Character Interviews
Interviews with a character from a book
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Rick from Miami Steam @LSB_lsbooks #RLFblog #romance
Miami Steam The character interview allows a hero or heroine to tell readers
about himself or herself. Today’s interview is with Rick Gonzalez from Miami Steam.Interview with Rick Gonzalez
Tell us about yourself,
please.I’m a homicide detective with the Miami-Dade police department.
I’m Cuban, raised in Little Havana, Miami, by my mom. I owe everything to her. She
and my dad left Cuba in a balsa, a homemade raft. My father got washed overboard
in a storm; by some miracle my pregnant mom made it to a beach in Key West. A police
officer found her. She named me for him – Richard. I guess that’s why I later became
a cop.Authors call what you
want but cannot have “the conflict” — what is yours?Well, I hate reporters. I was working undercover narcotics, and
I loved that job The looks on the perps’ faces when I slapped the ankle bracelets
on them – no one ever suspected I was a cop – was worth all the risk. Then, some
frigging reporter put my picture in the newspaper, identifying me as a cop. That
was the end of my undercover career. Then I meet Rebecca, a reporter for the Miami
Star, and the chief orders me, of all people, to work with her on a story about
this serial killer in Miami. The minute I saw her, it was instant attraction, but
she’s a reporter – my sworn enemy!What inner doubt causes
you the most difficulty?How can I trust Rebecca Challenger? She’s out to make a name
for herself as a journalist and using me to do that. Okay, I can deal with that,
but when we take things between us to the next level, I just don’t know. Are her
feelings as real for me as her ambition? Or is she just screwing me to get more
information for her story?In the story world your
author created, explain what it is you fear most and why.That this psychopath murderer is going to kill the woman I truly
love! I finally find her only to possibly lose her? I can’t let that happen, no
way!Tell us about your significant
other, that person who makes living worthwhile.Rebecca’s my soulmate, no other word for it. Besides being gorgeous,
she’s super smart, interesting, and caring. She genuinely wants to make the world
a better place – that’s why she became a journalist and why I became a cop. I guess
that’s what we have in common – we see the world beyond our own little niche, which
is a very comfortable cocoon to be in!If someone from your past
showed up, who would you NOT want it to be, and why?That’s an easy one – the ex! She couldn’t take being married
to a cop – the crazy hours, the long shifts, the worry that every time your husband
goes to work, you don’t know if he’ll come back. I admit it’s not easy, maybe that’s
why so many cops are divorced. But I think she really took out her own failures
on me. After her store on Calle Ocho selling Cuban souvenirs went under, so did
our marriage.Why are you happy (or
not happy) with the way your story ended?I found the woman of my dreams and arrested the Night Knifer,
which is the kind of career-making case every homicide detective dreams about. It
made national headlines and a producer is interested in making a movie about it.
What more could I want?About the Author
Chantal Verlaine has been writing stories since she was six years
old and firmly believes that every good story deserves a romance. A global nomad,
she most recently is a Miami transplant to Los Angeles, which has many more good
hair days than South Florida but she still misses Miami’s tropical nights, bathtub-warm
ocean and Cuban rocket-fuel coffee.What genre(s) would you
like to write that you haven’t tried yet?I’m currently working on a mystery with a woman detective as
the lead character, and plenty of romantic sparks!What would your readers
be surprised to learn about you?I’m a true global nomad! I was born in New Zealand and lived
in seven countries by the time I was thirteen. I lived in three more countries as
an adult.Why should readers who
haven’t picked up one of your books before give this one a try?Miami Steam is a quick, smexy read for those who like fast-paced,
action-oriented fiction. It’s got mystery, thrills and suspense, which all pivots
on romance, of course! Perfect for reading on the beach, on a flight, or to curl
up with on an afternoon.Is there anything you’d
like to say to your readers?I know I’m probably preaching to the choir here, but read, read
and read more! I’ve been a voracious reader since I was a child and the worlds contained
in books continue to amaze and fascinate me. I can’t figure out why people don’t
read more!About the Book
Title Miami SteamGenre Erotic, contemporary, suspenseAuthor Chantal VerlaineBook heat level (based on movie ratings): RMiami Star reporter Rebecca Challenger desperately needs a big
story on the serial killer terrorizing the city in order to get a promotion to features
writer. Her main source, lead homicide detective Rick Gonzalez, despises reporters.
