Interview & Giveaway with Jane Ashford

Books-n-Kisses is please to have Jane Ashford on the blog to chat a little about her new book “Once Again a Bride“.

Jane, can you please share with us a little about yourself
JA: I love words. When I remember Joseph Campbell’s advice “follow your bliss,” I think of language and stories. I’ve pretty much stuck with words throughout my life. I studied literature and creative writing. I’ve worked as a composition teacher, an editor and in corporate communications. And I now have the privilege of being a full-time writer. My website is janeashford.com and my Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jane-Ashford/154028944714495

Have you always wanted to be an author?
JA: I have. My mother wrote, and she encouraged me. I also loved to read from the moment I learned how. Books were just magical things to me – spells evoking the full gamut of emotion and time travel and amazing images. I wanted to be that kind of magician.

Are you a plotter or a pantster or combo of both?
JA: A combo. I make pages of notes before beginning a book, particularly about the characters. They include events that will happen, but it is not an official outline. This often means that my first runthrough is more of a “rough draft” than a “first draft.”

What is your most interesting writing quirk?
JA: I don’t know if it’s interesting, but I tend to hear the text as I write. I’m more an aural writer than a visual one.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
JA: Once Again a Bride is the double love story of Charlotte Rutherford Wylde and her maid Lucy Bowman. Thrown into a contemptuous household by Charlotte’s arranged marriage, and coldly oppressed in different ways, they both find their ways to love. After Charlotte’s aged husband Henry is killed in the dark London streets, they discover he had a family they knew nothing about. They’re taken into the household of his nephew Sir Alec Wylde, which includes handsome, sassy footman Ethan Trask. A dual attraction lights up, but there are many complications before the two couples are united.

How did you come with the idea for this story?
JA: It started with a phrase that popped into my mind “the Widow Wylde.” As I mentioned, I’m very attuned to the sound of words. They have a kind of music. And this phrase felt full of promise. I played with implications. What kind of widowhood? How wild? And characters started to make themselves known. I also became interested, in these tough economic times, in how a responsible landowner might deal with the agricultural depression that followed the Napoleonic Wars.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
JA: I recently finished another historical for Sourcebooks, A Compliant Husband. You can read a bit about it on my website http://www.janeashford.com/wip.html I’m working on another to follow it.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

JA: I’d love to talk to Alice Hoffman about magical realism.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to get into writing?
JA: As they say in one of my favorite movies, Galaxy Quest, “Never give up, never surrender.” That is, if you really want to be a writer, keep writing and working on being better at it, keep submitting or putting the results out there. Perseverance in the face of rejection is a huge part of success in writing.
Can you share with us something off your bucket list?
JA: I’d like to visit New Zealand, which seems to be an amazingly beautiful country. Among other things I’d like to see the facade of Hobbiton Peter Jackson created there.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
JA: I’m doing some reading for the Rita Awards right now. I don’t always keep up with release dates; that way a new book by a favorite writer can be a lovely surprise. I do wish Charles de Lint would write another Newford book!

What is one book everyone should read before they die?
JA: Wow. That’s a hard question. One? (dithers, panics) No, no! I can’t pick just one.

What is your favorite time of year & why?
JA: This in interesting because I’ve been spending some time in Los Angeles lately, where the seasons are so much less marked than in New England. I’m not really missing the snow and ice so far! But I think fall in western Massachusetts is probably a favorite. For the foliage colors, of course, and the quality of the air and the light, and warm memories I have from that area.

Who is your Celebrity crush? And what would you do if you ever meet them?
JA: Okay, I’ve always had a thing for Pierce Brosnan. Handsome, suave, twinkle in the eye, family man, actor, painter. What’s not to like? And I’d probably just stammer.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
JA: Thanks so much for having me. I’ll be at the RT Booklovers Convention in May. Hope to see you there!

ONCE AGAIN A BRIDE

BY JANE ASHFORD

IN STORES FEBRUARY 2013

She couldn’t be more alone…

Widowhood has freed Charlotte Wylde from a demoralizing and miserable marriage. But when her husband’s intriguing nephew and heir arrives to take over the estate, Charlotte discovers she’s unsafe in her own home… Alec Wylde was shocked by his uncle’s untimely death, and even more shocked to encounter his uncle’s beautiful young widow. Now clouds of suspicion are gathering, and charges of murder hover over Charlotte’s head.

He could be her only hope…or her next victim…

A little more about Jane Ashford discovered Georgette Heyer in junior high school and was captivated by the glittering world and witty language of Regency England. That delight led her to study English literature and travel widely in Britain and Europe. Jane’s historical and contemporary romances have been published all over the world, and she has been nominated for a Career Achievement Award by RT Book Reviews. Eighteen of her Regency romances will be published by Sourcebooks in the near future! Born in Ohio, Jane currently lives in Boston. For more information, please visit www.janeashford.com.

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February 12, 2013February 10, 2013

Interview & Giveaway with Joanne Kennedy

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to welcome Joanne Kennedy to the blog today to chat about her new book “Cowboy Tough”

Joanna, can you please share with us a little about yourself

JK: I’m a transplanted New Englander who fell in love with Wyoming on a childhood vacation. Twenty years ago I fulfilled a dream by moving West. I explored Montana and Colorado before settling in Cheyenne, Wyoming. My passions include dogs, fighter pilots, books, horses, and everything about the Wild West – especially cowboys.

Have you always wanted to be an author?
JK: Yes, but I never believed I could do it. I tried to write in my twenties, but decided I didn’t have the talent for it. As it turned out, I was just writing the wrong things! Once I tried romance, I knew I’d finally figured out what I was supposed to do with my life.

Can you share with us your typical writing day. Is there anything you have to have while writing?
JK: I’m happy to say I can write anywhere—hotel rooms, airports, even on airplanes. All I need is my trusty laptop. I do have a great little office up in the attic, but when I’m home, I start the day at the kitchen table with e-mails and interviews and then move on to the book. I write on and off all day and most of the night, rarely making it upstairs to the office!

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
JK: The challenging part comes about three-quarters of the way through a novel. Up to that point, I’m usually crazy in love with my characters and excited about the story, but when I get about forty pages from the end I suddenly just hate it. Everything seems wrong and I want to pile all my characters on horseback and herd them off a cliff! I’ve finally figured out that it’s a phase I have to go through to get to the end. If I just keep writing, the fear goes away, the horses turn around, and everyone, including me, lives happily ever after.

The rewarding part is hearing from readers, especially those who have taken my stories to heart and opened themselves to love because of my books. I have a sign over my desk that says “Love is a risk worth taking,” and that theme runs through every book. I love it when readers hear the message and act on it.

