Friday 29 March 2013

True Love in the Medieval Age

It's hard, sometimes, to remember that love ever existed in Medieval times. Most people are no strangers to the idea that arranged marriages were a common occurrence  During my research, frequent references are made to the fact that noblemen and women looked at marriage as more of a business arrangement than anything to do with love. If you were a peasant, you had certain freedoms that noble folk didn't but you were still very much limited in your choices and in such nuclear communities, your chances of finding that one special person would probably have been relatively low. Violence within marriages was also common so if you had a husband that merely tolerated you, then you could probably consider yourself lucky.

However, it was not all doom and gloom. Romantic soul that I am, I love it when I come across a tale of love. Though they are few and far between, we have to consider that there were probably many more love matches than we have record of. Women had few ways of voicing themselves and, poems of chivalry aside, real love was something rarely written of.

Christine de Pizan is a relatively well know feminist and is a fascinating woman. Though still very much a product of her time, she challenged the stereotypes of the time. And as a poet in the late medieval age, she was very highly regarded.

While her surprisingly modern views are absolutely fascinating (and I hope to touch on them at some point) what first drew me to researching her was how she talked about her marriage.


Marriage is a sweet thing,

I can prove it by my own example,

God indeed gave to me 

A good and sensible husband.
Thank God for being willing
To save him for me, for I have truly
Experienced his great goodness: 
Indeed the sweet heart loves me well.

The first night of our marriage,

I could already feel

His great goodness, for he never did to me

Any outrage which would have harmed me,
But, before it was time to get up,
He kissed me, I think, one hundred times,
Without asking for any other base reward:
Indeed the sweet heart loves me well.

And he said, with such tender words:

"God made me live for you,

Sweet friend, and I think that he had me raised

For your personal use."
He did not stop raving like that
The whole night,
Without being any more immoderate:
Indeed the sweet heart loves me well.

Prince, he makes me mad for love,

When he says that he is all mine;

He will make me die of sweetness;

Indeed the sweetheart loves me well.

Christine was married at the tender of age of 15 to Etienne du Castel who was ten years her senior and she talks of him as a kind and understanding man when it came to their first night together. He also encouraged her to write, though she did not pursue poetry until after his death ten years later. His death greatly grieved her and she threw much of her grief into her work. Without a doubt, theirs was was a love match.

Another story that fascinated me and challenged our modern-day view of medieval marriage was the tale of Margery Paston. The daughter of a wealthy family, she secretly became engaged to the estate bailiff in 1469. Her family were deeply shocked  and we know of her mother's disapproval of this match from a letter she wrote to Margery's brother. Margery reportedly very boldly stated her intention to marry Richard and her mother threatened to kick her out! Obviously a strong-willed woman, Margery stated her intention once more and said 'if these words did not make it final then she would make it quite clear before she left.'

Margery did indeed marry Richard and the family found that they lost money without Richard's accounting skills do they were forced to accept the marriage and reinstate Richard.

So there we go! Love did exist, fiery females held their own, and people did marry the one they loved in spite of family pressures. With this in mind, are medieval romances that far fetched? Well, maybe just a little, but these moments did exist and still do. Some lucky men and women truly had a happy ending and these old tales of love will forever stick with me and continue to feed my romantic soul.

Thursday 28 March 2013

Book Spotlight: Shutter by Rhonda Laurel


Thanks to Rhonda for sharing this great excerpt from her book, Shutter.


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Photographer Antonio De Soto’s life is out of focus. Everyone in his family thinks it’s time for him to settle down. He doesn’t want to be strong-armed into domesticity, even if he does feel the bachelor lifestyle is starting to wear thin. So when his friend invites him to do a pictorial on the community theater, Antonio’s prepared to do his thing and follow his normal womanizing M. O. Instead, he finds himself sparring with the resident artist, Lucy Marceloni. Lucy’s dime-store analysis of his love life—and him—leaves him angry and shaken, but it’s too close to the truth to dismiss. The quirky artist is not his type, but their passionate fights generate a deeper heat between them he can’t ignore…
Lucy wants a man who’s sensitive and intellectual, the exact opposite of Antonio De Soto. The moment she meets the handsome photographer she pegs him as arrogant and self-centered, but that doesn’t protect her from the sizzling chemistry between the two of them. Being drawn to the rogue’s charm and subtle seduction tactics is the last thing she wants. Working with him on the community theater fairytale production could prove to be more than she can handle...



