Read-Love-Blog

Some of you may know this already, but I wrote reviews and other fun things on a different blog before Read-Love-Blog.  After a great run of things, my blog partners and I decided to pursue different interests, and that led me here, on my very own site.

So, I have some old posts that I haven’t posted here yet. Today I have my fun interview with the characters from the King of Darkness by Elisabeth Staab….enjoy!

Book links:

Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble   ~  Goodreads

My mini review:

What a great book!!

I loved that the characters strayed from the traits that have become the norm these days.

Thad wasn’t the typical over-confident alpha male. He was vulnerable and admitted his short comings and I liked to see that he didn’t always have the answers.

Isabel also wasn’t the typical instantly smitten heroine. She was reluctant and used her head at times and questioned what she really wanted.

I really appreciated a different type of enemy, wizards, and am eagerly awaiting the next installment of the series. This was a great beginning to a series that I hope to see for years to come!

Thank you, Ms. Staab, for a fantastic read!!

Interview:

I recently had the honor of sitting down with my friends, and newly mated royal couple, Thad and Isabel Morgan.  I spent a wonderful evening visiting them at their home in Virginia.  They were kind enough to indulge me in answering a few questions….enjoy!!

Gah, where to begin!? I have to say, I was so nervous for you two toward the end of the story…I didn’t know which one of you to scream at! Please tell me that you make sure never to leave things left unsaid ever again.

*Thad leans forward, taking hold of Isabel’s hand.* You know, Jillian–may I call you Jillian? It’s been a real trial by fire, if you’ll pardon the phrase. Isabel and I, we’re still learning to fit into new roles. Still, the one thing we’re promised each other is open and honest communication. So much went wrong because we each tried to decide what was best for the other. We hope we’ve learned from that.

All right, let’s get down to the nitty gritty, shall we?

*Isabel rubs her hands together.* Oh, I do love the nitty gritty stuff! *Thad elbows her gently, and she laughs and shakes her head. A glint of light makes her good eye sparkle with mishief.* Poor guy. He doesn’t know what to do with me sometimes, I think.

*Thad laughs and pulls Isabel in for a quick kiss.* No comment, he murmurs.

Isabel, how are you feeling? Have you picked out any names yet? Jillian is a fabulous girl’s name….just sayin’

Oh, it’s lovely! I’ll have to remember that. You know I have to be honest, it’s so early still that every time I think about all the little decisions, it’s like I have bats flying around in my chest or something. Do you know what I mean? I just…gosh, you know one minute life’s rolling along and you think you’ve got a handle on things, next thing you know a sexy king sweeps you off you’re feet and he’s gone and knocked you up and you’ve taken up KNITTING for crying out loud. It’s all totally insane.

Thad, how are you settling in to your new role as King?

Speaking of insane… *Thad shakes his head.* I’m kidding of course. I wouldn’t trade it, but I feel an awesome pressure to be the kind of king of my father was. We’re facing threats today that are even greater than before. Some I can’t even speak about yet. I hope to serve our race well.

*Isabel bumps her forehead against Thad’s* Of course you will.

*Thad smiles slightly.* I’ve got you now. How can I fail?

*She rolls her eyes at him.* You’re so sappy sometimes. But I love it. *They kiss again, and a little steam rises from the place where their hands touch.*

I must say, you have one hell of an amazing Queen at your side…speaking of which, Isabel, are you still helping settle all of those “important issues”? I loved how you handled the “puppy scandal” 😉

Oh Lord, speaking of trial by fire! I was so out of my element! I just knew Thad shouldn’t have to deal with those problems, you know? It turned out some of them were so easy to fix, so yeah, that’s what I do now. It frees up Thad to deal with some of the bigger issues and gives me a chance to meet folks so I’m not sitting around being pregnant all the time. *She leans forward to whisper* Now that I’m not sick anymore, you wouldn’t believe how fast I can suck down a bag of Goldfish crackers. It’s embarrassing!

Did you two come up with any cool parlor tricks you can do when you mingle your powers?  Just think, if the whole ruling thing doesn’t work out, you can open up a spa with special steam treatments!

*Thad gets a little squirmy and starts cracking his neck.* *Isabel laughs.* It’s uh, mostly when we make love that our powers mingle. Which is whenever Thad’s not busy with meetings or the soldiers or whatever, because right now my pregnancy hormones are off the hook if you know what I mean. The closet doors in our bedroom are all starting to stick from the steam!

How is Alexia doing? Is she ready to be an “aunt”?

*Isabel nods, gaze trained on the ceiling like she’s thinking hard about something.* She’s good. She’s… Let’s just say it’s an adjustment for all of us, moving to the estate. Alexia’s gone from living in the human world with just me, to being the only human in a vampire world. She’s excited though, about the baby. We all are.

I know it’s probably top secret but have you heard anything from Lee or Tyra? I know you both must be worried.

*They both shake their heads sadly, but it’s Thad who answers.* Every night, I’ve got guys out looking. It’s killing me not to be out there too. My place is with Isabel, but it’s real fucking hard, the waiting. Having to sit on my hands. We really hope there’s word soon.

Ok, now some fun for you both… The first word that pops in your head when you read these names/words:

*Thad seems reserved after the last question, so it’s Isabel who takes the “Lightning Round”*

Alexia – fun!

Krispy Kreme – yum!  

Siddoh – big! stacked! hot! *Thad shoots her a look.* What? I’m mated, not dead. *Siddoh, who’s been standing guard by the door, smiles quietly and buffs his nails against his jacket.*

Beaujolais – Oh, my favorite. I don’t get to drink anymore while I’m pregnant. *She rubs a palm against Thad’s cheek.* Gotta find other ways to fill my time…

Baby – *Suddenly, Isabel seems weirdly panicked.* Holy shit, Thad! We don’t have a crib yet. We need a place for the baby to sleep! *Thad runs a hand through her hair, whispering quietly with a resigned look like this has happened before.* Seven months, he says. Remember? We have plenty of time. *Isabel jumps up, looking anxious.* Wal-Mart’s still open, right? We could go get one right now. And a soft pretzel. I love those things. *Suddenly she’s tugging him toward the door. *Thad looks apologetically at Jillian.* I’m sorry, she keeps doing this. Midwife says it’s normal. *This time his wide grin shows a charming hint of fang.* Truthfully, it keeps things interesting. *He smiles at Isabel, already waiting with Siddoh by the door.* Okay, Izzy. Wal-mart. *He turns to Jillian.*  

Pecans –  *And by the way, I rather enjoy Pecans, but make my tongue swell.*

 Thank you both for taking the time to sit and chat! I hope to keep on touch and I’ll be sure to let you know of any wizard sightings…..

Your loyalty is appreciated, Thad calls over his shoulder. *Siddoh winks and smiles at Jillian before escorting the royal couple out.*

About the author:

Elisabeth Staab still lives with her nose in a book and at least one foot in an imaginary world. She believes that all kinds of safe and sane love should be celebrated but she adores the fantasy-filled realm of paranormal romance the best. She lives in the Washington DC area

with her family and one big scaredy cat, where she loves to spend time with good friends, go dancing, collect wacky coffee mugs from which to drink her favorite beverage, and sing off-key in her kitchen (when she isn’t making characters fall in love, that is).

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