Barbara Monajem confesses her love for the OXFORD Dictionary #historical #interview

Imagine: your second RWA conference and your first KOD Death by Chocolate event and you meet a nice lady sitting next to you, little knowing this person would be a friend since. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you 

Barbara Monajem!!!

Barbara Monajem is the award-winning author of the Bayou Gavotte paranormal mysteries, Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil, Tastes of Love & Evil, and Heart of Constantine, as well as several Regency novellas. Her latest novel, Lady of the Flames, is a Regency romantic suspense with magic. She lives near Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and an ever-shifting population of relatives, friends, and feline strays.

Lord Fenimore Trent’s uncanny affinity for knives and other sharp blades led to knife fights, duels, and murderous brawls. Five years ago, he faced a choice: marry Andromeda Gibbons, the woman he loved, or find a safe, peaceful use for his blades by opening a furniture shop—an unacceptable occupation for a man of noble birth. The choice made itself when Andromeda turned to another man. The furniture shop prospered, but now Fen’s partner has been accused of treason. In order to root out the real traitor, he may face another unpalatable choice—to resort to the violent use of his blades once again.

Once upon a time, Andromeda Gibbons believed in magic. That belief faded after her mother’s death and vanished completely when Lord Fenimore, the man she loved, spurned her. Five years later, Andromeda has molded herself into a perfect—and perfectly unhappy—lady. When she overhears her haughty betrothed, the Earl of Slough, plotting treason, she flees into the London night—to Fen, the one man she knows she can trust. But taking refuge with Fen may mean far more than getting help. 

Can Andromeda learn to believe in love, magic, 

and the real Andromeda once again?

Find an excerpt from Lady of the Flames at: Excerpt

Find Lady of the Flames at: Amazon   Barnes and Noble

And now for the Fun!!! QUESTIONS:

Vicki:  I’m a huge handbag girl. What is your favorite accessory? Barbara: Do socks count as an accessory? I adore socks – thick, thin, short, long, wildly colorful or purely practical. The only item on my bucket list is to become successful at knitting socks. Since I hardly ever get any time for knitting, I’m not sure I’ll ever succeed, so maybe this is just a way of staving off the inevitable…?

Vicki: Okay, you ca get by with the socks especially since you crafted them. I love warm wool socks (hint-hint)!

Vicki: How often do you get lost in a story?  Barbara: Every day! (Whether I’m reading or writing one.)

Vicki: What was the first story you remember writing? Barbara: I wrote one about apple tree gnomes in third grade. An embarrassing number of years later, I still put little magical creatures in my stories, even though they’re adult romances these days.

Vicki: That is so cute. 

Vicki: Be honest, when reading...do you put yourself in the heroine’s role? Barbara: Yes, to some extent. Often I think, I would never have the guts to do that! or, What, is she crazy? Sometimes, I fall in love with the hero, but just as often, I think he’s a great guy for the heroine but wouldn’t do for me. 

Vicki: Is writing or story-telling easier for you? Barbara: Writing. I don’t enjoy talking. I have an occasional, unpredictable stammer, which makes talking sort of nerve-wracking and too much work.

Vicki: If you couldn’t be a writer anymore, what profession would you take up? Barbara: Retirement? LOL. Actually, I’m a total nerd about words—their origins and meanings and how they change over time—so I would love to work on the Oxford Dictionary. That was always my dream job.

Vicki: Wow, Barbara, that would be interesting.

Vicki: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book? Barbara: Jump eagerly into writing the next one.

