Interview with Author Kieran Kramer and Giveaway

Hi Everyone! Today I would like to welcome to the blog the lovely Kieran Kramer. Kieran writes awesome Historicals filled with lots of humor. If  you haven't read her books yet, you are surely missing out. Kieran was kind enough to take some time away from her busy deadline schedule to answer some questions for me and I would love to share them with you all.

First off, can you tell us a bit about you?
There's SO much to say! But some "unusual facts" about me can be found right here: www.kierankramerbooks.com/author
I think you'll find some of them highly unusual, LOL!

Did you always want to be a writer?
No, not until I was about ten or so. I was a big reader, and I loved THE MOFFATS and A LITTLE PRINCESS and the Laura Ingalls Wilder books so much, I decided I wanted to be part of that storytelling world!

What kind of writer are you? Panster or Plotter?
Pantser, although I try to use what I know of story structure to help me along when I come to big, black holes in the story! I refer frequently to Blake Snyder's SAVE THE CAT and everything Michael Hauge says.

Why historicals? What about this era draws you in?
I've always loved Charles Dickens and Jane Austen and am an Anglophile in general. The main reason being I adore the English sense of humor. I love how they embrace eccentric characters and delight in everyday life. In music for me, the song PENNY LANE exemplifies what I love most about the English. I also embrace everything Scottish, having lived there a year, and everything Irish, as I am second-generation Irish--we still have a farm there.

Where do your ideas come from?
Out of the blue!! No, actually, it's not as random as that. I remind myself to get out of my own way and let Truth come in. Truth is as present in fiction as it is in non-fiction, of course. I think Truth is capturing something real and universal, something that reverberates through everyone and reflects the ultimate Truth, in my view, which is that Love Conquers All.

That might sound convoluted and/or corny, but I have to be present to write something good, and the only way I can be present is to center myself and try to be a portal for something that really matters. As light as my stories are, they are written from a real place in me.

A la Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less.
Cute guy with no money must help strong, independent girl save her castle!

Out of any of your books, which one would you like to be a character in? And why?
I'd love to be a mistress in WHEN HARRY MET MOLLY! Have you seen the contests that they got to be in? They were fun (and the last one was not only fun but poignant and meaningful to the ladies on a personal level). Plus, they got to wear those gaudy outfits and lots of feathers!!!

What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read?
FUNNY! I love stories that make me laugh and help rid me of all my stress. And ROMANTIC. Sometimes, they don't have to be funny at all…as long as they're romantic. But my favorite heroes and heroines have lovely, light senses of humor.

Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it?
It's hard to name one, but I love MISTRESS OF MELLYN by Victoria Holt.

Have you ever fallen for another author's hero? If so, who and why?
Conor Tremellyn in MISTRESS OF MELLYN!! He's the ultimate Alpha for me because he's strong and hard to get to know. Beneath his gruff, cold exterior, he's a passionate, warm man.

Belle of the Ball, Wallflower, or Widow?
I'll take Belle of the Ball! I definitely don't want to be a wallflower or a widow. I want to party while I still got it! :>)

Describe the characteristics that make up your perfect hero.
Strong, honest, vulnerable, protective, passionate and sensitive yet won't allow himself to be bossed around.

What are the scenes that are the hardest for you to write?
Scenes where I have to get a character from one place or event to another--I always have to make sure something important is happening, that a scene is never superfluous. It has to matter to the story.

If you could have dinner with any three book characters, who would you choose and why?
Scarlett O'Hara, because she's fascinating; Mark Darcy in BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY because we all know he's really Colin Firth ; and any of Mary Balogh's heroes, who are ALL sexy!!!

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?
Margaret Mitchell--because I love GONE WITH THE WIND
Betty Smith, because I love A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN
and Beverly Cleary, because I love everything she has ever written, including her teen romances

What do you like to do in your free time?
Read, hang out with my family and pets, watch TV, cook

Favorite movie?
JERRY MAGUIRE

Favorite song?
WILL YE GO, LASSIE (featured in IF YOU GIVE A GIRL A VISCOUNT). My brother plays a version of this song on my website.

Favorite color?
sea green

Last question, are you working on anything right now?
Yes, my new series for St. Martin's Press, The House of Brady! It's a lighthearted Regency-set historical series about the adult romantic lives of the children of a blended family.

Thank you so much for stopping by Kieran. =)

All the single ladies want him.
If life were a fairy tale, Daisy Montgomery’s stepmother and two stepsisters would surely be cast in the wicked roles. For years, they’ve made life miserable for Daisy. But when she discovers she has a godmother, she’s determined to ask her for help. Little did Daisy expect her godmother to play matchmaker with her very own grandson—who happens to be a viscount!

Is he ready to put a ring on it?
A freewheeling playboy, Charles Thorpe, Viscount Lumley, is bored with his wealth-seeking female admirers. Not only that, he’s been cut off from the family coffers. One day, on a bet, he rids himself of what little money he has left in his pockets and vows to solve problems using his wits alone. But when the Impossible Bachelor is confronted with Daisy’s plan to save her castle, the payoff is more than he could have bargained for. Sometimes, if you give a girl a viscount, you just might find love….

Places to purchase:

| Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound | 

Places to find Kieran:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

**Giveaway** 

Kieran has been kind enough to offer to give away one copy of If You Give a Girl a Viscount. So make sure to leave a comment for Kieran and to fill out the Rafflecopter form.

Good Luck =)