tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76696764862065399832024-03-05T08:32:18.133-08:00Share Your HeroineNikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-28890836451862380992009-01-24T18:37:00.001-08:002009-01-24T18:37:35.611-08:00This Blog Content Has Been Moved - Update Below<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">This blog has been moved along with quite a few other blogs. The complete list of my promotional blogs and the links are listed below. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Update January 23, 2009 -</span> I have made some major changes to the blogs I'm offering and I am updating this list to reflect those changes. These changes should make it easier to find information and give additional exposure to every one who submits information about their books and themselves. <br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: arial;">ANY published author is welcome to submit these questions and answers to promote their books. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >To use any of these blogs - click on the link, click on "how to submit" in the top corner of the blog and follow the instructions. I ask that you send the questions and answers as an RTF file. It is also good to send a jpg file of your book cover - no PDF files for the cover art. When you complete the interview, send to nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com with the interview title in the subject line and I will add you to the list for that blog.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >I have divided the blog lists for fiction and non fiction books to make it easier to find the ones you need. I've added several new blogs lately - so if you've been here before - there are some new options.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >Two quick updates -</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >The print edition of Book Promo 101 is complete and available. The print book is oversize 8" x 10" and the layout is gorgeous. The manuscript for Book Promo 201: Promote Online With Web 2.0 is with my publisher and will be available in early 2009 -- there will be updates posted. If you would like details about the contents of this book, visit <a href="http://www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_201.htm">http://www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_201.htm</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >I offer a wide array of promotional services to authors. Feel free to take a look at the possibilities and contact me with questions. If you are interested in something that you don't see listed, let me know and we can talk. For a list of these services visit - </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm">www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >I offer a wide assortment of virtual book tour options and the current list is located at </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/04/virtual-blog-tour-options.html">http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/04/virtual-blog-tour-options.html</a><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > - there are a number of options and price ranges or we can talk about other options. I'm also planning to add more services in late winter and early spring 2009. If you would like to be added to my mailing list to get the latest updates, send me a message at nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com</span><br /><br /> </span> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="BookPromo101Char"><b>Promotional Blogs for Fiction Books</b></span><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:11;" ><br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> Share your furry writing companions - <a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com</a><br />How to Submit - <a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-submit-information-about-author.html">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-submit-information-about-author.html</a><br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><a href="http://itsallinthesetting.blogspot.com/"><span style="">http://itsallinthesetting.blogspot.com</span></a>/ - Details about story setting.<br />How to Submit – </span><span style=""><a href="http://itsallinthesetting.blogspot.com/2007/07/its-all-about-setting.htm"><span style="">http://itsallinthesetting.blogspot.com/2007/07/its-all-about-setting.htm</span></a></span><span style="">l<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:12;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Animals in Your Book - <a href="http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/">http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/</a></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">How to Submit - <a href="http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-submit-your-book.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-submit-your-book.html</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Villains in your book.- <a href="http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/">http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com</a><br />How to Submit – </span><a href="http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_7729.html">http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_7729.html</a><span style=""><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Heroine in your book.- </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> <a href="http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/">http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com</a></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">How to Submit - <a href="http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_134.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_134.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Hero in your book.- </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> <a href="http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/">http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com</a></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">How to Submit - <a href="http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html">http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html</a></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Best Friend - </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> <a href="http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/">http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com</a></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">How to Submit - <a href="http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_28.html">http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_28.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Share Book Details - <a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com</a><br />How to Submit – <a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html" title="http://startwithfacts.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html"><span style="">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><a href="http://frombookstomovies.blogspot.com/"><span style="">http://frombookstomovies.blogspot.com</span></a>/ - From Books to the Movies<br />If a movie was made about your book, which actors and actresses would play the main characters? This is your chance in case a movie of your book and it can be a lot of fun.<br />How to Submit – <a href="http://frombookstomovies.blogspot.com/2007/08/how-to-submit.html" title="http://frombookstomovies.blogspot.com/2007/08/how-to-submit.html"><span style="">http://frombookstomovies.blogspot.com/2007/08/how-to-submit.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:12;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Interview a Male Character - </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> <a href="http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/">http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com</a></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">How to Submit - <a href="http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-submit_6392.html">http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-submit_6392.html</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:12;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:100%;" > Interview a Female Character - </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> <a href="http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/">http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com</a></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">How to Submit - <a href="http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-submit_1859.html">http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-submit_1859.htm</a></span></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">In Detail With Nikki Leigh - <a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com</a><br />Give potential readers more information about you and your background.<br />How to Submit – <a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Before I Was Published - </span><a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/"><span style="">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com</span></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Tell us about what you did before you were published and especially include anything that relates to your books and your writing.<br />How to Submit - <a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/02/tell-us-your-story.html">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/02/tell-us-your-story.html</a><br /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><a href="http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/">http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com</a>/- Can you tie a topic or element from your book with current events? This is the place to submit them. Send them to me and I'll review them.<br />How to Submit - <a href="http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit.html">http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit.html</a><br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> Do you have interesting promotional ideas and suggestions that you would like to share with other authors? <a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">How to Submit - <a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit-your-promotional.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit-your-promotional.html</span></a><br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><a href="http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/"><span style="">http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com</span></a>/ - Share your book cover.<br />How to Submit – </span><span style=""><a href="http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/2007/07/judge-book-by-its-cover.html"><span style="">http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/2007/07/judge-book-by-its-cover.html</span></a></span><span style=""><br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><a href="http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/"><span style="">http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com</span></a>/ - Share your First Chapter<br />How to Submit – <a href="http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html" title="http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html"><span style="">http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><br /></span><span class="BookPromo201Char"><b><span style="">Promotional Blogs for Non-Fiction Books<br /></span></b></span><span style=""><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Share Book Details - </span><span style=""><a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com</a><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">How to Submit – </span><span style=""><a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html" title="http://startwithfacts.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html"><span style="">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html</span></a></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:12;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:12;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Share your furry writing companions - </span><span style=""><a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com</a><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">How to Submit - </span><span style=""><a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-submit-information-about-author.html">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-submit-information-about-author.html</a></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Animals in Your Book - <a href="http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/">http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/</a></span></span></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">How to Submit - <a href="http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-submit-your-book.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-submit-your-book.html</span></a></span></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">In Detail With Nikki Leigh - <a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com</a><br />Give potential readers more information about you and your background.<br />How to Submit – <a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">Before I Was Published - </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/"><span style="">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com</span></a><br /> </span> <span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">Tell us about what you did before you were published and especially include anything that relates to your books and your writing.<br />How to Submit - <a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/02/tell-us-your-story.html">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/02/tell-us-your-story.html</a></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /> <br /> </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/">http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/</a>- Can you tie a topic or element from your book with current events? This is the place to submit them. Send them to me and I'll review them.</span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">How to Submit</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">- <a href="http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit.html"><span style="">http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit.html</span></a><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="">Do you have interesting promotional ideas and suggestions that you would like to share with other authors? <a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></span> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">How to Submit - <a href="http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit-your-promotional.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit-your-promotional.html</span></a></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:12;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/"><span style="">http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com</span></a>/ - Share your book cover.<br />How to Submit – </span><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/2007/07/judge-book-by-its-cover.html"><span style="">http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/2007/07/judge-book-by-its-cover.html</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:12;" ><br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/"><span style="">http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com</span></a>/ - Share your First Chapter</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">How to Submit – <a href="http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html" title="http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html"><span style="">http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 150%; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">I reserve the right to refuse to post any submissions, but so far I haven't needed to turn anyone away. I did edit a couple of first chapters to maintain a PG-13 rating for my visitors. That could be one of the reasons why some have such a long waiting list. All the blogs are listed on my Blogger profile which is located at - <a href="profile/00985309338453728557">www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" ><br />Nikki Leigh<br />Author of the Book Promo 101 Series<br /><a href="www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_101.htm">www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_101.htm</a><br />Author Promotional Services - <a href="http://www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm">www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm</a></span>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-1258260384635871462008-12-28T16:22:00.000-08:002008-12-28T16:24:19.763-08:00Meet Marilyn Meredith's Heroine from Kindred Spirits<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDFF5xUYlsG3OSj1gnNvnwTMrrBwZppChL3mNQrXeWntbUcqubHU7CgF20MN9SzBYa-nMnG_q-AxZnWbFKloEZ-HoUoLiHYiKXMgB0UMGBkWhrIWSgiiKu5huU5Ikio2ISnd71GvSUzY/s1600-h/kindredspirits.