Vicki: If you were given a chance to travel to the past where would you go and specifically why? Barbara: It depends on whether I could also be invisible if I chose, invulnerable to disease, and could beam myself back to the future anytime I liked. (I’m a wimp, so danger wouldn’t work for me.) Anyway, to answer the question, I’d like to see Anglo-Saxon England. This is due to reading lots of historical novels about that era. The ones that spring to mind are the Saxon Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell. Ancient Rome and Roman Britain would be great, too. Again, it’s because of books I’ve read: The Eagle of the Ninth and other stories by Rosemary Sutcliff, and the Marcus Didius Falco mysteries by Lindsey Davis.  Also, after reading The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis (time travel to the mid-1300s) and The Vizard Mask by Diana Norman (17^th Century), I would like to try either of those eras when the plague was raging. I know it sounds ghoulish, but for some weird reason it fascinates me. I’m pretty sure I would come home in a hurry because seeing the suffering and being unable to help would be so horrible. OK now, enough dark stuff for today…

Vicki: What do you do to unwind and relax? Barbara: Duh! I read, of course.

Vicki: Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing? Barbara: Yes, I read them. If they’re complimentary, I’m happy. If they’re not, oh well. And sometimes I learn something helpful, so why not?

Vicki: What are the next five books on your ‘to be read’ pile? Barbara: The Soldier’s Dark Secret by Marguerite Kaye (Regency romance). Wicked My Love by Susanna Ives (Victorian romance). Why Kings Confess by C.S. Harris (Regency mystery). An Early Wake by Sheila Connolly (contemporary mystery--in Ireland). Night at the Vulcan by Ngaio Marsh (a reread of a mystery by one of the greats). There’s not one paranormal in the lot, so that’s what I’ll be looking for after that.

Vicki: What drew you to write in the genre(s) you do? Barbara: I enjoy romance, mystery, and magic (which can be anything paranormal). I love writing stories that combine all three. J

FIND Barbara Monajem at:

Email     Website   Facebook  Twitter   Goodreads   Pinterest   Blog

UP NEXT: It will be an anthology in the summer, but I don’t have a final cover yet. The title is Passionate Promises, and the authors are all from the Embracing Romance bloggers.

PREVIOUS RELEASES: The Christmas Knot, my Regency Gothic mystery romance novella (I admit, I really have a hard time sticking to one genre at a time), is in the boxed set, Captivated By His Kiss, which is still available for 99 cents (but not for much longer).

WILL YOU HAVE A DRAWING FROM THOSE LEAVING COMMENTS?

 A drawing would be good. I will give away a Regency novella duet (two related novellas) OR one of the Bayou Gavotte paranormal mysteries, winner’s choice. E-books only, Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Please leave your email address in the comments to be eligible. 

Thank you, Barbara, for being my guest today 

and many hugs!

Get Lost with Kate's Outlaw and author E.E. Burke!!!

GET LOST IN THIS STORY…

 

 

The Katy Railroad may have won a contentious race against their rival, but construction comes to screeching stop six miles inside Indian Territory—halted by the Cherokee, who refuse to let the "smoking dragon" pass. With bankruptcy looming, railroad heiress Kate Parsons takes negotiations into her own hands. However, her plans go awry when she’s abducted.

Jake Colson, known as “the Wolf,” among his people, didn’t intend to kidnap anyone, but now he's stuck with a white woman whose personality is as bold as her fiery curls. When his partner threatens to kill her before she can expose their scheme to save their land, Jake takes off with his beautiful captive. Now, he must protect the woman he’s named Redbird, and at the same time prevent her father's railroad from steaming ahead.

 

I’m so excited to host author E.E. Burke at Get Lost In A Story today! Not only is she a new member of our blog, she’s a fabulous debut author, an extremely talented critique partner, a wonderful person and a very good friend. I’ve had the honor of reading her work for the past three years and I am thrilled that you have the chance to read her incredible stories now, too! So without further ado, here’s E.E. Burke!

 

 

E.E. Burke writes sexy, suspenseful historical romance set in the American west. Her debut release, Kate’s Outlaw, is part of a new series, Steam! Romance and Rails, which features stories based on true events from the golden age of steam railroads. An avid fan of AMC’s Hell on Wheels, she was inspired to create a railroad-themed romance series after watching the show. Her writing has earned accolades in regional and national contests, including the prestigious Golden Heart®.

