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Title: Blood Mate
Series: Standalone
Author: Kitty Thomas
Published: January 30, 2014 - Burlesque Press
Format: Ebook received for review
Blood Mate, a dark fairy tale...
Nicole has been happily married to big shot attorney, Dominic Rose for ten years, but soon after their anniversary he grows cold—as if she doesn’t exist. Meanwhile, another man has been pursuing her far too intently for comfort.
August Corinth is a six-hundred-year-old vampire, cursed to kill and suffer the pain of his victims each night until he can find the one woman who can resist his thrall, his blood mate. Once he’s found her, there are no lines he won’t cross to claim the promised salvation even if it means taking away everything and everyone she loves.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, and the author does not endorse or condone any of this book’s content in a real world setting. This work is intended for an emotionally mature, adult audience
Blood Mate... It was a good book, overall. It had a strong premise. But honestly - by the end, it lost me. I had super high hopes for this. I was hoping August was every bit the sexy dark anti-hero that Christian was from The Last Girl. He had his moments...
Welcome to Quote-Tastic, hosted by Anna at Herding Cats & Burning Soup! She started this feature a bit ago so we could all share our favorite quotes from books. I've been having a blast with it!
Generally, I've been featuring quotes from books I've reviewed recently. This week I'm going to reach back in my archive to The Last Girl by Kitty Thomas. This book had such a profound effect on me, it's stayed on my mind since I first read it in May 2012. So yep, it's been just over a year. I still talk about this book to everyone, it's definitely an all time favorite for me.
For those of you not familiar with the story, Christian is a centuries old vampire, and he's quite dangerous, which proves to be a problem for Juliette when she becomes the object of his attention and he decides to take her for his own. I had two quotes I was debating with, and this is the one I've picked:
I am beginning to become more genuinely afraid of him. He seems to have shut off whatever power allows him to eavesdrop on my mind because he isn’t watching me in the same shrewd way or reacting to my thoughts. I assume he can turn this power on and off at will, otherwise it’s more of a curse than a gift. He’s walking circles around me, studying me. I shiver as his eyes caress my skin so intimately. I don’t feel like a virgin right now. I feel like what he just called me. A slut. “Christian?” “Yes?” His tone is sort of absent, as if he’s lost in me, cataloging all my parts, making arcane lists in his mind. “Are you going to hurt me?” I hold my breath. There is this stupid part of me that believes he won’t because he hasn’t in all this time even though he must have had opportunities. And he didn’t that night. “Yes.”
So what do you think? You like it? If you like vampires and stories of captivity, then this book should do well for you. It's not for everyone - it definitely deals with some strong subjects, and it doesn't hold back. But as for me, I loved it.
Do you have any quotes? Sign up on the linky or leave them in the comments!
Welcome to Quote-Tastic, hosted by Anna at Herding Cats & Burning Soup! She started this feature a bit ago so we could all share our favorite quotes from books. I've been having a blast with it!
Generally, I've been featuring quotes from books I've reviewed recently. This week I'm going to reach back in my archive to The Last Girl by Kitty Thomas. This book had such a profound effect on me, it's stayed on my mind since I first read it in May 2012. So yep, it's been just over a year. I still talk about this book to everyone, it's definitely an all time favorite for me.
Title: Save My Soul Series: Preternaturals #2 Author: Zoe Winters Published: January 2011, Incubooks Format: Ebook received for review
All he's asking for is her soul. After buying the antebellum home she's fantasized about since childhood, Anna Worthington discovers Luc, a dangerously seductive incubus who has been trapped in the house by a fifty-year-old curse. To rid herself of her problem house guest she'll call on a priest, gypsies, ghost hunters, and the coven of witches from lust bunny hell. All she has to do is resist him long enough to break the spell so they can go their separate ways. If she doesn't, she could die. And that would be the best case scenario.
The Preternaturals series is awesome. I’ve not been reading them in order, having read three and four before reading this one, which is book two – and I’ve not been lost at all. So it is entirely possible to pick these up as you go. Sure, there are tidbits of information throughout the books. Like in book four, Anna and Luc are in it, and Cain touches on their situation, but it in no way ruined the fun of this book.