Can you please tell us about your latest book?
JK: Cowboy Tough begins when rodeo cowboy Mack Boyd is forced to return home to help his mother turn his family’s working cattle operation into a dude ranch. His first task is to guide a group of artists through the ranch’s beautiful backcountry. It doesn’t take him long to discover that artists are a lot harder to herd than cattle—especially since they’re led by a talented and strong-willed city girl who makes him see the ranch—and himself—in a whole new way.

How did you come up with the idea for this story?
JK: Before I became a writer, I channeled my creative urges into art. Outdoor painting workshops are very popular in the West, and the idea of a cowboy having to deal with some of the situations and personalities in the art world struck me as funny. I really love to clash cultures together, taking my stories way beyond “country boy meets city girl.” Mack and Cat see the world differently, and it’s not easy for them to find common ground.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

JK: Oh, I’m so excited about it! I’m working on Here Comes Trouble, the first volume of my new three-book series, The Cowboys of Decker Ranch. The series follows three cowboys who grew up fending for themselves in foster homes until they were adopted by a rancher as teenagers. Their foster father taught them about love, loyalty, and family, but when they start trying to create families of their own, their troubled pasts stand in the way. I love these guys, and can’t wait to introduce them to readers.

Who are some of your favorite authors?
JK: There are so many! I read a lot, in many genres, but in romance I love I love Linda Lael Miller, Jodi Thomas, and Carolyn Brown, among others. I also adore Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Kristan Higgins, Jennifer Cruisie, and so many others I can’t list them all!

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?
JK: Definitely! I like writers whose style makes it easy for readers to forget they’re reading and get involved in the story. Writers like Cruisie and Higgins have such an easy, breezy writing style that the story just flows through you. That’s how I want my stories to feel.

Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.

JK: Okay… it’s the start of Chapter 14. Cat is looking forward to her painting class’s first foray into the backcountry. She feels like everything’s finally going her way, despite all the mistakes she’s made so far—like kissing her cowboy guide on the day she arrived. She’s admiring the view and when that very same cowboy comes along and spoils her day. He’s not sure he’s willing to fulfill the ranch’s side of the contract, since all Cat’s students are either elderly and out of shape. Just when she’s about to win the argument, the oldest member of the party proves her wrong by hurtling down the hillside at top speed on an out-of-control trail horse.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

JK: Well, I’m way behind on my Carolyn Brown books, so I’m looking forward to Just a Cowboy and his Baby. And I can’t wait to read Jodi Thomas’s new Harmony novel, Chance of a Lifetime.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
JK: Just a big thank you for inviting me to visit, and a double dose of gratitude for my readers, who let me spend all day, everyday in a world of my own making! I love my job, and it’s the readers that make it possible.

COWBOY TOUGH

BY JOANNE KENENDY

IN STORES FEBRUARY 2013

She’s hardly a cowgirl…

Cat Crendall left a successful advertising job in New York to teach art workshops in the wild west. The Boyd Ranch is hardly her dream destination, but if the outing’s a success, the company will send her to more exotic locations.

But once a cowboy…

Mack Boyd was in the middle of the best bronc-riding season of his life when his mother asked for help with an artists’ retreat at the ranch. Mack might be able to ride a wild stallion to a standstill but he can’t say no to his family.

Cat and Mack are complete opposites…but when the ranch is threatened financially, can they set aside their differences and work together?

A little more about Joanne: Joanne Kennedy’s lifelong fascination with Wyoming’s unique blend of past and present inspires her to write contemporary Western romances with traditional ranch settings. In 2010 she was nominated for a RITA award for One Fine Cowboy. At various times, Joanne has dabbled in horse training, chicken farming, and bridezilla wrangling at a department store wedding registry. Her fascination with literature led to careers in bookselling and writing. She lives with two dogs and a retired fighter pilot in Cheyenne, Wyoming. For more information, please visit http://joannekennedybooks.com/ and on Facebook.

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February 11, 2013February 9, 2013

Interview & Giveaway with Olivia Cunning

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to have Olivia Cunning on the blog today to talk about her new book Hot Ticket .

Olivia, can you please share with us a little about yourself

I don’t lead a very interesting life. I think that’s one reason why I write. I was born in the Midwest and my father joined the military when I was 2, so we moved all over the country and were stationed in Germany a couple of times. I have one son who is college, one cat who will not let you pick her up, and one dog that barks at everything including the wind. I have an advanced degree in Research Pathology. Until recently I was a college professor who taught Human Anatomy and Physiology and now I write full time. My hobbies are going to rock concerts, taking walks on the beach and playing video games. See? Much less interesting than fiction.

Learn more about Olivia here: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Not always. My first choice of career was garbage man. Garbage woman? I wanted to ride on the back of the truck. Then I wanted to be a jet pilot, but found out you have to have great vision (this was before Lasik surgery), so that was out. Then I wanted to be a rock guitarist—stubby fingers, my father’s mockery and no talent destroyed that dream. At nineteen I decided I was going to write series romances for a living. Alas, that didn’t work out, so I went to school to be an elementary teacher. My professors pushed me into the science field, where I thought I would do research, but after obtaining the Master’s degree, went on to teach. I loved teaching for the most part. But I quit at the end of 2012 to be a full-time writer and so far, no complaints. I do miss my students, but not the grading! I heard somewhere that good teachers would teach for free, but you have to pay them to grade papers. I definitely identify with that!

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I can’t write with my son in the room. But considering that he’s 20 and what types of books I write, I guess most people would feel a bit subconscious about writing sex scenes with their young adult kid present.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

Hot Ticket is the latest release in my Sinners on Tour series. The books center around a rock band called Sinners. This one is about the bassist Jace Seymour who doesn’t understand love because of his childhood. His heroine, Aggie, who is probably the most patient woman on the planet, helps him overcome his past and recognize all the love in his life—from her and his band mates. Sinners is a family. A very dysfunctional, sex-crazed family, but a family. The guys really depend on each other.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I usually start with a character and try to get to know them be putting them into situations. While I’m writing about the character, my story ideas come out of nowhere. So I’m not a writer who starts at the beginning and writes every well thought out scene from beginning to end. I go back and fill in the beginning of the story with details once I’m writing later scenes. The idea for Jace’s character was first spawned while listening to the song “Pain” by Three Days Grace. Pain without love. Those lyrics struck a chord as so many songs do. I wondered what kind of person would want pain? And why? What would get them to that point? And how would they learn to love? Thus, Jace Seymour was born.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

