FRANCES HOUSDEN WRITES AMAZING SCOTTISH HISTORICALS!

FRANCES HOUSDEN lives in New Zealand, a mountainous country not so different from Scotland where she was born. She began her published author career after winning Romance Writers of New Zealand's Clendon Award. She went on to publish six contemporary romantic suspense before beginning to write stories set in her homeland of SCOTLAND. Her first book in the Chieftain series—THE CHIEFTAIN'S CURSE was nominated for a RITA Award in 2014 from RWA and won a KORU Award from RWNZ.

Jan Schliesman: You started out writing romantic suspense for Silhouette’s Intimate Moments line. This year you’re releasing two historicals set in Scotland. Did you always plan to be a multi-genre author?

Frances Housden: No. I began by trying to write a Mills & Boon romance. the trouble was they always ended up as a suspense so I finally took the hint. That first romantic suspense won the Clendon Award judged by Leslie Wainger. She bought the book and I wrote 5 others, but life happens and sends you in a different direction and that's when I decided to give historical romance a go. The first book is still on my computer.

Jan: Where did you get the idea for Chieftain’s Curse?

Frances: I had been writing some regency historicals and had lots of revisions but no sales and was lying in bed wondering what to write next and thought maybe I should write a Scottish book when the hero popped right into my head as if in a dream and he was yelling about some curse. Well of course I had to find out who he was and what the curse was all about. You can read about it in The Chieftain's Curse which became a RITA nominated book.

Jan: Tell us about your latest release: Chieftain by Command.
Frances: Here's a story blurb to get you started...

   Gavyn Farquhar’s marriage is forged with a double-edged blade. Along with the Comlyn clan’s lands, a reward from the King, he is blessed with an unwilling bride, Kathryn Comlyn, and an ancient fort with few defences that desperately needs to be fortified before it can act as a sufficient buffer between Scotland and the Norsemen on its northern borders.

   Gavyn needs wealth to meet his king’s demands, and he knows of only one way to get it — with his sword. Leaving his prickly bride behind in the hands of trusted advisors, he makes his way to the battlegrounds of France and the money that can be made there.

Two years married and Kathryn is still a virgin. A resentful virgin, certain that, like her father before her, she is perfectly capable of leading the Comlyn clan. In her usurper husband’s absence, she meets the clan’s needs, advising and ruling as well as any man.

    But she is an intelligent woman, and she knows the only respect and power she will ever hold will be through her husband. And to wield it, she needs to make him love her. An easy task to set, but impossible to complete, when said husband has been gone for two years, and there is no word of his return. But Kathryn is undeterred. After all, a faint heart never won a Chieftain.

READ A LITTLE, BUY THE BOOK

Jan: How often to you get lost in a story?
Frances: Too often that's why I can't read my favourite authors when I'm trying to write but I never go anywhere without having a book even if its just to read while drinking a coffee.

Jan: How did you meet your husband?  Was it love at first sight?
Frances: I met him at a dance and I guess I knew as soon as I saw him. We were both 18 but we were a lot older when he eventually told me he fell in love with me as soon as he saw me. Made me feel pretty good.

Jan: What drinks or snacks are always on your desk when you’re writing?
Frances: None, I get up to eat or drink and take a minute away from the keyboard.

Jan: I know you were born in Scotland.  How did you end up in New Zealand?  
Frances: My husband was in the New Zealand Navy and stationed in Rosyth close to Dunfermline where I worked.

Jan: What’s a typical writing day look like?

Frances: I'm afraid to say none of mine are typical, but I try for 1,000 words in the morning then have lunch and try for the same in the afternoon and sometimes when my husband has gone to bed I'll sit up late in front of the TV. I can surprise myself with the amount of writing I get done.

Jan: Have you met any real life heroes that you’ve based a story on?

Frances: No, sorry all my heroes live inside my head though I did do a lot of research on Sir Edmond Hillary when I wrote Stranded with a Stranger set on Everest.

Jan: Where would you love to go on your next vacation?

Frances: I'd love to go back to Scotland and do some research, of course if I could combine that with a trip up the Rhine that would be even better.

Jan:  Any secrets for a happy marriage?

Frances: Compromise, you can't get your own way all the time, especially with two strong characters—I'm Scorpio and my husband is Aries. 

Jan's Gotta Ask:  My hubby works for Haagen-Dazs so I always have to ask: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FLAVOR OF ICE CREAM?
Frances's Gotta Answer: Cookies and cream. I first tasted it on a trip to New England. We found this Dairy where they made their own ice cream. It was only open at night and there were no seats but the place was crowded. Of course we fitted in a second visit before we left.