Excerpt:

            After a smooth cab ride to Felix’s apartment, Antonio let himself in with the key Felix had given him and dropped off his things. He was hungry and Felix wouldn’t be home until six. He strolled the main street, camera in hand, eyeing some of the changes in the decor in the store windows since his last visit. Then he stumbled upon the café Metro Eatery, went inside, and parked himself at the counter.

            The sound of Nat King Cole’s song “Mona Lisa” oozing out of the sound system immediately put him at ease. He read the menu, although he already knew he wanted. The roast beef on rye was a favorite of his, but what was making his mouth water was a slender woman with long, flowing red hair sitting at a table reading a fashion magazine. He imagined her name was Simone or some other sexy name that started with an S. Something seductive that made you want to say it over and over in throes of passion. Simone smiled and dropped her gaze back down to the magazine. Ah, the game begins.

            Wasn’t this his problem? Meeting random women and having brief affairs? Well, it was according to every woman in his life. His mother constantly asked him when he was going to settle down. Yesenia kept sending him e-books to read about fear of commitment, and Lauren just sighed when he pooh-poohed her inspirational talks about finding his soul mate. He wasn’t sure he bought into that, the idea that there was one person in the world who was meant to be with him. It could have been his hound dogging that had him jaded, but then the disproof of his theory would pop into his mind. Alejandro was evidence that there was no curse of the De Soto men, just choices that one continually makes until you find someone that fits into those ragged grooves on the side of your body.

            A woman seated on the other side of the counter broke him out of his daydream. She seemed to be laughing to herself but looked in his direction. He turned his attention to her. She looked up from her paper and shook her head.

            “Hi,” he said, smiling.

            She didn’t answer.

            Determined not to be ignored, he leaned over and said it again. “Hi.”

            She didn’t look up from her paper.

            “I was wondering what you thought was so funny,” he said, a little louder.

            Once she put down the paper, he saw a pair of glasses teetering on the edge of her nose. The first thing he noticed was her face. It was round but not too round and she had a cleft in her chin. Which made him think of something dirty he’d said one time to this woman he dated who had a cleft in her chin. Though he thought this prim woman sitting across from him with a scarf wrapped twice around her neck wouldn’t find his limerick even remotely funny. She seemed no-nonsense, but her pretty brown eyes were warm and inviting.

            “I was just thinking, I haven’t seen a mating ritual like that since watching the Animal Channel. It would be simpler to just go over there and sniff her, and then maybe the hamburger I just ate wouldn’t come back up from watching the two of you.” She smiled.

            Antonio knew he shouldn’t say the first thing that popped into his head. That she was jealous he wasn’t flirting with her. The angelic red-haired aberration and the wisecracking scarf woman were as different as night and day. Scarf woman had on overalls, for heaven’s sakes! She was essentially covered from head to toe, looking more like a vagabond than a grown woman whose age he couldn’t determine.

            “It’s just human nature, I suppose.” He glanced back at the woman sitting at the table. “We all have a mating dance. Some are more obvious than others.”

            “Some are more sickening than others.” Scarf woman shook her head.

            “Cynic.”

            “Whore,” she shot back at him.

            “Did you actually just call me a whore? You don’t even know me.” He laughed, put his hand on his chest, and feigned indignation.

            “I don’t have to know you. What you are is written all over your face.” She smirked.

            Antonio knew he was headed down the wrong road with this fireball. But what the hell. He had time to kill until Felix came home.

            He ordered quickly when the waitress appeared, then turned his attention back to the scarf woman. “OK, tell me all about myself,” he said with a devilish smile.

            Scarf woman took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “You are a narcissist, who is probably the baby of the family. Always got what you wanted and is never in short supply of women. The camera is your ruse to lure women into your tacky web of seduction. Little do they know that they are just a prop for your entertainment. I bet you could bat those pretty, light-brown eyes and get any woman to do as you please. And that is thrilling to you. Knowing you can gain such immediate control over some unsuspecting bimbo’s life so easily.”

