Fresh Fiction Blog | Kathryne Kennedy | Opposites Attract in Beneath the Thirteen Moons

Hello Fresh Fiction and thank you for having me back again! I always enjoy talking to the fabulous readers of this blog! I’m here today to celebrate the re-release of my very first book, BENEATH THE THIRTEEN MOONS, in mass market paperback, and I have to say, I just love the new cover.

The book takes place on a landless planet where enormous trees grow up from the ocean floor, supporting all life within their canopies. The world was inspired by my love for the jungle (Tarzan, anyone?), for the ocean, and the city of Venice. If you’d like to know more about the creation of the world, please visit my website, but for today, I’d like to talk about my hero & heroine and how they are so opposite, and yet so perfect for one another.

My hero, Korl Com’nder, is the crown prince of Sea Forest. Used to wielding great political power, he is also a victim of murderous schemes for the throne. He lives a life of luxury, is quite arrogant, and accustomed to living with rules and order.

Mahri Zin lives in the wild swamplands of Sea Forest, beyond the city trees, which are larger and offer more protection from some of the dangerous denizens of the deep waters. She is a smuggler of the controlled zabba root, has taken care of herself since a young girl, and likes her freedom.

Zabba is a special root. For those humans who have a tolerance for it, it forges new pathways in the brain and allows humans to manipulate matter in a magical way.

Prince Korl uses his powers to heal others, and studies the old records to understand the human body to use his magic for healing.

Mahri is a wilding, with a high tolerance for the root. Her magic is as wild and free as she is, and although she lacks the learning and knowledge, she is even more powerful than Korl.

Mahri needs the knowledge of a trained healer to cure the plague that struck her village, and kidnaps a healer—and randomly chooses a student from the Healer’s Tree (at least she thinks it’s a random choice, there are other forces at work.)

I knew I was going to have a tough time getting these two together, despite falling in love at first sight. Their lone voyage through the dangerous swamplands, where they are forced to depend on each other to survive, not only points out their differences to one another, but also makes them realize that these differences make them stronger together than they ever could be apart.

Two people can bond with the power of zabba root, joining their minds so that one can draw upon the magical power of the other in times of need. When Korl tries to heal Mahri’s niece, although he has the skill, he lacks the power, and they are forced to join in a bonding to save the little girl. Again, their differences make them stronger.

But still, Mahri fights her attraction to Korl, because for her, it means the loss of her freedom. But where she is weak in that respect, Korl is strong. Besides, he owes her. When they return to the city, Korl has Mahri arrested, and marries her.

But these two are still at odds. The bond saves both their lives when they are in jeopardy and they feed each other power to save one another. But Mahri feels trapped within the palace tree, and Korl fears for her safety if he lets her go.

The natives of the planet are also playing a role in the relationship between these two, and Mahri does not like to be manipulated.

But in the end, true love conquers all…even toward ensuring the future of the planet. And although Mahri and Korl will each have to compromise to live happily ever after, their differences are truly what make them perfect for one another.

I am a firm believer in love at first sight, from personal experience. I met my husband and we married four months later…and are going strong after thirty years together. I also believe that opposites attract, for he’s a packrat, and I’m the queen of organization. He is calm and quiet, and I’m talkative and hyper. And like Korl and Mahri, we manage to be stronger together than apart.

So what about you? Do you believe in love at first sight? Do you believe that opposites attract? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

My Magical Best,

Kathryne

BENEATH THE THIRTEEN MOONS BY KATHRYNE KENNEDY—IN STORES DECEMBER 2010

He's a ruler in a divided world...
In a magical watery world of the Sea Forest, the divide between the rulers and the people is an uncrossable chasm. Handsome, arrogant prince Korl Com'nder has lived a life of luxury that is nothing more than a fantasy to the people he rules. Until the day he is accidentally kidnapped by a beautiful outlaw smuggler and is forced to open his eyes to the world outside his palace walls.