As the pair spar over the story, they’re both jolted by a white-hot current of mutual
attraction. They overcome their mistrust to start a promising love affair, but overheard
gossip causes Rebecca to shy away. Baffled and hurt by Rebecca’s sudden rejection,
Rick vows to forget her. That is, until the serial killer, enraged by Rebecca’s
story about him, kidnaps her, and Rick must rescue the woman of his dreams. Can
true love endure in the face of misunderstandings and a psychopath’s wiles?Buy This Book
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Miami-Steam-ebook/dp/B00CT5RWZA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381000414&sr=1-1&keywords=chantal+verlaineBarnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/miami-steam-chantal-verlaine/1029825657?ean=9781595785589Author Social Media
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChristinaHoagPinterest https://www.pinterest.com/caho2530Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Chantal-Verlaine/e/B00J6OH2B6/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1 -
Mark Virtue from Virtue’s Lady by @JessicaCale #RLFblog #historicalromance
Jessica Cale shares details about the creation of Mark Virtue
in the book Virtue’s Lady.About the Book
Title Virtue’s LadyGenre Historical RomanceAuthor Jessica CaleBook heat level (based on movie ratings): RLady Jane
Ramsey is young, beautiful, and ruined.After
being rescued from her kidnapping by a handsome highwayman, she returns home
only to find her marriage prospects drastically reduced. Her father expects her
to marry the repulsive Lord Lewes, but Jane has other plans. All she can think
about is her highwayman, and she is determined to find him again.Mark
Virtue is trying to go straight. After years of robbing coaches and surviving
on his wits, he knows it’s time to hang up his pistol and become the carpenter
he was trained to be. He busies himself with finding work for his neighbors and
improving his corner of Southwark as he tries to forget the girl who haunts his
dreams. As a carpenter struggling to stay in work in the aftermath of The Fire,
he knows Jane is unfathomably far beyond his reach, and there’s no use wishing
for the impossible.When Jane
turns up in Southwark, Mark is furious. She has no way of understanding just
how much danger she has put them in by running away. In spite of his growing
feelings for her, he knows that Southwark is no place for a lady. Jane must set
aside her lessons to learn a new set of rules if she is to make a life for
herself in the crime-ridden slum. She will fight for her freedom and her life
if that’s what it takes to prove to Mark—and to herself—that there’s more to
her than meets the eye.Introducing Mark Virtue
Name: Mark VirtueAge: 30Gender: MaleBirthplace: Rothschild House, St. James, London.Profession: Carpenter, Ex-HighwaymanEthnicity/Species (if not human): EnglishDescribe his body build, skin tone, height and weight. Include
any unique features such as dimples, freckles, or scars: Mark is on the tall
side with the muscular build of a man in his profession. He’s blond but tan
from working outside much of the time. His nose has been broken a few times, he
has dimples you’ll see if you’re very lucky, and scars around his wrists and
his ankles from the couple of times he was in prison.Who is the significant
other in your character’s life?In Virtue’s Lady, Mark falls for Lady Jane Ramsey, the only
daughter of the Earl of Hereford. She’s nineteen, gorgeous, and more than a
little bit mad. He meets her for the first time in Tyburn, but Virtue’s Lady is
their story.Tell us about this
character, please.Mark Virtue is a working-class hero. He is the only son of a
housekeeper and a stable hand, and grew up in the Earl of Somerton’s household
until he started his apprenticeship at a carpenter’s Southwark. He completed it
and took over the business. Unfortunately for him, the Great Fire of London
happened in 1666. People no longer wanted wooden houses, so carpenters were out
of work by the hundreds. Mark started robbing coaches as a highwayman at this
point, putting his apprentices to work building coffins to smuggle their
takings out of the city for sale. By the beginning of Virtue’s Lady, Mark has
given up highway robbery and is trying to build an honest life for himself as a
carpenter in Southwark, one of the poorest slums outside of London. He loves
his town and tries to look after his neighbors, but his life and his livelihood
are threatened when Lady Jane comes back into his life. He’s crazy about her,
but not crazy enough to believe an heiress would ever want to live in
Southwark.How does your hero
dress?Mark is a no-nonsense kind of guy, preferring his worn linen
and wool work clothes to anything else. He has a long coat with deep pockets,
tall leather boots, and a tricorn hat. He doesn’t put a lot of stock in
appearances, and he’s very active, so he likes to be comfortable.If you could only hear
this character’s voice (but not see him) what characteristic would identify
him?He has a very strong accent similar to what we might describe
as Cockney today. He swears often, he’s funny and blunt, and you can hear the
hint of a smile in his voice if you’re listening carefully.How educated is this
character?He’s better educated than he lets on. He grew up in an earl’s
household and had lessons with his half-brother, Nick, the earl’s son, until he
started his apprenticeship. He can read and write, he’s good with numbers, and
he’s an excellent carpenter.Does he scrape by, live
comfortably, live extravagantly?After years of poverty, Mark is finally what he would consider
to be comfortable. He has a rickety old house he’s trying to renovate, and
enough money from his days as a highwayman to supplement his income as a
carpenter. He’s careful with his money and indifferent to luxuries, but he
always keeps his kitchen well-stocked with coffee. He’s not wealthy, by any
means, but he’s happy with what he has.On what special skills
does your character rely?Mark can talk his way out of anything. He’s sharp, charming,
and women love him. His popularity with women has gotten him out of–and
into–some very bad situations. He’s also very well-connected. He knows a lot
of very useful people from his time in prison and living within the criminal
underworld. Some of them, such as the executioner Jack Ketch, still owe him
favors.What kinds of things
does your character always carry (in pockets or purse)?He always carries his pipe and his pistols (old habits die
hard), and he wears his late father’s signet ring on his right forefinger.Is he close to family?Mark doesn’t have a lot of family left. Both of his parents are
long dead, and his half-brother, Nick, is his only surviving close relative.
He’s very close to the family he has and the people he considers himself
responsible for, such as his apprentices, Jack and Harry (who is also his
cousin), and his business partner, Will. He also adores Nick’s wife, Sally.Is your character
involved in his community?Very. He loves his community and takes his responsibility to it
very seriously. His neighbors are among the poorest people around London, and
he does what he can to help them. He tries to find work for other carpenters in
need, repairs homes and builds coffins, often at a loss to himself. He wants to
build a school for the town, too, and takes it upon himself to try to find the
money to do it. He tries to look after them, and they love him for it.Does this character see
morality as black-and-white, or with shades of gray?Mark has been a criminal for most of his adult life. He doesn’t
necessarily agree with the law (hanging someone for stealing a few pennies is
ridiculous), but he has a very strict moral code of his own. He’ll steal from
the very wealthy, but he won’t hurt them. On the other hand, if someone
threatens someone he cares about, he has no problem hurting them whatsoever. He
is fiercely loyal and honest to a fault, and never takes more than he needs. He
puts what he can back into his community to help the poor directly.What is your hero’s
biggest personal flaw?He doesn’t trust people. He’s seen enough of the worst parts of
life to know better. He questions motives and sees things through a very
cynical filter. He also has a very strong aversion to the wealthy (girls in
particular) because of a trauma from his past.About Your Writer
Why do you think your
writer chose to write about you?Had to, didn’t she? She wasn’t sure about me at first, but I
kept showing up, stealing scenes until I won her over. Before long, I was all
she could think about. I have that effect on women. Jess was different, though.