            Antonio said sweetly, “So you think my eyes are pretty?”

            “I rest my case.” She smiled and slid off her stool. If she was trying to make a graceful exit, that went down the toilet. Scarf woman had bags and a huge purse. When her feet firmly touched the floor he could see she was much shorter than him.

            “You have a good day,” he said, half sorry to see her go. “And your name is?” He was sure Felix would have seen this weird creature flitting around town.

            “I was just born yesterday. Don’t have a name yet,” she said as she walked out of the café.

            Antonio laughed, thinking that women like that would forever be angry with the Simones of the world. With her crazy colorful overalls, that damn double-wrapped scarf, and the cluster of bags she juggled, this woman obviously didn’t want anyone to see her. Still, he felt compelled to pick up his camera and snap her picture as she turned right out the door and walked past the window. And he had seemingly forgotten all about his angelic aberration Simone sitting at the table. He’d been so enthralled with his conversation with the scarf lady that he hadn’t even seen her leave.
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Find Rhonda on her website and purchase Shutter on Amazon and All Romance eBooks

Wednesday 27 March 2013

Author Spotlight: Wolfkeeper's Woman by Lisa Day


A furiously proud Indian warrior Wolfkeeper killed her husband and stole her infant son. Hate for the white people filled him. He had need of the child. His goal; the child must live.
He needed the mother to accomplish that goal. When lust grew he wanted more than just her body. He wanted her heart and soul. Not anyone or anything would stop him from his goal. When she refused, he decided to take them one small piece at a time.

You can purchase Wolfkeeper's Woman on Amazon.
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Lisa Day hails from New Jersey before 'Jersey Girls' became famous. Since living in the south for so long she now thinks of herself as a southern bell, just born in the wrong century. So, what else is a girl to do but write those pesky stories that live within her head.

Find Lisa on Facebook and her blog.

Tuesday 26 March 2013

Book Tour Stop: Take Me Home Cowboy by Krista Ames


Please welcome Krista, who is stopping by to share her new release, Take Me Home Cowboy with us. Be sure to comment and enter the contest at the bottom.

Prize is 2 eBook copies of any DP Western Escape Series title (winners' choice; 1 each to 2 winners). Contest is tour-wide, open internationally and ends Apr 10 . Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
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Ally Kincaid returns to Freewill, Wyoming, to see her father after a two year absence. Anticipating a quiet family reunion, she finds herself butting heads with her father’s foreman instead. The man’s arrogance and sexy drawl push all her buttons, making her wonder what he’s hiding beneath his cowboy swagger.


Matt Gentry walked away from the past and shies from the future. No ties means no one gets hurt…until the boss’s daughter, a hot, green-eyed blonde, tempts him to break his own rules.

When tragedy strikes, will building tension and pride destroy their growing attraction or show them the way home?

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language which may be considered offensive to some readers.

Pucrchase Take Me Home Cowboy here:



BookStrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/take-me-home-cowboy


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What is your name and where do you live now?

Hi !  My name is Krista Ames and I live in Northern Lower Michigan.

First off, how has your week been?
Well it’s only Tuesday and spring break is at the end of the week but so far I’m doing pretty darn good, thanks for asking !!

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?  
Of course.  I’m a wife with a very ornery husband, a stay-at-home mom of 4 kids between the ages of 7 and 13 and they are all in school woohoo !!  That little fact enables me to also be a full-time author…of course between laundry, dishes and all the other household stuff needing done lol.

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
No, I didn’t always want to be a writer, heck until I hit my mid 30’s I didn’t even like reading a whole bunch.  I had a few things on the list while I was in high school.  Veterinarian or interior decorator were among them few but it just never worked out for those things.  

How does your family feel about the book?
My family is super excited about the book.  My husband checks my Amazon ranking about every other day and my high schooler tells all her teachers about it.

Do you have plans for a new book?  
Oh yes, I have a follow-up to my current release in the works.