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 102px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDFF5xUYlsG3OSj1gnNvnwTMrrBwZppChL3mNQrXeWntbUcqubHU7CgF20MN9SzBYa-nMnG_q-AxZnWbFKloEZ-HoUoLiHYiKXMgB0UMGBkWhrIWSgiiKu5huU5Ikio2ISnd71GvSUzY/s400/kindredspirits.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285000862683620562" /></a><br /><br />Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.<br /><br />What's her name?<br /> <br />Tempe Crabtree<br /><br />Why did you pick that name?<br /> <br />Tempe Crabtree was my great-grandmother's name, unlike my great-grandchildren, I never had the privilege to meet her, though I did write about her in a book and heard many stories about her from my father. It seemed like the perfect name for my heroine.<br /><br />Give us a brief description of how she looks.<br /> <br />Tempe is Native American, part of the Yanduchi branch of the Yokut Indians. (Yokut is a real tribe--Yanduchi is a made-up name though close to another tribal name.) She has long dark hair she wears in a single braid that she pins to the back of her head when working as a deputy. She's tall, 5' 8", smart and intuitive.<br /><br /><br />Is there anything unusual about her appearance?<br /> <br />Though she has dark skin and hair, she has blue eyes.<br /><br />Who does she love? Why?<br /> <br />Tempe is very much in love with her husband, Hutch Hutchinson who is the pastor of the local church. Tempe was a widow raising a teenaged son when she met Hutch. He filled a huge gap in both hers and her son's life.<br /> <br />Of course she also loves her son, Blair, who she raised as a single mom from the time her CHP husband was killed when Blair was only 3.<br /><br /><br />Does this person love her?<br /> <br />Hutch was a widower and also lonely when he met Tempe. He loves her very much and is a true helpmate. He worries about the dangers of her job. And he often has a difficult time when she uses Native American mysticism as a means to find out the truth about someone or when she does something like calling back the dead.<br /><br />Tell us about her family.<br /> <br />Her parents are no longer alive. But her Indian grandmother had a great influence on her life when she was a child. Now her family life revolves around Hutch and Blair, though Blair is away at college.<br /><br />Where is she from? She was born and raised in Bear Creek, a mountain community in the Southern Sierra. (Sierra means mountain.) When her husband was killed, she returned to her home town, went to the police academy and became a deputy--eventually becoming the resident deputy of Bear Creek and its surroundings.<br /><br />Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?<br /> <br />Bear Creek is a small community and she knows most of the people who live there although more and more folks are moving up from Southern California--in some cases bringing big city crime along with them. As a teenager, she faced prejudice because of her Native American background. This prejudice she learned in an earlier book had been the reason she hadn't embraced her heritage.<br /><br />What does she want out of life?<br /> <br />To be the best deputy she can be, to keep the citizens of Bear Creek safe, and to help the detectives find the person who committed the crime.<br /><br />What's her biggest secret? <br /> <br />She doesn't have a single big secret. Often she keeps things from her husband in order to keep peace in her marriage--which often backfires.<br /><br />Did you write more than one story about her?<br /> <br />Kindred Spirits in number eight.<br /><br />How would she describe you? As a sweet little old lady who is a good listener. I've done ride-alongs with female police officers who have bared their soul to me and some of their problems have become Tempe's problems.<br /><br />Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.<br /> <br />The detectives she often has to work with think that because she's an Indian, she can find out anything from other Indians. In Kindred Spirits they send her to Crescent City to interview relatives and friends of a murder victim she was a Tolowa even though Tempe has never heard of the Tolowa people. This drives her crazy, but is also the reason she gets involved in so many cases.<br /><br />Please provide your website link.<br /> <br /><a href="http://fictionforyou.com">http://fictionforyou.com</a><br /><br />What is the link to buy your book?<br /> <br /><a href="http://www.mundaniapress.com ">http://www.mundaniapress.com<br /></a><br />It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.<br /> <br />Thank you, Nikki, for having us. Marilyn<br /><br /> NEW! Visit my blog at <a href="http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/">http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/</a><br />and the Stiletto Gang: <a href="http://thestilettogang.blogspot.com/">http://thestilettogang.blogspot.com/</a>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-3415703915568383622008-12-14T17:36:00.000-08:002008-12-14T17:38:55.816-08:00CL Talmadge - Heroine from the Healing Stone NovelsTell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What's her name?</span><br />Helen Elizabeth Andros<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why did you pick that name?</span><br />She told me her name. All of my characters tell me about themselves. Some<br />are more willing to communicate than others, but eventually even the<br />reluctant ones let me know them and their inner/outer lives. In some cases<br />they end up telling me far more than I want to know about them. (There are<br />some really nasty characters in my fiction.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Give us a brief description of how she looks.</span><br />Helen is more than 6 feet tall. Skinny from an eating disorder. Blue-black<br />hair that is fine and full, with ice-blue eyes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is there anything unusual about her appearance?</span><br />Helen is obviously a cross between the two races who populate her society.<br />That makes her an outcast.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Who does she love? Why?</span><br />She loves her commanding officer, Col. Jackson Orlando. Because she finds<br />him to be as kind and decent as he is physically attractive--the tall, dark,<br />silent handsome type.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Does this person love her?</span><br />Yes indeedy. He adores her from the first time he meets her. But he does not<br />think he has the right to pursue her, for a number of reasons.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tell us about her family.</span><br />Helen's mother was falsely accused of a crime and chose exile rather than<br />being forced to reveal the name of her baby's father. She does not know most<br />of her mother's family and her father's is hidden.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where is she from?</span><br />Helen was born in a desert land called Khemet, but returns to the nation of<br />her parents at age 11. This country is called Azgard.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?</span><br />Helen is a rootless wanderer, and never really feels she has a home<br />anywhere.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What does she want out of life?</span><br />What she cannot have. She does not even dare hope for what she actually<br />could have, provided she did some healing and growing herself.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What's her biggest secret? </span>(Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)<br />The real identity of her father. It's a secret even to her until the first<br />book in the series.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Did you write more than one story about her?</span><br />I am writing a multigenerational fantasy saga with Helen as the<br />first-generation heroine.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How would she describe you?</span><br />Puzzling. I don't seem to care as much about other people's opinions of me<br />as she does their opinions of her.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">share.</span><br />She's got a ribald <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229304928_8">sense of humor</span> and a passion for justice that gets her<br />into trouble because she also can't seem to keep her mouth shut when it<br />would be prudent to do so.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Please provide your website link.</span><br /><a href="http://www.greenstoneofhealing.com">www.greenstoneofhealing.com<br /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is the link to buy your book?</span><br />Paperback versions of the series' first three books are available at any<br />online bookstore plus in ebook form at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.healingstonebooks.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229304928_9">www.healingstonebooks.com</span></a><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> hasEML = false; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> <!-- gLaunchProfile.stop("T4"); --> </script> <script type="text/javascript"> <!-- gLaunchProfile.start("T6"); --> </script>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-84083457349345485452008-10-16T17:42:00.000-07:002008-10-16T17:43:56.872-07:00Hunting the Egret by Bryn Colvin<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SPffxdiLtAI/AAAAAAAACM8/_JvRDWd4Oyc/s1600-h/huntingtheegret.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257917130812929026" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SPffxdiLtAI/AAAAAAAACM8/_JvRDWd4Oyc/s320/huntingtheegret.jpg" /></a><br /><div>What's her name?<br />Verity<br /><br />Why did you pick that name?<br />It means truth. There are quite a few issues in ‘Hunting The Egret’ about what is true, and real. Giving a paranormal character a name with this meaning rather appealed to me.<br /><br />Give us a brief description of how she looks.<br />Verity has blond hair and brown eyes. She’s quite tall and strong – a bit of an Amazon, but otherwise at first glance not that remarkable. Her clothes are old, faded and worn.<br /><br />Is there anything unusual about her appearance? Hidden under her hair, are ears that are far too small in proportion to her face.<br /><br />Who does she love? Why? Verity loves the river and the hills. She adores her father. Conventional romantic relationships have not worked for her thus far – she finds it hard to give of herself, or to trust people with how she really is.<br /><br />Does this person love her? Being a prickly, difficult person Verity does not attract affection. Her family love her, in their own odd ways, and she does inspire strong feelings in others – although she finds this hard to see.<br /><br />Tell us about her family. Verity’s father lives on a narrowboat, sharing his daughter’s need to be close to the water. Her mother is a traveller, who comes and goes and is somewhat crazy. Verity’s grandmother was a witch and crops up as a ghost on a few occasions, along with a few other ancestors.<br /><br />Where is she from?<br />Verity has spent her life on the side of the Severn, in a small village called Arlode. She seldom travels further than she can walk, and considers a sixty mile round trip to be a huge journey. Rejecting much of the modern world, she’s intune with the landscape but at odds with human culture.<br /><br />Does her hometown affect her behaviour, thoughts and attitude? Verity wouldn’t survive in a city, and would probably struggle in a town. She needs wild places and the river. However, she finds the people around her difficult – in a village the chances of finding a kindred spirit are that much lower.<br /><br />What does she want out of life? One of Verity’s problems is that she really doesn’t know. There are gaps in her life, but she has little sense of how to fill them.<br /><br />What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.) I don’t think I can say!<br /><br />Did you write more than one story about her?<br />There’s just the one, and it seems like a complete tale to me. She may crop up in the background of another book sometime – I love doing that – but she won’t be the central character in any other stories.<br /><br />How would she describe you? I come from the other side of the river. Would Verity look twice at me if I walked into the bakery she works in? Probably not. I’m just another person, and she doesn’t do well with people, so I fear she wouldn’t remember me well enough to bother trying to describe me. Perhaps if we met on the riverside and shared a few words about the wildlife she would consider me tolerable.<br /><br />Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.<br />One of Verity’s concerns is the threat of a tidal barrier being built across the Severn and harming this unique habitat. I did not invent this threat – I wish it was just a piece of fiction, because the river is beautiful and could be ruined by this.<br /><br />Please provide your website link. <a href="http://brynneth.org.uk/">http://brynneth.org.uk/</a><br /><br />What is the link to buy your book? <a href="http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=28&products_id=337&zenid=e8fb5f33a911b999e381b72512589bd7">http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=28&products_id=337&zenid=e8fb5f33a911b999e381b72512589bd7</a> </div>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-3717614515981845142008-09-01T18:12:00.000-07:002008-09-01T18:13:57.209-07:00Qwana from The Last Priestess Series<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.: Qwana is the heroine of The Last Priestess trilogy set in ancient </span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >Peru</span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >. She is the last priestess to the Moon Goddess in a time when religion turned to sun worship. Those who worshiped the moon practiced a gentle, nurturing religion. Those who worshiped the sun practiced ritual sacrifices, terrorizing the populace of Loa, a city on the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1220317525_0">Nazca</span> Plain.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">What's her name? Qwana</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Why did you pick that name? I have no idea. I was in a rock shop and the proprietor had a holey stone (it had a hole in it, considered to be very powerful by crystal enthusiasts) from her trip to </span></span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1220317525_1">South America</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> on the counter. I picked it up and must have linked into the story at that point, because I was compelled to write this history about a woman who lived on the Nazca Plain and who became the last priestess in the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1220317525_2">temple of the Moon Goddess</span>.<br /><br />Give us a brief description of how she looks. Qwana is beautiful in the eyes of her people: short, compactly built, with dark eyes and hair. Her nose is hooked, her skin is dark and she is dressed in fine, brightly colored garments woven from the wool of llamas and vicuna. Qwana would probably not be considered beautiful in our culture where thin, blonde beauties are the ideal.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Is there anything unusual about her appearance? Not really. Other than the fact she may have richer garments than the common woman of her time due to her special position, she looks like any woman who might have lived in that time and place.