She didn’t didn’t just want to write ballads to my biceps–that has actually
happened, don’t ask–she wanted to know what I was thinking about, and what
made me the way I am. Not a lot to it, I told her, but she kept digging until
she found the things I didn’t want anyone to know about. She didn’t tell Jane,
to be fair, but it wasn’t easy having to go through all of that again.What do you wish your
writer had not told others about you?Everything. The state of my house, how often I wash, the things
I’m good at that make girls like me as much as they do. Anything that happened
in Newgate. There are some things people don’t need to know about. I wish she’d
have left out some of the more, erm, intimate details about me and Jane. I’m
the only one who gets to look at her now, and I don’t need all and sundry
picturing her without her clothes on. Christ wept, that’s my wife!What other character
from your book do you think your writer should write a book about, and why?Harry. He’s got it coming. See how he likes having somebody
walking around in his brain. He thinks he knows everything, but Jess’ll put him
through the ringer, make no mistake. Jack, too. He’s a good lad and he deserves
to be happy, but he’ll never figure out Alice fancies him on his own. He’s
clever for a boy his age, but he doesn’t understand a thing about girls.Why do you think your
writer loves to write?She likes spending time with us. We talk to her at all hours of
the day, telling her what we want, what we think, what we’re afraid of. We
couldn’t help it since we figured out someone was listening. If she didn’t put
pen to paper, we’d just be voices and she’d be dragged off to Bedlam.Is there anything you’d
like to say to your writer?Jess, you’re a great girl, but I wish you’d have left some
things buried. You know the ones I’m talking about. For a romantic hero, you
could have made me look more heroic. I got the girl and you know I love her,
but did you have to make things so bloody difficult? Jane didn’t have to be an
earl’s daughter. If she were in actress in truth, I’d have dragged her off
months before and nobody would have gotten shot! You knew how I feel about rich
birds, and still you went and found me the only one I had to have. You have a
curious sense of humor, Madam. Having said that, you let me do what I was going
to do anyway, and you didn’t try to change me into something I’m not,
so…erm…thank you.Buy This Book
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Virtues-Lady-Southwark-Saga-Book-ebook/dp/B00VC6B9SS/Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1121713113?ean=9781622102051Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/virtue-s-ladyiTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/virtues-lady/id983809003?mt=11Author Bio
Jessica
Cale is a historical romance author and journalist based in North Carolina.
Originally from Minnesota, she lived in Wales for several years where she
earned a BA in History and an MFA in Creative Writing while climbing castles
and photographing mines for history magazines. She kidnapped (“married”) her
very own British prince (close enough) and is enjoying her happily ever after
with him in a place where no one understands his accent. You can visit her at www.authorjessicacale.com.Author Social Media
Website http://www.authorjessicacale.comTwitter https://twitter.com/JessicaCalePinterest http://www.pinterest.com/rainbowcarnageAmazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Jessica-Cale/e/B00PVDV9EW -
Ashleigh Jessup from Leading Man by @elle_rush #RLFblog #romance
Interview with Ashleigh Jessup
Tell us about yourself, please.Hi, my name is Ashleigh Jessup. I own and run Jessup Dance Studio
in Los Angeles, California. Have a seat but watch out for the crutches.*cell phone beeps*Please excuse me a minute.*reads text*Nick – my boyfriend Nick Thurston – wants me to tell you that
the crutches are not his fault and no toes were broken in the making of this romance.
You’ll understand why he wants to clear that up when you read the book Elle wrote
about us. Actually, my twisted knee is what happens when a dance instructor gets
between two five-year-old ballerinas who are trying to prove who would be the better
Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtle.Authors call what you want but cannot have “the conflict”
— what is yours?I want to expand my dance studio. I’ve worked my ass off for
my success and now that it’s paying off I need to keep up the momentum. Unfortunately
success comes with roadblocks and they pretty much have me at a stand-still at the
moment. I also want Nick. Frankly, getting the dance studio will be easier because
that boy’s middle name is Trouble. Adding Nick to my life actually pushes my dream
studio farther away because lives like ours aren’t meant to intertwine but I’m not
willing to compromise.Tell us about your significant other, that person who makes
living worthwhile.Nick? Nick is awesome. He’s a second generation Hollywood actor
– on both sides of the family – so you know he’s got the looks. Unfortunately he
also has the attitude. That’s something we’re both working on. He’s funny and generous
and incredibly talented whether he’s on the stage or in front of a camera. He’s
starred as Ares, the god of war, for all three years of Olympus and he is about
to start shooting their fourth season. Nick is almost perfect… I only wish the boy
could dance.What would that person say about you?He’d say I’m sexy and intelligent and witty and that I’m the
best dance instructor on the planet. I know because we’ve practiced this question
for the press.What is your family like?I’m an only child. I think I’ve spent a total of an hour with
my parents since I turned eighteen. Next question.Why are you happy (or not happy) with the way your story ended?I’m happy with it. The very end was good but the part just before
that sucked big-time because… I don’t want to talk about it. You’ll have to read
the story. Let’s just say you don’t need drama in your life but anything worth having
is worth the effort you put into it. Nick and I did a lot of work on our own issues
and on building something together. Now I think we have a real shot at something
good in the future and we are definitely on the right path to get there.About the Writer
Elle Rush is a romance author from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
When she’s not travelling, she’s hard at work writing her contemporary romances
which are set all over the world. Elle has studied several languages and has flunked
poetry in every single one of them. She also has mild addictions to tea, cookbooks
and the sci-fi channel.When writing the book, what did you discover about this character
that surprised you?I’m very close to my family, and I knew Ashleigh was
estranged from hers. When I introduced her parents into the book, her reaction
surprised me.Are any sequels planned for this book?Leading Man is the third book in the Hollywood to Olympus
series. I hope to have at least one more novel later this year.What genre(s) would you like to write that you haven’t tried
yet?I’d love to try to write a paranormal romance – particularly
a shifter book – because I read a ton of them.What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?Every character I write has one of my personality traits. In
this book, it’s Nick’s inability to dance. I can’t dance. At all. Not even a
little bit. I have no rhythm whatsoever. In fact, I’m so bad that Nick makes me
look good.Why should readers who haven’t picked up one of your books
before give this one a try?I think everybody has had a crush on an actor at some point
and I think the fantasy of having it come true will appeal to a lot of readers.