Anna has come back to town to tidy up her deceased father’s affairs, and then she getting the hell out. That is, until she sees the house she’s loved since she was a child is up for sale. One look inside with the real estate agent and she’s decided it’s going to be hers. And almost immediately upon moving in strange things begin to happen and she realizes she has a ghost. And not only that, but a ghost who can move things, and is audacious enough to write in the bathroom mirror fog as she stands there looking at it.
But it isn’t too long before she realizes that her ghost isn’t a ghost at all – but an incubus. And a sexy as hell one, too. Ladies, meet Luc. Luc is tall, dark, handsome, and powerful. Just not so powerful that he can actually leave the house. Seems a witch from the past has cursed him to live there for all of eternity. Cain has been bringing him women to feed from so that he doesn’t die. What a good brother he is (grins). Well Anna decides she is NOT leaving her house that she loves, so she does something crazy – she brings in a harem for Luc; and that’s even as she is developing feelings for him, herself.
This was a crazy story! There are moments that are a bit spooky, and definitely some moments that are very heated and lusty. I loved Luc, of course. How could you not? You realize through a creative flashback process that he is not just an evil demon. And Anna is just as feisty as can be. She’s smart and creative, and she’s got the snark happening too. And the two of them together are really terrific.
Personally, I really enjoy books where I feel there could have been difficulty in writing them. And this is one. Not so much the subject matter, I think that was probably fun. But this one is the location. Luc is stuck in the house. He can’t leave. So all of the interactions between Anna are Luc are confined to one reasonably small space. It takes some creativity to keep it fresh and alive.
This book has a terrific cast of characters. Cain is in it, whom I’ve loved for several Preternaturals books now. But so is Tam. The harem is even enjoyable and grow on me. Mimi and Bitsy are about as colorful as can be. The story is just action packed with tons of events to keep you on your toes. Definitely add this book to your TBR, ladies.
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Title: Save My Soul
Series: Preternaturals #2
Author: Zoe Winters
Published: January 2011, Incubooks
Format: Ebook received for review
All he's asking for is her soul. After buying the antebellum home she's fantasized about since childhood, Anna Worthington discovers Luc, a dangerously seductive incubus who has been trapped in the house by a fifty-year-old curse. To rid herself of her problem house guest she'll call on a priest, gypsies, ghost hunters, and the coven of witches from lust bunny hell. All she has to do is resist him long enough to break the spell so they can go their separate ways. If she doesn't, she could die. And that would be the best case scenario.
The Preternaturals series is awesome. I’ve not been reading them in order, having read three and four before reading this one, which is book two – and I’ve not been lost at all. So it is entirely possible to pick these up as you go. Sure, there are tidbits of information throughout the books. Like in book four, Anna and Luc are in it, and Cain touches on their situation, but it in no way ruined the fun of this book.
Anna has come back to town to tidy up her deceased father’s affairs, and then she getting the hell out. That is, until she sees the house she’s loved since she was a child is up for sale. One look inside with the real estate agent and she’s decided it’s going to be hers. And almost immediately upon moving in strange things begin to happen and she realizes she has a ghost. And not only that, but a ghost who can move things, and is audacious enough to write in the bathroom mirror fog as she stands there looking at it.
But it isn’t too long before she realizes that her ghost isn’t a ghost at all – but an incubus. And a sexy as hell one, too. Ladies, meet Luc. Luc is tall, dark, handsome, and powerful. Just not so powerful that he can actually leave the house. Seems a witch from the past has cursed him to live there for all of eternity. Cain has been bringing him women to feed from so that he doesn’t die. What a good brother he is (grins). Well Anna decides she is NOT leaving her house that she loves, so she does something crazy – she brings in a harem for Luc; and that’s even as she is developing feelings for him, herself.
This was a crazy story! There are moments that are a bit spooky, and definitely some moments that are very heated and lusty. I loved Luc, of course. How could you not? You realize through a creative flashback process that he is not just an evil demon. And Anna is just as feisty as can be. She’s smart and creative, and she’s got the snark happening too. And the two of them together are really terrific.
