Maggie Blackbird

Today, I have author Kayelle Allen in the interview chair.  We’re discussing her latest release Surrender Love, book one in the Antonello Brothers: Immortal series, a sci-fi romance.  Don’t forget to check out the excerpt.

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ALL ABOUT SURRENDER LOVE:

1. First, what’s your favourite scene in the book? Not in regards to writing, but reading, and why?

Kayelle:  My favorite scene is when Luc first meets Izzorah. Luc is this massively successful entrepreneur who’s amassed more money and power than a god. He’s invincible in business and the epitome of being in control. When he shakes hands with Izzorah and looks into his eyes, he’s completely lost. He starts stammering like a schoolboy with a crush, and can’t string two words together. It’s adorable.

2. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your book?

Kayelle:  Actually, I did do it all over again. This is a reprint from an erotic romance, and is now rated at PG16. It has adult themes and sensuality, but no explicit content. This is its first release as a self-pubbed book. I deleted about 7k words and added over 20k. It’s a completely different book but still has the same lovable heroes.

3. What do you love most about your two main characters?

Kayelle:  They are both alone and longing to be loved. Each has reasons to isolate himself and not trust another person. Each has dangerous secrets about his identity. Which makes them perfect for each other.

4. What makes you want to shake your two main characters?

Kayelle:  When they won’t bare their hearts and tell the other person that one big secret they’re hiding.

5. If you could spend time with one character from your book, who would it be? And what would you do during that day?

Kayelle:  Pietas. He’s the immortal king, and he’s my favorite character. There. I said it. I’d hang out and talk to him — no, I’d listen to him talk. I’d have a zillion questions.

6. Did the characters hijack the story or did you feel like you had control of your book?

Kayelle:  I had absolute control until they took over. 🙂

7. How did you come up with the title for your book?

Kayelle:  I saw love as a two step process. First, you surrender your heart, and once you know you can trust that person, you give it forever. The sequel to this book is Forever Love.

8. If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the leads?

Kayelle:  I have thought and thought about this but I honestly don’t know. I’d love for readers to suggest some.

9. If your book was a candle, what scent would it be and why?

Kayelle:  Leather. That’s the scent of pride to a Kin, who can smell every emotion. Izzorah senses it about Luc the moment they meet.

10. If your book had a theme song, what would it be and why?

Kayelle:  Sovereign, by Kevin MacLeod. I listened to it repeatedly while writing this book.

11. If your book was a colour, what would it be and why?

Kayelle:  I’m going with black. It’s mentioned throughout the story in various places and with different meanings.

12. If a reader asked you why they should read your book, what would you tell them?

Kayelle:  If you love a romance where the alpha hero takes charge and cares for the beta hero, this is your story. Izzorah needs rescuing, and Luc saves the day, which is only the beginning of their love story.

13. What can we expect from you in the future?

Kayelle:  There are two more books in this series, already up for pre-order on Amazon, and I have other stories in mind.

KAYELLE ON WRITING:

1. Tell us about your writing process.

Kayelle:  I’m a plotter. I get out Creating Character Arcs by KM Weiland (I have the workbook too) and set up the questions for my characters. Once I go through some of those I have the basics for the story. Then I work on the plot itself. Once I have the structure, I start on the story. I’ve tried pantsing. I end up with hundreds of pages that go nowhere. Who has time for that? This works for me.

2. How much research goes into your books?

Kayelle:  It depends on the book. For Surrender Love, I needed a heart condition. I learned more (and forgot more) about aortas than anyone would ever want to know, unless you’re a doctor. And I am nowhere near doing that.

3. What do you enjoy most about writing?

Kayelle:  Worldbuilding. Plotting the story. Seeing how things connect.

4. What do you enjoy least about writing?

Kayelle:  I had to sit here a minute thinking about that. The bookkeeping.

5. You can only recommend one of your novels to a reader, which would you choose from the books you’ve written so far, and why?

Kayelle:  A Stolen Heart. It’s an origin story for multiple characters and gives you the basis for about ten other books.

6. What novel was your personal favourite to write, and why?

Kayelle:  I’m going to say Ring of the Dragon, which is next in this series. I got to write from a deep point of view as Pietas, and he is always fun. He’s a king, and he’s always proper, but when you’re in his head you find out how fragile he really is. Not weak at all. Not easily broken. But still, fragile. He is so much more than most people think he is.

ALL ABOUT KAYELLE!

