Today, it is my pleasure to introduce Mr. Kennedy to A MIDNIGHT DANCE Blog Party. Mr. Kennedy can you tell us who you’re married to and what she writes?
Mr. Kennedy: Kris Kennedy – she writes historical romance in the medieval time period. She currently has three published books: The Conqueror, The Irish Warrior and Defiant. From the online buzz that I’ve heard, everyone seems to love and drool over her book covers.
Mr. DiPasqua: Your wife’s fans would like to know the RH (Romance Husband) behind the author better. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Scholar? Athlete? Businessman? Artist?
Mr. Kennedy: I would like to describe myself as an athlete, but that would be stretching the truth a tad bit. I love to play softball and can often be found in the back yard playing Wiffle Ball with my young son. For that matter, I can often be found in the back yard playing anything that entails the use of a ball and some stick like object.
On the more serious side ( although some of those Wiffle Ball games can be get quite serious), I am a professional counselor. For the last six years I’ve dedicated my time to providing counseling services to military personnel and their families.
Mr. DiPasqua: Where did you and your wife meet? What convinced you that she was “the one”?
Mr. Kennedy: A party of all things. Each of us was in a fairly altered state without a care in the world. When I first saw Kris she seemed like an old soul to me. I was intrigued and knew I had to get to know her. Being quite the word smith and having a way with the Ladies, I made the comment about her being “double fisted” as she made her way across the room with a beer in each hand. And here we are twenty – one years later.
Mr. Kennedy: I was at work. Kris called me on my cell phone to deliver the great news!
I was really proud of her.
I had watched her creative process for years from the sidelines. From my observations, writing can be quite the grueling process at times and I was just so happy to see all her hard work pay off. It was truly a dream come true.
Mr. DiPasqua: Is the hero in your wife’s last book:
Mr. Kennedy: I have to admit that I have not read Kris’ most recent book, Defiant. One thing for sure is the fact that I look nothing like the guy on the cover. I’m extremely muscular and have long hair……. Oh wait a second, I do resemble him, don’t I?
Seriously though, I’m pretty confident that I can give him a run for his money as far as character traits and personality are concerned.
Now where did I put my damn sword?
Mr. Kennedy: I think probably a mix between Prince Charming and bad boy. We spent the night sitting in a park (charming) and drinking a couple quarts of beer (bad boy). I told you I had a way with the Ladies.
I was very polite and respectful and only stole a kiss or two or three…………….
Mr. Kennedy: The perpetual 12 y.o. boy in me immediately thinks of some crude humor. Think of Beavis and Butthead laughing while one of them says, “He just said ball”. Otherwise, I definitely think of baseball.
But I do like the picture Kris’ fans “balling” in her presence. I take it a step further in my mind and picture a rather large and exuberant group of fans chasing her down the street, screaming and holding her book in their hands and waving it like mad. Very similar to the old films of teenage girls chasing down the Beatles.
Mr. Kennedy: About ten or eleven years. [Kris here, to clarify the timeline here: we’ve been married since 1994, but I only started writing sometime about 2000.]
Advice? Probably patience. Like I said before, from my observations the creative process of writing, although rewarding, can be grueling and stressful at times. Give your wife the time and space to do her work. It will pay off in the end.
Deadline? See above advice about giving her time and space. If you have children, increase your active parenting skills. And if possible, leave the house for a few hours or days if possible.
Mr. Kennedy: I usually respond with something like, “ Aren’t you the witty one?”
But seriously, I usually feel myself immediately starting to blush and quickly change the subject to sports or power tools.
Mr. DiPasqua: Good answer! Which character in your wife’s books would she say most resembles you and/or your personality?
Mr. Kennedy: Totally stumped!
Mr. Kennedy: I know very little about Kris’ next book except for the fact that she has been working like crazy every opportunity she gets.
The flow of those opportunities is frequently interrupted due to a variety of other real life
responsibilities that Kris so expertly handles.
I’m sure it will be awesome!
Great answers Mr Kennedy and I do so love love pictures babies and dogs are so cute.
I have your Wife’s books on my must have list I have heard so many great things about them and I love medievals.
I need something to warm me up over here in Australia
Have Fun
Helen
Exactly what type of counseling do you do for military personnel and their families? The first two things that I think of is financial or a support group to help spouses and children when troops are overseas.
I completely agree that wiffle ball can become a serious game. It defintely was when my boys were younger. Now they have just moved on to more contact related sports. It really doesn’t matter what it is as long as they can hit each other.
Hello, Mr. Kennedy! Boys & their toys–I think that you and your son must have lots of fun together : ) I admire you for your work in helping to counsel military families. Their needs are great and varied, and many people would be quite surprised at how complicated the military life can be.
Kris–love your awesome warriors!
