It’s the 9th day of our 13 days of Halloween and best selling author Kathryn Smith joins us. Kathryn wrote another one of my top 10 picks for 2008 – Before I Wake the first book of the Nightmare Chronicles. Of course she’s also the author of the Brotherhood of the Blood Series, so she knows a little something about things that go bump in the night. The last book in the series, Night after Night, is coming out at the end of January so be on the look out for it. We recently interviewed Kathryn at the NJ RWA conference. So stay tuned for the video.
RNTV: I know you’re originally from Canada, what was Halloween like during your childhood?
Kathryn: I think Halloween is pretty much the same in Canada. I didn’t like it much as a kid. When I was really young I was scared by a neighborhood man – bad enough that I didn’t want to go out anymore. Then, when I was 8 my grandmother died on Halloween. My sister and her boyfriend took me out. My sister was very upset and since it was a small town everyone knew about my grandmother. It kind of ruined the spirit of the holiday for me for a long time. But I’ve discovered a new love for Halloween now that I’m older. My husband and I dress up, decorate and try to get to at least one party.
RNTV: What’s the best time you ever had on Halloween?
Kathryn: Hmmm. A couple of years ago we got dressed up and went out with friends who have 3 girls who were 6-10 at the time. That was a lot of fun, being out with them, meeting up with other people and going through some amazing haunted houses that neighbors had put together. Last year we went to a haunted graveyard with a bunch of friends and had a fabulous time. It was amazing! The next day my throat was raw from screaming and laughing!
RNTV: What do you think Noah and Dawn will be doing this Halloween?
Kathryn: Oddly enough, I just wrote a Halloween scene with Dawn and Noah! I can tell you that they go to a party – Noah dressed as Batman and Dawn dressed as Wonder Woman. 
They’ll keep it pretty low key. Dawn just likes to look at the costumes, so they’ll probably walk around Manhattan some as well. And later on, Noah will give Dawn a treat. Is that too naughty? LOL.
RNTV: If you had the same abilities as Noah in Before I Wake and could control your dreams what would you most like to dream about?
Kathryn: Oh, wow. Tough question. I’m afraid of what I might reveal about myself! LOL.I think I would have superhero dreams. I like the idea of saving people – fighting the good fight. I guess maybe I have a complex. I’d probably dream about being famous. Hmm, and I’d dream about being a wardrobe assistant on the set of ‘300.’
RNTV: You’re out trick or treating and you get bag after bag of candy corn; what do you do? (I’m asking all the authors this question, it’s not a trick question, it’s a biased question. You see, I don’t think Candy Corn should be classified as a candy or a treat – in my opinion it’s more like a punishment). What is your favorite Halloween candy?
Kathryn: I’d probably give it away or use it to insolate the attic? My favorite Halloween candy has to be the miniature Heath bars. I’m partial to Snickers as well. But you know what? I love Halloween ‘kisses.’ Those little chewy things are fabulous.
Kathryn will be stopping by to chat today, and don’t forget at 2 p.m. we’re posting another contest. In the meantime, I’m wondering:
If you could control your dreams what would you most like to dream about?
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cyclops8
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 2:10 am:
Hi Kathryn,
I love your historicals. Are you planning on writing another historical soon? Do the Brotherhood of Blood series have to be read in order?
Margay
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 5:47 am:
Wow, that’s an interesting question! What would I dream about? Probably the next scene of a book I’m working on.
Marisa O'Neill
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 6:59 am:
Hi Kathryn, we’re so glad you could join us today. I love that you agree with me on the whole candy corn issue.
It was great seeing you at the NJ RWA conference and thanks so much for taking the time to interview with us. We’re all really excited about the final book in the BOB series. The final book – how does it feel to finally leave those characters behind?
As for controlling my dreams – I guess I would love to be able to visit exotic locales each night. One night dinner in a Tapas bar in Spain, the next lunch in a French Bistro, perhaps a quick jaunt to Holland for brunch. Ah… imagine being able to eat all over the world and not gain an ounce?
Natalie
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 8:25 am:
Hey Kathryn, I’m so looking forward to Night After Night. I can’t believe it’s the last book. Will everyone be back in this one?
I’m also so excited about the Nightmare Chronicles. When is the next book coming out?
Speaking of dreams? Well if I could control my dreams I think I’d like be able to have conversations with people in my life that are no longer with me. Just to talk and visit for a while. I think that would be lovely.
PJ
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 8:42 am:
I’d dream about winning the lottery because then I could make so many other dreams come true…and not just mine.
Welcome, Kathryn! Ooh, you named my very favorite Halloween candy to buy. I always put the mini-Snickers at the bottom of the bowl so if any candy is left over at the end of Halloween it’s the Snickers. Yum. I don’t buy Heath Bars for Halloween. I don’t have that much will-power. There is just no way they would ever make it to the Big Night. Heck, I’d probably have the bag opened before I left the grocery story parking lot! LOL!
Kati
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 8:49 am:
Hi Kathryn – Welcome back to RNTV! It’s always a treat to have you visit.
So, I have to agree with the M’s, Before I Wake was a straight “A” read for me. I most enjoyed that Dawn wasn’t the “perfect” heroine. She had regular hangups, but wasn’t neurotic. And I loved the Noah had to rely on her to protect him, but it didn’t diminish him at all. Can you tell me, who is up next in the series?
Thanks!
crystal adkins
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 9:07 am:
Mine might be a little different answer than you’d like… I want my dreams to stop! I had taken down my dream catcher a couple of weeks ago b/c it was getting a little tattered and have had horrible dreams ever since, I really need to go somewhere and find another one, but it’s really not as easy as you’d think!