<br /><br />Who does she love? Qwana loves the Moon Goddess and although she is the only young woman of her generation destined to serve in the <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1220317525_3">temple of the moon</span>, she believes it is the proper thing for her to do. She loves the two remaining elder priestesses: Aruz and Mix’la who taught her the rituals of the temple. She also loves Rowland, a visitor from the planet Deesa who has come to this world to see the wonders described by his father, who was also a galactic traveler. She also loves and protects a baby she found abandoned in the Andean foothills.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Does this person love her? In that culture, it was believed the Goddess loved all of her children. The two older priestesses love Qwana as their daughter and are proud of her, although they worry about her solitary state. Rowland, who grew up hearing stories about the wonders of Earth, loves Qwana from first meeting – although she resists his love – believing that she will betray the Goddess if she offers her life and love to the visitor from a world beyond the stars.<br /><br />Tell us about her family. Qwana’s family does not figure into this tale, she is dedicated to the temple of the Moon from birth. Her “family” are the people who love and depend on her.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Where is she from? Qwana is born in Loa, a city situated on the Nazca Plain, near the foothills of the </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >Andes</span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >Mountains</span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude? The people of Qwana’s city have been swayed to the bloody rituals of the Sun God. They are mesmerized by Xilpu, the <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1220317525_4">high priest</span> of the temple of the Sun.<span style=""> </span>Xilpu is cruel and practices a brutal religion that strips families of their young men and women who die in agony on the stones of the temple. He leads a virtual army of priests that he uses to keep the city in line.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>Qwana believes that these bloody rituals are wrong, and while she is forced to<span style=""> </span>witness these brutalities, she longs for a way for the people to be rid of the high priest who uses her as a sexual slave, even though the priestesses of the Moon are supposed to be virgin. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>Qwana feels fear and horror at the way Xilpu treats those who follow the religion of the Sun God, but she is powerless to correct the situation and convince the people to return to the worship of the Moon. She wonders if the gentle religion will die if no new girl children are dedicated to follow her in the temple of the Moon.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>When Rowland arrives from the planet Deesa, the high priest sends Qwana out on the plain to examine the fallen star, hoping she and her elders will die from exposure. <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1220317525_5">Bewitched</span> by the young priestess, Rowland follows her back to the city, where he witnesses the brutal rituals that honor the Sun God and swears he will release the people from their bondage to the religion that requires a sacrament of blood.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">What does she want out of life? Qwana wants to do her duty and serve the Moon Goddess. She is dedicated to this task and believes it to be her life work. Although her initiatian vision indicates she will mate the condor, she believes this to be a prediction of her victory, and not the true ending her story reveals.<br /><br />What's her biggest secret? Qwana is much stronger than she might have believed. She grows as she protects the elders as they flee from Loa and she comes to understand that true love is an appropriate thing for even the last priestess.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Did you write more than one story about her? Qwana’s story is told in three books: <span style=""> </span>The Last Priestess, Nazca Star and Bride of the Condor.<br /><br />How would she describe you? I imagine Qwana would see me as a sorceress who is able to record stories in strange boxes and send them out for the world to share. She would probably be shocked at the sort of clothing and lack of reverence exhibited by today’s woman.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Qwana is like all of us who are placed in difficult conditions and learn the true depths of our courage.<br /><br />Please provide your website link. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.terrylwhite.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1220317525_6">http://www.terrylwhite.com</span></a><br /><br />What is the link to buy your book? </span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.ebooksonthe.net/"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 128);font-size:100%;" ><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1220317525_7">www.ebooksonthe.net</span></span></a><span style="font-size:100%;">, <span style=""> </span>or </span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1220317525_8">www.Amazon.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size:100%;"> in the Kindle section. The Last Priestess Series are also available at Fictionwise, All Romance Ebooks, and other venues. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">NOTE: This is a new edition of The Last Priestess story, and is available only as<span style=""> </span>ebooks at this time</span></span></p>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-74904769857778107312008-08-24T17:21:00.000-07:002008-08-24T17:24:11.202-07:00Heroine From The Girl Who Fell<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SLH7hyQLNiI/AAAAAAAABhc/r1SK2KCBWY4/s1600-h/GirlWhoFell.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SLH7hyQLNiI/AAAAAAAABhc/r1SK2KCBWY4/s320/GirlWhoFell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238244399452468770" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">What's her name?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Why did you pick that name?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">I was inspired be a singer songwriter – also called Jehanne, she told me that her name was probably closer to how Joan of Arc would have identified herself in French than the anglicised ‘Joan’ we have today. It seemed like the perfect name for my heroine.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Give us a brief description of how she looks.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne’s most striking feature is that she has hooves rather than feet. In Estraguil, there are all kinds of anatomical quirks amongst the kith, but even so hooves are unusual. Otherwise, she is lithe, strong, agile and a touch self conscious in her movements.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Is there anything unusual about her appearance? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Aside from the hooves? There is more age in her eyes than you might expect of someone her age, and an impression of otherness.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Who does she love? Why? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne adores her younger sister Flower. She still loves and mourns for the child she lost. From the moment she sees them, she is absolutely smitten with the trio of musicians who visit her tref. Tirol, Guile and Luthian are exceptional musicians and compelling individuals.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Does this person love her? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Although she doesn’t see it herself, Jehanne is loved by many of the people around her.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Tell us about her family. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne and her sister are marcher children – no one is entirely sure who their fathers are. While most women do not choose to have numerous children by numerous men, their mother settled on that way of life. Escaping from a crowded household, the two sisters joined a new tref downriver, where Flower’s skills as a dyer could be put to good use and Jehanne honed her talents for hunting.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Where is she from?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne belongs to the Tolthian kith – an old tribe within the Forests of Estraguil. She lives alongside a river, in a tref built in the treetops.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Does her hometown affect her behaviour, thoughts and attitude? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne considers herself something of an outsider – with her hooves she’s not well adapted for life in the treetops. Still, she values her community and heritage, it gives her many of her values and ideals.</span></p><span lang="EN-GB">What does she want out of life? </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne is a lost soul, she has no real idea of what she wants, and in her heart believes that the best part of her life has already been lived.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">What's her biggest secret? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne keeps no secrets and has no aptitude for lying. She seldom bothers to speak of herself, but will answer truthfully if anyone asks anything of her.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Did you write more than one story about her?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">No, nor do i intend to.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p>How would she describe you? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Too soft, too plump and not fast enough!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne has a passion for dancing, and a rare magic in her soul</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Please provide your website link. http://www.myspace.com/brynneth_n_colvin </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">What is the link to buy your book? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/TheGirlWhoFell_BrynnethColvin.shtml"><span lang="EN-GB">http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/TheGirlWhoFell_BrynnethColvin.shtml</span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-41915185455756011002008-08-05T14:21:00.001-07:002008-12-09T01:31:39.551-08:00The Girl Who Fell by Brynneth Colvin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SJjEzyhWCtI/AAAAAAAABek/sFCqfRFhC0Y/s1600-h/TheGirlWhoFell.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SJjEzyhWCtI/AAAAAAAABek/sFCqfRFhC0Y/s320/TheGirlWhoFell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231147361204832978" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">What's her name?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Why did you pick that name?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">I was inspired be a singer songwriter – also called Jehanne, she told me that her name was probably closer to how Joan of Arc would have identified herself in French than the anglicised ‘Joan’ we have today. It seemed like the perfect name for my heroine.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Give us a brief description of how she looks.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne’s most striking feature is that she has hooves rather than feet. In Estraguil, there are all kinds of anatomical quirks amongst the kith, but even so hooves are unusual. Otherwise, she is lithe, strong, agile and a touch self conscious in her movements.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Is there anything unusual about her appearance? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Aside from the hooves? There is more age in her eyes than you might expect of someone her age, and an impression of otherness.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Who does she love? Why? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne adores her younger sister Flower. She still loves and mourns for the child she lost. From the moment she sees them, she is absolutely smitten with the trio of musicians who visit her tref. Tirol, Guile and Luthian are exceptional musicians and compelling individuals.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Does this person love her? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Although she doesn’t see it herself, Jehanne is loved by many of the people around her.</span></p><span lang="EN-GB">Tell us about her family. </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne and her sister are marcher children – no one is entirely sure who their fathers are. While most women do not choose to have numerous children by numerous men, their mother settled on that way of life. Escaping from a crowded household, the two sisters joined a new tref downriver, where Flower’s skills as a dyer could be put to good use and Jehanne honed her talents for hunting.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Where is she from?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne belongs to the Tolthian kith – an old tribe within the Forests of Estraguil. She lives alongside a river, in a tref built in the treetops.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Does her hometown affect her behaviour, thoughts and attitude? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne considers herself something of an outsider – with her hooves she’s not well adapted for life in the treetops. Still, she values her community and heritage, it gives her many of her values and ideals.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">What does she want out of life? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne is a lost soul, she has no real idea of what she wants, and in her heart believes that the best part of her life has already been lived.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">What's her biggest secret? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne keeps no secrets and has no aptitude for lying. She seldom bothers to speak of herself, but will answer truthfully if anyone asks anything of her.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Did you write more than one story about her?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">No, nor do i intend to.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">How would she describe you? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Too soft, too plump and not fast enough!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jehanne has a passion for dancing, and a rare magic in her soul</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Please provide your website link. http://www.myspace.com/brynneth_n_colvin </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">What is the link to buy your book? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/TheGirlWhoFell_BrynnethColvin.shtml</span></p><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-49845948644061184232008-07-17T14:07:00.000-07:002008-12-09T01:31:39.650-08:00Meet the Heroine from His Shadowed Heart with Hazel Statham<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSii67dK29v9FGFgZH1K4Fbm_hFhyjRRgOnH1UmqM71TbxD03aV9Gj0yXLxydqoL3GRrH32lwnzH2w0WNF-re-FfSO8WM-FhTFBtJHwX7awmuxF-g3oxZtH2zbE4blBuQN9YCRLtsg_g/s1600-h/His+Shadowed+Heart.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220411076260625570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSii67dK29v9FGFgZH1K4Fbm_hFhyjRRgOnH1UmqM71TbxD03aV9Gj0yXLxydqoL3GRrH32lwnzH2w0WNF-re-FfSO8WM-FhTFBtJHwX7awmuxF-g3oxZtH2zbE4blBuQN9YCRLtsg_g/s320/His+Shadowed+Heart.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" >Tell us about your heroine ---<br /><br />What's her name?<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" >Caroline Northam<br /><br />Why did you pick that name?<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" >It suited her character.<br /><br />Give us a brief description of how she looks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" >She is petite with dark hair and blue eyes.<br /><br />Is there anything unusual about her appearance?<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" >She is shy and self-effacing and wishes to remain in the background<br /><br />Who does she love? Why?<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" >Her husband.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>Although he is cold and aloof at their first meeting, he shows her an unparalleled kindness when next they meet and she is unable to resist his charm.