I’m working on a serial series of novellas about a different rock band called Sole Regret. That series is unrelated to Sinners and occurs one night at a time. I wanted to try something a little different with that series. I’m also working on a spin-off series to Sinners about the band Exodus End. The rhythm guitarist of Sinners is Trey Mills and his brother, Dare, is in Exodus End, so you see bits of the band Exodus End in the Sinners series. You also see bits of Dare in the Sinners series. He’s a good guy. I’m looking forward to getting into his head and finding him a great heroine to love.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

J.K. Rowling. I just love her writing. I’d go totally fangirl if I met her.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Don’t give up on your dream, but always seek to improve. The best way to improve is to write, write, write.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

My bucket list is a mile long. I checked off a couple things in January. I really want to go on a Safari. Maybe I’ll do that next. The biologist in me loves animals. Or skydiving. I’ve always wanted to hurtle myself out of a perfectly good airplane.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I really need to read J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I bought the first six books as a boxed set and am looking forward to reading them. I’ve heard great things. Yes, I realize I’m late to the party.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just that I never thought I’d actually be where I am today as a writer. I dreamed it, but wasn’t confident that I’d succeed, so thanks to all of those folks who read my books and enjoy them. I am humbled everyday by your encouragement and generosity of spirit.

Amazon | B&N

Book #3 in reading order of events in book series, per author

There are things in bassist Jace Seymour’s past that he is unwilling to share with anyone. To cover his guilt and anguish, he seeks dominatrix Mistress V (Aggie) to temporarily placate his inner turmoil.

Aggie doesn’t have much use for men–besides the power rush she gets when they’re begging for mercy at her feet–but Jace isn’t like her usual clients. His cool defiance and unexpected dominance in the bedroom drives her to distraction and quickly steals her heart.

When circumstances threaten Jace’s position in Sinners, Aggie must help him regain his rightful place in the band while showing him that time and love can heal all wounds.

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February 7, 2013February 2, 2013

Interview with Tracey Devlyn

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Tracey Devlyn to the blog today to chat about her newest book

Tracey, can you please share with us a little about yourself

I’m a small town girl who transplanted to the big city – or at least the suburbs!—several years ago. For the last eight years, I’ve been managing human resources for an environmental agency near Chicago. My adorable rescue Doberman keeps me youthful and my awesome husband keeps me grounded. J

Have you always wanted to be an author? Nope. The writing bug did not hit me until about six years ago. It never once occurred to me that I might have the chops to write a novel. Not long after I scrounged up the courage to put pen to paper (literally), I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Can you share with us your typical writing day. Is there anything you have to have while writing? My laptop and a quiet room is all I need to write. Every once in awhile I’ll light a candle, but I do that less and less these days. As for a typical writing day—I generally write for about three hours in the evenings and for 16-20 hours on the weekends. I have quite a few other things that vie for my time when I’m not at the day job, like email, marketing, publicity, website management, street team activities, social media, etc. I stay busy!

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

Because I have a strong suspense element in my stories, my plots tend to be a little more intricate than most historical romances. So, I’m constantly connecting the dots, both with the external suspense element and the romance. The most rewarding? Honestly, it’s all rewarding to me. I love the process of writing the books—even when it’s hard. I love interacting with readers. And I love the supportive nature of the romance community.

Can you please tell us about your latest book?

Checkmate, My Lord is the second installment in my—take a deep breath—historical romantic spy thriller Nexus series. That was a mouthful, wasn’t it? J Those of you who have read my debut, A Lady’s Revenge, will recognize Lord Somerton’s name. He was the heroine’s guardian in ALR and is now the hero in Checkmate. Somerton, aka Sebastian Danvers, is ruthless, dedicated to his country, attracted to his murdered agent’s widow, and is a magnet for a seven-year-old girl who likes to natter on about horses.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

Good question! Somewhere along the way it became obvious that book 2 in the series would be Somerton’s and it would have to take place in the country. Pairing him up with an organizing widow, who’s being forced to spy on him, a spymaster, seemed even more fitting.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

Thanks for asking! Right now, I’m going through developmental edits for book 3, A Lady’s Secret Weapon. ALSW is Ethan deBeau’s story and will be available October 2013.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

I have so many! The authors that hooked me on romance forever are: Virginia Henley (The Raven and The Rose—first romance I ever read), Johanna Lindsay, Lisa Kleypas, Christina Dodd, Eloisa James, Mary Balogh, Christina Feehan, Kresley Cole, Adrienne Giordano—those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style? There is one book that has affected my writing more than any other. Unfortunately, I have lost the name of the author and book. Believe me, I’ve tried to find it in my mound! But the historical author set the story in Italy. The hero and heroine were married and his Italian family refused to embrace his new English wife. The part that shocked me and has stayed with me so many years later was the brutal sexual assault against the heroine. Yes, very ugly, but the author somehow pulled it off. Now, I have no plans to go there, but what I took away from that story was – keep your readers guessing. Shock them, make them laugh, make them cry. Make them remember.

Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.

Chapter Six. In this scene, Sebastian enters his study to find Catherine waiting for him. The night before, he over-imbibed and sent her a note, asking her to join him in the morning to discuss a potential business arrangement. Unfortunately, he has absolutely no recollection of sending her the note. Needless to say, the unflappable Lord Somerton is feeling a little off-balance.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Let’s see. Books queued up on my Kindle right now are: Starters by Lissa Price, The Blood Gospel by James Rollins & Rebecca Cantrell, and The Heiresses #1 by Allison Rushby.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I love connecting with readers! Please stop by at any of these haunts and say hello!

TraceyDevlyn.com | Dangerous Darlings Street Team | Newsletter

Twitter.com/TraceyDevlyn | Facebook.com/AuthorTraceyDevlyn | LadyJanesSalonNaperville.com Goodreads.com/TraceyDevlyn | Discover a New Love

Thanks again for allowing me to hang out today on Books-n-Kisses!

Hugs,

Tracey

Available February 5, 2013

eBook Amazon | Apple | All Romance | Barnes and Noble | B-A-M Sourcebooks

A desperate mother falls in love with the spymaster she’s forced to betray.

THE STAKES ARE HIGH, THE PLAYERS IN POSITION…

Catherine Ashcroft leads a quiet life caring for her precocious seven-year-old daughter, until a visitor delivers a startling ultimatum. She will match wits with the enigmatic Earl of Somerton, and it’s not just her heart that’s in danger.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN…

Spymaster Sebastian Danvers, Earl of Somerton, is famous for his cunning. Few can outwit him and even few dare challenge him–until now. After returning to his country estate, his no-nonsense neighbor turns her seductive wiles on him–but why would a respectable widow like Catherine risk scandal for a few passionate nights in his bed?