Also, Ashleigh and her friends are hilarious, their boyfriends are smokin’ hot,
and if readers like things a little steamy, this book can provide that too.Is there anything you’d like to say to your readers?Hi, readers! Thanks for your support! I’m a romance reader
too, so check out my newsletter for deals and sneak peeks on my books and for
recommendations about other great writers. Please feel free to say
“hi” on any of my social media accounts.About the Book
Title Leading ManGenre Contemporary RomanceAuthor Elle RushBook heat level (based on movie ratings): PG13Olympus heartthrob Nick Thurston is a leading man with a problem.
His new play opens in a month and when it comes to the pivotal waltz scene, he can’t
lead. When he broke up with his dance instructor girlfriend, it also ended their
professional relationship and now he needs a new teacher. Desperately.Ashleigh Jessup needs to find a new building to take her booming
dance studio to the next level. She doesn’t have time for a private student, but
she’s willing to make an exception to do a favor for a friend and earn extra money
for her down payment.Ashleigh’s success has come at the cost of her love life, so
she can’t believe it when Nick is good with them spending as much time on their
careers as they do with each other. But when Nick’s ex tries to sabotage their relationship,
Nick begins to doubt Ashleigh’s intentions when she benefits from his fame, and
Ashleigh has to decide if she’s willing to risk her business for a relationship
Nick may not even believe in.Buy This Book
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Leading-Man-Hollywood-Olympus-Book-ebook/dp/B00U1WAXUE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1425046159&sr=8-3&keywords=elle+rushiTunes https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/leading-man/id975770845?mt=11Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1121379793?ean=9781622101979ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-leadingman-1764436-149.htmlKobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/leading-man-3Author Social Media
Website http://ellerush.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/elle_rushPinterest https://www.pinterest.com/elle1250/Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Elle-Rush/e/B00KUCB1O2 -
Character Interview: Arthur from Dawnflight @KimHeadlee #RLFblog #historical
Dawnflight The character interview allows a hero or heroine to tell
readers about himself or herself. Today’s interview is with Arturus Aurelius Vetarus
— better known to us as King Arthur.Interview with Arthur
Tell us about yourself, please.I am Arturus Aurelius Vetarus, Dux Britanniarum—that is to say,
my name is Arthur son of Uther, and I command the army that defends the northern
Brytoni territory of the Isle of Brydein from Caledonian, Saxon, Scotti, and Angli
threats. I am Roman by my father, and descended from the Aurelii emperors: Antoninus
Pius, Hadrian, and Marcus Aurelius. My mother is Ygraine, chieftainess of Clan Cwrnwyll
of Brydein—though the circumstance of my birth prevents me from becoming chieftain
after her.Authors call what you want but cannot have “the conflict”
— what is yours?When I followed my late father to become Dux Britanniarum, what
I had wanted was to be granted an exception for my illegitimacy by the elders of
Clan Cwyrnwyll so that I could be designated my mother’s heir. But that desire became
as nothing the day I met Gyanhumara, Chieftainess of Clan Argyll of Caledonia. I
knew she was the woman who would share my vision for a united Brydein and help me
bring it to pass. But she was betrothed—by a stipulation of my own treaty with her
people—to Urien, my greatest political rival, a man who will stop at nothing, including
war, to achieve what he wants.I cannot bring such a calamity upon those I have sworn to protect.Perhaps you might be wondering why I do not simply void the betrothal
clause. I could—for any man of aristocratic status. As a bastard, I do not qualify
under the treaty terms. The day I had drafted that accursed document, I had never
thought that in half a year I would be meeting the woman I crave more than breath
itself.What can you not do (but need to do) during this story?Some of my advisers might argue that I should kill Urien and
be done with the matter. The fact is that Urien’s father and mine were great friends
and allies, and Chieftain Dumarec has graciously extended that support to me. Dumarec’s
men form the backbone of the legion I command, and killing Urien would kill that
alliance.But if there is another way to make Urien pay for his disrespectful—and
sometimes hurtful—treatment of Gyanhumara, I swear by all that is holy that I shall
find it.Tell us about your significant other, that person who makes
living worthwhile.Gyanhumara is a chieftainess of the Caledonian people by birth,
and a warrior and leader of warriors by training. Her clan, Argyll, led the southernmost
Caledonian clans to attack the Brytoni settlement at Abar-Gleann, though Gyanhumara
herself did not fight in that battle. If she had, I would have worded that damned
betrothal clause far differently, I assure you.I do not love her because she is gorgeous, or wealthy, or intelligent,
or amusing, or amazing, or skilled with a sword, or because a union with her will
help to strengthen the fragile peace between our peoples. Indeed Gyanhumara is all
of those things, and more. But take away all those attributes, and she would still
be the woman for whom my heart thrums its most joyous song.What would that person say about you?Hah! Probably that I am secretive, private, and unreadable—because
I must strive to keep my feelings for her buried. I would shout my love for her
from the very gates of heaven itself, but not one moment before I determine how
I can nullify her betrothal to Urien without inviting disaster.What special skills do you rely on?Uther and his best general, my cousin Merlin, taught me strategic
and tactical thinking, as well as the ability to recognize good counsel and abilities
within others. I credit these skills as the reason I was able to defeat Gyanhumara’s
people in my first battle as Dux Britanniarum. No doubt they attacked because I
was untried as a leader of men, and although I despised the loss of life on both
sides of that conflict, it pleased me to prove the Caledonians wrong. Yet it pleased
me even more to turn former enemies into valuable allies.My foster brother Cai would likely name as a “special skill”
my ability to bring out the best in men with but a word, a nod, sometimes no more
than a brief touch. I cannot explain why this is so, but I have observed the results
