Nalini Singh Winner!

A big thanks to everyone who stopped by and commented on my interview with Nalini Singh. Random.org has picked the winner of a hardback copy of Nalini Singh's latest release, KISS OF SNOW. And the winner is ....

JENNIFER!!

Congrats to you, Jennifer. Please send your full name and address to theromancedishATgmailDOTcom with "Nalini Singh Winner" in the subject line.

~ Buffie

Today's Special -- Nalini Singh

Today, I am beyond thrilled to welcome author Nalini Singh to The Romance Dish. A few years ago I was introduced to Nalini’s writing by another romance reader and ever since I have been a huge fan. Nalini is well known for her paranormal Psy/Changeling and Guild Hunter series. Please give a very warm welcome to Nalini Singh!!!


Thank you for inviting me over to visit! It’s great to talk with you again.

Big congratulations on your latest release, KISS OF SNOW! This book is the next installment in your extremely popular Psy/Changeling series and has been highly anticipated by all of your fans because we finally get to see Hawke find his HEA. Would you share a little bit about the book with us?

KISS OF SNOW is the story of the alpha of the SnowDancer wolf pack, Hawke, and Sienna, a powerful Psy who defected to the SnowDancers with her family.

There has always been an undeniable pull between them, but several factors have kept them apart - including the gap in their ages, and the fact that Hawke believes he lost his chance to mate when the woman who would’ve grown up to be his mate, died as a child.

Their story is intense and emotional, but also playful in places – after all, Hawke is a changeling.

With all of the anticipation by your fans for Hawke’s book, did you put more pressure on yourself to write his story? Did you struggle at all with his story? Or did it come to you as naturally as the others?

No matter the pressure, when I sit down to write, it’s just me and the story – I trust my instincts and go for it. This was true with Kiss of Snow, too.

Also, I’ve been writing scenes for this book throughout the series. I think the fact that I always had a very strong vision for Hawke and Sienna’s story helped me maintain my focus despite the fact that I knew so many people were waiting for this book.

Readers have been given glimpses of Hawke in several of the books in the Psy/Changeling series. Through those glimpses, Hawke seems to be the total brooding, alpha male. While writing his story, did any of his actions and emotions surprise even you the writer?

I feel I’ve come to know him intimately throughout the series – however, my perspective on him is a little different than most people’s, as I’ve been inside his head, while in the series to date, we’ve seen him through the eyes of other people a lot of the time. In Kiss of Snow, you get to see the heart of the man he is, and yes, he might surprise you at times.

Also, I have to say that he hasn’t been all brooding alpha in the books in which he’s appeared – he does like to tease Lucas about Sascha darling. ;-)

Oh yes, the way he teases Lucas is just hilarious!!

Was it difficult to bring Hawke out of his self-protecting shell and expose his feelings?

He’s alpha and he likes to get his own way – it definitely wasn’t in any way, shape, or form easy for him to show any vulnerability. But I think that’s what makes it all the more powerful when he does lay his soul bare.

Out of all of the traits Hawke possesses, which one is your favorite and why?

I love his sense of humor – it’s a wicked, wicked one.

Did you know from the moment you introduced Sienna in the Psy-Changeling series that she would be Hawke’s mate? If so, how?

As soon as they stepped onto the page together, the chemistry was off the charts. I knew immediately that it was always going to be Hawke and Sienna – though it might’ve been “easier” to pair them up with other people, it simply wouldn’t have worked. They were meant for one another.

KISS OF SNOW is the 10th book in your successful Psy-Changeling series. Do you see many more books in this series? And whose book is next?

I like to joke that I’ll never actually stop writing this series, that I’ll secretly write Psy/Changeling stories even when everyone else thinks the series is over, but honestly, there’s more than a grain of truth in that – I adore the world, and can’t imagine leaving it forever.

But, the series does have a very strong overarching storyline, and I know exactly where I’m going with that, and there will be a satisfying end to that arc. Once that is complete however, I would like to do some tangent books – storylines that wouldn’t have fit neatly into the main arc. So readers who are reading for the main arc will have a solid conclusion, but readers who want to continue to explore the world, will have further books to look forward to.

As to whose book is next…it features a sexy, sexy SnowDancer lieutenant whose animal form is a black wolf. His heroine is someone you’ve already met.

Ooooh, I can’t wait to read that story!!!!

Personally, I am in awe of the complex world you have created. I know that you currently have two series going – the Psy-Changeling series and the Guild Hunter series. Do you find it difficult juggling these two worlds as you write?

Because the two worlds are so different from one another, I don’t have a problem with keeping them separate in my mind. I love stepping into each one.

Many authors who have long series keep a “bible” of facts for the series. Do you have such a “bible” for either one of your series?

