Please Welcome Author KAY HOOPER!

[Kay_HooperNC]

Debbie, I'm especially glad you came to love and appreciate Bishop over the course of the series.  I hope most readers do that, read what's on the page and watch the characters both grow and reveal themselves as rich and complex beings.

Still lots of room and time for surprises for both old characters and new ones!

Thanks for taking the time to post.  I really appreciate it.

Best,

Kay

[becke_davis]

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Kay_HooperNC wrote:

Patti, thanks for letting me know you're enjoying my work; always music to an author's ears!

As for how I "came up" with Bishop, he appeared as all my characters do; he simply walked into a scene, and I've enjoyed getting to know him just as you readers have.

That's the fun of writing for me, watching the characters and stories unfold as I work. 

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Kay - Aak, I can't believe I missed your arrival here! I've been down cleaning my basement: UGH!!!! (We're putting the house on the market this week - it's a madhouse here!)

I've been a fan for so long, I can't remember which book I started with. I was excited to see some of your older books have been reissued. Looks like my TBR pile is going to get bigger!

[becke_davis]

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maxcat wrote:

Hi, Kay, I haven't read your books but they will certainly end up in my TBR pile. Thanks for being on the forum this week.

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Max - You should definitely check out Kay's books - I think they'll be right up your alley!

[becke_davis]

Kay - I wasn't able to find out much about your fall release online yet. Can you give us any hints about it?

[eadieburke]

Welcome Kay: I have 13 of your books in my to-be-read pile. I like to read an author by starting with the early works first. LET THERE BE DRAGONS fit that bill and I found it to be a very touching love story. Loved your character Brooke Kennedy who had many dragons to slay. I liked the way Cody was able to help Brooke escape from her fears and rescue her from herself. Great story! Enjoyed it so much that I will surely read another of your books in the near future. I will definitely be checking out your Bishop series. Hope you enjoy your visit with us!

[Fricka]

Welcome, Kay. I'm very impressed with your work with shelter animals. Do you have a favorite cat from your clowder?(We won't tell!) Also, have you ever placed a fictional version of any of your pets into one of your books? 

[WayneJ]

Just wanted to drop by after I saw the announcement on Facebook.  I've read most of Kay's books and enjoyed her earlier work as well as her current series.  Can't wait until Haven goes on sale.

I've a collection of all time favorites and several are by Kay Hooper/Kay Robbins.  While I love classic books are being re-released with new covers, I just love the feeling of nostalgia I get from the orginal covers.  I have original copies of ON THE WINGS OF MAGIC (Second Chance at Love), The Wizard of Seattle and a few more.  I'm not a feline fan, but I loved how cats were included in many of her earlier romances.

I look forward to readers Ms. Kooper's books for years to come.

Oh, I forgot. I also loved her Once Upon A Time series. and one of my absolute favorites was TIME AFTER TIME.

wj

[Kay_HooperNC]

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becke_davis wrote:

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   Kay - Aak, I can't believe I missed your arrival here! I've been down cleaning my basement: UGH!!!! (We're putting the house on the market this week - it's a madhouse here!)

I've been a fan for so long, I can't remember which book I started with. I was excited to see some of your older books have been reissued. Looks like my TBR pile is going to get bigger!

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Good luck with the house selling, Becke!  And I love hearing from longtime fans, especially those who enjoyed the romances but also enjoy the darker books of recent years. 

[becke_davis]

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Kay_HooperNC wrote:

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becke_davis wrote:

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   Kay - Aak, I can't believe I missed your arrival here! I've been down cleaning my basement: UGH!!!! (We're putting the house on the market this week - it's a madhouse here!)

I've been a fan for so long, I can't remember which book I started with. I was excited to see some of your older books have been reissued. Looks like my TBR pile is going to get bigger!

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Good luck with the house selling, Becke!  And I love hearing from longtime fans, especially those who enjoyed the romances but also enjoy the darker books of recent years. 

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Kay - I've been a mystery fan since I was eight-years-old, but it was books like your early works that swayed me to romance and paranormals. I especially liked FINDING LAURA, AMANDA, HAUNTING RACHEL, which in turn led me to the Bishop series.

I've been looking for a chronology and found this on a library site:

"Bishop" Special Crimes Unit Series

• Stealing Shadows*
• Hiding in the Shadows*
• Out of the Shadows*
• Touching Evil*
• Whisper of Evil*
• Sense of Evil*
• Hunting Fear*
• Chill of Fear*
• Sleeping With Fear*
• Blood Dreams*
• Blood Sins*
• Blood Ties*

Quinn/Thief Series

• Once a Thief*
• Always a Thief*

Men of Mysteries Past Series

• The Touch of Max
• Hunting the Wolf
• The Trouble With Jared
• All for Quinn

Once Upon a Time Series

• Golden Threads*
• The Glass Shoe*
• What Dreams May Come*
• Through the Looking Glass
• The Lady and the Lion
• Star-Crossed Lovers
• The Matchmaker

Hagen Series

• In Serena's Web
• Raven on the Wing
• Rafferty's Wife
• Zach's Law
• The Fall of Lucas Kendrick
• Unmasking Kelsey
• Outlaw Derek
• Shades of Gray
• Captain's Paradise
• It Takes a Thief*

[Kay_HooperNC]

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becke_davis wrote:

Kay - I wasn't able to find out much about your fall release online yet. Can you give us any hints about it?

