Saturday, July 17, 2010

Guest Author: Cory Daniells

I'm delighted to welcome fantasy author Cory Daniells to the blog today! Please give Cory a warm welcome everyone (and don't forget to enter her giveaway).
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Kissing Cousins, by Cory Daniells
(or why I think bookshops and publishers put too much emphasis on genre tags)


Did you know adventure fiction stories used to be called romances, because of the ‘romance’ of adventure?

Just as I don’t eat only salads, I don’t read only one genre. And from what I’ve seen mos
t readers are like this. They pick their book according to their moods.

I read paranormal romances, dark urban fantasies, regency romances, traditional fantasies and science fiction, as well as children’s books -- I love a good children’s book -- and then there are all the factual books I devour because I’m just fascinated by the world. To be frank, if something looks interesting, I read it. The back of cereal packets, the back of people’s newspapers when they sit opposite me on the train … yes, I’m a sad case.

I’m the sort of person who goes into an independent bookstore and asks ‘Do you have anything obscure and interesting that pushes the boundaries of genre?’

Not that my new trilogy pushes the boundaries of genre. King Rolen’s Kin, is a traditional fantasy, with lashings of rivalry, magic and betrayal.

(Click on the image to see larger version)

I set out to write the kind of book that you curl up with as a reward to yourself after a tough week at work. It will sweep you away (at least I hope so). It certainly swept me away while I wrote it.

The genres I read across are all kissing cousins (even regency romance, which I’ve been hooked on since I discovered Georgette Heyer). The books are only one step removed from each other, with some the focus might be on the adventure rather than the romance, but human beings are motivated by love and there is nothing as powerful as this primal passion.

I’m guessing you are devoted readers (if not of cereal packets), so I’m doing a give-away of the first book of King Rolen’s Kin. To enter, leave a comment with your answer to this question:

What’s the name of the kingdom where the story takes place?


I’ll leave the competition open for 48 hours and announce the winner in the comments.

On that note, I’d like to thank Nalini for welcoming a ‘cousin’ onto her blog. Warning, Gushing Fan-girl Moment -- I have all Nalini’s books. Currently, I’m working my way through them for the second time. (I’ve read the one about Mercy and Riley three times).

My blog.
My website.


KRKhd from Daryl Lindquist on Vimeo.

52 comments :

Blodeuedd said...

Hi Cory
Ohhh I have seen that first cover around and it just looks so cool, I love fantasy, more than any genre really. My first love, but then I of course found all other genres, and mixes.

Anyway, I wish you the best with your new series

The question: Rolencia if I am not mistaken.

kylie said...

Hi Cory,
Those are some pretty intense in-your-face titles you have with your trilogy. Congrats...they certainly appear to be nice treats to have after a particularly stressful workweek.

Rolencia is the kingdom...is King Rolen named after it?

Congrats again on the new series.

Tanja said...

Even though I tend to stick to urban fantasy, I'll read everything that has the right mix of action/relationship building/fun for me.
I mean, one of my favorite books is "On the Edge" by Ilona Andrews, and she stated that noone is really able to put it in a certain genre.
The answer is Rolencia, btw.

Lynnette said...

I have this book on hold at the bookstore that I work at. I would love to win it as it sounds very interesting.
And it takes place in the Kingdom of Rolencia.

Kitara said...

This looks interesting. I don't think I have read a good fantasy with kings and heirs and magic in a while. Definitely on my TBR list. Hope to win and thank you for the contest.

Answer: Kingdom of Rolencia

Tarran said...

Hi there, I have your 'Shadow Kingdom' books, and these new ones look very interesting.

Kingdom of Rolencia <----Answer

Unknown said...

Hello Cory,
I read The Last T'en trilogy and I loved it. This new series has definitely been in my TBR list. Congrats on the new series and thanks for writing such great stories.

The answer is Rolencia.

Linda Henderson said...

I went to your website and checked it out, the name of the kingdom is Rolencia. Great covers by the way.

seriousreader at live dot com

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Hi Blodeuedd,

Thanks. Are they preraphaelite paintings on your blog? I love the preraphaelites.

