Saturday, March 15, 2014

Barbara fascinated by other times

 Hi Barbara, welcome to Adventures in Authorland. Please get comfortable and tell us about your adventure.

Hi Jean. Thank you so much for allowing me to visit today.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Interesting question. I suppose I’ve thought of myself as a writer since I started writing seriously. Although I wrote for newspapers and magazines before, I considered myself a journalist for those years. I felt I could term myself an author after my book was published. Not everyone feels this way, and I understand that. This is just the way it applies to me. 

What inspired you to write your first book?

For years, I never thought I could “say enough” to write a book. During school I’d written short stories. The media material was always short, also. So I didn’t know whether I could actually produce anything lengthy enough. However, at last, an idea (or an image) kept circling in my mind, and as I thought about it, the story grew. A friend of mine was writing seriously and urged me to join her critique group, and the first story evolved from there. (That book won’t be published.  I’m afraid I threw everything in—if it hadn’t been a medieval, it would probably have had the kitchen sink. J)

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? Writing, or something else?

I started writing rather young, and I liked coming up with unusual stories. But I liked other things as well. History was one. I was fascinated by tales of earlier civilizations. For a time in college, I seriously considered going into archaeology influenced, I’m sure, by a brilliant professor who did his doctoral work on Howard Carter, one of the men involved in the discovery of King Tut’s tomb. However, when he related his experiences of actual digs, I realized I wasn’t cut out for that life. That said, I’m still fascinated by discoveries. Ironically, I always thought whatever else I did—I’d write about it.

In which genre do you prefer to write and why?

Not surprisingly, I write historicals, because other times fascinate me. I honestly can’t say why. Perhaps it stems from the myths I read when I was very young that led to interest in the civilizations they came from. Right now, I’m wrapping up edits on my second medieval. Perhaps later I’ll look at another historical era. Although I enjoy reading in all genres, I feel most at home in historical.

Can you give us some details about your upcoming release/s?

Does an author want to talk about her latest book, you ask?? LOL. Why, I’d love to! THE HEART OF THE PHOENIX is the story of Sir Stephen and Lady Evie, secondary characters from my debut SILVERHAWK. On the journey to love, he’s a bitter knight who must overcome treachery; she’s a spirited lady who must overcome betrayal—and that’s just from their friends. This is the first of the Brotherhood of the Phoenix series. The Brotherhood is a troop of mercenaries who fight for justice in the troubled days following the Third Crusade.

When you are not writing, what are your hobbies, passions, etc?

I read—I always have a book with me. I love to spend time with my grandchildren and my friends. And I hope soon to say—I travel. J

Blurb for my current, debut, medieval, SILVERHAWK.
 
He’s everything a proper lady should never want; she’s everything a bastard mercenary can never have.

Sir Giles has come to England to kill his father, who seduced and betrayed his mother. First, however, he’ll seek sweet revenge—kidnap the old lord’s new betrothed. But when Giles uncovers a plot against King Richard, he faces a dilemma: take the lady or track the traitors. What’s a good mercenary to do? Both, of course.

Lady Emelin has had enough. Abandoned in a convent by her brother, she finally has a chance for home and family. Yet now she’s been abducted. Her kidnapper may be the image of her dream knight, but she won’t allow him to spoil this betrothal. Her only solution: escape.

Rescuing the intrepid lady—while hunting traitors—is a challenge Giles couldn’t anticipate.  But the greatest challenge to Giles and Emelin is the fire blazing between them. For he’s everything a proper lady should never want, and she’s everything a bastard mercenary can never have.

RXCERPT

As he rode out, his gaze sought his little warrior-nun. Her wide eyes focused on him,
and again the invisible connection thrummed. The space between them seemed to compress along their odd connection. Was it possible she experienced it, as well? Then she shook her head.

Yes, he must be a grim sight with the injuries from the battle so fresh. His gaze lingered. He fought an urge to feel her lips again. He recalled that kiss, and his left hand brushed the cheek where her slap had landed. He winced. Damn, it hurt to smile.

A shame about her. She was too good for Langley. At least the marriage wouldn’t last long, just until he delivered the blasted missive. Then that wrinkle of uncertainty would ease from her smooth brow. She would be free to tilt her chin and defy whomever she chose.

But it wouldn’t be Sir Giles of Cambrai. He was a mercenary, a soldier for hire. Ladies were not his responsibility.

Not even maidens with eyes as bright as spring and lips as sweet as rose honey.



Buy link for Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1bQX3td

Buy link for The Wild Rose Press: http://bit.ly/1bM6ua2



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