As a reader, (because authors ARE readers, too,
right?) we turn the pages of our favorite stories getting lost in the tale,
imagining ourselves as perhaps oneof the characters—maybe the heroine who gets
swept away by the handsome hero or maybe anti-hero? Maybe its that quiet
secondary character who catches your eye, and keeps you intrigued as to what his/her
fate will one day be?
Quite often I’ve been asked, “Where do you get your
ideas for your stories?”And most often I have to stop and think of which book to
tell them about.
I think most authors would agree, ideas come from
unexpected sources—standing in line at the grocery store, overhearing a
conversation in the car next to you at the gas station, maybe hearing a line in
a song, reading a news line, maybe (for the lucky) it comes in a dream.
In series writing, which is what I am writing
primarily these days—those characters may pop up as suddenly as uninvited guests,
lingering around long enough and making things that much more interesting that
they become like family. Example; I have one character, Betty, who owns the
diner in my little historical mining town of End of the Line, Montana.
In my
first book that started this particular series journey (RUGGED HEARTS, Book I, Kinnison
Legacy trilogy) Betty appeared as the lovable town gossip. She had been around
long enough in town to watch my hero brothers—Wyatt, Dalton and Rein—grow into
the men they are today. She also knew their step-dad/uncle (you'll have to read how
that one works) and basically if one wants to know anything about anyone—Betty’s
your best bet. Fiercely protective of her friends and family, she’s also a bit
of a match-maker as well.
One of these days, I hope to publish a cookbook that
Betty and I have been working on!
I asked a few friends who stood out as one of their
fav secondary characters…here’s what they had to say…
My favorite secondary character is Heath Hewitt in Where The Four Winds Collide. He is the younger brother of the hero, who was only supposed to be there as one of the motivators for the hero.
Heath ended up with one of the most touching scenes and with a story line that I had to taper down so he wouldn't steal the show from his brother Jackson!
Ciara Knight
In my current work in progress, Love on the Ranch, a
meddling mother (Rose) sets up pranks and all sorts of madness to push her
over-achieving, practical son toward an impractical bride who might not be able
to save his land, but she could save his heart.
Kieran Hage from The Wolfe. When I wrote The Wolfe,
Kieran was originally not meant to have a huge role, but as I got deeper into
the book, his personality just came through. Writers talk about their
characters coming alive, and Kieran really did - and that's why in my latest
release, A Wolfe Among Dragons, I had such a hard time because I wrote Kieran's
death scene as an old man. Ugly crying!
That would definitely have to be Theophilus Gunn.
He's the manager of The Cattleman Hotel in Haskell, Wyoming, and he shows up in
most of my Brides of Paradise Ranch books. He's also mentioned in my West Meets
East series and my Silver Foxes of Westminster series.
In my head, he has a
complete, complex, and epic backstory. Lived both in Europe and America, was a
spy in two wars, and just wants a little peace now that he's settled in
Wyoming. If you want anything "taken care of" go to Theophilus Gunn.
<wiggles eyebrows>
Frank in Gunslinger. He's a retired Texas Ranger but
you don't find that out until halfway through the book. He's a funny old coot
who seems to take care of everyone in Hico. Right now, he only appears in
Gunslinger...but just wait for Ranger Warrior!!
I’d be very challenged to pick my favorite hero or
heroine, but when it comes to my favorite secondary character, my choice is
clear! It’s Grandpa Gus Peregrine! In my Christmas novella, The Calling Birds,
Gus is a lovable troublemaker who works hard but also knows how to have fun.
More often than not, he’s joking and smiling. My mom was the inspiration for
Gus’ personality, but instead of being absentminded she was extremely stubborn.
So much so that she’d make me worry about her safely—just like Gus’ grandson
Jack can’t stop worrying about his grandpa.
I’d say Billy Frye in Fugitive Hearts. He's been on
his own since he was 5. He's slept in boxcars and been passed around from
family to family. At 11 now, he’s a tough kid with survivor instincts, very
clever, and despite being treated poorly has a big heart. He adores my heroine (Mrs.