 

Over the years, she’s been a disc jockey, a journalist and an advertising executive, before finally getting around to pursuing her dream of writing novels. Her stories are as deeply rooted in American soil as her family, which she can trace back to the earliest colonists and through both sides of the Mason-Dixon line. She lives in Kansas City with her husband and three daughters, the greatest inspiration of all.

 

 

An excerpt from Kate’s Outlaw…

 

"Redbird?" Kate’s hand flew to her hair. Lord knows it’d been compared to worse than a cardinal's bright coloring, but the jest hurt more because it reminded her that all men, even those regarded as savages, found her unattractive.

She smoothed the messy curls and retreated into her only defense—self-deprecating humor. "You shouldn't insult the poor bird. It might take offense."

The devilishly handsome Indian regarded her with that searching look she found so disconcerting. "Redbird is the daughter of the sun.”

What was he talking about, an Indian story?

“Did she look like me?” That seemed unlikely.

He stared at the top of Kate’s head. “The legend doesn’t say what Redbird looked like, but I always imagined she had hair like flames and eyes as blue as the sky vault."

He hadn't used the word beautiful, but the way he described Redbird made Kate feel that way. Her hand drifted up to her hair again. Had it changed since she’d last seen it? "You…you meant it as compliment?"

"It wasn't an insult.” His gold-flecked eyes burned with a look she didn’t often get from men, especially handsome ones.

She tore her gaze away. "I…I believe I need another drink."

Bending over the gurgling stream, she cupped a handful of water. Why had he stopped at this secluded glen? They did need rest, the horse included, but that wasn't all he had in mind if those heated looks were any indication. He hadn’t threatened her, and in fact acted like he wanted to help. But she didn’t trust he was taking her somewhere safe. After all, lying and cheating were natural as breathing to outlaws.

Was his plan to seduce her? Why else would he be making up names and telling her pretty stories? Perhaps he didn’t enjoy rape and wanted a willing partner. He might even view it as a conquest. After all, how many Indian outlaws, even handsome ones, could claim they'd bedded a rich white woman?

Kate threw a frantic glance at his horse, which was tied up and grazing a few paces away. He’d catch her before she could reach it.

"Are you feeling better?" He sounded concerned, but that might be a ruse to gain her trust so she’d be more easily manipulated.

"Just thirsty." She studied him from the side of her eye. The gun at his side, she could slip it out of the holster if he let down his guard. But how could she get him to do that?

Her heart thudded against her breastbone. What if she acted as though she wanted to be seduced? Then, when he was distracted, she could steal his weapon and take his horse.

No, she couldn’t do it.

Yes, she could if her life depended on it.

What if he tried to overpower her? Could she shoot him?

She’d make him believe she would. Now wasn’t the time for squeamishness. She had to be bold. Calculating. Sly.

Steeling her nerves, she looked at him through her lashes as she'd seen debutantes do when they wanted to bring a man to their side.

He didn’t move.

Was she doing this right? She’d never felt comfortable flirting and disliked being coy. But right now she was desperate enough to try anything.

"So, you…you think my hair is pretty?" She tried not to grimace at how ridiculous that sounded.

He cocked his head. Perhaps he thought she was suffering from heatstroke.

Taking a deep breath to relieve her jitters, she removed the pins from her hair and unwound what was left of the knot. Using her fingers, she combed a mass of curly locks over her shoulder, but kept her eyes averted so he wouldn't see what a basket of nerves she'd become.

"Would you…like to touch it?" Her heart thrummed, the sound reverberating in her ears. Was he remembering how she'd tricked him the last time? He didn't strike her as stupid. This would never work if she didn't convince him of her interest. “I don’t mind.”

His fingers brushed hers. Desire crackled through her with lightning swiftness.

She gasped, her gaze jumping to his face. Thank heavens he was staring at her hair or he’d have seen her alarm and realized she was acting.

He rubbed a bright curl between his fingers, his expression rapt. “Feels like lamb’s wool.”

That was one comparison she’d never heard. “Lamb’s wool?”

His eyes warmed to the color of old gold. “Wool from the first shearing is the softest.”

