We’re so pleased to have author Cordelia Kingsbridge dropping by today on the tour for the latest release in her Seven of Spades series, One-Eyed Royals. She’s talking about the titles of the books today, and there’s also a giveaway, so be sure to check out those details at the end.

Welcome, Cordelia!

When the Title Inspires the Plot

When I was first planning the Seven of Spades series, I knew from the start that it would be five books long. I had a very firm concept of how I would pace the series’ two vital arcs – the Seven of Spades’ development and Levi and Dominic’s relationship – as well as how those two arcs would intersect in each book.

The plots of the first and final books were easy to envision, as they necessarily revolved around the killer’s introduction and revelation, respectively. But the three books in between needed plot lines that were independent in their own right, while also serving to flesh out the world and its characters and nurture those two integral series-long arcs.

I had no ideas for what those plots would be.

What I did to solve this problem was spend a fair bit of time researching and brainstorming titles for each book in the series. I knew I wanted to stick to a Las Vegas/gambling theme, but I also wanted to avoid titles that had been commonly used for other books. (I actually searched each potential title on Amazon to double-check this!)  In the end, I’d decided on titles for all five books before I’d even finished writing the first one – though I’ll note that Kill Game was originally just titled Seven of Spades, and it wasn’t until we later decided to use that as the title for the series as a whole that I changed it.

The titles I chose for the three middle books – Trick Roller, Cash Plays, and One-Eyed Royals – gave me great starting ideas for those books’ individual plots, rather than their plots giving me ideas for titles. It was kind of a backwards approach to plot inspiration, but it worked perfectly!

About One-Eyed Royals

Spoiler Alert! The following blurb contains spoilers for Cash Plays, book three of Seven of Spades.

Shattered by their devastating breakup, Detective Levi Abrams and PI Dominic Russo find themselves at war right when they need each other most. While Dominic is trapped in a vicious cycle of addiction, Levi despairs of ever catching the Seven of Spades. The ruthless vigilante’s body count continues to climb, and it’s all Levi can do to keep up with the carnage.

When Levi’s and Dominic’s paths keep crossing in the investigation of a kidnapping ring with a taste for mutilation, it feels like history repeating itself. Thrown together by fate once again, they reluctantly join forces in their hunt for the mastermind behind the abductions.

But the Seven of Spades hates sharing the spotlight, and they have an ace in the hole: a new batch of victims with a special connection to Levi. Their murders send shockwaves through Las Vegas and change the rules of the game forever.

The Seven of Spades has upped the ante. If Levi and Dominic don’t play their cards right, they’ll end up losing everything.

Buy the Book: Riptide Publishing || Amazon & Other Online Retailers

About the Seven of Spades Series

Las Vegas has never seen a serial killer like the Seven of Spades.

The self-styled vigilante is on a mission to cut down the wicked and treacherous, and Sin City has no shortage of targets for their bloody wrath. What happens in Vegas . . . ends with the Seven of Spades’s calling card on a grisly corpse.

Standing against the killer are Levi Abrams, a dedicated homicide detective locked in a constant struggle to restrain his own dark side, and bounty hunter Dominic Russo, a charming rogue with a heavy secret weighing on his shoulders.

The hunt for the Seven of Spades sends Levi and Dominic on a collision course, igniting a passionate relationship forged in conflict and sealed with blood. Together they’re stronger than the sum of their parts, but a wily, elusive serial killer isn’t the only threat that will strain their bond to the breaking point.

Ante up, because the Seven of Spades is all in. Are you?

About the Author

Cordelia Kingsbridge has a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh, but quickly discovered that direct practice in the field was not for her. Having written novels as a hobby throughout graduate school, she decided to turn her focus to writing as a full-time career. Now she explores her fascination with human behavior, motivation, and psychopathology through fiction. Her weaknesses include opposites-attract pairings and snarky banter.

Away from her desk, Cordelia is a fitness fanatic, and can be found strength training, cycling, and practicing Krav Maga. She lives in South Florida but spends most of her time indoors with the air conditioning on full blast!

Connect with Cordelia: Email || Tumblr || Twitter || Facebook

The Giveaway

To celebrate the release of One-Eyed Royals, Cordelia is giving away a $10 Riptide gift card! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on September 15, 2018. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following along, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!