Claire Daines) who wishes to adopt him and takes him in. He will protect her
with his life if need be, and that's what ends up getting Billy and Claire into
big trouble. Donna Michaels
My lovesick cow, Lula Belle. She's in love with my
hero from Book 1 and causes trouble for his heroine all throughout the series.
She's a riot to write! ❤
This is a new column for GLIAS! Starting once a month we'll be sharing thoughts "behind the scenes" with authors--new projects, appearances, convention buzz, as well as a contest or two!! **JUNE 14.2018**
THIS WEEK WE'RE TALKING SECONDARY CHARACTERS!
*WHO STRIKES YOUR FANCY AS A SECONDARY CHARACTER AND WHY?
*DID YOU CONTACT THE AUTHOR?
*DID THAT CHARACTER HAVE HIS/HER STORY IN ANOTHER BOOK?
SHARE WITH US YOUR COMMENTS BELOW!! **Do you have a question for one of our authors? Leave it in the comments and we'll try to answer it asap!!
Step into the world of the South and hear the cicadas, taste the mint juleps, see the stars, and smell the magnolias...
Twenty New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling authors have joined together to bring you a taste of Southern charm in Magnolias and Moonshine, a unique collection of contemporary romances releasing this month. There is something for everyone with these ten sweet and ten sizzle contemporary romance novellas. You’ll enjoy stories with cowboys, weddings, county fairs, lovers reunited, and much more.
Magnolias & Moonshine launches this week with The Sassy Bride by bestselling author Ciara Knight.
Ciara is my guest today on Get Lost in a Story, and she'll give us a peek at the first book in the series.
Abandoned by her parents and left to raise two sisters, Sadie
Dixon has spent her life sacrificing for her family. When the eldest son of the
rich Dumont family, Ashton, wins her heart and hand in marriage, he showers her
with every advantage money can buy. But when their worlds collide, Sadie faces
the first sacrifice she isn't sure she can make: leaving her family and
lifelong dreams of owning a bakery behind for the man she loves.
Meet Ciara
Ciara Knight is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author who
writes 'A Little Edge and A Lot of Heart' that spans the heat scales. Her
popular sweet romance series, Sweetwater County (rated PG), takes readers into
small town romance full of family trials, friendly competition, and community
love.
Ciara: Last year, I was
sitting at a table with some other others at the Romantic Times Convention and
mentioned that I’d like to do something special next year since the conference
would be held in my home town. I wanted to create a series of books that were
designed to celebrate the south.
E.E. Who are the writers
and how did you decide which ones to recruit?
I chose people
that I either had worked with in the past, or that had a solid reputation for
completing entertaining, well-written works in a timely manner. With a project
of this magnitude I didn’t want to take any chances. I’m happy to say that we
put together an amazing group of authors so that there is something for every
reader.
Here is the list
of authors in release order:
Ciara Knight (Sweet) Hildie McQueen (Sizzle) Beth Williamson (Sizzle) Susan Hatler (Sweet) Lindi Peterson (Sweet) Kymber Morgan (Sizzle) Amanda McIntyre (Sizzle) Lucy McConnell (Sweet) Sharon Hamilton (Sizzle) Lisa Kessler (Sizzle) Kirsten Osbourne (Sweet) Susan Carlisle (Sizzle) Tina DeSalvo (Sizzle) Raine English (Sweet) Amelia C. Adams (Sweet) E. E. Burke (Sizzle) Melinda Curtis (Sweet) Merry Farmer (Sizzle) Shanna Hatfield (Sweet) Jennifer Peel (Sweet)
E.E.: How will you
launch the series?
Yesterday, the first Magnolias & Moonshine novella, The Sassy Bride, was released, and the remaining 19 books will release each day between now and April 30. You can get them at Amazon, iBooks, Nook and
Kobo for only 99 cents each.
Can you tell us about the event you'll be having at the RT Booklovers Convention?
