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Thursday, February 23, 2006
What do the Illegitimate Heirs and the Wizard of Oz have in common?
One of the questions I'm frequently asked by readers is where I get ideas for the books I write. Normally, I'd have to answer that I'm something of a daydreamer and while I'm off in LaLa Land, my imagination takes over and before I know it, I have a hero, a heroine and a situation that not only brings them together, but also puts them at odds with each other. But the Illegitimate Heirs series is just a bit different.
During a late-night phone conversation with my good friend and fellow Desire author, Kristi Gold, I jokingly mentioned that my next series was going to be based on the Wizard of Oz. We had a good laugh and continued talking about the anthology we were working on, when she suddenly stopped and said, "You know, you really should write that Wizard of Oz series." At that point, I had to admit that from the moment I mentioned it, I'd been thinking less about the anthology we were brainstorming and more about what I could do with the idea. With her encouragement and a little brainstorming, viola, the Heirs were born. :-)
The man without a brain, Caleb Walker, the hero in last month's ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN ENEMIES, is a Tennessee farmer with nothing more than a high school education, who takes over running a financial consulting firm. The man without courage, Nick Daniels, in this month's REUNION OF REVENGE, left Wyoming one hot August night thirteen years ago, one step ahead of the law and a guaranteed prison sentence. And the man without a heart, Hunter O'Banyon in next month's BETROTHED FOR THE BABY is a med-evac helicopter pilot who has vowed never to risk loving again. But how could I tie them together and who was going to be the all-seeing, all-knowing Wizard?
Enter Emerald Larson, owner and CEO of Emerald, Inc., one of the richest, most successful, self-made women in the country. When Emerald discovered that her irresponsible son had made at least three women pregnant, she realized that she'd done a less than stellar job of raising her only child by giving him everything his heart desired, instead of what he really needed--her time, attention and guidance. Hoping that her grandsons would have a better chance of turning out differently than their hedonistic father, she secretly contacted the women through a very discreet private investigator and arranged modest monthly support payments. The women's silence about the identity of their babies' father--not even telling their sons when they came of age--was required in order for the men to inherit any part of Emerald, Inc. Then, at the time of her choosing, Emerald would reveal the identity of her grandsons' father, as well as give each of them one of her companies. Imagine what a shock it was for the men to finally learn that they not only had siblings, but that they were heirs to one of the largest, privately owned corporations in the nation. Sort of like going over the rainbow and landing smack dab in the middle of Oz, wouldn't you agree?
But the story of this series doesn't end there. If you noticed above, I mentioned that Emerald knew that her son had gotten "at least" three women pregnant. Hmm. Could Emerald find more of her Illegitimate Heirs in the future?
I, for one, wouldn't be at all surprised to hear that she did. ;-)
Kathie
posted by Kathie at 5:34 AM
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7 Comments:
Charlene Sands said...
Kathie,
Well, you've got me intrigued. Are you not telling -- after that incredible build up?
Inquiring minds want to know. :)
Charlene
3:40 PM
Playground Monitor said...
I hope with all my heart that Emerald finds more heirs. But what hook will you use for them? I love the Oz connection -- finding a brain, a heart and the nerve. Bravo on a great series!
Marilyn
3:57 PM
Kathie said...
LOL Charlene! Yes, I've been asked to submit a proposal for 3 more Illegitimate Heirs. Soooo, it looks like Emerald will be finding more of grandchildren in the near future. :-)
Marilyn, I'm not sure how I'll tie in the Oz factor--yet. But rest assured that I will figure it out. BTW, I do know that these 3 Heirs will be full siblings. Their mother was the only woman Emerald's irresponsible son ever returned to. :-)
And thanks for the encouragement and kudos about the series. I really had fun with it and hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed bringing it to life.
Kathie
12:09 PM
Bronwyn Jameson said...
Kathie, I LOVE how you conceived this story and tied it all together with the Oz theme. Brilliant. I'm also looking forward to reading ALL the books in the series!
3:18 PM
Kathie said...
Bron, thanks for the compliments on my new series. It's so great to "see" my Aussie sister again.
BTW, when you read the first book, please pay close attention to the name of the financial consulting firm that Caleb takes over. I think you'll find that if you say it really fast it sounds a little like Scarecrow. LOL
Kathie
12:17 PM
Playground Monitor said...
I think you'll find that if you say it really fast it sounds a little like Scarecrow.
Duh! I never picked up on that. Guess I was too busy drooling over Caleb. *g*
Marilyn
8:34 AM
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