What genre would you place your books into?   
Well this one would be a Western Contemporary Erotic Romance but Contemporary Romance otherwise.

What made you decide to write that genre of book?
I decided to write Western because it’s what I like to read.

Is there a word, phrase or quote you like?
Oh yes except it doesn’t really have anything to do with writing. Ever since my 1st marriage, I’ve made it a “words to live by” motto…
Never make someone a priority in your life when you’re only an option in theirs.

Have you ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?
Funny you should ask that…I just wrote a post for a writer’s group I belong to about writer’s block.   Please feel free to check out the post at this link:  http://www.weekend-writers.blogspot.com/2013/03/writers-block.html
I get writer’s block sometimes and usually I just stop what I’m doing, close the computer and go do something else for a while.  Just try to get my head out of the story.  Whether it’s good or bad, I’m not sure but usually the story stays anyway and the characters keep talking to themselves inside my head and eventually they work it out, allowing me to continue where I stopped 

Is there a certain author that influenced you in writing?
Big time and that would be Linda Lael Miller.  I’ve never talked to her personally although I would love to just to pick her brain but she is an amazing Western Romance writer.  I’ve read and own so many of her paperbacks and will never part with them.

What is your favourite book and why?  Have you read it more than once?
My favourite book is Colters Woman by Maya Banks.  It was the first book I ever read that included more than 1 hero but it was such a great story line and really well written that I just fell in love with it.  I’ve read it at least 4 times so far and of course it was book 1 in a series so I am working my way through reading them all.


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About the Author

Born and raised in Northern Indiana, Krista now resides in Northern Lower Michigan. She is married to a very supportive man, Chip, who allows her to follow her true passion of writing and never complains when she is pirated away on her computer for hours. He even helps with proof-reading and is her “in-house” editor and her idea sounding board. She is also a mother of 4 ornery children who keep her plenty busy. With an addition of 2 beautiful chocolate lab sisters and 2 playful cats, there is never a dull or spare moment in her household.


Krista has always loved to read and would often sit up for hours into the night not able to put down a book until she was finished. She still reads when she can but her main focus is creating her own stories to share with the world.

Find Krista on her website and Facebook.


Excerpt
“I need to buy that man an answering machine.” Furious, Ally held the receiver away from her ear, eyes closed as the phone on the other end rang continuously. “Come on, Daddy, where are you?”

She was ready to hang up in frustration when the receiver was picked up and then—by the sound of the loud clanging on the other end—dropped.

“Circle K,” said the deep male voice rather breathlessly.

“Where in the world were you?”

“Excuse me?” the husky voice asked.

Oh crap, that’s definitely not Daddy. She’d been so surprised her call had finally been answered, she hadn’t realized there was nothing familiar about the voice at the end of the line “I’m sorry….” she cracked. Wow, where did that high-pitched squeak come from? “I’m sorry, who is this?”

“This is the Circle K Ranch. Who’s this?”

The man’s question held an impressive sexy drawl. Definitely not a voice she’d ever heard in New York City, and one she’d only be lucky enough to find in her dreams.

“I’d like to speak to Jesse Kincaid, please.” She did a mental inventory of all the ranch hands but couldn’t place the voice. And he obviously didn’t recognize hers either. Must be somebody new her father had hired since the last time she’d been there.

“Sorry, ma’am, he’s not here. What can I do for ya?”

“When will he be available, please?”

“Now, ma’am, I don’t guess I’m at liberty to say until I know exactly who it is I’m speaking at.”

God, men could be so arrogant. Why did he need to know who was calling? A simple answer would suffice.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but this is Ally Kincaid. Who exactly are you?”

“Well, well, isn’t this a nice surprise? Miss Ally Kincaid. Did your father know you’d be calling?

She gritted her teeth in frustration. Who does this cocky, know-it-all cowboy think he is?
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Monday 25 March 2013

Author Interview: Ann B. Harrison

Welcome to Ann, who is joining us all the way from down under. She talks kilted men and the hardships of research!

What is your name and where do you live now?
Ann B Harrison and I live in the middle of the desert in Australia.