The Magnolia and Moonshine County Fair
will be held at the Romantic Times Convention on Friday, May 5, at
9:30 p.m. Readers can join us for a fabulous time where we’ll playfun games (like smash the tin can and bean bag
toss), win prizes and enjoy live music starring 2014 Georgia Country
Male Artist of the Year, Thomas Fountain.
“Sure.
I’d sacrifice anything for you. In fact, I know how all the Dumonts’ money
makes you uneasy, so I’ll marry the dashing, rich Ashton Dumont for you.” Avery
liked to mix her teases with a dash of jealousy and a pinch of love.
“Such
a sacrifice.” I clasped my hands together and shook my head as if amazed at her
thoughtfulness. Meanwhile, a frenzy of fluttery, itchy, stinging emotions
nibbled at my self-esteem. Every girl in metro Atlanta wanted to land Ashton
Dumont. “But are you sure? You haven’t even looked at another man since the
boyfriend-who-shall-be-shot-on-sight ran away.”
Avery’s
lip, eye, and nose twitched. Was that her I-dare-you face, or it’s-too-soon
face? I wasn’t sure, So I went for it’s too soon, and gave her my real
sympathetic smile. But I wasn’t sure if to hug it out, or tug each other’s hair
to cheer her up.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“Ashton’s
here,” Avery said in a k-i-s-s-i-n-g tone.
I
closed my laptop and faced the door. “Come in.”
Ashton
strutted in, soaked in an air of confidence only certain men could pull off.
“Hi, gorgeous. I brought you some lunch.” He tossed a gargantuan sandwich from
my favorite sub shop on the desk and kissed the top of my head. The tip of my
ears warmed.
He
patted Avery on the shoulder. “Sorry, didn’t know you’d be here or I would’ve
brought some for you, too.”
“Honestly
I think you did, this is gigantic.” I held the sandwich up with both hands.
“Unless you’re trying to fatten me up so I can’t run away.”
“I
have to keep hold of you somehow.” His grin was award winning.
Gravel
crunched outside, and a car pulled up. Another band would be setting up soon. I
could always hope they’d be good. Someone had to be, eventually. I crossed my
fingers.
“She
won’t have time to finish it anyway, an afternoon of auditions and all.” Avery
pushed out her chest, her lips curving into her cheerleader-on-happy-pills
smile. “But no worries. Sisters share.” She snagged the sandwich and ripped
into the bag. “Besides, we want our bride to fit into her dress.”
I
knew she didn’t mean it, only payback for bringing up her ex. I’d give her this
one.
Ashton
played with the ends of my hair, toying with it between his fingers. I relaxed
into his familiar touch, savoring the contact. “No worries about that. She’s
perfect.”
Avery’s
eyes lit up like a neon sign flashing “Gotcha.” “Are we all still on for
tonight? That whole shindig with your parents and grandparents and kings and
queens?”
“Avery.”
She was just trying to protect me, but she wasn’t wrong. My minute of bliss
shattered into tiny slivers of anxiety and splinters of hope. Hope that his
parents wouldn’t judge me. Hope that his grandparents wouldn’t hate me. Hope
that his family finally accepted me.
“I
think you’re exaggerating,” Ashton said, “but yes, we’ll be eating at the club
tonight for the first annual Dumont-Dixon dinner.”
“Wait,
you drove forty minutes out of your way to see me when we’re going to be
together tonight?” I shook my head.
“Yeah.
It gave me thirty more minutes with my other girl.” Ashton tilted his head
toward the small window, indicating his new Audi R8 in the parking lot. His
graduation present. A present that could’ve paid our bills for a decade.
Avery
made a wrap-you-around-her-little-finger gesture. “How a-dork-able.”
“Dinner.
Wait…” Avery rubbed her temples trying to bring back a memory. “Oh, I forgot to
give you a message. Aunt Cathy is coming tonight.”
I
bolted from my seat, fear of embarrassing family behavior taking my breath and
stomping it from my lungs. “What? But the club dinner requires reservations…”
Thank the Lord.
Ashton
rubbed my arms, an instant, soothing ointment. “She can come with you. No
worries.”
