Author Interview: Kally Jo Surbeck
Kally Jo Surbeck exploded on the scene in the Summer of 2004 with her first release, For the Love Of... from Loose Id. The book which told the story of a female assasin and her bid to leave her job behind and stick it to her bosses, not only wowed readers, this unique story went on to win Loose Id their first Eppie, a Reviewers Choice Award from Ecataromance, and was nominated for the Dream Realm Award. Since she is my best friend, I cornered her to see if I could get her to answer a few questions about her newest and upcoming releases.
Welcome to the Boudoir, Kally.
Thanks for having me here. You are so sweet (Oh yeah. I said it. I called you sweet. Wanna throw down?)
You newest release, Shades of Doubt, is the second of your award winning Luck of the Irish series. Can you tell us a little about the plot and if we get to see any of the characters from For the Love of...?
Thank you. Thank you. There has been such a wait here. I know. I have been slow, but I promise to try to get book III done much more quickly. Plot. The question of DEATH.. Charlie (readers of FOR THE LOVE OF met her in that book. She was the tax attorney that Mac rescued in the alley.) has been working hard prosecuting The Outfit. She thinks she is done, but it’s only the beginning. Her best friend, Danni Nolan, an investigative reporter, has gone missing. How far would you go to get your best friend back? Charlie finds out she’ll do anything for those she loves.
Characters. There is some Mac in there. Bobby’s back and, of course, the remaining members of The Outfit.
You write these books in first person point of view, so did you find it hard to write the next one in the POV of Charlie who is vastly different from Mac?
I found it very difficult. Not the writing, per se, but the characters. Mac is a woman who I would like to think I would be friends with but, I’m not so certain about Charlie. She would be a great person to know, excellent resource to have around, and truly, a fantastically loyal friend, but I associate more with Mac than I do Charlie. The actual first person proved beneficial. One, this is a fast-paced, personal tale of terror that would not have such an impact from any other POV. But two, and more importantly, through the first person, I was allowed to really get to know Charlie—what makes her tick, what she would do, how she would respond. So by the end of the book, I was just as excited as every reader (I hope) to watch what played out and how Charlie would survive. I can honestly say in several places in the book, even though I knew what would happen, I found myself nervous.
Where does the series go from here?
There are three books left in the series. I guess it’s always up in the air whether or not publisher will continue with the series, however, there are three scheduled: Fragile Alliance is the next planned book. This is Danni and Aiden’s book. Then will be Jaci’s, and the last book planned to wrap up the series will be Bobby’s book.
You recently had a short story released by Loose Id, Valentine's Victory, a
bout a woman who lost her hearing. Can you tell us how you came up with the idea, what inspired you?
Years ago, in my youth, I had two neighbors who were deaf. Then later in high school, I had a girlfriend who was hearing impaired as well. I learned ASL. I guess those are facts, not really what inspired me. A few months ago there was some talk on my loop—I had posted something about an invention convention to aid the hearing impaired—about some of the romance readers are deaf and or hearing impaired. I thought of how many people are out there who read “hearing” romance and they love it, but how many of those were born deaf? Or what about those who lost their hearing after they had it? What is there in romance that touches their emotions? Broaches the topic of their feelings? Their isolation? I have not seen a lot and even if there were, Frankie and Tanner came to my mind, inspired. I wrote that story in one day. It just poured from me. It is incredibly rewarding to learn that the story is touching readers, both hearing and deaf.
What do you have planned for the rest of the year? Any more sequels, new works or appearances?
Hmmm. I am currently working on the second BOUND book that, for those who read BOUND BY HOPE is Lucas and MaryBeth’s story. This is how he goes down to her and how they end up together. I am also working on a chick lit I am sending to New York. Also (bwhahahaha) Danni’s book, book III in the Luck Of The Irish series. Big Sigh. Big Sigh. Appearances? I’ll be in RT (www.rtconvention.com ) with you in Daytona this…May. Also we will be in St. Augustine right before ( www.firstcoastromancewriters.com ). Speaking of, have you talked about that on your loop? Then in July, I will be in Atlanta for the RWA National conference ( www.rwanational.org ). September will find me in Colorado Springs, CO. Pikes Peak Romance Writers ( www.pprw.org ) has asked me (bless their hearts) to speak!
Do you have a way for readers to keep up with your releases and news?
Yes! http://www.kallyjosurbeck.com/
KallyJoSurbeckAuthor_group@yahoogroups.com
Thanks for stopping by and talking with us this month.
No, thank you. Thank you also for taking me to Taco Bell!!!! Taco Cabana wasn’t bad either, but I needed the TB (bwhahahaha) fix.
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