<br /><br />Does this person love her?<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" >At first, he offers her nothing more than a marriage of convenience but thoughts of her invade his determination never to give his heart again.<br /><br />Tell us about her family.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" >Caroline’s mother died when she was a child and she is shunned by society because her father committed suicide.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>She is now dependent on the charity of members of her family and contents herself with caring for her cousin’s children before returning to her elderly aunt.<br /><br />Where is she from?<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" >London</span></st1:city></st1:place><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" >.<br /><br />Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" >She feels it keenly that she is rejected by society, and this accounts for her shyness.<br /><br />What does she want out of life?<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" >Her husband’s love but knows that she must content herself with merely being at his side.<br /><br />What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" >That she loves her husband, despite his seeming coldness to her, and longs for it to be otherwise.<br /><br />Did you write more than one story about her?<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" >No, this is her only story.<br /><br />How would she describe you?<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" ><o:p></o:p>I hope kind and someone who is in sympathy with her cause.<br /><br />Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" >Despite her shyness, she has a lively mind and her confidence grows as her story progresses.<br /><br />Please provide your website link.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" ><a href="http://www.hazel-statham.co.uk/"><span style="font-size:+0;">http://www.hazel-statham.co.uk/</span></a> <span style="font-size:+0;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" ><span style="font-size:+0;"></span>What is the link to buy your book?</span> </p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" >Fictionwise<br /></span><a href="http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBook69078.htm?cache">http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBook69078.htm?cache</a><span style="font-size:+0;"> </span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Wings ePress</p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.wings-press.com/Bookstore/His%20Shadowed%20Heart.htm">http://www.wings-press.com/Bookstore/His%20Shadowed%20Heart.htm</a> </p><br /><p class="MsoNormal">It will also be available from Amazon.com in the very near future.</p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(99,32,53);font-family:'Helvetica','sans-serif';" ><br />It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.</span></p>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-42544444474960802302008-07-13T18:15:00.000-07:002008-12-09T01:31:39.832-08:00Chesapeake Harvest by Terry L. White<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SHqpMKjZxPI/AAAAAAAABYI/a3A3eK0U7NY/s1600-h/Chesapeake+Harvest.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SHqpMKjZxPI/AAAAAAAABYI/a3A3eK0U7NY/s320/Chesapeake+Harvest.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222672744345879794" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.: The heroine in Chesapeake Harvest is a woman named Mary Charles. The daughter of privilege, Mary follows her heart to the streets of </span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >London</span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" > where she is abandoned by her seducer, and must make her way through the highways and byways by selling first her clothing, then her person. Starving, Mary steals a bite of bread and lands in gaol, where she learns the true meaning of misery. When she thinks all is lost, Mary is brought before a judge and sentenced to deportation to the </span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >New World</span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" > and </span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >Maryland</span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" > colony. Her passage across the </span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >Atlantic</span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" > is another chapter written in misery and it is only by chance that she escapes the sickness that breaks out during the voyage and lives to be sold on the block to a man willing to pay the price of her indenture in return for her services.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">What's her name? Mary Charles.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Why did you pick that name? I find that my characters come to me with their stories – and their names -- in their pockets. Mary is representative of hundreds of victims of poverty who were transported to the colonies in order to empty the jails of petty criminals who cost the crown more than their worth to support, even in great privation. Those transported were charged with their own passage, which they had to work off in a state of enslavement for five years on what is now </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >Maryland</span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >’s </span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >Eastern Shore</span></span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">. Mary seems to be a common name in most epochs of English history, and Charles sounded like a name given to members of the gentry.<br /><br />Give us a brief description of how she looks. Mary once wore silk dresses and shoes of the finest leather, but her fall from the world of ease leaves her dressed in her mistress’s cast off clothing and garments of rough linen or wool that are more serviceable, but hardly alluring. Her hair is scraped back in a rough knot or braid and her hands are red and calloused from work. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Is there anything unusual about her appearance? Mary is the servant of a man who has connections to royalty, but in the colony even those born with status wear plain clothing that will stand up to the hard work of a frontier farm.<br /><br />Who does she love? Mary loves Tom, a fellow indentured servant, but she is married to her Master William Baron, who chooses her as a wife when his dear spouse dies of marsh fever. Mary is grateful for the match, for she was raped earlier by the farm’s first male indenture, and she feels that her daughter will be safe if she marries her master. This change in status does not mean her work is lightened, only that she has traded one form of enslavement for another. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Does this person love her? William does not love Mary, although he honors her worth by offering her marriage, a custom of the time when there were fewer marriageable women than men due to the hard work and unattended childbirths they must endure. Tom does love Mary, but she turns him away when he finishes his time of indenture because she is carrying William’s child. In her heart, she would like to put aside her loveless marriage to follow Tom to the mountains of </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >Virginia</span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >, but her sense of duty keeps her tied to William and the management of his farm. William leaves the farm often to dabble in politics, and eventually is killed when he is on the way to </span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >London</span></span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> to pursue business matters and his ship is caught in a violent storm..<span style=""> </span><br /><br />Tell us about her family. Mary has her daughter, fruit of the rape, and several of William’s children, all of whom she loves dearly. She is responsible for raising these offspring and for the management of the plantation in her husband’s absence. After Tom leaves, William presents Mary with a family of slaves, a husband with wife and children. With so many mouths to feed, Mary works very hard to maintain her family.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Where is she from? Mary is from </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >London</span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >, but her indenture brings her to the area that is now known as </span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >Somerset</span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >County</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" > on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.<br /><br />Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude? Mary is responsible for a great deal as the wife of a plantation owner, however, she is grateful for Sir Williams, whose wife Sallie adopted and legitimized her bastard child. Mary is also mindful of her luck in being transported rather than being left to rot in a </span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >London</span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" > gaol. While her marriage has elevated her to a similar status as that of her birth, the circumstances of life in the colony leave her with a great deal of responsibility, especially when her husband is killed. Mary lives in a world where women are secondary to men, but she is not unmindful of the good fortune that has followed her to the </span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >New World</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >.<br /><br />What does she want out of life? Mary would like very much to be loved, but she is dedicated to her children and the land, which she discovers is very important to her as she grows from the abused daughter of privileged to the manager of a large plantation in the </span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" >New World</span></span><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">. Mary is not a woman to feel sorry for herself and she often counts her blessings as she tells her story.<br /><br />What's her biggest secret? Mary loves Tom for his kindness, even when he leaves the farm when she says she cannot come with him. That said, she puts the love aside and does not pine for what might have been.<br /><br />Did you write more than one story about her? No. I have told Mary’s story, or rather Mary has sent her story through me for others to enjoy. I believe Mary had an eventful life, but that she took the events as they came and was aware that she was blessed as those events shook her world.<br /><br />How would she describe you? I believe Mary would see me as a sister, a woman who had similar experiences and who is grateful for the good things life has given her. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: rgb(99, 32, 53);font-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share. I think it is important for the reader to understand that Mary is a responsible person who understands what is important in life. I do not know how her story came to me, but I believe there is a channel that opens and allows me to know the women in my stories and to tell their stories. I believe that women have suffered greatly in the past and that their stories hold the seeds of love for the women of today who may live in misery – then read a book and see that there is a clear path for them to the future.<br /><br />Please provide your website link. </span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.terrylwhite.com/"><b><span style="color:purple;"><span style="font-size:100%;">http://www.terrylwhite.com</span></span></b></a><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span></p> <p> </p><p><br />You can find Terry L. White's books at <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.ebooksonthe.net/">www.ebooksonthe.net</a>, Fictionwise, Mobipocket, Kindle and Amazon.com by typing her name in the search engines. Look for Runaway Hearts, Mystick Moon, Ancient Memories, The Last Priestess, Mustard Seed, Crazy Quilt, Hang Your Head Over, Imagine, Hell or High Water and Chesapeake Harvest and more. Terry is also a bead artist and musician.</p>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-66765610139872901812008-06-25T23:48:00.000-07:002008-12-09T01:31:39.961-08:00Meet Contessa Morena Monterossa of Portovenere of Bloodstone Castle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SFlYrVF-3gI/AAAAAAAABO4/0UFIctHjlKk/s1600-h/Mirella+Banner+-+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SFlYrVF-3gI/AAAAAAAABO4/0UFIctHjlKk/s320/Mirella+Banner+-+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213295545077915138" border="0" /></a><br /> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What’s her name?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">Contessa Morena Monterossa of Portovenere <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why did you pick that name?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">The name Morena is an authentic Italian medieval name.<span style=""> </span>I wanted my heroine to have a title, one level of nobility lower than the ducal status of the hero and villain.<span style=""> </span>This made her more vulnerable to both powerful men.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Give us a brief description of how she looks.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">Morena is of average build, innocent looking and vulnerable, youthful, but mature. A true beauty with an upturned nose and rose colored cheeks.<span style=""> </span>Originally, she had chestnut hair, but when the cover for the book was chosen, I decided to amend the hair color so she looks like the woman on the cover. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is there anything unusual about her appearance?</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">There is nothing unusual about her appearance except for the fact that she wears a beautiful, ancient bloodstone pendant given to her by her mother.<span style=""> </span>She never takes it off.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Who does she love? Why?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">Morena does not love any man, however, with time Duke Amoro of Genoa begins to win her heart even though he is a life-long enemy of her family.<span style=""> </span>But she is betrothed to Duke Ernesto of Savona and feels duty bound to marry him. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Does this person love her?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">Duke Amoro does not love her at first.<span style=""> </span>His only interest is because he is bound by an oath to marry her.<span style=""> </span>But within a very short time, he grows to love her, long before his love is reciprocated.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tell us about her family.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">Morena is the only daughter of Count Umberto Monterossa and his wife Vittoria who died giving birth to Morena.<span style=""> </span>The Count never remarried.<span style=""> </span>He rescued a young orphan boy named Massimo who he raised like a son and with whom Morena has a very strong bond with.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where is she from?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">Morena was born in Bloodstone Castle in Portovenere.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Does her hometown affect her behaviour, thoughts, and attitude?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">Morena feels the duty of her title and loves her home and the people who live and work in the vicinity of Bloodstone Castle.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What does she want out of life?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">Morena wants to ensure she takes good care of the many serfs and vassals who serve her family.<span style=""> </span>She wants to be loved.<span style=""> </span>Morena is prepared to do her duty and will sacrifice her own personal love and happiness to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What’s her biggest secret?