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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

What a hero!

Today I’m talking with Brian of “Forget Me Not”…a wonderful Regency Romance that readers will fall in love with written by the very talented, Melissa Lynne Blue. What makes this story so awesome, you ask? To me, it was Brian Donnelly – the Irish HUNK with the knee-buckling, toes-curling, pleasure-sighing accent. Oh, but it’s not only his hunky physical appearance and heart-throbbing accent I fell in love with, but his personality. This man KNOWS how to charm a lady.
 
 
Welcome to my blog, Brian. Can you briefly tell my readers about the man inside the man? What makes you tick?
Hello, Marie. Thank ye fer havin' me to visit today.
I suppose I'm like any other man lookin' to find his place in the world. After me parents died I was raised in a Dublin orphanage and it didn't take long fer me to realize I wanted much more from life than what was expected of me. I ran away from the nuns as soon as I turned fifteen, lied about me age and enlisted in the army.
When you first met Lydia, what happened? What went through your mind?
Prettiest girl at the country ball, I daresay. It was a week before me regiment was to deploy to fight the French. I was feeling a might full of meself, had just been promoted to Captain ya see, and asked her to dance. I snared her token earlier in the day at a parade and couldn't resist the chance to meet her in person. It wasn't until later I learned she was the general's daughter.
 
What makes Lydia unforgettable?
Her spirit. Nothin' gets that girl down. And she's damned stubborn. Can't take no for an answer.
 
Brian, I was so impressed when you risked your life to save Lydia. Tell us about one of your hair-raising experiences.
 
Aye, well, she saved my life a time or two as well. I shall never forget when I caught her outside the barn, dressed in boys breeches, attemptin' to make off with one of her father's horses. I couldn't imagine why a girl with everythin' would wish to run away. Anyhow, I dragged her kickin' and fightin' back to the barn where we stumbled upon a powerful man, Felix Keith, committin' cold blooded murder. Lydia and I scrambled to stay alive. Even as I tried to send her away to protect her she refused to leave me in the path of harm.
 
If you could pick your favorite thing about Lydia, what would it be?
Her eyes. She always says they're boring and brown with boring brown hair to match, but the lass is wrong. Her eyes are the color of honey.

 
Brian, thank you for letting me interview you. Now…let’s tease my readers. What is your favorite scene, and would you like to leave an excerpt for us to drool over…um, I mean read?
 
“Quiet, girl, I don’t have any apples now, but I’ll get one later. I promise.” Hands shaking, Lydia saddled her mount, and surreptitiously led Lady Jane into the aisle.

The low hum of voices drifted down from the loft. Heart in her throat, Lydia jumped straight up in the air, yanked on the horse’s bridle and half-dragged the mare from the barn. She could not be caught now.

In the yard Lydia kept her back to the wedding pavilion, her father would be devastated on the morrow, but for once she was making a decision on her own… for herself. How often had Sir William lectured on the importance of “creating opportunities for oneself”?

She palmed the reins, turned the stirrup out and lifted her leg to mount.

A dark shadow grazed her peripheral vision a split second before the solid weight of a man plunged headlong into her, bearing her brutally to the unforgiving ground. “Ouff!” The wind rushed from her lungs. Her head swam and for a moment separating the stars spattered across the heavens from the stars floating before her eyes was impossible.

“Just what is this all about, boy?” The man pinned her hands above her head. “Lookin’ to steal Sir William’s horse are ye?”

Lydia blinked, once, twice, trying to halt the world spinning around her. For a moment she lay stunned, staring up at her attacker. The breath froze in her throat. Lying on top of her was the vision of her dark knight. The very soldier she’d danced with and dreamt of for four years thereafter. Brian Donnelly. He may well have stepped from a page in her sketchbook. His wildly curling hair shone black in the dim light of the night, his dark brow furrowed over glistening pale eyes, and—

“What the hell?” Brian’s gaze raked critically over her face. He reached up to snatch the tweed cap from her head. Disbelief washed over his features. “Miss Covington?”

Not even a flicker of the man she’d known four years ago touched his eyes. Her heart, the whole of her soul, ached. “Yes,” she spat, at last regaining her voice. “Now kindly get off of me. It’s rather difficult to breath.” Lydia couldn’t be sure if the difficulty stemmed from his bulk or the overpowering thrill of his presence.


