Interview L.K. Below

Welcome to our special event celebrating Celtomania! We’re happy to welcome L. K. Below to share in our event today.

CTR: They say “everybody is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day,” so are you really part Celt –that includes a group of nationalities and ethnic or tribal elements such as Irish, Scots, Welsh, Cornish, Breton and residents of various islands around Great Britain—or just a fellow traveler fascinated by these amazing people?

L.K. Below: If I have Celtic blood, it’s far hidden in my family tree! I might have traces, but I’m primarily German (half German, in fact). Nevertheless, I do love a good Celtic tale. If I could visit one place… definitely Ireland or Scotland!

CTR: Obviously you have written a book with Celtic inspiration so please tell us a bit about it. The ISBN and buy link is always good and maybe some background or ‘story behind the story’ to pique our reader’s interest. Of course the Celts have long been known as bards, poets and story tellers so maybe that figures in too, right? You can provide a blurb here also!

L. K. Below: Giving me free reign, are you? Maybe I should have warned that I can go on forever… but let me begin: *ahem*

Stone Cold Kiss came to life when I stumbled upon the history of the Blarney Stone. In a nutshell, about 500 years ago a witch was saved from drowning. To show her gratitude, she cast a spell upon a stone in Blarney Castle Tower. Anyone who kisses the stone is given the power of persuasion.

Upon reading that, I started to wonder to myself. Who would fly to kiss the Blarney Stone? Well, Kelsey Donovan would. The promotion of her life approaches — if she can nail the pitch. Unfortunately, Kelsey tends to choke up when asked to speak in front of a group of strangers. While her career was darting down the path she always intended, she’s had to make some huge sacrifices to end up where she is, sacrifices in the romance department. As soon as I started writing Kelsey, I knew that I had to give her a happily-ever-after.

Not to mention that Seamus needs someone to steady him, too!

Stone Cold Kiss

Blurb: One Kiss…

Dangling over the parapet of a castle, Kelsey Donovan doubts her decisions as she battles with her fear of heights. How will kissing the Blarney Stone change her life? But as the arms of a sexy Irishman close around her, she begins to change her mind.

Can it lead to a lifetime?

When Seamus McKinley rescues a tourist gripping the Blarney Castle for dear life, he never expected her to grab hold of his heart just as tightly. But the question is: can he convince her to meet him halfway?

ISBN: 9781616502539

Buy link: http://bit.ly/StoneColdKiss

CTR: What do you think is the special appeal of the Celts to modern readers? There seems to be a huge enthusiasm for those “kilty lads” as heroes 😉 and also for Celtic elements ranging from ancient to modern. I know some of the Celtic based spiritual paths such as Druidry are also gaining many new adherents. Do you think that is a result of, a driving force behind or just a parallel to the growing fandom for Celtic romances?

L. K. Below: Well half the appeal (in my opinion) is the sexy accents. Having grown up in Glengarry County (plenty of Celtic settlers), I’m more or less immune to the “kilty” part of the equation. As for the Druidry — as far as I can tell, paranormal is still a thriving genre, but more and more people are looking for stories outside of the normal vampire or werewolf books. Druidry is foreign. Druidry is exciting. Druidry is exotic. The two — spiritualism and fiction — are likely driving each other up in popularity. Or it might just be a happy coincidence, I can’t really say for sure.

A well-told story is a well-told story. Maybe more authors are simply interested in writing Celtic-themed novels and they’ve got everyone else eating out of their palms 😉

CTR: Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and if so what do you and your friends or family do?

L. K. Below: I’m normally laid back when it comes to the holidays. This year, however, is my first St. Patrick’s Day with my boyfriend, who is a Newfoundlander. He’s already informed me of the Newfoundland tradition — to go out for a beer or three — so I anticipate some sort of alcohol or party involved.

CTR: If you could choose a Celtic people or place/event to visit, maybe by a time machine, where would you go and why?

L. K. Below: Oh no, you’re bringing a time machine into it! Now I can’t possibly choose. I’d love to visit the past and get some firsthand research. BUT since that isn’t possible, I’ll settle for touring an old castle somewhere in Scotland. I’m not picky 🙂

CTR: Do you have a favorite Celtic-themed book (besides yours of course) and what do you especially love about it? A fave author who writes Celtic inspired stories?

L. K. Below: The first ever Celtic-themed book I read was Claiming the Highlander by Kinley MacGregor. While my favorite book in her MacAllister series was Born in Sin, simply because Sin is such a to-die-for hero, I love all the stories she weaved in this series. They transported me to a time and place I have grown to love, and yes, probably sparked part of my obsession about the Scottish accent. I highly recommend.

CTR: It seems the Celts are all known for their music. The folk music store is rich and loved by many whether the Irish dance tunes and ballads, the Welsh choral tradition, the Scots airs and laments or the evocative music of Brittany. Do you have a favorite Celtic artist or album? Do you play some of that music when you are writing to enhance the creative process? When did you discover that artist or style of music?

L. K. Below: After suffering through too many high school dances playing exclusively Celtic music when all I wanted was a good rock song, I have to say this music is somewhat lost on me. There are times when I love it (for instance, when I’m in the mood to perform what little Highland Dancing I know), but for the most part I grow tired of it quickly. Unfortunately for my boyfriend, who loves it.

CTR: Before we say farewell, please tell us where we can learn more about you and your books, how to find your blog, website, twitter or Facebook pages, etc.

L. K. Below: You can find my website at www.lbelow.net. I’m also an enthusiastic Tweeter and you can find me @LBelowtheauthor. My Facebook page is here. Last but not least, I’m an obsessive blogger and blog daily at http://lbelow.blogspot.com.

Thanks for having me today!

CTR: Erin go braugh and Scotland forever! Thanks for sharing this happy event with us all. Go in peace and watch out for that green beer.