An Interview with Kimberly A. Rogers: Wolf's Path

I'd like to welcome Christian fantasy author, Kimberly A. Rogers, to the Inkwell. Kimberly writes urban fantasy from a Christian worldview, and if you haven't met her hero and heroine, Baran and Raina, you are definitely missing out!

So you're an independent writer. How did you get into writing? 

 

I first got into writing when I was very young but I didn’t begin seriously writing until I was in my teens. I started my first fantasy novel when I was sixteen, which is now in the editing doldrums awaiting revision. After an unsuccessful attempt to find an agent for that first novel, I spent time writing for myself and perfecting the craft. Then, I found a writing contest that I decided to enter. I didn’t place among the chosen winners, but that contest was the birthplace for my present series, The Therian Way.

What are the benefits of being your own publisher? 

A definite benefit to being an indie author is that I set my own schedule. It’s great that I don’t have to wait six months to a year between each stage of the process. I can be more flexible with building in time for each stage. I also love having full control of the covers for my books. My cover artist, Rachel Rossano of Rossano Designs, has done an excellent job of capturing both the series feel and the mood for each book in the covers. Ultimately, my favorite thing about being indie is I don’t have someone higher up interfering with my story development. I like the freedom of incorporating my faith into my work without having to fight for it or fight to keep from including gratuitous sensuality or language.

A fantasy writer usually has favorite fantasy-writing authors. Who are yours?

My hands-down favorite fantasy authors are J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. They were my favorite authors when I was a kid and I still love their work. Tolkien for his excellent and extremely thorough worldbuilding. Lewis for the way he incorporated his faith into his stories (love Aslan!).

Oh, those are my hands-down favorites, too. Love them both! You're working on a seven-book series that also has a prequel and several auxiliary stories. How do you plan for that? What's your schedule like?

Yes, I am. It sounds more complicated than it is, I think. I have a working idea for the entire series and each of the stories have working bare bones blurbs. When I’m prepping the next novel, I create a chapter by chapter outline with the highpoints and any particular ideas for the scenes that strike me during the brainstorming. Because I have the chapter outlines and the highpoints, I’m able to keep on top of my multiple projects without losing my mind. With the auxiliary stories, it’s a little easier because they tend to be shorter novellas so the draft and editing stages don’t require as much time as the full-length novels.

Right now I have four projects in progress. One novel in the final proofing stages, a short story in final proofing stages, another short story in the writing stage, and my next novel in the outlining stage. So my schedule is cyclic. I’m waiting on the first two, so I’m focusing on writing the next short story and outlining Book Three of the series.

Why urban fantasy?

I chose urban fantasy because it has the unique blend of ‘What If?’ The mix of familiar and unfamiliar technology with the fantastic races fascinates me. I like the challenge of incorporating one known fantastic race (Elves) and one unknown race (Therians) into a world of humans. Sometimes urban fantasy will be more familiar than unfamiliar with very little changes to the world we know. However, I decided to make my series more of a true alternate universe, so there’s familiar history figures but I also changed history and changed the present landscape.

 Tell our readers what your WIP is about. When will it be available?

My current WIP is Wolf’s Path: Book Two of The Therian Way. I’m so excited about this one because I was able to include one of my favorite cryptid legends, The Beast of Bray Road, in the plot. The American werewolf of Wisconsin was a perfect character to add to my series full of shapeshifters. Of course, the other reason I was excited to work on this one is Baran and Raina are in a very interesting and fun place with their relationship.

Wolf’s Path: Book Two of The Therian Way will be available next month.

Tell us about your hero and heroine. Why do they work so well together?

Baran and Raina are the glue for the series. I don’t think the adventures would work half as well without these two in the lead. They work so well together because they are SO different! Baran is a very serious, honorable military man who likes to do things by the book. Raina, on the other hand, is almost his complete opposite. She is a funny, sarcastic, and rather devil-may-care Tracker (an elite organization of Therians who find Elves and Therians be they criminals or simply missing persons…and are far more lax in regulations than the military). She’s more impulsive than he is, in general. They have the opposite attracts vibe between them and when they aren’t quarreling, their different strengths make them a formidable team.

What I really love about Wolf’s Path is Raina and Baran are at a point in their relationship with each other where we finally get to see the fun side of them as a couple. This is especially big for Baran (aka TDS or Tall, Dark, and oh so Serious) since there were hints before to his soft side but he wasn’t willing to show a lot. In this book, however, he doesn’t get as many chances to hide his soft side this time since they’re hunting the Beast of Bray Road under the guise of honeymooners. ;)

They are just wonderful together. Their scenes are so alive and real. So, besides this series, what else do you write?