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Sure.  HAVEN, while a continuation of the Bishop/SCU series, focuses more on operatives with the civilian organiziation Bishop co-founded with John and Maggie Garrett, Haven.  Sort of the non-FBI "arm" of the Special Crimes Unit.  I've introduced a few characters in earlier books, but here they step center-stage (though there are also SCU team members present in the story). The story is about two sisters, one Haven operative rather grimly coming home to face her past and demons, and the other whose safety in the quiet haven of her hometown has recently become threatened by terrible nightmares of gruesome murders. 

It's the first book of the Haven trilogy, and the plan is to have Haven operatives figure more prominently in the books, with SCU agents playing more supporting roles this time around.

But Bishop fans don't have to worry; he's keeping an eye on things as usual. 

[Kay_HooperNC]

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eadieburke wrote:
Welcome Kay: I have 13 of your books in my to-be-read pile. I like to read an author by starting with the early works first. LET THERE BE DRAGONS fit that bill and I found it to be a very touching love story. Loved your character Brooke Kennedy who had many dragons to slay. I liked the way Cody was able to help Brooke escape from her fears and rescue her from herself. Great story! Enjoyed it so much that I will surely read another of your books in the near future. I will definitely be checking out your Bishop series. Hope you enjoy your visit with us!

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Hi, Eadie.  Interesting that you choose to start with an author's early work first; I tend to do that myself -- or at least start at the beginning of whatever series attracts me to that author.  I get lots of mail about the order of my series and whether it should be read that way, and I always say that while almost all the books stand alone (with the exception of the BLOOD trilogy, which should be read in order), and can be read in any order, I recommend starting at the beginning in order to see how the characters developed.

Hollis, one of the most fascinating of all the characters to me, was originally intended to be a victim and to not survive.  But to my surprise, she did survive, in fact she prevailed, and whenever anyone tells me Hollis is a favorite, I always make sure they've read TOUCHING EVIL, which is where she was introduced.

Anyway, I'm especially glad you enjoyed one of my very early books, and still one of my favorites, IF THERE BE DRAGONS.  It was also, you'll note, my first cautious venture into the paranormal!

Best,

Kay

[Kay_HooperNC]

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becke_davis wrote:

Kay - I wasn't able to find out much about your fall release online yet. Can you give us any hints about it?

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Becke, it just occurred to me that you probably meant to ask about THE FIRST PROPHET.  Sorry, my mind's on the book coming out next week!

I'm calling THE FIRST PROPHET the first book in a "companion series" to the Bishop/SCU series.  It's about psychics, and it's a ... situation ... that Bishop is watching closely.  Those words on the step-back page are his, part of a report to someone unnamed that he's aware something strange is happening in the "underground" world of psychics.  This series is darker than the Bishop series, and in it the psychics and people working with them are being threatened by some organization -- maybe government, maybe not -- they're struggling to identify and fight.

They aren't cops and, in fact, aren't at all sure which, if any, cops they can trust.  In fact, they never know if they're dealing with enemies or friends, and the stakes are very, very high, because psychics are disappearing, some are being killed -- and no one knows why.

It's a much more conspiracy-laden series, and I hope Bishop fans will embrace it.  I can promise Bishop will be involved in various ways, and I can also promise my loyal romance fans that I'm using the series to revisit some old friends.  As an example, the "hero" of the first novel is Tucker Mackenzie, who some might remember had a very small (phone-in, actually) role in The Haunting of Josie.  And then there's Josh, from the Raven series -- and others.

My readers wanted to know how those characters were faring, and some of them, at least, fit into my vision for this new series.

So we'll see how it goes.  As always, you readers will decide whether this series is a success!

Best,

Kay

[Kay_HooperNC]

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Fricka wrote:

Welcome, Kay. I'm very impressed with your work with shelter animals. Do you have a favorite cat from your clowder?(We won't tell!) Also, have you ever placed a fictional version of any of your pets into one of your books? 

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Fricka, I honestly don't know how I could have a favorite; all of them are such individuals, and each has something that just makes me melt.  That hardest thing, seriously, is adopting out fosters I've had with me for months, sometimes a year or more (I still have a few of last summer's kittens!).  I comfort myself with the knowledge that they need their own people and a good, loving forever home, and since I've hit my limit with my personal cats (the limit being the number I can reasonably interact with, play with, and pet every day as individuals), adoption to a good home is clearly what's best for them.

