Interview with Danielle Thorne

I want to introduce you to a new author I've just found. Danielle Thorne has written a Regency romance - Josette. The book cover caught my eye, then I read the blurb, and I KNEW I wanted to read this book. I am a HUGE fan of Jane Austen (Pride & Prejudice is my favorite still). Her story reminded me of Jane Austen's stories. Gotta love when that happens!

Danielle was nice enough to let me interview her. I hope you enjoy getting to know her as I have.

Marie: Danielle, tell us a little about yourself.


Danielle: Hi Marie, and thanks for having me. Raised in the south, I currently write from outside of Atlanta, Georgia. I grew up in a large family and have four sons of my own. We keep busy with music, scouting and a few sports now and then. For the most part, we love to eat, travel, play video games and watch Mythbusters and Animal Planet shows.


Marie: Tell us about your new release and what inspired you to write this.

Danielle: JOSETTE is a Jane Austen-inspired Regency that recalls the strict rules and expectations of the era. Josette Price sees her future in Beddingfield Park. While her brother, George, needlessly pursues a naval career, she promises to watch over their beloved parents and the park estate. Nothing would make Josette happier than to see her sister and her self settled within the palings of Beddingfield. But dark, brooding Captain Carter rides into their lives with news that ruins everything: George has been lost at sea. Learning the park is entailed to their cousin, Edward, Josette must decide between marrying her fickle relation or helping her besotted sister trap him in her stead. Only Captain Carter and his delightfully spinsterish relatives can stop the Price girls from making a choice that would be the greatest tragedy of all.

I loved writing JOSETTE and dabbling into the culture of early nineteenth century England. Jane Austen wove so much wit and charm into her stories, they inspired me to dream up one of my own. I have to admit, being a genealogist with U.K. roots, I enjoyed the research as much as I did the writing process.

Marie: Oh, I totally love the Regency era. (dreamy sigh) And you did such a wonderful job putting the reader into that era! So, out of all your stories (either written by you or not), who is your favorite hero and why.

Danielle: My favorite literary hero is Captain Jack Aubrey from the MASTER AND COMMANDER series, by Patrick O'Brian. This seafaring naval officer is the most three dimensional character I've ever discovered. He is brilliant and oafish at the same time; courageous and at moments, foolhardy. I love his vulnerability as he struggles to advance his career through adventures and battle at sea. The supporting cast he plays off of are beautiful and memorable as well.


Marie: How did you become a writer? What or who inspired you?


Danielle: I began writing at a very early age, before I could do multiplication! Most of my childhood and young adult work was poetry, but as I matured I began to dabble with short stories. After some freelance work online and my youngest child started school, I felt like I was ready to tackle novel writing. It's definitely been a growing experience.


Marie: I envy writers like you who knew you loved writing way back at an early age. So tell us, what stories are in your future?


Danielle: I'm immersed in two novels at this time, both young adult. One, THE SEA KING, is my tribute to J.M. Barrie's Neverland. Peter Pan was my first love. Jack Sparrow may very well be my second! I am also close to wrapping up a paranormal, again my first, with a young adult heroine. Not my usual fare, but I'm inclined to follow where my inspiration leads me. As far as any more Regencies, I do have one in the works I hope to finish this year for 2012.


Marie: Oh, Danielle, they all sound so intriguing. I'll look forward to when they're released. How can your fans get a hold of you? Do you have blogs, website, or a newsletter?

Danielle: My month newsletter can be subscribed to at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThePrivateerNewsletter/?yguid=197416267

My blog which features monthly giveaways and other fun ideas is:
http://www.thebalancedwriter.blogspot.com/

And I hope everyone will visit me at my website: http://www.daniellethorne.com/

Don't forget Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Danielle-Thorne/100000700796495

Thank you!

Review: Against The Odds

I have to tell you about a new author I've come across. I met Jewel Adams in one of my writer's groups, and since I'd heard so much about her stories, I knew I had to read one...or two...or more.

"Against The Odds" is a tender, romantic, and endearing story of a woman, Raine, who has been hurt from a previous relationship. Through her journey to recover, she meets Hayden - one very kind-hearted cowboy. (Gotta love cowboys, darlin')  She becomes friends with Hayden since she's not ready for a new relationship, but over time they grow to love each other - with a few bumps along the way.

This story is about love and committment, about trusting and believing. Jewel Adams has written a very sweet and emotional love story that will stay on my mind for quite some time. Well done, Jewel!

You can learn more about Jewel and her books right here - http://www.jadamsnovels.com/ 

~Marie~

I made my first book video!

I'm happy to announce that I accomplished something today that I've never done before. Making a book video was time consuming, but in the end, it was worth the effort, I think. I'll be making my book trailers from here on out - with the help of my daughter.

Anyway, here is my new trailer!

Review: Journey of Honor

Blurb:
Disowned, she came to American anyway. Attacked and left pregnant by a vicious mob, she still pressed on. Finally in spite of being accused of theft by the vilest of her attackers, Giselle tries to remain as upbeat and uncomplaining as a prairie wildflower as she travels on to Zion.


Thoroughly disillusioned with the ugliness and cruelty of slavery in the South. Trace Grayson leaves his young medical career to go west, hoping to leave bigotry and hatred behind. He begins taking goods by teamster train to sell in the territories. However, this fourth time across in July 1848, he's stuck in St. Joseph, Missouri, waiting for enough wagons to join the train so that they can leave.

Knowing that if they don t start west soon, they ll be caught by snow in the mountains. Trace is thrilled when the final wagon signs on. Then, when the beautiful young Dutch girl traveling with the last wagon is falsely accused of stealing and is detained, the whole trip is jeopardized. Thrown together by circumstances, Trace and Giselle team up to begin to figure out just how to make this epic journey across a continent a success.

With a deep sense of honor and an equally strong sense of humor, together they learn to deal with everything except the one trial that neither of them can overcome.

This is a journey through the refiner s fire.

My Review:
Journey Of Honor is an incredible story of courage, strength and family unity. There are many obstacles thrown at Trace and poor Giselle as they travel to Zion. Giselle is strong in her faith, and Trace witnesses many times the power of prayer and the Mormon ways when he's never crossed paths with any of that religion before. The ending is delightful and brings a satisfied sigh to the reader.
As a writer myself, the only problem I found with this story was the fact that the author was telling me the story - instead of showing me. I wanted more dialogue and more emotion from the characters. I wanted to feel like I was stepping in their shoes instead of being told how they stepped.

If you enjoy historical romances that tell about what the pioneers may have experienced back in 1848, you'll fall in love with this story.

To purchase - http://www.amazon.com/Journey-Honor-Jaclyn-M-Hawkes/dp/1599360594/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1300845026&sr=8-12 

Book signing

My latest book signing was held in Ogden at a place called Wisebird Bookery. This was a combination book store and coffee shop. Almost like a Starbucks wannabe. lol  It was small, but cozy. The owner of the store was very friendly. But what surprised me more than anything was they kept two dogs in the store. Such pretty dogs - and so tame, too!  Kids loved them.

Tristi Pinkston, another Walnut Springs Press author, joined me. That was my first time meeting her face-to-face, and I felt like I'd known her for years. What a great woman!!

Anyway, the book signing went well, I thought. I sold nine copies of Hearts Through Time, so I was happy!  Here are some pics of the signing.

Tristi Pinkston - and ME!

See...even dogs like my books!!

I looke like I'm giving a class, right? lol