THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY
Brooklyn Kings Series by LK Shaw
Get a behind-the-scenes all-access pass to LK Shaw's BROOKLYN KINGS Series!
Synopsis:
The Brooklyn Kings series follows the lives of the Ricci family, who lead the Italian mafia, and the Donnelly family, who are part of the Irish mob. The two families are joined through an alliance created with the marriage of Emilio “Jacob” Ricci and Brenna Donnelly.
Each book is a new character within each family. Jack, from Irish Devil, is Brenna’s oldest brother.
Releases on January 25, 2022
What
is the sub-genre and trope? Did your
characters lead you to this genre or was that decided before the story began?
They are contemporary mafia romance that was led by the characters.
Tropes include: arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, May to Dec romance
Are you more character or plot driven?
Definitely character driven
With many main and secondary characters, how do you keep them separated in your mind? Do you have a story/vision board above your workspace?
I write out all my characters in each story, including their age, on index cards. I clip them all together to reference when I need to.
I know from previous interviews that characters take on a life of their own. Were any of the characters in this series determined to take their own direction instead of where you initially wanted them to go?
Probably Brenna Donnelly. Definitely Caitlín Donnelly.
Are any of the male POVs based on anyone you know?
Not in real life LOL
Are any of the female POVs based on anyone you know?
I like to think I put a little bit of myself in all my female heroines in some way.
Was there any one character that was harder to write about than the other?
Jack Donnelly from Irish Devil was probably the hardest. He was a bit reticent about telling me what his goals and motivation in life are.
What is your favorite book in the series?
The Devil I Don’t Know
I know that we aren’t supposed to have “favorites” as far as our children, but seriously, who’s your favorite character and why?
Hands down, Caitlín Donnelly.
She’s who I wish I were. Confident, funny, loyal, opinionated (VERY opinionated), and has no fear. She says exactly what she thinks and feels and doesn’t care what people think of her.
Series question - Who is your favorite couple and why did you decide on their dynamics?
My favorite couple is probably Pierce and Mila. They’re supposed to be sworn enemies (he’s Italian and she’s Russian). Both have some serious emotional baggage. They don’t trust anyone, because they’ve been burned so many times. Both believe that saying I love you doesn’t mean anything. They both express it with actions. They fit perfectly together.
How do you get inside these character’s heads to find their perfect HEA?
It’s not always easy. I do a lot of free handwriting before I start a chapter. I also use the book The Emotional Wound Thesaurus as a guide. I read through the wounds and sometimes one will jump out to me saying, ‘yeah, that’s an issue so and so has.’
What scene in this book/series sticks out the most for you? Why?
There’s a scene in The Enemy in My Bed where Mila and Pierce talk about her scars and how she got them. She accuses him of picking at them to make them bleed, but he’s talking about the scars on her heart. I feel like that was the real turning point in their enemies to lovers relationship. Where the hate turned to love.
Series - Were any of the books harder to write than others?
Irish Devil was the hardest for sure!
This question is if you write in MULTIPLE POVs not just the hero and heroine - I love the multiple POVs in a book. It’s not just the hero and heroine, but we get inside the heads of multiple characters throughout this series. I feel that it gives the story further depth. Do you think you will write another book or series following this multiple POV outline?
I try not to say never to anything.
How long did it take you to write this series?
The Devil I Don’t Know took me 14 months. I started it before the pandemic (Feb 2020), but had to set it aside for personal reasons. I didn’t pick it back up until March 2021 and finished it in April.
The rest of the books in the series have taken me anywhere between 49 and 68 days to write.
How did you come up with the title for your book and (if applicable) series?
The Devil I Don’t Know came first. It was an arranged marriage romance so it seemed appropriate. Then because it was 5 words, I felt like the others needed to match.
And since I’d already decided book 2 was an enemies to lovers romance, The Enemy in My Bed worked perfectly.
I only planned on three books in the series, but then Brenna’s brothers and sister decided their stories needed to be told. Honestly, coming up with 4 more books with 5 word titles was a task I didn’t want to take on LOL. And since these books would be about the Irish side of the family, I wanted Irish to be part of the title.
Fun fact: I originally had started to name the last book in the series Irish Princess (Caitlín’s book), but immediately knew that wouldn’t fit. She’s certainly no princess. Rebel fits her to a T, so I changed that one.
If you met these characters in real life would you get along?
Definitely. Except Pierce. Pierce terrifies me.
Series question – Did you know in advance that you were going to write this as a series or did one of the characters in book one demand their own story?
I knew in the beginning it would be three books. I had no idea it would turn into seven.
