Saturday, February 02, 2013

Interview and Giveaway with KA Last


Thank you, Roxanne, for hosting my tour stop today. I’m extremely grateful for the support you offer to new authors.

What inspired you to become an author?

My imagination! I have always been a daydreamer. If I’m not reading, I often sit and imagine how things could happen. When I was younger I’d replay events over and over in my head, then work out alternative endings, a bit like choose your own adventure. It was like my own little movie going on inside my head. I never thought I’d ever become a writer, though. In school I wrote a bit of poetry, but I hated writing essays. I was more a hands on, artsy type. In the end it turned out I pretty much dared myself to write a book. I wanted to prove (to myself more than anyone) that I could actually do it. Who knew I had so many words in me?

Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

When I have an idea for a new story, I usually start with a working title. Sometimes for a while the idea is only a title, and then it grows from there. More often than not my working titles change completely by the time the story is finished. It’s like they take on personalities of their own and morph into something unexpected, or entirely different from when I started.

Is the book, characters, or any scenes based on a true life experience, someone you know, or events in your own life?

The place names in Fall For Me are fictional, but they are all based on real places. The setting is loosely based on the area where my parents live, which is in the Australian country side. The main setting is based on the outskirts of a New South Wales country town called Wauchope, although the school and its grounds are fictional. My parents live further along the highway, just outside a place called Long Flat. It’s the kind of town that you miss if you blink, and it’s also where my husband and I got married. We had a beautiful country wedding, and one of my favourite photos is taken with us sitting on the roots of a huge Moreton Bay fig. Grace refers to these trees a few times in the story. They creep her out, and for good reason.

What is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?

Currently I’m working on the sequel to Fall For Me, titled Fight For Me. I’m about a third of the way through the first draft, so I’m hoping to have it out by the end of the year. If not, same time next year! It will continue Grace’s story and her desire to keep all her friends safe. There’s love, action and betrayal. I’m also planning to work on a Sci-fi story that I haven’t completed yet. I’d love to get that finished then let it ferment for a month or so. It’s about two entirely different worlds that exist in alternate realities but rely on each other to survive. It’s quite a complicated plot and is a bit of a mess at the moment, but I’m looking forward to cleaning it up and having some fun with it.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Yes, I would love to. Here’s a bit of a taste of what’s in Fall For Me:

From the Prologue of Fall For Me

He slid his hands around her waist and she rested her head on his chest. He closed his eyes and sent his orbs of light around them. The tiny glowing spheres swirled until they joined together as one and they left earth, bound for the outer realm. There they could fly freely, without the risk of being seen. He thought it was the most amazing feeling in the world.

They flew side by side, twisting and turning in unison, so in tune with each other no words were needed. He knew exactly what she would do before she did it. A gentle breeze made by the flutter of her wings caressed his arm and sent a shiver through him. She was magnificent, and even more so with wings spread wide. Beautiful and silvery white, she shimmered in the night sky and it took all his strength not to reach out and touch her. He longed to feel the silky smoothness of her feathers beneath his fingertips, to hold her, and it broke his heart knowing that when she arrived home he would not be with her.

They danced and twirled. Her giggle floated among the stars which twinkled brighter as she neared. He wished they could stay like that for eternity, happy and free, but he’d made his decision and the time had come to let her go.

He knew they should have been back already, so he reached for her and took her into his arms. For a mom­ent he savoured her touch, drew in the fresh scent of her hair which smelt like summer rain, and made sure he’d remember the way her body seemed to fit perfectly with his.

Together for the last time, she lifted her head and he looked deep into her eyes. She pulled back and he could tell she was about to ask what was wrong, she always knew when something wasn’t quite right. Struggling to hold it in, struggling to hide his emotion, he lost the battle and a tear trickled down his cheek. She reached up and caught it in the palm of her hand where it sat glistening, then solidified into a diamond.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I find it hard sometimes not to edit as I go. I tend to look over my work too much when I should be letting it all flow out until the story is finished, then go back over it later. I’m a chronic re-reader, and I have to stop myself from reading from the beginning, especially once I’m a fair way into the story. I try to alleviate the need by just re-reading the last chapter or two, so I know where I’m up to.

Do you have to travel much to do research for your books?

At the moment no, not unless you count the four and half hour drive to my parent’s place. I wish I did, I would love to travel. Maybe I should set a novel in France and convince my husband I have to go there, for research. I’ve always wanted to go to Paris.

Who designed the cover of your latest book?

I did. I’m a graphic designer, so I didn’t see the point in outsourcing the design, and I really enjoyed doing it myself.

Do you have a song or playlist (book soundtrack) that you think represents this book?

These are a few songs that I can picture at various stages throughout Fall For Me. They aren’t in any particular order, but the first one, Kiss With a Fist, encompasses the essence of Grace and Seth’s Relationship perfectly.









·       Kiss With a Fist – Florence + The Machine
·       I Will Follow You Into The Dark – Death Cab For a Cutie
·       Fire Escape – Civil Twilight
·       Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
·       Heaven Coming Down – The Tea Party
·       Thistle and Weeds – Mumford and Sons
·       Every You Every Me – Placebo
·       Shake It Out – Florence + The Machine
·       Letters From The Sky – Civil Twilight
·       Uprising – Muse
·       The Only Exception – Paramore
·       Holiday – Green Day
This is Grace’s ring tone
·       When You Look Me In The Eyes – Jonas Brothers
·       Brick By Boring Brick – Paramore
·       Flagpole Sitta – Harvey Danger
·       Everytime – Britney Spears


Fall For Me
The Tate Chronicles #1
K. A. Last

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Number of pages: Paperback – 312
Word Count: 71,000

Cover Artist: KILA Designs –


Purchase Links: eBook http://amzn.to/10aQzet


Book Description:

“Angels aren’t supposed to fall in love, especially with each other. But for the record, you were worth it.”

Grace Tate is a Protection Angel and Vampire Hunter, and she has always followed the rules. But some rules are made to be broken…

Until now the fight against evil has been simple, and falling in love was never part of the plan. So what happens when it’s beyond Grace’s control, and when she least expects it she falls for the wrong person?

All hell breaks loose, that’s what.

At Hopetown Valley High, not everything is as it seems, and the one person Grace thought was her enemy becomes her most important ally.

Blood will be shed, lives will be lost and friendships will be tested. It all comes down to one decision, and when Grace tries to save all those dear to her, she realises not everyone can be—or wants to be—saved.




About the Author:

K. A. Last was born in Subiaco, Western Australia, and moved to Sydney with her parents and older brother when she was eight. Artistic and creative by nature, she studied Graphic Design and graduated with an Advanced Diploma. After marrying her high school sweetheart, she concentrated on her career before settling into family life. Blessed with a vivid imagination, she began writing to let off creative steam, and fell in love with it. She now resides in a peaceful leafy suburb north of Sydney with her husband, their two children, and a rabbit named Twitch.





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4 comments:

Debby said...

I love reading how people work through their writing. It sounds intriguing.
debby236 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

This book sounds right up my alley! Can't wait to read! Thanks!

Ralu said...

Great interview! I love reading about the people behind the books. The cover of the book looks really awesome and it's interesting to read that the author designed it by herself.

K. A. Last said...

Thanks for hosting my tour stop today, Roxanne.