Kiki Hamilton Author Interview

Photo Content from Kiki Hamilton

Kiki Hamilton is the author of THE FAERIE RING fantasy series and a YA contemporary novel entitled THE LAST DANCE which will be released Spring 2013. She believes in magic and the idea of hidden worlds co-existing with our own. Kiki lives near Seattle, though she dreams of living in London one day.

        

Tell us your latest news. 

I don’t really have a lot of news. I’m still waiting to hear from my editor about some future books so keep your fingers crossed for me!

How many books have you written? 

I’ve had one book published, but I wrote a book before THE FAERIE RING that is still on my computer, waiting to be “fixed”. I’ve written Book 2 in the TFR series and I’ve written a stand-alone YA fantasy that I’m revising right now. I’ve also written a YA contemporary story called THE LAST DANCE that my editor is reading right now. 

What do you think makes a good story? 

One that makes you care about the characters and what happens to them, and that you HAVE to turn the page to find out what happens next.

What were your feelings when you first saw the cover of The Faerie Ring? 

I loved my cover from the instant I laid eyes on it. And it’s one of those covers that has dimension – the more you look – the more things you see. Especially after you’ve read the story. It perfect! Thank you to my editor, Susan Chang, and Art Director, Seth Lerner, for letting me give input and for creating such a beautiful cover.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say? 

Yes, I do hear from readers pretty often – that has really been the BEST part of my whole path to publication. They write me the most wonderful notes – about how excited they are to read the book, or how much they loved it. As an author, it truly is one of the most gratifying parts of having your story published.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? 

That your characters will go off and do things that you never planned on or expected!!

Where did you get your idea for Tiki? 

Tiki was where the story started. I knew it would be set in Victorian London and I knew there would be a girl pickpocket. She just showed up in my head one day. So I started writing.

The settings for The Faerie Ring is remarkable. Did you have to travel and research the real places in your books? 

Thank you so much! I actually wrote THE FAERIE RING in a very short period of time (30 days). Just sat at my laptop and typed - I could see it all unfolding in my head. And the interesting part – I’d never been to London. Really didn’t know anything about it until I started writing the story and as Fate would have it – where Tiki lives is in the heart of old London and the places she travels – Buckingham Palace, Charing Cross, St. James Park etc. – are all positioned closely together.
I did use the internet (I love the internet….) to do research as well as used several reference books on the Victorian era. After I’d sold the book, I did get a chance to go to London for the first time in my life – and I LOVED it. I walked in my character’s footsteps and let me tell you – that was surreal!

What was your favorite chapter to write and why?

Well, I don’t want to give away anything, so you’ll have to read the book to know what I’m talking about, but there’s a scene where Tiki is introduced to William Richmond for the first time - that scene makes me laugh every time.

What question are you never asked in interviews but wish you were? 

Well, I’ve never been asked this one before. 

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

I just recently finished a YA contemporary novel called THE LAST DANCE. It’s about a football player who suffers a tramautic brain injury (TBI) and the girl who has to tutor him. It is TOTALLY different that THE FAERIE RING but I LOVED writing that book – so much fun!

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published. 

Going to trade shows and getting to meet the people who are excited about reading your book. Having a long line of people waiting to get you to sign your book for them before it’s even been released I think is every writer’s dream!

Has a review or profile ever changed your perspective on your work? 

No. I write because it’s the story I want to read. I know before I even start that I can’t please everyone – so I write for me. I count myself very lucky that so many people have loved THE FAERIE RING

Favorite places to travel? 

London!

Which author would you love to co-author a book with? 

Um…..JK Rowling? J If you’re going to dream – dream big, I say!!

Any recent appearances that you would like to share with us about/any upcoming ones? 

I’m very excited to be attending the Texas Library Association conference in April.

What was a time in your life when you were really scared? 

A guy broke into my house in the middle of the night and crawled into my bedroom. I tackled him and started choking him and yelled at my husband that someone was in the house. I had a hard time sleeping for a couple of years after that.

What do you normally eat for breakfast? 

Iced oatmeal cookies and peanut butter. I occasionally add M&M’s.

What are 3 things you never leave home without? 

My iphone, wallet, and chocolate.

The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and is a reservoir which holds a truce binding the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic.

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.

Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

If you are looking for a YA read that is enthralling and uplifting, The Faerie Ring will surely fulfill those needs. Set in Victorian England, it is the perfect place for a story of the paranormal world of the Fey.

Kiki Hamilton fashioned a delightfully amusing book with a strange and creative premise. The characters are well written, especially with the protagonist, Tiki. She is this strong sixteen-year-old girl, who becomes the mother figure of her group of orphaned kids. You immediately feel what they are going through as you read about their accounts of trying to endure the rough slums of London. Reiker is Tiki’s mysterious love interest. He was so mystifying that it leaves you second guessing yourself.

The story progresses with many twists and turns that builds the quality of each character. It did not mainly focus on the faeries as it was more about Tiki, the orphans, and the faerie ring.

The Faerie Ring was truly invigorating that steadily holds great expectations for the next installments in the series. However, this book was so fulfilling that it could have been a standalone. But I am glad that more will come so that it may shed some light to the small mystery that were not revealed.

You can purchase The Faerie Ring at these retailers:

  

And now, The Giveaway!

Thank you KIKI HAMILTON for making this giveaway possible.

1 Winner will receive a Copy of The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton.

jbnpastinterviews