HARLEQUIN HISTORICAL AUTHOR, ELISABETH HOBBES!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING ELISABETH HOBBES BACK TO THE BLOG WITH HER LATEST RELEASE, THE SAXON OUTLAW’S REVENGE….

At the mercy of her enemy! 

Abducted by Saxon outlaws, Constance Arnaud comes face-to-face with Aelric, a Saxon boy she once loved. He's now her enemy, but Constance must reach out to this rebel and persuade him to save her life as she once saved his… 

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Aelric is determined to seek vengeance on the Normans who destroyed his family. Believing Constance deserted him, he can never trust her again. Yet, as they are thrown together and their longing for each other reignites, will Aelric discover that love is stronger than revenge?

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Constance has been taken to Aelric (now going under the alias Caddoc)’s camp.  Along with his comrade Gerrod he is trying to discover what treasure was being taken to Hamestan along with her.

‘The panniers contain my property,’ Constance said. ‘The box holds my dowry and legacies from my father and husband.’

‘Your husband? You are married?’ Caddoc asked. His stomach lurched. He had not imagined Constance married, but it made sense. While he was running for his life she had followed the path set out for rich and well-connected girl.

‘My husband is dead,’ she answered curtly. She folded her arms and jutted out her jaw, her eyes moving from one man to the other. ‘You can take everything. I won’t need it. I intend to enter a convent as soon as I am able. Take what you want, only give me my freedom in return.’

‘What if we want you?’ Gerrod growled. ‘We already have your gold. What else do you have to bargain with?’

Fear crossed Constance’s face. Her hands moved to her cloak, pulling the edges tighter over her breasts in a manner that told him she had given thought to what else they might take.

‘Nothing,’ she admitted quietly.

Gerrod caught Caddoc by the arm and drew him to the top of the stairs.

‘You heard what she said, she’s no use to us.’

‘We don’t know she’s telling the truth. Let’s wait at least until Osgood gets here.’

‘She’s turned your head,’ Gerrod sneered.

Caddoc narrowed his eyes angrily.

‘I just think there is sense in taking the treasure and not risking drawing attention to ourselves.’

‘Don’t think you can fool me. I saw how you held her. You were having a good feel while you were stopping her getting to me.’ He grinned nastily. ‘I don’t say I’d blame you, lad, she’s comely enough, but why should we show her any mercy?’

‘It’s not mercy, but sense,’ Caddoc insisted. ‘If we kill her we’ve lost any chance of bargaining with de Coudray. We’re not murderers.’

Gerrod looked at him scathingly. ‘We’ll leave her be for now. When Osgood brings the box we’ll find out if she’s telling the truth.’

He stomped down the stairs out of sight, pulling the trapdoor closed behind him. Caddoc turned back. Constance was still by the window where he had left her.

‘Why didn’t you tell me the truth before—about your brother-in-law not caring?’

She eyed him with disdain. ‘Why do you need to ask? I would have said—or done—anything to remain alive.’

She moved to him. He expected her to stop, but she continued until they were almost touching, causing his throat to tighten. He wanted to hold her more than he had expected. His body cried out for her, but allowing Constance to once again command his affections seemed ludicrous and would end in nothing but misery.

‘Thank you for what you did,’ she said shyly.

‘I told you your life would not be at risk,’ he reminded her. ‘I keep my word when I give it.’

She raised her head until she was looking at him closely. Now his vision had adjusted to the gloom he noticed faint lines at the corners of her eyes and a solitary crease in the centre of her forehead from too much time frowning.

She was regarding him with equal intensity.

‘What is it?’ he asked, unnerved by her scrutiny.

‘I didn’t mean defending me against your companions or keeping me alive,’ she said. She lifted a hand, which she placed hesitantly on Caddoc’s chest. He should have removed it or stepped beyond her reach, but he didn’t. Beneath his tunic his skin fluttered, raising goosepimples as if reacting to an unnoticed breeze.

‘I meant how you held me when Gerrod told me of my sister’s death,’ Constance murmured. ‘I wasn’t expecting your kindness. I’ve done nothing to warrant it.’

It had surprised Caddoc, too, but he accepted her thanks with a slight smile.

‘I know how it is to lose people I love. I wish you could have found out in a kinder manner. You’ve lost your husband and now your sister.’

He laid a tentative hand on her shoulder to console her and was surprised to feel the tension she carried.

‘I’ve known so many deaths I barely know how to grieve any more,’ she said.

She raised her head. Her lips were slightly parted, smooth, and temptingly close to his. Another step forward and he would be able to kiss her with the slightest tilt of his head. His chest felt tight where her hand rested and he covered it with his own in case she was about to withdraw.

He took the step, parting his lips in anticipation.

Behind him the trapdoor thumped open and Osgood’s voice hailed him.

