Welcome back to another day of Duck Chat!

Today our guest is Kari Thomas, and if you’re looking for something sensual and steamy and totally different, then you need to pick up one of her books!

Florida born and raised, Kari now lives in Arizona where her paranormal stories are created. Like the majority of authors, she’s been writing since a very young age to help curb an overactive imagination. She’s a very busy author with six books out in this year alone. Kari has releases with a variety of publishers, covering the paranormal from shapeshifters to demons to witches and more, so there’s something out there for everyone!

If you leave her a meaningful comment or question, you’ll be in the running for an ebook of your choice from Kari’s backlist! Now let’s chat!

DUCK CHAT: Kari, you’ve had five books published this year. Congrats! You must have a rigid schedule and pristine workplace to produce so much. What’s your typical writing day like?

KARI THOMAS: Actually (grinning!) I now have SIX books out! The last one will be released Nov. 7. Typical working day? I’m not sure I’ve ever had one of those! LOL! Seriously, though, I’m an early morning writer because the later part of any day never fails to bring distraction. I start writing with my first cup of coffee, write for hours, and THEN realize I have to eat something before I faint….

DC: If you could retire any question and never, ever have it asked again, what would it be? Feel free to answer it.

KT: Where do you get your ideas? I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I have a way-to-active imagination. That would all too-telling to those who have read my books! (gg)

DC: Let’s talk about a few of your 2009 releases. Under a Shifter’s Moon was just released on October 15 from Black Lyon Publishing, and it sounds quite interesting. Would you tell our readers about it, please?

KT: This is that “book-of-my-heart” ’cause I’ve known these characters for years before I finally found the right story for them. Lyon Savage is a Jaguar Shapeshifter, fighting for the right to be the reigning Alpha over his divided Pride. His twin wants to keep the Pride divided. The Elders of the Jaguar Clan finally issue a Decree that says the brothers must marry a chosen (human) woman on the night of the upcoming Shifters Moon and the first male child to be born, after, bearing the Jaguar-Moon birthmark will give the right to that father to be Alpha. As bad luck has it, the woman chosen for Lyon isn’t willing to be a sacrificial lamb. Too, Lyon discovers his intended mate’s aunt, Kitlene Skye, is actually his Truemate. He wants to marry Kitlene. The Decree says no. Then, Kitlene’s secret is revealed….and it will keep her and Lyon apart, no matter what.

DC: I’ve heard writers often say their stories take them in surprising directions, or dialogue flows from some unknown place. Is it the same with you? Do your characters surprise you sometimes?

KT: I’ve actually had other writer friends scold me for being one of those “seat-of-the-pants” writers. I ALWAYS, always let my characters dictate the story and the dialogue. When I sit down to write, I have absolutely NO idea where to go and it only takes one sentence from a character to give me thousands of words for one session. And Yes, the characters DO surprise me sometimes!

DC: Her Heart, His Soul has a fascinating hero, half angel and half demon. Can you give us a look inside this book, how it came about, and a little about the characters?

KT: This is my “dark” book (grin). Although VERY sensual, it’s mostly about the battle between good and evil for both the hero and the heroine. I love the concept of angels and demons in the romance genre, but I didn’t want my hero to be an ordinary angel. I wanted him to have this defect that would keep you wondering how he was ever going to win the heroine’s love in the end. I’ve had so many readers say that Drake is one of the most unique and sexiest heroes they’ve come across in a long time!

DC: Do you ever argue with your characters while you’re writing? Who usually wins?

KT: WHO TOLD ON ME?? I want names! LOL—okay, I admit it. I argue a lot with them and the sad thing is that they usually win! I had a poodle (since passed) who used to sit at my feet and look at me with the saddest expression whenever I’d get in an argument with my characters. She could never figure out why I constantly mumbled, “This is so not fair!”

DC: What is sure to distract you from sitting down and working/writing?

KT: Chocolate! I start out telling myself that I need the chocolate for energy, etc., THEN by the time I’ve eaten it I’m too hyper and decide shopping sounds so much more fun than facing a computer. Especially if it’s a trip to the bookstore!

DC: What has been your favorite book cover from all of your releases and why?