FIND FRANCES HOUSDEN:

Contact  Website   Facebook: Frances Housden  

Twitter:@HousdenFwriter    Goodreads

**Thank you so much Frances, for sharing your writing world on Get Lost In A Story!**

Frances will be giving away a print copy of The Chieftain's Curse and an e-book gift 

certificate of Chieftain by Command! 

Simply leave a comment or a question for her to answer and 

we will draw a winner at the end of the day!

Live from RWA San Antonio Day Two

MORE interviews and pictures from #RWA14
And don't forget our preview or catch Day One

JAN SCHLIESMAN & XIO AXELROD
How do I say your name??

Behind the Camera, Angi Morgan

Jan Schliesman Meets RaeAnne Thayne!

RaeAnne Thayne & Angi Morgan share a smile while E.E. Burke provides the first photo bomb of conference!   Behind the Camera, Angi Morgan

Jan Schliesman Meets the Front of the Line

Jan Schliesman Meets THE END of the Line

Jan Schliesman and Robin Covington

Liz interviews 2014 RITA Finalist Tessa Dare!

Jan Schliesman and Jane Porter

Angi Morgan and Christie Craig

Late Night interview with one of the funniest writers around!

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On the Eve of RWA Nationals, a Chat with Lizbeth Selvig, RITA finalist

First, congratulations to Lizbeth Selvig on her 2014 RITA final! 

All of us at GLIAS are so proud and excited for her, and we'll all be rooting for her the night of the awards banquet in San Antonio.

Hi Jill, my GLIAS and Golden Heart Sis! It’s so nice of you to take time to interview me here on my favorite blog where I write with some of my favorite friends and fellow authors!  I need to say, this RITA final is pretty much unbelievable and a huge thrill—I mean, you’ve seen the company I’m in – holy moly, what am I doing here? Nonetheless, I’m honored to be representing Get Lost in a Story as well as the 2010 Unsinkables Golden Heart Group!


Jillian: So, tell us about getting the RITA call.

Lizbeth: The story is semi-humorous. I had a critique meeting that morning and had to leave home before 9 a.m. When I reached the meeting place my crit partner was not there and the thought flit through my mind that she was late because she’d finaled in the Golden Heart. Lo and behold—that’s

Invite and RITA pin! 

exactly what happened! (Shout out to Ellen Lindseth—a GH finalist in the Historical category!)  All during our meeting I kept an eye on the growing list of RITA finalists, but at 2:00 my name was not included.
Admittedly, like everyone who hopes to final and doesn’t, I was bummed. I went to the gym to wallow during my work out, but before I could get in, I got a call from a friend way up in Alaska. She said, “Last night I dreamed you were a RITA finalist.”  “Well,” I told her, “It was a nice dream.” “Don’t you know?” she asked.  “Know what?” “Oh my gosh, you ARE one!” That’s how I learned I was a finalist by way of Alaska! Turns out, Terry McLaughlin, RWA prez, didn’t have my cell phone number and had left me a pretty fabulous message on my landline! You can bet I scared the dog with my whooping!


Jillian: Share a blurb about the nominated novel, Rescued by a Stranger. 

Lizbeth: Jill Carpenter is a woman with big Olympic dreams and an even bigger heart.

When a sexy stranger with a tragedy in his past and a secret too painful to share rides to her rescue on a vintage motorcycle,Jill's vision of her future changes quicker than she ever imagined it could.



Chase Preston wants nothing more than to forget his past and keep his identity to himself. He has no business getting in the way of Jill's dreams -- even if he can't help but fall in love with her.



But a very unusual stray dog, two teenage sisters with attitude problems, and a crotchety old farmer, conspire to push Chase and Jill deeper and deeper into a love like they've never experienced before. A love that could lead to understanding, absolution, and a perfect happily-ever-after.

If only they can learn to trust.


Jillian: Your heroine, Jill Carpenter,  is an animal lover with Olympic dreams. Tell us about her.

Lizbeth: Jill is one of the nicest heroines you’ll ever meet. She’s just plain a good heart and talented in so many ways. She works at a large stable where she teaches lessons and hones her own riding skills. She gets the chance to earn a spot on the US Equestrian Team, but her dilemma is that she’s also a vet student and very gifted teacher. Then, of course, the man who could be the hero of her dreams throws a wrench into everything! 



Jillian: Chase Preston, arrives on the scene on a motorcycle. Without giving away his secret, mistake-filled past, what should we know about him?