Personally, I really enjoy books where I feel there could have been difficulty in writing them. And this is one. Not so much the subject matter, I think that was probably fun. But this one is the location. Luc is stuck in the house. He can’t leave. So all of the interactions between Anna are Luc are confined to one reasonably small space. It takes some creativity to keep it fresh and alive.
This book has a terrific cast of characters. Cain is in it, whom I’ve loved for several Preternaturals books now. But so is Tam. The harem is even enjoyable and grow on me. Mimi and Bitsy are about as colorful as can be. The story is just action packed with tons of events to keep you on your toes. Definitely add this book to your TBR, ladies.
SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER, TO GET UPDATES ON NEW RELEASES AND FOR SECRET CONTESTS!
TO SUBSCRIBE: send a blank email to: freekept@gmail.com You'll receive a complimentary digital copy of Kept for signing up.
Title: Mafia Captive Series: No Author: Kitty Thomas Published: April 2013 Format: Ebook provided for review Tour: No
Faith Jacobson was in the wrong place at the wrong time. After witnessing a mob hit, she’s only moments from death when Angelo Raspallo decides to give his brother an unlikely gift. Leo has avoided involvement with the family business, but it doesn't make him a saint. He’s troubled and ashamed by his darker sexual desires, one of which is to own a slave. But when his brother throws Faith at his feet, repainting the scenario to make Leo the hero rescuing her from certain death, his moral fortitude will be tested. If Faith were kinky, it would be easy to live out his fantasy, but she’s not—not even a little bit. Even the mildest spanking sparks terror in her that Leo can’t bear. The gift soon becomes a burden as he fights with himself over how to handle the addition to his home. He could release her, but his brother doesn't do loose ends. The only thing keeping her out of the bottom of the harbor is Leo’s mercy. She’s like a beautiful piece of art he keeps in a glass case but can never touch. Is possessing her enough? Author’s Note: Mafia Captive has more of a love theme than many other Kitty titles, though the work is still quite psychologically dark. Readers may also notice a “new adult” flavor as Faith is just out of college and trying to find her place in the world when she is thrust into Leo’s life and home.
Kitty Thomas has done it again. She has created another book that I just adored, even when it made me mad at it. This woman is just a phenomenal writer. If you are looking for a book that is a bit different from the norm, then you should check out her backlist. I’ve read a few, and I don’t think you could go wrong with any of them. But when you do, make sure you read the warnings. Some definitely deal with sensitive issues that may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
As for Mafia Captive, I wasn’t sure how I was going to like it. I had heard several people rumbling about how it was so different for Kitty. The main character, Faith, wasn’t even kinky. Then I just found it amusing that so many people had just boxed Kitty into this kinky corner and rebelled when she wrote something different. Come on people!? Take the time to read this book, see it for what it is, and not compared to her other work. Ok, off of my soapbox.
Faith. That’s who this story is mostly about. She was on her way home one night after going out with some friends when she witnessed a murder. But not any murder, a mob hit. And the man saw her. He was about to kill her, too, when he decided he had a better plan for her. As it turns out, his twin brother, Leo, has an affection for redheads and has a dream of actually owning someone. Angelo thinks this will solve his problems. For one, he gives his brother an unusual Christmas present; two, he makes sure this girl is unable to report him; and three, I think it kind of serves his own sadistic side.
This is the part where I like Faith – she fights back with both Angelo and Leo. She still has that spark of survival when she thinks there is something to fight for. I really liked that. And as for Leo, at first I didn’t like him. Something seemed a bit off with him, like maybe he’d been hit in the head a few times. As the story went on, I quickly changed my stance on both of these characters.
Leo does decide to keep Faith. But she is so reluctant and fragile that he lets her off easy. Guilt had him in its grips as he was concerned about losing the actual person inside the body. Even though he feels she ultimately has a submissive inside of her, he doesn’t want to break her into nothing. I thought this was pretty generous of him, given his desires and the situation itself. But of course, Angelo does something that adds a big twist to the whole thing – he tells their mother that Leo has a girlfriend. Seriously, Angelo? What the hell? Angelo was beginning to strike me as the boy who acts out because he didn’t get the attention he wanted. He was an interesting character, and he definitely added in shots of adrenalin several times throughout the story.