REVIEWS:

“Devlyn’s seamless writing will entice readers and keep them eager for the next installment.” ~ Publishers Weekly, STARRED review

“Devlyn delivers an emotional, powerful read.” ~ RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

“Devlyn’s edgy and sexy series is gaining momentum, and historical-romantic suspense fans, particularly those who enjoy Brenda Joyce, will delight in this.” ~ Booklist

“Love the characters, lots of mystery, murderers, spies and lots of romance!!!!!!!! CHECKMATE MY LORD is an edge of your seat exciting read!” ~ Fresh Fiction

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

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February 5, 2013February 2, 2013

Interview & Giveaway with Grace Burrowes

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Grace Burrowes to the blog today.

Grace, can you please share with us a little about yourself
GB: I didn’t start writing novels until I hit my late forties, when the offspring had flown the nest, the legal career was under control, and some unstructured time came my way. I pretty much haven’t stopped writing since.

Have you always wanted to be an author?
GB: I’ve always enjoyed writing, but it never occurred to me to pursue writing professionally. I had a couple dozen manuscripts completed, and enough friends had asked what I was going to DO with all those stories… THEN, I began to think about writing for publication.

Can you share with us your typical writing day. Is there anything you have to have while writing?
GB: I have to have peace and quiet. I don’t think I could compose new material at a coffee shop, though I admire those who can. My typical day is get up early, deal with the household beasts, play a few games of solitaire, then start writing. I usually get only a scene or two done each day, and then go on to reading copy edits, proofing galleys, or doing research unless it’s a lawyer day. The last thing I do before turning in at night is read over what I wrote that morning, in hopes it will lodge in the old sleep brain and generate brilliant moves in tomorrow’s scenes.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
GB: Most rewarding is when a reader lets me know that my books gave them some joy, some relief from life’s cares and woes. I read romance novels for 35 years before I started writing, and oh boy, do I know what a good read can do for a bad day. It’s also rewarding when a reader will let me know I’m wrong. There’s a hilarious Latin typo in Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight, and I really like that my readers could let me know that, and do it in a genuinely helpful manner.

The challenging part I will try to phrase delicately. The pioneers in the romance field created and perpetuate a legacy of kindness, mutual support, and honorable behavior. With the advent of the internet, and the anonymity and lack of accountability that go with it, that ethic is being eroded in some spheres. This is sad, but this is by far a minority among romance writers and readers, and, I hope, a shrinking minority at that.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
GB: Love to! Lady Eve’s Indiscretion is a story about the youngest Windham sibling, Eve, who ran off with a footman as an adolescent, and realized too late what a disastrous choice she’d made. Seven years later she’s trying to avoid a wedding night lest the extent of her folly become known to anybody else, but Lucas Denning, Marquis of Deene, has other plans for her. Eve has to get back on the horse, physically and emotionally, and a little bit at a time, with the help of a man who loves her, she accomplishes that goal spectacularly.

How did you come up with the idea for this story?
GB: I love horses, and while I’ve had my share of falls, none of them have been particularly bad for me or the horse. I’ve known people who’ve taken bad falls, though, and it’s a tough trauma to get past, particularly if your horse was also hurt. I was also a teenager once upon a time (my daughter is not convinced of this), and I made some stunningly awful choices, as most of us do. My imagination got hold of those two concepts and went to work on them, and Eve’s story was the result.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

GB: Of course! I’m working on Book Three of a regency trilogy around the theme of captivity, and looking at all the things that can ensnare us, and keep us from the happiness we’re capable of. Love and courage are always part of the way out. My current heroine, Brenna, has to find the courage to trust the husband who spent ten years at war rather than come home and take his place at her side. Michael, her swain, has a lot of trust to rebuild with her, but he’s just the fellow to do it.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

GB: Joanna Bourne is at the top of the list. Her books stand ahead of chocolate on my list of guilty pleasures. Mary Balogh has gotten me through many a tough week, Judith Ivory is well represented on my keeper shelf. Love Jennifer Ashley’s Scottish Victorians, cannot get enough of Julie Anne Long’s Pennyroyal Green series, and adore Carolyn Jewel’s Regencies and her paranormals. Loretta Chase, Meredith Duran, Sherry Thomas, JR Ward… I could go on…

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?
GB: Interesting question. My readers might be better able to answer that. I think I share with many authors the idea that the characters need an arc. They can be ordinary people at the beginning of the book, even not-so-endearing people, but love must give them the courage to be more than they thought they could be.

Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.
GB: Lord Deene’s brother-in-law, Jonathan Dolan, is trying not to betray how smitten he is with his daughter’s governess (and succeeding only in his own mind).

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

GB: As I write this, Jennifer Ashley’s Seduction of Elliot McBride is at the top of the TRP. Kristin Callihan’s third Darkest London story, Winterblaze, comes out at the end of this month, J.R. Ward’s, Lover at Last, is coming out in March.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
GB: Thank you so much for inviting me here!

LADY EVE’S INDISCRETION

BY GRACE BURROWES

IN STORES FEBRUARY 2013

Lady Eve’s Got The Perfect Plan…

Pretty, petite Evie Windham has been more indiscreet than her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Moreland, suspect. Fearing that a wedding night would reveal her past, she’s running out of excuses to dodge adoring swains. Lucas Denning, the newly titled Marquis of Deene, has reason of his own for avoiding marriage. So Evie and Deene strike a deal, each agreeing to be the other’s decoy. At this rate, matrimony could be avoided indefinitely…until the two are caught in a steamy kiss that no one was supposed to see.

Praise for Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal:

“Burrowes delivers red-hot chemistry with a masterful mix of playfulness and sensuality.”—Publishers Weekly Starred Review

“A tantalizing, delectably sexy story that is one of the best yet from an author on the way to the top.”—Library Journal Starred Review

“A delight…strikingly unique characters with realistic emotions and exciting antics.”—RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

“Captivating…historical romance at its finest and rife with mystery and intrigue.”—Romance Fiction on Suite 101

A little more about Grace:

Grace Burrowes is a bestselling and award-winning author of historical romances. Her debut, The Heir, was selected as a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year for 2010 in the romance category, and Lady Louisa’s Christmas Wish won RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Historical Romance of 2011 and was also nominated for the prestigious RWA RITA© award. The author of the bestsellers The Heir, The Soldier, Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal, and Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish, Grace is a practicing attorney and lives in rural Maryland. She’ll conclude to the Windham Family Series with Lady Jenny’s story in October 2013, and will begin a new regency series with Darius in April 2013. She also has a Scottish Victorian series as well, beginning with The Bridegroom Wore Plaid, which was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2012. Please visit http://www.graceburrowes.com/ or follow her on Twitter: @GraceBurrowes for more information.