myself and know that Cai is right. And I am grateful for this ability of mine, for
I need all my soldiers to function at their very best in order to help me keep Brydein
safe.About the Author
Kim Headlee lives on a farm in southwestern Virginia with her
family, cats, goats, Great Pyrenees goat guards, and assorted wildlife. People and
creatures come and go, but the cave and the 250-year-old house ruins—the latter
having been occupied as recently as the mid-twentieth century—seem to be sticking
around for a while yet.Kim is a Seattle native and a direct descendent of twentieth-century
Russian nobility. Her grandmother was a childhood friend of the doomed Grand Duchess
Anastasia, and the romantic yet tragic story of how Lydia escaped Communist Russia
with the aid of her American husband will most certainly one day fuel one of Kim’s
novels. Another novel in the queue will involve her husband’s ancestor, the seventh-century
proto-Viking king of the Swedish colony in Russia.For the time being, however, Kim has plenty of work to do in
creating her projected 8-book Arthurian series, The Dragon’s Dove Chronicles, and
other novels under her new imprint, Pendragon Cove Press.Why did you choose this character for the interview today?I have written an “open letter” guest post as Arthur,
but this is the first time he has ever been called upon to conduct an interview.Are any sequels planned for this book?Oh yes! In fact the first sequel, Morning’s Journey, is already
on sale. I have a total of eight books planned for The Dragon’s Dove Chronicles,
though Arthur will be just a “gleam in the eye” in one of them.Why should readers who haven’t picked up one of your books
before give this one a try?Oh, where to begin? How about with terrific writing and an exciting
plot? Furthermore, in all of Arthurian literature, Dawnflight features the only
Guinevere character (Gyanhumara, or Gyan as she prefers to be called by family and
close friends) that a reader can truly like, for a change. Dawnflight can be read
as pure escapism, but it also contains layers of meaning for those readers who like
to delve deeper. And this edition features a Tolkien-esque invention of languages
to further enrich the world inhabited by Gyan and Arthur and their families, friends,
allies, and enemies.Is there anything you’d like to say to your readers?Thank you so very much for all your clicks and buys and reviews
and follows and shares and fan mail and every other type of support I haven’t mentioned!About the Book
Title DawnflightGenre historical romance with fantasy, military, and spiritual
elementsAuthor Kim HeadleeBook heat level (based on movie ratings): PGAmong the misty lochs and glens of ancient Scotland, duty wages
war against love on the battlefield of opposing cultures and agendas. When Gyanhumara
and Arthur meet, they recognize each other as soul mates. Arthur’s treaty has preserved
Gyan’s ancient right to marry any man, providing he is a nobleman—but Arthur himself
does not qualify. And the man to which she is betrothed, the ambitious Urien, shall
not be so easily denied by his greatest political rival. If Gyan and Arthur cannot
prevent Urien from plunging the Caledonians and Brytons back into war, their love
will be doomed to remain unfulfilled forever.But there is an even greater threat looming. The Laird of the
Scots wants their land and will kill all who stand in his way. Gyan, Arthur, and
Urien must unite to defeat this merciless enemy who threatens everyone they hold
dear.Book trailer: http://youtu.be/mHOESkv-R_cBuy This Book
Amazon Kindle http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BLNN6XSAmazon Print http://www.amazon.com/dp/1939051134Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dawnflight-kim-d-headlee/1003548584?ean=2940016289618Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/289281CreateSpace https://www.createspace.com/4181539Draft2Digital https://www.draft2digital.com/book/11151Amazon Audiobook http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E98ZQ8A/Audible Audiobook http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Dawnflight-Audiobook/B00E8IAZIWiTunes Audiobook https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/dawnflight-dragons-dove-chronicles/id681882480Author Social Media
Blog http://kimiversonheadlee.blogspot.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/KimHeadlee
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KimIversonHeadlee
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/kimheadlee/
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/845537.Kim_Headlee
Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Kim-Headlee/e/B001KE2LK2
Google+ https://plus.google.com/+KimHeadlee
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/kimheadlee/
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/gyanhumara
Video Interview: http://youtu.be/DV5iKrEIROk -
Bucket List: Magnus from To Eternity @DaisyBanks16 #RLFblog #PNR
To Eternity
by Daisy BanksIntroducing Magnus Johansson from To Eternity. This is his
bucket list.About the Book
Title To Eternity, wild beneath the moon-Book 2 in the Timeless
series.Genre ParanormalAuthor Daisy BanksBook heat level (based on movie ratings): RFor four centuries Magnus has lived
according to the dictates of the moon, his heart isolated by the domination of his
wolf nature. Now fate has brought the beautiful, independent Sian to his house at
Darnwell and their irresistible attraction has exploded into a white-hot passion.
Yet she is not wolf, and the time has come for her to embrace the change. But once
she completes the ritual and claims her place next to Magnus, the rivals will appear
on the horizon…The Bucket List of Magnus Johansson
This interview is designed for your hero to describe his/her bucket list for
readers. Answer the questions as the character.Name: Magnus JohanssonAge: Approximately four hundred and eighty five.Gender: MaleBirthplace: Darnwell EnglandProfession: He is of independent means and therefore has no professional
title.Welcome to Romance Lives
Forever. Your author introduced you. Now we’d like to get to know you better. Please
tell us about yourself.Thank you for inviting me to take part in this interview. Man
or myth, or something in between, that is how I have described myself in the past.
My existence, I can’t call it life, was grim. Until I met Sian I had been solitary
for many years. I preferred to be alone rather than risk forming relationships with
others. I had some bitter experiences in my youth and the pain from them was compounded
by living through the losses of the war years. I thought being alone was my only
honorable option.I am sure you are aware I am afflicted with the werewolf curse.