And as for Faith, she began to annoy me. It became very difficult to remember she was just a young girl of 21 or 22, she’d just witnessed a hit, and she became a slave, all within a matter of hours. Her entire life, which wasn’t fabulous - but it was hers, was gone. But her constant thoughts about how she couldn’t give Leo what he wanted, she couldn’t do this, couldn’t do that. Gah! It became too much for me. Why? Well because she had developed feelings for this man. This man who had showed her kindness under extreme and unusual circumstances, who had agreed to keep her and leave her alone just so she could live, this man who sent people to get her friggin cat for Pete’s sake, this man who promised not to hurt her. Yes, she was his captive. But if she left, Angelo would kill her instantly. So her refusal to make the best of a horrible situation just kind of ground on me. She began to care about Leo!! That was the rub for me. I mean, if he was brutal and mean, and she had no attraction, I could see the need for her constant cowering. I don’t know… she just wasn’t the strong woman I initially thought she was, and I felt betrayed for that.
But here is the weird thing – I still cared for Faith. She was making me angry, and the logical part of my brain knew that her situation was taxing in the most simplest of terms. So even while my emotional side was angry, there was a big part of me that cared for this young girl. I still wanted to protect her, myself. I wanted her to be happy. And Leo is a predator at heart, he really is. But he has a conscience and a heart that keep him on track. So the two of them mix, and they are fighting the situation, fighting their own emotions, and lack of communication even adds its own seasoning to this combination.
And THAT is why this book is so great. It’s not because Leo is into BDSM, because he is in a big way. It’s not because he forces the lifestyle on this young girl, because he doesn’t. As I’m sure you know, Kitty Thomas is Zoe Winters. And when Kitty is Zoe, she has a terrific voice and her stories grab you. But when she is Kitty, she grabs you and doesn’t let go. She crosses the lines and flips the critics off from the other side. This story was complex. It was very emotional at times, sometimes even a bit funny. There are things that happen that will make you gasp and get angry at this person or that person. Sometimes you might feel like justice happened. And at others, you will fear for what’s to come. And that is why I loved Mafia Captive.
Title: Mafia Captive
Series: No
Author: Kitty Thomas
Published: April 2013
Format: Ebook provided for review
Tour: No
Faith Jacobson was in the wrong place at the wrong time. After witnessing a mob hit, she’s only moments from death when Angelo Raspallo decides to give his brother an unlikely gift. Leo has avoided involvement with the family business, but it doesn't make him a saint. He’s troubled and ashamed by his darker sexual desires, one of which is to own a slave. But when his brother throws Faith at his feet, repainting the scenario to make Leo the hero rescuing her from certain death, his moral fortitude will be tested. If Faith were kinky, it would be easy to live out his fantasy, but she’s not—not even a little bit. Even the mildest spanking sparks terror in her that Leo can’t bear. The gift soon becomes a burden as he fights with himself over how to handle the addition to his home. He could release her, but his brother doesn't do loose ends. The only thing keeping her out of the bottom of the harbor is Leo’s mercy. She’s like a beautiful piece of art he keeps in a glass case but can never touch. Is possessing her enough? Author’s Note: Mafia Captive has more of a love theme than many other Kitty titles, though the work is still quite psychologically dark. Readers may also notice a “new adult” flavor as Faith is just out of college and trying to find her place in the world when she is thrust into Leo’s life and home.
Kitty Thomas has done it again. She has created another book that I just adored, even when it made me mad at it. This woman is just a phenomenal writer. If you are looking for a book that is a bit different from the norm, then you should check out her backlist. I’ve read a few, and I don’t think you could go wrong with any of them. But when you do, make sure you read the warnings. Some definitely deal with sensitive issues that may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
As for Mafia Captive, I wasn’t sure how I was going to like it. I had heard several people rumbling about how it was so different for Kitty. The main character, Faith, wasn’t even kinky. Then I just found it amusing that so many people had just boxed Kitty into this kinky corner and rebelled when she wrote something different. Come on people!? Take the time to read this book, see it for what it is, and not compared to her other work. Ok, off of my soapbox.
