?

KK: The most memorable moment—hands down—was when the snake handler got bit by a ten foot python. The snake’s jaws had to be pried open to get his hand out. And this happened AFTER the snake had posed with one of our models! Yikes!!!

TRD: What’s going on at HotDamn! right now?

KK: Today is the last day of our 12 day sale. All stock at www.HotDamnStock.com is 50% off!
Plus, we are giving away a camera to one lucky registered user, so get thee over to www.HotDamnStock.com and sign up!

KIMBERLY KILLION, the writer…

TRD: You are also a writer. When do you sleep?

KK: Sleep? What’s that?

TRD: You have three releases due out in 2011. Please tell us about those stories.

KK: Yes…that’s right…3! It’s so exciting to be able to promote 3 stories at the same time.

His Magick Touch is a sensual novella set on the Isle of Barra in the 16th century Scotland. This story releases January 4th in paperback and ebook and will be part of the Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance. Read more about it here: http://kimberlykillion.com/hmtbooks.asp

Educating Aphrodite is a Victorian ménage a quatre novella set in London. This story releases January 5th in ebook from Ellora’s Cave. Read more about it here: http://kimberlykillion.com/eabooks.asp

Taming a Highland Devil is an erotic Scottish novella. The cover alone should hook you on this story. It’s just stunning! This story releases February 9th in ebook from Ellora’s Cave. Read more about it here: http://kimberlykillion.com/tahdbooks.asp

Both of my erotic releases are finalists in one of RWA’s most prestigious contests, The Emily. I can hardly wait for these characters to meet the world!

TRD: What do you think is the key to a memorable romantic story?

KK: Angst! Lots and lots of sexual tension and a touch of creativity. If I can help it, my readers will rarely have to suffer through the boredom of a bedroom love scene. When I write a love scene I like to put my characters in “fun” places, like in a tree, or on a horse, or in a dressing chamber. What can I say, I get bored easily. But I think the most important rule is to always keep your characters thinking about why they shouldn’t be doing what they are doing. There must always be conflict, conflict, conflict!

TRD: Which character have you had the most fun creating? Why?

KK: Magus! Definitely Magnus. The hero in TAMING A HIGHLAND DEVIL is tortured and sexy and wicked. Oh, and let’s not forget he’s the laird, the prime, the alpha if you will…of course!

TRD: Where can readers find you?

KK: I’m online everywhere…