Barbara Longley

GET LOST WITH BARBARA LONGLEY'S DRUID LAIRD

Barbara grew up in a litter of five; she and each of her siblings were born in a different state. Moving around so frequently, she learned early on how to entertain herself with stories. As an adult, she has lived on a commune in the Appalachians, taught on an Indian reservation, and traveled from coast to coast. When her own children came along, Ms. Longley decided to try something new—staying put. She has made Minnesota her home ever since.

By day, Barbara teaches young children how to read. She holds a Masters in Education, and has taught elementary education for many years. By night, she likes to explore things mythical, metaphysical, and paranormal. Much of what she learns makes its way into her stories, where all things are possible. While she loves teaching, reading and writing are her passions.

HEART OF THE DRUID LORD

Cursed with immortality, Dermot MacKay craves death. To lift the faerie curse placed upon him and his men over 1600 years ago, he must return the soul of his reincarnated wife to the exact place and time of her murder. But her soul is currently residing in the very modern Sidney St. George – and first he has to convince her to accompany him to Scotland.

Sidney doesn’t believe Dermot’s wild claims of immortality and rebirth. Yet she cannot deny that she is drawn to the sexy Scot. Nor can she explain the sense of déjà vu his touch elicits. Desperate for answers, she agrees to go with him – only to learn too late that to help the man she loves is to lose him forever…

Thanks so much for having me here at Get Lost in a Story!

CAT: Is there a playlisat you’d recommend for reading your latest release?

BARB: If I were to suggest a few playlists to go along with HEART OF THE DRUID LAIRD, I'd suggest anything by Loreena McKennitt or the Chieftans. Any Celtic music would go nicely with my tale about a cursed Druid, his lost love and the evil Tuatha Dé Danann princess determined to keep them apart.

CAT: Where do you read and how often?

BARB: I read at home snuggled up on my living room couch or in bed. When I read, I like to have the iPod going, and I read a couple books a week unless I get really busy with other things. I have a Sony e-reader, and a Kindle, so one or the other is always tucked away in my purse for those times I find myself in a waiting room or in a line.

CAT: What was the first story you remember writing?

BARB: The first story I wrote was a children's bedtime poem called, Sleepy Time. That was twenty years ago at least. My two children were little, and I wrote it for them. It was accepted by a small cottage publisher that went belly-up before the project was completed.

CAT: What is your favorite movie of all time.

BARB: I don't have a favorite movie of all time. As new movies come out, they shove my list of favorites back. I tend to prefer romantic movies like, A Walk in the Clouds, Ever After and Pride and Prejudice. I also like anything having to do with Scotts, like Braveheart and The Highlander.

CAT: Who’s your favorite villain?

BARB: I like a villain who has depth and complexity, and who isn't all bad, but I don't have a favorite villain.

CAT: Is writing or story-telling easier for you?

BARB: I love to story-tell through my writing. I think most artists who choose writing as their medium of choice are natural story-tellers. I have Irish roots, and the Irish come from a long oral tradition of story-telling. Maybe it's in the genes.

CAT: What’s something you’d like to tell your fans?

BARB: I'd like to tell my readers that the kindest, most generous thing they can do for any writer they like is to leave positive comments and good ratings on the site where they purchased the book. Also, if you like what you read, tell a friend. Word of mouth is the best promotion ever! I'd also like to say thank you to anyone who reads my debut novel, HEART OF THE DRUID LAIRD.

CAT: Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?

BARB: I read and write with music in the background, and the genre changes often. Lately I've been listening to a lot of new country music, but I also like classical, ethnic and popular music. I'm not one to change my music according to what I'm writing. I just like to have background noise.

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

BARB: If I couldn't write, I'd like to figure out some kind of job where I could travel to Europe frequently. Maybe a travel agent site reviewer, or something like that. I've been a teacher for many years. Maybe I could utilize my teaching skills in a new and creative way. I like the idea of being self-employed, but I'm not sure I'd get along well with my boss.

CAT: If you were given a chance to travel to the past where would you go and specifically why?

BARB: If I could travel to the past, I'd go to the late Renaissance period in the Highlands of Scotland. Of course, I'd have to be wealthy and be able to pass for a lady of noble birth, because things would be a little dicey otherwise. Imagine the research a person could do if they could travel through time. That would be incredible.

CAT: What do you do to unwind and relax?

BARB: To relax and unwind I take my dog for long walks, and I always bring my iPod. It's also a good way for me to work through plot or characterization issues when I'm stuck.

CAT: Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why?

BARB: If I could invite any one of my characters to dinner, I'd invite Dagda Mor, the high king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. He plays a huge role in the plot, but we only get glimpses of him. If it weren't for Dagda Mor, the Druid Laird wouldn't have had any way to end the curse of immortality. Dagda Mor is a sexy, older man, and I'd seriously consider having a little fling with him, so dinner would only be the beginning.

CAT: Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?

BARB: Do I read reviews of my books? Obsessively, but I think that might be because I'm so new at this. Maybe once I have a few more books out there, that will change.

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

BARB: When I decided to write with the serious intent to be published, I sat down and mapped out a five year plan. I wanted to be published within five years. I just made it. That's pretty huge for me. It's a thrill, and it hasn't sunk in yet.

Barb would like to give away a copy of HEART OF THE DRUID LAIRD. It's an e-book, so readers have to know that and have a way to read it. She can send it as a pdf, which is downloadable to any device.

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