Karen Kay
by Jewell Mason
At the time of our interview, Kay -- as I lovingly get to call her -- was just beginning her "Clans of the Wolf" series, starting with THE PRINCESS AND THE WOLF.
That book was written in honor of the Lewis and Clark Exposition bicentennial and was inspired by the life of the party's youngest member, Sacagawea's baby, Baptiste Charbonneau, who led a somewhat extraordinary life.
The entire series was based on Indian "scouts" or wolves as they are called by the Indians.
Since the time we spoke, Kay has continued to be a prolific and thoughtful writer, with her most recent book, THE ANGEL AND THE WARRIOR, just released in September by Berkley Sensation. SPIRIT OF THE WOLF will be released in April 2006.
What struck me the most about Kay, and hence why SUITE is republishing this interview, is that she is not one of those writers that slaps a headdress on the hero's head and calls it a Native American historical. Kay walks the walk, and talks the talk, as you will see. (Her great-great grandmother was Choctaw Indian.)
Jewell: You started off writing contemporary romance, but then you switched. I understand you made the change around the time of the DANCES WITH WOLVES movie release. Was there more to it than that?
Kay: I'd always wanted to write a book on the romance of Indian life, but the research necessary to such a project always put me off. After seeing DANCES WITH WOLVES, I was reminded of my love for this culture and I began to read everything I could about Indians without really ever considering that I might at last write an Indian love story. It was a friend who mentioned some months later, that I probably had enough information to start a story. At first, I balked at doing it, but eventually, a story came to mind and the rest...
Jewell: You travel extensively to tribal councils and pow-wows. How receptive are the tribal elders to your presence at council?
Kay: Wonderful. A person who goes to the reservation is always met with the utmost courtesy.
Jewell: LAKOTA SURRENDER, your first published book received rave reviews, so much so in fact, that Avon offered you a three-book deal. Can you describe your emotions on the day you received that news?
Kay: I felt like a princess...And it took quite a while for me to come down off that cloud, although eventually reality did insert itself, unfortunately. more >>
