Diana Cosby

GET LOST IN A STORY WITH DIANA COSBY

Diana Cosby has been a generous, longtime participant of Romance Writers of America. She is not only a talented author but constantly shares her expertise with fellow writers. (Now, if you can take your eyes off the male model she's pictured with), please help me welcome Diana Cosby to Get Lost in a Story. ~ Donnell

HIS CONQUEST ~ Seathan MacGruder, Earl of Grey, is not unused to cheating death. But even this legendary Scottish warrior is surprised when a beautiful Englishwoman creeps to his cell and offers him his freedom. What Linet wants in exchange, though--safe passage to the Highlands--is a steep price to pay. For the only thing more dangerous than the journey through embattled Scotland is the desire that smolders between these two fugitives the first time they touch . . .


Donnell: What’s in your refrigerator right now?

Diana: ~Starbucks breakfast blend, Ghirardelli peppermint bark and whole milk with which I make my daily cafe con lèche. Orowheat sandwich thins, apple butter, Virginia ham, swiss cheese all for sandwiches. And, a box of blush wine. :) With those staples, everything else in food life is negotiable. LOL

Donnell: Is Elvis really dead?

Diana: ~I believe his 'death' is a magnificently orchestrated sales plan that has exceeded expectations. Upon his supposed demise, a wax figure of Elvis was 'removed' from Graceland while the real Elvis was whisked away to a secret tropical location for facial reconstruction surgery so no one would ever recognize him. Elvis now lives a comfortable life in a tropical haven and travels to the U.S. on occasion to visit family. But after a life crowded with people, tours as a constant demand for his time, he enjoys the luxury of sitting back and diving into his secret passion, reading medieval romance novels. :)

Donnell: What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?

Diana: ~My goal is to become a NYTimes Best-Selling author as well as to inspire others as to make a positive difference in others lives. To date the dreams I'm proud to share that are realized are:

-I 've started a writing scholarship at a local high school.

-I support as volunteer for Habitat For Humanity as well as organize writing groups to pick up build days.

-I support as volunteer for Ducks Unlimited.

-I give workshops on various topics of writing.

-I am a Lifetime Member of the National Trust For Scotland.

-I'm an award-winning international best-selling author.

-My latest release, "His Conquest," has remained on the Amazon Best-Seller list for over 12 weeks.

Donnell: Congratulations! What was one of the most surprising things you learned while writing/researching a book?

Diana: ~The fact that early in the 1290s, William Wallace was thrown into jail by the English, fed gruel and rotting herring. He fell into a coma. Believing him dead, they tossed Wallace into a dung heap. The nurse of his youth retrieved his 'body' to bury him, but once home she discovered he still lived. Years later, Wallace alongside Andrew de Moray led their combined troops to win a decisive battle against overwhelming odds at Stirling Bridge.

Donnell: Dog person or cat person?

Diana: ~Both, I have a German Short-haired Pointer named Duncan, a part-time Great Pyrenees - Annabelle, and two rescue cats, Bad & Brat. :)

Donnell: Which is your favorite language other than your native language?

Diana: ~The language of the night, the quiet sounds that barely reach you, the soft brush of wind against grass, the scrape of leaves against stone, or how the cool wind shuffles it's way through the trees and at times casts harmonic sighs.

Donnell: What question are you never asked in interviews, but wish you were?

Diana: ~Do you enjoy cooking or baking? If so, are you a follow-the-recipe kind of person or is a recipe your base to explore and create?

And, to answer this, I'm the latter. Unlike my plotter ways when I write, when I cook, I tend to be a seat-of-your pants cook! I love to cook but rarely measure anything. I have fun creating new recipes, and at the end of the interview, I'll add on a chocolate cake I invented. :)

Donnell: If you couldn’t be a writer anymore, what profession would you take up?

Diana: ~Painting recreations of the masters. I love painting, but my passion for writing leaves me little time to pursue this pleasure. One day in the future I know I will begin again. :)

Donnell: If you could interview one person (and it doesn’t have to be a writer) who would it be?

Diana: ~The Bishop Wishart, because he was one of the original Guardian's of Scotland after the death of King Alexander III and was such a tremendous force behind the Scottish War of Independence. Braveheart portrays William Wallace as a fierce man who inspired many. While true, it negates to mention that it was the Bishop Wishart who sent nobles to support Wallace thereby raising his importance. I believe Wishart was also elemental in uniting the leadership of Andrew de Moray and William Wallace for the monumental battle at Stirling Bridge. There are so many unknown venues that the Bishop Wishart was active in, to me it would be fascinating to truly learn the entire truth.

Donnell: Sounds like a potential nonfiction historical book in the making.

And, as promised the cake I created:

Awesome Texas Chocolate Cake

by Diana Cosby

Devil’s Food Cake mix

Ganache

Cool Whip

Chocolate shavings

Chocolate frosting (*I make homemade.)

Ganache:

.1/2 cup heavy cream

.1 lb. semisweet dark chocolate

*In a heavy saucepan, bring heavy cream to a boil. Remove from heat, mix in chocolate, stir until melted. Chill ganache until consistency you need.

Directions:

Bake two 9” layer cakes according to directions. Once cooled, set first layer on a cake plate. Add coat of ganache. Layer with Cool Whip. Next, add second layer of cake. Coat with ganache. Frost side of cake. Layer top with Cool Whip. Sprinkle on top with chocolate shavings. Chill until served.

*Do you cook/bake? If so, what is your favorite thing to make and why? My sincere thanks for stopping by!

Diana Cosby, Best-Selling International Author

http://www.dianacosby.com/

Diana’s third novel in the MacGruder series, “His Conquest – Seathan’s story,” is available now:
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Booksamillion.com
Borders
Kindle Edition

"Readers will fall in love with this third MacGruder Brother." - Romantic Times

"Diana Cosby weaves fabulous tales of Medieval Scottish romance." NYT Best-selling Author - Pam Palmer

ABOUT DIANA:

Most people think of retirement as a time to relax. For me, retiring at 36 from my job as a Navy Chief Meteorologist/Oceanographer allowed me to pursue my passion – writing romance novels. With 32 moves behind me and having traveled through many countries, I was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people I’ve met over the years.

After nine and a half years of writing and while I was working on my eleventh novel, I received “The Call” from Kensington and sold the first two in the MacGruder brothers series. A couple of years later Kate Duffy bought the third and fourth books in the series.

I have many passions, but one that resonates most in my life is that of giving. I firmly believe that each of us can make a positive difference in another person’s life. There are so many charities, and, with each book I sell, I will tithe a percentage of each novel to a charity of my choice. In addition, I enjoy volunteering for Habitat For Humanity, Ducks Unlimited, and at a local high school I have an annual Diana Cosby Writing Scholarship.

I am currently working on the next Scottish medieval romantic suspense book in the MacGruder brothers series. I look forward to the years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share my journey.

Diana Cosby, International Best-Selling Author
http://www.dianacosby.com/
His Captive-Alexander MacGruder/ His Woman-Duncan MacGruder/ His Conquest-Seathan MacGruder
His Destiny - Oct 2011

For those who comment or ask questions on today's GLIAS blog, Diana is giving away book one in the MacGruder Series, HIS CAPTIVE.

Join Get Lost in a Story tomorrow, January 28th, as Heather Snow hosts Grand Central Historical Author, Cara Elliott.