She's an outcast, but at least she has her independence...
Mahri Zin would stop at nothing to save her village, and when they needed a healer she didn't think twice about kidnapping one. But when she realizes that the healer she so impulsively stole is none other than the crown prince of Sea Forest, Mahri knows that she has a chance to change the fate of her people...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathryne Kennedy is a multi-published, award-winning author of magical romances. She’s lived in Guam, Okinawa, and several states in the U.S., and currently lives in Arizona with her wonderful family—which includes two very tiny Chihuahuas. She welcomes readers to visit her website where she has ongoing contests at: www.KathryneKennedy.com.

Kathryne’s Bookseller Directory

Comment to Win a copy of BENEATH THE THIRTEEN MOONS

Comments

Oh my that book sounds great! I and my husband are opposites, He too is a pack rat and I sort things and throw out regularly. But together we are a force to be reckoned with. Whoever said opposites attrack knew their stuff!
(Barbara Hanson 8:31am December 8, 2010)

i'm a realist so no i don't believe in love at first site
(April Strength 9:42am December 8, 2010)

Hi Barbara! Your relationship sounds like mine. :} I think opposites help balance each other out. Good luck in the contest!
(Kathryne Kennedy 9:51am December 8, 2010)

Hi April! So was I...until I met my DH. :} Thx for commenting!
(Kathryne Kennedy 9:52am December 8, 2010)

I do believe in love at first sight, though I haven't experienced it. I actually never thought of my friend Bob in that way until the night he kissed me. Wow! Through my whole world for a loop :-) I don't think I could survive is we weren't such opposites. I can't cook, he can. I can bake, he can't. He like everything clean and neat but steers clear of the computer. I keep an organized mess and live on teh computer. Together we are definitely stronger. Luckily, we both love to dance.

Can't wait to read your book Kathryne. I read them all so far and wouldn't stop now if someone tried to pay me!
(Alexis Walker 11:14am December 8, 2010)

What a lovely compliment, Alexis, thank you!
I love your story about Bob, a friend until that first kiss. Happy sigh...
Good luck in the contest!
(Kathryne Kennedy 11:23am December 8, 2010)

I have always believed in love at first sight, but lately it seams to be lust at first sight. What can I say!
(Joyce Bruner 12:13pm December 8, 2010)

Sounds wonderful! Congrats on having your first book re-released! :)
(Colleen Conklin 12:18pm December 8, 2010)

LOL, Joyce. Lust works for me, as long as it leads to true love in the end. :}
(Kathryne Kennedy 12:27pm December 8, 2010)

This book sounds great. What a fantastic world to visit!

Love at first sight - yes and no - I think love at first sight is attraction...it opens you up to the possiblity of love. Love comes with knowledge of who the person is.

I think opposites do attract and can do very well together. My husband of 30 years is very outgoing, never met a stranger loves trying new things and going places. I am shy and tongue-tied around strangers..Love to stay home..My favorite thing is family. He makes me spread my wings a little, and I ground him a little. We compliment each other - streghten each others weaknesses, as it were...

The key with opposites - do not try to change the person. You fell in love with who they are - if you try to change them that person no longer exists. Some change and growth is going to happen, the key is to be open to this and accept it and love the person more!
(Kimberley Coover 2:33pm December 8, 2010)

Opposites attract because there's some virtue or skill missing that you admire in another and yearn to have for yourself or if not, to be near someone who inhabits that thing you wish for. It makes for great conversations when there's os much ground in the middle to cover. It makes for an interesting read with all those conflicts and a few intersections where the main characters find something in common.
(Alyson Widen 2:35pm December 8, 2010)

Oops, I stepped out for a minute and didn't proof my own writing. You can see where I meant "so" and wrote "os".
(Alyson Widen 2:37pm December 8, 2010)

I do believe that opposites attract, and I also believe in love at first sight!! At 16 years old, when I first saw my husband, I knew he was the man I was going to marry!! I never said anything to him at the time, and we had gone our separate ways, but got back together quite a few years later, and have been married almost 28 years now. We also have many opposite qualities. He is on the quiet side, where I'm more outgoing and talkative. I'm also the packrat, and he likes things to be more orderly, which will never happen!! I tell him that when people come over, I want them to feel comfortable, not have to put on white gloves!! lol My house is not messy, but it does look lived-in. There are other qualities that make us opposites, but somehow we manage to mesh in many ways, and learn from each other, since we're both sort of stuck in our ways. Maybe that comes with age?? lol Have a Merry Christmas and a great New Year, everyone!! I loved the blog, as well as the cover to the book, and will definately give it a look. It's not something I'd normally read, but you have a way of making it sound so interesting, I can't resist!!
(Peggy Roberson 2:45pm December 8, 2010)