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February 1, 2013February 1, 2013

Interview & giveaway with Victoria Roberts

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Victoria Roberts to the blog for the first time to chat about her newest release X Marks the Scot.

Victoria, can you please share with us a little about yourself

First, it’s great to be here with you today at Books-n-Kisses to celebrate the release of the second book in the Bad Boys of the Highlands series, X Marks the Scot.

I’m a hard-working mother of two. Home is in western Pennsylvania, but my heart is in the Highlands.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Does it count when I didn’t even know it? Before picking up a single romance novel, I penned a young-adult novel at sixteen years old. I pounded out the words on an old typewriter with nothing but a stack of paper and a bottle of white out. I sat in that room for hours on end. I guess I’ve always had it in my blood, but I became serious several years ago and renewed that passion.

Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

There are so many wonderful authors out there. Some of my personal favorites are Lynn Kurland, Brenda Joyce, Janet Chapman and Karen Marie Moning, but there are loads more. They’ve all influenced me in one way or another.

How did you get into writing in this specific genre? Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

Would you believe I had never read a single romance novel until my thirties? A friend/co-worker of mine read with her nose in these books constantly. I was under a huge misconception about the genre as a whole and used to tease her relentlessly that she read nothing but porn. One day she got really ticked at me and slapped one of these books down on my desk.

“Read it. I don’t want to hear another word until you read it.”

Fair enough. It was a Scottish historical. Needless to say, I was hooked by the second page and didn’t stop there. I read every Scottish romance I could get my hands on. And that friend of mine? She’s my phenomenal critique partner. That woman has read my manuscripts so many times that she could probably recite most verbatim. Love her to death!

For right now, Scottish historical romance is where my heart lies. If I decide to try another genre, it would still be Scottish-based.

What are some of your writing rituals?

I strive to write 1k words/day or 5k words/week. Keep in mind that I still have a day job and have two kids under the age of twelve. I really push myself Monday-Friday so that I can spend time with the family. This also helps to prevent burn-out.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

X Marks the Scot is the second book in the trilogy. Declan MacGregor was Laird Ciaran MacGregor’s bad boy brother from Temptation in a Kilt. I think the back cover blurb says it best.

He was a Highland Rogue—Wicked with a Bow and Just as Wicked with the Ladies.

Declan MacGregor hadn’t a care in the world beyond finding a soft bed and a willing woman…until he had to escort Lady Liadain Campbell to the English court. The woman needles him at every turn, but he can’t just abandon her to that vipers’ nest without protection.

She Never Asked for a Bodyguard…

Liadain wasn’t thrilled to be left in the care of her clan’s archrival. It was as if the man never had a lady tell him no before! And yet as whispers of treason swirl through the court and the threat of danger grows even sharper, her bitter enemy soon becomes the only one she can trust…

How did you come with the idea for this story?

My wicked muse does not rest. The story formed in my mind as I wrote the first book. Since the series depicts the time of the reign of King James, I used the Gunpowder Plot with Guy Fawkes as a sub-plot. I tweaked and tweaked and it just snowballed from there.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

I’m currently working on a new series about a family of English spies. Nay worries. ʼTis still Scottish. You’ll have to wait and see.

Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.

Lady Liadain Campbell just became acquainted with Lord Dunnehl. I’m not giving away any spoilers, but if you remember… Lord Dunnehl was that dastardly man who Lady Rosalia Armstrong was supposed to wed in Temptation in a Kilt.

What would you be if you were not an author?

The wife of a Scottish laird. My husband laughs since he’s 100% German.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Maeve Greyson’s new one, A Highlander in Her Past and Lynn Kurland’s new one, Dreamspinner.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you so much for having me today. I hope you enjoy the series as much as I loved writing it.

*****

Sourcebooks |Amazon | B&N

He was a Highland Rogue—Wicked with a Bow and Just as Wicked with the Ladies.

She Never Asked for a Bodyguard…

Praise for X Marks the Scot:

5/5 – Reviewer Top Pick
“Enthralling Highlander romance. One of the best Highlander stories I’ve ever read. This is one author who just keeps on getting better.”

―Night Owl Reviews

“For a complex story brimming over with pride and passion, betrayal, trust and most of all the power to make a bad boy a hero, pick up this read.”

―RT Book Reviews/4 ½ Star Review

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M27gsMb4Ro

A little more about Victoria Roberts:

Victoria Roberts writes sexy, Scottish historical romances about kilted heroes and warriors from the past. She was named by RT Book Reviews as “one of the most promising debut authors across the genres” and is also a 2012 Reviewers Choice Nominee for Best First Historical novel for her debut, Temptation in a Kilt.

Her second novel, X Marks the Scot, is available February 2013 and the third, To Wed a Wicked Highlander, September 2013.

Victoria is a member of Romance Writers of America®, Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, Western Pennsylvania Romance Writers, as well as a contributing author to the online magazine, Celtic Guide.

Victoria lives in western Pennsylvania with her husband of nineteen years and their two beautiful children—not to mention one spoiled dog. When she is not plotting her next Scottish romp, she enjoys reading, nature, and antiques.

Learn more about Victoria here: Website | Facebook | Celtic Guid

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January 29, 2013January 28, 2013

Black & White Cover Reveal of While he was Away by Karen Schreck

While He Was Away Walmart-Exclusive Cover Reveal

and My Top Tips for Writing

Even When the Writing Gets Tough

By Karen Schreck

My birthday falls in January, just a few days after New Year’s Day. This January, I received an incredible gift from my publisher, Sourcebooks Fire. My young adult novel, While He Was Away, is being released nation-wide into Walmart with a brand new cover!

When my editor at Sourcebooks, Leah Hultenschmidt, graciously asked if I’d be open to this possibility last fall, I blinked, breathed deep, confirmed I wasn’t dreaming, and said, “Yes!” I held on to the possibility until it became a reality. Then, and only then, did I celebrate.

I won’t speak for all writers, but for me, writing is an act of faith. I love the work deeply, or I wouldn’t do it. I’ve generated a lot of pages that have never seen the light of day, written multiple novels that I’ve relegated to folders on my laptop. Keeping the faith in anything, especially writing, can be hard.

The fact that Sourcebooks believed enough in While He Was Away to bring it to life the first time felt like a much-needed confirmation of years of hard work. The fact that they are standing behind my book again in this way . . . well, it feels like a miracle. I’m truly grateful.