Faith. That’s who this story is mostly about. She was on her way home one night after going out with some friends when she witnessed a murder. But not any murder, a mob hit. And the man saw her. He was about to kill her, too, when he decided he had a better plan for her. As it turns out, his twin brother, Leo, has an affection for redheads and has a dream of actually owning someone. Angelo thinks this will solve his problems. For one, he gives his brother an unusual Christmas present; two, he makes sure this girl is unable to report him; and three, I think it kind of serves his own sadistic side.
This is the part where I like Faith – she fights back with both Angelo and Leo. She still has that spark of survival when she thinks there is something to fight for. I really liked that. And as for Leo, at first I didn’t like him. Something seemed a bit off with him, like maybe he’d been hit in the head a few times. As the story went on, I quickly changed my stance on both of these characters.
Leo does decide to keep Faith. But she is so reluctant and fragile that he lets her off easy. Guilt had him in its grips as he was concerned about losing the actual person inside the body. Even though he feels she ultimately has a submissive inside of her, he doesn’t want to break her into nothing. I thought this was pretty generous of him, given his desires and the situation itself. But of course, Angelo does something that adds a big twist to the whole thing – he tells their mother that Leo has a girlfriend. Seriously, Angelo? What the hell? Angelo was beginning to strike me as the boy who acts out because he didn’t get the attention he wanted. He was an interesting character, and he definitely added in shots of adrenalin several times throughout the story.
And as for Faith, she began to annoy me. It became very difficult to remember she was just a young girl of 21 or 22, she’d just witnessed a hit, and she became a slave, all within a matter of hours. Her entire life, which wasn’t fabulous - but it was hers, was gone. But her constant thoughts about how she couldn’t give Leo what he wanted, she couldn’t do this, couldn’t do that. Gah! It became too much for me. Why? Well because she had developed feelings for this man. This man who had showed her kindness under extreme and unusual circumstances, who had agreed to keep her and leave her alone just so she could live, this man who sent people to get her friggin cat for Pete’s sake, this man who promised not to hurt her. Yes, she was his captive. But if she left, Angelo would kill her instantly. So her refusal to make the best of a horrible situation just kind of ground on me. She began to care about Leo!! That was the rub for me. I mean, if he was brutal and mean, and she had no attraction, I could see the need for her constant cowering. I don’t know… she just wasn’t the strong woman I initially thought she was, and I felt betrayed for that.
But here is the weird thing – I still cared for Faith. She was making me angry, and the logical part of my brain knew that her situation was taxing in the most simplest of terms. So even while my emotional side was angry, there was a big part of me that cared for this young girl. I still wanted to protect her, myself. I wanted her to be happy. And Leo is a predator at heart, he really is. But he has a conscience and a heart that keep him on track. So the two of them mix, and they are fighting the situation, fighting their own emotions, and lack of communication even adds its own seasoning to this combination.
And THAT is why this book is so great. It’s not because Leo is into BDSM, because he is in a big way. It’s not because he forces the lifestyle on this young girl, because he doesn’t. As I’m sure you know, Kitty Thomas is Zoe Winters. And when Kitty is Zoe, she has a terrific voice and her stories grab you. But when she is Kitty, she grabs you and doesn’t let go. She crosses the lines and flips the critics off from the other side. This story was complex. It was very emotional at times, sometimes even a bit funny. There are things that happen that will make you gasp and get angry at this person or that person. Sometimes you might feel like justice happened. And at others, you will fear for what’s to come. And that is why I loved Mafia Captive.
Title: Big Sky Author: Kitty Thomas Published: September 22nd 2012 by Burlesque Press Format: Ebook provided by author for review
Veronica Cason lives in a small apartment with no clear view of the sky. It’s uncertain which might crush her first: her debt or the buildings squeezed in so tight that they surround her like ominous sentinels. She can’t breathe in the city. Her success is a lie, and her debt is coming to collect her—unless someone else gets there first. When a stranger offers her a job at a ranch, it feels like salvation, but it could also mean her death if his motives aren’t pure. Which door has the tiger behind it? The claustrophobia of the city or ranch life under an open sky?