Cheers Rowena

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Kylie, I didn't think about 'The King's Bastard' in that way. I was thinking of it in the technical sense. You know the complications that arise when the king has children outside of the royal marriage.

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Tanja,

I read so many different genres. A book has to make me forget I'm reading a book.

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Lynette,

Do you work at a specialty bookstore (sf & f, or romance and mystery)?

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Kitara,

I wrote this book to be the kind of book I want to read. I just want to be swept away.

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Angus and Robertson Edwards Town,

The Shadow Kingdom sold out and the publishers didn't tell me.

So I have one new copy and I found a copy in a secondhand bookstore. So I have two copies.

Because it had all three books of the trilogy in one, it is almost as wide as it is tall. LOL

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Lili,

Glad you like the T'En trilogy. I've just sold a new series called The First T'En.

http://www.corydaniells.com/rcd_books_ten_exiles.html

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Linda,

I love the covers. Clint Langley did a wonderful job.

Ang from Oz said...

Very Interesting, and I can relate to reading anything that looks of interest! (Yes, yes even cereal packets)

Thanks for the great contest Cory, and the answer... Kingdom of Rolencia.

Anonymous said...

I was looking at your books earlier in the week, but decided to wait untill the entire trilogy was available. I'd like to win though (if it's not a problem that I live in Europe).

Rolencia

felinewyvern said...

Like you I have bee nknown to read cereal packets and other peoples newspapers if nothing else was on hand to read. My husband and children always say I should use a bib and silverware to read as I devour the written word :D

Oh yeah almost forgot the kingdom is called Rolencia (nice word that).

Rachel498 said...

I've heard about the books, they're definitely in my TBR pile. Nice covers, btw.
Answer: Rolencia
Rachel

Ina said...

Hi Cory!
wow I love the covers of your books - they are fantastic!!
the answer is Rolencia...
thanks so much for being here today,
Ina

Jill B said...

First order of business: the answer is Rolencia.

Secondly, I have often memorized the back of my cereal box as well as the nutritional information on the side by the time I finish a box. Someone doesn't like it when I leave my breakfast book out on the kitchen table. But that's my breakfast book and it belongs right where I eat breakfast!

Anonymous said...

Rowena,

Long-time fan here who adored your T'En trilogy, Imoshen and Tulkhan's love story to this day resonates with me. I long for of that world as I told you long ago via email, you have such a unique voice in fantasy romance.

But I'll buy ANYTHING you wrote, you're so talented.

I checked out this series and kingdom is Rolencia. When will it be released?

Pilar

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Ang, you sound like me a
'read-aholic'.

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Dorien-b, It's great eh books are coming out a month apart. I hate waiting to finish a trilogy.

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Ilona,

My husband and most of the my kids are also book-aholics.

When my 6 kids were younger I took them all out and bought them donuts and milkshakes and, as we were sitting there having our treat, the 8 year old looked over at the bookshop, sighed and said 'I'd rather have books than food.'

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Ina,

The cover artist is Clint Langley. He did a wonderful job.

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Rachel445, does your TBR pile look like mine, climbing the wall beside the bed?

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Jill B,

I've been known to read while I stir the food on the stove.

Rowena Cory Daniells said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Pilar,

You made me blush!

My big news is that SOLARIS have bought my new trilogy.

The First T'En!!!!

Doing the happy dance!

Cassie said...

Hi! I'm very interested in your new series - looks brill!
The answer is Kingdom of Rolencia.
Thanks!

Tiona said...

Wow, I thought I was the only one who read different genres. I mean, sometimes I'm in the mood for a good, funny, adventurous historical romance like Elizabeth Boyle or I'm in the mood for something a dark and gritty, but with slashes of ironic humor, like Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. I guess we're all complicated humans, hehe.
And the thing with the cereal box or newspapers, I have to agree. I automatically read anything in sight all the time.
Wow, you have some pretty awesome covers there, hehe.

Anneela said...