Without further ado, here are my Top Writing Tips (they’ve help me a lot; I hope they help you in some way):

Read a lot. Read voraciously. Read like a writer. Read some more. Read people who write in your genre or in a style that is similar to yours and take note of how they do what they do. Read people who write in a completely different way to keep your head clear and give you new ideas. Just. Keep. Reading.
Develop a ritual for your writing. I wouldn’t think of telling you what to do. You need to find what works for you, and sometimes that changes with your circumstances. This year, I’ve been working at an ad agency in the city. My ritual is to hunker down in the quiet car on the train and GET A LOT DONE. Previously I’ve written in the very same quiet corner of my local library. In basements. On couches. In bed. By candlelight. I’ve found that consistency and ritual can trigger my creativity. Ring the bell and I’ll salivate. Kind of like that.
Don’t be afraid to be messy in your work. Don’t be afraid to push forward even though it isn’t perfect. Nothing is perfect! Embrace that reality, and be kind to yourself. And forgiving of the words on the page.
Fall in love with revision. “I’m not a writer,” I once heard a writer say. “I am a re-writer.” I LOVE that. I love the word revision. Re-vision. Seeing again, anew, as if for the first time. Revision gives great perspective. And I think it’s where the real work gets done.
Never give up. Keep the faith. Years may pass. But the more you write, the more the very act of writing becomes rewarding. Writing is soul-work; it lends meaning to life. That’s what I believe, and that’s what sees me through. Publication—well, that a wonderful thing. But the writing—that’s where it’s at.

Ready for the cover?

Amazon,Barnes & Noble, Indiebound, and Good Reads

One year–he’ll be gone for one year and then we’ll be together again and everything will be back to the way it should be.

The day David left, I felt like my heart was breaking. Sure, any long-distance relationship is tough, but David was going to war–to fight, to protect, to put his life in danger. We can get through this, though. We’ll talk, we’ll email, we won’t let anything come between us.

I can be an army girlfriend for one year. But will my sweet, soulful, funny David be the same person when he comes home? Will I? And what if he doesn’t come home at all?…

January 25, 2013January 24, 2013

Guest blogger Mia Marlowe (& a giveaway)

Choices that Change Characters

First, thanks for having me on Books-n-Kisses, Kelly. Great blog!

I thought I’d give your readers a peek behind the writers’ curtain today and share some of the things we think about as we craft our stories. Romance is character-driven fiction, so no matter how clever my premise, no matter how exciting my plot points, if readers don’t fall in love with my hero, if they don’t want to try on my heroine’s shoes, I’ve wasted perfectly good paper and ink. (Or pixels, if you’re an ebook junkie like I’ve become!)

So what do I do to create characters who breathe on their own? Well, there are the obvious first steps—choosing a name (which is a blog post all its own!), gifting the hero or heroine with certain physical characteristics (coloring, build, imperfections, intelligence, etc.—Side note to aspiring writers: it’s a good idea to record these things in a sort of “story bible” so your hero’s eyes don’t change from blue to green somewhere between Chapter 1 and 20). I also decide on my character’s most important goal.

But writers need to know more about their characters than they ever share with readers. We need to know what has made them the people they are when the story opens. We have to be well-acquainted with their backstory, while resisting the temptation to clutter our novel with it. I like to do this by determining 5 critical choices, which are different for every soul on earth.

Look back on your own life. What were the turning points, the decisions that changed everything that came after? Was it which field to study? What faith to embrace? What guy to marry? Should you give someone who betrayed you another chance? Will you move across the country to take a new job? What would you do to reach your goal? What are the absolutes you won’t violate even if it means surrendering that goal?

For WAKING UP WITH A RAKE, my hero Lord Rhys Warrington is haunted by a decision he made as a military officer. In the heat of battle, one of his friends was gut shot and begged Rhys to finish him cleanly. Rhys used his last shot to put a dying horse out of its misery instead, but he stayed by his friend for the three agonizing days it took him to succumb to the belly wound. Even years after returning from France, Rhys is plagued with recurring flashbacks of the battle and his decision. Check out this excerpt for an example of how Rhys’s past intrudes on his present at the most inopportune times: http://miamarlowe.com/books/waking.php#excerpt (If you’re an aspiring writer, note that I didn’t wallow in the flashback. I only allowed a bit of it into the present action, only enough to raise questions in the reader’s mind that hopefully encourage them to read on.)

And I hope you’ll decide to read on in WAKING UP WITH A RAKE. It’s Book 1 in the Royal Rakes series, so there are plenty more adventures to come! Enjoy!

I love to connect with readers, and other writers! When I has a volunteer willing to put the first 500 words of their WIP online, I host Red Pencil Thursday—a cyber-critique group—on my blog http://miamarlowe.com/blog/red-pencil-thursday/.

WAKING UP WITH A RAKE

by CONNIE MASON AND MIA MARLOWE

JANUARY 2013

The Fate of England’s Monarchy Is In The Hands of Three Notorious Rakes.

To prevent three royal dukes from marrying their way onto the throne, heroic, selfless agents for the crown will be dispatched…to seduce the dukes’ intended brides. These wickedly debauched rakes will rumple sheets and cause a scandal. But they just might fall into their own trap…

After he’s blamed for a botched assignment during war, former cavalry officer Rhys Warrick turns his back on “honor.” He spends his nights in brothels doing his best to live down to the expectations of his disapproving family. But one last mission could restore the reputation he’s so thoroughly sullied. All he has to do is seduce and ruin Miss Olivia Symon and his military record will be cleared. For a man with Rhys’s reputation, ravishing the delectably innocent miss should be easy. But Olivia’s honesty and bold curiosity stir more than Rhys’s desire. Suddenly the heart he thought he left on the battlefield is about to surrender…

A little about Mia:

Connie Mason is a New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 novels. She was named Storyteller of the Year in 1990 and received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews in 1994. She currently lives in Florida.

Mia Marlowe is a highly acclaimed new voice in romance whose debut novel released in Spring 2011 from Kensington. She lives in Boston, MA. Together, they are working on the next book in the Royal Rakes series, One Night with a Rake, which will be in stores in June 2013.

For more information, please visit http://www.conniemason.com/, http://miamarlowe.com/ and find Mia on Twitter, @Mia_Marlowe, and on Facebook, http://facebook.com/MiaMarloweFanPage.