I saw a couple reviews from friends saying this book was shocking and terrific, and on top of what I already know about Kitty Thomas’ writing, suffice it to say I was practically frothing at the mouth (eyes?) to read this book. I had no idea what was inside, I’d managed to stay free of every spoiler. And so I am going to give you the same chance. No spoilers, no secrets. Just be warned, Kitty’s work isn’t for the everyday romance reader - or heck, for a romance reader at all if we were all to be honest about it. You need to like things a little different (or a lot), and enjoy being shocked, and sometimes scared as much as titillated by what you’ve read. Kitty ain’t your mainstream author, she’s a special variant that I can’t recommend enough!
Ok, the book. Big Sky. The cover is beyond gorgeous. It’s dreamy and romantic (and I mean that in a non-love/romance way, but in a "oh, look at the freedom of this wide open space and the joy it gives me!" kind of way), and it gives the impression of freedom ahead. And Veronica has been living on such a tight line she barely sees the sky any more. Every day is a struggle to get to the next, and life ain’t easy. And just when you think you’ve got as much as you can handle, you get more. And then a little bit more. Do you trust the handsome stranger, even when your internal alarms warn that might not be the best idea?
“You had to work for money to pay your bills to live. Working wasn’t an option you did just because you liked it. You were a wage slave. Just because its packaged up like free will doesn’t mean it’s the recipe for happiness.”
This handsome strangers name is Luke. He’s a rancher, and he’s offering Veronica an escape. Maybe its wrong of me, but I loved Luke. He’s a bit… alternative. But he reeks of alpha male. His ranch hands know it, and Veronica knows it. It doesn't hurt that he is sexy. Sure, the guy has some baggage, but who doesn't?? He's not offering Veronica what you'd expect, he's not exactly a white knight.
I agree with other reviewers, this book will shock you. It’s subject matter was a first for me. Kitty wrote it all so perfectly, she can make the unusual seem like an every day occurance. And that’s what I love. With her writing she gives the reader the freedom to explore a different side. This story was fantastic, I was enthralled from the first to the last page. And that’s about all I can tell you without spoiling the whole story! Do yourself a favor, don’t look for spoilers elsewhere. Just read the story, and keep an open mind.
Title: Big Sky Author: Kitty Thomas Published: September 22nd 2012 by Burlesque Press Format: Ebook provided by author for review
Veronica Cason lives in a small apartment with no clear view of the sky. It’s uncertain which might crush her first: her debt or the buildings squeezed in so tight that they surround her like ominous sentinels. She can’t breathe in the city. Her success is a lie, and her debt is coming to collect her—unless someone else gets there first. When a stranger offers her a job at a ranch, it feels like salvation, but it could also mean her death if his motives aren’t pure. Which door has the tiger behind it? The claustrophobia of the city or ranch life under an open sky?
I saw a couple reviews from friends saying this book was shocking and terrific, and on top of what I already know about Kitty Thomas’ writing, suffice it to say I was practically frothing at the mouth (eyes?) to read this book. I had no idea what was inside, I’d managed to stay free of every spoiler. And so I am going to give you the same chance. No spoilers, no secrets. Just be warned, Kitty’s work isn’t for the everyday romance reader - or heck, for a romance reader at all if we were all to be honest about it. You need to like things a little different (or a lot), and enjoy being shocked, and sometimes scared as much as titillated by what you’ve read. Kitty ain’t your mainstream author, she’s a special variant that I can’t recommend enough!
Ok, the book. Big Sky. The cover is beyond gorgeous. It’s dreamy and romantic (and I mean that in a non-love/romance way, but in a "oh, look at the freedom of this wide open space and the joy it gives me!" kind of way), and it gives the impression of freedom ahead. And Veronica has been living on such a tight line she barely sees the sky any more. Every day is a struggle to get to the next, and life ain’t easy. And just when you think you’ve got as much as you can handle, you get more. And then a little bit more. Do you trust the handsome stranger, even when your internal alarms warn that might not be the best idea?
