Thursday, July 26, 2012

BotM: West of Want by Laura Kaye (Character Interview/Giveaway)


It's that time! You asked and Laura has brought along the sexy Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring to answer your questions! Please give a warm welcome to both him and Laura, without further ado I'll hand it over to them now. ;)


I’m very excited to be back at Reading between the Wines Book Club again, especially to celebrate West of Want’s selection as Book of the Month for July. And, even more fun? I didn’t come alone! Nope, I brought with me Zephyros Martius, Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring who will answer questions YOU asked! That’s right! So, without further ado, here’s Zeph…

What is it like to be the Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring? I mean, is it all work and no play, or is it more all fun and games?

Before I met Ella, I never examined my existence. This was one of the first questions she asked me, too. Mostly, being Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring just is. It’s what I am. What I was made for. I serve a purpose larger than myself and of supreme importance to the world we share. But now that I’ve met Ella, I recognize the loneliness and isolation, too. For me, it had always been about the work, but Ella has taught me the joy of play, again.

What's your favorite hobby, other than whipping up windstorms when you’re heartbroken?

Ella and I are restoring a huge garden in her backyard. And I’ve gotten very good at making pancakes. Turns out you can put all kinds of things in them and they’re delicious.

I was wondering if you think your brother Eurus is redeemable and if you have any idea how to bring him around?

For eons I so believed and, even in our moments of deep disagreement, I continued to believe. No more.

What fantasy 'getaway' would you plan for you and Ella?

I think she would adore a sailing cruise around the world. Ella thrives around water.

I think I remember reading in Owen's book that you are the strongest of the wind gods (btw, I was not happy with you when you caused some angst with his need for winter even if it was inadvertent). Is that true? And why is that?

Indeed, I am the strongest Anemoi. It is the power of birth and life’s renewal, so prominent during the spring, that makes me so. And I sorely regret the trouble I caused Owen. He deserves all the happiness he’s found.

As the Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring, how do you stay grounded and not let it go to your head?

*laughs* Good thing Ella isn’t here. I’m positive she would say my ego couldn’t get any bigger. But in truth, even with my powers I have spent most of my life sure I was less than I could be, less than others expected. Ella has truly rebuilt my spirit, and for that I am grateful.

Is Eurus really bad or is he helping you find yourself? Once you find yourself, will you be there to help save him? - Family counts.

I could not agree more with you in the value of family and familial loyalty. As Anemoi of opposite winds—me the West and he the East—we have always been like flip sides of the same coin. But I can no longer forgive his deeds, not when they have so hurt the one I love most in the world. Eurus deserves everything that comes to him.

What's the most beautiful thing you've seen in all your many eons as a god? Besides Ella.

Each spring, the world emerges from the slumber and death of winter and returns to life. And though I’ve seen this many times—too many, even, to recall—I am never less awed by the wonder and beauty of it.

Zeph, can I call you that? You are the most powerful of all Anemoi, god of the West Wind and Spring. How do you view your power in relation to the other Anemoi?

You may. *winks* The four Cardinal Anemoi work in tandem with one another. Any one of us has the power to throw the winds and seasons off kilter should we not act properly as the guardian of our wind and season. So, while my powers are more pronounced and varied, the other gods possess formidable powers, especially strong in their own seasons. As we have the power to create, so too do we all four have the power to destroy. And so we must use our power wisely and judiciously.

Do you get along with the other Anemoi?

I am and have always been very close with Boreas, my older brother—the oldest of us all. Chrysander is often off doing his own thing, so our bond as brothers has been sometimes stronger, and sometimes weaker, although as my youngest brother I have always felt a certain fondness and protectiveness toward him—not that he requires my protection. My relationship with Eurus has always been troubled, and now so much so that I can only consider him as dead.

Are you a loner at heart or do you crave companionship?

I thought I was a loner, but Ella has shown me the strength of my desire for companionship, love, and belonging.

What do you need in a woman?

Loyalty. Honesty. Compassion. And love.

Zeph, what was your very first impression of Ella when you first met her? And how has that changed (if it has)?

Ella and I did not meet in the best of circumstances, but despite that I thought her beautiful. And her strength was perceptible from the very first. My feelings about these qualities get stronger the more I know her. I admire her greatly. She is not only my match, but my better.

What is your favorite sexual fantasy?

Good gods, what a question! I will only say this: Ella has fulfilled it.