I have several plans in place for epic fantasies, romantic medieval-esque fantasies, and, of course, more stories set in the world of The Therian Way series.

Why do you write?

I write because I cannot not write. I write because there are stories begging to be told and characters whose voices need to be heard. And, every time I try to stop writing, the characters won’t leave me alone.

What do you have available for readers now?

Right now, I have the first two entries in The Therian Way available on Amazon: Tiger’s Paw (the prequel) www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZDDQIYG and Leopard’s Heart www.amazon.com/dp/B0175P0WFA.

In May, readers can expect to find two new stories from me: Leopard’s Find, a short story about Raina before her appearance in Tiger’s Paw that will be included in Where the Light may Lead (Reflections of Faith Anthology #1), and Wolf’s Path: Book Two of The Therian Way.

What do you do when you aren't writing?

When I’m not writing, I’m usually working on my Master of Religious Education degree. Otherwise, I am reading, researching the next story, or working on a cross-stitch project.

Where can readers find out more about you or contact you?

Twitter: https://twitter.com/karogersauthor
Facebook Author Page:  https://www.facebook.com/Kimberly-A-Rogers-978024802257372/
Blog: https://kimberlyrogerscfwriter.wordpress.com/
Goodreads Series Page: https://www.goodreads.com/series/165568-the-therian-way

Wolf’s Path: Book Two of The Therian Way

Honeymoons are supposed to be relaxing, right?

Not when the honeymoon is just a cover for a hunt. Shapeshifters Baran and Raina are tasked with one of the most unusual hunts of either of their careers — capture the infamous Beast of Bray Road. The monster humans assume is just a legend has grown more aggressive, threatening to expose the Therian race if he is not stopped. A struggle to find the truth and to stop the aggressive loner before he kills awaits Baran and Raina as they follow the Wolf's path.

Coming May 2016

Thanks for visiting the Inkwell, Kimberly!  I'm enjoying reading Wolf's Path right now, and I'm sure your readers will love it! 

Kimberly A. Rogers writes in-depth reviews of Christian and secular fantasy as well as articles for Christian fantasy writers at her blog So You Want to Write Christian Fantasy? Of course, only when not in the midst of writing papers and taking exams in the pursuit of her Masters in Religious Education. Kimberly lives in Virginia where the Blue Ridge Mountains add inspiration to an over-active imagination originally fueled by fantasy classics such as the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.

Jessie Talbox Beals, Photojournalist at the 1904 World's Fair

When I was a little girl, I was fascinated by cameras – especially the Polaroid. Perhaps that’s the reason I interviewed a photographer for an elementary school project. I think I was ten years old. We had to “interview” a professional and write a report. I decided to call the local photographer and ask if I could interview him.  He was so gracious, and tolerated all of my questions. The funny thing is, more than forty years later, I don’t remember the questions but I remember his kindness and my fascination with his antique camera collection.

I didn’t grow up to be a professional photographer, though I do love taking pictures.

I didn’t grow to be an interviewer, though I do love asking questions.

But I did grow up to be a writer and it was fun to create Clara, a photographer, and have her star as the heroine in A Fair To Remember.

That book was set in 1901, Buffalo, New York. Just a little too soon to mention a young female photographer who moved to Buffalo in that same year and later went on to be a photojournalist when she was hired by a newspaper, The Buffalo Courier, in 1902.

Being a fan of learning about women in history, I’ve decided to feature that photojournalist, Jessie Tarbox Beals, in the second book in my World’s Fair series – The Fair of Her Heart. That book is set in Saint Louis, in 1904, the fair where Jessie made a name for herself by climbing ladders and lugging pounds of equipment around so she could take as many photographs as possible. Her diligence earned her the title of official Fair Photographer for several newspapers both in New York, and Saint Louis.

Source: Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University

After reading about Jessie I decided she was the perfect addition to The Fair of Her Heart, and she has a special role in the book.

Jessie Tarbox Beals’s photographs can be found all over the internet, but for quick access to a nice collection, you can click this link to find the collection all in one place: http://petapixel.com/2015/02/22/americas-first-female-photojournalist-jessie-tarbox-beals-with-her-cameras/

And here’s a fabulous Library of Congress article about her which includes some inspiring details about her life before she obtained her first job as a photojournalist: http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/coll/womphotoj/bealsessay.html

After reading about the woman who’s said to be America’s first photojournalist, you may enjoy reading about the woman stated to be the United Kingdom’s first photojournalist, Christina Broom: http://www.poynter.org/2014/uks-first-female-photojournalist-honored/246645/

Suzie Johnson's latest novel, A Fair to Remember, is set in 1901 during the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York and is the first in her World's Fair series published by WhiteFire Publishing. You can visit her website at: www.susandianejohnson.com

Six Little Sunflowers Review

SIX LITTLE SUNFLOWERS is available on Amazon!