“You had to work for money to pay your bills to live. Working wasn’t an option you did just because you liked it. You were a wage slave. Just because its packaged up like free will doesn’t mean it’s the recipe for happiness.”
This handsome strangers name is Luke. He’s a rancher, and he’s offering Veronica an escape. Maybe its wrong of me, but I loved Luke. He’s a bit… alternative. But he reeks of alpha male. His ranch hands know it, and Veronica knows it. It doesn't hurt that he is sexy. Sure, the guy has some baggage, but who doesn't?? He's not offering Veronica what you'd expect, he's not exactly a white knight.
I agree with other reviewers, this book will shock you. It’s subject matter was a first for me. Kitty wrote it all so perfectly, she can make the unusual seem like an every day occurance. And that’s what I love. With her writing she gives the reader the freedom to explore a different side. This story was fantastic, I was enthralled from the first to the last page. And that’s about all I can tell you without spoiling the whole story! Do yourself a favor, don’t look for spoilers elsewhere. Just read the story, and keep an open mind.
Ok, so let's get to it. I've been waiting and waiting for my date on this tour since I read the book. I just love this story beyond pieces, it is definitely one of my favorites this year. On top of all that I was lucky enough to also get a chance to interview the author, Kitty Thomas! She was (ok, is) super nice and I really look forward to working with her more in the future! So without further ado, here is the interview. I hope everyone enjoys it, and I hope you all get a chance to read this fabulous story!
Hello Kitty! It is
such a pleasure to meet you! Thank you
for taking the time to stop by Fictional Candy on your tour with Dark Mind Book
Tours!
Thanks for having me!
First, lets start with the story. The Last Girl. I don’t want to gush, but oh lordy, this book
was beyond wonderful. What can you tell
the readers about this story?
Ha! Thank you! I love that you’ve
read (and liked!) The Last Girl before the interview because it gives us an
opportunity to talk about things we might not be talking about otherwise. The
Last Girl is basically about Christian’s internal struggle with his nature,
which I know sounds weird since most of the book happens in Juliette’s POV.
But, in my opinion, he’s the one with the biggest struggle. I think seeing it
through the eyes of one of his pets, though, really drives home what the stakes
are.
He’s not apologetic about what he is
(vampire), and he isn’t a human with fangs, but he desperately wants to love
someone and hold onto them without killing them, and he’s never been able to
succeed at that before. Seriously, I hurt when he hurts.
I really can’t decide which character I like more, Juliette
or Christian. Ok, its totally
Christian! He is bad in such a good way,
completely blunt and honest… so raw in his beauty. Was there any specific inspiration for him?
Christian just “is”. I can’t point
to anybody or anything that specifically inspired him because he just popped up
in my head one day. I’m sure M inspired parts of him (he seems to see a lot of
himself in certain characters of mine under both of my pen names. Cain in the
Zoe series is SO M, lol.)
I will say that the dream in
Juliette’s opening sequence is a dream I actually had and once I had that, the
rest of the story started to fall into place. Dreams often inspire books or
parts of books for me. Christian did show up in a dream, but it was after the
book had first been released. And let me say... he is SCARY. I mean he didn’t DO
anything scary, he just IS scary. I had to go back to sleep with the light on.
And speaking of inspiration, you list Claudia D. Christian
as one of yours. Is Christian in The
Last Girl a namesake of hers, or just a happy coincidence?
Nope. Just a coincidence. I’ve
always found the name Christian for a guy really sexy. I don’t know why. I
don’t really associate it with the religion when it’s a guy’s name. Though, I
will admit it’s a somewhat ironic name for a vampire.
Now Kitty, some people may know you as author Zoe Winters,
and you make no issue about disguising the use of two pen names. Does it ever become difficult for you, to
sort of keep up two parts of the same person?