‘I’ve brought the strongbox. Let’s see what other prize we’ve won ourselves!’

Elisabeth grew up in York where she spent most of her teenage years looking for a handsome Roman or Viking to sweep her off her feet. Sadly this never happened so instead she took a degree in History and Art History before training as a teacher.

Her writing career began when she entered her first novel, Falling for Her Captor, into Harlequin's So You Think You can Write contest 2013 and finished third.

Elisabeth is also a part time teacher and full time mum. She spends whatever spare time she has reading and is a pro at cooking one-handed while holding a book.

Elisabeth's other hobbies include horse riding, skiing, Arabic dance, fencing and exploring dreadful tourist attractions, none of which has made it into a story yet.

She loves ginger mojitos and has a fondness for dark haired, bearded heroes.

Jan: What do you love most about your latest release?

Elisabeth: I’m tempted to say the cover because the model is so brooding! It’s a very dark book with a hero and heroine who start the story very badly damaged because of what has happened to them in the years since they last met. Through the support they give each other they find the strength to heal. 

Although it is out in December, isn’t a festive story (it takes place in early Spring). To me the theme of discovering the inner compassion and courage to reach out to someone who by rights should be your enemy is one that runs through a lot of Christmas tales though. Peace on Earth and goodwill to all is a message we could all do with remembering.

(Jan's tree:)

Whether Aelric succeeds in getting the revenge that he craves is something you’ll have to read the book to find out…

Jan Schliesman: Are you ready for Christmas?

Elisabeth Hobbes: I’m about halfway there. I’ve made the cakes and decorated the house. I’m still teaching half the week so I’m in the throes of class performances and end of term activities. 

Jan: Do you have any family traditions that go along with this time of year?
Elisabeth: I buy the children a new decoration every year which I put in their stockings for them to find on Christmas morning. We add them to the tree and when they eventually leave home they’ll have a starter set for their own houses.

Jan: Do you struggle to find fresh ideas or do they come naturally?

Elisabeth: I’ve been very lucky that each idea has come fairly easily, often springing up from something that happens in the previous book. The idea for The Saxon Outlaw’s Revenge came about while I was on a walk in the countryside where I live on a damp afternoon. The opening lines popped straight into my head. ‘They hanged the rebels in the market square. Rain hung in the air. Heavy drizzle that characterised this part of England: thicker than mist and turning the world grey and damp. A cheerless day for a brutal act.’

Jan: What’s the best gift you’ve gotten from Santa?

Elisabeth: We don’t buy presents for the adults in the family but do a Secret Santa with a theme. One year everyone picked a person to buy for and a colour. I’m a huge Doctor Who fan and was given a ceramic TARDIS tea caddy. As I can’t get through the day without at least six cups it was the perfect present.

Jan: I love snow in December, what about you?

Elisabeth: I have a cross country commute so although I love waking up to see the hills covered in snow I’m always relieved when we don’t get too much and I can still get to work. I go skiing in the French Alps every year so I get my proper snow fix in February.

Jan: Favorite Christmas carol, hymn or song?

Elisabeth: I used to sing in choirs at school and university so I’ve always had a soft spot for the old traditional carols with the descant harmonies. My favourite modern song is Greg Lake’s I Believe in Father Christmas. I can’t believe he’s another one we’ve lost in 2016 and so close to Christmas too. For singing along to it has to be Fairytale of New York. I’ve cheated there haven’t I by picking too many but I find it so hard to narrow music down.

Jan: What’s your favorite holiday treat?

Elisabeth: I love going to the German market that takes over Manchester and having a mug or two of mulled wine. This often goes along with the aforementioned singing!

Jan’s GOTTA ASK: Any resolutions for the New Year?

Elisabeth’s GOTTA ANSWER: The same one I make every year: do more exercise and get more early nights. This year I’m going to manage it (of course).

Find ELISABETH HOBBES:

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WHAT’S UP NEXT FOR ELISABETH? I’m busy writing the story of Roger Danby, Joanna’s original crush in The Blacksmith’s Wife. I’m having great fun trying to redeem him.

PREVIOUS RELEASES: Falling for Her Captor, A Wager for the Widow, The Blacksmith’s Wife

THANKS SO MUCH, ELISABETH, for sharing your latest release with us. Elisabeth is offering an autographed copy of The Saxon Outlaw’s Revenge to a US or UK reader who answers the following question:

In The Saxon Outlaw’s Revenge Constance and Aelric have to work together to discover the contents of a mysterious box but what would you like to find in your mystery parcel on Christmas morning?

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Harlequin Historical Author, Elisabeth Hobbes!

A passion forged from fire 

Rejected by her favored knight, Joanna Sollers knows she will never love again. Especially when the man she's now forced to marry is none other than her beloved's half-brother! 