In celebration of Gina's 11th release, she is giving away digital copies of SIX LITTLE SUNFLOWERS to three commenters during the Release Party this week.  Let us know in the comment you want to be entered and leave your email address so we know you aren't a troll (such as LovesWildfires (at) gmail dot com). 

SIX LITTLE SUNFLOWERS is the 9th release in Forget Me Not Romances American State Flower series, sweet romances based around state flowers. 

DRAWING DEADLINE is MARCH 31, 2016, 5 PM CST

A Review by Debra E. Marvin

1908 Kansas

Every gal in Felicie’s circle of friends swooned over Wichita’s handsome fireman, Carpenter Yeary. She’d seen him, of course, but she was too practical to go longing after the noted hero. He’d never noticed her before (and they’d gone to the same church for years). My goodness! With all the pretty girls he could choose from—girls with money, fancy dresses and time to primp—that wasn’t likely to change. On her last day as a maid, Felicie had one thing on her mind: transition and prepare for her dream job as calligrapher at the Hotel Carey. She’d trained her replacement, listened to an endless stream of tributes about everyone’s favorite fire fighter, and rolled her eyes over her co-workers’ ridiculous plans for Leap Year Day. Old traditions said a woman could propose to a man that one day every four years, but…

Proposing to a man just to get a new dress out of him was such a tacky thing to do.

Felicie would get her new dresses and suits the right way. She’d ordered from one of the top dressmakers in town, sinking all her savings into that order. She’d be dressed well enough to be an asset to the hotel in her new professional position. Only she hadn’t planned on something even hotter and more distracting than Carp Yeary. A real fire.

Hurrying toward the smoke and sirens, Felicie was concerned about her friends. Madame Laurent wasn’t just her dressmaker, she was the closest thing Felicie had to a mother, and Madame Laurent’s adopted daughter Marina was like a sister. Surely they were safe, and their dress shop couldn’t be the site of the fire. Right?

There’d be no new dresses despite the fireman who saved lives and looked dreamy doing it…but alas, here’s where I pause and let you pick up Six Little Sunflowers for yourself!

I’ve read many novellas by Gina Welborn and this one is as charming as the rest. Gina has a way of taking the odd gem of a story—generally about as unique as they come—and adding captivating characters and delightful details. Six Little Sunflowers surprised me and entertained me. Gina does it every time! I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I did, and it’s a pleasant read-through for a relaxing evening.  I’ll give it five big sunflowered stars!

Six Little Sunflowers Excerpt

SIX LITTLE SUNFLOWERS 

by Gina Welborn

The American State Flower Series

Forget Me Not Romances

Excerpt from Six Little Sunflowers

All Rights Reserved.

February 1908 - Wichita, Kansas

“Carp’s our best smoke-eater.”

“Got that fire out in no time, he did.”

“I heard electrical fire.”

“Carp will know.”

“Don’t know what we’d do wi’out Carp on the job.”

Félicie gritted her teeth as she wove through the people on the sidewalk to get closer to Mama Helaine’s shop. By the way everyone raved about Carpenter Yeary, one would think he was the only person working the fire. She stopped in front of the cigar shop next door. Five vehicles blocked the east side of the street in front of the red-brick building she knew all too well. No flames engulfed the dressmaker’s shop, no burn scarring on the building either, at least from what she could tell in the dusk. Only one window broken. The firemen seemed to be preparing to leave. None of the dresses behind the windows looked burned either.

That was a good sign.

While she knew nothing about fires—barring the ability to start one with flint and a knife—this one looked to have been small and short-lived. She drew in a breath to steady her nerves, releasing the tension inside. Rena and Mama Helaine had to be safe. She had no reason to worry. None. Not at all.

Two firemen stepped out onto the front steps, both holding axes and lanterns.

“Hot spots out!” one yelled.

“All clear!” said the other.

They stopped at the bottom of the steps and spoke to a policeman. Another set of firemen worked on pulling down the ladder. Another checked the ladder truck’s wheels. A half a dozen others lingered about the horse-drawn wagon, rolling the hose and checking equipment.

The highly-esteemed captain was nowhere to be seen.