1. Readers know about the writer you, but what about the everyday you?

Kayelle:  I’m retired and have a quiet office to myself. My husband sleeps late and I am an early riser. I should have written 100 books by now. But I’m also busy answering questions like these. 🙂

2. What is something unique/quirky about you?

Kayelle:  When I create a character, once I have the name, I know their backstory and more. I will even get details about them that I’ll probably never use. It’s weird.

3. What are some of your pet peeves?

Kayelle:  People who ask questions without reading the FAQs or bothering to Google something first.

4. Where were you born/grew up at?

Kayelle:  Born in the southwest and grew up in Nevada, outside Las Vegas.

5. Describe yourself in five words or less!

Not really all there.

KAYELLE ON READING:

1. What book do you think everyone should read?

Kayelle:  Wow. I have some favorites but I can’t think of a book for everyone.

2. What fiction genre(s) do you read the most?

Kayelle:  Science Fiction Romance, Romantic Suspense, MM Romance of all types.

3. Share your favourite character from a book that you’ve read, and why they are your fave.

Kayelle:  Roark from JD Robb’s In Death series. Because… Roark! If you’ve read her books there is no explanation needed. If you haven’t, go do it.

4. On average, how much do you read every week?

Kayelle:  Not as much as I’d like, but probably about 8 to 10.

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Title: Surrender Love
Series: Antonello Brothers: Immortal, Book 1
Author: Kayelle Allen
Genre(s): Sci-Fi Romance
Heat Rating: PG16 Sensual, not explicit
Book Length: 137k words
Publisher: Romance Lives Forever Books
Release Date: February 20, 2021

Falling in love every lifetime is this immortal’s superpower. But this time, with this lover, it’s forever…

Blurb:  Luc is a 12,000-year-old immortal alpha male, and the most powerful man in an intergalactic empire of 22 planets. When his mortal lover walks away, the smart thing is to move on and forget, but how can he bear his loneliness, life after life?

When Izzorah landed on Tarth five years ago, he’d been nothing but a feline-humanoid alien from the backwoods of a distant world, but he’d made himself into a rock star. When Luc rescues Izzy from a terrible situation, the adorable Kin hero, who has an almost superpower ability to smell every subtle change of emotion, falls for the heartbroken leader.

This might be the soulmate Luc hoped for. The one person to whom he can surrender his heart. But to bring his beloved closer means revealing every damning secret, every twisted truth, and all the dirty hidden lies…

Goodreads | Amazon

“Luc, can I help you get ready for your day?”

“Oh, Izzorah.” A slow smile crossed Luc’s face. “I may need a long, hot, sudsy shower and then help getting dry afterward.”

Izzorah’s throat tightened. A tender ache had him squirming in his seat. He offered a not-so-innocent smile. “We had that kind of shower before breakfast.”

“Yes, we did.” The man trailed a fingertip farther up Izzorah’s arm, causing him to flush with heat. “But between now and then, I intend to work up a sweat. I’m going to need another one.”

Izzorah squirmed again, spreading his legs farther apart.

“And then I’ll need help to dress. Tuxedo affair. I’ll teach you how to fasten everything. It’s complicated. We may have to take everything off and put it back on a few times so you can practice.”

They rose together and leaned across the table. Izzorah gripped Luc’s robe to pull him close, deepening their kiss. The table dug into his thighs.

The servant’s return with milk and coffee broke them apart.

Izzorah felt his cheeks flame.

Luc reseated himself, a self-satisfied smile on his gorgeous face.

Biting into his lower lip, Izzorah resisted the urge to cast breakfast aside and feast on Luc instead.

The server poured more coffee and left.

The size of Luc’s dark hands as they wrapped the white mug brought back memories of the night before. Those hands had held him, turned him, lifted him. Loved him. Izzorah had given himself over in complete trust. He’d rested in Luc’s strong arms. Those loving hands had bathed him, soaped his chest and shampooed his hair. Those same tender hands had dried his skin and hair, lifting strands with patient fingers as he blew it dry.

Izzorah swallowed, his throat tight.

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Kayelle Allen writes Sci Fi with misbehaving robots, mythic heroes, role-playing immortal gamers, and warriors who purr. She is the author of multiple books, novellas, and short stories. She’s also a US Navy veteran and has been married so long she’s tenured.

Find Kayelle:  Web Site | Facebook Page | Facebook Group | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page | BookBub | Linked In | Instagram | Newsletter Sign-Up