</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">Morena knows about the existence of the ancient Roman treasure rumoured to be buried beneath Bloodstone Castle and the bloodstone pendant she wears is proof, however, she does not know its location and is suspicious of her suitors because of it.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Did you write more than one story about her?</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">No, and at this time I have no plans for a sequel.<span style=""> </span>However, I did leave that door open because I think the minor character of Massimo makes an intriguing hero and perhaps there will be a novel about him with Morena as a minor character in the future.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How would she describe you?</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">Morena would describe me as a dedicated, obsessed author with a love to create and a passion for stories about Italy and medieval times.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">Morena is not afraid to stand up and fight.<span style=""> </span>She understands the duty that comes with her title and is ready to fulfill those requirements regardless of her own wishes or happiness<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Please provide your website link.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.mirellapatzer.com/"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">http://www.mirellapatzer.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is the link to buy your book?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">You can purchase my book at my websites:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.mirellapatzer.com/"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">http://www.mirellapatzer.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://bloodstonecastle.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">http://bloodstonecastle.blogspot.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://bestofitaly.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">http://bestofitaly.blogspot.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://mirellapatzer.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">http://mirellapatzer.blogspot.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">Or you can purchase it from Amazon at:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bloodstone-Castle-Mirella-Patzer/dp/0978486528/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209682406&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">http://www.amazon.com/Bloodstone-Castle-Mirella-Patzer/dp/0978486528/</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">It was wonderful to meet her.<span style=""> </span>Thank you for bringing her to meet us.<span style=""> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We encourage you to post a comment or ask a question. One person who comments during the tour will win an autographed copy of Bloodstone Castle. Will you win??</span><a href="javascript:void(0)" tabindex="10" onclick="return false;"><span></span></a>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-47523198384509386002008-05-31T19:59:00.000-07:002008-06-01T08:08:47.603-07:00Heroine From Outlaw in PetticoatsTell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.<br /><br /><b>What's her name?</b> Maeve Loman<br /><br /><b>Why did you pick that name?</b> While doing the background on her father, I needed him to be Irish. So I looked up Irish names and after going back and forth with several, I decided Maeve fit the best with the hero's name, Zeke.<br /><b><br />Give us a brief description of how she looks. </b>Straight black hair worn in a bun while teaching and in a braid down her back while traveling the trails searching for her father. She's slender, blue eyes, and has the Irish temper.<br /><b><br />Is there anything unusual about her appearance?</b> When traveling, she dresses in an old shirt, worn riding skirt and has a six shooter holstered on one hip.<br /><br /><b>Who does she love? Why?</b> She slowly falls for the hero, but fights the attraction kicking and screaming. Her father whom she adored left her and her mother when Maeve was ten. She's always felt if she loves someone too much, they will leave her and she refuses to go through that pain again.<br /><br /><b>Does this person love her?</b> Zeke loves her to obsession. And has a hard time courting and romancing her to bring her around to his way of thinking.<br /><br /><b>Tell us about her family. </b>Her father who adored her and she adored him, taught her how to handle a pistol then disappeared. The book is about Maeve and Zeke looking for answers to his disappearance. Her mother is an invalid who holds bitter feelings toward both Maeve and her father.<br /><br /><b>Where is she from?</b> Maeve's family traveled around a lot due to her father's work.<br /><br /><b>Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?</b> No, as I said, she has traveled a lot as a child and doesn't really call any one place home.<br /><br /><b>What does she want out of life?</b> She wants to be independent and not fall in love. ;) But of course Zeke has other plans.<br /><b><br />What's her biggest secret?</b> <b>(Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.) </b>Her biggest secret is she really dreams of a life with a husband and children, but fears the hurt of being rejected again.<br /><br /><b>Did you write more than one story about her? </b>Yes, and no. She is the heroine in the second Halsey brother book and has small roles the books following this one.<br /><br /><b>How would she describe you? </b>A busybody. LOL Because I've dug into her and made her realize what she really wants.<br /><br /><b>Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.</b> Maeve finds a strength in herself that helps her find the happiness she deep down was looking for.<br /><br /><b>Please provide your website link.</b> <a rel="nofollow" class="moz-txt-link-freetext" target="_blank" href="http://www.patyjager.com/">http://www.patyjager.com</a><br /><b><br />What is the link to buy your book? </b><a rel="nofollow" class="moz-txt-link-freetext" target="_blank" href="http://www.thewildrosepress.com/">http://www.thewildrosepress.com</a><br /><br />It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.<br /><br />Thank you for letting me share Maeve. You can read about another feisty heroine in the first Halsey Brother book, Marshal in Petticoats.Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-32024412429475931812008-05-11T10:56:00.000-07:002008-12-09T01:31:40.126-08:00Sinbad's Last Voyage by Toni Sweeney<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJ0VVG_exLr09CQd9mFs4_O9OdxcTSmOpH6zpelDBPBAWOTrZUj1eWlgwtW_U67mdF9VL3WQxW7EiAJCyt1lyaYu5jp9_tv6GI0rMPFB14H6L-4FeRbW5q1jW9BoPgj1LYYbhtiUZbIg/s1600-h/sinbad-510.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJ0VVG_exLr09CQd9mFs4_O9OdxcTSmOpH6zpelDBPBAWOTrZUj1eWlgwtW_U67mdF9VL3WQxW7EiAJCyt1lyaYu5jp9_tv6GI0rMPFB14H6L-4FeRbW5q1jW9BoPgj1LYYbhtiUZbIg/s320/sinbad-510.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199181077280927906" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.<span style=""> </span>What's her name? </i></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>Her name is Andrea Talltrees.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>Why did you pick that name?</i></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Andi is the adopted daughter of Vicente Talltrees, a Navajo Natural.<span style=""> </span>I wanted something that sounded Native American.<br /><br /><i>Give us a brief description of how she looks.</i></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Since Andi is adopted, she doesn't look native American, and this is one of the first things Sinbad questions her about.<span style=""> </span>She's small, feisty--someone says she can lick all her one hundred and ten pounds in wildcats--blue-eyes and a wheat-blonde.<span style=""> </span>She married Tran when she was sixteen and is now thirty-one and the fact that she's nearly two years older than Sinbad irritates her.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><i><span style="">Is there anything unusual about her appearance? </span></i></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Not to her people.<span style=""> </span>She wears long skirts and shirts she makes herself, long buckskin boots (also handmade).<span style=""> </span>When she has to change clothes into a disguise, she begs Sinbad to let her keep her boots because it took her three months to make them.<span style=""> </span>She usually wears her hair in two long pigtails or a single braid down her back.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>Who does she love? Why?</i></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">She thinks she loves her husband until she discovers his real agenda in coming to Earth but the moment she meets Sinbad sh'en Singh, she falls in love with him though she doesn't realize it.<span style=""> </span>He's the total opposite of any man she's ever met--crass, outspoken, a criminal.<span style=""> </span>Even Sinbad admits he's morally opposed to everything she's been brought up to believe it, yet there are little flashes of his secret self he reveals to her that make her realize most of his bombasting is a disguise, that a man who has been traumatized by what happened to his parents lurks inside the dependent front he puts on.<br /><br /><i>Does this person love her?</i></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Sinbad loves her from the moment he sees her, but since she's married and in spite of being a criminal, he refuses to steal another man's woman, he hides his attraction behind insults, wise-cracks, and sarcasm.<span style=""> </span>Eventually, the facade breaks, however, when Andi gets hurt and he thinks he's lost her and from then on--</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>it's damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead! </i></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>Tell us about her family.</i></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The head of Andi's family is Vicente Talltrees.<span style=""> </span>She has four foster brothers.<span style=""> </span>Vicente was her father's best friend and when he enlisted in the Federation Armed Services, he asked Vicente to look after his wife and child.<span style=""> </span>When Jon Pardee is MIA, Vicente goes to get Andi and her mother, finds Sheila dead of pneumonia and takes the little girl back to the Naturals' Reservation, raising her as his own.<span style=""> </span>He spoils Andi, sheltering her, and generally letting her have her way.<br /><br /><i>Where is she from?</i></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Andi and her people live in a valley that has escaped the pollution most of Earth is now under.<span style=""> </span>She has a farm where they grow fruits and vegetables to be sold to the nearby Federation Military Base.<span style=""> </span>The valley is located near <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1210528562_1">Angel City</span>, the remains of <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1210528562_2">Los Angeles</span> after the Great Quake of '89 dropped most of the lower part of <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1210528562_3">California</span> into the Pacific Ocean.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude? </i></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Naturals follow the ways of their ancestors of the mid-twentieth century.<span style=""> </span>Not only Navajos but many Caucasians are members of the cult which spreads across what is called the Buffalo Commons of the <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1210528562_4">Midwest</span>.<span style=""> </span>They are very religious and have strict beliefs about God, marriage, and fidelity.<span style=""> </span>When Andi admits she loves Sinbad--while they're searching for her husband--she feels she's being unfaithful and when they actually consummate that love, she berates herself, insisting she should be stoned for adultery while at the same time knowing she can never let him go.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>What does she want out of life? </i></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">At first, she thinks she just wants Tran back and her life on the farm to return to its peaceful self.<span style=""> </span>One she meets Sin, she knows that her old life is gone forever.<span style=""> </span>From then on, life has to be with him, whatever that means.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.) </i></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Andi doesn't have any real secrets.<span style=""> </span>She's a fairly open person.<span style=""> </span>Being taught to be truthful, she'd have to be.<span style=""> </span>Associating with Sin, she finds hidden strengths within herself that she didn't know she possessed.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>Did you write more than one story about her?</i></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Andi features quite prominently in all the Sinbad stories, especially the second one, <i>Sinbad's Wife</i>, which is scheduled for publication this year.<span style=""> </span>That follows the discovery of Sinbad's "secret," their marriage, and a violent separation when Andi's abducted by slavers and becomes their leader's concubine.<br /><br /><i>How would she describe you?</i></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">She's probably say, "I know people say we look alike, but--I swear--we certainly don't think alike!<span style=""> </span>Slavers...criminals...moving to another planet!<span style=""> </span>I'd never think to do that on my own!"<br /><br /><i>Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.</i></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Andi meets some people she'd never otherwise get to know while she's tagging along behind Sinbad.<span style=""> </span>Someone of them pop up in the other books, too.<span style=""> </span>She has to think fast in some situations and put her own bravery to the test and I think she handles everything rather well--for a very sheltered, slightly spoiled little Natural.<br /><br /><i>Please provide your website link.</i></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.tonivsweeney.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1210528562_5">www.tonivsweeney.com</span></a></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">What is the link to buy your book?</span></p><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12;" ><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a target="_blank" href="http://www.lulu.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1210528562_6">www.lulu.com</span></a>; <a target="_blank" href="http://www.doubledragonbooks.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1210528562_7">www.doubledragonbooks.com</span></a></span><br /></span></span>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-50920350229096978962008-04-23T08:24:00.000-07:002008-04-23T08:30:08.320-07:00Meet Geneva Anderson<div id="filecontent"> <div id="yiv2050514267"> <p>Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.<br /><br />What's her name?</p> <p>Geneva Anderson</p><p><br /></p> <p>Why did you pick that name?</p> <p>Geneva is the name of a lady who is the best friend of a friend of mine. Anderson is my grandmother and uncle’s last name. I picked Geneva because it sounds exotic and unusual. The name seemed perfect for my heroine who has a unique way of looking at things and lives an unusual life.<br /></p> <p><br /></p><p>Give us a brief description of how she looks.</p> <p>Geneva is about 5’5 with short, black hair that she wears curled under. She is chubby with light brown skin and wears glasses.<br /><br /></p> <p>Is there anything unusual about her appearance?</p> <p>No.<br /></p> <p><br /></p><p>Who does she love? Why?</p> <p>She is secretly in love with the leader of her poetry workshop, Xavier Lakemore. They have never dated. But the only reason that she joined the workshop was to be around him. She has always had problems with men. </p> <p><br /></p><p>Does this person love her? </p> <p>No, he doesn’t know how deep her feelings for him go.</p><br />Tell us about her family. <p>She doesn’t have any family. Geneva’s father abused her mother and her mother died when she was young. She grew up alone. She only had her aunt Victoria who was murdered. Geneva idolized Victoria. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Where is she from?