“No
worries? Are those finals draining your brain cells? We’re talking about the
epitome of all country women, Cathy West. She doesn’t know fine dining manners,
or how to make sweet small talk. She’s even louder than Avery.”
“Hey,”
Avery started to protest, stopped, thought, and nodded. “True.”
“Relax.”
Ashton pulled me into his make-everything-right arms. “You’re going to end up
in the back kitchen with an apron and fast pass to a mental breakdown if you
don’t take a breath.”
My
anxiety revved from zero to sixty faster than his new R8. “Your mother is going
to faint. No, we have to keep Cathy home, or cancel tonight.”
“It’ll
all be okay. I’ll be at your side the entire time. We’ll do this together.”
I
rested my head against his chest for a minute, wishing the world would stop
pounding against my skull. Two breaths and then I managed to face him and the
rest of our drama. “We’re talking about your mother meeting a woman three times
more backwoods than me. Remember when she overheard you ask me out at the club
when I was waiting tables? She did a southern belle swoon that put Scarlett
O’Hara to shame. I’m surprised she didn’t have you carry her to a fainting
couch on the spot.”
Ashton
kissed my cheek, my neck, my shoulder. “I don’t care if my mother has an issue
with your family. Your family is my family. I love you, and I will love your
Aunt Cathy. You worry too much.”
“Can
you teach me how you do that?” Avery said, reminding me she was still in the
room.
“Do
what?” he asked.
“Calm
Sadie into submission?”
“Tame
it, sis.” I gave her a glare. Ashton could talk me into just about anything, a
dangerous trait in a man. But Avery was wrong, I had some control around
Ashton. Some.
“Relax,
Sadie. It’ll be fine.”
I
shook my head. “How can you be so calm?”
Ashton
swooped me into his arms and dipped me like a tango dancer trying to impress
the judges at a competition. “Because frankly,
my dear, I don’t give a damn.” His Rhett Butler accent was as perfect as
his eyes.
I
just shook my head and smiled. Maybe he was right.
Avery
chuckled. “As I said, a-dork-able.”
Ciara will give away a copy of The Sassy Bride in a random drawing among those who leave a comment (provide your email). You can also enter the Magnolias and Moonshine drawing for a free Kindle Fire and a complete set of eBooks in the series.
Can y0u name some of your favorite Southern romance characters? What make them so memorable?
What do eight bestselling Western historical romance authors do when they get together? They collaborate on a boxed set bestseller! HEARTS ABLAZE is a collection of eight historical romances set in the Old West, and blazing with passion and adventure. All this, for only 99 cents. When we first came together to work on this project, we quickly realized we had something very special–a breadth of sweet to sensual stories that represent the varied and vibrant tapestry of the Old American West. From the wild Pacific forests to the lonesome prairie, on wagon trains and at frontier outposts, you’ll fall in love with lumberjacks and soldiers, trailblazers and trick riders, courageous warriors and rugged cowboys.
In Whispered Love, bestselling author Kathleen Ball transports you to the Pacific Northwest, a land bristling with handsome, well-muscled lumberjacks.
Foreman Samuel Pearse has only one rule; no women allowed. Until he finds one
asleep in his bathtub—Pat Clarke, the company cook. With her secret revealed
and her virtue at stake, Pat turns to the only man who can help her…the one man
who sets fire to her heart.
In Kate’s Outlaw, award-winning author E.E. Burke spins a suspenseful yarn
about a half-breed desperado who abducts—and then rescues—a railroad heiress.
On the run from danger, with enemies on both sides, Jake and Kate seek solace
in each other’s arms, and ignite a love as powerful as it is forbidden.
The Officer and the Bostoner, from USA Today bestselling author
Rose Gordon, follows the adventures
of a well-to-do lady traveling cross-country to meet her intended. Instead, she
finds herself stranded at a military fort and forced into an unwanted marriage.
Can a hot-blooded officer spark love in his wife’s cold heart?