Delight warmed her skin. Another compliment, and so utterly unique it seemed sincere. Perhaps it was. She stroked her hair in invitation, her hands shaking as his gaze intensified. "What else had you wondered?"

The muscles in his face tightened. Without warning, he fisted a handful of her hair and jerked her to him. With his other hand, he tilted her face, taking her mouth in a crushing kiss. His firm lips ground against hers, insistent, demanding.

Shock held her immobile. What in heaven’s name did she do now?

 

Heather: How often to you get lost in a story?

E.E.: Just about every week when I’m reading my critique partners’ work. Stop laughing. Seriously, I do enjoy reading what you and Katy and Keri write, and when I get lost in your stories, then I know they’re really good.

Heather: Wow, I’m honored… And I know how you feel! It’s fabulous to be able to read the work of such great authors every week. I’m so excited that the whole world will be able to read your work now, too!

 

Heather: Your novella is part of an anthology written with Jennifer Jakes and Jacqui Nelson, two authors who were Golden Heart finalists the same year we were. Can you tell me how you decided to write together?

E.E.: I was at a conference with Jennifer Jakes and we were commiserating about how hard it was to sell a Western romance to New York publishers. I remarked we ought to write one together and self publish. Jenn agreed! We decided to ask Jacqui Nelson if she wanted to join us because all three of us love to write Westerns, which was what we’d made the Golden Heart finals with in 2010. In fact, Jacqui won that year with a Western romance.

 

Heather: How did you come up with the idea for your book?

E.E.: Honestly, I kind of stumbled across this great railroad story while I was in Fort Scott. And I liked the idea using the era of railroad expansion as a backdrop. It totally captures the passions and ambitions that drove America during that period and opens the door for addressing timeless issues like prejudice, hubris and unbridled ambition. When I saw the TV series, “Hell On Wheels,” it seemed like some kind of sign…or at least evidence that someone besides me loved Westerns! When I suggested writing a railroad-themed romance together to Jennifer and Jacqui, they loved the idea.

 

Heather: How did you manage writing together?

E.E.: We actually wrote three separate novellas, but they’re tightly interwoven, three stories within a larger story. We brainstormed characters drawn from historical figures and roles that were relevant to the situation. Then we narrowed it down to three couples: the spy and the foreman, the madam and the major, the heiress and the outlaw.

 

Heather: Which characters are yours?

E.E.: My heroine, Kate Parsons, is the railroad heiress. Judge Levi Parsons was a real person, a very savvy investor from New York who ran the Katy Railroad. I couldn’t find a great deal written about his family, but I thought, what if he had a daughter who was a suffragist? And what if this daughter decided to go out West to prove she could run a railroad as good as any man? (Don’t you love fiction?) I liked the idea of putting a woman who’s driven a stake in the ground for equality into the midst of a struggle between white railroad owners and Native Americans.

 

My hero is a Cherokee outlaw. Jake Colson is a survivor, like most of those brave souls who survived the horrors of the Civil War in Indian Territory. His family is poor and stands to lose their land to the railroad. He devises a way a save it, and ends up abducting Kate (by accident).

 

Ultimately, these two smart, determined people come to understand and support each other, and eventually love each other. Their strength of character is what enables them to rise above cultural and societal barriers, which were huge at this time.

 

Heather: Can you name three things in your heroine’s purse or reticule?

E.E.: At the time she’s kidnapped, she doesn’t have her reticule. But she’s carrying a compass in a pocket sewn into her skirt. She’s come out to a very wild place and carries that compass in case she ever gets lost. Unfortunately, it doesn’t do her a great deal of good when she’s abducted.

 

Heather: What is your hero’s “kryptonite”? What will bring him instantly to his knees?

E.E.: His biggest weakness? Ironically, it’s devotion. I don’t want to give anything away, so you’ll have to read the book to see what I mean.

 

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

E.E.: I’ve been writing historical romance full-time for a little over five years, but I’ve been a storyteller since I was old enough to talk. I’ve always wanted to be able to share my stories, so I’m living a big part of my dream just by having the opportunity to put them out into the world.