</p> <p>She is from Chicago, Illinois.<br /></p> <p><br /></p><p>Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?</p> <p>She is very street smart and not afraid to take risks. She is not afraid to find out who really murdered her aunt.</p> <p><br /></p><p>What does she want out of life?</p> <p>She wants to be a successful poet. She wants to be loved. Geneva thinks that she can only find this love in a man. </p> <p><br /></p><p>What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)</p> <p>She wishes that she had murdered her father before his abuse killed her mother. She thinks that she is coward for not doing this.<br /></p> <p><br /></p><p>Did you write more than one story about her?<br /></p> <p>Not yet. This is the first book in a series featuring the protagonist, Geneva Anderson. I am currently refining the outline for the second book.</p><br />How would she describe you? <p>She would describe me as being slightly obsessive compulsive, reserved, and independent. </p> <p><br /></p><p>Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.</p> <p>Geneva is resourceful and not afraid to step out on a limb. She focuses on getting the job done sometimes without regard to the consequences.</p> <p><br /></p><p>Please provide your website link.</p> <p>http://www.bernadettesteele.net</p> <p><br /></p><p>What is the link to buy your book?</p> <p>Amazon</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Murder-Bernadette-Steele/dp/1892343088/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199323260&sr=1-1"><u>http://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Murder-Bernadette-Steele/dp/1892343088/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199323260&sr=1-1</u></a> </p> <p>Barnes and Noble</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?TTL=&ATH=bernadette+steele&WRD=&PRC=&FMT=&AGE=&CID=&z=y"><u>http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?TTL=&ATH=bernadette+steele&WRD=&PRC=&FMT=&AGE=&CID=&z=y</u></a> </p> <p><br /></p><p>It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.</p> </div> </div>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-73575259359757724112008-04-20T12:46:00.000-07:002008-12-09T01:31:40.278-08:00Meet Jane Downing Nelson<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOqcHAQ6ranZZXjhiYtGqprEbqyxh5uQa0Hlp8yqHO3wUfCan3IXWl35Tab1G3TtAI95fg7IIlvVKS8LNQc7nPFJDZ91TUlDcrOiZHqX0T_ATyh5IJNt-BJiPlyK66gGqCVsylrkURA0/s1600-h/janeology.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOqcHAQ6ranZZXjhiYtGqprEbqyxh5uQa0Hlp8yqHO3wUfCan3IXWl35Tab1G3TtAI95fg7IIlvVKS8LNQc7nPFJDZ91TUlDcrOiZHqX0T_ATyh5IJNt-BJiPlyK66gGqCVsylrkURA0/s320/janeology.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191417197799256722" border="0" /></a>Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book. <p>She is actually an anti-heroine if you consider that she commits the murder that sets the story in motion. But like many stories, you have sympathy for the anti-hero because of the life that created them.<br /><br />What's her name?</p> <p>Jane Downing Nelson<br /><br />Why did you pick that name?<br /></p> <p>I don't actually recall how it came to be. But when I was thinking up various titles for the book, I remember thinking how I could use Jane for Jane-e-ology (which rhymes with genealogy) as an apt description of the book - the story is the history or study of Jane.</p> <p>Give us a brief description of how she looks.</p> <p>She is from Texas so her hair is always naturally highlighted, especially around her face. Her eyes are blue, clear and confident. In many other ways, she is your typical pretty American mother who looks worn out at Wal-Mart, but who cleans up to a nine if she's going to a party.<br /><br />Is there anything unusual about her appearance?<br /></p> <p>No.</p> <p>Who does she love? Why?<br /></p> <p>Jane loves her husband, Tom. That is certain. He has drawn out her softer side, which wasn't really nurtured in her childhood. I think this is why she was drawn to him.</p> <p>Does this person love her?</p> <p>Immensely. This is the heartbreak of the story - loving someone whose mind is no longer her own. How do you love someone who doesn't really exist anymore? This is what her husband grapples with. </p> <p>Tell us about her family.<br /></p> <p>This question makes me smile. Why? Because it is the heartbeat of the book. JANEOLOGY is the story of Jane's family. The chapters alternate through past and present and reveal eight of her ancestors. Who they were, what they did and how they were raised all trickled down into Jane's DNA. To say anymore is to begin writing the story for you again (which I would do except Ms. Leigh has space requirements.) Suffice to say, ask yourself about your own family. You would have a story about your mother, your father, your grandmother, your grandfather and so forth. These are the stories that make up JANEOLOGY.</p> <p>Where is she from?</p> <p>She is from Texas, born and raised. And it shows. There's a certain can-do moxie about her spirit. This spirit propels her in both good and bad directions.<br /><br />Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?<br /></p> <p>That's something I hadn't thought about before. Perhaps. Texans have a certain wide open attitude. That there is enough room - physically and mentally - to do things in a big way. So, yes, I think that living in Texas must have affected her worldview.</p> <p>What does she want out of life?<br /></p> <p>To be known. To have one person really understand her. </p> <p>What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)<br /></p> <p>That she had murderous/post-partum impulses before she acted upon them.</p> <p>Did you write more than one story about her?<br /></p> <p>Actually, yes. I wrote Jane from several perspectives and ages. One of those - Jane at age nine - appears in the story. And it is one my favorite chapters in the entire book because I think it stands alone.</p> <p>How would she describe you?<br /></p> <p>If she were to describe my day job as a stay-at-home mom she would say, “I completely understand what a tough job it is. Call me if you want to go garage- saling next weekend.”</p> <p>If she were to describe my job as a novelist she would say, “You are too sympathetic to my husband. Do you realize all the things you DIDN'T see about him? Don't ever call me.”</p> <p>Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.</p> <p>Jane is a complex, dark, hurting individual. She surfaced in my writing because of all the tragic stories I have heard about mothers who kill and my quest to understand why and how this was possible. I believe I gleaned a few answers to this question by knowing her.<br /><br />Please provide your website link.<br /></p> <p><a href="http://www.karenharringtonbooks.com/">www.karenharringtonbooks.com</a></p> <p>What is the link to buy your book?</p> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Janeology-Karen-Harrington/dp/160164020X/">http://www.amazon.com/Janeology-Karen-Harrington/dp/160164020X/</a><br /><br />It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-1708839421999694032008-04-13T14:44:00.001-07:002008-12-09T01:31:40.444-08:00Meet Frankie A Unique and Touching Heroine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SAKDDPoZ-GI/AAAAAAAAA-c/5SGFe2q2wRg/s1600-h/Frankie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SAKDDPoZ-GI/AAAAAAAAA-c/5SGFe2q2wRg/s320/Frankie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188853812443084898" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg" alt="" />What's her name? <div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Frankie (real name Francesca)</span><br /><br />Why did you pick that name?</div> <div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">I had Frankie's name picked out way before I found her. One of my favorite movies is "Frankie & Johnnie." I've always thought it was so cool that a girl's name could be Frankie. And it just so happens I have my own personal Johnnie who is my husband.</span><br /><br />Give us a brief description of how she looks.</div> <div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">She has four, 2-inch legs, red silky soft fur, flappy ears, fawn brown eyes, a skinny tail and a black button nose</span><br /><br />Is there anything unusual about her appearance?</div> <div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Well I guess you could say the fact that her back legs are wheels would be unusual.</span><br /><br />Who does she love? Why?</div> <div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">She loves everyone because dogs love unconditionally. Though I think she loves me most of all (I sure hope so!).</span><br /><br />Does this person love her?</div> <div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Absolutely, without a doubt! She would do anything for her little sweetheart.</span><br /><br />Tell us about her family.</div> <div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">She has a wonderful, caring, loving Mom, a Dad who adores her, a big yellow lab sister, Kylie and a tabby striped cat sister, Dani.</span><br /><br />Where is she from?</div> <div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">She is from the quaint village of <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1208123008_0">Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin</span></span><br /><br />Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?</div> <div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Oh yes! Her hometown has been so supportive and compassionate towards the "little dog with tires." Frankie loves to share her positive attitude for overcoming a challenge with everyone she meets.</span><br /><br />What does she want out of life?</div> <div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Probably first and foremost would be kibbles and treats. After that, all she wants is someone to love and cuddle with her.</span><br /><br />What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)</div> <div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Her biggest secret? She really does love her cat sister.</span><br /><br />Did you write more than one story about her?</div> <div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Not yet, but I plan to.</span><br /><br />How would she describe you?</div> <div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">The best human mom a little dog could ever ask for.</span><br /><br />Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.</div> <div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Frankie taught me that we all have challenges. She taught me not to feel sorry for her or for myself. She taught me to look for a blessing in the challenge we faced when she became paralyzed. She showed me being positive will bring much joy and blessings to my life and it has. Her motto is: Be positive and Keep on Rolling!</span><br /><br />Please provide your website link.</div> <div><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.joyfulpaws.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1208123008_1">www.joyfulpaws.com</span></a></div> <div><strong></strong><br />What is the link to buy your book?</div> <div><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.joyfulpaws.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1208123008_2">www.joyfulpaws.com</span></a></div>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-86581778901519877172008-03-22T13:27:00.000-07:002008-12-09T01:31:40.557-08:00Gisel from Wildcat Victory<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R-VsLztbUgI/AAAAAAAAA44/nZoczQbGqhM/s1600-h/WildCat+cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R-VsLztbUgI/AAAAAAAAA44/nZoczQbGqhM/s320/WildCat+cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180665896474726914" border="0" /></a><br /><div id="filecontent"> <div id="yiv369267336"> <p>Follow Gisel Matah and the thunder of hooves as she strikes back at the Imperial armies that threaten all she has worked for. She must defy every established world power to bring justice to common peasants and workers in societies now ruled by greedy aristocrats. Her covert activities require her to protect her fledgling Radical movement from both friends and enemies.</p><br /><p>Risking her life and her love, Gisel negotiates even greater hazards in a wide ranging adventure. Her partner, Yohan Felger, becomes a problem when the Baron has him smuggle a steam engine to the Empire. Gisel knows of the subterfuge but cannot admit it, while Yohan is almost torn apart by the need to deceive her. Faced with removing the pressure on Yohan as he moves his contraband engine, she accepts the offer of General Lord Ricart, an ex-lover, to command a cavalry unit in battle. Her reckless courage is needed to carry out missions against two Imperial armies.</p><p><br /></p> <p>The fight finds her opposed by ever increasing odds until in the final confrontation she must outwit two enemies who vie to dominate Iskander. New friends, allies, and enemies as well as all the old ones fill the pages when Gisel Matah sets out to gain "The Wildcat's Victory".</p> </div> </div><br />Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.<br /><br /><br />What's her name? <div id="filecontent"><div id="yiv378118813"> <p><br /></p><p>Gisel Matah </p> <p><br /></p><p>Why did you pick that name? </p> <p><br /></p><p>I could say that's almost lost in the mists of time, I started writing stories in the series over ten years ago. I think the name Gisel has a strong but feminine sound to it - and I wanted both. The spelling Gisel rather than the French Giselle being responsible for making the name sound stronger.</p> <p><br /></p><p>I picked the family name as something sounding Indian - as in Zubin Mheta, the conductor. I was very concerned in writing about a group of people from the future that they should be multicultural.</p> <p><br /></p><p>Give us a brief description of how she looks. </p> <p><br /></p><p>She has a page on Facebook with a picture I bought from iStock. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=550780677">http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=550780677</a> </p> <p><br /></p><p>It's not exactly as I visualized her, of course, her arm should be more muscular reflecting her working out and swordfighting strength. Perhaps the girl who modeled for the picture is more beautiful than I originally intended - I wanted Gisel to be striking and to gain attractiveness through her vivacity, but I think this picture does justice to my concept.</p> <p><br /></p><p>My original conception - </p> <p><br /></p><p>She has long black hair, very dark “Gypsy” eyes, and olive skin reflecting her genetic heritage. She's 5'10” and weighs 145lbs.</p> <p><br /></p><p>Is there anything unusual about her appearance?</p> <p><br /></p><p>There is in the stories, because she is a modern young woman in an alternate 17<sup>th</sup> century world, and 5'10” is very tall for a man or woman of that culture. Her height enables her to convincingly disguise herself as a man in some of the action. </p> <p><br /></p><p>The hypnotic eyes came from a real young woman I once worked with (who later became my doctor for several years.) She did have Gypsy in her heritage and could give meaning to the myth of the Gypsy's eyes whenever challenged. I wanted Gisel to be able to transfix with a glance.</p> <p><br /></p><p>Who does she love? Why? </p> <p><br /></p><p>She's had more than one love affair but has come to love the rather fussy and serious Yohan Felger, the young man she had to escort to an enemy city in Deadly Enterprise. While other lovers, such as Lord Ricart the commanding general of her people's armed forces, might have been more exciting, Yohan is the steady and reliable man who she can trust when he says he loves her. In the latest novel I'm working on they're married.</p> <p><br /></p><p>Does this person love her?</p> <p><br /></p><p>He does, but he is also exasperated by her strong will and reckless plunging into danger. He knows of (at least one of) her earlier affairs and does his best to control his jealousy. </p> <p><br /></p><p>In working on an early draft of The Wildcat's Victory, where Gisel is called back to a combat command, I had another writer question whether they really loved one another. Then I had them meet after a month's separation when Yohan led an ammunition supply column to join her. In a love scene in the back of an ammunition wagon, almost everything conspires to break the romantic mood and spoil their lovemaking, but they rise above it. My critical reader was convinced. </p> <p><br /></p><p>Tell us about her family. </p> <p><br /></p><p>She was born on a future version of our Earth, near the end of the 23<sup>rd</sup> century - not the 17<sup>th</sup> century world where her adventures take place. Her father, Henrik, is an engineer from an Anglo-Indian family from Mumbai, her mother, Gina, a Greek medical doctor. The two met when Gina visited her parents in Mumbai, where her father was serving as a UN Trade Commissioner.