US Resident, GFC Follower, Subscriber
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
That was a great interview. Thanks for the insight.
You are lucky to have found each other.
GFC follower Patti P
Facebook fan Patti Conn Paonessa Pusateri
musicalfrog @ comcast.net
Great interview, Mr, Kennedy! Really loved your answers as well as your pictures. What a
wonderful thing to do in counseling military people and their families! You’re a special man.
I haven’t read any of Kris’s books yet, but they are on my to buy list. Her reviews have been awesome!
BTW, how long did you date Kris before popping the question and how did you propose?
Thanks Helen!
Both the baby and the dog are much bigger these days 🙂
If you’re looking for something to warm you up, I’m sure Kris’ books will do the trick!
Hope you enjoy them.
A very entertaining interview Mr. Kennedy. Loved it. The baby is precious. And the Cover Gods have smiled on your wife’s books. lol
I have read your wife’s The Conqueror and The Irish Warrior and just started Defiant. Thanks for sharing.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Hi Ora:
These days the majority of the counseling work I do is with the Army.
The Soldiers and Families experience a variety of stressors related to multiple deployments overseas.
They’re a very resilient group of folks and sometimes just need a quick “tune up” or a chance to vent and problem solve a particular situation they might be dealing with.
Yeah, Wiffle Ball can get a little crazy! I’m still in the process of teaching my son to to lose gracefully.
God luck with those contact sports:-)
Love the pics! I’m an Army brat so I can relate to the stresses that soldiers and their families have. Do you find your work rewarding Mr. Kennedy? It can’t always be easy.
Loved the way Ms.Kennedy popped in…:)
Thanks Virginia!
Yeah, when it comes to sports and “toys”, I don’t think us guys ever completely grow up 🙂
You’re right about the complications of military life.
Military Families are a unique and resilient breed!
Hi Patti:
Lucky?
I prefer to think of it as destiny.
Much more romantic sounding that way:-)
Hi Cathy:
Glad you enjoyed my answers.
That was a high pressure interview!:-)
Believe it or not, Kris proposed to me. Pretty non-traditional, huh?
You know these modern women these days 🙂
A couple/few weeks later though, I did my own proposal sitting on a blanket by a river.
Two seconds after I gave Kris her ring, one of the diamonds popped out, so we spent the next half hour trying to find it!
Things rarely play out exactly as we envision:-)
Thanks Carol!
I agree that the baby is precious:-)
Hope you enjoy Defiant!
Great interview! The baby in the pictures is very cute! I live outside the U.S
I’m loving the man slaves of romance lineup, Mr. D!
Mr. K – my ‘little’ son (Army)would make an excellent therapist. I keep telling him this. he’s just come off his second tour and coming home to finish college. Any suggestions?
Hi Mr. Kennedy – great interview! I especially liked that when you were ‘stumped’ on a question you admitted it rather than try to be ‘cute’!!
The picture of you and your son is adorable.
My favorite question to ask is about vacations because they tell a lot about us. So… what is your favorite family vacation and what is the most romantic vacation you and your wife have taken?
kacbooks(at)hotmail(dot)com
GFC follower, subscriber, US resident
Hi Mr D and Mr K–
Enjoyed the interview very much–you are both good sports!
Please enter my name in the drawing. I’m a sucker for a great historical romance.
Laura T
heartoftexasbooks[at]yahoo[dot]com
Many thanks to Mr. K for his counselling our military men and women!
I, too, prefer pictures of my pooch. She’s definitely a lot cuter than I!
Great interview. I loved the picture of the dog. So adorable.
Danielle @Ramblings From This Chick
Hi Mr Kennedy
I’ve not had the pleasure of reading any of your wife’s books but they now on my LIST ;o)
Do not count me in this contest as I’m outside US unfortunately.
Rita from South AFrica
Your right A sexy guy with a baby and a dog, you just can’t go wrong! LOL! Thanks for sharing with us today!
evjochum[AT]aol[DOT]com
follower
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Mr. K. – here’s my questions:– since you are a counselor, does Kris ever discuss character motivation with you?– do you relate to the character of the counselor in Army Wives?Kris – I think all 4 members of your family are cute (saw your picture on your website). Mr. K – what do you think?I posted my idea for your heros name on FB – couldn’t figure out how to get a Twitter message to you.I have The Irish Warrior in my TBR pile, I moved it to next in line on the bedside table. sallans d at yahoo dot… Read more »
Hmmm sounds like you and my husband have the same knack for finding anything laying around to use as a bat and ball…great creativity is all I can say =) Also I am very glad there are people like you out there, with a family member serving in the military I know how important your job is and how appreciated you are. Even if you dont think so most days, you are. Defiant has been in my TBR list for a while, crossing my fingers I will be able to knock it off the stack soon! Thanks for a chance… Read more »
Another great interview 😉 Mr. Kennedy — quite wise answer to people silly enough to inquire about the inspiration for love scenes, just let them wonder but you might want to keep up on the latest project marketing tidbits a bit more 😉 I agree about the pictures, quite lovely to see a man taking such care of a little one or puppy.
gamistress66 (at) aol (dot) com
fan on f/b (da kenney) & newsletter group = 10
The picture of your baby is so cute. Thank you for sharing! Mr. Kennedy does seem like a really caring man who likes taking care of his family.