Andrea
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 9:45 am:
Hey, Kate! Welcome back to RNTV! I am sooooo looking forward to Night After Night and the next installment of the Nightmare Chronicles! Btw, do you have a title for it yet?
As for dreams … I really don’t have too many, so I guess I would just like to have more. As for what I’d like to dream about, I would have to say anything GOOD. We hear so much “bad news” on television, that I would like to dream about “good news”.
Buffie
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 11:58 am:
Hey there Kate! Great to have you back here!!
I think I would like to have more dreams about how my childrens’ lives turn out. You know, seeing them married with their own little angels and me being the coolest grandma out there!! But that’s years away
Kathryn Smith
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 12:14 pm:
Hi everyone! Thanks to RomanceNovel.tv for having me!
Cyclops8 — I am returning to regular historicals. In fact, the first one has already been written and turned in. If all goes well I hope for it to be out next fall. It’s the beginning of a whole new world. And no, the Brotherhood of the Blood doesn’t have to be read in order, but it will make more sense that way.
Marisa — it was great seeing you too! As for leaving the vamps behind… it was both very easy and very sad. I spent so much time with them that it felt weird to leave them, but at the same time I’m really ready to move on.
Natalie — yup, everyone will be back in Temple’s book. And there’s an epilogue to let you know how everyone ends up in a more modern time! The bad news is that it’s looking like the 2nd Nightmare Chronicles installment won’t be out until late 2009.
PJ — mmm. Heath bars….
Kati — thanks so much! The second NC book is about Dawn’s struggle to find her place in the two worlds. She’s up against a terrible foe, who gives her a surprise or two. And she’s faced with questions about her relationship with Noah. Plus, there’s more family issues as well. I think Dawn really grows as a person in the second book.
Crystal — get yourself another catcher! And meanwhile, try to ‘day dream’ about happy things when you go to bed. It will help you relax to sleep and hopefully carry over into your dreams!
Andrea — No title yet! lol.
Okay, back to work. I’ll be back later!
Karin
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 12:39 pm:
Hi there, Kathryn. I’ve never read any of your books before, but from what I’ve seen by checking out blurbs and things, they all sound fantastic. So, which of your books would you recommend a new reader start with?
As for what I would dream if I could control my dreams, I think it would have to be of meeting a nice guy. lol *sigh*
azteclady
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 12:51 pm:
Welcome, Kathryn!
The ability to control my dreams? Hmmm… well, it’d try to stop dreaming about being chased!
Holly
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 1:01 pm:
Hi Kathryn, I Loved Before I Wake! What a great premise and one of my favorite heroines all year. I’m sorry to hear that Dawn won’t be back until later next year. After reading Dawn’s story I checked out your web site (pretty cool) and saw that you have written an historical paranormal series. How did I miss that? I just got Be Mine Tonight and can’t wait to read it. I feel very lucky that I’ll be able to read the entire series with out having to wait.
As for dreaming. I don’t really remember my dreams. BUT if I could control them I think I’d like to be able to figure out what ever problems I have in my dreams. And of course wake up and remember what the solution is. That would be too cool.
katiebabs
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 1:05 pm:
My response to controlling my dreams would be X-Rated. Heh heh
Erin
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 2:17 pm:
Hey Kate, good to see you here. I really liked Before I Wake and if I could be Dawn or Noah I’d love to be able to take week long vacations in my dreams. Imagine having a really hard day at work. All you’d have to do is go to sleep for a couple of hours and when you woke it would be as if you’d spent a week at a sunny resort. Oh, yeah, that’s what I’m talking about.
Gannon
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 3:58 pm:
Hi, Kathryn! Thanks for visiting with us today. I absolutely love your books! You are an auto-buy for me.
Heath Bars and Snickers…that’s what I’m talkin’ about! Yummm!
Any dream, as long as it’s good, works for me. The lottery, being in exotic locales, etc. What’s not to like?!
orannia
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 4:57 pm:
Hmmm, like Crystal I would like my dreams (read nightmares) to stop. Sometimes I wish my subconscious would just write me a letter – it would be easier to interpret
Maybe I need to unpack my dreamcatcher. (When I lived in the UK one of my flatmates was Canadian and when she went home for a holiday she brought me back a dreamcatcher. And it’s beautiful!) Then maybe I would have a nice dreams….although I like katiebabs’ idea 
Is Before I Wake about dreams please? (Sorry, that is probably a very stupid question, but I’ve come to realise how many books are available that I don’t know about. And I love discovering new books
Kathryn Smith
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 9:06 pm:
Karin, I’d start with the first of the vamps BE MINE TONIGHT if you’re into paranormal. If not, I’d start with FOR THE FIRST TIME which is the first of the Ryland Brothers series. Hope you like ‘em!
Thank you all for your compliments! I’m not even sure where to begin to address them all! I’m so touched that you’ve enjoyed my work and I hope that I can continue to produce stories that keep you entertained.
Orannia, Before I Wake is about dreams, yes. Literally.
Sorry for the quick post but my husband expects me to play Rock Band with him. I’ll check back again tomorrow!
pambook
on Oct 27th, 2008
@ 11:00 pm:
Hi Katherine, For the First Time was my favorite of the Rylands. Glad to hear we’ll see everyone again in Temple’s story- so far Chapel’s been my favorite, but then there’s still Temple to come. As for dreams, a sexy guy who dines and wines me all around the world.
TAMI blackroze37
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 4:18 am:
i love dreams about the ocean and island, and lots and lots and lots of beautiful men NAKED men
evaqzck rtodace
on Nov 26th, 2008
@ 1:44 pm:
mbwho nuomv wdyab ydekuh jzko nylsetdu ljnitku