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January 16, 2013January 14, 2013

Guest blog & giveaway with Jayne Fresina

Researching the Living Past

I’ve always been fascinated with history. Growing up in England, in the historical market town of Huntingdon, I was surrounded by it. Huntingdon was the birthplace of Oliver Cromwell (who became Lord Protector in England after the civil war and execution of Charles I) and it was also once home to families like the Montagus – the Earls of Sandwich. Chartered by King John in 1205, the town has been around for a while! It’s just a short meander over a medieval bridge to the village of Godmanchester, where one of my sisters still lives with her family. There are 17th century half-timbered houses along the ancient causeway in Godmanchester. My sisters and I used to walk along to see if we could fit under the beams supporting the second floor of one house that hung over the pavement. I remember fitting under it until I was eleven and then I was too tall already and had to stoop unless I wanted to bang my head. Made me realize how much shorter people were once!

So I suppose, as a child, a lot of that historical detail seeped in without me actually realizing it and long before I ever thought I might use it to write historical romance. Later, living in Cambridge for a while and also in Nottingham and York, I spent a lot of time dawdling through my favorite museums, revisiting them whenever I could and had pennies to spare. I was very fortunate to live in those wonderful cities where history is preserved and celebrated. With a mind like a sponge I gleefully absorbed every drop.

Devouring books all my life has also helped stockpile quite a mass of historical detail in my little mind. I love biographies and recently read a wonderful one about Jane Austen. Whenever I read, I take notes. Tons of notes.

For me, these glimpses into the past —whether they came by reading a book, touring a castle ruin, or simply strolling down an amazing street like ‘The Shambles’ in York, where fourteenth century houses lean in as if a strong gust of wind might blow them down—have all contributed toward the treasure chest of research I open when I sit down to write. Once that knowledge is there it can pop out at me in the oddest moments and suddenly cause a jolt of inspiration.

Of course, when I’m in the midst of a story, I also research certain facts, phrases and details to make certain they are accurate for the period. For this purpose I’ve accumulated stacks of material and dog-eared books. There is one thing every writer has in common—they’re all voracious readers. They have to be.

At my bedside, while I was working on Miss Ellie Vyne’s story, I had the following pile of books: The Regency Underworld; Everyday Life in Regency and Victorian England; National Gallery of Art; The Mirror of Graces; Harriette Wilson’s Memoirs; A History of Food; An Elegant Madness – High Society in Regency England; Jane Austen Her Life; Six Centuries of Verse; Secrets of the Gypsies (hmm not sure why that’s there) and Change Your Underwear Twice a Week (hilarious book, nothing to do with Miss Ellie Vyne! Or is it?) I never know where I might find something that sparks an idea and with my eclectic tastes in reading…well…

Researching the period in which we write is incredibly important, not only so the reader can fully immerse themselves in the story without jarring anachronisms, but to bring our characters to life in a world of three-dimensional detail. Like an artist creating an oil painting, or a watercolor, a writer creates their world in layers and shades of light. It can’t be done without an enjoyment of history and that comes not just from books, but from breathing it in, from touching and tasting the past. In a sense, we have to walk that world and live with our characters in order to know them.

Most of all, I think, research has to be fun. If it isn’t, writing becomes a chore and I have enough of those to do already!

I’d like to leave you with a small excerpt from THE WICKED WEDDING OF MISS ELLIE VYNE. Ellie Vyne also has a love of books and wants nothing more than to retire to a room full of them, as she tells her childhood nemesis James Hartley in this scene. Naturally, she wouldn’t usually bother to tell the rake about her dreams for the future, but they’re both wearing masks and disguises tonight. And James is pickled. Since he doesn’t appear to recognize her, she feels free to spill her true thoughts for once.

“I don’t really want a husband,” she said. “If I wanted one, I could have had one by now.”

She had a heart-shaped face with a very determined chin. Her lips reminded him of sweet, fancy little sugar cakes served on fine china and handed around by silent butlers at very exclusive hotel teas. Delicate confections he would get a slap ’round the cheek for swallowing three at a time when his grandmother caught him in the act.

The ice queen’s neck was slender and long, accentuated by that ridiculously tall wig. She most definitely had all her parts in their place, he thought, slowly admiring every inch of her swanlike neck and the jutting swell of bosom below it. Hoisted inward and upward by a tight corset, her shapely flesh was almost bursting out of its lace.

A moment ago he’d been running away from women and conversation. In just a few short minutes he’d changed his mind about both. Could be the drink, he reasoned. Things often seemed most awe inspiring when under the influence of brandy.

So, if she didn’t really want a husband…

“Then what do you want?”

“Isn’t it strange no one has ever asked me that before?” She looked down at her lap. “You’ll laugh.”

“I most certainly will not.” He slammed a hand to his heart, hiccupping again. Inwardly he cursed himself for prompting her to tell. Now he’d hear all about a man who wouldn’t or couldn’t marry her. Or some such nonsense. And he’d listen patiently then reassure her that the fool didn’t know what a mistake he’d made. Finally, after spilling a few tears and borrowing his kerchief, or his sleeve, she’d run off back to the ball.

Why couldn’t he have told her he didn’t care about her problems? No. He had to open his stupid mouth and ask, didn’t he?

Softly she said, “I want a little room filled with books. There should be a fireplace and an old dog sleeping in a basket beside it. A few comfortable chairs with lots of pillows. All of it overlooking a pretty garden. A little place of my own, where no one ever bothers me. That’s all.”

The pearls hanging from her ears were still now, her words forced out as if shy to be heard. Moonlight touched the smooth orbs of her bosom above the bodice of that elaborate ball gown, and James wistfully followed the rapid lift and fall with his woozy gaze.

“Is that too much to ask?” she added.

He hastily quelled another hiccup. “No. Not at all. Not at all.” That was all she wanted? He’d give her a house full of such rooms, he mused. Anything she wanted. “It seems you’d be a vast deal more economical to keep than most women I know.”

“Do you mock me, sir?”

“No!” he replied, wounded.

“Kindly stop staring at my bosom.”

He felt his face heat up. It was unusual for James Hartley to be flustered by a woman, and he didn’t like the sensation. “You chose to wear that style gown, I assumed you wanted them to be looked at.”

Expecting a slapped face, he was surprised when she laughed. It was a delightful, smoky sound, deep and more than a trifle lusty. He didn’t know any women who laughed like that, unguarded and naughty. Or did he? He squinted hard at her lips, trying again to think coherently.

“I suppose you’re right,” she conceded eventually, her eyes two warm beacons of reflected starlight through her mask. “I wouldn’t have dressed this way if I didn’t want to be noticed.” Again he sensed she would never normally admit this. Because they were both hiding behind masks, it was permissible to speak with honesty.

“And you wanted to be admired,” he pressed.

“And…yes”—she inclined her head—“I wanted to be admired.”