 

HEATHER’S GOTTA ASK – E.E.’S GOTTA ANSWER  J

 

Heather: Do you fall in love with the heroes you write about?

E.E.: Of course! I fall madly in love—each and every time.

 

 

CURRENT RELEASES: Kate’s Outlaw, an individual novella and featured as one of three interlinked stories in the anthology Passion’s Prize. This book, written with Golden Heart sisters Jennifer Jakes and Jacqui Nelson, is the first in a new series, Steam! Romance and Rails.

 

UP NEXT: Coming this fall, the second book in the series: Her Bodyguard by E.E. Burke.

Rioting settlers and cutthroat competitors can’t stop a feisty railroad promoter—but a killer might. When a ruggedly handsome drifter comes to her rescue, she hires him as her bodyguard, only to discover he may turn out to be her most dangerous foe.

 

 

WILL YOU HAVE A DRAWING FROM THOSE LEAVING COMMENTS?

Yes, for a free eBook copy of Kate's Outlaw. 

 

GOT A QUESTION YOU’D LIKE TO ASK YOUR FANS?

 

E.E. Currently, my favorite Western is AMC television series Hell On Wheels. But I have a long list of beloved Western movies. At the top are: True Grit (the most recent one with Jeff Bridges), The Outlaw Josey Wales (Clint Eastwood), Tombstone (Sam Elliott).

 

What was or is your favorite Western book and/or movie?

 

 

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GET LOST WITH ZOE ARCHER'S SINNER'S HEART!

GET LOST IN THIS STORY…

SINNER’S HEART

The Hellraisers, Book 3

Demons Of The Past

Abraham Stirling, Lord Rothwell, was a fighter once, a soldier in the Colonies. But Bram returned to London with more nightmares than tales of glory. Now he drowns his senses in the arms of countless women, while his friends, the Hellraisers, ensure he needn't sin alone.

Until, that is, the Devil himself grants them each a wish, undoing their camaraderie as they explore their wicked powers. Bram finds himself magically bound to Valeria Livia Corva, the sensuous priestess who raised the Devil the first time--and died to send the demon back.

She may be a ghost, but Livia is no angel. The raw passion she witnesses in Bram's memories isn't much different from her behavior when she had a body to enjoy. But it doesn't make it any easier to convince Bram to become a warrior again, lest all London burn. And the fierce desires reawakening within her might just start the blaze. . .

I am beyond THRILLED to welcome Zoë Archer back to the blog today to tell us about her latest release! I am also excited to see in her bio that she’s got a new series coming up later this year—gritty Victorian romance, yay!!! Let’s get right to learning more about Zoë!

Zoë Archer is an award-winning romance author who thinks there's nothing sexier than a man in tall boots and a waistcoat. As a child, she never dreamed about being the rescued princess, but wanted to kick butt right beside the hero. She now applies her master's degrees in Literature and Fiction to creating butt-kicking heroines and heroes in tall boots. She is the author of the acclaimed BLADES OF THE ROSE series and the paranormal historical romance series, THE HELLRAISERS. She and her husband, fellow romance author Nico Rosso, created the steampunk world of THE ETHER CHRONICLES together. Her new gritty Victorian romance series, NEMESIS, UNLIMITED, launches this year.  Zoë and Nico live in Los Angeles.

 

And now, the GET LOST interview…

HEATHER: What’s your favorite movie of all time?

ZOË: Funny enough, my favorite movies are all adaptations of books: A Room With a View, Persuasion among them. Although I don’t think there was ever a book of Big Trouble In Little China.

HEATHER: How often to you get lost in a story? 

ZOË: As often as I can, which isn’t often enough. There are only so many hours in a day, so it’s a struggle to get everything done and still have time to read.

HEATHER: What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in? 

ZOË: I mostly read historical romance, though I try to seek out unusual settings and time periods, and if an author has a particularly strong and unique voice, that always draws me in.