First off, how has your week been?
Pretty hectic actually. I help look after my grandkids (my daughter is a nurse and does shift work) and  I've been busy getting edits done. Also I was nominated for the Australian Romance Readers Awards this year with two of my books so interviews and more interviews. Feels wonderful too, my twenty minutes of fame, LOL.


What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it what would you say?
Red Hot: Sizzling nerdy scientist meets sexy veterinary doctor with a magic secret suffering man drought.


What genre would you place your books into?
I write Young Adult, contemporary romance and erotic romance. I have too many voices in my head to stick to one genre and its fun going from one to the other. I have the best of all worlds that way too. I never have to grow up but I also get to play with the big girls and boys.


Can you describe the feeling you had when you saw your published book for the first time?
I cried. But then I cried when I got my first contract too. The roller coaster of emotions after trying so hard was all too much.


Has anything surprised you about your writing life?
Yes. I've often heard that your characters write the story and I really didn't get that at all until I sat down and started my first book. What I wanted didn't stand a chance. I was lucky to get a word in half the time with my characters. Bossy lot they turned out to be.


Do you have to do much research?
Yes I do. With my rural romances not so much because I have a farming background. But with the Young Adult  and the Adult Paranormal series I have in the works, heaps of research is needed. I'm taking a trip to Greece next year to fine tune the worlds I have built but they will essentially be built around the Greek Gods. Your readers will quickly tell you if you get things wrong. Besides, who wouldn't want to stand in the ruins of that great city to get the feel of the place. Writers have a hard job, seriously we do.
Stop laughing at me Samantha, someone has to do it!


Have you ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?
I honestly don't know if there is any such thing. I mean, your brain doesn't stop working does it? It's not blocked in the sense of the word. You might not come up with great ideas but I've learned to look past that.
I make myself write anything so long as I keep getting the words down. I can look back on some of my 'harder to get down' ideas and think, 'gee you could actually have something there.' A lot I give the flick because it might be crap but it can often lead into something good. The thing is not to let it stop you from writing. It might not be what you were planning but you need to keep the habit of writing going. You couldn't walk away from your day job if you didn't feel in the mood. Writing should be no different.
I keep in mind a quote from Nora Roberts. 'You can fix a bad page but you can't fix blank page."
Well said Nora, well said.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst  book to movie transfer?
Very few in my opinion. There is something to be said for the printed word. You get more out of a book and I have learnt never to watch the movie after I've read the book. It just doesn't work most of the time. I think 'The Notebook' was one of my favorite 'well done' ones and Twilight would have to be one of the worst. *duck's the flying objects* Seriously, the movies were terrible compared to the books, you have to admit it. Those I liked.


Do you think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
No, never. I use both, they have their pros and cons and I love to hold a book by my favorite authors which I keep but also love the ease of ebooks when I travel. They are a bonus price wise when I want to check out new authors too.


What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?
Never ever give up. Ever. No matter how many times you get rejected, keep going. It's the only way you learn your craft.
I framed my first rejection, I was proud of it. Someone had taken the time to read my manuscript and comment on it which was fantastic. They had some good comments and I appreciate that.
I know I've grown so much in the five years I've been writing and my editor tells me the same thing. You should never think you will write your first book and it will take over the world with its wonderful prose and characterization. That might happen to a few, but on average we writers have to write and write and write some more to get better at our craft. And I think that's a good thing, its nice to see how much you change along the way.


Would you share a deep dark secret about you with us?
This used to be a secret but it seems to be getting out now. I have a thing about men in kilts, I can't help myself. Add the accent and I go weak at the knees. It might have something to do with Jamie Fraser from Cross Stitch. Love that man, and Sean Connery, Gerard Butler,...oh my the list goes on. I have some lovely friends who post me a daily kilt wearing hottie for my pleasure. Makes a girl feel loved I can tell you.

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Ann swears she was born with a book in her hands and has never put it down. A lifelong love of reader has finally culminated in achieving her dream of writing...and publication.
She lives in the middle of the desert in a small mining town with her own handsome hero of many years. Ann has always loved the ups and downs of life in small communities and she shares this with readers in her rural romances.
Strong sexy heroines with a good dash of sass thrown in feature in her stories. Of course these women need an equally strong hero. Bring on the outback hero and watch the passion ignite.
When not writing Ann enjoys reading, gardening, walking her very large dog Hugo and fighting with her computer.