Fools Rush from USA Today bestselling author Ciara Knight. A young
woman, desperate
for independence from all men, embarks on a crazy cross-country wagon train
adventure disguised as a man. Instead of finding her independence, a bounty
hunter captures her under the guise of horse thieving, a crime punishable by
hanging. Will a man she’s lied to for months save her, or will he surrender her
to a monster with a badge?
Ridin’ For A Fall by Kirsten
Lynn immerses you in a fiery tale of forever love. When circumstances force
best friends and Wild West Show performers, Lena Boden and Kyle Allaway to
marry and return to Wyoming, they must stand together against internal doubts
and external forces seeking their destruction—or risk a fall that will knock
them out of the saddle for good.
A Warrior’s Heart, by bestselling
author Amanda McIntyre, brings to
life the passionate story of a bold Cherokee warrior and the brave white woman
he rescues from certain death. Thrown together by circumstances not of their
own making, they overcome betrayal and tragedy to find a love strong enough to
bring nations together.
The Rancher, from bestselling author Hildie McQueen, transports readers to 1870s Montana Territory and
into a sensual encounter between an injured rancher and a woman running for her
life. Sometimes love enters at the worst moment…
In The Drifter, bestselling author Elizabeth Rose takes readers on an epic
journey across the plains, as drifter Chase Masters shows up wounded at Nessa
Pemberton's stagecoach relay station mistaken as the bandit who killed her
husband. Can a single mother learn to love again and put her trust in a man who
is nothing but a drifter?
Let’s corral the
authors and get to know them better…
Kathleen Ball
Writes contemporary and
historical western romance with great emotion and memorable characters.
Her books have appeared on best sellers lists including: Amazon, All Romance
Ebooks, Bookstrand, Desert Breeze Publishing and Secret Cravings
Publishing. She is the recipient of eight Editor's Choice Awards, and The
Readers' Choice Award for Ryelee's Cowboy. She was a finalist in the 2012 and
2015 RONE Awards and Top Pick, Five Star Series from the Romance Review, and
winner of the Lear diamond award for Best Historical Novel- Cinders' Bride.
You can find out more about Kathleen and her books at her website or on Facebook.
Kathleen, how did you come up with the idea for Whispered Love?
I had just watched
the movie The Revenant and the beautiful scenery and the time period awed me.
The Pacific North West is a place I never thought to write about but the idea
to set a book there kept coming back to me. It went from there to my hero, a
handsome, brawny lumberjack, and the story practically wrote itself.
Is writing or storytelling easier for you?
Growing up it seemed
as though everyone in my family had a gift for storytelling. Everyone but me.
My stories often missed the point, or went in circles. My father was a
wonderful storyteller and often had us on the edge of our seat. I started
writing seven years ago. I never thought to be a writer, after all I can’t even
tell a story but when my fingers touched the keys to my computer I was amazed.
I still can’t tell a story but I can write a pretty good one.
E.E. Burke
Award-winning author of sensual
and sweet historical romances. Woven through with real history, her stories
recapture a bygone era and resonate with enduring themes. Besides being a bestselling author, she's earned accolades in regional and national contests, including the RWA's
prestigious Golden Heart®. Over the years, she’s been a disc jockey, a
journalist and an advertising executive, before finally getting around to
living the dream--writing stories readers can get lost in.
Learn more about E.E. and her books on her website or on her Facebook page.
How did you come up with the idea for your book?
History, of course! I’ll admit
it--I’m a history geek. I get more story ideas reading history books and
exploring historical museums than anywhere else. When I was working on Kate’s
Outlaw (and the beginning of the Steam! Romance & Rails series) I found a
fascinating story about the Western band of the Cherokee Nation suing to stop
land giveaways to railroads, on the basis of sovereignty. I loved how they used
the white men’s judicial system to fight back against wealthy railroad barons
and dishonest speculators. I did wonder how they financed an expensive legal
battle, which led to some interesting theories…and a story idea was born!
What is your hero’s
“kryptonite” – in other words, what will bring him instantly to his knees?
In Kate's Outlaw, Jake Colson, or Wa-ya
(the Wolf) as he’s known among his people, has a deeply ingrained sense of
loyalty. He will protect those he considers part of his “pack," especially his clan
and family. In fact, dogged loyalty is, in a sense, his greatest weakness.
