Kate Golden | A Young Woman Offers Herself Up to a Wicked King to Save Her Family

1–What is the title of your latest release?

A DAWN OF ONYX

2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?

A Dawn of Onyx follows a young woman from a small, sheltered town who offers herself up to a wicked king to save her family, and is locked in his gothic keep to serve as his castle healer. While imprisoned, she makes an unsuspecting ally in a fellow prisoner, but not everything about the stranger is exactly as it seems…

3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?

I love magical lands with unique, varying kingdoms i.e., the different courts in ACOTAR or the different nations in Avatar the last Airbender. I’ve also always loved gemstones (always my favorite exhibit in the Natural History Museum) so the idea was born from blending those two interests.

4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?

100%. Arwen would be the best, most thoughtful friend.

5–What are three words that describe your protagonist?

Optimistic, Altruistic, & Warm.

6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?

I will always spell barely as barley. Always.

7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?

I wait until a whole draft is done, then I go through and edit it. The next time I read it through, I’ll edit as I go.

8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?

Baked goods of any and all kinds.

9–Describe your writing space/office!

My office is one of my favorite places on earth. I have a very stiff couch that I love dearly because it’s comfy enough to write on but not enough to fall asleep on top of. I have too many candles, a lot of soft lighting, and a fridge filled with flavored bubbly waters, which fuel me.

10–Who is an author you admire?

Sarah J Maas is a huge inspiration. Her world-building, characters, creativity, and sheer number of works blow me away on a daily basis.

11–Is there a book that changed your life?

The Time Traveler’s Wife was the first book that ripped my heart out. I cried so hard I woke up my sleeping boyfriend in the next room. I feel like that definitely affected my life trajectory somehow.

12–Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.

I was cleaning out my kitchen and got a call from my agents. At first, I totally misunderstood them. I think I was in shock. It was one of the most surreal moments of my life.

13–What’s your favorite genre to read?

Romance for sure. Fantasy, more literary romance, romantic comedies—you name it. I need a good love story or I end up putting it down. Unless it’s a murder mystery. That’s the other half of my brain.

14–What’s your favorite movie?

Almost Famous

15–What is your favorite season?

Fall. Halloween AND cozy sweaters? It’s no contest.

16–How do you like to celebrate your birthday?

My favorite birthdays have been either relaxing trips with friends or cozy dinner parties at home. I’m an old lady at heart!

17–What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?

My husband and I are watching Lucifer right now. It’s absolutely delightful. Romance and a murder mystery in every episode! As mentioned in question 13, this is my jam.

18–What’s your favorite type of cuisine?

Italian

19–What do you do when you have free time?

I love puzzles. I have a vegetable garden that I’m too attached to. I like yoga and hiking with my puppy and making my husband watch will-they-won’t-they tv shows (See question 17)

20–What can readers expect from you next?

The second book in the trilogy, A PROMISE OF PERIDOT, will be out April 9, 2024, and the third in the fall of 2024. I am also working on a handful of spin-offs, as well as an urban fantasy and a dystopian fantasy to dive into next!

A DAWN OF ONYX by Kate Golden

Sacred Stones

The breakout TikTok fantasy romance!

Captured by the king of darkness, she was forced to find the light within.

Arwen Valondale never expected to be the brave one, offering her life to save her brother’s. Now she’s been taken prisoner by the most dangerous kingdom on the continent, and made to use her rare magical abilities to heal the soldiers of the vicious Onyx King.

Arwen knows better than to face the ancient, wicked woods that surround the castle on her own, which means working with a fellow prisoner might be her only path to freedom. Unfortunately, he’s as infuriating as he is cunning—and seems to take twisted pleasure in playing on Arwen’s deepest fears.

But here in Onyx Kingdom, trust is a luxury she can’t afford.

To make it out of enemy territory, she’ll have to navigate back-stabbing royals, dark magic, and dangerous beasts. But untold power lies inside Arwen, dormant and waiting for a spark. If she can harness it, she just might be able to escape with her life—and hopefully, her heart.

Romance Fantasy [Berkley, On Sale: October 10, 2023, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780593641903 / eISBN: 9780593641910]