Lizbeth:  Chase’s motorcycle is a classic 1975 Triumph Bonneville—a totally hot bike in my opinon! It’s not giving away much of a secret to the readers to say that Chase is a runaway doctor from a free clinic in Memphis, TN.  He’s sexy, he’s funny, he’s kind, he’s pretty much the sort of man who’ll turn himself inside out to help people – especially the woman he comes to love. But he’s lived through a tragedy that has turned him away from the profession he loves and made him certain anyone who finds out what happened will lose all respect for him. The problem is he, too, is very gifted at what he does and he cares about people so much that eventually he can’t help but let his own secret out, and when he does, everything he fears comes to pass.  



Jillian: Please share a brief excerpt from Rescued by a Stranger.

Lizbeth: Here you go:

Excerpt:

     The right side of his upper lip, as perfectly sculpted as the rest of his features, lifted in an Elvis-y half grin—a cute-on-handsome action that made Jill’s mouth go parched again.
     “Sounds like we’d best get you out before Lizzie Borden the truck here changes her mind about killing you.” His warm humor-filled voice calmed with its hypnotic Southern cadence.
     “I’d be very, very good with that,” she replied.
     “Let’s try the door.” He reached for the handle.
     “No! Wait. Don’t! Whenever I move the whole thing rocks. I—”
     “Okay, it’s okay.” He held up his hands. “I’ll look first and see how solid she’s sitting.”
     He stepped away and walked slowly around the front of the Suburban. Jill took the time to regroup. She wasn’t a wimp, dang it. This was stupid. The man already believed she was half-baked. She needed to stop whining and simply crawl out. And she had to get the stupid truck out of this stupid ditch or she’d miss the most important riding lesson of her life. Maybe if she could see how to straighten her wheels she could just drive—
     “She isn’t hanging on by a lot, you’re right.” He returned to the window. “But you should be able to ease out this way. I’ll open the door very carefully. Trust me.”
     Trust him? For all she knew he had a handgun in his pocket, a twelve-page rap sheet, and a mug shot at the Post Office.  “Fine.” She grimaced. “Just don’t mug me until I’m fully out. One crisis at a time.”
     His slightly nasal laugh flowed between them, as musical as his voice. “Gotta love a woman who’s funny in the face of adversity.”
     Funny? This merely kept her from weeping. In addition to causing expense for which there was no money, this accident was messing up two appointments she couldn’t afford to miss.
     “I’m not being funny.” She wriggled out from behind the steering wheel. “On the other hand, if you murder me right here I’ll have a great excuse for being late.” She edged to the passenger side and glanced at her watch. “Make that very late.”
     “Lizzie here didn’t murder you, and I’m not going to either.”
     He tugged on the door and it hit the slope, barely opening ten inches. Jill was small, but not that small.
     “Great. Just awesome.” She eyed the stranger dubiously.
     “I’m afraid it’s out the window for you.” He shrugged.
     “Well this gets better and better.” She simply wanted out, and she reached for the oversized tote she used as purse, clothing bag, and carry-all. “Would you toss this on the ground?  I hope that stupid dog appreciates its life.”
     “It’s on its knees thanking—”
     “All the angels?” she teased.
     “Yes, ma’am.” The return of his Elvis-grin sent a flutter through her belly. He hefted her striped, leather-handled bag and grunted. “Lord love a monkey, what have you got in here? Car parts?”
     “Riding boots.” She reached for the top of the window opening and suddenly heard what he’d said. “What?!”
     “Sorry, my granddaddy’s saying. Gotta admit,” he grunted again, “didn’t expect you to say boots.”
     “Only because you don’t know me,” she muttered.
     “Let’s go then. We can do getting-to-know-you once you’re free.”
     The easiest way out was head first, since it caused the least amount of wiggling. But halfway out, with her torso flopped over the doorframe and her knees hovering above the passenger seat, The Creature slowly swung its nose downward. She shrieked.
     “Got you!”  Strong hands caught her beneath the armpits.
     The Creature spun left and spit her from the window.
     The momentum squirted her out and propelled the stranger backward. One second Jill’s shoe toes skimmed the window frame, the next she sprawled atop a very long, very hard male body. He grabbed her, and held the back of her head expertly, as if people fell on him all the time and he knew precisely what to do.
     “Sorry. Sorry. I’m okay. Are you okay?” Her words were muffled in his shoulder.
     She should move.
     He should move.
     Instead, his chest rose and fell beneath her, and his breath warmed the top of her head. His fingers formed a firm brace at the base of her neck, and he lay like a stone beneath her. When she finally made the tiniest effort to roll away, his free hand planted itself on her hip.
     “No,” he commanded in a hoarse whisper.
     No?
     “Relax. Make sure you’re all in one piece.”
     She certainly didn’t know this guy well enough to relax in a reverse missionary position with him . . . but the pleasant musk of masculine perspiration prickled her nose and mingled with the redolent scent of his leather jacket. Her eyelids floated closed in spite of herself, and she went all-but-limp with relief. When he relaxed, too, however, she couldn’t ignore his long, lean form beneath her or the intense pressure gathering low in her body. She tried to concentrate on the fact that nothing bad was happening while he held her—no accidents, no animals dying, no worry she was late for . . .
     “Oh my gosh!” She jerked hard against his hold.
Immediately he released her, gave her shoulder a squeeze, and a mini explosion of sparks raced for every nerve ending in her body. She pushed onto her hands and stared into eyes as calm as a waveless lake.
     “Hi,” he said, his mouth only inches from hers. “I’m Chase Preston. Nice to meet you.”

