Stacey Kennedy's Tiki Hut Winner

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to visit with Stacey last week and thanks to Stacey for a great post and for offering up a great prize!

Congrats to June M - your name was drawn as our winner!  Stacey will be sending you out a copy of BLESS THE BEAUTY, so keep an eye on your inbox and enjoy!

This Week's Special Guest - Stacey Kennedy

This week on our AuthorIsland Tiki Hut Blog, we welcome Urban Fantasy author Stacey Kennedy as she stops by to talk about why she loves writing series.

Stacey's novels are light-hearted fantasy with heart squeezing, thigh-clenching romance, and even give a good chuckle every now and again.

Her journey as a writer began as a way to keep her brain alive since being a stay at home mom can sometimes be a little...let's say numbing. It was an escape from screaming kids, dirty diapers and plain old mom duty.

It started as a hobby, but as the stories progressed it became a passion. Now, Stacey indulges at nap time, especially the juicy bits! Every mom needs a good thrill!

WEBSITE *** FACEBOOK *** GOODREADS *** TWITTER

Series, love 'em or hate 'em?

A question I’m asked all the time is, “why do you write series?” The answer is simple, cause I love them! I’m not a huge fan of single titles and rarely read them. Mainly because after I’m done the book I’m left wanting more and frustrated that it ends there.

So, when I started writing it was pretty clear cut that I would write series. I enjoy the exploration of the characters and the way that it’s not just a single adventure but a few that makes up their life. For me, what makes a story great is the attachment received from the characters. You want to cry with them, cheer them on, and swoon over their growing love. And that, for me, just isn’t possible in a single title. I’m always left saying, “but what happened after...”

I suppose I get emotionally attached to the characters I write as well as read. I live their journey with them and I want to feel fulfilled that I’ve watched them grow, go through hardships, but in the end, succeed. I need to see all of the events that have brought them happiness, because as we all know, life is forever changing. And I want to experience that process with them.

What are your thoughts on the subject? Are you like me who just can’t let go after one story or are you satisfied with single titles?

If you like series like I do...danger, love, supernatural creatures and men that make you swoon, The Magical Sword, might be right up your alley.

~ Stacey

THE WILLOW - The Magical Sword Series - Book One by Stacey Kennedy

A past of secrets, a life broken by death - awakens to a world of promise and love, but lurking danger threatens to destroy it all.

In Carson City, Nevada a tragic car accident has claimed the lives of Nexi Jones' adoptive parents. Now, without them, her reason to live has vanished and she is determined to end her pain.

The problem with that, it's not heaven she wakes up to, it's the Otherworld. Nexi must reconcile the truth about her past, and her heritage as part guardian/part witch, while she begins to train to join the Council's guard. But it's not the combat training that has her worried, it's attempting to keep her cool around the luscious guardian, Kyden that's her biggest concern.

Before long, Nexi's skills are put to the test as she begins to fight against the supernatural who have taken a human life. But nothing can prepare her for the journey ahead. Soon, she will find herself lost in a mystery and fighting to keep all she's gained, as Lazarus, a vampire, threatens to take it all away.

BUY THE BOOK *** BUY THE eBOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

WIN - Leave Stacey a comment or question this week at the Tiki Hut and your name goes in the hat for the first book of any of her series - head over to her website to check them out and be sure to let us know which one you want along with your email address so we can contact you in case you are this week's winner - Good Luck!

Stacey Kennedy's Tiki Hut Blog Winner

Thanks to eveyone who stopped by to visit with Stacey last week and congrats to StacieDM - your name was drawn as our winner - Stacey will be contacting you soon to get you out your free ebook!

This Week's Special Guest - Stacey Kennedy

This week on our AuthorIsland Tiki Hut Blog, we welcome Urban Fantasy author Stacey Kennedy as she stops by to talk about her book FIRST AND LAST, the latest release in her Magical Sword Series.

Stacey's novels are light-hearted fantasy with heart squeezing, thigh-clenching romance, and even give a good chuckle every now and again.

Her journey as a writer began as a way to keep her brain alive since being a stay at home mom can sometimes be a little...let's say numbing. It was an escape from screaming kids, dirty diapers and plain old mom duty.

It started as a hobby, but as the stories progressed it became a passion. Now, Stacey indulges at nap time, especially the juicy bits! Every mom needs a good thrill!

WEBSITE *** FACEBOOK *** GOODREADS *** TWITTER

FIRST AND LAST

The Magical Sword ~ Book Four

Liquid Silver Books ~ January 24, 2011

One woman, one bond, one final battle … can even Nexi Jones defeat the deepest darkness of evil?

Meet Nexi Jones—Witch, Guardian and now, Lady of the Underworld. Embracing her new role, Nexi begins the task of changing a world led by darkness. But not everyone is happy to see her rise to power. Before long, a resistance within the Underworld is forming.

As the darkness begins to close in around her, Nexi’s magical abilities flourish in response—forcing Nexi to dig down deeper into her past to discover this source and why she was gifted with such incredible strength.

With her Guardian, Kyden by her side, Nexi will meet her greatest challenge yet as she begins to discover that fate might have been a bitch, but she was a bitch with a plan.

You can get a copy of First and Last at any of the locations below:

Buy Links:

Liquid Silver Books - http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=linda018&category=Stacey+Kennedy

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004G9KR9A

Fictionwise - http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/a60492/Stacey-Kennedy/?

Now, onto a little something that has come up in conversation lately. First and Last is the final novel in The Magical Sword Series. Through seeing the first three stories published I have received a couple reviews saying, “The novel was too short—it went to fast.”

All of the stories in The Magical Sword series are sixty thousand words, so I wouldn’t necessarily say they are short. But I do understand what they're saying. The thing is, I keep them this length on purpose. Why? Well, it’s quite simple. When I read a story I get bored of lengthy details and drawn out moments. I love dialogue, monologue and descriptions that allow me to envision the world. And that’s about it.

To be honest, I could have easily added twenty thousand words to my stories to up the word count and give long descriptions of everything. But as I said, I’m not a fan of reading a book that has that in it. In truth, I usually just skim those parts to get back to the dialogue and the good stuff.

I love a fast paced novel that leaves me turning the page to find out what happens next. I enjoy hearing the characters interact with each other and I get bored when nothing is happening. Needless to say, it’s not much of a surprise I write the way I do. For me, it’s thrilling to be constantly wondering what’s going to happen next.

So, if you’re like me, a person who skims over the lengthy boring stuff, who enjoys danger, romance that warms your heart and sex scenes that leave your cheeks pink...then come give my series a try!

-Stacey

You can find and get in contact with Stacey below:

Website - www.staceykennedy.comFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=100000956942180

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3473046.Stacey_Kennedy

Twitter - http://twitter.com/Stacey_Kennedy

WIN - Leave Stacey a comment or question this week at The Tiki Hut Blog, and your name goes in the hat for a download of your choice from any of her book!  Please leave your email address and your choice of which book you'd like to have, so we can hook you up if you are this week's winner - Good Luck!