If your book/series were made into a movie, which actors do you see as playing your characters?
I’ll admit, I don’t watch tv or movies, so I would be terrible at answering this questions! I truly have no idea.
Can you give us a hint as to what we can expect next? Whether a new book and series or a sequel to an existing series? Can you share a small tease?
I’m currently working on the next book in the Brooklyn Kings series. It features Padraig “Paddy” Donnelly, Brenna’s twin brother. You find out at the end of Irish Devil (releasing on Jan 25) who his heroine is.
I like to keep those things quiet for a bit. This book is going to be a bit darker than the rest. Maybe even a little darker than The Enemy in My Bed.
I can share the first (unedited and subject to change) paragraph of chapter 1 (if you’ve read the entire series, you can probably guess who the heroine is).
Not for the first time, I wish he'd kill me already. It would be a much kinder fate than to continue enduring the pain and torture he inflicts. But Krzysztof Gornak is neither kind, nor merciful. A lesson I learned the day he bought me.
LK Shaw is the bestselling author of sexy, sinful suspense.
She resides in South Carolina with her high maintenance beagle mix dog, Miss P, who should probably just have her own Instagram account.
An avid reader since childhood, she became hooked on historical romance novels in high school. She now reads, and loves, all romance sub-genres, with erotic romance and romantic suspense being her favorite.
LK enjoys traveling and chocolate. Her books feature hot alpha heroes and the strong women they love.
Check out my reviews of the following books by LK Shaw!
BROOKLYN KINGS Series
THE DEVIL I DON'T KNOW (Book One)
THE ENEMY IN MY BED (Book Two)
THE BEAST I CAN'T TAME (Book Three)
IRISH DEVIL (Book Four)
Connect w/ LK:
Email: lkshaw.author@gmail.com
Website: www.lkshawauthor.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/lkshawauthor
Amazon:
https://amzn.to/32hDg8Z
GoodReads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14878033.L_K_Shaw
BookBub:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lk-shaw
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/lkshaw_author
Newsletter Sign-Up:
http://bit.ly/LKShawNewsletter
My father is dying, and I’ve been called back to Brooklyn to take my place as the head of the Italian syndicate. After a seven year absence, my first test of loyalty is to marry the granddaughter of the Irish mob’s leader. I may not want a wife, but I’ll kill anyone who tries to harm her.
I only hope she doesn’t expect love in our marriage. I can’t—won’t—love her. Not ever. I don’t have it in me.
Brenna
My life has always been about duty. When my grandfather signs a marriage contract, I become a pawn in an alliance between the Irish and the Italians. Once again, I’m bound by duty.
I’ve always been invisible—the person who fades into the background—except soon my new husband begins to see me.
He’s a Brooklyn king, but will our enemies destroy my chance to become his queen?
Pierce
The Russians have taken far too much from me. So I’ll take something of theirs. Except, I never expected my captive to be a woman. She could be the key to destroying them entirely. I’ll do whatever it takes to get revenge. Even seduce the enemy.
Soon I discover she may not be my enemy after all.
Mila
For nearly my entire life I’ve been held prisoner by darkness and pain. And just when I think freedom is within my reach, it’s stolen by yet another man determined to break me. First with rage. Then with tenderness.
I’m helpless to resist his touch, even knowing that, in the end, all that waits for me is death.
I don’t care that she’s the boss’ cousin and far beyond my reach. I’ve been patient, but now I’m claiming what’s mine.
Giovanni
One year. That’s how long I’ve wanted Francesca. I’ve worked my way up the ranks, dedicating my life to the syndicate while I tried easing her fear of men.
The time has finally come for me to claim her.
Francesca
Seven years ago, my family’s enemy took everything from me. I’ve been determined to get it all back. When those same enemies nearly kill Giovanni, our friendship changes to something more.
Until a secret emerges that could destroy everything.
Aurora
It started with a stolen kiss. A brief flirtation between two strangers. Until reality intruded. He was a part of the Irish mob, and my father had other plans for me.
In the three years since, I’ve lived in a hell of secrets and lies, leaving me a broken, shattered version of my former self. Then, I come face to face with Jack again. The man who will either become my savior or my destruction.
Jack
My Irish family has spent years rescuing women trafficked by the Polish mafia. I’ve been a protector. A defender. Saved countless women.
A twist of fate puts a woman from my past directly in my path. When I discover she’s in danger, I’ll destroy anyone in order to save her, too.
She’s no pampered or spoiled mafia princess. She’s the rebel. The one who has no plans on marrying. Ever.
Especially not the pompous son of her Irish family’s ally. Even though he makes her feel things she’s never felt before.
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