Q&A with Kendall Grey--and win INHALE

Holy hotness, Batman! It's paranormal romance day at Preternatura, with not a vampire or werewolf in sight. But exotic sea creatures? Yep. Sexy rock'n'rollers? Got one for ya. Today, meet debut author Kendall Grey, whose book INHALE is more than just a paranormal romance. It's also a good read for a good cause, as Kendall is donating all the profits from the sale of the Just Breathe trilogy (Inhale is book one) to programs that educate people about whales and the survival issues they face. And she's also a fun interview, as you'll see! You can find out more about Kendall and her books at her website.

Want to win a copy of INHALE? Sure you do. Just read on...

About INHALE:
 After years of suffocating under her boss’s scrutiny, whale biologist Zoe Morgan finally lands a job as director of a tagging project in Hervey Bay, Australia. Success Down Under all but guarantees her the promotion of a lifetime, and Zoe won’t let anything—or anyone—stand in her way. Not the whale voices she suddenly hears in her head, not the ex who won’t take no for an answer, and especially not the gorgeous figment of her imagination who keeps saving her from the fiery hell of her dreams.
       Gavin Cassidy hasn’t been called to help a human Wyldling in over a year, which is fine by him. Still blaming himself for the death of his partner, he keeps the guilt at bay by indulging in every excess his rock star persona affords. That is, until he’s summoned to protect Zoe from hungry Fyre Elementals and learns his new charge is the key to restoring order in the dying Dreaming. He never expects to fall for the feisty Dr. Morgan…nor does he realize he may have to sacrifice the woman he loves to save an entire country.

Now...welcome, Kendall!

Describe your favorite scene from the new book--and why is it your favorite?

Hands down, it’s chapter 28. I can’t explain why without giving away major spoilers, but Gavin takes my breath away just as he does to Zoe at the end of the chapter. That scene changes EVERYTHING. Gets me every time.

What was the hardest scene to write?

The opening. Actually, writing it was easy. Making it work was hard. I rewrote the beginning of INHALE no less than twenty times. The author’s challenge in penning urban fantasy books with complex world-building is to provide the right amount of information to keep the reader interested. Too little is confusing, and too much results in unnecessary back-story. I went with my instincts and took my editor’s advice. Some readers have no problem at all getting into INHALE, and others struggle with the world-building in the beginning. *Shrugs* There’s no way to please everyone.

What’s on your nightstand or top of your TBR pile?

Lynn Rush’s AWAITED is on my nightstand. I got an early copy by accident. Haha! I’m currently reading THE DARKEST NIGHT by Gena Showalter. ROYAL STREET by Suzanne Johnson is next on my list. ;-)

Favorite book when you were a child.

I didn’t read much as a child—still don’t (please don’t throw things)—but I loved Nancy Drew mysteries. I read a ton of those. My two favorite “kid” books now are THE WESTING GAME by Ellen Raskin and THE DARK IS RISING by Susan Cooper. Raskin’s book is amazing any way you slice it. It’s a mystery with sixteen major characters, but what a thrilling story! I’ve read it over and over and never get tired of it. THE DARK IS RISING is, in my humble opinion, far superior to any book in the HARRY POTTER series. *Ducks* I know it’s a matter of taste (and I have very weird tastes), but Cooper’s language is so rich, and her descriptions are so beautiful and haunting. I couldn’t stomach more than the first three Harry Potter books. Sacrilege, I know. *Suzanne cries and insists that, really and truly, book four is where the real series kicks in.*

Book you've faked reading (Moby Dick is leading the votes on this question!): 

I never had to read Moby Dick, but being a whale fanatic, I really should. I’m sure I faked reading those froofy Jane Austen-type books. Bleh, not my thing! Also, books about American history are on my “Please, no, don’t force me to read this!” list. We had to read some of those in school. I don’t even remember the names.

Book you're an evangelist for: 

LOVER UNBOUND by J.R. Ward. I heart Vishous so hard! *Suzanne fist-pumps. Yes!*

Book you've bought for the cover:

I was just talking to my friend about this last night. Honest to Pete, I’m not sucking up here. ROYAL STREET, all the way. I was planning to buy the book anyway, but when I saw that cover…man, it’s one of my favorite covers of all time. It’s pure beauty and brilliance. Congrats! *Suzanne beams—she didn’t pay her to say that, honest!*

Favorite line from a book:

“So there was a madness about wide-open beavers.” – Kurt Vonnegut, BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS. Don’t ask. Hahaha!

Book you most want to read again for the first time:

This is gonna sound so weird, but Homer’s ILIAD. I’m an ancient Greece maniac. I’ve read that book more times than I can count. It’s fantastic.

Most horrifying moment while reading a book:

Pretty much everything after Bella and Edward’s wedding in BREAKING DAWN. I just kept thinking, “Is she serious???” I loved the other three TWILIGHT books, but the last one was a real let-down for me. :-(

Thanks, Kendall! Okay, I'll admit I got really squeechy over the last book in the Twilight series. I alternated between "Groooossss" and "Ick" and "Seriously?" But until I've myself sold a thousandth as many books as that series, I shall say no more.

So.....want to win a copy of INHALE and help save the whales? What's your favorite water animal? I love seals. How can you not love a seal? You know the drill: one entry for a comment, extra entries for blog follow, Twitter follow @Suzanne_Johnson, and Tweeting o' contest. Now...swim for it!