Meet Historical Author Lana Williams

Hello, Get Lost in a Story Readers.  Today, I’m pleased to bring you fellow Coloradoan and chapter-mate, Lana Williams.  Lana’s debut historical,  A VOW TO KEEP, book one in The Vengeance Trilogy, added an exciting new voice to Historical Fiction.  Please welcome Lana as she introduces her second book in the trilogy, TRUST IN ME.

A VOW TO KEEP (Book I of The Vengeance Trilogy)

Revenge was all he lived for...

Sir Royce de Bremont has spent his entire life plotting revenge against the uncle who murdered his parents and stole his birthright. Kidnapping the man’s bride-to-be brings Royce one step closer to fulfilling his vow of vengeance.

Lady Alyna of Montvue has no desire to marry nor to become a pawn in a game of revenge. Her only wish is to find a safe place to raise her young son, a child gifted with second sight.

until he met her.

Alyna soon realizes this bold knight has captured her heart but fears she’s merely part of his plot for revenge. The beautiful lady and her precocious son make Royce long for a family of his own, yet his plans have already been set in motion and cannot be stopped.

As passions rise, Royce must choose between his vow of vengeance and risking his heart for love.

TRUST IN ME (Book II of The Vengeance Trilogy)

He took her for vengeance...

When his brother is abandoned near death at the gate of his keep, Lord Nicholas de Bremont seeks revenge against those he believes guilty: Lord Crefton and his treacherous daughter, Elizabeth. But the old lord is too feeble for Nicholas to fight. Desperate to protect her father, Lady Elizabeth offers to take his place, but as Nicholas’s wife.

Nicholas vowed never to have a family and risk passing his cursed second sight on to a child, yet how else can he make Crefton suffer but to take away his only daughter? Determined to make Elizabeth pay for her part in his brother’s injuries, he adds a punishing stipulation to her offer--he refuses to bed her, dashing her dream of a family.

but she captured his heart.

As they feign a true marriage, Elizabeth tries to guard her heart from the angry lord who appears to despise her, yet his small acts of kindness crumble her defenses. Nicholas attempts to keep his distance from the beautiful lady, terrified Elizabeth will unveil his dark secret, but is tempted every moment he's with her. When his visions divulge a villain who intends her harm, Nicholas must choose whether to accept her trust and love, or keep his secret and claim vengeance.

And now… let’s get to know Lana Williams.

DONNELL:  Hi, Lana, welcome to Get Lost in a Story.  Congratulations on your new trilogy.  This story is set all around a knight’s search for vengeance.  So let’s start there.  You don’t strike me as a vengeful person.  So, if Sir Royce was standing before you, what would you say to him about his lust for revenge?

LANA: Hey, Donnell! Thank you and everyone at Get Lost in a Story for having me!  Well, I am guilty of holding a grudge now and then, but I can’t say I’ve ever sought revenge.  Royce (in VOW) spent his whole life seeking revenge against his uncle.  And Nicholas (in TRUST) seeks revenge against those who nearly killed his brother.  While both quests seem justified, it was fun as a writer to see how love affected their desire for vengeance.  Let’s just say neither man found revenge the answer they were looking for.  I would ask them both to choose: revenge or love?

DONNELL:  What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not writing?

LANA: Think about writing.  Read about writing.  You know how it is! It consumes you!  LOL! But I love to read, as most writers do, and I like to bake, especially this time of year!  We have two boys and enjoy all the activities they participate in.  We like to camp, ride ATVs, hike - the things that are so fun here in Colorado.

DONNELL:   You’re invited to auditions of actors trying out for the parts of Sir Royce and Lady Alyna.  You have the ultimate say in who plays them.  Who do you see starring in their roles? 

LANA:   Gerard Butler for Royce, and probably Jessica Alba for Alyna.  It is helpful to have pics of real people for characters as you write the story. They help me create a more vivid image in the story for readers.

DONNELL:  Share with us something surprising you learned when writing this series.

LANA:  This trilogy is set in 13^th Century England, which I have always found to be an interesting time period.  The unique things people did, like setting the table with the spoons facing down to prevent evil spirits from lingering there, or picking herbs on Midsummer Night’s Eve to ensure the potency, are fascinating to me.  But probably the one thing this trilogy has confirmed to me is the power of love. Each story shows how a quest for revenge can change in a heartbeat. 

 DONNELL:  What’s in your refrigerator right now?

LANA:  Well, it’s NaNoWriMo, so not much! LOL! I think there’s a little leftover pasta with shrimp and peapods. I love pasta!

DONNELL:  Favorite cartoon character?

LANA: Bugs Bunny for sure! Love the classics!

DONNELL:  Favorite holiday tradition?

LANA: Gosh, so many!  Love spending time with my family, but Christmas Eve is always really special. We attend candlelight service at church, then make clam chowder, and open presents, one person at a time. Makes the kids appreciate their presents more. J

DONNELL:  The most unusual thing you have in your closet?

LANA:  What a fun question! Hmm...probably a Cher costume from when my husband and I went to a Halloween party dressed as Sonny & Cher.  And no, we cannot sing like them but we did have a great time!

DONNELL:  What is something not many people know about you, but you’d like more people to know?

LANA:  One of my critique partners, Michelle Major, and I have a blog called Thriving Writers to help us (and any other writers in need!) to stay focused on the positive aspects of life and to strive for balance between all the balls we try to keep in the air. Many women face the challenge of juggling careers and family and relationships--it can be overwhelming at times! The link is www.thrivingwriters.com.

DONNELL:  If you could meet anyone past or present, who would it be?

LANA:  I would love to meet Charlemagne. He seems like a Renaissance man who held ideas ahead of his time. He united most of Western Europe and encouraged the concept of a common identity among the people. He established universities, and revived art, religion and culture. Oh, and I’d also like to meet Gerard Butler, because, well, because he’s Gerard Butler. Grin.

LANA, NOW IT’S YOUR TURN, TIME TO ASK THE READER A QUESTION. – Readers, answer Lana's question for a chance to win a free Kindle-ebook.


LANA'S QUESTION FOR READERS:  When you read historical romance, do you prefer books steeped in historical details or those that are lighter on the history?

 Links:  www.lanawilliams.net, www.thrivingwriters.com

Trust In Me (The Vengeance Trilogy-Book II) http://amzn.to/PB1td7

A Vow To Keep (The Vengeance Trilogy-Book I) http://amzn.to/Vzf0Vi

FB:  Lana Williams Books  http://on.fb.me/QkYcQs        

Twitter: LanaWilliams28

Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North American or Canadian addresses only. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address.