For blacksmith Hal Danby, marrying Joanna makes his lifelong dream of entering the Smiths' Guild possible, even if the secrets in his past mean he'll forever keep his distance. But everything changes with one stolen night, and in the arms of his new bride, Hal wonders if this loveless arrangement could transform into something real…

READ A SAMPLE HERE, BUY THE BOOK HERE

Elisabeth Hobbes grew up in York where she spent most of her teenage years looking for a handsome Roman or Viking to sweep her off her feet. Sadly this never happened so instead she took a degree in History and Art History before training as a teacher. Her writing career began when she entered her first novel, Falling for Her Captor, into Harlequin's So You Think You Can Write contest in 2013 and finished third. Elisabeth is also a part time teacher and full time mum. 

She spends whatever spare time she has reading and is a pro at cooking one-handed while holding a book. Elisabeth's other hobbies include horse riding, skiing, Arabic dance, fencing and exploring dreadful tourist attractions, none of which has made it into a story yet. She loves ginger mojitos and has a fondness for dark haired, bearded heroes.

Jan Schliesman: How often do you Get Lost In A Story?

Elisabeth Hobbes: Every day. Whether it’s one I’m reading or something of my own I’m writing I spend longer than I should with my nose in a book/laptop.  My children are the same.  While it drives me up the wall to see my children reading half dressed in the morning when they should be getting ready for school, I’m also pleased they love books as much as I do. 

Jan: If you could go back and pick a different career, what would it be?

Elisabeth: I’d love to do something involving food. My dream is to own a ski chalet either in the French Alps or the Italian Dolomites and cook for visitors over winter and ski half the day then spend the summer months writing.

Jan: What do you love most about your latest release?

Elisabeth: I’m tempted to say the cover, because it’s the first of my books with a gorgeous hero on and he’s rather lovely.  I also like the fact that my heroine is in a green dress, continuing the theme from my previous two.  Being less shallow, I enjoyed setting it in York where I grew up and the North York Moors which I love to visit.  They’re beautiful and fascinating areas and I hope my love of them comes across to readers. 

  

Jan: Any writing rituals you follow? Celebrate a certain way when it’s completed?

Elisabeth: I’m a creature of habit. Tuesday is my big writing day as I’m still working part time so I go to the library and work there. I often see the same people and have my favourite desk. Last week it was occupied so I had to sit in a different one and halfway through the morning someone joined me, started reading a newspaper and eating an orange! I was not impressed but being English I seethed quietly and said nothing.

I’ve celebrated each release day with a bottle of prosecco (which I share with my husband rather than drinking alone) so I’ll be doing that again, although one night later this time because it coincides with an appearance at a local literary society where I’m guest author and I will be staying sober to do readings.

Jan: Are you a plotter or pantser? Do you have to have a detailed outline before you start writing or do you write until you get stuck?

Elisabeth: I have a general outline and key scenes I want, including the ending, but things change as I write. I’d say my books are about 75% accurate to the synopsis by the end. I didn’t expect Joanna, my heroine in The Blacksmith’s Wife to get a dog until she unloaded it from the cart.

Jan: Best vacation you’ve ever taken?

Elisabeth: We travel a lot so it’s hard to choose just one.  It’s where pretty much all our money goes. We have a camper van so every Summer we spend around three weeks travelling with the children. In 2015 we went down through France via Europe’s longest sand dune, into Spain to Bilbao and the Picos de Europa national park, further into the centre of the country then across to Barcelona and that coast before heading back up through France a different route. It’s always wonderful to see such varied sights and eat wonderful food, and of course the travelling gives me chance to work. I did a lot of editing for The Blacksmith’s Wife on that trip. 

Jan: It was love at first sight when I met my hubby. How about you?

Elisabeth: I was only seventeen when I met mine so of course I’m going to say yes. I didn’t dare speak to him for about a year though. I’m not good at making the first move.

Jan: What are you currently reading?

Elisabeth: Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere to see if it is suitable for my nine year old as she’s steamed through his children’s books and wants to know what else he’s done (and she’s way too young for Sandman).

Jan’s GOTTA ASK: What is your unhealthiest habit?

Elisabeth’s GOTTA ANSWER: Too many crisps. I’m a sucker for savoury snacks when I’m reading or writing.

UP NEXT: THE SAXON'S OUTLAW REVENGE will be coming soon from Harlequin Historical. It’s a Saxon/Norman reunion romance and is set in Cheshire where I now live. I’m also excited to announce my second book, A Wager for the Widow, is being translated into Italian and released in August with the title ‘Un Bacio Per Scommessa’.

HUGE THANKS to Elisabeth for sharing a bit of her writing life with us. She's giving away an autographed copy of  THE BLACKSMITH'S WIFE to one lucky reader in the United States or United Kingdom so be sure to click on the Rafflecopter below for your chance to enter! And leave a comment answering this question: Hal is a skilled blacksmith and Joanna has a talent for design. If you could have one talent, what would it be?