</p> <p><br /></p><p>The marriage was always stormy and resulted in divorce before these stories start. Gisel was raised sometimes in her parents' home in Mumbai, partly by her Greek grandmother in Greece, and partly by her mother in London during a separation while she practiced at Guys Hospital. I attribute Gisel's stormcrow personality to the less than optimum childhood she experienced. </p> <p><br /></p><p>Where is she from?</p> <p><br /></p><p>I guess I've answered much of this as a preamble to the above. She is a woman of many cultures, and her honour and courage stem from the best of them - Western in her physical personality and Eastern in her spiritual.</p> <p><br /></p><p>Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude? </p> <p><br /></p><p>Her background, upbringing, and melding of cultures affect who she is. When she was returned from Greece to Mumbai as a girl of 8 the staff of the private school she entered pushed her into competition gymnastics in the hopes of channeling her tempestuous nature. When she later accompanied her mother (and elder brother) to London during yet another of her parents' marital storms she was entering into the growth spurt of puberty and could no longer compete in gymnastics. She went into fencing instead and learned the Akido way of the sword from her mentor as well as enough competition skills of the epee to rate as a junior Olympic team member. She fights courageously when she must, but looks for paths to peace when they become possible.</p> <p><br /></p><p>What does she want out of life?</p> <p><br /></p><p>In the dangerous occupation of Security Service officer, her wants at times are narrowed down to just staying alive. She is above all a warrior and a mentor to the local population hoping to rise above the authoritarian and monarchial regimes that rule every nation. Married in the next story of the series, she just wants to be able to blend her official duties with becoming a wife and mother. What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.) </p> <p><br /></p><p>Ah, I suspect her of keeping one, but I've never learned the details. In the next novel to be released, called Arrival, I take the story back to when her people become stranded in the 17<sup>th</sup> century world. Gisel is then 16 and has been wangled into the mission by her father as a personal trainer and minder of the starship's gymnasium. The story shows her developing in five hectic months from starship brat into a warrior.</p> <p><br /></p><p>In a desperate fight to prevent an enemy from taking over a shipyard and works they have set up, she acts with rather sinister man, a bodyguard/come trained assassin more than twice her age, to repel the assault. The two become attracted to one another - sexually during the sensory heightening of battle - and subsequently plan to elope. Her father gets wind of this and moves her out of the country. How far did their relationship go? She's never told me.</p> <p><br /></p><p>Did you write more than one story about her? </p> <p><br /></p><p>She's been the prime mover of most of my writing of the last ten years. Three novels published or under contract, two completely set aside (perhaps to be entirely re-written), and one in progress. But I do have another novel under contract and one in progress that she's not part of.</p> <p><br /></p><p>How would she describe you? </p> <p><br /></p><p>Interesting. I can't visualize her ever meeting me. I rather feel that there is a lot of me in her partner Yohan, so perhaps she'd think of me as a rather dull but reliable fellow.</p> <p><br /></p><p>Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share. </p> <p><br /></p><p>She shares the rebelliousness of my London forebears, and myself. None of us wants to bow down to arbitrary authority, or to the hierarchies of mere birth and social advantage. That's really why I write stories of a society even more mired in them, where she will deceive her friends - even Yohan - to protect her fledgling Workers' Brotherhood that one day may flower into a truly egalitarian social system where all might benefit from the Common Good.</p> <p><br /></p><p>Please provide your website link.</p> <p><br /></p><p><a href="Http://www.christopherhoare.ca">Http://www.christopherhoare.ca</a> </p> <p><br /></p><p>What is the link to buy your book? </p> <p><br /></p><p>Deadly Enterprise is on Amazon at <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/yryhs7"><b><u>http://tinyurl.com/yryhs7</u></b></a><b> </b> </p> <p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>The Wildcat's Victory is on Amazon at </b> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1554045398"><b><u>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1554045398</u></b></a><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Both are on my page at Double Dragon's site ---- </b> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/eAuthor.php?Name=Christopher%20Hoare"><b><u>http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/eAuthor.php?Name=Christopher%20Hoare</u></b></a><b> </b> </p> <p><b>It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.</b></p><br />About Christopher Hoare -<br /><br /><div id="filecontent"> <div id="yiv894460826"> <p><br /></p><p>Chris Hoare is a retired surveyor who has worked in all the oil provinces of Canada, the Canadian Arctic and the Libyan Desert. His post secondary education started as aeronautical engineering but he quickly headed out to learn from the world. As well as time in oil exploration, Chris has worked in oil refinery and gas plant operations and surveyed on a heavy construction project, a dam, where he was a member of the tunneling survey crew and then the check surveyor for the main dam construction.</p> <p><br /></p><p>His writing is generally some kind of speculative fiction. His Iskander series novels have a strong female protagonist, a modern young woman in an earlier society on an alternate Earth. The stories feature the struggle to produce technological and social advancement against the opposition of established rulers. </p> <p><br /></p><p>Chris lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada, with his wife of 37 years and two Humane Society shelter dogs.</p> </div> </div><br /></div> </div>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-46633129308947385582008-03-19T17:22:00.000-07:002008-12-09T01:31:40.729-08:00Rachel from Choice, My Secrets<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R-Gu1jtbUfI/AAAAAAAAA4w/ubdhVvGVprQ/s1600-h/ChoicesMySecrets+cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R-Gu1jtbUfI/AAAAAAAAA4w/ubdhVvGVprQ/s320/ChoicesMySecrets+cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179613281594855922" border="0" /></a><br /><div id="filecontent"> <div id="yiv891667744"> <p>Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.</p> <p>She is the girl next door; she is out going and well mannered. She is liked by all; she excels at most things she takes on. She gets along very well with her parents and talks to them about everything except the relationship she has with Gary and her being pregnant. She knows that she has crossed the line.<br /><br />What's her name?</p> <p>Her name is Rachel, which means beautiful, innocence and gentility of a rose or lovely.<br /><br />Why did you pick that name? </p> <p>I felt it's the perfect name for her.<br /><br />Give us a brief description of how she looks.</p> <p>She has eyes of blue with mahogany colored long hair. She has cheeks that glow a natural blush color with a smile of confidence and beauty. She is tall and slender but with an athletic build.<br /><br />Is there anything unusual about her appearance? </p> <p>No; not really just the glow that she has about her.</p> <p><br />Who does she love? </p> <p>She falls for Gary.</p> <p>Why? </p> <p>He is a mystery to her; he is from a rival school and is very athletic good looking and smiles when he sees her. She feels that he is the one and wants to get to know him.<br /><br />Does this person love her?</p> <p>Oh yes; Gary fell for her as well, I guess you can call it love at first sight during one of the games they were at they both got a good look at each other from a distance and made eye contact for the first time. That got the mystery going as she was a mystery to him too. Then finally they spoke to each other for the first time at Down Towns pizza place on the first night of summer their love story began with a secret.<br /></p> <p><br />Tell us about her family. </p> <p>She is an only child of two loving and caring parents. They have a solid relationship of trust, honor and respect for each other. They have conversations about most things, attend church weekly and are very involved with Rachel's life and friends. However when Rachel turned 16 they gave her room to explore her boundaries, believing they had instilled the right values in her and with the understanding of trust that she can talk to them about anything. But the most important conversation did not take place; the one that put her in the toughest situation and life changing struggle she has ever faced. <b>Relationships and teen sex.<br /></b><br />Where is she from? </p> <p>She is from a small town somewhere in New York.<br /><br />Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude? </p> <p>Yes, it would have a pure and innocent affect on her and most kids from there too. It is a quiet, peaceful town with a strong culture and tradition. But the choices she makes take over her traditional and family values that really were never explained or given importance for her to have a better understanding of them.<br /><br />What does she want out of life? </p> <p>This she is not sure of. She is in the process of searching for her outlook on life and what it can become.<br /><br />What's her biggest secret? </p> <p>Rachel makes several choices that she did not clearly think through and one of them was to get involved with a nice boy her age from another school and not tell anyone about him. Then together they chose to have a relationship that left Rachel pregnant and Gary leaving for school. Rachel then chooses not to tell any one that she is pregnant and is on the run trying to figure out how to deal with it alone.</p> <p>Did you write more than one story about her? </p> <p>No; but I may in the future.<br /><br />How would she describe you? </p> <p>Loving, caring, thoughtful, talkative, a father that explains, informs, tells what he means and why. Listens<br /><br />Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.</p> <p>Rachel wants teens and parents to learn what she has without having to live the roller coaster of a life that she has lived by being a pregnant teen and having to make excruciating choices because she made other choices without thinking them through carefully. She wants to help you have a better understand of choices and how to prevent choices that could cause life changing events.<br /><br />Please provide your website link.</p> <p>www.heritagevalues.com<br /><br />What is the link to buy your book?</p> <p>You may link at <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.heritagevalues.com/"><u>www.heritagevalues.com</u></a>, click on the book cover and it will take you to amazon.com or you may go to www.xulonpress.com<br /><br />It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.</p> <p>You are so welcome. She and I enjoyed the tour with your readers. We both hope all readers will gain wisdom from her story; Choices, My Secrets.</p> <p>In Christ,</p> <p>Thomas Wade Bounds</p><div id="filecontent"> <div id="yiv401907311"> <p><b>Choices, My Secrets</b>, tells the compelling story of Rachel, a teenager faced with confusing choices leading up to and during a summer romance that leaves her pregnant. Searching for hope, things spin out of control. Does a chance encounter help her think clearly? Does she find her true self and gain the faith, hope, and courage to consider the best choices to guide her through her incredible journey?</p> <p>Learn Rachel’s experience without having to live it yourself. </p> <p>A great book for teens, parents and churches, <b>Choices, My Secrets</b> brings back the art of conversation; an easy way to talk about teen choices together and help set expectations, family values and godly goals.</p><p>Author’s Bio: Thomas Wade Bounds is a businessman and the founder of Heritage Values. He lives with his wife Elsa and their two children, in Charlotte, North Carolina.</p> </div> </div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p> </div> </div>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-32406547004306706712008-03-10T08:54:00.000-07:002008-12-09T01:31:40.972-08:00In the Arms of the Enemy by Patricia A. Guthrie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R9VblH2qtWI/AAAAAAAAA2o/HIahNl7kUiA/s1600-h/In+the+Arms+of+the+Enemy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R9VblH2qtWI/AAAAAAAAA2o/HIahNl7kUiA/s320/In+the+Arms+of+the+Enemy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176144040053880162" border="0" /></a><br /><span id="role_document" style="color: rgb(128, 0, 64);font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 64);font-family:Arial;" ><strong><br />In the Arms of the Enemy<br /><br /></strong></span><p>WANTED: ASSASSIN TO KILL RACE HORSES ON DEMAND</p> <p>FLEXIBLE HOURS-GOOD BENEFITS</p> <p>Light Sword Publishing announces the release of Patricia A. Guthrie’s first published novel “In the Arms of the Enemy.”</p> <p>When the death of a racing stable’s prize horse and his trainer is blamed on the stable’s owner; his son, Adam Blakely, goes undercover convinced that the trainer’s partner, Maggie McGregor, is the killer.</p> <p>Determined to leave the tumultuous world of horse racing, Maggie returns home to try and find peace. When a handsome horse owner moves his horse into her father’s boarding stable and asks Maggie to train his horse, family finances dictate that Maggie accept--and that’s when the accidents begin.</p> <p>Drowning in deception and lies, Maggie and Adam search for a killer and uncover an insurance scam so insidious, it threatens to rock a horse racing empire and bring the killer to their doorstep.<br /></p><p>They need to learn to:</p> <p>Keep your friends close; but your enemies closer.</p><br /><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 64);font-family:Arial;" ><strong><br /></strong></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 64);font-family:Arial;" ><strong><span style="font-weight: bold;">Heroine interview<br /><br /></span></strong></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 64);font-family:Arial;" ><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.</span> <u style="font-weight: normal;">What's her name? </u><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Maggie McGregor (Margaret, but nobody calls her that</span> <u style="font-weight: normal;">Why did you pick that name</u><span style="font-weight: normal;">? I didn't. Maggie picked it for herself. Nothing else fit. She was a Maggie. </span> <u style="font-weight: normal;">Give us a brief description of how she looks. </u><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Maggie's about five foot three-four inches. She has red hair, light skin that sunburns and freckles if she isn't careful, blue eyes like the </span><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1205164514_0">Caribbean</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">, fit from riding horses and doing barn chores. Wears mainly jeans, tank tops and over shirts, but "cleans up well." </span><br /><br /><u style="font-weight: normal;">Is there anything unusual about her appearance? </u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Her hair. Curly, shoulder length and the color, as described by Adam, of a fire framing her face. (well, maybe he didn't exactly say that, but I'm in a poetic mood.) </span> <u style="font-weight: normal;">Who does she love?