Good morning friends, I have another great author here with me today, Caris Roane.Micole, thank you so much for having me on your blog today. And I especially want to welcome my Goodreads and Facebook fans who have responded to my event invitations. So, please, those of you who are familiar with my Guardians of Ascension series, feel free to make comments and ask questions! I’d love to talk about all of the upcoming books...without, of course, giving away too many spoilers!
Tell us about you and your books.
Well, I’ve been out of my mind for paranormal romance for a long time now. And though I’d written Regency romance as Valerie King, after reading the first few novels of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series, I knew I had to write my own series based on hunky warrior vampires.
What are you working on now?
Right now, my vampire series, Guardians of Ascension, takes up all of my time. The first two books have been released: ASCENSION and BURNING SKIES. The third book, WINGS OF FIRE, releases in September and the fourth, BORN OF ASHES, in January of next year…which means, I’m working on the fifth book, OBSIDIAN FLAME! It’s been an absolute blast to write and for those who are following the series, the fourth book belongs to Warrior Jean-Pierre and the fifth, to our beloved Thorne, the leader of the Warriors of the Blood.
How long did it take for you to get the call?
After submitting for the first time (though that submission was my second completed manuscript of many moons ago), I got the call within the first year from Kensington who then published all my Regency romance work for years afterward. It was a great relationship and a wonderful ride!
Maybe that seems fast or fortuitous, but the reality was that I had been writing for a good long while before that sale. I’d say the whole process of selling the first book took me about 9 years and two babies to complete. A good part of that time was spent experimenting as well as trying to determine if this was the right path for me
When you are writing, what is your process? Plotter or Panster?
I confess I’m a weird combination of both. I’ll do some plotting then the pantser part of me has to have a field day and take over, then I rework my plot, then let it go so that my brain can play, then back to plotting. What’s even weirder…about a third of the way through the process of understanding what my book is about I absolutely have to know how the story ends, from the climax all the way through to the resolution chapters. And yet even with all that said, I also work hard to structure my stories around the hero’s journey.
What is your favorite thing about writing romance?
My favorite thing about writing romance is the romance. It’s watching two people find each other, not just in the first pages, but really find each other all the way through the story, discover each other, know each other, truly fall in love…then of course have a Happily-Ever-After!
What do you do when you are not writing?
That tends to change. Right now I’m stuck on watching Divine Design, Design Inc., and Sarah’s Summer House. And I know there are many of you out there who know exactly what I’m talking about. For those who don’t, these are interior design shows and I’m addicted! Go figure!
Do you have any advice or writing secrets for aspiring authors?
I think the best advice I can give is to really feel passionate about your subject. You’ll enjoy what you write and all that enjoyment will automatically translate through your words and straight to the reader’s heart.
Where can we learn more about you and your books?
I can be found at my website, http://www.carisroane.com/, I’m on Facebook as well under Caris Roane, and you can contact me personally at carisroane@gmail.com.
Thank you for being a guest here on Micole Writes Romance.
Thank you, Micole. It’s been great being with you today!
Blessings, Caris
Make sure to comment and tell Caris what you think of her books or ask her a question. She is giving away two signed copies, one of ASCENCION and one of BURNING. See everyone next week when I will be talking about storyboarding.
Hugs
Micole
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21 comments:
Good morning, everyone! It's a beautiful day in the desert: hot with scorpions! I was up late last night and couldn't figure out what my cats were staring at and why their little heads bobbed here and there! You guessed it, one of those stinging critters. Ah, well. I also couldn't figure out how to get rid of him so he's probably hanging out somewhere! Here's hoping I don't get stung today! But the good news is YOU'RE here! So make a post, ask a question, tell me what's going on with you! Blessings, Caris
Good Morning Caris,
First let me start off by saying I love your books. They're just pure magic. Once I finished the first book I immediately gave it to my best friend and now she is hooked. I am so addicted I bought the second book the day it came out and read it that week. I love my warriors.
My question is will we be hearing more from Gideon and Elise? (I loved your novella) Also who are the other 19 women Elise had a vision about? (I don't except an answer because of spoilers but I just had to ask). If you assume that the women who are breh to the warriors are part of the 19 woman then that would make 9 plus Elise that would make 10 so who are the other 9? Would they be feature in the books or have novella like Elise? I am going insane trying to theorize.