Please, don’t worry. I am quite safe at present. The full moon is past for this
month. Even during the full moon I try to limit the number of times I hunt and am
very selective of my hunting grounds. When I am not under the control of the moon
I spend much time in organizing restoration work on my home. The orangery and the
walled garden are current projects. Since I met Sian she has helped me with these
tasks and so many other things. Sian has turned my world around, I wouldn’t be here
speaking with you today if not for her influence. Sian shares my interest in antiques
and architecture. She has an eye for beauty in its many forms.I do apologize, this is supposed to be about me, but I can’t
help talking about Sian. Shall we continue with the interview?When someone dies, we say they “kicked the bucket.”
Therefore, a list of things that a person wants to accomplish, places to go, situations
to experience, and so on have become known as a “Bucket List.” We’d like
to know yours, please. If you haven’t made one before, perhaps now would be a good
time. Who knows? It might inspire another book. While you’re at it, how about telling
us about some of your other favorite things? Here are the questions.What are two places you
would like to visit before you die, and why?This is very interesting. As a werewolf, my death, barring unfortunate
circumstances, is very unlikely, but I would like to answer the questions all the
same. I would enjoy the chance to visit Egypt with Sian. She quite rightly pointed
out that if I journey there I could relish the sense of a time well beyond my own
existence. That would be a very enlightening experience.There is also a beach I once visited in the Caribbean and I would
like to return there. The memory of the place features often in the dreams I share
with Sian. I would like to take her there and show her the reality. Hopefully, in
the intervening years since I first visited, the beach hasn’t changed too much.
I once found peace there and in my younger days that was a very rare occurrence.Where is a place you would
never like to return, and why?The place is London, but not as it is now. Sian has taken me
to visit London several times and I have enjoyed each journey we have made. I would
prefer not to return as I was in the eighteenth century. I behaved rather badly
then and have no pride in my activities in that era of my life. Grief can have a
very damaging effect in many different ways. I’m afraid it made a self-centered
creature of me. I hunted with impunity and relished the chase in a way I am rather
ashamed of now.Who is someone you would
like to meet, and why?I would like to meet the founder of my family line and discover
how the werewolf curse first took hold. I would ask them if they ever found a way
to conquer the wretched affliction.Who is someone you would
like to avoid, and why?At present the person I would wish to have no contact with is
Mr. Franklyn Gorsewell. He is a despicable creature who has threatened and even
physically harmed the woman I love. A reckoning between he and I must eventually
come, and I believe it will be savage. Please don’t think I fear that, I don’t,
but Sian will be distressed by such an event, after all he was once her employer
and so called mentor. He abused that position of trust. He is utterly without merit.If you could time travel
to any date, what would it be, and what would you do there?I have a rather strange and sometimes strained relationship with
time. If I were able to travel in time I would wish to return to the day I met Sian.
I would do things differently you see. I’m afraid to say I wasn’t very grateful
at first that she made me live. I’d been alone for so long, I might as well have
been dead. I fought against being dragged back to life in the fear of its hurts.
I shouldn’t have done. I ought to have been gentler with her, accepted the wonderful
love she offered me and thanked her for it. Yes, if I could travel in time I would
return to experience those first days with her again. She is the most courageous
woman I have ever met and I’d like to honor that rather than being as difficult
as I was. Of course, Sian has forgiven me my foibles, but I would like to make her
memories of our meeting sweeter.What is your birth order?I am an only child.Tell us about your favorite
toy as a child.My childhood was rather isolated, understandable given my heritage.
I had few toys but I did have several dogs as companions. It was then I discovered
my body is not that of an ordinary person. The dogs aged and died, but I hardly
changed. My parents always provided new ones, but I had to accept the loss of creatures
I loved. Each lost hound proved bitter lesson for me. I also had several favorite
ponies and horses as I matured. Their loss though painful didn’t sting quite so
much as those of my dogs. They did not sleep on my bed, nor beg from my plate or
offer such devoted companionship.I was very fond of a hunting hawk. I’d named her Starlight, for
her gleaming under wing feathers, when she died I gave up hawking. Later, once I
reached adolescence and I’d undergone the first year or two of moon induced transformations,
my parents departed and I became master of my home. I amused myself as any young
man of wealth might in the era.Describe your favorite
food and how it’s prepared.The wolf inheritance influences many aspects of my life and as
a man I eat a great deal of steak. My cook knows to serve it rare.Tell us about your best
friend.Other than my few servants, my contact with people over the recent
past has been very limited. In the war years when I was quite active there were
young men who I called friends, however, they never truly knew me as I am. Sian
is the one person who knows and accepts me. She offers me the gift of her love.
She is everything.I must leave now as Sian is waiting. Thank you for your questions.
I hope we meet again sometime in the future. Good day.Buy This Book
Publisher Lyrical Press. A Kensington Imprint http://www.ekensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/29484Amazon http://www.amazon.com/To-Eternity-Daisy-Banks-ebook/dp/B00OZUMI92Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-eternity-daisy-banks/1120657535?ean=9781616506322ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-toeternity-1683439-142.htmlAuthor Bio
Daisy Banks writes sensual and spicy romance in the Historical,
Paranormal and Fantasy genres. An obsessive writer, Daisy is passionate about her
stories. Her focus is to offer the best tale she can to readers. Daisy is married,
with two grown up sons. She lives with her husband in a converted chapel in Shropshire,
England. Antiques and collecting entertain Daisy when she isn’t writing, she has
also occasionally been known to make a meal that doesn’t stick to the pan.Author Social Media
Website http://daisybanksnovels.yolasite.com/Twitter: http://twitter.com/DaisyBanks16Facebook http://on.fb.me/18iRC35Pinterest http://bit.ly/16sF1XG
Amazon Author Page http://amazon.com/author/daisybanks -
Character Interview Mira-nell from Wayfarer’s Road @jfbowdancer #RLFblog #Fantasy
The Wayfarer’s Road Interview with Mira-nell
Tell us about yourself, please.
