Thursday, November 15, 2012

Interview With THE SECRET OF NARAVA Author Isabo Kelly, Plus Giveaway



Author Isabo Kelly has two, count ‘em, two new science fiction romances out and I’m delighted to share them with you. I first interviewed the author back in 2009. That was a fun introduction (if I do say so myself ;) ) to Isabo Kelly the author and her book, THE PROMISE OF KIERNA’RHOAN.

Now it’s time to delve a little deeper into her Naravan Chronicles with an all-new interview because she has recently expanded that universe for your reading pleasure.

And stay tuned because the giveaway details follow the interview!

The Galaxy Express: Your category length sci-fi romance THE PROMISE OF KIERNA’RHOAN (The Naravan Chronicles) was released by Samhain Publishing in 2008. Please describe five basic facts readers should know about your Naravan universe.

Isabo Kelly: Thanks for having me at The Galaxy Express today, Heather!

Five basic facts. Okay. 

1. Narava is a planet in our galaxy that was populated by humans (from Earth) roughly 120 years prior to the events of the novel. 

2. There is interplanetary travel in this universe and advanced technology mixed with some more mundane human inventions. 

3. Humans have only encountered a few other sentient beings in the galaxy since they started moving away from Earth (150 years earlier), but have settled on several livable planets and moons, and set up a few space stations. 

4. Fifty years after settling on Narava, humans discovered there was a native species living on the planet that could shape-shift into anything organic and which humans couldn’t communicate with. 

5. The shape-shifting native species—called the Shifters by humans—are considered by many to be extremely dangerous and so their extermination has been sanctioned by the Naravan government (though there are pockets of humans who do not agree with this action).

I’m sure there’s more basic facts. But that will set readers up going into the first book.  J

TGE: Congratulations on the releases of your latest sci-fi romances, THE SECRET OF NARAVA and INTERFACE! What are the timelines of these stories in relation to THE PROMISE OF KIERNA’RHOAN?

IK: Thanks! INTERFACE takes placed approximately one month after the main events of THE PROMISE OF KIERNA’RHOAN. And THE SECRET OF NARAVA starts roughly thirteen months after the main events of THE PROMISE OF KIERNA’RHOAN. (Local Naravan time *g*)

TGE: What’s the premise of INTERFACE?

IK: Here’s the official blurb:

When unexpected side-effects in Gina Xanacovich’s nanotech research leads to murder and death threats, her father hires private mercenaries to protect her. But Johan “Alex” Alexander proves to be just as dangerous to her peace of mind as the threats against her life. Worse, his seductive voice and irritatingly calm presence keep Gina on edge, making her want more from him than just being her bodyguard.

Giving into their growing attraction, Gina finds it hard to focus beyond her obsession with the sexy mercenary. She knows if she can’t reign in her desire, she won’t live long enough to discover those responsible for the murders and threats. Nor will she discover how far things can go with Alex.

TGE: What kind of adventure can readers expect from THE SECRET OF NARAVA?

IK: THE SECRET OF NARAVA digs deeper into the history of the Shifters and really ups the stakes in the situation between Shifters and humans. There’s no going back after this book.

The heroine, Dr. Ti’ann Jones, is a paleontologist who never had any intention of getting involved in the Shifter issue. But circumstances conspire against her and she has to find a strength she never realized she had to do what has to be done. The hero, Nathan Longfeather, makes his first appearance in INTERFACE as a secondary character and is a cousin to Kira Farseaker, the heroine from THE PROMISE OF KIERNA’RHOAN. He’s been avoiding the Shifter issue for years too, for his own reasons, and now has to take up a cause he never intended to champion.

Here’s the official blurb:

Their discovery could lead to war . . .

Paleontologist, Dr. Ti'ann Jones, uncovers a mystery that could alter the course of her planet's future, putting her and her people in grave danger. She's forced to call in security to protect her dig site. But the man who shows up threatens Ti'ann on a much more personal level. She's spent the last three years trying to forget Nathan Longfeather and the incredible things he did to her body, but it's apparent he's already forgotten her.

Nathan thought guarding an archaeological dig site would be an easy and welcome break from his normal high-tension contracts. But when he comes face-to-face with a woman he hasn't been able to forget for the last three years, he finds himself torn between the job and dragging Ti'ann back to his ship to remind her of those brief erotic nights they spent together. Nights she seems to have forgotten.

As the truth of Ti'ann's discovery is revealed, Nathan's job gets a lot more serious, and keeping Ti'ann and her team alive becomes his top priority. In a time when anything to do with Narava's native species, the Shifters, leads to violence, Ti'ann and Nathan face enemies from both sides of the conflict and will have to find a way to prevent a planet-wide war. If they can survive, they might just have a future…together.

TGE: You’ve written other sci-fi romances such as MARSHALL’S GUARD. What are some of the hallmarks of a sci-fi romance by Isabo Kelly?

IK: I think adventure and action are pretty prevalent in my sci-fi romances. I like a good old-fashioned space-opera type adventure. But my scientific background is in biology (I have a Ph.D. in ethology) so there tends to be elements of biology and genetics in a lot of my sci-fi. I don’t usually get too in-depth into the techy end of things (though not for lack of trying occasionally *g*) and focus more on the human relationships and interactions, the implications of what humans do within their universe.

I love creating new species (my biologist showing there), so my humans are rarely alone in the universe. My heroines tend to be strong, smart, and can take care of themselves (most of them anyway). But they do like having a strong man at their backs, helping them survive and do the right thing.

Also I love throwing in elements that might at first sound like “fantasy” but I have scientifically plausible explanation. The full explanations don’t always make it into a book just because my point of view characters might not know or understand those details. But I really enjoy making something that seems like “magic” plausible. The Shifters in the Naravan Chronicles are a good example of this. The time traveling Kyzits in MARSHALL’S GUARD are another example.

And, of course, because these are romances we’re talking about, my books focus on the developing relationship between the two main characters and their growing respect and love—and lust. There’s always plenty of lust and sex. *g*

TGE: Where can readers find these stories?

IK: All of my books are available as e-book at most of the major retailers (Amazon, B&N, AllRomanceEbooks, etc…). You can also go directly to the publisher’s websites (see the links below). A few of them—like THE PROMISE OF KIERNA’RHOAN and MARSHALL’S GUARD—are also available in paperback directly from the publisher’s websites or from major online retailers.


TGE: How can readers connect with you?

IK: Readers can visit me at my website: www.isabokelly.com or follow me on Twitter @IsaboKelly. I spend most of my social networking time on Twitter (more than I should probably *g*), so this is a good place to find me! I’m also up for friending on Facebook www.facebook.com/IsaboKelly, or you can just email me directly at isabo@isabokelly.com  I love hearing from readers so don’t be shy!

* * *

Ms. Kelly, thanks for your time, and for your art.

*Sparkly* Giveaway!

Leave a comment for this post and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a paperback copy of Isabo Kelly’s THE PROMISE OF KIERNA’RHOAN (international giveaway!).

Alternately, if the winner has read/owned that book, s/he can select an ebook copy of any title from the author’s backlist.

The deadline to enter is midnight PST on Thursday, November 22, 2012.

You tell me: If you could shapeshift into anything, what type of creature would you become?

Joyfully yours,

Heather