What are you sick of reading?

Following me on my Blog Tour to BOOK JUNKIE's and comment for the chance to win my second release, HIGHLAND DRAGON. Here's a peek at what's going on:

If you could ask readers any one question, what would it be
As a person who gets easily bored, I wonder why we don’t see more unusual books. For example aliens landing in Regency London. OK...this has probably been done, but I’m curious to know if readers get frustrated that traditional publishers don’t take more risks and break out of the norm? What are you sick of? Vampires? Ball rooms?

A few reader comments:
~ I am tired of seeing kick-a$$ heroines who don't have any friends and/or are very mannish.
~ I am tired of whimpering virgins trying to grow some backbone and self-esteem.
~ I'm tired of seeing women who can't do anything for themselves, and must rely on the man to get them to come out of their shell, or for him to do everything for her. Give me strong women! Women that can stand up for themselves.
~ I'm tired of weak women saved by rich and strong men :)


What are you tired of reading? Comment now... CLICK HERE!

If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

My blog tour kicks off today at LoveStruckNovice with Sarah Simas. Come join me!!!.
Here is a taste of the interview:

If you were a book, what would your blurb be?
Oooh, good question, but a toughy. This will require me to be a little vain, but here goes...

Kimberly Killion, award-winning author of sexy medieval romance, seeks adventure and romance. But what happens when she finds what she’s looking for in the seductive arms of a hawt Highland rogue?

Laird Braw Scot is looking for a woman with an imaginative mind and taste for scandal. He finds her tucked behind her computer, hiding her passion for life inside a motherboard. Does he have the skills to seduce her away from the keyboard?

Will she give up her dreams of hitting the NY Times list and seek passion in the treacherous wilds of Scotland? Or will she resign to live comfortably in the secluded privacy of her Midwest home and never know the meaning of love?

Highland Dragon featured at B&N Studio

If you haven't seen the book trailer for Highland Dragon, hop over to B&N Studio and check it out. For reasons unbeknownst to me, the book is already available at B&N, which is wildly exciting. Huzzah!

All about me...

I am: Woman, hear me roar.
I love: My life and my family…and coffee!
I dream: Actually, I don’t. I sleep so very little that when I do hit the pillow, I fall into this peaceful place of complete nothingness. And I can be there roughly 4.5 seconds after I hit that pillow.
I wish: I never had to shave my legs again.
I pretend: I’m thin.
I fear: Failure and balloons
I appreciate: Published authors who help those of us who are new to the world of publishing.
I read: Historicals. Anything by Julie Garwood, Teresa Medeiros, Connie Mason…
I want: To start a new saying, “Get wowf!” (Scottish slang for Get crazy!)
I cannot live without: Chocolate
I am happy when: I’m being creative, whether that’s designing or writing.
I would like to meet: My characters in real life.
I am annoyed by: Noise

Sold out of first printing before release

So here's the thing...there's not a whole lot that makes me giddy, but when the FedEx dude came today, I was all a fluster. Now, you are thinking he was wearing a kilt or that perhaps he was hawt. Well, he was ok. Not really the hunky sort that generally catches my eye...but I digress...

The FedEx dude did, however, deliver the goods. And the goods came in the form of my author copies of HIGHLAND DRAGON. This book hasn't released yet. It's my second book from Kensington books and isn't scheduled to release until October 6, but here's what is even cooler...













I opened up to the copyright page (because that's what authors do) and about swooned when I saw the numbers.

Let me explain...
Do you see the numbers underneath 'First Printing: October 2009'? They start with 10 9 8 ...
Well because it ends in 2, this tells me that the book has already gone into a second printing!!! Sa-weet!


I can hardly wait for this book to hit the shelf. I'll be signing all over the midwest; Georgia, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas...

Busy, busy time for me, but I must get back to my WIP!

Huzzah!!!!!!

B&N jumped the gun

Eeeek!!!

I thought I still had a couple weeks to prepare for this release, but it looks like B&N already released HIGHLAND DRAGON!!! So if you want to get your hands on Laird Calin MacLeod early (and trust me when I tell you he is sooooo worth getting your hands on) then click HERE.

I daresay Mr. Darcy...

This has to be the funniest video I've seen in ages. I love it when Mr. Darcy loses himself and spouts vulgarities at Caroline. Too funny!