Leaning closer, he crushed her silk skirt with his thigh. “What’s your dog’s name?”

“My dog?”

“Old fellow. In the basket. By the fire.”

“Oh.” She flushed prettily under the edges of her mask, and he got the sense she was surprised he’d paid attention. It ruffled her proud feathers to be proven wrong about him. “I haven’t got one yet.”

“Why not?”

“I haven’t got a home to keep him in.”

He frowned, grasping her lacy sleeve tighter in his fist. “Where do you live then?”

“Nowhere,” she said. “I wander.”

THE WICKED WEDDING OF MISS ELLIE VYNE

BY JAYNE FRESINA – IN STORES JANUARY 2013

When a Scandalous Lady…

By night Ellie Vyne fleeces unsuspecting aristocrats as the dashing Count de Bonneville. By day she avoids her sisters’ matchmaking schemes and dreams up torments for her childhood nemesis—the arrogant, far-too-handsome-for-his-own-good James Hartley. Her latest prank: “winning” the Hartley diamonds in a card game from James’s mistress.

Steals from a Notorious Rake…

James finally has a lead on the thieving Count de Bonneville, tracking him to a disreputable inn. He bursts in on none other than the brazen, irritating, nearly naked Ellie Vyne. Convinced she is the count’s mistress, James decides it’s best to keep his enemies close. Very close. He must get those diamonds back, and seducing Ellie will be the perfect bait.

It Can Only End in a Wicked Wedding…

Praise for The Wicked Wedding of Miss Ellie Vyne:

“[The characters] banter and quibble with comic perfection…” —Publishers Weekly

“Readers who adore wickedly funny, fast and sassy romances will delight in Fresina’s latest. The naughty desire-in-disguise theme, coupled with sharp, hilarious repartee, steals the reader’s heart…” —RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

“Fresina brings a unique voice and perspective to the 1820s romance novel. Fans of Grace Burrowes and Amanda Quick will especially appreciate Fresina’s intriguing characters and humor.” —Booklist

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jayne Fresina sprouted up in England, the youngest in a family of four girls. Entertained by her father’s colorful tales of growing up in the countryside, and surrounded by opinionated sisters— all with far more exciting lives than hers— she’s always had inspiration for her beleaguered heroes and unstoppable heroines. Her next novel in the Sydney Dovedale regency romance series, Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts with Scandal, will be in stores in June 2013. For more information, please visit www.jaynefresina.com and check out her blog: http://jaynefresinaromanceauthor.blogspot.com/.

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January 11, 2013January 11, 2013

Interview & giveaway with Shona Husk

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Shona Husk to the blog today to talk about For the Love of a Goblin Warrior

Shona, can you please share with us a little about yourself?

SH: I was an avid reader before I was a writer. I love anything paranormal or otherworldly and I eat more chocolate than I should—which means I also have to do more exercise than I’d like.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

SH: I always wrote as a child, but it wasn’t until I was on maternity leave that I decided to pursue it as a career. While I still have a day job eventually I would like to make the switch to full time author.

Can you share with us your typical writing day. Is there anything you have to have while writing?
SH: I do social media and answer emails in the morning. Then I either go to the day job or I write. In the afternoon and evening it’s family time, although once the kids are in bed I sometimes do some more writing. I don’t need anything special when I sit down to write—just something to write on 🙂

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
SH: The most challenging bit is any bit that isn’t working on the day. Sometimes a first draft can be a grind, other times it flows. Sometimes it’s a tricky edit that needs to ferment before being applied. The most rewarding part is seeing my stories in the hands of readers.
Can you please tell us about your latest book, For the Love of a Goblin Warrior?
SH: This is the last of the Shadowlands series. It’s a story of redemption and facing up to hard truths. But also healing for both the hero and heroine, and they are the perfect people to help each other because no one else knows goblins like they do.

How did you come with the idea for this story?
SH: Meryn’s story came out of the events of book one (The Goblin King). Once I knew one of the men had given into the curse I knew that at some point I was going to have to save him and see what he’d become.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?
SH: I’m working on book 2 in my new series about fairies. The first book is The Outcast Prince (July 2013). The series flits between the Court of Annwyn and our world and explores the way the two are intertwined through the power struggle for the throne of Annwyn and the heroes who are trying to prevent damage to both worlds.

Who are some of your favorite authors?
SH: Katherine Kerr; I grew up reading her Deverry series and I’ve been enjoying her UF series as well. Jim Butcher; I love the Dresden files, but I am behind on the series.

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?
SH: I think growing up reading fantasy novels (and that was all I read for the longest time) certainly gave me a love for creating other worlds, and an appreciation for how complex they need to be to feel real.

Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.
SH: P118. Meryn is dreaming he’s being chased by Goblins in the Shadowlands. He’s running towards a castle hoping to find sanctuary. What he finds is Nadine, the person he least expected to appear in his nightmares.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

SH: My TBR pile is massive. I’m looking forward to reading Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley and Double Time by Olivia Cunning. I’m still working my way through the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher and I’ve also started the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
SH: I had a lot of fun writing my cursed Celtic heroes, and while it’s kind of sad to say goodbye to them I think they really deserve their happily ever after 🙂

FOR THE LOVE OF A GOBLIN WARRIOR

BY SHONA HUSK
IN STORES JANUARY 2013

In a Faraway Land…

There lived a man who was trapped—his only companions a horde of goblins consumed by their lust for gold. He thought he was lost forever, thought that no one would ever remember he’d been noble.

A Fearless Warrior…

Now he has been thrust into the human world once again, but so much has changed. How can he ever be rid of the darkness after so long in the Shadowlands?

It Starts with Dreams of a Castle…

And a woman who takes his breath away and makes him forget the pain of his past. He knows he must protect her at all costs. And perhaps in saving her, he can finally learn to love again.

Praise for The Goblin King:

“Steamy, sensual, and dangerous…Dark and delicious.” —Fresh Fiction

“Shona Husk put together an amazing story about loss, love, redemption, and discovery.” —Night Owl Reviews Top Pick

“A wonderfully dark and sensual fairy tale.” —Jessa Slade, author of Seduced by Shadows

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A civil designer by day and an author by night, Shona Husk lives in Western Australia at the edge of the Indian Ocean. Drawing on history, myth, and imagination, she writes about heroes who are armed and dangerous but have a heart of gold–sometimes literally. Look for the other books in the Shadowlands Series, The Goblin King and Kiss of the Goblin Prince, available now. In July 2013, Shona will begin another dark paranormal series with The Outcast Prince! For more information, please visit www.shonahusk.com.

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