As for your second question, back in the days when I wrote romance, it was more likely one or more of my characters would have pets; writing suspense makes that more ... problematical.  However, there was a dog in BLOOD SINS and BLOOD TIES, there's one in HAVEN, and at least one in the second book in that trilogy (working title LOST HAVEN).

The dog in HAVEN was named after my own Lizzie, and is a Sheltie, but in earlier books I don't recall putting my own pets in stories.  Though some of their characteristics may have found their way in.

Best,

Kay

[Kay_HooperNC]

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WayneJ wrote:

Just wanted to drop by after I saw the announcement on Facebook.  I've read most of Kay's books and enjoyed her earlier work as well as her current series.  Can't wait until Haven goes on sale.

I've a collection of all time favorites and several are by Kay Hooper/Kay Robbins.  While I love classic books are being re-released with new covers, I just love the feeling of nostalgia I get from the orginal covers.  I have original copies of ON THE WINGS OF MAGIC (Second Chance at Love), The Wizard of Seattle and a few more.  I'm not a feline fan, but I loved how cats were included in many of her earlier romances.

I look forward to readers Ms. Kooper's books for years to come.

Oh, I forgot. I also loved her Once Upon A Time series. and one of my absolute favorites was TIME AFTER TIME.

wj

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Wayne, thanks so much for letting me know you've enjoyed my work.  It really does make it easier to face the sometimes blank computer screen!

Best,

Kay

[becke_davis]

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Kay_HooperNC wrote:

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becke_davis wrote:

Kay - I wasn't able to find out much about your fall release online yet. Can you give us any hints about it?

---

Becke, it just occurred to me that you probably meant to ask about THE FIRST PROPHET.  Sorry, my mind's on the book coming out next week!

I'm calling THE FIRST PROPHET the first book in a "companion series" to the Bishop/SCU series.  It's about psychics, and it's a ... situation ... that Bishop is watching closely.  Those words on the step-back page are his, part of a report to someone unnamed that he's aware something strange is happening in the "underground" world of psychics.  This series is darker than the Bishop series, and in it the psychics and people working with them are being threatened by some organization -- maybe government, maybe not -- they're struggling to identify and fight.

They aren't cops and, in fact, aren't at all sure which, if any, cops they can trust.  In fact, they never know if they're dealing with enemies or friends, and the stakes are very, very high, because psychics are disappearing, some are being killed -- and no one knows why.

It's a much more conspiracy-laden series, and I hope Bishop fans will embrace it.  I can promise Bishop will be involved in various ways, and I can also promise my loyal romance fans that I'm using the series to revisit some old friends.  As an example, the "hero" of the first novel is Tucker Mackenzie, who some might remember had a very small (phone-in, actually) role in The Haunting of Josie.  And then there's Josh, from the Raven series -- and others.

My readers wanted to know how those characters were faring, and some of them, at least, fit into my vision for this new series.

So we'll see how it goes.  As always, you readers will decide whether this series is a success!

Best,

Kay

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Thanks, Kay - I know HAVEN is the big news right now, but I thought we might as well give the fall release a plug, too. It's available for pre-order, folks!

BTW, I read HAVEN last week and, as always, it had me on the edge of my seat for the whole book! Talk about suspenseful - I don't want to give away any spoilers, but there were a couple of scenes where I wanted to shout, "Watch out!!"

[becke_davis]

Kay - Are you going to be signing at any conferences this year? I can't promote non-B&N book signings here unless they are at conferences, libraries or any event that doesn't involve a book store. But if you have B&N stops on your schedule, we'd love to hear about them!

[Kay_HooperNC]

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becke_davis wrote:

Kay - Are you going to be signing at any conferences this year? I can't promote non-B&N book signings here unless they are at conferences, libraries or any event that doesn't involve a book store. But if you have B&N stops on your schedule, we'd love to hear about them!

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Not attending any conferences this year, Becke -- though there's a Festival in September.

However, I will be signing at a B&N on this tour: Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at the B&N at 760 SE Maynard, Cary, NC, 27511.  At 7 PM.

[becke_davis]

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Kay_HooperNC wrote:

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becke_davis wrote:

Kay - Are you going to be signing at any conferences this year? I can't promote non-B&N book signings here unless they are at conferences, libraries or any event that doesn't involve a book store. But if you have B&N stops on your schedule, we'd love to hear about them!

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Not attending any conferences this year, Becke -- though there's a Festival in September.

However, I will be signing at a B&N on this tour: Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at the B&N at 760 SE Maynard, Cary, NC, 27511.  At 7 PM.

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Wish I could be there!

[becke_davis]

Kay - What do you do when you Really Should Be Writing?

[becke_davis]