If you haven’t read Virginia Kantra’s Children of the Sea series, you’re missing out. We’re going to let you get to know the author herself and let her tell you what makes this series so great (Casee: in my always humble opinion) and why you should read it. If you decide it sounds like something that you might be interested in, you might be lucky enough to win a copy.
Q: What would you like us to know about your new release, Immortal Sea?
It’s part of the Children of the Sea but the story stands well alone, so it’s a good place to pick up the series.
Before starting med school, young Elizabeth Rodriguez took a “trip of a lifetime” to Europe and had a hot and wild one night stand in Copenhagen. She is unaware that her lover Morgan is one of the finfolk, the shape-shifting children of the sea. Many years later, Liz takes the job of island doctor on World’s End, Maine, hoping the community there will provide some needed stability for her son, troubled fifteen-year-old Zack.
She has no idea that reconnecting with Zack will also involve reencountering Morgan.
Morgan is too focused on the survival of the finfolk to waste time on romance or regrets. Sixteen years ago, human Liz was a momentary indulgence for the finfolk lord. But in the woman she’s become, he may finally have met his match.
Q: Describe the hero, Morgan, in one word.
Ruthless.
Q: Of the four books in The Children of the Sea series, which was your favorite to write?
I think this one, because the stakes are so high and so personal.
Q: Who is your favorite character of the series?Liz Rodriguez in this book, because she’s totally human and yet more than a match for anything anybody throws at her.
Q: Instead of the typical “where did you come up with the idea”, can you tell us why you chose finfolk?
Both the selkie and the finfolk have their origins in Orkney legend, but the finfolk are darker and even less human, so all that wonderful tension between land and sea, human and merfolk, intensifies in this book.
I’ve always felt a real connection with the ocean, and recent events in the Gulf have certainly demonstrated we’re failing as stewards of the sea. So the idea of the children of the sea, elementals who take the protection of our oceans seriously, was very appealing to me.Morgan is introduced as the finfolk lord in SEA LORD – Boromir to Conn’s Aragorn, basically, the warrior in the trenches, who questions Conn’s new tolerance for humankind.
Q: How many books will be in this series?
FORGOTTEN SEA, Iestyn’s story, is scheduled to come out next June. I don’t plan more than a book or two ahead, but I love this series, and hope to continue to revisit this world.
Q: What made you move from romantic suspense to paranormal?
At the same time I was writing my first two romantic suspense novels for Berkley, I also did a couple of novellas based on legends about the fair folk. I had what I thought was the idea for another contemporary romantic suspense: police chief on a remote island in Maine finds a naked woman who’s been attacked on the beach. And then I thought . . . What if she wasn’t human?
I was talking about the idea with my editor, figuring she’d say something like, “Are you out of your mind?” and instead she told me to run with it. So I did! That was SEA WITCH.Q: Do you have plans to write more romantic suspense?
If the right idea came along, absolutely. There’s actually a strong suspense thread in most of the Children of the Sea books, because the books are very grounded in the real life of the islands in contemporary Maine. The real life threats and crimes have to have real life explanations and consequences. (Which is why Zack gets in such trouble in this book.)
Whichever I write, both the suspense and the paranormal elements are subordinate to the characters and their relationship. That doesn’t mean I don’t take my research and my world building seriously, it just means that the plot exists to challenge the characters and force them to grow. I’m really a romance writer.
Q: Who is your favorite author?
When you ask this, does everybody whine about having to pick just one? My auto buys are Peter S. Beagle, Suzanne Brockmann, Jenny Crusie, Lisa Gardner, Eloisa James, Robin McKinley, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and Nora Roberts,.
Q: What is your favorite book to re-read?
I’m going to cheat and pick a series: The Chesapeake Bay books by Nora Roberts. I love the way she creates family.
Q: Can you tell us about your first sale?
Well, it’s release week, so I’m total blog slut. My First Sale article was up at Dear Author this past Monday.
http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2010/09/06/my-first-sale-by-virginia-kantra/Q: Last, but not least, can you tell our readers why they should read Immortal Sea?
IMMORTAL SEA is both a reunion romance and a coming of age story. It’s paranormal and should absolutely appeal to paranormal fans, especially ones who are maybe tired of vampires. But the heart of the story, the love and the worry, the ways we need each other and the ways we grow, is something we call can relate to.