HEATHER: What sound or noise do you love?

ZOË: Wind rustling the leaves of trees.

HEATHER: Who’s your favorite villain? 

ZOË: On Star Trek: The Next Generation, there was this multi-dimensional being called Q. At first, he wasn’t much fun, but as the seasons progressed, he became this wonderful force of anarchy and irreverence. 

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

ZOË: Writing.  Story-telling involves a level of spontaneity that I don’t really have.  I’m a total plotter, not a pantser.

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

ZOË: I really, really appreciate them.  Writing is a strange job: you do it in total isolation, and never truly know if anyone out there is reading your work.  It’s not like being a musician where you can take the stage and perform, then (hopefully) hear the audience applaud.  And if no one reads your work, not only is it bad from a business perspective, it also means that the other critical part of writing—being read—isn’t happening.  It’s kind of like a tree falling in a forest.  If you write a book and no one reads it, does it make a sound?

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

ZOË: Maybe being a baker, though I’m still considering working at one of those sloth orphanages. Have you seen how cute they are? Though I promise I won’t cry like Kristen Bell.

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

ZOË: I don’t think I’d want Mr. Holiday (aka the Devil from the Hellraisers series) over for dinner. I’d be afraid he’s try to tempt me with a magical power, the way he does with the Hellraisers.

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

ZOË: The fact that I write books and people I’m not related to buy and read them is pretty amazing to me, considering I got my start writing stories in those old black and white composition books.

HEATHER: What soundtrack or playlist do you recommend for your current release? 

ZOË: I actually think the soundtrack to the ‘80s movie The Lost Boys is a pretty good match with the Hellraisers series.

HEATHER: Have you ever written a character who wasn’t meant to be a hero/heroine but he/she wouldn’t go away? 

ZOË: I think both Bram and Livia from Sinner’s Heart start out as pretty dark characters that seem irredeemable.  But I always knew that they’d get their own book, even though it would be challenging to write. 

HEATHER: Tell me how many hats you have in your home? 

ZOË: I don’t know about hats, but I know I have a ridiculous amount of boots. Over 20 pairs. It’s a sickness.

HEATHER’S GOTTA ASK – ZOË’S GOTTA ANSWER  J

HEATHER: How on earth did you come up with the idea of a romance between a fallen rake and an actual ghost?

ZOË: Ever since the beginning of the Hellraisers series, I wanted both Bram and Livia to get their own stories.  I was so intrigued by the idea that the heroine wouldn’t have a corporeal body—that would make the physical part of a relationship seemingly impossible.  But then I realized that by making Livia a ghost—unable to touch or be touched by anyone—it actually helped in shaping the developing romance.  Because Bram, the consummate sensualist, couldn’t relate to her on a physical level, the way he does with other women, he’d be forced to get to know her as a person, not a possible conquest.  Also, Bram and Livia share a magical bond, which allows them access to each other’s thoughts and memories.  All of that helps make the romance that much stronger between Bram and Livia.  It’s not just lust.  It’s a deep emotional connection that goes beyond the flesh.

GOT A QUESTION YOU’D LIKE TO ASK YOUR FANS?

ZOË: I can’t stop buying boots.  What article of clothing are you addicted to buying?  Or, if you’re not a clotheshorse, is there something else that you just can’t stop yourself from purchasing?

WILL YOU HAVE A DRAWING FROM THOSE LEAVING COMMENTS?

Yes, the winner will receive a copy of Sinner’s Heart (US and Canada only).

WHERE CAN READERS FIND YOU ON THE NET?

Excerpt

Website, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr

To buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Chapters Indigo, Amazon UK, All Romance eBooks

WELL, NOW YOU’VE GOT ALL OF THE GREAT INFO!!! DON’T FORGET TO ANSWER ZOË’S QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO WIN (REMEMBER TO PUT YOUR E-MAIL IN YOUR COMMENT TO BE ELIGIBLE)

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TODAY, ZOË! WE CAN’T WAIT UNTIL YOU COME BACK AGAIN J