22 days before Highland Dragon hits the shelves...

I'm starting to get oober excited about this release now that the reviews are literally pouring in. I've gotten an email every day for the past 3 days with a review in it. And here is the best part...the reviewers are LOVING Calin and Akira's story!!!!!

Here's a few snippets (yes, a few...this is a really long review) from Leontine's Book Realm:

Kimberly Killion – Highland Dragon (Historical novel)
Scotland, Highland 1484,
It was a night the young Calin MacLeod would not likely forget as he witnessed the murder of his father. It ignited vengeance in his heart as it spread through his veins and burned in his soul. That night, his bride also took her first breath in this world. Only hours ago her birth promised hope for an alliance between the Kinnon and McLeod clan but with a coldhearted brute of a man that hope washed away with the blood of those who lost their life’s that night.

It sounds like familiar plot doesn’t it? It certainly isn’t something that hasn’t been done oodles of times before but if there is one thing the highlanders understand then it was vengeance. And if there is one thing Kimberly Killion understands, it is the spirit of the Scottish highlanders.

There were two things that I noticed early on. One, how the cast of characters played on my emotions and two, how the clan politics and intrigue fueled the romance to a higher level. The premise of Calin and Akira’s actual story held it all; betrayal, murder and a secret love.

Calin is all highlander brawn mixed with the responsibilities of a Laird and a strong sense of Clan loyalty. A good, honest, virile highlander who wants what is good for his clan and a woman beside him leading it. Akira is definitely a woman who knows what she wants, how she wants it and is smart enough to get it. I loved the mix of faith, fury, intelligence and empathy in Akira. She became the heart of the McLeod clan by just being herself and she conquered the heart of Calin in the same way. Their interaction encompassed an area of emotions, from poised and tender to fiery and passionate, to the pain of grief and loss. Their journey is steeped in emotions and I instantly picked up on them, thoroughly rooting me in the story and the exhilarating journey of the main protagonists. This is largely due to empathetic and well drawn characters but also the easy connecting writing style of Kimberly Killion.

There was an interchange between the romance, the sensuality, intrigue and character development that ran like clockwork. There is nothing overtly complicated in Highland Dragon, the writing style smooth, working with all the elements present to drive towards a conclusion that had me sighing and in tears at the same time. I just had a remarkable good time reading Highland Dragon. There is desire, Highland rogues in abundance, treachery, romance, friendship and loyalty to be found in an authentic Highlander tale that is delivered with a passionate voice for the genre.

What can I say more than Highland Dragon is a read for stormy nights and candle lit rooms to take you away in to another time, another place, and make you feel romance as is should be, the kind that conquers all!

5 Stars & Sultry!!!!

I do love a 5-star review that comes with a sensual rating of "sultry"!

Here are a few snippets...

HIGHLAND DRAGON is breathtakingly adventurous and brimming with an abundance of passionate yet heartfelt encounters.
Strong characterizations and a totally gripping premise will draw you into this remarkable story, but it is the interaction between the hero and heroine which keeps you devouring every word. Kimberly Killion has crafted a most satisfying story set in early sixteenth century Scotland featuring the spirited individuals who lived and loved during this turbulent period in history. Kimberly Killion brings historical stories to life with unparalleled believability. From the very first, this fascinating tale of retribution and duty quickly turns into a romance filled with conflicts and danger. Though this love story between Calin and Akira takes years before they officially meet, their guarded connection before then only adds more intrigue to their destined union. There are numerous profoundly touching moments all throughout HIGHLAND DRAGON, and I found myself completely riveted time and again as I awaited the outcome of these often crucial dilemmas.
While they prove their devotion for Scotland in many ways, their love for one another is portrayed with so much compassion plus desirous yearning, and any intimacy between this couple is depicted with passionate enthusiasm and sincerity. There is much colorful imagery in the story, and this attention to details makes the scenes realistically credible. The dialogue for these dynamic Scottish characters is masterfully written by Ms. Killion, as their exchanges take you to another time yet every meaning is expertly understandable. There are lots of memorable characters in this story, both main and secondary, and I did not want to say good-bye to many of them.
HIGHLAND DRAGON is a must-read, as its emotional impact and historical details are unforgettably notable.

Read the rest HERE.
And even more reviews HERE.

A tale to cherish...