Because of loyalty, he does things he wouldn’t do otherwise. Loyalty is
also one of his shining strengths, as Kate discovers when he puts his life on
the line to protect her. I love taking a character trait and looking at it from
different angles, and using that trait to reveal both the best and worst in a person. Sometimes our weaknesses can turn out to be unexpected strengths.
Rose Gordon
USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than
a dozen unusual historical romances that have been known to include scarred
heroes, feisty heroines, marriage-producing scandals, far too much scheming,
naughty literature and always a sweet happily-ever-after.
See more about Rose and her books at her website or on her Facebook page.
In The Officer and the Bostoner, what could we find in
your heroine's purse?
Very little money and absolutely no peppermints, which is a
horrible fate for a weary traveler with a roiling stomach. But, who knows,
perhaps fate will use that to her advantage.
Do you put yourself
in the heroine’s role?
Absolutely. When she hurts, my chest constricts and a lump
forms in my throat. When she's giddy with excitement, I can hardly sit in my
chair! When the hero tells her he loves her...I want to reach through the
screen and melt in his arms myself. Yes, I'm weird. It's okay.
Ciara Knight
Ciara Knight is a USA Today and Amazon Bestselling author who writes 'A Little Edge and A Lot of Heart' that spans the heat scales. Her popular sweet romance series, Sweetwater County (rated PG), takes readers into small town romance full of family trials, friendly competition, and community love.The prequel novella of a brand new sister series, Riverbend, is now available, and the first four books will release in 2016.
To learn more about Ciara and her books, visit her website or her Facebook page.
In Fool's Rush, what one thing about
your hero drives his heroine crazy? And what one thing about your heroine
drives her hero nuts?
The fact that Bethany is dressed as a man and she can’t
touch Thomas’s strong chest, run her hands through his thick hair, or tell him
how much she’s in awe over his strong, giving nature nearly drives her mad with
restrained passion.
Thomas is frustrated with the fact Bethany keeps
disappearing on the wagon train headed west. The beautiful, strong woman is
going to send him into a heat stroke on the prairie if he can’t get his hands
on her soon.
Which is easier for
you, writing or storytelling?
Due to my significant battle with a brain-sucking monster,
AKA language disorder, storytelling is the easier of the two for me. Not that
I’ll ever let my learning challenge stop me. As far as story-telling goes,
let’s just say that I’m happy to say that I now enjoy living in my worlds and
not having to explain where I went when the teacher is calls on me. J
Kirsten Lynn
Kirsten is a Western and Military Historian. She worked
six years with a Navy non-profit and continues to contract with the Marine
Corps History Division for certain projects. Making her home where her roots
were sewn in Wyoming, Kirsten also works as a local historian. She loves to use
the history she has learned and add it to a great love story. She writes
stories about men of uncommon valor…women with undaunted courage…love of
unwavering devotion …and romance with unending sizzle. When she’s not writing,
she finds inspiration in day trips through the Bighorn Mountains, binge reading
and watching sappy old movies, or sappy new movies. Housework can always wait.
Find out more about Kirsten and her books on her website and at her Facebook page.
How did you come up
with the idea for Ridin' for a Fall?
Lena is very loosely based on my great-grandmother. She and
her brother were trick riders, and he even became part of Buffalo Bill's
Congress of Rough Riders. In real life, she had a hard life, abandoned by her
husband and raising the children alone. So, I wanted to give her a HEA. I also
wanted to set a series in the area where I currently live. Kyle and the rest of
the Allaways and Gowans appeared through my interactions with the people in
Sheridan and Big Horn, Wyoming. The A&G Ranch was inspired by many of the
ranches in this area. Her brother even makes an appearance as the silverware
stealing Alt Boden. There will be two more books in the Original Brand series
that will be based on my great-uncles during WWII.
What would you find
in your heroine's purse?