Are the gods of the South and North male also? Or do you have two sisters? Do you get along with them?

All of the Anemoi are male. Boreas is the Supreme God of the North Wind and Chrysander is the Supreme God of the South Wind. And I would lay down my life for both of them.

Zeph, if all four of you gods got together in one location, would all hell break loose or would things be calm?

It can be dangerous for the four of us to be in one place at the same time, as our powers can clash and amplify off one another. We can contain these reactions when necessary, but the danger remains.

Ella is human, so if you have children will they have god/goddess status, or just special powers, or just be human?

The children of a god and a human would be demi-gods, unless the god was of such low rank and power as to not pass on his godhood.

Do you like being god of the west wind and guardian of spring or would you prefer to be a different god and guardian?

Being the god of the West Wind is all I know and guarding over spring is a protective responsibility I take seriously. I want no other position.

Would you give up being a god for love?

I would make any sacrifice for Ella.

I’d say that’s a great not to end on, wouldn’t you?



GIVEAWAY!: Feel free to ask Zeph any other questions you can think of in your comments—he’ll stick around for a few days to answer them! He only asks that you be careful about leaving spoilers in your questions for those who might not yet have read his story. One participant will win a WEST OF WANT PRIZE BAG filled with all kinds of book-related goodies. Prize bag open to U.S. residents. Good luck!


Don’t miss the West of Want in the Wild (thru 8/24) giveaway events, too!

Thanks for reading!
Laura Kaye




"Laura Kaye's captivating writing and vibrant world-building will have readers hooked on the gods of the Anemoi. WEST OF WANT is steamy, spellbinding, and a must-read for all romance fantasy fans." ~Elisabeth Naughton, author of the Eternal Guardians series

About West of Want:
Betrayal is all he's ever known, but in her, he'll find a love strong enough to be trusted...
When Marcella Raines' twin brother dies, she honors his request to be buried at sea, never expecting the violent storm that swamps her boat. Though she's gravely injured--and still emotionally damaged from her recent divorce--Ella fights to survive.
Zephyros Martius is the Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring, but being the strongest Anemoi hasn't protected him from betrayal and loss. Worse, he's sure his brother Eurus is behind it. When Zeph's heartbreak whips up a storm that shipwrecks a human, his guilt forces him to save her.
Ella is drawn to the vulnerability Zeph hides beneath his otherworldly masculinity and ancient blue eyes. And her honesty, empathy, and unique, calming influence leave Zeph wanting...everything. When Eurus threatens Ella, she and Zeph struggle to let go of the past, defend their future, and embrace what they most want--a love that can be trusted.


About Laura Kaye:
Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is the bestselling and award-winning author of over a half-dozen books in paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with all things paranormal. A published non-fiction author, Laura’s work as an historian and training as an archaeologist help her create vivid and accurate portrayals of other times and places. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.





26 comments:

  1. Hello Zeph! I was gonna ask if you had found a favorite human food since you've been in your non-elemental form? Your nephew Owen seemed to adore ice cream. Other than pancakes, which you mentioned earier, any other favs?? What do Anemoi like to snack on?? :)

    -Selena Mc

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  2. This interview is the most I have read in this series so far...will read it soon.

    So do you like to read or watch TV? If so what are some of your favorites?

    mmafsmith at gmail dot com

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  3. Hey guys! Great questions for Zeph! I'll let him answer:

    @Selena - Besides pancakes, I like any kind of fruit. And Nutella. You can put it on anything.

    @Maria - I don't watch a lot of television, but I am hugely amused at all the recent movies featuring Greek gods.

    Laura here again--thanks so much for kicking off the questions. I'm at a conference this week so I'll check back in as I can! Good luck!

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  4. not so much question as just comment :) I want one ... LOL

    Thanks for the interview

    kerryjcj AT verizon DOT net

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  5. Zeph, Would I ever get to know you? Your story sounds really interesting,
    What are your plans to the future? And what are your biggest differences with Ella?

    Lissette_125 AT hotmail DOT com

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  6. Good morning, Zeph! And Laura, too. :) Having read your story and followed your amazing journey, Zeph, I find you so different from what I know of god and goddesses, who often seemed vain, selfish, etc. But your empathy for the human condition tells me you'll always deal fairly with the world you help guard and protect. When you and Ella begin your family, what lessons do you want your little demigods to learn, and apply for themselves?