How good does this series sound? Ask any questions you have for Virginia. She’ll be dropping in and out today.
Hi, Casee! Thanks for having me and for giving Morgan a try. (Twice.) He’s definitely the least human of my characters, with Margred from SEA WITCH running a close second.
Something about a strong man learning to love just gets to me.
One of my all-time faves is probably Dain from Loretta Chase’s LORD OF SCOUNDRELS.
So, which other big, bad, clueless heroes have you enjoyed watching take the fall?
I just read the The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt not too long ago so its been on my mind. The Earl of Swartingham is just the right big, bad, clueless hero that I love to read about. It was great wathing Edward fall for Anna. He never saw it coming and I had a wonderful time watching Anna the heroine tame her beast.
I’m really looking forward to getting a copy of this book. I’ve hears such good reviews. It just looks awesome. Thanks for sharing today!
eric250r@coosnet.com
Hi, Virginia.
Just started IMMORTAL SEA about an hour ago and I’m having a hard time putting it down to get back to work.
I learn something about how to write every time I read one of your books. They’re amazing. Have I told you lately how grateful I am to be in one of your RWA chapters?
Lucie j.
When you say finfolk are all the characters mermaids or did you make up new sea creature species?
Raonaid, thanks! Hope you enjoy.
Lucie, yay! Glad to be a distraction.
Kim, my mythology is based on Scottish legend. Basically, there are two types of merfolk: the selkie (who take off their seal skins and come ashore as naked men and women) and the finfolk, true shapeshifters who can assume the form of any creature of the sea.
The selkie, because of their connection to the land, are a wee bit more human.
The finfolk are either human on land OR sea creatures in the water – a finfolk who got stuck midshift would be considered pretty incompetent. But of course human beings see what they want to see. Here’s a bit from BURNING UP that might explain it:
“Later, when they told the story, the villagers left on shore argued about what happened next. They all agreed that a woman appeared out of the sea. Some said she was naked, and some saw a silver dress that sparkled like fish scales in the sun, and a few claimed she wore an actual mermaid’s tail as she came out of the water. But all agreed she was the most beautiful sight they had ever seen, their lady, the luck of Farness.”
Hi, Virginia, great interview! I’m really looking forward to reading your series!
P.S. You have the most eye-catchingly beautiful covers!
Thanks, Chelsea! Berkley has done the most amazing job with these covers.
You can see the original artwork here:
http://virginiakantra.net/maurointerview.html
including the alternate cover for SEA WITCH!
Morgan is your Boromir? I’ve always thought Boromir got a bum rap in LOTR, what with Aragorn being the king and Faramir being so good (able to resist the ring).
Dain from “Lord of Scoundrels” is a big galoot, but Tobias Strahan of Susan Sizemore’s “Prmnal Instincts” is more smug and way more deserving of a smack upside the head (even if he is a vampire).
ironss[at]gmail.com
Sheree, totally agree with you about Boromir!
Morgan is described by Regina Barone (the heroine of Sea Fever) as a “cold blooded son of a bitch,” and of course initially she’s right. But like Boromir, he’s actually focused on the survival of his people, and he thinks the prince he’s pledged himself to is not getting the job done. It makes for a compelling conflict.
I have Sea Witch (I hope) waiting for me at the library. I have been wanting to try your books since I spied them in the magazine Romantic Times and winning Sea Lord through BBB last year.
I am always in awe at the creativity authors must have to get a series such as this off the ground. Loving the sound of this series, esp. Immortal Sea b/c I love reunion stories.
Thanks, Scorpio! I’m a sucker for a reunion story, too!
Hi Virginia, love the series, can’t wait to read more about Morgan. Dain is also one of my favorites, too.
Hi Virginia!
you are a new author to me and your books are now on my wishlist too… I really enjoyed the interview and the world you created sounds fantastic!!
wish you all the best, Ina
I picked up IMMORTAL SEA Wednesday and can’t wait to read it. I grew up near the ocean in nY then lived in New England 25+ years, with a Mom-in-law from Maine, so the books touch me. Hope to see you Saturday so you can sign it.
this looks like a great series i have 2 of them in my tbr pile. ty for sharing the great interview :)!