I am Mira-nell and am almost four summers old though Mother says I am threee. I travel with her on the Wayfarer’s Road. Folk think I’m strange, but I know more than most.
What is it that you want, but cannot have? Authors call this the conflict of the story.
I want to stop wandering. I long for a family and children to play with.
What’s your internal limitation? Meaning, what is it about you that makes it so you cannot do what it is you need to do during this story?
I am too small! My mother wants me to learn her bowdancer ways but there is too much of the world to explore. I just do not want to do it always from the Wayfarer’s Road. Cannot interesting folk come to us?
What inner doubt causes you the most difficulty?
I wonder if I will grow old on this road and be as lonely as my mother is. She does not tell me her heart hurts, but I see it.
What’s your external complication? In the story world your author created, explain what it is you fear most.
There are mean folk on this road. Mother thinks I am too young to understand, but I know how they look at me and at her. I am afraid that one day she will be gone and I will be alone on this road.
Tell us about your significant other, that person who makes living worthwhile.
My mother, Jan-nell, loves me most, but we have met a magical bardsinger on this road who tells the best stories. But he is not as grown up as mother and me.
What would that person say about you?
Mother says I am quick-witted and so does Khrin, the bardsinger. He makes me laugh.
What is your family like?
There has only been Mother and me. Khrin says we are family but Mother says we are not. I do not understand that. But I would like to live with Khrin. He cannot keep me as safe as Mother does, but he tries.
What special skills do you rely on?
Mother has taught me much about wild foods on the Wayfarer’s Road. I observe what herbs she uses to heal people in the towns and farms and to help new mothers bring babes into the world. I have not seen a birth yet, but I have heard many. I think people show who they are and what they intend, not by words but by the look of their eyes or the way they move.
If someone from your past showed up, who would you NOT want it to be, and why?
Mother tells me good things about my father—how quick-witted he was and that is why I am so. She tries not to tell me bad things, but I overheard her speak to Khrin about him. I would not wish to meet him on the Wayfarer’s Road. I do not think he is a good man.
Are you happy with the way your story ended? Why or why not?
I am gloriously happy. But folks will have to find out for themselves.
You have the length of a tweet (140 characters) to describe yourself as a writer. Let’s see what you can do.
I come from a long line of liars and storytellers, and I have an avid curiosity. I collect odd facts and experiences and tie them together in intuitive leaps with words.
Why do you write?
I’m a retired freelance journalist. I made a living by writing other people’s stories. I felt it was time to write my own—and not stories about me, but stories from my imagination.
What do you want to write next?
I am currently writing, Legacy, the last book of the Ruins Trilogy, my archaeology romance thriller set. Then I have a paranormal series I want to write about a Tennessee herb woman who goes to North Dakota to battle unusual beasties.
Are any sequels planned for this book?
The Wayfarer’s Road, where Mira-nell first appears, is the second book in The Bowdancer Saga. The first three books (The Bowdancer, The Wayfarer’s Road, and Warrior Women) are being re-issued by my publisher, MuseItUp Publishing, to join The Lost Song Trilogy, books 4-6 of the series. They will all be under one roof this summer. Later, I plan on three more books—one that continues Jan-nell’s life and one each for her children. (Yes, I did say children.) The entire Bowdancer Saga follows Jan-nell’s life from her village on the plains and out into the wide world as she searches for meaning and belonging.
Is there anything you’d like to say to your readers?
I appreciate every person who has read (and those especially who have reviewed my books). An author will write because she (or he) must. But those stories might as well be hidden in a cave in some dark corner of the earth if they are not discovered and read. Only then do they come alive.
About the Author
Janie Franz comes from a long line of liars and storytellers with roots deep in east Tennessee. Honed by the frigid Northern Plains and the high desert of New Mexico, as well as a degree in anthropology, her writing skill and curiosity generated thousands of feature and cover articles over a vast range of topics for numerous regional, national, and international publications.
She co-wrote two books with Texas wedding DJ, Bill Cox (The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Book and The Ultimate Wedding Reception Book), and self-published a writing manual, Freelance Writing: It’s a Business, Stupid!
She is a professional speaker and occasionally reviews books, CDs, and concerts. Previously, she ran her own online music publication, Refrain Magazine, and was an agent/publicist for a groove/funk band, a radio announcer, and a yoga/relaxation instructor.
The fifth book of her Bowdancer Saga, Refrain (the second book in The Lost Song Trilogy), was a Top Ten Finisher for Best Science-Fiction and Fantasy Novel in the Preditors and Editors Readers Poll 2013.
About the Book
Title The Wayfarer’s Road, Book Two of The Bowdancer SagaGenre FantasyBook heat level (based on movie ratings): RHealer Jan-nell and her precocious daughter meet a handsome wandering
bard, carrying secrets and the hope of belonging.The Bowdancer Saga continues in The Wayfarer’s Road. Healer Jan-nell,
now a woman traveling alone with her precocious young daughter on the Wayfarer’s
Road, meets a handsome wandering bard. But he is carrying his own secrets along
with the priceless chance at hope for her and her child to belong.Excerpt
The stranger stepped a bit further
into the room and pulled back the wet hood of her sodden, brown cloak, revealing
a delicate, fair face. A thick chestnut braid curved across one suede-covered shoulder
like a docile snake.“It is the changing moon,”
her soft voice answered. She untied the laces of her cloak and pulled the cloth
free from her other shoulder, revealing the black curls of a child of three summers
against her thigh-length tunic. The girl’s little arms wrapped protectively around
the woman’s brown leggings.The traveler shook the water from
her cloak and asked, “Might I have a dry bed, sir?”The innkeeper’s eyes narrowed.