KT: UH OH. I seriously canNOT answer that!! I’ve been so blessed with PERFECT covers on every book. I know other authors who have some they like, some they don’t, BUT mine are all so perfect I can’t choose a favorite. On Hunted Mate, the guy/hero is a model named Sean and he’s the perfect picture of my hero Logan. On Seducing the Hero, the cover artist put the entire concept of the story into that cover. (A big wow, there.) On Temptation Unleashed, the cover artist is author Mandy Roth, aka Natalie Winters, and this cover actually won a cover contest. I’ve even had comments that the heroine resembles me. (I wish!) On Her Heart His Soul, the guy with angel wings and the background scenery of Sedona is so beautiful. On Prey for the Wolf, it is soooo sensual and is the perfect “tone” of the story. And finally, on Under a Shifter’s Moon, the cover so perfectly represented the WHOLE story: L.A. high-rise buildings, the huge Shifter’s Moon, and the sexy body of the hero in the background.

I CAN’T CHOOSE A FAVORITE!! LOL!

DC: How about your least favorite cover? Why?

KT:  Love them all!

DC: How do you feel your male or female characters have evolved over your career? Do you think you write them differently now than you did when you started?

KT: Most definitely. I think my heroes have become stronger. And my heroines are more mature. When I first started writing, it was the hardest thing to HAVE to give them hardships. I wanted everything to be perfect for them. I think I’m learning to TORTURE them a bit, now! (grin)

DC: A cowboy and a witch, what a fun combination to be found in Seducing the Hero, which was out this past April through Eternal Press. Please tell us about Colt and Baylie.

KT: Colt was a Detective but after a disastrous divorce (in which he lost everything and his sister was injured during a fire) he retires to the family ranch. He’s hardened and prepared never to trust a woman again. Along comes Kitchen Witch Baylie who needs a hero and fast. She has a stalker out to control her and use her powers. Colt reluctantly agrees to protect her while the stalker is on the loose. She is pure temptation and trouble mixed in one, and poor Colt doesn’t stand a chance of resisting her in the end. It’s a very sensual love story, and mostly centers on both hero and heroine learning to trust again. I’ve been told the humor is pretty priceless, too!

DC: Is there a genre you haven’t tackled but would like to try?

KT: I’m trying it in my next book: time travel mixed with a bit of historical. I’m still not sure if I can do it, but I’m up to 7,000 words now…

DC: What advice would you give to your younger self?

KT: Start SERIOUSLY writing earlier! I’ve dribbled off and on all my life but never got too serious.

DC: If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

KT: Determined to stay sane, romance author Kari Thomas spends all her free time writing. Little does she know…change is on the way. Will it be in the form of one of her sexy heroes?

DC: What would be your “voice’s” tagline?

KT: “Sensual and Magical”

DC: If you had never become an author, what do you think you would be doing right now?

KT: I always wanted to be an archeologist!

DC: What’s on the horizon for Kari Thomas?

KT: MORE books! (grin)

Lightning Round:

– dark or milk chocolate?     –  Oh, that is soooo not fair to choose only one of them!
– smooth or chunky peanut butter?    – Chunky
– heels or flats?      – Heels
– coffee or tea?    – Tea
– summer or winter?     – Definitely Summer
– mountains or beach?   –  I grew up near the Beach, so BEACH it is!
– mustard or mayonnaise?   – Mustard
– flowers or candy?     – There’s that “choose one” bad choice again! Both!
– pockets or purse?    – Purse. (I have over 100!)
– Pepsi or Coke?    – Pepsi
– ebook or print?     –  I’m one of the old timers that still loves the “feel” of print books.

And because we still enjoy the answers we get:

1. What is your favorite word?   – Stars!
2. What is your least favorite word?   – No.
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?    – Nature.
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?    – Bad attitudes
5. What sound or noise do you love?    – The sound of water rushing to shore on a beach
6. What sound or noise do you hate?     – Anything repetitive, like a clock ticking.
7. What is your favorite curse word?    – Stars!
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?    – Archeology
9. What profession would you not like to do?    – Anything that served food.
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?     – “No, Kari, it’s not a mistake. You really do belong here.”

DC:  Kari, thank you so much for being here today!