Jillian: Now, for the question I've been dying to ask: Tell us all about your dress for the awards banquet. Details, please! 

Lizbeth:  Trying on formal dresses is traumatic for me. At 5’1 and mumble, mumble, mumble pounds—I sort of look like a bowling ball in a dress – lol. But I found a navy blue, floor length gown with a youthful  tiered overskirt of chiffon, a wide hip-to-bust waistband, chiffon caps on the sleeveless bodice, and a V-neck that goes low but not too low. I love it—it does have an oh-so-slight touch of prom dress to it, but it’s actually pretty flattering for a round lady with no height! I’m faithfully using some self-tanner on my, um, décolletage area, and “shapewear” (hah, our grannies called them girdles) is on my shopping list!
Jillian: The dress is lovely, Liz. And LOL––I never put on a dress without shapewear under it! ;)

Jillian: Okay, on a scale from one to ten, one being not very, and ten very––how excited are you? Because here at GLIAS, we're sooooo excited for you. Like at least a ten!
Lizbeth:  Believe me, my excitement dial goes to 11! The nerves won’t fully hit until ceremony night but then I know they’ll hit hard! I have no delusions that I will walk home with Ms. RITA—but then again, she’s a surprising lady, you never know. What I do know for sure is that I’m grateful and humbled to have so many good, good friends rooting for me and knowing that it truly is an honor to be a finalist!

Jillian: Have an amazing, memorable conference and good luck, Liz!

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Day Three: Last of the 2014 RITA finalists

Congratulations to RITA finalists in the Paranormal, Novella, Romantic Suspense, and Short Contemporary Romance categories!  

As many of you know, it is quite an honor to be a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist. We encourage all GLIAS readers to peruse the list of nominated authors and titles. See anything below you would love to read? Leave the title and your comment, along with your email contact info for a chance to win the RITA finalist book of your choice!

Paranormal Romance

The Burning Sky

by Sherry Thomas

HarperCollins Publishers, Balzer & Bray

Donna Bray, editor

Caged Warrior

by Lindsey Piper

Pocket Books

Lauren McKenna, editor

Demon Hunting in a Dive Bar

by Lexi George

Kensington Publishing Corp., Brava

Alicia Condon

The Devil’s Heart

by Cathy Maxwell

HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books

Lucia Macro, editor

Diamond Dust

by Vivian Arend

Samhain Publishing

Anne Scott, editor

The Firebird

by Susanna Kearsley

Sourcebooks, Landmark

Deb Werksman, editor

Heart of Obsidian

by Nalini Singh

Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley Sensation

Cindy Hwang, editor

His Clockwork Canary

by Beth Ciotta

Signet

Jhanteigh Kupihea, editor

Immortally Ever After

by Angie Fox

St. Martin’s Press

Monique Patterson, editor

Shadowdance

by Kristen Callihan

Grand Central Publishing, Forever

Alex Logan, editor

Skies of Gold: The Ether Chronicles

by Zoë Archer

HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Impulse

Amanda Bergeron, editor

Teardrop

by Lauren Kate

Random House Group, Delacorte

Wendy Loggia, editor

Witch Bound

by Eleri Stone

Carina Press

Gina Bernal, editor

Romance Novella

The Bridesmaid

by Julia London

Sourcebooks, Casablanca

Deb Werksman, editor

“Defending Truth”

by Shannon McNear

in A Pioneer Christmas

Barbour Publishing

Becky Germany, editor

How to Marry a Highlander

by Katharine Ashe

HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Impulse

Lucia Macro, editor

How to Misbehave

by Ruthie Knox

Random House Group, Loveswept

Sue Grimshaw, editor

“Imagine Me and You”