Well, since moving back to Wyoming and leaving the highbrow
life of a Wild West Show trick rider (where she was forced to wear dresses and
such in public), Lena rarely carries a handbag. You're more likely to find her
decked out in denims and tossing a saddlebag over her favorite Paint horse. In
the saddlebag for just a daily ride, you'd find jerky, an apple or two, cookies
(to share with Kyle), a change of cloths to change little Katie, and a change
of clothes for the baby, and some formula.
Amanda McIntyre
Amanda’s storytelling is a natural offshoot of her artistic creativity. A
visual writer, living in the rich tapestry of the American heartland, her
passion is telling character-driven stories with a penchant (okay, some call it
a wicked obsession) for placing ordinary people in extraordinary situations to
see how they overcome the obstacles to reach their happily ever after.
A
bestselling author, her work is published internationally in Print, eBook, and
Audio. She writes steamy contemporary and sizzling historical romance and truly
believes, no matter what, love will always find a way.
To learn more about Amanda and her books check out her website or her Facebook page.
How did you come up with the
idea for A Warrior's Heart?
I have always been interested in my ancestry. There were
stories growing up, that on my grandmother’s side, I was related to the Younger
brothers of Missouri, who once rode with Jesse James. I’m still searching, but
it would certainly explain my inner rebelliousness, wouldn’t it? On my father’s
side, there are a great many gaps, however, somewhere along the line there is a
portion of Cherokee blood. As I was tracing my lineage, I found the topic of
the Trail of Tears—a story barely touched on actually in school history books.
I kept reading, finding more and more about the story—which I won’t lie, is
heart-breaking, frustrating and yet, despite the odds—it was about a nation of
people, respectful of the earth and all living things, that managed to survive
as a nation, the terrible obstacles they had to face.
That was my fodder for A Warrior’s Heart. A complex story
about perceptions, greed, loyalty, deceit, betrayal, tenacity, kindness,
courage, redemption, forgiveness, retribution and understanding. Seasoned with
human emotions, and steeped in romance-it’s the timeless tale of two people
brought together under circumstances not of their own making, how they survive
and how love—and its many attributes—finds a way to bring two nations together.
What kind of stories do you get
lost in?
Whether a book or movie, I get lost in the type of story
that has complex characters that you peel away the layers to find the true
heart, how they respond to extraordinary situations. Some of my favorite
authors are those who write about the dynamics of family (whether by blood or
experience)—Nora Roberts, The MacGregors and her Quinn brothers trilogy, Anne
River Siddons-Colony, John Jakes-North and South to name a scant few. I love
the rich tapestry of personalities, what motivates their actions, their
reactions to the circumstances around them. As far as movies; the complexity of
Legends of the Fall, a brilliant fusion of history and family dynamics I could
watch over and over again. John Jakes, North and South is another. Stories like
Hope Floats, Practical Magic, The Help, Sweet Magnolias, Meet Me in St Louis
are lighter favs, while shows like Longmire, Hell on Wheels, Copper, and Ripper
street fascinate me in terms of the darker side of character in a dark setting.
In truth, my eclectic taste in books, movies and music very much affects my
writing as well.
Hildie McQueen
Bestselling author Hildie McQueen loves unusual situations and getting
into interesting adventures, which is what her characters do as well. She
writes romance because she is in love with love! Author of Romance in Highland
historical, Western Historical and contemporary, she writes something every
reader can enjoy.
Most days she can be found in her pajamas hiding from deliverymen while
drinking tea from her David Gandy coffee mug. In the afternoons she browses the
Internet for semi-nude men to post on Facebook.
Hildie's favorite past-times are romance conventions, traveling,
shopping and reading. She resides in beautiful small town Georgia with her super-hero husband
Kurt, an unruly boy Chihuahua Pepito and a spoiled rotten girl Chiweenie named
Lola.
Find out more about Hildie and her books on her website and her Facebook page.
In The Rancher, what one thing about your hero drives his
heroine crazy? And what one thing about your heroine drives her hero nuts?