Yes, I have one for each series. It helps ensure internal continuity. I also always refer back to the printed books if I need to double-check something.

As a resident of New Zealand, have you ever considered writing a book or series set in New Zealand?

I did actually set three of my Silhouette Desire novels in New Zealand. It all depends on the needs of the story as to what setting works best.

I'm going to have to see if I can find those books!

From your website I see that you have traveled around the world and have seen some beautiful sites. What is the one place you haven’t been to that is at the top of your list?

There are so many places I still want to visit! Russia definitely, and Alaska, too – I’d love to see the Northern Lights dance across the sky.

Since you are coming to the United States this summer to attend a few conferences and book signings, are you planning to visit any areas of the country which you have not previously visited?

My tour and conference schedule will take me to a number of cities, including New Orleans, Chicago and Cincinnati, none of which I’ve ever before visited. I’m very much looking forward to the trip!

Dang! Sure wish you were coming to Atlanta. Maybe next time.


Quick Six Time!

High heels or sneakers? Sneakers
Beach or mountains? Beach
Summer or winter? Summer
Mexican or Italian? Mexican
Diamonds or Pearls? Diamonds
Plotter or Pantster? A combination of both. I like to just go for it and do a fast first draft rather than planning the whole book out before I put fingers to the keyboard, or pen to paper, so in that way, I’m an organic writer (sounds much nicer than pantser!). However, since I write series with overarching storylines, I do plan ahead to ensure the series arc remains strong and cohesive.


Nalini, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions (and for being so sweet!). Now it’s your turn—is there a question you would like to ask our readers?

Thank you for the wonderful interview!

My question is – what upcoming books are you looking forward to reading?

You ladies are really lucky today. One random commenter will win a copy of KISS OF SNOW.

Check out Buffie's review below.




~ Buffie

Review -- Kiss of Snow

Kiss of Snow
By Nalini Singh
Psy/Changeling Series
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: May 31, 2011





The indulgence of the previous night came back to bite Hawke the next morning. His wolf had had a taste of Sienna Lauren, and it was through with waiting. It wanted her, and it wanted her now. The scent of her -- the maddening spice and steel of it -- lingered in his skin until he drew it in with every breath.


He couldn't allow himself to surrender to the compulsion. Everything else aside, she was nineteen years old, for Christ's sake, nowhere near mature enough to handle either man or wolf, especially given the razor's edge he was walking right now. More than likely, he'd terrify her.



KISS OF SNOW is the 10th installment in Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series. This is the story of Hawke, the alpha leader of the SnowDancer wolf pack. Fans of this series have seen glimpses of Hawke throughout the series and have been waiting to devour this book. To all those fans I say ... you will not be disappointed!

As the leader of the SnowDancer pack, Hawke is used to having his commands followed without question or comment. Taking the reigns of leader at a very early age, Hawke has mastered leadership. He is confident, precise, and efficient -- everything a leader should be. The only thing that unnerves him is Psy Sienna Lauren. The wolf in him wants her desperately, and the man in him desires her as a life mate. Hawke has a difficult time getting past Sienna's age and the fact he has lost his mate. The SnowDancer wolves only mate once in a lifetime.

Sienna Lauren is a powerful and rare X Cardinal Psy. When her Psy family left the PsyNet and joined the SnowDancer pack, Sienna was immediately drawn to Hawke. As she has grown older and mature over years, her attraction to Hawke has intensified. Determined to show Hawke she is no longer the child he still sees, Sienna begins to show Hawke glimpses of her womanly figure and her mature mind. And Hawke likes what he sees.

It was time, he thought, to lay things out into the open. "No hypotheticals, Sienna. Me and you. Is that what you want?"

"I've made that pretty clear." An acerbic reply accompanied by arms folded across her chest.

His wolf liked the bite of her, but he had to be certain she understood the implications of being with him. All of them. Fisting a hand into her hair, he pressed in close until she had to unfold her arms, her hands landing on his waist. "Do you know what it would mean for you if I take you as mine?"

Though her pulse was a frantic beat he wanted to lick, she stood her ground.

As the courtship dance between Hawke and Sienna begins, outside forces attack the pack and their territory leaving a future between Hawke and Sienna in question. In the end, can Hawke and Sienna come together and stay together for their own happiness? And will the SnowDancer wolf pack survive the attacks by the Psy? I'm not about to answer those questions for you. You are going to have read the book!

This book met every one of my expectations and more. Nalini Singh is a master of creating an overall story arc over several books while still singling in on the love of two individuals. If you are already a Psy/Changeling series fan, you are going to LOVE this book. If you haven't yet started this series, I would highly encourage you to do so ... right away! Begin with SLAVE TO SENSATION and before you know it, you will be on KISS OF SNOW.



~ Buffie


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