GFC follower: Amy
Facebook fan: Amy Zh***
angeldream3[AT}gmail[DOT]com
Hi everyone!! Mrs. Kennedy here–So sorry to be late to the party–I have a story due in 1 months and it’s fighting me every step of the way. 🙂 My husband had to head to work, but your questions are wonderful! Ora~ LOL re: sports and boys, and “now it doesn’t really matter as long as they can hit each other.” It’s so true!! Virginia C~ Thank-you for loving my warrior heroes!!! 🙂 Cathy P- I’m so, so glad the books are on your radar! They’re medievals, which can been such a ‘niche’ market. But they’re also adventure-y and sexy,… Read more »
Hi Mr. Kennedy,
I am adding your wife’s books to my wishlist. I have always enjoyed reading medieval romances but don’t come across many. I like the strong men who like their time tend to be a bit overbearing and overprotective. No complaints though because they are usually paired with a feisty, defiant woman! It makes for great chemistry.
Your baby is a bundle of cuteness!
Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com
Great interview MY Kennedy! Loved your answers. I see a lot of humor here. You said you haven’t read your wife latest book. Does that mean you do read some of her book? I know a lot of men just don’t enjoy reading and want be caugh dead reading romance.
lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com
Wonderful interview, Mr. Kennedy. You have a great sense of humour. And I love the photo of you and your son and you and the puppy. Absolutely adorable! And I love your wife’s books!
Speaking of books, Midnight Dance deserves every fabulous review it’s received! And more!
Such a cute baby and dog. 🙂 Both of them are so adorable! 🙂
no need to enter my name, just popping in to say: I’ve read ‘Defiant’, and adored the heroine! She was wonderful, as was the medieval ‘voice’.
i have no hesitation in recommending this story
Thea:
Suggestions as far as direction to go in school?
If he wants to get in the counseling field, pursuing A Master’s Degree in Social Work is a good way to go. It’s a very marketable degree.
Hey Karen C:
Favorite Family vacation was to Germany – not a full vacation because I was working. But lots of free time on the weekends. Beautiful country!
Most Romantic? I guess when Kris and I traveled to Ireland together. Long before our son came along.
Thanks Rebe!
Hi! I just love Kris’s books. I own all of them! My question is, how many times have you actually watched a Jane Austen flick? Can you name all the different versions (how many books did she write)?
lvsgund at gmail.com (us)
Hi Danielle:
She’s about five times bigger now than in that picture.
But just as cute:-)
BiteMeAsh:
Hope you enjoy them!
Highland medievals were the first romances I ever read and are still my favorite. I like medievals in general because things were basic, dangerous, uncertain and the rules weren’t always followed. Makes for good drama. I have liked all the covers. They give the feel of power, strength, and determination to do what is right. What made your wife decide on this time period to write about? Kris, The baby and puppy are cute. The hubby isn’t bad either. By the way, kudos on the job he is doing. My husband retired after 24 years in the AF. The military… Read more »
I love those pics and the interview, Mr. Kennedy! It was great to have you and Kris here! (I adore your wife)
*waves* to everyone! 🙂
Hugs,
Lila
Mr. Kennedy, as the wife of a Vietnam Navy Veteran I want to send my thanks for the support and help you are giving to our military personnel and their families. It reasurring to know that the families are getting this valuable support. My husband and I celebrated our 41st anniversary this year but almost didn’t get married because his Chief kept telling him he couldn’t take any time away from the base (he was at NAS Cecil Field in Jacksonville, FL). He was told if the Navy wanted him to have a wife he would have gotten one with… Read more »
I’m late in chiming in, but I just wanted to say hello to everyone!
Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy–It was a pleasure!
Mr. D
I’m sorry. I should have also added that not only did I read those books but I thoroughly enjoyed them. 🙂
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Cute post! And your book looks really good!
Robin D
robindpdx (at) yahoo (dot) com
I love how the men change the subject when it comes to the dirty stuff!
Babies and puppies indeed are full of awww…..
GFC follower
ironss [at] gmail [dot] com
Twitter follower (@infinitieh)
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Kris definitely has some drool worthy covers. Now where is that sword? lol
_____
Kati R
romancingrakes(at)gmail(dot)com
US