Grant is stubborn
and not willing to take the time he needs to heal, it makes Julia angry that he
won’t take care of his injuries as needed. This comment she makes cracked me
up. “If you want to fall over with an infection and lay in a pile of skin and
bones until someone finds you, then it’s on you.” I think Julia is very hard to
get to know, so it drives Grant nuts that she won’t open up to him about her
life.
What is your hero’s “kryptonite” – in other
words, what will bring him instantly to his knees?
Grant Gentry loves
his brothers more than anything, his younger brother Lincoln and older brother
Emerson, who raised them. If anything happens to either one, he’d fall to
pieces. In The Rancher, Linc is missing, presumed dead, so Grant’s intensity is
easy to understand and your heart goes out to him.
Elizabeth Rose
Elizabeth Rose is the bestselling author of over 55 books,
an Amazon All-Star and in the Top 100 of Amazon’s most popular, bestselling
historical romance authors. She writes medieval, small town contemporary,
paranormal and western romance.
She is known for her series and sagas of family characters
that often cross over into other series. To find out more about Elizabeth’s
books, read excerpts, or to view her booktrailer videos, please visit her
website. For a limited time, if you
sign up for her mailing list, you will receive the Tarnished Saints’ Christmas
Prequel for free. You can also find her on Facebook.
How did you come up
with the idea for your book?
I love watching old westerns and learning about life in
those times and knew I had to write The Drifter. I started researching
stagecoach lines and found it interesting. Life on the plains was hard and
dangerous, and travel was rough and dirty. There were bandits, weather, and Indians
to worry about. Life running a stagecoach relay station was even more
fascinating. I knew I had to have my heroine doing just this. So to make it a
romance, I upped the stakes. Nessa Pemberton, my heroine is also a widow with a
young son and a brother who has been hurt riding shotgun on a stage during a
raid. And of course the thing she fears most is bandits, and my hero ends up
wounded in her barn and happens to look a lot like the bandit that killed her
husband.
This book was a lot of fun to write, and I was able to share
my research with my readers through Nessa and Chase’s story.
In The Drifter, what is your hero’s
“kryptonite” – in other words, what will bring him instantly to his knees?
Chase Masters is a drifter and a loner. He thinks he doesn’t
need anyone, but that is only because he is running from his mistakes of the
past. Ignoring them keeps him from feeling the hurt inside. But when Nessa
tends to his wounds and he is basically part of her family while he’s healing –
that is his kryptonite.
He loves her molasses pie, and likes being around Nessa and
her son, Billy, who looks up to him. He’s not a stranger to hard work and
doesn’t mind helping out around the stagecoach relay station, and likes to feel
needed. Through the years he’s convinced himself he’s a drifter and never stays
in one place long, but being around Nessa and her family makes him realize that
he’s only been fooling himself.
Join the Party!
On Thursday, Oct. 20, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern. we’re hosting a Facebook party to celebrate the release of Hearts Ablaze. Come prepared to ask those burning questions (yes, you can put us on the hot seat, and feed us s'mores afterwards). Enter FLASH giveaways & a RAFFLE for the grand prize, a $100 Amazon gift card. Invite your friends! Here's the link to RSVP and join: http://bit.ly/HeartsAblazeParty
Now it's your turn!
What are some of your favorite characters in Old West
stories? Cowboys? American Indians? Soldiers? Outlaws? Tell us why.
Enter the drawing for a copy of the boxed set HEARTS ABLAZEor one of the eight books included.
As a reader, (because authors ARE readers, too,
right?) we turn the pages of our favorite stories getting lost in the tale,
imagining ourselves as perhaps one of the characters—maybe the heroine who gets
swept away by the handsome hero or maybe anti-hero? Maybe its that quiet
secondary character who catches your eye, and keeps you intrigued as to what his/her
fate will one day be?
My favorite secondary character is Heath Hewitt in Where The Four Winds Collide. He is the younger brother of the hero, who was only supposed to be there as one of the motivators for the hero.
In my current work in progress, Love on the Ranch, a
meddling mother (Rose) sets up pranks and all sorts of madness to push her
over-achieving, practical son toward an impractical bride who might not be able
to save his land, but she could save his heart.