Love You and Your Series,
Sara
Hi, Sara!
Can I just say I LOVE that you're addicted because I'm addicted to WRITING this series. Seriously!
Gideon and Elise - you'll see a bit more of Gideon in BORN OF ASHES but not Elise. I soooo wish that I could give everyone more word space but my editor keeps saying 'too big a cast here'! But yes, you'll get to meet Gideon as he does some of that macho warrior thing as each protects their male turf...that is, Gideon is all about the Thunder God Warriors and of course Jean-Pierre stands by the Warriors of the Blood. Don't you love male territorial-ness?!?
As for the numbers in Elise's vision, I got such a kick out of your theorizing so let me explain my thinking. Alison is the lead, because she opens the you-know-what in book #10 ;-)and the eight women who follow her are 'brehs' to the Warriors of the Blood. Elise, smack in the middle of the final row of 9 women total, would then be 'brehs' to 9 powerful Militia Warriors, all destined to match the WhatBees in power and strength. If my pub house let's me do it, the women with Elise would all be featured in novellas. I'm hoping we get to do this in the future, but right now we don't have one slated! Like you, I want to write more because it's been fun to explore a different part of the world.
Hope this helps!
Blessings,
Caris
PS Jean-Pierre's book is done, BORN OF ASHES (1-3-12)and I'm currently writing Thorne's book...squeaaaaaaa! He's THE MAN! *biting nails*
Good morning everyone. Sorry to hear about the scorpions in your yard. Not sure how I would deal with that one! ;-) Just wanted to drop in before the craziness of the day starts and say hi and thank you Caris for being my guest. It is a pleasure to have you here. I will try and pop in as much as I can today.
Talk to you soon. ;-)
Micole
Good morning everyone. Sorry to hear about the scorpions in your yard. Not sure how I would deal with that one! ;-) Just wanted to drop in before the craziness of the day starts and say hi and thank you Caris for being my guest. It is a pleasure to have you here. I will try and pop in as much as I can today.
Talk to you soon. ;-)
Micole
I'll have to check out your series. Your books sound great! I'm also a fan of Divine Design and could watch shows back-to-back if I didn't have a million other tasks. :)
Hi, Brinda,
I know, Divine Design, right?! Candace is a genius! I just love makeovers, maybe that's why I love writing fiction...my leads always get a makeover of one sort or another--usually at the depth of character, kind of like the basement makeovers Candace does, you know the ones that start out looking like a crime scene...LOL!
Caris
I am in love with this series...I would love to have a signed copy so I could share the ones I have..I can't wait for the next book..
Hi Caris ~ Happy solstice! Thanks for the invite! I can't wait to read more about these hot warriors and their women! I enjoyed the short story, Brink of Eternity as well... but I agree, Thorne is the man, and I can't wait for his book!
Blessings,
Your friend ~ Tish
Leisa,
Then I truly hope you win the giveaway! You'd have signed copies in hand of both ASCENSION and BURNING SKIES. Just picture them sitting on your coffee table and hold that thought in your head. See what happens!
It blesses my heart that you are in love with the series. I don't know if you can tell, but this series has my heart!
Blessings,
Caris
Tish,
I know...I have goosebumps just thinking about Thorne...and I'm the writer! When I started working on his story...or maybe 'discovering' his story is more apt...I kept thinking, 'I want this bigger, it needs to be bigger', and sure enough the story that has unfolded is huge, so much greater in scope than I'd first imagined, but certainly befitting this man who has carried the load for two thousand years.
And Happy Solstice to you!
Blessings,
Caris
I am so intrigued. I love larger than life heroes. Thanks for the teaser Caris.
Still a great site Micole.
Caris,
I love, love, love your warriors...
How do you put so much passion into each of them? When will we see Luken's story? Will you put your novellas into paper format when they're finished? When does Endelle find her match? I think I'm addicted, do you have any advice for a reader who can't seem to get enough....lol.
I'm so glad your releasing more than 1 book a year. I would go crazy.
