Meet
the Character Day: Chatting with Princess Elara from A Most Unusual Princess
By Kelli A.
Wilkins
This “Meet the
Character Day” blog is part of a series examining my romance novels. In each
“Behind the Scenes” blog, I talk about why I wrote the book, share my thoughts
on the plot and/or characters, and reveal what I loved most (or least) about
writing the book. The “Meet the Character Day” blogs are fun chats with the heroes
and heroines from my romances. Warning: blogs may contain spoilers.
Hello romance lovers! Today we’re chatting with Princess Elara, the heroine from A Most Unusual Princess by Kelli A. Wilkins.
Q: Greetings,
Princess Elara. A Most Unusual Princess
is the first book in Kelli’s Royal
Desires series of historical/fantasy novels. Can you tell us more about the
trilogy?
A: I’d be happy to. A
Most Unusual Princess is the first story in a trilogy that also
includes A Most Intriguing Temptation and A Most Unfortunate Prince.
Although the books are related, each stands alone as an individual read.
A
Most Unusual Princess introduces readers to me and my hero, Dalton. My
father is searching for a proper husband for me, and Dalton acts as my special
guard. In the second book, A Most Intriguing Temptation, I
follow Dalton and my brother, Prince Allan, to a sultan’s palace and get into a
bit of trouble. A Most Unfortunate Prince (the last book in the series) is all
about Allan’s banishment from the kingdom and his journey as he finds true
love. Dalton and I are also in the story, and we play a central role in the
ending. (I won’t reveal too much about that.)
Q: Tell us about
yourself. What got you in the crosshairs for your author?
A: I’m a princess
and I’ve been pampered and sheltered my entire life. Some people might find
that the perfect arrangement, but for me, it’s always been suffocating. I hate
being told what to wear, how to speak, and I’m never allowed to have any fun.
My brothers are free to do whatever they please while I’m forced to act like a
lady. Bah!
When
the story starts, I had been acting out a lot. I’ve been called headstrong, spoiled,
too opinionated, and unmanageable. It’s not my fault, though. I’m an
intelligent (and very pretty) young woman who doesn’t appreciate being talked
down to because I’m female.
My
father decided I was old enough to be married and wanted to find me a husband.
I told him I could find my own husband and would only marry someone I loved—not
a dull prince who only wanted me for my dowry.
Kelli
started the story just before the search for my husband began. She was kind
enough to see past all of my so-called faults and realized that deep down I’m a
sensitive, caring individual who wants to be loved. Meeting Dalton changed me
for the better.
Q: What drew you to Dalton?
A: Dalton is unlike
any other man I have encountered before. We met under very unusual
circumstances (I was undressed and bathing in a pond) and he… well, he thought
the whole thing was amusing. At the time I didn’t think I’d ever see him again,
but then he turned out to be my special guard. Imagine! As we spent time
together, I realized Dalton was strong, brave, and not easily swayed by my
tantrums or tricks. He understood me and treated me like an equal. And I loved
him even more for that. (He also acted a bit naughty, which I liked!)
Q: Speaking of naughty fun, where was the wildest place you seduced your partner?
A: In the story, we
make use of a settee and my bed. But one night after the story ended, Dalton
and I went back to the pond where we first met. We did all the naughty things
we had only fantasized about doing before. It was fun fooling around outside in
the dark, and it’s something I’m sure we’ll do again soon.
Q: If your partner wants to seduce you,
what’s one sure-fire trick he can do?
A: All Dalton needs
to do is kiss me or touch me—anywhere. The feel of his hands running down my body,
light kisses on my stomach, touching my backside… Anything he does makes me
eager for him, and he knows it!
Q: What was one of the most embarrassing things your author did to you in A Most Unusual Princess?
A: Well… the story
starts off with Dalton catching me nude in a bathing pond. It would have been
embarrassing enough to be seen like that, but I wasn’t exactly bathing… I was…
how did Dalton put it? Touching myself to relieve a bit of tension. (If you
know what I mean.) But a girl is entitled to her privacy! Later, Dalton teased
me about it without mercy.
Q: Kelli has written a lot of romances in all genres in all heat levels. How does she switch back and forth so easily?
A: I’ve been
curious about this myself, so I asked a few of her other characters. They said each
book comes to her in a different form. Sometimes an entire story “jumps” into
her head, and she’ll know everything that happens to the characters. (It
happened with A Deceptive Match, Loving a
Wild Stranger, A Most Unusual Princess, and The Viking’s Witch.)
Other times, she gets bits of the story and parts of the characters. Once in a
while, she’ll have a character come first and then the other pieces of the book
fall into place, like a puzzle. (It happened with Dangerous Indenture, Love, Lies
& Redemption, and A Secret Match.)
Before Kelli starts a book, she needs to know who the characters are and what’s
going to happen to them. Then she outlines the scenes and starts writing. She says
that writing a new book is always an adventure, and she never knows where the
characters or stories will take her.
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
A: Although A
Most Unusual Princess is the first book in the series, all of our
stories stand alone as individual reads—and I encourage readers to catch up on
all of our adventures. I’m content with the way the trilogy ends—and I know
readers will be satisfied (in many ways!).
Kelli
has written several fantastic books in all genres, and I wish I could have a
crossover with a few of her other characters. We would have a lot of fun
together. Talking with readers was fun! I’ll ask Dalton and Allan to answer a
few questions in another chat.
Thank
you, Princess
Elara, for joining us today. Readers can learn more about all of Kelli’s books on her site: www.KelliWilkins.com
Here’s the book summary:
A Most Unusual Princess
Princess
Elara needs to find a royal husband, but claims that no man can satisfy her.
Her father hires Dalton, a special guard, to watch over her while she’s
courting suitors. Dalton finds her unusual behaviors charming—and enthralling.
Dalton’s
aloof manner intrigues Elara, and despite their differences, they share tender
moments and intimate nighttime encounters. Elara is heartbroken when her father
chooses a “proper” husband for her—until she meets the mystery man.
Bonus! This e-book
includes a sneak peek at the second book in the Royal Desires series: A Most
Intriguing Temptation.
***
The Royal Desires Series is
available on Amazon & other platforms. Catch this hot historical/fantasy
trilogy from the start:
Book 1: A Most Unusual Princess:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CBX43D8
All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/me00L9
Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-unusual-princess
Book 2: A Most Intriguing Temptation:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D8P8604
All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/47kkvj
Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-intriguing-temptation
Book 3: A Most Unfortunate Prince:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Most-Unfortunate-Prince-Historical-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B01DMBYJ6E
All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3yPPM6
Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-unfortunate-prince
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning
author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20 romance novels, 7
non-fiction books, and 3 horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and
settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror stories.
In January 2021,
Kelli released Journaling Every Week:
52 Topics to Get You Writing. This fun and innovative guide to journaling is filled with
hundreds of thought-provoking prompts designed to get you writing about your
feelings and emotions.
Her horror short, “A Witch's Wishes” was
published in the Nothing Ever Happens in Fox Hollow anthology in December 2020. In October 2020,
Kelli had horror stories published in two anthologies. “The Uninvited” was
published in Halloween Horror Vol. 2. This tale about a children’s Halloween
party gone horribly wrong is one of her favorites. Her unsettling short story,
“What the Peeper Saw” appeared in Madame Gray’s Creep Show anthology.
Earlier
in 2020 Kelli published Love, Lies & Redemption, a
western romance set in 1877 Nebraska. This novel blends a sensual love story
with mystery and danger.
Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor.
Visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a
full title list and to find all her social media links.
No comments:
Post a Comment