Love Bytes is delighted to host author Abigail Kade who is joining us today to talk about her upcoming release: “Method in His Madness”, part of the Twisted Bard series.
Abigail also brought a wonderful giveaway for our readers!
Welcome Abigail 🙂
When I was approached to be a part of a Shakespeare reimagining series, I have to be honest, I had no clue what I was going to write. After thinking which ones could lend themselves to the modern world, I decided on Hamlet. As soon as I sat with the idea for a few days, the inspiration hit me and I couldn’t write down the ideas fast enough. However, this is not your grandparent’s Hamlet, and Hamlin “Dane” Denmark is most definitely not the introspective, sullen Hamlet of old.
I thought the most about the structure of the kingdom of Denmark in Hamlet. The rigid hierarchy of a King’s court was vital to the story. Sure, it could be a corporation where his Pops had been the CEO, but this isn’t a Shakespeare Billionaire trope, although that does sound delicious, doesn’t it? (Hurriedly makes noted for future project.) No, the perfect place to set a modern Hamlet was a One Percenter Motorcycle Club, so I created the Hellbound Kings MC. I even created a patch logo for the club!
When he left for school, Dane’s Pops was the Prez of the Kings, but when he comes back, his uncle is the President and his whore of a mother (his words not mine) is his uncle’s Old Lady now. All of this treachery cracks open Dane’s thinly veiled civility, and his thirst for mayhem and revenge flood his brain. This isn’t your sad boy and circumspect Hamlet. Oh no, he’s a trained killer who worked “private security” when he finished school. He’s a planner with experience hiding his thoughts and emotions. He’s even an actor when the situation calls for it, and this is the time to put all his skills to the test. He’s betting he can convince them he’s crazy and not a threat, until it’s too late.
Once I decided on the setting, then the characters started falling into place. Gender bending Ophelia was my favorite part of the story. Opie, as he’s called now, worshipped teenage Dane, but this new man who returns both excites and terrifies him. Opie is Dane’s only confidant in his game of revenge and they fall hard and fast. But a hard fall can be deadly, right? Other characters also pop up from the original, but their stories and motivations are a bit altered for this new environment. Tio is longtime member of the club who is suspicious of what’s been happening, and wants to help. I even have cameos from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, now Rosie and Gilda. Changing up the characters for this new plot of the overall story, was one of the best parts of writing a contemporary retelling.
Overall, I’m having a blast unleashing the madness of Dane on this tiny kingdom of the Hellbound Kings. I make no guarantees or promises if all the plot points will be exactly the same. I also can neither confirm nor deny that all the deaths will happen or not happen in the expected ways. Where’s the fun of reimagining a story, especially one as well-known as this one, if you know the ending already, right?
I grew up among killers, hustlers and thieves. I learned those lessons well. The Hellbound Kings MC were my family and teachers until Pops decided he wanted me to use my smarts for school instead of violence. I’ve loved my life away from the Kings, but it’s time to go home.
Turns out I was gone too long. Home is a cesspool of lies and deceit. My own mother and uncle are murderers and worse. Pops is dead, my Uncle is the new President, and my own mother is Old Lady now. I’ll bide my time, wait and watch and seem to go along with their lies, but my feverish brain won’t let my building need for vengeance stay hidden for long. They say I’ve changed. They think I’m going insane, but I’m playing chess while they don’t even know there’s a game.
My childhood friend Opie is the only one I can trust with my plans. He’s pledged his body and soul to me and my vengeance, and I’ve taken everything he offers. Late in the night we plot and find solace in each other, but I know it can’t last. I have a plan, and there are always casualties in war.
My thirst for the deaths of those who’ve plotted and planned against me and mine will be slaked with the blood of my enemies. I hope I can keep Opie safe from my insanity, but I’m scared I might even sacrifice love on the altar of my madness for vengeance.
Abigail Kade lives on the Gulf Coast of Alabama and prays every year the hurricane gods will be benevolent. Her work ranges from super sweet contemporary, to paranormal, to deliciously dark. She loves every genre, but morally gray is her favorite color these days. She believes everyone deserves their happily ever after, but sometimes it’s a difficult or dark path to get there. Abigail spends all of her limited spare time dreaming and writing about all the interesting characters living in her head, and telling anyone who will listen that instalove is a very real thing, no matter how flawed the characters may seem to be.
If you’d like to follow her:
Sign up for her newsletter to stay up to date with all of her new projects! http://subscribe.abigailkade.com/
Come hang out with Abigail in her Facebook Group Kade’s Krewe where she share previews, sneak peeks, freebies, fun stuff, and much more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kadeskrewe
You can also like her author page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/abigailkadeauthor/
Follow her author page on Bookbub for notifications of new releases and new recommendations https://www.bookbub.com/profile/abigail-kade
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Abigail brought a wonderful giveaway with her!
Have a chance to win an ecopy of Method of His Madness.
Leave a comment why you would like to win.
Good Luck!
Sounds like a intriguing read. Thank you for the post and giveaway chance!