Author Interview & Giveaway with Kinley Baker

Jessa is one healing away from death. Under the thrall of her gift, the Court's Senior Healer risks giving her life in exchange for her patient's. Vale is a rebel ruler. When his brother is killed, he's given the throne and the decree from the Court to produce an heir or lose his family's hold on the land--and his deceiving advisors aren't afraid to use murder as a weapon if their directive to stay away from the Senior Healer goes unheeded. But Vale burns to possess Jessa. The heat between them leaves a wake of smoke, and even the powerful forces above want to bind them in a union that lasts forever. Vale taking another would be a betrayal neither could survive. Their enemies fear a child born of such a powerful Healer and Warrior, but the true threat lies in the bond forged in shadows and fused in fire

 Please helpe me welcome Kinley Baker, author of Ruined to A Buckeye Girl Reads! 

Ruined is a fantasy romance, can you tell us a little about the world it's set in?

The Shadow Shifters originated in the hills of Northern Britain in a world like ours, but in the year 657, the Anglo-Saxons invaded their homeland. The king at the time, King Falon, decided to provide safety for his people by traveling to an alternate realm. The Gaspar are portal makers and they led the Shadow Shifters through to the new realm. The Realm of Shadows is a mystical land swept away by darkness. It has an Old World feel, mixed with a little magic, mixed with a little mystery.

What will make us fall in love with Vale & Jessa, the hero and heroine?

The whole time I was writing and working on Ruined, I always thought of Jessa as the ideal best friend. She’s strong in her own way, comfortable with who she is, and passionate about her work. She’s fairly even-tempered, so it’s fun to watch Vale rile her up. Vale deeply cares about his people. Sometimes it gets him into trouble personally, but he’s always been interested in Jessa and watching him come to terms with his feelings makes him human. Neither of them are perfect, but I think watching them fall in love will make you love the characters because of how perfect they are for each other, flaws and all.

What is your favorite part of Ruined?

I love the branding scene. I won’t give anything away, but once you read it, you’ll know what I’m talking about. I love everything in the scenes leading to the branding scene, and then I love the big, devastating reveal in the scene after.

What is the most fun part of writing fantasy?

I love writing fantasy! There are so many fun aspects. My favorite is probably the fact each new realm starts with nothing. I can build any type of society I want. In Ruined I created a world with lots of problems. Then I get to fix them as I continue the trilogy, which I look forward to doing.

If you could choose any actors to play Vale & Jessa who would they be? 

I think Joe Manganiello would play a compelling Vale. Most people probably know him as Alcide from True Blood, but if you watch How I Met Your Mother, he’s also the guy who accidentally dates Marshall for a few cameo appearances. He’s a versatile actor.

I think Ashley Greene would play a great Jessa. She has the same look as Jessa. From watching Ashley play Alice in Twilight, I think she would embody a Healer well. I also think she would be able to capture Jessa’s mix of innocence and strength.

My random question for you: What's your current favorite tv show & book?

I’m getting back into watching television again. Last season I was so busy writing, I missed a lot of shows. I still manage to have a long list of shows I love. Some of them are: Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Terra Nova, Parks & Recreation, and True Blood. I admit sometimes I forget to watch even my favorites if my husband doesn’t go out of his way to get my attention away from my computer. Thank goodness for DVR.

My favorite book right now is Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh. I love Hawke’s character development J

Where can we find you on the web? 

My website is my home base on the web at www.kinleybaker.com. But I’m also on Twitter and Facebook. www.twitter.com/kinleybaker and www.facebook.com/kinleybaker. I also keep a blog at http://authorkinleybaker.blogspot.com where I will comment back if you want to leave a message. Visitors are always welcomed!

Thank you for allowing me to visit your blog today, Colette!

GIVEAWAY: 

To enter, just ask Kinley a question! Please leave your email address or twitter handle so I have a way of contacting you if you are the winner. If I do not hear from the winner within 2 days of contacting them a new one will be chosen. Giveaway is open till Friday October 14, 2011 @ 11:00pm Winner will be chosen at random.