She would wager Alta and Pearl knew the names of every fireman from Engine 2—which were bachelors, which ones had girls they were courting—even though Pearl had only moved to Wichita in December.

If Pearl and Alta were felines, men in uniforms would be catnip.

Félicie shivered. Right now, a warm fire would be nice. Once the sun set, the temperature seemed to remember it was still winter. She blew on her gloveless hands then rubbed her arms. The threadbare woolen coat she wore over her uniform only gave the appearance of warmth. Nose and ears red from cold, she must look a sight. Her cheeks had to be splotchy, too. This was why she rarely left the hotel in the winter. She stood on her tiptoes to get a better look around. Rena and Miss Trudy-Bleu were nowhere to be seen. Neither was Mama Helaine.

Oh, the ambulance wagon! Perhaps they were in it. It had to be on the other side of all the emergency vehicles.

Félicie stepped onto the street and made her way along the crowd’s edge, swerving around the ladder truck.

A horse neighed.

She stopped. Horses? All the other vehicles were motorized. She stared at the two horses attached to the engine wagon. The brown horse neighed. The white one shook his—her?—head. In warning? Since her experience with large animals was non-existent, she took a precarious step forward.

“Do not bite me,” she whispered, “please.”

She eased closer.

The horses continued to watch her as she approached them.

“Nice horsies,” she muttered.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

Félicie froze, grimaced. The man’s voice was hoarse. Likely from yelling, from breathing smoke. “I know, sir. I am sorry, but I am looking for—” She turned to her left.

Her breath caught. No. No, no, no, no, no. Why him? Of all the policemen and firemen on this street, why did it have to be him?

But it was.

He was right there, a few feet from her nonchalantly standing between the ladder truck and the engine wagon. They had never been this close. Every other time she has seen him, he had been surrounded by minions, sycophants, or adoring fans. At church even! Although shaded somewhat by his burn-scarred leather hat, even with those dark, heavy brows, his green eyes stood in stark contrast to the soot and stubble on his face. She had forgotten how remarkably beautiful and intimidating Captain Carpenter Yeary was.

No, not forgotten.

Not noticed.

She never had any reason to notice. In fact, she had several reasons not to notice him. She ought to say something.

Her mind went blank.

His intense gaze traveled the length of her before fixing on her face. He frowned, a V deepening between his brows.

He was looking at her as if—

     “You have no idea who I am, do you?” Félicie blurted, and then realized how snooty her question sounded, how her words implied she was someone of importance. Which was not true. She was someone of non-importance. He had no reason to know who she was. They were not in the same social sphere. She was the help. He was the town’s hero. He saved lives. She cleaned toilets.

He gave her a strange look, as if she were an oddity. In light of her most recent comment, that was fair. It was.

And then he shrugged.

Félicie blinked. Really? Of all the...

With a growl under her breath, she lifted her chin. He would not get the best of her. “Shrugs can be an ineffective means of communication. The shrugger assumes the person to whom the shrug was conveyed will understand correctly what the shrug means. Sometimes this does occur, especially if people know each other well. In this instance, sir, I have no idea what your shrug was meant to imply; thus, I am sorry to say, your attempt at communication has failed.”

“Carp?” A policeman strolled up. “Is there a problem?”

He said nothing. Not at first. He stared and stared and stared at her. Then—

“Nah, Seth. I got this.”

Félicie kept her face bland. Rolling her eyes at him would not be good form.

The police officer’s brown-eyed gaze shifted in her direction. The corner of his mouth quirked upward creating a dimple that, she was sure, he knew caused ladies to swoon. Or at least pledge undying devotion. “Well, now seeing how it’s my job to keep watch over the civilians—this time, my friend, I got this.” He tipped his hat then struck his hand out. “Sergeant Seth Beaufoy.”

Beaufoy? She seemed to recall Rena attended last year’s Flower Parade with a policeman named Beaufoy. Delightful had been Rena’s summarization of the parade. Flatteries as polished as the brass buttons on his dark uniform had been her summarization of the officer.

Sergeant Beaufoy looked at her quizzically. “Can I help you, Miss...?”

Félicie shook his hand. To not do so would be rude on her part. Thankfully, etiquette did not require she share her name. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Sergeant Beaufoy. Could you direct me to the building’s owners?”

“Are you friends with Miss Laurent?” he asked, still shaking her hand. “Or family?”

“I know her.” Félicie smiled because, in her experience, a smile distracted people from realizing she had not answered their question. Smiling rested nicer on her conscience than lying did.

Yes, there was that, too.