You can purchase Red Hot on Amazon.

Friday 22 March 2013

Book Spotlight: A Lost Kitten by Jessica A. Kong

Today I'm spotlighting a great parnormal romance by Jessica Kong. Check out the blurb below:
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John McCall labels the attack on the Sea-anan Empire as a nightmare.  He escapes the enemy’s invasion.  Stranded on a distant planet called Surreal, he quickly learns the true meaning of nightmare when he discovers his soulmate is of “the mist.”  With a tyrant destroying his empire, and his family missing in action, John must decide whether to remain on the ghost planet with his soulmate or return to the land of the living to locate his family.

Jasira Eversole is drawn to the powerfully built outlander.  John’s rugged good looks and chiseled body compel Jasira to reach out and touch him. Being of the mist, Jasira knows she will not be able to feel John, but she cannot resist his pull. The richness of John’s hair, the firmness of his muscles, and the clean scent of his skin all take Jasira off guard. She swiftly realizes John is her intended mate. Now, Jasira must somehow convince the young warrior that they are two halves of one soul without chasing him off Surreal, leaving her to a lonely existence as mist.
You can purchase A Lost Kitten on Amazon.
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About Jessica
Jessica A. Kong lives in Somerset, New Jersey with her loving husband of twenty years and teenage triplets.  She is an avid reader of fantasy, futuristic, and paranormals. When she is not reading she enjoys arts and craft, puzzles, and crocheting.
Find Jessica on Goodreads and Facebook.

Thursday 21 March 2013

New release plus giveaway! Borderland Bride

Happy release day to me!

It's finally here. My latest title is now available for purchase from Amazon and I am very excited as this was such a wonderful story to write. It is also available in PDF and epub from Jupiter Gardens Press and will be available on other channels soon. Find out more below and don't forget to enter my big giveaway. Win a gorgeous necklace, some earrings or a copy of my One Knight Collection.
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In the wilderness of 14th century Northumbria, Lady Isabel discovers just how dangerous the borderlands can be. With the loss of her voice and her hearing, there is little hope left for her. But when a brooding knight rescues her, she vows never to become a victim again and buries the secrets of her past in the hope that those hunting her will never find her in the borderlands.


Jake is astonished to come across the beautiful Isabel, near to death, on his brother’s lands. Bringing her back to his brother’s home, he finds himself longing for something more from the courageous woman, something that he thought he would never want again. Isabel works her way into his scarred heart and opens Jake up to loving once more. But will Isabel’s secrets destroy their bond? And with his charismatic brother, Dominic, charming her, does he even stand a chance?

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Take a look at the prizes I'm giving away to celebrate!

Plus 5 ebooks! Enter below.





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Wednesday 20 March 2013

Exploring The Angel's Assassin: Norman Keeps

Hedingham Castle
Image courtesy of castleuk.net
The Angel's Assassin takes placed in 1088, a generation after the Norman Invasion of England. At this point in time Norman keeps were only just coming into being. London and Colchester were the first to have keeps constructed straight after the invasion and by 1100 about 10 to 15 Norman keeps were in existence - they took approximately 10 years to build. They can be recognised by their square design and are deliberately an intimidating sight. Though the square keeps fell out of fashion, many castles retained them and simply built around or added to them.

courtesy of teachnet.ie
The layout inside varied, though not by huge degrees. They usually consisted of three  or four stories and had an outer staircase. The fictional keep of Alderweald was four stories high, with the kitchens and dungeons being in the basement, the Great Hall being on the first floor along with the garderobes (toilets) and the small chapel. The next storey was simply a minstrels gallery running along the top of the hall. The hall ceiling would have been very high indeed. In the centre of the hall would have been a huge open fire pit and members of the household would sleep on pallets on the floor at night.

The upper storey was the solar, or the bedroom. It would span most of the top of the building and would be used for sleeping and pleasure. There would be a least one spiral staircase leading up through all stories in one of the square towers. Defenders would be able to access the roof to throw down rocks and fire arrows.

