Ha ha ha…no. I mean, certain aspects of their relationship are easier now that things are official, and their new power has its perks. Kiss of Destiny starts exactly where Kiss of Treason left off—to the second—with everything having changed for Kennard and Odelia: newly married, newly pregnant, newly crowned. Any of those can be an overwhelming life change on their own, but they’re dealing with all of them at once, so this is the two of them under an insane amount of stress. And they’re now paying the consequences for getting what they wanted in book one. As much as they anticipated trouble when they made their choices, the reality is so much worse.
It certainly complicates things. By all other accounts, they should be overjoyed to have a child. As rulers, they need an heir, and they both want to see their love grow into a family, but that fear taints everything.
I based the geography and ecology of Carum Sound on Western Washington, and there’s a local delicacy called geoduck that is probably the most phallic-looking food in existence. One of my favorite scenes is a dinner where geoduck is served, because the comedy practically wrote itself.
It was definitely a fun scene to read. Reading this book, it seems that Kennard and Odelia have a lot of frenemies. How are they dealing with feeling like they don’t know where the right step is?
I think we all wish the world were as simple as people we like being good guys and people we don’t being villains, but that isn’t how things work. In a world of court politics and international diplomacy, that truth is amplified. Kennard especially has a hard time with that because he tends to be ruled by his heart first, and his initial gut response isn’t always right.
There’s a little more insight into what King Uldrio knew and why he chose to create the Treaty of Meriveria. But I’m even more excited about the introduction of Urstille. If you’re following my short stories as well, you get to see a few other nations, but Urstille is the first one outside of Carum Sound. The cultural clash between the Meriverians and their Urstillian visitors make for some fun scenes.
Next year’s book, Kiss of Legacy, will conclude the trilogy about Kennard and Odelia, but it won’t be then end for everyone. After that, I have Tied Tongues, Conora's book, which overlaps in its timeline with both Kiss of Destiny and Kiss of Legacy.
Thanks again for sitting down with us. Readers, join us for the launch party on September 19th and your chance to win a free paperback copy of Brandi Spencer’s book two of her Healers' Kiss, Kiss of Destiny!
You can get her first book, Kiss of Treason here!
by Brandi Spencer
Odelia got everything she wanted—and it just might kill her. She and Kennard have pulled off a successful coup, but to hold on to their turbulent kingdom, they must accomplish the impossible: survive long enough to ensure Meriveria is safe, keep their marriage from crumbling under the pressure of ruling, and safely deliver their promised heir. Although Odelia’s pregnancy helped them in their coup, no Healer has ever survived childbirth before. Subduing the opposition means sentencing Kennard’s family, possibly to death. And with Meriveria still at war, victory may require costly and unpleasant alliances. As Kennard and Odelia build their future together, it could cost them everything and everyone they hold dear.
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