BotM: West of Want by Laura Kaye (Character Interview/Giveaway)

It's that time! You asked and Laura has brought along the sexy Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring to answer your questions! Please give a warm welcome to both him and Laura, without further ado I'll hand it over to them now. ;)

I’m very excited to be back at Reading between the Wines Book Club again, especially to celebrate West of Want’s selection as Book of the Month for July. And, even more fun? I didn’t come alone! Nope, I brought with me Zephyros Martius, Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring who will answer questions YOU asked! That’s right! So, without further ado, here’s Zeph…

What is it like to be the Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring? I mean, is it all work and no play, or is it more all fun and games?

Before I met Ella, I never examined my existence. This was one of the first questions she asked me, too. Mostly, being Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring just is. It’s what I am. What I was made for. I serve a purpose larger than myself and of supreme importance to the world we share. But now that I’ve met Ella, I recognize the loneliness and isolation, too. For me, it had always been about the work, but Ella has taught me the joy of play, again.

What's your favorite hobby, other than whipping up windstorms when you’re heartbroken?

Ella and I are restoring a huge garden in her backyard. And I’ve gotten very good at making pancakes. Turns out you can put all kinds of things in them and they’re delicious.

I was wondering if you think your brother Eurus is redeemable and if you have any idea how to bring him around?

For eons I so believed and, even in our moments of deep disagreement, I continued to believe. No more.

What fantasy 'getaway' would you plan for you and Ella?

I think she would adore a sailing cruise around the world. Ella thrives around water.

I think I remember reading in Owen's book that you are the strongest of the wind gods (btw, I was not happy with you when you caused some angst with his need for winter even if it was inadvertent). Is that true? And why is that?

Indeed, I am the strongest Anemoi. It is the power of birth and life’s renewal, so prominent during the spring, that makes me so. And I sorely regret the trouble I caused Owen. He deserves all the happiness he’s found.

As the Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring, how do you stay grounded and not let it go to your head?

*laughs* Good thing Ella isn’t here. I’m positive she would say my ego couldn’t get any bigger. But in truth, even with my powers I have spent most of my life sure I was less than I could be, less than others expected. Ella has truly rebuilt my spirit, and for that I am grateful.

Is Eurus really bad or is he helping you find yourself? Once you find yourself, will you be there to help save him? - Family counts.

I could not agree more with you in the value of family and familial loyalty. As Anemoi of opposite winds—me the West and he the East—we have always been like flip sides of the same coin. But I can no longer forgive his deeds, not when they have so hurt the one I love most in the world. Eurus deserves everything that comes to him.

What's the most beautiful thing you've seen in all your many eons as a god? Besides Ella.

Each spring, the world emerges from the slumber and death of winter and returns to life. And though I’ve seen this many times—too many, even, to recall—I am never less awed by the wonder and beauty of it.

Zeph, can I call you that? You are the most powerful of all Anemoi, god of the West Wind and Spring. How do you view your power in relation to the other Anemoi?

You may. *winks* The four Cardinal Anemoi work in tandem with one another. Any one of us has the power to throw the winds and seasons off kilter should we not act properly as the guardian of our wind and season. So, while my powers are more pronounced and varied, the other gods possess formidable powers, especially strong in their own seasons. As we have the power to create, so too do we all four have the power to destroy. And so we must use our power wisely and judiciously.

Do you get along with the other Anemoi?

I am and have always been very close with Boreas, my older brother—the oldest of us all. Chrysander is often off doing his own thing, so our bond as brothers has been sometimes stronger, and sometimes weaker, although as my youngest brother I have always felt a certain fondness and protectiveness toward him—not that he requires my protection. My relationship with Eurus has always been troubled, and now so much so that I can only consider him as dead.

Are you a loner at heart or do you crave companionship?

I thought I was a loner, but Ella has shown me the strength of my desire for companionship, love, and belonging.

What do you need in a woman?

Loyalty. Honesty. Compassion. And love.

Zeph, what was your very first impression of Ella when you first met her? And how has that changed (if it has)?

Ella and I did not meet in the best of circumstances, but despite that I thought her beautiful. And her strength was perceptible from the very first. My feelings about these qualities get stronger the more I know her. I admire her greatly. She is not only my match, but my better.

What is your favorite sexual fantasy?

Good gods, what a question! I will only say this: Ella has fulfilled it.

Are the gods of the South and North male also? Or do you have two sisters? Do you get along with them?

All of the Anemoi are male. Boreas is the Supreme God of the North Wind and Chrysander is the Supreme God of the South Wind. And I would lay down my life for both of them.

Zeph, if all four of you gods got together in one location, would all hell break loose or would things be calm?

It can be dangerous for the four of us to be in one place at the same time, as our powers can clash and amplify off one another. We can contain these reactions when necessary, but the danger remains.

Ella is human, so if you have children will they have god/goddess status, or just special powers, or just be human?

The children of a god and a human would be demi-gods, unless the god was of such low rank and power as to not pass on his godhood.

Do you like being god of the west wind and guardian of spring or would you prefer to be a different god and guardian?

Being the god of the West Wind is all I know and guarding over spring is a protective responsibility I take seriously. I want no other position.

Would you give up being a god for love?

I would make any sacrifice for Ella.

I’d say that’s a great not to end on, wouldn’t you?

GIVEAWAY!: Feel free to ask Zeph any other questions you can think of in your comments—he’ll stick around for a few days to answer them! He only asks that you be careful about leaving spoilers in your questions for those who might not yet have read his story. One participant will win a WEST OF WANT PRIZE BAG filled with all kinds of book-related goodies. Prize bag open to U.S. residents. Good luck!

Don’t miss the West of Want in the Wild (thru 8/24) giveaway events, too!

Thanks for reading!

Laura Kaye

Buy Laura's Books

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"Laura Kaye's captivating writing and vibrant world-building will have readers hooked on the gods of the Anemoi. WEST OF WANT is steamy, spellbinding, and a must-read for all romance fantasy fans." ~Elisabeth Naughton, author of the Eternal Guardians series

About West of Want:

Betrayal is all he's ever known, but in her, he'll find a love strong enough to be trusted...
When Marcella Raines' twin brother dies, she honors his request to be buried at sea, never expecting the violent storm that swamps her boat. Though she's gravely injured--and still emotionally damaged from her recent divorce--Ella fights to survive.
Zephyros Martius is the Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring, but being the strongest Anemoi hasn't protected him from betrayal and loss. Worse, he's sure his brother Eurus is behind it. When Zeph's heartbreak whips up a storm that shipwrecks a human, his guilt forces him to save her.
Ella is drawn to the vulnerability Zeph hides beneath his otherworldly masculinity and ancient blue eyes. And her honesty, empathy, and unique, calming influence leave Zeph wanting...everything. When Eurus threatens Ella, she and Zeph struggle to let go of the past, defend their future, and embrace what they most want--a love that can be trusted.

About Laura Kaye:

Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is the bestselling and award-winning author of over a half-dozen books in paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with all things paranormal. A published non-fiction author, Laura’s work as an historian and training as an archaeologist help her create vivid and accurate portrayals of other times and places. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.