Hi Rowena, the kingdom where the story takes place is Rolencia.

The covers of your books look very intriguing, even if I don't win copy, I'll still be purchasing.

All the best!

Anneela said...

Hi Rowena, the kingdom where the story takes place is Rolencia.

The covers of your books look very intriguing, even if I don't win copy, I'll still be purchasing.

All the best!

Rachel498 said...

Lol, yes my TBR pile looks intimidating. I remember at one time I couldn't find anything to read, and now I cant keep up. But I like it this way :)
Rachel

nskiddy21 said...

Rolencia!

I love Nalini's blog since I have found some very good authors here! Your stories sound fantastic!
Cory, I really hope your books are in Kindle format because if I keep buying real books my fiance is going to kick me out of our apartment!

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Thank you, Cassie.

The advance copies of book two arrived yesterday. Such a thrill!

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Princess Bumblebee (anyrelation to Princess Buttercup?)

I read Simone Green's Nightide series, Joe Abercrombie and Joanna Bourne.

Bring on the books!

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Aneela,

You never know what you are getting as an author so I was over the moon when I saw the covers.

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

nskiddy21, LOL

My husband says if I volunteer to do any more work for Romance Writers of Australia, he'll kick me out.

And I just went through and gave away 2 6 foot bookshelves of books. I was having trouble finding space for my new purchases!

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

rachel445,

At least the TBR pile means you'll never be without a book!

Unknown said...

Hi Cory!

Answer: Rolencia.

I'm so glad you came to Nalini's blog. The new series sounds like something I'd really enjoy (unfortunately, I just looked at I have to order it...none of the bookstores here carry it!)

And, I'd just like to point out, books are a completely harmless adiction - it could be soooo much worse. And educational...how can something good for you be bad??? (This is what I tell myself as I buy another bookshelf. My spare bedroom is now the library).

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Enjaykay, the only problem I can see with owning a lot of books is that they may get too heavy and cause the floor to collapse!

Other than they, they are always there when you need them. They never grow-up and move out of home. They never ask for a loan to buy a new car. And, unlike chocolate, they won't put on weight.

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Just finished Nalini's latest book today about the J psy and the cop. Really enjoyed it.

But the teaser in the back had me wanting more. I've always like Indigo and wanted to read her story. Really, looking forward to this.

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Announcing the winners (decided to give away 3 copies of the book!).

Asked my darling husband to pick three numbers between 1 and 19 at random. Here are the winners.

Linda Henderson
Rachel445
Jill B

Please email me with your postal address. (Doesn't matter if you live at the North Pole).

rowena(at)corydaniells(dot)com

And thanks for commenting. I've enjoyed the chat.

Biki said...

Wow! The look like they should be a part of some crazy MMO, haha. The covers are really intriguing and I can't wait to read them.

Best of luck with your new series.

Answer: Kingdom of Rolencia

orannia said...

I do like the sound of this series (what can I say, I love fantasy) and am crossing my fingers it appears in my library. And if it doesn't I will suggest it *grin*

Oh, and the answer to your question is: Rolencia.

All the best with the release!

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Biki and Orannia,

Thanks for the support.

Anonymous said...

Rowena,

OMG when can we get our hands on the First T'En Trilogy and learn the secrets of Imoshen the first? I sure hope you get Tulkhan and Imoshen's sequel picked up, too. That's too great a story for your publishers to pass up ;-)

Amazon delivered King Rolen's book today so excited to dig into it!

Thanks,
Pilar

Anonymous said...

Hi there Rowena,

So glad you're doing another series about the T'En (OMG... YAY!!) but before I begin reading that I would like to finish off the first trilogy. It's been bugging me for 2 years not knowing the outcome.

I'm willing to purchase 'Desperate Alliances' or 'The Shadow Kingdom' for any price $AU (...within reason). This is a personal and desperate plea to anyone reading this.

need.shadowkingdom@gmail.com

p.s

great stories. love, love, love them!!

Anonymous said...

I've emailed Anonymous privately. Cheers, Rowena