“I have business with Madame Laurent,” she explained.

“Oh, yes, of course.” Sergeant Beaufoy flashed her another one of those swoon-inciting grins that, strangely, made her want to chuckle. “They make clothes, you wear clothes, et cetera, et cetera.” He waved at nothing in particular. It struck her that even if he realized the clothes she wore were not items Madame Laurent would make or sell, he would not care. Why that made her sad, she had no idea.

“Seth, let her go.”

“Carp, be honest. Does she look like she wants me to let her go?” Sergeant Beaufoy winked, and her cheeks felt as warm as the hand he continued to hold. “I think she doesn’t.”

Félicie looked to Captain Yeary. Unlike Sergeant Seth Beaufoy, he wore no smile. He looked down his perfectly straight nose at her. What was that supposed to mean? If she were she Pearl or Alta, she would know how to respond. Rena would know how to respond. Rena knew how to flirt and be coy and how to interpret a man’s glances, winks, and shrugs. Even Mama Helaine could, and she was fifty!

But for the last twelve years, Mama Helaine and Rena had not lived in a hotel or spent their time cleaning a hotel room like Félicie had—alone. Except for church on Sundays, her interaction with men—really, with people—was limited.

Both men looked at her in expectation of a response.

Félicie pasted on a smile. When in doubt, smile.

“Seth, let go of her,” repeated Captain Yeary.

“Alas, my dear.” Sergeant Beaufoy raised her hand to his lips. “Until tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” she echoed, tightening her coat around her chest.

“The Leap Year Day festival. I’ll look for you at the concert in the park.”

Oh. That. The last Leap Year Day festival she attended had been in the previous millennium—1892, to be precise. Back when her twelve-year-old self still believed in fairies, good luck, and love conquering all. Nothing in the world could convince her to attend tomorrow’s festival.

Félicie indented the corner of her mouth. “You may look for me.” There. She could be coy.

“Yes, indeed I will.” After a slap to Captain Yeary’s shoulder, Sergeant Beaufoy walked off.

“It was nice speaking with you,” Félicie said to be polite. “To you both. I shall leave now.”

Captain Yeary stepped forward.

Félicie stepped back...and then stepped again to put even more distance between them.

His gloved-hand grabbed her arm. “Wrong way.”

Félicie said nothing as he gently pulled her out of the middle of the street. She hurried to keep pace with him. She did, however, noticed the number of people looking their way. She could only imagine what they were thinking: There goes our Carp gallantly rescuing another stray. Another orphan.

Another cast-off.

“I am not a lost pet needing rescue,” she muttered.

His hand readjusted its hold on her. He kept walking, giving no indication of having heard her. If he had, he clearly felt her comment needed no response. Best course of action was to say as little as possible to this man.

Félicie looked to where his grip encircled her forearm. Even if she tried to free herself, she knew he would hold on as long as he felt necessary. How could she know that? How? She did not know him. She did not know his character. She only knew what she had heard about him and how she had seen people at church adore him. So much was hero worship. She did her best to keep her distance, so no one would take her for being a part of the fawning crowd.

Why did everyone think he was a prince among men? He was just a man. Flawed, human, and alone like everyone else.

SIX LITTLE SUNFLOWERS is available on Amazon!

In celebration of Gina's 11th release, she is giving away digital copies of SIX LITTLE SUNFLOWERS to three commenters during the Release Party this week.  Let us know in the comment you want to be entered and leave your email address so we know you aren't a troll (such as LovesWildfires (at) gmail dot com). 

SIX LITTLE SUNFLOWERS is the 9th release in Forget Me Not Romances American State Flower series, sweet romances based around state flowers. Felicie has been a linen girl, a chambermaid, and is about to start her new job as hotel calligrapher! What is/was your favorite job of all the ones you've had since you entered the workforce?

DRAWING DEADLINE is MARCH 31, 2016, 5 PM CST

GINA WELBORN worked for a news radio station until she fell in love with writing romances. She’s the author of eleven inspirational romances, including the ECPA-bestselling Lassoed by Marriage Romance Collection. She serves on the ACFW Foundation Board by helping raise funds for scholarships. Gina is a lifetime member of the National Corvette Museum and a founding member of the Southwest Oklahoma Corvette Club. She lives with her husband, their five Okie-Hokie children, two rabbits, two guinea pigs, and a dog that doesn't realize rabbits and pigs are edible. 

www.ginawelborn.com

www.facebook.com/ginamarie.welborn

www.facebook.com/ginawelbornauthor

www.pinterest.com/ginawelborn