Below is an image of the Great Hall in Hedingham Castle, built in 1140 in Essex. It is the best preserved Norman Keep in England.


I hope you enjoyed my little insight into Norman keeps. Though not the grandest, or most complex of castles, these keeps always fill me with the most awe. And that was precisely what they were intended to do - intimidate the indigenous population. If you get the chance, Hedingham and Rochester are well worth a visit for a glimpse into the life of  a Norman lord.

Tuesday 19 March 2013

Author Spotlight: Melanie Toye

Today I'm spotlighting author, Melanie Toye, author of Entice Me. Find out more below:

Miranda is the top recruitment consultant for Entice Consultancy, working long hours to achieve great results. From the outside she appears to have her life in order as a successful career woman. Yet a jealous rival is determined to do anything to take her down and soon Miranda’s life turns problematical. Grace and Louise both met Miranda through work and lead interesting lives of their own. Grace a free spirit, falls in love with a man that appears to be perfect. When her true love goes missing her world soon falls apart. Louise’s eating disorder is pushed to the limit as is her marriage with Mike. Retirement and a new relationship seem like bliss until one night’s event changes everything. Entice Me is a journey that explores life changing events that forces each woman to rediscover themselves and what they are seeking from life. Meltdowns, break-ups, love and laughter make Entice Me into an entertaining read.           

You can purchase Entice Me on Amazon

Find out more about the book on Mel's Entice Me Blog and follow her on Facebook.

Monday 18 March 2013

Author Interview: Kim Rendfeld

Please welcome the lovely Kim to my blog today. She's talking about her release, The Cross and the Dragon, set in 8th Century Francia and it sounds absolutely fascinating. Read on to find out more!

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What is your name and where do you live now?
My name is Kim Rendfeld. I live in New Castle, Indiana, a small town in the American Midwest.


First off, how has your week been?
My week has been nice but busy, as usual. I have a day job in the public relations office at a university, and in the evenings, I’m working on my second book while promoting my first. I enjoy all of it, but it makes free time scarce.


Please tell us about your current release.
The Cross and the Dragon is a tale of love amid the wars and blood feuds of Charlemagne’s reign. Here is the blurb: 
Francia, 778: Alda has never forgotten Ganelon’s vow of vengeance when she married his rival, Hruodland. Yet the jilted suitor’s malice is nothing compared to Alda’s premonition of disaster for her beloved, battle-scarred husband.
Although the army invading Hispania is the largest ever and King Charles has never lost a war, Alda cannot shake her anxiety. Determined to keep Hruodland from harm, even if it exposes her to danger, Alda gives him a charmed dragon amulet.
Is its magic enough to keep Alda’s worst fears from coming true—and protect her from Ganelon?


Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
It’s a blend. My story is fictional. However, historical events and legends form its underpinning, and I did my best to stay true to the historical characters, what is known of them. Any portrayal of Roland (Hruodland in The Cross and the Dragon) is going to be fictitious. Although the character has inspired many legends, the only historical mention of him is part of a sentence in Einhard’s biography of Charlemagne.
My characters have different customs and ways of explaining the world, but regardless of era, everyone has loved and grieved, felt joy and anger. To convey my characters’ emotions, I’ve drawn on some of my own experiences of love and heartbreak.


Did you learn anything from writing your book?  What was it?
There is nothing like researching and writing about the past to make you grateful for all that we have today. Despite all the troubles and uncertainties we face these days, I like my morning coffee, my rights as a woman, my Internet and cell phone, science-based medical care, powerful contact lenses, and a society that believes in a safety net.


Is there a part of the story you really liked but had to remove, and if so, could you tell us why?
At its peak, The Cross and the Dragon was an obese 146,000-plus words. Even though only a few agents and editors cited the word length (when I got a useful response), they were reluctant to take it on. Cutting down the manuscript to a pleasantly plump 105,000 words did feel like all the violent sayings that going along with this process: “murder your babies,” “kill your darlings,” “shoot your pets.”
After an editor’s useful rejection, I chopped off the first two chapters introducing the scenery and characters because they slowed the story down too much and didn’t provide enough tension. I eliminated some secondary characters, including Hruodland’s second brother, who like me was extremely near-sighted. He was not necessary to the story.
I cut several scenes including one where the characters go falconing. I good responses to it from my critique partners, but I needed to slim down the manuscript. Although entertaining, the scene ended up on the virtual cutting room floor because it was not essential to the plot, the conflict, or character development.
As emotionally difficult as the process is, it made the story better and was worth it.


