Friday, March 22, 2013

The Telepathic Clans Saga




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

INDIGO.CA Also available on Apple iTunes book store

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

1 comment:

  1. 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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