by Maisey Yates

in Animal Attraction

Harlequin, HQN

Margo Lipschultz, editor

Mine Under the Mistletoe

by Kat Latham

Carina Press

Angela James, editor

Take Me, Cowboy

by Jane Porter

Tule Publishing, Montana Born Books

Tessa Shapcott, editor

Take What You Want

by Jeanette Grey

Samhain Publishing

Jennifer Miller, editor

“Too Fast to Fall”

by Victoria Dahl

in Be Mine

Harlequin, HQN

Tara Parsons, editor

Romantic Suspense

Justice for Sara

by Erica Spindler

St. Martin’s Press

Jennifer Weiss, editor

The Killing Game

by Toni Anderson

Self-published

Off the Edge

by Carolyn Crane

Self-published

Thrill Ride

by Julie Ann Walker

Sourcebooks, Casablanca

Leah Hultenschmidt, editor

Short Contemporary Romance

A Conflict of Interest

by Barbara Dunlop

Harlequin, Desire

Charles Griemsman, editor

Free Fall

by Karen Foley

Harlequin, Blaze

Brenda Chin, editor

Her Accidental Boyfriend

by Robin Bielman

Entangled Publishing, Bliss

Stacy Abrams and Wendy Chen, editors

Her Secret, His Baby

by Tanya Michaels

Harlequin, American Romance

Johanna Raisanen, editor

A Royal without Rules

by Caitlin Crews

Harlequin, Presents

Megan Haslam, editor

Why Resist a Rebel?

by Leah Ashton

Harlequin KISS

Meg Lewis, editor


Commenters: See anything above you'd love to read? Leave the title, your comment, along with your email contact info for a chance to win the RITA finalist book of your choice! 

***Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America  addresses only. If an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.

Day Two: More 2014 RITA Award Finalists

Congratulations to RITA finalists in the Erotic, Historical, and Inspirational Romance categories!  

As many of you know, it is quite an honor to be a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist. We encourage all GLIAS readers to peruse the list of nominated authors and titles. See anything below you would love to read? Leave the title and your comment, along with your email contact info for a chance to win the RITA finalist book of your choice! 

Erotic Romance

Claim Me

by J. Kenner

Random House Group, Bantam

Shauna Summers, editor

Private Practice

by Samanthe Beck

Entangled Publishing, Brazen

Heather Howland, editor

When I’m Bad I’m Better in It Stings So Sweet

by Stephanie Draven

Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley Sensation

Cindy Hwang, editor

Historical Romance

Any Duchess Will Do

by Tessa Dare

HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books

Tessa Woodward

The Autumn Bride

by Anne Gracie

Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley Sensation

Wendy McCurdy, editor

The Chieftain’s Curse

by Frances Housden

Harlequin, MIRA

Kate Cuthbert, editor

The Countess Conspiracy

by Courtney Milan

Self-published

Robin Harders and Keira Soleore, editors

Darius

by Grace Burrowes

Sourcebooks, Casablanca

Deb Werksman, editor

Dark Angel: A Gothic Fairy Tale

by T J Bennett

Entangled Publishing, Edge

Liz Pelletier and Shannon Godwin, editors

Duke of Midnight

by Elizabeth Hoyt

Grand Central Publishing

Amy Pierpont, editor

The Lady and the Laird

by Nicola Cornick

Harlequin, HQN

Ann Leslie Tuttle, editor

Love and Other Scandals

by Caroline Linden

HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books

Lyssa Keusch, editor

The Luckiest Lady in London

by Sherry Thomas

Berkley Publishing Group

Wendy McCurdy, editor

Never Desire a Duke

by Lily Dalton

Grand Central Publishing, Forever

Michele Bidelspach, editor

No Good Duke Goes Unpunished

by Sarah MacLean

HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books

Carrie Feron, editor

Plaid Tidings

by Mia Marlowe

Kensington Publishing Corp., Zebra

Alicia Condon, editor

A Rake’s Midnight Kiss

by Anna Campbell

Grand Central Publishing, Forever

Amy Pierpont, editor

The Rogue’s Proposal

by Jennifer Haymore

Grand Central Publishing, Forever

Selina McLemore, editor

Sins of a Ruthless Rogue

by Anna Randol

HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books

Tessa Woodward, editor

Sonata for a Scoundrel

by Anthea Lawson

Self-published

Inspirational Romance

Five Days in Skye

by Carla Laureano

David C. Cook

John Blase and Tonya Osterhouse, editors

Promise to Return

by Elizabeth Byler Younts

Simon & Schuster, Howard Books

Beth Adams and Amanda Demastus, editors


Commenters: See anything above you'd love to read? Leave the title, your comment, along with your email contact info for a chance to win the RITA finalist book of your choice! 


***Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America  addresses only. If an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.