    Laura, have I thanked you lately for your imagination? :)


    Char Chaffin char@chaffin.com

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  7. Zeph, thanks for taking the time to talk to your fans! Can't wait to hear more from your family in the coming books.

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  8. Wow--what a great intro! Zeph, how do you feel being revealed to the world in your own book? Do you enjoy fame?

    f dot chen at comcast dot net

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  9. Thanks for the great interview, Zeph. Is there anything that Ella does that make you angry and if so, how do you deal with it?

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

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  10. Hey guys! Zeph's back to answer your questions!:

    @Lissette - My plans for the future are to make Ella happy and enjoy every moment we are fortunate to have together. The only thing that ever angers me about her is when she doesn't take care of herself or puts herself in harm's way. Sometimes she's just too giving, though that's hard to criticize, isn't it?

    @Char - I would wish my children more strength than I've sometimes had, though their mother's blood running through their veins nearly assures that. [Laura says--thanks! you're such a sweetie!]

    @Susan - You're welcome.

    @flchen - I don't enjoy it at all. I've spent millennia unseen in the wind and in the heavens. But I bear it without complaint because it brought me to my Ella.

    @Joanne - As I said to another, the only thing that angers me is when Ella doesn't take good care of herself or sacrifices her own well being for others. It makes me want to tie her to a bed and keep her there. Speaking of which...

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  11. Oh. Sorry guys. Zeph just poofed outta here... Huh. ;)

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  12. Good evening, Zeph! Since you are the god of spring, I assume you enjoy spring flowers...what is your favorite kind and which are the easiest to grow? I have a black thumb and can use all the help I can get!

    books4me67 at ymail dot com

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  13. Oh, I so enjoyed the interview. Zeph, what do you and Ella like to do to relax and have fun?
    What a fantastic prize pack.
    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

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  14. Hi Zeph!

    So very nice to meet you...so Laura asked about sisters..there are no godesses in your world..lookong forward to reading you & Ella's story.

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  15. Hi Zeph,
    I was wondering if you prefer to spend a quiet day at home, or a day spent out in nature? Do you enjoy say picnics and hiking?
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

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  16. Just wanted to thank you Zeph for answering my questions from the earlier post :).

    vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. I haven't read West of Want yet, but I'm dying to get my hands on it. Zeph sounds HOT!

    molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. Hi Zyeph, wow, who know Greek Gods could be so sweet as well as powerful!?! I love it...Someone really raised you right...So that kind of brings me to my question...I am curious about your parents...What are your Mother and Father like? Are they both Gods and Goddesses also?

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  19. Here's Zeph again for you guys!:

    @books4me - The smell of Gardenias reminds me of Ella, so they've become a favorite. As far as easy to grow, they're all equally easy, for me. Marigolds and geraniums are particularly forgiving to grow...

    @Julianne - anything, as long as we're together...

    @Sharonda - there are certainly goddesses, just not among the cardinal Anemoi...

    @June - I have always most thrived out in nature, as it is a part of my being. But I must say that Ella has the same effect on me now.

    @Victoria - you are most welcome...

    @Kimberly - my parents are both gods. My father, Aeolus, is among the most powerful of the storm gods. My mother died eons ago, which was very difficult for my family. You'll read more about that.

    Thanks Zeph! And thanks to all of you for commenting! :)

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  20. Aawn! ♥ There's so much love from Zeph to Ella! Nope, you can't criticize that! The only thing you can do is to protect her! =)

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  21. great interview :)

    kerryjcj@verizon.net

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  22. Zeph, I was wondering, are major storms (hurricanes, tornadoes, etc) created when the four of you get together, or is someone emotionally overwrought?

    Wolphcall(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  23. Thanks for all the fun comments and questions for Zeph, everyone! Here he is again to answer Lisa's question:

    Both situations can create volatile weather, and it can be dangerous for the four Cardinal Anemoi to congregate for long.

    There you have it! :) Keep 'em coming!

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  24. Zeph, I haven't read your book yet, but I wanted to know where is the one place you would love to take Marcella to? Is there a special place you want to show her or she wants to see?
    Michelle
    koonie2888 at yahoo dot com

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  25. Michelle - Zeph says he would love to sail around the world with her. Just the two of them on a big beautiful sailboat for weeks and weeks...

    :) Thanks for the question for him!

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  26. Great post. What is your favorite genre in books to read?

    mythic021@gmail.com

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