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To check out some of Melissa's other amazing stories - click here

Friday, May 11, 2012

Meet author Linda Weaver Clarke

I've met an awesome author and I'd like you to get to know her, too!!

Linda, tell us a little about yourself.
I travel throughout the United States, teaching a Family Legacy Writing Workshop, encouraging people to write their family history and autobiography. I am also the author of nine novels and two non-fiction e-books. The historical sweet romance series, “A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho,” includes: Melinda and the Wild West - an awarding winning novel. I also have a mystery/adventure series, “The Adventures of John and Julia Evans.” My two non-fiction e-books are Writing Your Family Legacy and Reflections of the Heart.

Linda, that's great you have so many books! Tell us about your new release and what inspired you to write this.
Desert Intrigue is full of Mystery… Adventure... Romance... Humor... and Intrigue! When Julia’s brother announces that his dude ranch is haunted, she believes that someone is trying to sabotage his place and force him to sell. The mysterious happenings have to do with Superstition Mountain, the lost Dutchman’s goldmine, and the great Thunder God. Is it possible that the legend of the Thunder God is actually true? After a terrible thunderstorm, everyone begins to wonder. John and Julia quickly head to Mesa, Arizona and discover a few mysterious events. Will they find out who is behind these disasters before Uncle Kelly’s dude ranch is ruined?

While Julia’s daughters, Sharlene and Faith, are busy helping their uncle save the ranch, April and Matthew are planning their wedding but everything seems to go wrong.


Linda! Your story sounds VERY interesting! Have you fashioned your characters after anyone? If so, who – and why?
Yes! This series was inspired by one of my favorite TV shows long ago called Hart to Hart, which featured a married couple investigating and solving crimes staring Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers. The couple was madly in love–you laughed at the humor and sighed at the romance. I wanted to create something similar with a little suspense and adventure. In this series Julia is a reporter for a daily newspaper and John is a professional knife maker. Just like Hart to Hart, because of her curiosity, Julia gets herself into a bunch of trouble. Before long, she finds herself and her husband up to their necks in danger and running for their lives. There is one difference. John and Julia Evans have three college age daughters. I feel this makes the couple have more appeal to a larger audience. I also fashioned John and Julia’s 3 daughters after my last 3 daughters, their personality and everything about them.

I remember Hart to Hart!!  I loved it, too!!  I'm definitely going to have to get this book of yours!!  So how did you become a writer? What or who inspired you?
 It all started when I began writing my own ancestor’s stories. I believe it’s very important to teach our children their heritage. We are the people we are because of our ancestors. Our traits, our beliefs, our courage, our temperaments! Where did we get that red hair? Why am I so tall? Why is music part of my life? Each of us has a story from our ancestors or even our own story to tell. It’s up to us to write these experiences down. Our children can learn from their ancestors’ experiences. After writing my own ancestors’ stories, I couldn’t stop writing, so I turned to historical “sweet” romance and then mystery/adventure novels.

That's just wonderful, Linda! What stories are in your future?
Right now I’m so busy teaching at libraries throughout the U.S. that I’m not sure. I’ve got a few ideas but don’t know for sure when I’ll get around to it.
 
 
 
How can your fans get a hold of you? Do you have blogs, website, or a newsletter?

To learn more about what I teach and read sample stories, you can visit my website at www.lindaweaverclarke.com. I also have a “Family Friendly Blog” where I interview authors and have book giveaways each week. I will be having a book giveaway at my blog from May 11 – 17 for my new book, Desert Intrigue, as a promotion for my book launch at http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com. Please come by and visit me at my blog.


READERS - Linda is having a book giveaway contest on her blog from May 11th - 17th!!  Don't miss it!

Thanks Linda!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Print is almost ready...

I was so excited to come home from work and see my print copy of "A Walk In Heaven" finally arrived!!!  WHOOP!! This is just the proof copy, but as soon as I approve it, then it'll be available to purchase. I'm so excited!! (ignore the date on the pics - I still can't figure out the date on the silly camera!) Also - sorry about the glare from the flash... There really isn't a white mark on the corner of the book. lol