Kayelle Allen writes stories filled with misbehaving droids, immortal gamers, and warriors who purr. She is the author of multiple books, novellas, and short stories, a US Navy veteran, and has been married so long she’s tenured. Meet Kayelle and become a Tarthian Empire citizen (and an immortal), among other reader exclusives. www.KayelleAllen.com/immortality
Tell us about yourself.
I’ve been published since 2004, and have released multiple books, short stories and novellas. I’ve hosted a book blog since 2010 called Romance Lives Forever. www.rlfblog.com Come meet your next favorite author! I also just published on Radish, so if you’re a member, look for me. A Stolen Heart is free to read.
When did you know you wanted to be an author?
From the time I was a little girl. My mother loved to write and I caught the bug.
What genres do you like to read? Are these the same genres you write in?
I read widely, and enjoy science-based thrillers by authors like Robin Cook and Michael Crichton, Suspense (JD Robb), Regency (Alexa Aston, Erica Ridley), and of course science fiction romance.
Is your book for adults, young adults or children?
Young adult to adult. The stories are definitely too mature for children.
What is your current release or project?
Bringer of Chaos Bundle 1 contains the first two books plus a novella. I plan more in the series.
Tell us about the key characters.
Pietas is the king of an immortal race, who’s been betrayed by others hungry for power. Six is the human “keeper” assigned to guard him.
What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?
If you’re fighting immortals who always get back up, you’d better have a way to do the same thing. Otherwise, it’s lights out…
When you’re a soldier genetically enhanced to the point of near immortality and you fight a mortal soldier resurrected with the pilfered blood of your people, friendship never enters the equation.
But what if the enemy you’ve despised your entire life holds the sole key to your salvation?
Share an excerpt
This scene is between Pietas and Six. A member of Ghost Corps, Six is a fearsome fighter with the strength to kill immortals like Pietas. Ironically, the two have become intimate friends. But that doesn’t mean Six puts up with arguments, especially when he knows he’s right. Pietas had been seriously injured and cannot lift his arms.
Pietas’s long hair, full of static electricity from the wind and storm, settled over his shoulders and adhered to his neck. He could not lift his arms to gather it himself but he did not want the others to see he needed help nor did he want Six fretting over it.
The man blamed himself for the injury. Yes, Six had bound Pietas. It had been Six’s duty to do so. In truth, those who had placed Pietas inside the life pod and refused to release him were to blame, but no matter how often he reminded Six of that, the ghost refused to relinquish his guilt.
Six dug into his pockets. “I think I have another strip.” They had torn several from a ragged shirt. Six wore the biggest piece around his neck. He set down his pack and opened it.
“Six,” Pietas hissed. He did not turn his head, but looked toward the others. “Leave it!”
The ghost glanced up at him, then the immortals, waiting ahead. “You want the women messing with your hair? Is that it?”
He closed his eyes, counting to ten. To a hundred would not erase this embarrassment. “No.” When he beheld Six, the man had the discourtesy to smirk. “Don’t look at me in that tone of voice.”
The man chuckled. “We should have cut your hair before we set out.” He rummaged through his kit, which held all Six owned when he’d been abandoned on this world. Little more than survival gear.
“I never cut it except in ritual.”
“I know.” Six withdrew a boning knife used for it.
Before every battle, Pietas performed the solemn rite to affirm superior strength and prowess. The ghost had been the first human to see it carried out, albeit the first half from a distance while hiding.
Six stood. “Maybe you could perform it now.”
“How like you to see the easy solution. But there are a few elements missing. No fire. No water. No mask.” He gestured toward the oncoming storm. “No time.”
“Haven’t you ever heard of pretending?”
“One cannot ‘pretend’ a ritual.”
“What a boring childhood you must’ve had. Why not?”
Pietas opened his mouth to answer. Shut it again.
Six lifted one eyebrow. “Do you want to go into that dark hole and meet up with your people without performing it?”
“No, but there’s no time.”
“Rain’s coming.” Six jerked a thumb toward the forest. “Like I said, you have to go in there or you won’t reunite with your people. Are you going to stand out here making excuses, or do this?”
“Ghost, this ritual is important. It deserves respect.”
“Blah, blah, blah. That storm is bearing down on us.” A few drops of rain splattered them both. “See? Or maybe you’d rather have your sister help you with your hair every morning.”
“Fine!” With a resigned sigh, Pietas capitulated. “How do you propose we ‘pretend’ my ritual?”
Do you have a favorite scene?
I wrote the fight scene in Lights Out to match the same scene in Origin of Pietas, but from different points of view. That was fun to do. I also love the banter between Pietas and Six as they come to terms with their relationship. They would never have been friends in the “real” world, but here, they are thrown together and have no choice. They must depend on one another. Even the immortal could die without help.
What advice would you give a beginner?
Other authors are not your competition. You can’t write fast enough for someone to read only your stories. Co-promotion is the key to success.
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Purchasing links https://books2read.com/boc-bundle1