I don't really believe in love at first site, but I do believe that opposites attract. Especially if those opposite qualities compliment the other's. For example, if one person is shy and the other outgoing, the outgoing one can help the shy one feel more at ease when in social situations and pick up some of the slack in conversation.
(Barbara Elness 3:18pm December 8, 2010)

I'm not sure about love at first sight but I do know that opposites attract.
(Maureen Emmons 3:26pm December 8, 2010)

This sounds like a great book. Opposites do attract! My husband and I are completely different. Our experiences, personal habits, cultures, and even religious beliefs are so different. He's humorous and outgoing while I'm quieter. Our differences help balance us though and I love to read books where the characters are the same.
(Tabitha Monroe 3:42pm December 8, 2010)

I know opposites attract, it's getting them to stay together that often does not work out.
(Mary Preston 5:01pm December 8, 2010)

This is always a good scene. Not to mention the guy happens to be a prince, that is the icing on the cake. plus a woman that is an outcast may just learn that she was born to stand out
(Anthonia Sharp 5:17pm December 8, 2010)

Great advice, Kimberley! Thank you so much for sharing!
(Kathryne Kennedy 5:20pm December 8, 2010)

Great comment, Alyson! Oh, and I always consider speaking through comments is like talking among friends, you're allowed to stumble over your tongue, and everyone still knows what you're saying. :}
(Kathryne Kennedy 5:23pm December 8, 2010)

Glad you can't resist, Peggy! And hello & bravo to another love at first sight/opposites relationship!
(Kathryne Kennedy 5:24pm December 8, 2010)

That's very true, Barbara! Wonderful insight!
(Kathryne Kennedy 5:25pm December 8, 2010)

Hi Maureen! Thanks so much for sharing!
(Kathryne Kennedy 5:26pm December 8, 2010)

Then you should enjoy B13Moons, Tabitha! Great to hear from you!
(Kathryne Kennedy 5:28pm December 8, 2010)

That's often true, Mary. Thank you for commenting!
(Kathryne Kennedy 5:29pm December 8, 2010)

I've always been fond of icing, Anthonia. :}
(Kathryne Kennedy 5:29pm December 8, 2010)

I do not believe in love at first sight. I think that love grows from a deep and long friendship. Opposites attract, but it is finding a balance between the two personalities that will allow the relationship to last.
(Stephanie McCarthy 7:21pm December 8, 2010)

opposites can definitly attract & intrigue. I'm in awe of the imagination that can create stories like yours.
(Diane Sallans 9:29pm December 8, 2010)

I appreciate you sharing your perspective, Stephanie. Thank you for commenting!
(Kathryne Kennedy 9:38pm December 8, 2010)

I believe in love at first sight and totally agree that opposites attract.Looking forward to reading Beneath the thirteen Moons. Sounds good. Thanks for the contest!
(Teresa Ward 9:43pm December 8, 2010)

Kathyrne, I have already bought & devoured Beneath The Thirteen Moons. I loved it, could not put it down until I had finished it! Once again you've created a magical world with engaging characters. I can't wait for what is next...
(Debra Garcia 12:06pm December 9, 2010)

Hi Debra! You're so very sweet to stop by and let me know you enjoyed MOONS. Means more to me than I can say. Big hug!
(Kathryne Kennedy 9:21am December 9, 2010)

And one final shout out to Fresh Fiction for hosting me, and all of the fabulous support I've rec'd from them over the years. Thanks a million, with another big hug!
(Kathryne Kennedy 9:23am December 9, 2010)

I don't really believe in love at first sight. I think opposites are okay, as long as they have other things in common.
(Debbie Penny 8:26am December 10, 2010)

The book sounds wonderful and full of mystery. I loved reading Tarzan as a kid. So this sounds like fun to read.
(Diane Castiglione 8:49pm December 10, 2010)

This sounds kinda bizarre... which is right down my alley!!!
(Michele Powell 2:18am December 11, 2010)

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