Inkwell Guest: Karilyn Bentley

Hey, everyone! Today I’m pleased to host fellow Plotting Princess, Karilyn Bentley at the blog. She took time out to do an interview with me regarding her latest release, Werewolves in London.

Welcome, Karilyn!

When did you know you wanted to be a writer? And how did you get your start?

I used to make up stories a lot as a kid, but stopped doing it the older I got. Then one day, about 12 years ago, I was sitting in my cube at work and thought, I’m tired of this. I want to work from home. What can I do at home? What about write? So I put down a story that had been going around in my mind. It’s currently hiding in a box under a box in the closet, but it gave me the desire to write.

I got my start by entering the Got Wolf? contest The Wild Rose Press had in 2008. Out of all the entries, they took the top 6 and mine was #4. My story, Werewolves in London, was printed in the Got Wolf? anthology, which was released in 2009. It’s now being re-released as a stand alone novella. <g>

Where do you find your inspiration?

I’m not sure. The characters pop into my head and my job is to figure out a story for them. Sometimes the first line of a story pops in for a visit, but often those first lines go nowhere. At least not yet. 🙂

What is the one writer’s tool you can’t live without?

My laptop. 🙂

How many words/pages do you do in a day/week/month? And how do you keep yourself motivated to do them?

I’m horrible at this. I try to write at least an hour a day, but am not always successful. Consequently, I’ve got to be the slowest writer ever. Motivation comes more when I get sick and tired of myself for slacking. Then it’s butt in the chair, hands on the keyboard until the story comes out. Am I allowed to say I don’t always take my own advice?? It’s so much easier to tell people how to write than actually do it myself!

Whose work has influenced you the most?

Sherrilyn Kenyon. I never liked romance novels until I read one of hers and then I fell in love with the genre. I was already writing at the time and read that writers should join writing groups and that RWA was one of the best ones out there to join. The article strongly recommended joining, even if you didn’t write romance. So I joined. Then I thought, gee, if it walks like a duck it might as well quack like one too. So I started writing romance. I met Sherrilyn at a RWA conference and tried to tell her she was my inspiration, but I think it came out more like I was a crazy stalker. After a few tense moments, I managed to convince her I was not into stalking. 🙂

This month is the release of your novel, WEREWOLVES IN LONDON. Tell us a little about the book. How about a blurb?

Werewolf Vonda Diaz has sworn off men, until she meets sexy rancher, Tom McGowan. Try as she might there is something about him she can’t ignore. Determined to keep their relationship professional she finds herself unable to keep her distance. Since his wife died, Tom has no interest in dating, but one look at Vonda and passion ignites. There is something different about her that draws him in. What he can’t understand is why his dog finds her so fascinating. When Tom’s daughter is kidnapped, the two join forces to save her, not realizing the quest will unlock hidden mysteries. Will their budding love survive the secrets they discover or will those secrets tear them apart?

Excerpt

“Your dog doesn’t respect you.” Vonda reached down to scratch behind Sam’s ear. “I can help you with that problem, but I can’t help train him to herd. Do we have a deal?”

Tom took off his hat, scratched his head and slammed it back on as if to hold in steam. Judging from the color of his face, he should have let his hair wave free in the breeze. It might cool things off. One long finger pointed at Sam. One nicely shaped, work hardened finger. The list of things that finger could do to her body rushed through Vonda’s brain on fast forward. It didn’t help that the man whose finger provoked such lascivious thoughts was the best-looking thing in this little Podunk town.

Why was she thinking such thoughts? Concentrate, Vonda, concentrate! Last time she thought this way about a man she was in heat. Oh shit. Not again. No wonder Sam stuck to her like proverbial glue.

Wait. Tom’s mouth was moving. “…me?”

“Huh? I’m sorry, what did you say?” Good job Vonda, way to look stupid on your first visit with a client.

“I said, how can that dog not respect me?”

“Well, dogs see things differently than humans. If you don’t act like the alpha, then they assume they are the alpha. That’s what creates problems. That’s where I can help.”

“Yes, yes. I know. But I have other herding dogs. None of them give me problems. What’s up with that?” A frustrated green stare bored into her.

Men frustrated so easily. Humans in general. Ever see a canine with hypertension?

Sam licked her hand. Then she smelled it. The scent of a man. Not just any man. A man she wanted to mate with. A man about six four, with sandy blond, almost brown hair and green eyes. A man who stood less than three feet from her.

Damn hormones.

If she didn’t get out of here soon she’d lose any chance of ever being a dog trainer.

I understand this is part of a series. Can you tell us a little about that?

I sure can! I wrote this novella first, as mentioned, for the Got Wolf? anthology. Then I wrote Wolf Mates as the next in the series. Right before Wolf Mates came out, I got the rights back to Werewolves and had to wait until now for it to be re-released. Both novellas feature the London, Montana wolf pack and the Flying Fur Dude Ranch.

What else do you have in store for lucky readers?

I’m glad you asked! Magical Lover, starring hot, shape-shifting dragons, is out now and its sequel, Warrior Lover, will be out later this year. I don’t have the release date yet. But I’m excited!

What’s in your TBR pile?

Oh boy, a lot of books! I have some by Sarah McCarty, Addison Fox, Janis Patterson, and Caroline Clemmons. However, the one I’m reading next is Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson. It’s for book club.

And now a fun question: What are your summer plans? Anything fun?

The Hubster and I took our nieces to DC the week of Memorial Day. It was a lot of fun! I’d highly recommend going if you haven’t been. It’s easy to get around by foot and metro and there are lots of free activities, including the Smithsonian museums. Plus, we got to see the Presidential Motorcade, featuring The Rolling Thunder. How cool is that??

Werewolves In London is available at Amazon. Get your copy today!

Find Karilyn around the web:

Webpage | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | The Wild Rose Press