RT BOOK REVIEW, 4-star

Killion's newest Scottish-set novel demonstrates her ability to create captivating, finely written romance. Well told, with excellent pacing and characters who are honorable, intelligent and full of humanity, this is a tale to cherish.

Summary: At the age of 10, Calin MacLeod witnesses his father's death at the hands of Laird McKinnon on the same day McKinnon's daughter, Akira, is born. Calin swears to avenge the murder. When he assumes the lairdship he decides that by marrying McKinnon's daughter he will destroy the clan's fiber and remaining power.

Akira Neish, raised by a peasant member of the McKinnon clan, is unaware of her ancestry. Suddenly she is taken to an illegal auction to be sold to white slavers, and Calin is there to buy her. Once he purchases her they realize they have an unaccountable emotional tie. He soon sees that his growing admiration and love for Akira is far more a rebirth of his own sense of honor and humanity than any act of revenge. Love does conquer all! (ZEBRA, Oct., 380 pp., $5.99) HOT

—Kathe Robin, RT Book Reviews

Halloween Contest

The Mystic Castle is hosting a Halloween Contest and what a contest it is.
Check it out...

Win 20 Books and a $50.00 VISA Giftcard!
Happy Halloween! To continue with the celebration of their new design The Mystic Castle is having a Halloween contest and they’re skipping the tricks and offering plenty of treats. The authors in the Romance Communities have banded together and are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a collection of books (see below) that consists of upcoming and current releases with a handful of out of print novels, along with the $50.00 Visa Giftcard. Ten runner-up winners will win an Author Promotional Package that is full of goodies including posters, bookmarks, coverflats and much more.
The Books
The Redeeming–Jennifer Ashley
Rules of Passion–Sara Bennett
Camelot’s Destiny*—Cynthia Breeding
The Scandals of an Innocent—Nicola Cornick
My Wicked Marquess – Gaelen Foley
The Wagering Widow*—Diane Gaston
Mutual Desire—Donna Grant
To Beguile A Beast–Elizabeth Hoyt
The Dragon Master –Allyson James
Reckless Liaisons–Kayleigh Jamison
Leading Her to Heaven–Kayleigh Jamison
The Masquerade*–Brenda Joyce
Highland Dragon–Kimberly Killion
Her One Desire–Kimberly Killion
Always & Forever – Pamela Labud
The Naked Earl–Sally MacKenzie
Lord of Pleasure–Delilah Marvelle
Once A Rake—Rona Sharon
Too Hot For A Spy –Pearl Wolf
Song of Miriam*—Pearl Wolf

*indicates Out of Print
Entering is easy. Go HERE to fill out an entry form.
The contest is open from September 3rd to October 31st, 2009.

More praise for HIGHLAND DRAGON!

Another review just came in and, once again, I'm blushing and overjoyed and honored. After receiving so much praise for my debut book, HER ONE DESIRE, I prayed it wasn't a fluke. And now I'm seeing that HIGHLAND DRAGON is being received in much the same light. Whew!

Here's a snippet of a very long review posted by Laurel at The Mystic Castle:

"Engaging and exciting, HIGHLAND DRAGON captures your attention right from the first page. With a well thought out plot and two very complex and strong characters, this book leaves the reader breathless in anticipation of what's to come. Kimberly Killion is quickly becoming a master of all things medieval as she dares to be original with her characters incorporating a true description of what life was like without the constant glamorization and glossing over of a brutal truth and era."
—Laurel Letherby, The Mystic Castle READ THE FULL REVIEW...

Ack! 40! Good God that's old!

Well, if you think on it, not really. And I don't feel 40. In fact, most of the time I feel...ummm...24, no, more like 27. Ahhh...27 was a good age. And for the most part since I'm usually buried in my heroine's POV, I have the mindset of a 27 year old. Of course I'm living in medieval times for the most part. Then there are days that I'm in the mind set of a 30ish year old hero. And can I just say that my hero's tend to have a wicked lot on their minds. Mostly sex. They think about it all the time. There are days I can't get their heads out of the trenches. ;-)

I had goals in life and for the most part I have exceeded my aspirations. I'm a published author! How many people can say that they wrote a book and got it published? That is certainly something to be proud of and I am. I don't live in a castle, or have gold tucked away in my coffers, but I'm happy. And when life gets to be too much to handle, then I set myself back in time and tuck reality under the rug for a while.