“We be not offering beds to women alone. This be a respectable place.”“I am not alone,” the woman
answered, smoothing the child’s curls from off her face. “Would you deny a
child a dry blanket?”The innkeeper frowned. “Good
woman, if that indeed be what you are, it is not seemly to be housed here without
your man.”“I take care of myself,”
she said and struck her great staff against the floor for emphasis, ignoring the
customers’ mumbled responses.Buy This Book
MuseItUp Publishing
Bookstore:https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/museitup/romance/fantasy-romance/the-wayfarer-s-road-detailBarnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wayfarers-road-janie-franz/1118924589?ean=2940045767378Reviews“There are few things more pleasant, after doing battle
with the real world, than to sit down in the company of a talented storyteller and
allow yourself to be carried away into another world. Janie Franz’s rustic tale,
“The Wayfarer’s Road,” book #2 of the Bowdancer Saga, does just that.
There is great comfort immersing yourself in a mystical world not your own, and
Ms. Franz is an excellent guide. The tale of the bowdancer Jan-nell, her precocious
daughter, Mira-nell, and the mysterious troubadour Khrin, draws the reader in and
holds him/her closely until the end. I look forward to the next in the series.”—
Doren Grey, author of the Dick Hardesty mystery series and the new paranormal Elliott
Smith mystery series.“Set amid a clash of cultures and gender, Janie Franz paints
an enchanting story of creating alternative families. When three outcasts – a woman
warrior, her precocious daughter, and a gay troubadour – are inexorably drawn together
to escape the brutality of men on the Wayfarer’s road, a journey begins that will
sweep the reader along with them. These memorable characters and their passage to
something beyond themselves will stay with you a long time.” — Alan Chin, author
of Island Song and The Lonely War.“A charming tale of love and acceptance. The Wayfarer’s
Road reminds us that the things we seek are sometimes found in the unlikeliest of
places.” – Stuart Clark, author of Project U.L.F and Project U.L.F: Reacquisition.“There is richness to this story. The richness of the tale
is evident in the author’s detailed plant knowledge which is effectively displayed
in almost every major scene in the story. The richness of the tale is evident in
the emotional journey of Jan-nelle and Khrin as they find that dream of happiness
and home that everyone wants in life and they both want for Mira-nell. It is a rich
tale that I found satisfying and I think you will too.” — Justine, Ebookaddictreviews.com
Janie Franz “Fully enamored with The
Bowdancer, the first book of this saga, I looked forward to reviewing The Wayfarer’s
Road with great anticipation. Once more, author Janie Franz did not disappoint.
Not in the least. Her writing, characters and plot are exquisite…..While Jan-nell,
Mira-nell and Khrin couldn’t be more different, they complement each other well
and, in a short span of time, they learn they are not so different after all. Aside
from a life deeply rooted in song (but for young Mira-nell whose only interest to
learn is on an as-needed basis), each is misunderstood, longs for belonging, and
only cautiously trusts the other.With childhood innocence, curiosity and honesty that cuts to
the quick of social construct, young Mira-nell is instrumental in teaching Jan-nell
and Khrin to question the comfort of their ingrained perceptions, including those
of sexual orientation…..Khrin’s intentions and Jan-nell’s ponderance of their possibility
reveals that one must honestly assess inner desire and realize that there are no
rules of engagement but for those imposed upon us. If the interaction between these
complex characters seems eerily confusing, the author is simply asking us, in a
not-so-subtle way, to challenge the comfort of our own limiting assumptions.”
Kim Clune, The Pagan and the Pen Book Reviews“Though this is a short novel, it is packed with adventure,
suspense, and even romance. Janie Franz has created a society that could be anywhere
and any time in a society before technology. She delineates the character of her
main characters, digging deep into their own pasts to give us a true picture of
each person. Away from her village, Jan-nell is a different person and I enjoyed
meeting this new one who is a mother and must scrounge for food at times. She is
feisty, but she can take care of herself too…. What I liked most about this book
is the relationship between Jan-nell and Khrin. As they gradually become friendlier
and friendlier the two of them get into giant scrapes, but as they travel The Wayfarer’s
Road they get closer and closer to their own goals. And as the story unfolds there
is no way to know what the ending will be. I just enjoyed traveling the road with
Jan-nell, Khrin, and Mira-nell. After reading this I feel like I truly know these
people. With a straightforward yet slightly old fashioned way of writing and vocabulary,
this book speeds along in the world that Janie Franz has created in The Bowdancer
Saga. If you are looking for a way to escape from the modern world where you are
constantly connected, reading The Wayfarer’s Road will bring you to a time when
traveling was fraught with danger and communication required face to face interaction.”
Barbara Ehrentreu, Barbara’s Meanderings, author of If I Could Be Like Jennifer
Taylor.List of other books
The Bowdancer (Book
One of the Bowdancer Saga)Warrior Women (Book
Two of the Bowdancer Saga) (coming this summer)Verses (first book of
The Lost Song Trilogy, Book Four of the Bowdancer Saga)Refrain (second book of The Lost Song Trilogy, Book Five
of the Bowdancer Saga)Coda (third book of
The Lost Song Trilogy, Book 6 of the Bowdancer Saga)Discovery (Book One
of the Ruins Trilogy)Artifacts (Book Two
of the Ruins Trilogy)Sugar MagnoliaThe PremierThe NeighborBooks coming soon
Warrior Women (Book
Two of the Bowdancer Saga) (coming this summer)Legacy (Book Three of
the Ruins Trilogy–work in progress)Contest
A lucky reader will
receive a copy of The Wayfarer’s Road in whichever format you require: PDF, epub,
or kindle. Just post a comment and I’ll select one reader at random. Feel free to
read about my books or connect with me at any of the links below.Author Social Media
Blog (to read about my favorite hot authors): http://desireandcraving.blogspot.com/?zx=a58c7d1dc0587f08Blog (to read about
my favorite authors): http://janiefranz.wordpress.com/Twitter: http://twitter.com/jfbowdancerAmazon
Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Janie-Franz/e/B00IT45VYY/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
