I was asked recently what inspired me
to write The Succubus Gift, and by extension the Telepathic
Clans series. It’s a rather complicated answer.
I’ve long had a problem with the
morality in our country and in Western European history. A
patriarchal society with women as chattels absolutely repulses me.
It’s very evident that women have the same intelligence as men.
Women are senators, astronauts, and leaders of countries (though not
in the U.S., which is one of the few countries which has never had a
female head of state).
But until recently, women were
considered property – either of their fathers or of their husbands.
An unmarried woman is looked on with pity, as though she was
defective. An assertive, ambitious woman is called a lot of things,
but few of them are complimentary.
I think that’s a large part of what
drew me initially to urban fantasy books. The genre is full of
assertive, strong, kick-ass women who stood on their own and didn’t
apologize for being who they are.
Another thing I found in urban fantasy
was sexual women. Historically, women in literature are either wives,
old maids, or harlots. Sometimes they were sorceresses or queens, but
again they fit into the old pigeon holes. Richelle Mead’s Georgina
Kincaid breaks that mold, as do some other characters, but it still
bothered me that for a woman to be blatantly sexual, she had to be
working for the devil.
Men in literature can be studs and
leave a trail of broken hearts in their wake, and as long as they
eventually settle down, it’s fine. A woman gets raped once and her
reputation is besmirched forever.
I’ve been a science fiction and
fantasy fan since a teacher gave me one of Andre Norton’s books in
7th grade. I’ve always thought the idea of telepathy was
the neatest thing I could imagine. So when I started thinking about
what kind of character could be strong, kick-ass, and blatantly
sexual while still being one of the good guys, I thought about the
idea of a telepath who could drain a man’s life energy, but wasn’t
aligned with the devil, and didn’t do him permanent harm.
From there the idea started to grow. I
envisioned a matriarchal society, worshipping a Goddess, with
Telepathic Gifts where the women are as strong as the men -- a
society of equals. And in an equal society, women and men are free to
express their sexual identities.
But I didn’t want to write erotica. I
wanted fantasy stories like the ones I like to read. The Succubus
Gift has been well received and the reviews have been far better
than I dared to hope. Readers tell me Succubus Unleashed is
even better, which is nice to hear. The third book in the series,
Succubus Rising, has just been published and the early reviews
have been very good.
I’m currently working on a paranormal
mystery set in the same world but with mostly different characters.
I’ve written the first ten chapters.
I also have an idea for a paranormal
romance set in a completely different world. That one would be sort
of between YA and adult, but suitable for younger readers. The main
character is a 19-year-old college sophomore who is a virgin and
plans to stay that way. After all, sexual freedom includes the choice
not to have sex.
The
Succubus Gift,
Book 1 of the
Telepathic Clans Saga
BR Kingsolver
Genre: Urban
Fantasy/Paranormal Romance (Adult/New Adult)
ISBN:
9781476406077
ASIN: B007X7POWW
Number of pages:
240
Word Count:
85,000
Cover Artist:
Rebecca Sinz
Book
Description:
The history of the Clans, called the Sidhe by the Irish, stretches back to antiquity. The Goddess blesses Her people with 25 Telepathic Gifts. In addition to Telepathy, the Gifts include command over Air and Fire, Telekinesis and Teleportation. In over 2,500 years, She has never bestowed more than 15 Gifts on a single person.
Brenna Morgan was orphaned at eight when her parents were killed in a plane crash. Through one foster home after another, she carried the ornate, carved wooden box her mother had left with her, keeping it always a secret. Then one night she stumbles over a man who claims her as family.
Brenna’s life isn’t the same after she discovers her unusual and mysterious heritage. In addition to being a telepath, Brenna learns she has the Succubus Gift.
That’s just the beginning of her problems. Someone is stalking her. Then there’s the tall, dangerous woman who shadows her and hints a Goddess has linked them. And what is she going to do with a handsome, charismatic, womanizing man she knows she should avoid?
Some days a girl just wants to pull the covers over her head and stay in bed -- with a willing young man of course.
Succubus
Unleashed
Book 2 of the
Telepathic Clans Saga
BR Kingsolver
Genre: Urban
Fantasy/Paranormal Romance (Adult/New Adult)
ISBN:
9780985763800
ASIN: B008EMW4Q4
Number of pages:
248
Word Count:
85,600
Cover Artist: Mia
Darien
Also available on
Apple iTunes book store
Book
Description:
It's not easy
being a succubus.
After a crash
course in learning about her genetic heritage, Brenna O'Donnell has
discovered what it really means to be a succubus and has learned to
embrace her strange Gift. Her major concern is whether Collin will
accept her for what she is. As she adjusts to telepathic society,
others in the Clan have plans that will strip the last of her
freedom. Rival Clans still hunt succubi, and discovering their dark
motives is paramount.
The social season
is also around the corner, including events that Brenna never
imagined in her wildest dreams. The succubi, representatives of the
Goddess on earth, are at the center of an ancient worship. And if a
girl is going to be the center of attention, then obviously she needs
a new dress.
Succubus
Rising
Book 3 of the
Telepathic Clans Saga
BR Kingsolver
Genre: Urban
Fantasy/Paranormal Romance (Adult/New Adult)
Word Count:
87,000
Book
Description:
The Goddess has
plans for Brenna and Rebecca, and the Goddess has a wicked sense of
humor.
Rebecca Healy is
a true wilder, growing up with no contact or knowledge of other
telepaths. Discovered by a Clan member on the streets of San
Francisco, she felt like she’d hit the jackpot. Finally, she knew
what she was, or at least she thought she did.
When Brenna
O’Donnell, long-lost heir of the O’Donnell Clan, and the
strongest telepath in history, is returned to her family, she and
Rebecca form a tight bond. Brenna has it all, looks, money, power,
and men falling all over her.
Rebecca isn’t
jealous, but it would be nice to find someone who would really love
her and stick around in the morning. She’s intrigued by a handsome
South American general, but of course, he has his sights set on
Brenna. Carlos de Vargas wants more than love. His Clan has its back
to the wall, and they hope for an alliance with O’Donnell. An
alliance that would lead to war.
The story began
in The Succubus Gift and continued in Succubus Unleashed. In Succubus
Rising, questions are answered and new mysteries are revealed.
About
the author:
I made silver and
turquoise jewelry for almost a decade, ended up in nursing school,
then took a master’s in business. Along the way I worked in
construction, as a newspaper editor, a teacher, and somehow found a
career working with computers.
I love the
outdoors, especially the Rocky Mountains. I’ve skied since high
school and I’ve hiked and camped all my life. I love to travel,
though I haven’t done enough of it. I’ve seen a lot of Russia and
Mexico, not enough of England. Amsterdam is amazing, and the Romanian
Alps are breathtaking. Lake Tahoe is a favorite, and someday I’d
like to see Banff in Canada.
I have a very
significant other, two cats and two Basset Hounds. I’m currently
living in Baltimore, nine blocks from the harbor, but still own a
home in New Mexico that I see too infrequently.
Twitter:
@BRKINGSOLVER
This sounds like an interesting series and I'm going to give The Succubus Gift a try - I agree on women's roles in fiction and I do think it's time that women were portrayed equally with men. Good post!
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