So, I will accept for the nonce that I am 40 today, but I have the mind of a 27 year old!

5/5 STARS for HIGHLAND DRAGON

The reviews for Highland Dragon are starting to trickle in and I can't tell you how thrilled I am that this book is receiving praise. Highland Dragon is the book of my heart and most likely always will be, and I'm so very happy Calin and Akira gave this reviewer so much to boast about.
Enough from me...I'll let the reviewer tell you about it:

5 STARS - LOVED IT! COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN (if I could give it 10 stars you bet your bippy I would!)

[Laird Calin MacLeod], oh I so adore him, although a brute he is a brute with a heart, and his soul belongs to Akira as he defends his love and his clan to find a peace inside his heart from all the vengeance and hatred that has been living inside him for eighteen years. You want to root for him throughout every page! They are both cunning and cleaver, fiercely loyal, insecure with their emotions at times and yet both Calin and Akira have this magnetic power by the grace of Kimberly Killion's words to time-warp you back to 1502 and experience their struggle for love and peace, as well as their grief at times. I was truly enthralled and taken away!
—Book Junkie READ THE FULL REVIEW...

RWA National conference in D.C.

I'm still waiting for the rush from the RWA national conference to settlebut it seems to continue on and on and on... With a packed schedule we barely had time for anything, but we squeezed in some siteseeing. My room mate, bff, critique partner and favored travel pal, Megan Kelly, went to the Smithsonian, the Washington Monument, the Reflecting pool, the Walls, both Vietnam and Korean, and the Lincoln Memorial, and there might have even been a few other monuments in the there, but it's a bit of a blur now.

On Wednesday I registered for the conference and attended the Presidents' retreat and took promo items (bookmarks, CDs, coverflats) to the librarian/booksellers event afterwhich I had to cart them to the goodie room. Whew!...Then there was the Literacy Booksigning...

Followed by the Booksellers' Best Awards banquet. This was probably the highlight of my week since I WON both the Best First Book category as well as Best Long Historical. I cried! My dear friend, Delilah Marvelle, who was up against me cried as well. I love her! ;-) That's Kathrynn Dennis in the middle and I'm not certain what that goophy look is on my face since this was right before the announcement.

That brought us to Thursday which was the Kensington party. Below you'll see me with the absolutely georgeous Allegra Gray. The pic below that you'll find Carrie Lofty and Delilah Marvelle having a drink on Kensington. They had a nice room full of authors and appetizers, but I could only stay for an hour as I had to rush off to the National Readers' Choice Awards. I was up for Best Historical with fellow Kensy author, Jackie Ivie, but niether of us took home the trophy. But I didn't care since I was still flying high from the BSB double win.

That brings us to Friday when I actually got to attend a few workshops and go to the Avon book signing. Can you say Regency? That's what they were giving away. Nearly every book was a regency. Hmmm....maybe I should write a regency...

Now, Saturday, I gave my workshop, "The Road So Far: the First Year After the Call" with the awesome Megan Kelly and it was a hit. At least I think we presented it with level heads. ;-) After a few more workshops, dinner, I had to get ready for the big Gala, but not before the hotel was evacuated due to a fire alarm. There were even some people who had to come out of workshops.

Now...the night of all nights...the Golden Heart and RITA awards ceremony. This was an amazing time for me. It doesn't get bigger than the RITAs and being up for Best First Book was truly an experience I will never forget. I didn't win, but I enjoyed my week as a princess and I will be forever grateful to have been recognized by the RWA.

^^ Megan Kelly and me!

^^^Anthea Lawson and me!

^^^Hilary Sares drove down from NY to attend the ceremony and then drove back with her daughter. It was a really honor to have her there with me!

^^^Fellow Kensy sister, Marilyn Brant and me!

^^^My agent, the fabulous Meredith Bernstein, who brainstormed a new 4-book series with me right before the ceremony!!!

^^^And this is me again with the flowers my Scottish writing group sent me.

So you see...conference is not only a place to learn about craft and publishing and get in on all the gossip, it's also a place to meet up with old friends and make new ones. Thank you RWA for making D.C. the bomb. ;-)

Nathan Kamp on burgers and squirrels

Ever wonder how those hot hunky cover models live? Well, Nathan Kamp has a new website. Check out "Nathan's Live to Eat" series at http://www.nathanlivestoeat.com/
Here's hoping they do a bit that lands Nathan in a kilt. Now that would go viral...