June,
This series has been a blast to write because the warriors are so magnificent, the epitome of male beauty. But they are WARRIORS so be prepared for everything you think that word might entail...just a slight warning!
They're also vampires, so be prepared for what that word might entail as well!
Ah...so much darn fun!
Thanks for posting!
Blessings,
Caris
Kathy!
I'm so glad you LOVE my warriors. I love them, too!
Passion is such an interesting question but I think it helps that the story is essentially paranormal because then all that passion can be portrayed in a super-exaggerated, super-sexy way. I don't know if you've noticed, but I've really tried to stretch those boundaries as well, as in what's possible for our ascended vampires and their brehs. I think it's one of the great appeals of the genre, that we get to experience love and passion in BIG and oftentimes unexpected ways.
As for Luken, don't worry! He's coming up in book #7 and I have something big planned for our gentle giant.
The novellas are problematic right now since we only have one completed and my pub house, as I said before, hasn't indicated a desire to get more out there at this time. Maybe in the future. I'd certainly like to write more of them and should that come together, then eventually three of them could be released together in print form...or maybe even Print-on-Demand.
Now...for Endelle! OMG. Just thinking about her makes me laugh. She's a kick in the pants and so much fun to write. In Thorne's book, for instance, (which I'm writing now)she experiments with using the usual garden variety snail shells as decoration on her leather skirt...but anyone who knows how thin snail shells are can just imagine how well this ends for her! But yes, of course, she gets her man...in book #10...and he's big enough and wild enough to handle all that she is...yay!!!
As for the current state of your addiction, I'd say I'm sorry but I'm having the same problem. I said this in an earlier post, but I'm addicted to writing the series, which is one reason my goal from the first was 3 books a year. I couldn't bear to let each book drag out for a year...shoot me now! I also knew it wouldn't be fair to the reader since I've built each book with huge cliff-hangers...I mean, come on!!! Just know that I'm writing these books for you...try taking deep breaths! *grinning*
Blessings,
Caris
Caris,
I love that you've added something new to vampires in the paranormal romance genre. Who would of thought of winged vampires?!! And they don't turn into little vampire bats either. LOL How did winged vampire concept present itself to you? So unique! Love the whole ascension process too. I'm looking forward to future books in your series.
Anna
Anna,
When I started creating this series, I had just read the first few books of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter Series. And I just loved the whole warrior vampire thing! I knew I wanted to create a big world, so I thought why not ascending dimensions. But when I started working with my warrior vampires, I was really looking for a different take on them, something that would reflect an aspect of our vampire mythology, yet still be really different. As I was writing the first few scenes of the book, a death vampire appeared floating in mid-air with enormous glossy black wings and that's how it all started, with that amazing image. What intrigued me the most was the size of the wings and how beautiful they were. Everything built from there so that I had the world of the vampire, these vampires lived in a dimensional world at war, and they mounted wings! I realize it's a huge departure but writing flight into these books has been a terrific experience!
Blessings,
Caris
Caris,
I just love the series so far and can't wait for the next book. Your such a talented writer that I can't put your books down once I start reading.
I originally picked up Ascension because I loved the cover art and it really caught my attention. Once I read what the book was about I thought I would give it a try, and I am so glad I did. My question for you is: As the author do you get any say in the cover art for the book or is that something the publisher decides on?
Thanks again for sharing your stories with us!
Crystal
Crystal,
I'm so glad that you love the series so far! WINGS OF FIRE will be on the shelves before you know it! Hooray!
As for the cover art, I really don't get a say in it but I do give a lot of input up front in terms of setting concepts and wings concepts and of course the color of hair and eyes. I even took some time to present some thematic ideas. How much of that really helps the art department, I'm not sure, but I have to say that my pub house has given me some pretty spectacular covers! The fourth cover, BORN OF ASHES, (which I use as my avatar)arrived in my inbox when I was in the middle of writing that book. It seemed to suit Jean-Pierre and his woman so well, especially the intimacy of their loose warm embrace, that I was moved beyond words. I still am.
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Blessings,
Caris
Micole,
I want to thank you for having me on your blog! It was great chatting with everyone and I wish you continued success in all your writing endeavors!
Many blessings!
Caris
Thank you Caris. The same to you. It was a pleasure having you here.
Micole
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