Well, I used to keep it seriously
under wraps because my family is super religious and I didn’t want them to have
to deal with drama/fallout from their daughter/granddaughter/etc. writing dirty
fiction. My grandmother wishes I’d write something that didn’t have sex or
profanity in it. My grandfather was more to the point. He asked what I made
doing it and then when I told him he said I could write whatever I wanted to
write. LOL!
Eventually, though I had to just
come out of the pen name closet because it was too draining keeping it a secret
and there was weirdly a LOT of Zoe/Kitty fan crossover. Even though, at the
time, my two pen names weren’t cross promoting or following each other on
Twitter or anything like that. A few people even figured it out, so I
thought... meh... I may as well come “out” about it. And also, I didn’t want
someone else to end up outing me and then it look like I (as Zoe) was ashamed
of the Kitty stuff. I’m really proud of the Kitty stuff.
As for the two parts thing... the
only thing really difficult is figuring out how to write romance sex (for Zoe).
I find vanilla sex so boring I don’t even know how to describe it. But I don’t
want to totally “kink up” the Zoe stuff. I want it to be more
mainstream/accepted by a more mainstream audience. So there is definitely a
sort of D/s subtext in all the relationships/stories in the Zoe books, but when
it comes to the actual sex, I try to get in and out of there as quickly as
possible! It’s much easier for me to write Kitty sex where I don’t have to hold
anything back.
The Last Girl is much more dark erotica than erotic
romance. Where do you draw the line for
your characters to cross or not cross?
Thank you for saying that! I
definitely do not consider the Kitty stuff romance. I’m not writing traditional
HEAs. I’m not following the rules of romance. And characters may die. I’m
making no promises. I mainly just don’t want my characters to get “too
vanilla”, which sometimes that’s weirdly a risk because I still want the work
to be palatable. The biggest distinction is... whether or not there is
obsession or love involved... it’s not about love... it’s about ownership. It’s
about the fact that he owns her. Period. So it’s not really a seduction. It’s
not about her falling for him and them living happily ever after. It’s about
her accepting his power over her and finding a way to live inside it. And
that’s what all the Kitty books are about in one way or another.
Big question, would you have tried to escape from Christian?
Yes. He’s terrifying.
I found this book to be the perfect blend of paranormal,
erotica, darkness, and emotion. I’d love
for the answer to this question to be yes…. Will we see more of Christian
and/or Juliette in any upcoming books?
I don’t think so. This really isn’t
the kind of book I want to expand upon or write a sequel to. I think it would
ruin it. I don’t want to monkey with a good thing. I told the story exactly how
I wanted to tell it the first time; I’m not willing to risk doing anything to
screw that up. Plus, I think a sequel would risk making it “romance-y”, and
their story isn’t a romance.
If there is one thing you would like readers to take from
your Kitty Thomas books, what would that be?
Submission isn’t weakness.
(Well said!!)
Social media is a giant that is taking over everything… how
do you feel about it all? Do you have
any favorite social media outlets where we might find you at more than others?
I have a love/hate relationship with
social media. But I’m on Twitter and my blog mostly. (You can get those links below, readers!)
Ok, lets lighten it up a bit.
Favorite beverage? Assam breakfast
tea.
Favorite website? I hate the
Internet. But I need it. So here I am.
Favorite city? I don’t like cities.
(I’m so disagreeable today! LOL)
Ocean, Mountains, Desert, or City? Ocean,
definitely.
That’s about it for now.
Thank you so much Kitty for your time.
I truly appreciate it and I look forward to reading more of your books
in the future!
Thanks! I have 3 other novels and 3
novellas out at Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords for you to peruse at your
leisure. ;)
And no, I didn't forget to leave you the synopsis. Here it is! Enjoy!
Six years ago strangers broke into Juliette’s house; she was home alone and only thirteen. She kept her eyes closed, praying that if she didn’t see anything, she wouldn’t be killed. No one harmed her. In fact, one of the thieves protected her. Now Juliette’s dreams are haunted by him.
Christian has waited to take her, resisting the urge each night. It always ends badly with human pets. They’re too fragile. The longer he can wait, the better, because the moment he takes her, the clock on her life starts ticking down.
Then she’ll be gone forever.
Warning: This book is dark erotica meant for a mature audience only