From YOUTUBE:

On a busy afternoon Ford Models' Nathan Kamp grabs a bite to eat at Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. Welcome to Nathan's New York.

The Marga-RITA award

A couple Saturday's past, I attended (and hosted) my local chapter, Missouri Romance Writers of America, 25th anniversary celebration. We gave away gobs of door prizes, baskets upon baskets of book and baubles. We dined, we laughed, we cried...

As the President, I was presented with a proclamation from the governor of Missouri. But what was the most heart-felt moment of the day was when I was surprised with an unexpected award: The Marga-RITA. My sister author, Karyn Witmer (also the recipient of the Silver Rose) presented me with the award shown in the picture. Imagine the look on my husband's face when he saw this award positioned in the middle of the mantle. And that's where it is going to stay because my Marga-RITA award represents not only my acheivements as an author, but it represents the bond I have with my sisters.


So I humbly thank the women of MORWA for their support, their friendship, and their encouragement.

OMG! I'm finished...

Those are the words every author loves to say, but how long do you bask in the glory of "OMG! I'm finished"?

Well, I've been basking in it for about a half-day and I'm already looking at the calendar wondering when I can finish another one. Really, that's bad. I need to let my creative juices replenish the well that is bone dry. I need to play a little. Visit a few blogs. Socialize on my networking communities. Prepare for conference. Well, really what I need to do is get ready for the launch of my next book, but that's an entirely different blog...

I should probably go back through it. Right? I should consider writing an epilogue. Right? At what point can I let them go and accept that my characters really are living their HEA? This feeling of closure isn't comfortable to me right now. I don't want to let go. I like them. I like where they ended up and I want to stay and play a while. Let's face it, we went through Hell to get to the HEA, why can't we play there awhile?

As you can see from the brevity of this post...I'm all out of words...

So help me out here...At what point do you start brainstorming another book? Or are you one of those authors who has stacks of ideas filed away in your head?

Romance Authors Around the Clock

To help spread the word about my Summer Sizzler contest RomanceNovelTV is helping us celebrate with a new guest author every 45 minutes from 9 am to 7 pm (EST) starting with me. The schedule is below and it includes tons of great new historical authors, including two RITA nominees as well as an RT nominee. Hope you can stop by...

9:00 Kimberly Killion
9:45 Delilah Marvelle
10:30 Diana Cosby
11:15 Sarah Parr
12 Kit Donner
12:45 Kris Kennedy
1:30 Carrie Lofty
2:15 Anthea Laswon
3:00 Alix Rickloff
3:45 Elaine Levine
4:30 Allegra Gray
5:15 Christie Kelley
6:00 Vanessa Kelly
6:45 Pearl Wolf

Save the School of Gallantry Series!!

by Delilah Marvelle!

Mistress of Pleasure Book 1 - N.O.R's Best Historical Romance of the Year award and RT Reviewer's Choice Award Nominee

"What a spectacular debut novel!" ~AEMELIA, NIGHT OWL ROMANCE, 5 out of 5 hearts




On Aug 4th my dear friend Delilah Marvelle's second book will be coming out = LORD OF PLEASURE. This is the second book in the School of Gallantry series. The first book MISTRESS OF PLEASURE got many great reviews and won contests. Including N.O.R's Best Historical Romance of the Year award and was a RT Reviewer's Choice Award Nominee.

MISTRESS OF PLEASURE has sold out its first run. Very good news for us all, but Kensington is citing that they are going to discontinue the series for lack of sales. Your probably going huhhhhh right now. How can something that's sold out be discontinued for lack of sales? Well I'm not sure...but I'm very sure I want this series to fully be published.

So let us readers speak. Let the publishing world know that we want this series to continue. We don't want to be left in the dark. We want more sensual lessons from the School of Gallantry.

To support our cause please PRE-ORDER LORD OF PLEASURE by DELILAH MARVELLE. In the fun of things Delilah is also giving away 3 - $50 Gift Cards via her website. To find out how you can enter visit: Delilah Marvelle

Pre-Order now via these links (and great news, it's only $4.99!):

B&N

Amazon

Katy Budget Books - Indie Store

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