Find ELISABETH HOBBES:

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 Previous GLIAS interview

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ELISABETH HOBBES IS NEW TO HARLEQUIN HISTORICALS

Elisabeth is a 2013 Alum of Harlequin's So You Think You Can Write Contest, selling her first book
FALLING FOR HER CAPTOR


"Set me free. Say I escaped, or that you never found me,"
Kidnapped heiress Lady Aline of Leavingham has surrendered any hope of rescue when a mysterious figure casts her assailant aside. But it’s soon clear Aline’s saviour has no intention of setting her free. Worse – he’s sworn to deliver her to the Duke of Roxholm: her family’s enemy!



Sir Hugh of Eardham has never seen anything quite like Aline’s beauty and fighting spirit. There’s no doubt he’s tempted more to protect her than to keep her bound. But could this loyal knight ever break his oath of allegiance for Aline’s sake?

READ A LITTLE, BUY THE BOOK

Biography: Elisabeth grew up in York, England, where she spent most of her teenage years wandering around the city looking for a handsome Roman or Viking to sweep her off her feet. Inspired by this, she studied Classics, History and English before venturing into the world of teaching. When she's not writing, she spends a lot of her spare time reading and cooking one-handed while holding a book! Her hobbies include skiing, Arabic dance, fencing and exploring dreadful tourist attractions, none of which have made it into a story yet.  She lives in Cheshire with her husband, two young children and three cats with ridiculous names.

Jan Schliesman: How often to you get lost in a story?
Elisabeth Hobbes: All the time, in fact for me the mark of a good book is one I carry round the house reading while I'm doing the housework.  I've burned a fair few meals because I've got too lost to notice what's happening!  I hail the Kindle as one of the greatest inventions ever because I never travel without a stack of books and it's made packing so much easier.

Jan: Have you always loved a happily ever after?  Does it disappoint you when stories don’t have a happy ending?
Elisabeth: I love a happy ending, though as long as the ending is satisfying I don't mind if it isn't happily ever after.  It depends on the type of book though.  If I picked up a romance and the heroine married the wrong man at the end I'd feel pretty cheated.

Jan: What’s a typical day like in your writing world?
Elisabeth: I don't really have a typical day as I write around my other job (as a primary school teacher) and being a mum and doing housework so I stash post-its and notebooks around the house to scribble ideas down.  A good day involves going to a cafe and writing for a couple of hours while I eat toasted teacakes and drink tea.

Jan: What's your favorite fairy tale?
Elisabeth: Beauty and the Beast.  I always loved the idea of the character having inner goodness beneath the off-putting exterior that was just waiting to be discovered by the right person.

Jan: Did you enter a lot of contests before eventually selling to Harlequin?

Elisabeth: So You Think You Can Write was my first try.  I didn't really know they existed and it was only thanks to a friend that I heard about SYTYCW.  I'll be forever grateful to her for telling me about it!

Jan: Has your second book been easier or harder to write than the first?
Elisabeth: Easier in some ways because I know the guidelines and expectations, which I didn't first time around.  Harder because now I'm writing for a deadline I don't have the luxury of being able to ignore it for a couple of weeks if I get stuck.

Jan: What will always make you smile, even on a bad day?
Elisabeth: My children.  They both have a really quirky sense of humour.

Jan: What do you do to unwind and relax?
Elisabeth: I live very close to the Peak District so I love going for walks in the hills.  I'm not sure I ever relax though, I've almost always got a story going round in my head.

JAN’S GOTTA ASK:  Since my hubby works for Haagen Dazs, what’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?
ELISABETH’S GOTTA ANSWER: Something nutty with caramel.  I have an ice cream maker so experiment a lot.  My best so far has been peanut butter and Nutella.

Jan: What's up next for you?
Elisabeth: I'm working on my second book, due to my editor at the end of October.  Currently titled 'To Win the Widow's Heart' though of course this may change.  Widowed on her wedding day, Eleanor Peyton, has no intention of losing her independence by remarrying, and love isn’t even a consideration.

William Rudhale has no trouble getting any woman he chooses and has recently become steward to Eleanor's father.  When Eleanor returns to her childhood home, the beautiful yet spiky woman fascinates William.  When he wagers he can win a kiss by Midwinter’s night, whose heart is at more at stake, and what will happen if Eleanor discovers the truth behind his interest? 

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THANK YOU, Elisabeth, for sharing a bit of your world with us!  We love hearing about life on the other side of the pond:)  Elisabeth will be giving away an autographed copy of Falling For Her Captor to anyone in North America or the UK who answers the following question: 

Who would be your ideal knight in shining armour?

Leave a comment below and be sure to include your email address so we can contact the winner!