What does your protagonist think about you? Would they want to hang out with you, their author and creator?
Alda and I are from two different worlds, and I am not sure how she would feel about me. I admire her courage and fierce loyalty, yet we would probably argue about issues of the day. So many concepts of my society are foreign to her such as freedom of speech, including the right to offend and openly question authority. Yet I can’t help but think she would welcome women being allowed to choose for themselves whom they marry and how they spend their lives.


Do you have plans for a new book?
I am in the process of polishing my next book, with the working title The Ashes of Heaven’s Pillar. Here is the most recent draft of the blurb:
Charlemagne’s 772 battles in Saxony have left Leova with nothing but her two children, Deorlaf and Sunwynn. Her husband died in combat. Her faith lies in the ashes of the Irminsul, the Pillar of Heaven. And the relatives obligated to defend her and her family sold them into slavery, stealing their farm.
Taken in Francia, Leova will stop at nothing to protect her son and daughter, even if it means sacrificing her honor and her safety. Her determination only grows stronger as Sunwynn blossoms into a beautiful young woman attracting the lust of a cruel master and Deorlaf becomes a headstrong man willing to brave starvation and demons to free his family.
Yet Leova’s most difficult dilemma comes in the form of a Frankish friend, Hugh. He saves Deorlaf from a fanatical Saxon Christian and is Sunwynn’s champion—and he is the warrior who slew Leova’s husband.


Do you have to do much research?
Oh yes, as do all serious historical novelists. I can’t give an exact breakdown of how much time I spend on research and how much I spend writing, but I am often looking information up.  Historical novelists have to do so much more than know what happened and speculate why it did. They must re-create the events, show the culture and daily life, and reveal the characters’ innermost thoughts.
Primary sources are wonderful for research because they provide the freshest account of events, but their authors take for granted that their audience would know the fashions of the time or not care what people looked like. And they sometimes did not let facts in the way of their story.


What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?
Focus on making your story the very best it can be before you worry about anything else such as how to attract an agent or publisher or how to promote the work. Both of these are important, but they are useless if you’ve not crafted a work that people want to read.

Thank you, Samantha, for this chance to talk about my writing.

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A former journalist and current copy editor for a university public relations office, Kim Rendfeld has a lifelong fascination with fairy tales and legends, which set her on her quest to write The Cross and the Dragon and other tales set eighth century Francia. She lives in the American Midwest with her husband, Randy, and their spoiled cats. They have a daughter and two granddaughters, with a third due in May 2013.
For more about Kim, visit www.kimrendfeld.com, read her blog at www.kimrendfeld.wordpress.com, like her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorkimrendfeld, or follow her on Twitter at @kimrendfeld.


You can purchase The Cross and the Dragon on Amazon.

Saturday 16 March 2013

Free Read: Alexander and Sabine

I have just penned the first chapter of my free read which is published over on my other blog here. I am planning to add to it on a bi-weekly basis with the help of my Facebook fans, who inspired the hero and heroine's names. As yet, it is untitled and we'll decide on a title as and when it is finished.

So...why am I doing this? (And adding to my huge workload! LOL!)

Firstly because I'm hoping you'll love my writing and, you know, maybe buy a book or two. Hey, a girl can hope! Secondly, it's a good way of testing my writing skills and learning to work to deadlines. I'm pretty efficient but I do need some discipline occasionally. The interesting thing will be to see if I can meld in fan's ideas. And thirdly, I hope to turn it into a charity novel upon completion. People will obviously still be able to read it for free on the blog but I hope people will be wiling for pay over a little bit in the name of charity for a complete copy.

Do stop by the blog to have a read and be sure to let me know what you think. Also make sure you follow me on Facebook for updates! Happy reading!