</u><span style="font-weight: normal;"> She was engaged to Ricki Lane the owner of Lane Training Stables because he taught her to be a successful trainer. She was young and fell in love with not only his looks and manners, but what she thought he stood for. (Boy was she wrong) </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Through the course of the story she falls in love with Adam Blakely a horse owner who brings his horse into her father's barn. Something about him moves her, he's there when he needs her, and something about his is like a Greek tragedy."</span><br /><br /><u style="font-weight: normal;">Does this person love her? </u><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Ricky Lane was more involved with himself and promoting himself and didn't mind screwing Maggie at the right opportunity. So, I'd say no to him. But he's not important, because he's murdered in the beginning.</span><br /><br /> </strong></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 64);font-family:Arial;" ><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Adam Blakely, despite a huge amount of misgivings falls in love with Maggie. He's smitten with her caring and fun-loving nature, her love of horses his attraction to her. But Adam has a secret. (see hero interview) and his secret makes it dangerous for him to fall in love with whom he thinks Maggie is. </span> <u style="font-weight: normal;">Tell us about her family</u><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span><u style="font-weight: normal;"> </u><span style="font-weight: normal;"> The only family Maggie has left is her father Cullum McGreggor. He's very protective about his daughter especially with what happened before the story began. The community has also taken an interest and everyone interacts, has gone to school together and will protect "their own." They're like extended family. what happens to one of them, happens to all of them. </span> <u style="font-weight: normal;">Where is she from</u><span style="font-weight: normal;">? </span><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1205164514_1">Michigan</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><br /><br /></strong><strong style="font-weight: normal;"><u>Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?<br /></u>Yes they do. they've always come together in friendship and trouble. You can see that with the keen interest the sheriff has in stranger, when an elderly horsewoman cross-examinated Adams intent toward Maggie on the trails and the threatening way the farmer questioned Adam at the hospital. Asking him if he was her boyfriend trainer and if he'd beaten her up. Fortunately, Adam was able to say no on both counts (Maggie fell off an intentionally broken ladder at the barn)<br /><br /></strong></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 64);font-family:Arial;" ><strong>What does she want out of life? </strong></span></u><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 64);font-family:Arial;" ><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Maggie wants a career as a horse trainer. She's a loving woman who needs to be loved in return, and she won't settle for being second best.<br /><br /></span><u style="font-weight: normal;">What's her biggest secret?</u><span style="font-weight: normal;"> (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.) Maggie thinks Ricky Lane killed Black Autumn and whoever killed Ricky might be after her too. There are forces at work who would destroy her. </span> <u style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><br />Did you write more than one story about her?</u><span style="font-weight: normal;"> No. </span> <u style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><br />How would she describe you?</u><span style="font-weight: normal;"> I think she'd like to put me in a straight jacket and deposit me someplace where I can't take over her life and give her all those problems. She sees me coming and wants to run and hide. <br /><br /></span><u style="font-weight: normal;">Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share</u><span style="font-weight: normal;">. Maggie is naive about a lot of things, but she's had to grown up fast between the prologue and the first chapter. She's wary of people and, although basically being outgoing, now she wants to shrink away. She feels guilty about leaving Black Autumn, a horse she'd loved and trained, to a man (Ricky Lane) she thinks might have killed him. Now, she's scared that someone might be after her. </span> <span style="font-weight: normal;">Please provide your website link. </span></strong><a style="font-weight: bold;" rel="nofollow" title="http://www.patriciaanneguthrie.com/" target="_blank" href="http://www.patriciaanneguthrie.com/"><strong><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1205164514_2">www.patriciaanneguthrie.com</span></strong></a><a><strong style="font-weight: normal;"></strong></a><strong style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.patriciaanneguthrie.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></a> </strong><a rel="nofollow" title="http://www.paguthrie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" href="http://www.paguthrie.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1205164514_3">www.paguthrie.blogspot.com</span></strong></a><strong><a href="http://www.paguthrie.blogspot.com/"> </a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">What is the link to buy your book? </span></strong><a rel="nofollow" title="http://www.lightswordpublishing.com/" target="_blank" href="http://www.lightswordpublishing.com/"><strong><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1205164514_4">www.lightswordpublishing.com</span></strong></a><strong style="font-weight: normal;"> </strong><a rel="nofollow" title="http://www.patriciaanneguthrie.com/" target="_blank" href="http://www.patriciaanneguthrie.com/"><strong><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1205164514_5">www.patriciaanneguthrie.com</span></strong></a><strong style="font-weight: normal;"> </strong><a rel="nofollow" title="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/"><strong><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1205164514_6">www.amazon.com</span></strong></a><strong style="font-weight: normal;">, </strong><a rel="nofollow" title="http://www.borders.com/" target="_blank" href="http://www.borders.com/"><strong><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1205164514_7">www.borders.com</span></strong></a><strong style="font-weight: normal;"> </strong></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 64);font-family:Arial;" ><br /><br /><strong><u style="font-weight: normal;">It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us</u><span style="font-weight: normal;">. Maggie says as soon as things are back to normal, she would love to go out for lunch. Her treat. And--she'll even invite her author-mommy. (that's me.) That is if I haven't put her in the middle of another murder.<br /><br />For much more information about Patricia Guthrie and In the Arms of the Enemy visit her tour home page - <a href="http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Patricia+Guthrie">http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Patricia+Guthrie<br /></a></span><br /></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></strong></span></div></div></span><span id="role_document" style="color: rgb(128, 0, 64);font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-7161701550792683212008-02-21T08:23:00.000-08:002008-02-21T08:24:03.951-08:00Cover of the Year - Asking for Your VoteI just scanned the covers for Cover of the Year on Erin Aislinn's website and saw a lot of familiar covers - many were on my Judge A Book By its Cover blog last year :)<br /><br />I invite you to visit <a href="http://www.erinaislinn.com/BookCoveroftheYear2007.htm">http://www.erinaislinn.com/BookCoveroftheYear2007.htm</a> and I hope that you will vote for Lady Lightkeeper which is one of my covers and it is listed as the winning cover for September.<br /><br />If you prefer the easier route - feel free to email webmail@erinaislinn .com and put "VOTE for Lady Lightkeeper" in the subject line. I appreciate every vote :)<br /><br />Nikki<br /><br /><br />Book Promo 101 - NOW AVAILABLE<br /><a href="http://www.nikkileigh.%20com/book_%20promo_101.%20htm">www.nikkileigh. com/book_ promo_101. htm</a><br />"Coastal Suspense with a Touch of Romance"<br />Would you like information about the newest<br />blog tour option? Ask me for details and visit<br /><a href="http://www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion">www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion</a>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-41189508675500646412008-02-13T12:39:00.000-08:002008-02-13T12:42:25.147-08:00When I'm You by LaConnie Taylor Jones<div id="filecontent"> <div id="yiv1241896963"> <p>Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.<br /><br />What's her name? Caitlyn Thompson<br /><br />Why did you pick that name?</p> <p>I've always like the name Caitlyn. Since I didn't get the chance to name my only girl child (my husband did the honors), I decided to use the name for my first fictional female character.<br /><br />Give us a brief description of how she looks.</p> <p>Caitlyn is only four feet, eleven inches and weighs roughly a hundred pounds. She has ebony skin that's the same shade as dark chocolate. </p> <p>Is there anything unusual about her appearance? <br /></p><p> Yes, she has beautiful slant, brown eyes. </p> <p>Who does she love? Why?</p> <p>Although she's been on the run from a stalking ex-boyfriend for the past three years, she meets and falls deeply in-love with Marcel Baptiste. At first, she was extremely gun-shy of becoming involved with him, despite their instantaneous attraction. However, as the weeks past, she becomes better acquainted with Marcel and is further captivated by his genuineness and willingness to earn her trust as well as erase the demons from her past. <br /><br />Does this person love her?</p> <p>Oh, absolutely!! Marcel is a man who's use to getting his way. It took him by surprise that Caitlyn told him the one word he never accepts - no. Also, Caitlyn's fear of another relationship makes him even more determine to win not only her trust, but her heart. <br /><br />Tell us about her family.</p> <p>Caitlyn was placed in foster care after the death of her mother at the age of five. She bounced through the system for twelve years until she was placed with the woman she considers as her mother, Ms. Ruby. </p> <p>Where is she from?<br /></p><p> Newark, New Jersey</p> <p>Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?</p> <p>Yes, they do. Caitlyn grew up in inner city of New Jersey and spent a great deal of time at a neighborhood youth center. She eventually becomes the director of a youth center in East Oakland.<br /><br />What does she want out of life?<br />To find the father she never knew.</p> <p>What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)</p> <p>It would be a spoiler to the story!!<br /><br />Did you write more than one story about her?</p> <p>No<br /><br />How would she describe you?</p> <p>As the one person who truly understands her fears, strength and determination to get her life back on the right track after a disastrous relationship involving domestic abuse. <br /><br />Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.<br /></p><p> Caitlyn admits she was vulnerable to the attention and gifts her ex-boyfriend lavished on her because she grew up without anyone to depend on other than herself. However, once she realized their relationship escalated to violence, she had the courage to leave. </p> <p><br />Please provide your website link. </p> <p><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.laconnietaylorjones.com/"><u>http://www.laconnietaylorjones.com/</u></a> </p> <p>What is the link to buy your book?</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/When-Im-You-LaConnie-Taylor-Jones/dp/1585712507/ref=sr_1_1/105-8121552-9010839?ie=UTF8&s=books&"><u>http://www.amazon.com/When-Im-You-LaConnie-Taylor-Jones/dp/1585712507/</u></a> </p> <p> <br />It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.</p> <p>Check out LaConnie's website at <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.laconnietaylorjones.com/"><u>http://www.laconnietaylorjones.com/</u></a> to see how you can win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon.com!</p> </div> </div>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-22718318203289381892008-01-27T18:01:00.000-08:002008-12-09T01:31:41.194-08:00In the Arms of the Enemy by Patricia A. Guthrie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R504gP957RI/AAAAAAAAAyg/LNh7kR37awM/s1600-h/In+the+Arms+of+the+Enemy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R504gP957RI/AAAAAAAAAyg/LNh7kR37awM/s320/In+the+Arms+of+the+Enemy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160342874729606418" border="0" /></a><br /><div class="post-title entry-title" align="center"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>In the Arms of the Enemy </div> <div class="post-title entry-title" align="center">Heroine interview </div> <div class="post-body entry-content"> <p>Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.<br /><br /><u>What's her name? </u> Maggie McGregor (Margaret, but nobody calls her that<br /><br /><u>Why did you pick that name</u>? I didn't. Maggie picked it for herself. Nothing else fit. She was a Maggie.<br /><br /><u>Give us a brief description of how she looks. </u> Maggie's about five foot three-four inches. She has red hair, light skin that sunburns and freckles if she isn't careful, blue eyes like the Caribbean, fit from riding horses and doing barn chores. Wears mainly jeans, <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201485622_1">tank tops</span> and over shirts, but "cleans up well."<br /><br /><u>Is there anything unusual about her appearance? </u>Her hair. Curly, shoulder length and the color, as described by Adam, of a fire framing her face. (well, maybe he didn't exactly say that, but I'm in a poetic mood.)<br /><br /><u>Who does she love?</u> She was engaged to Ricki Lane the owner of Lane Training Stables because he taught her to be a successful trainer. She was young and fell in love with not only his looks and manners, but what she thought he stood for. (Boy was she wrong) </p> <p>Through the course of the story she falls in love with Adam Blakely a horse owner who brings his horse into her father's barn. Something about him moves her, he's there when he needs her, and something about his is like a Greek tragedy."<br /><br /><u>Does this person love her? </u> Ricky Lane was more involved with himself and promoting himself and didn't mind screwing Maggie at the right opportunity. So, I'd say no to him. But he's not important, because he's murdered in the beginning. </p> <p>Adam Blakely, despite a huge amount of misgivings falls in love with Maggie. He's smitten with her caring and fun-loving nature, her love of horses his attraction to her. But Adam has a secret. (see hero interview) and his secret makes it dangerous for him to fall in love with whom he thinks Maggie is.<br /><br /><u>Tell us about her family</u>.<u> </u> The only family Maggie has left is her father Cullum McGreggor. He's very protective about his daughter especially with what happened before the story began. The community has also taken an interest and everyone interacts, has gone to school together and will protect "their own." They're like extended family. what happens to one of them, happens to all of them.<br /><br /><u>Where is she from</u>? <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201485622_2">Michigan</span><br /><br /><u>Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?<br /></u>Yes they do. they've always come together in friendship and trouble. You can see that with the keen interest the sheriff has in stranger, when an elderly horsewoman cross-examinated Adams intent toward Maggie on the trails and the threatening way the farmer questioned Adam at the hospital. Asking him if he was her boyfriend trainer and if he'd beaten her up. Fortunately, Adam was able to say no on both counts (Maggie fell off an intentionally broken ladder at the barn)</p> <p><u>What does she want out of life? </u>Maggie wants a career as a horse trainer. She's a loving woman who needs to be loved in return, and she won't settle for being second best.<br /><br /><u>What's her biggest secret?</u> (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.) Maggie thinks Ricky Lane killed Black Autumn and whoever killed Ricky might be after her too. There are forces at work who would destroy her.<br /><br /><u>Did you write more than one story about her?</u> No.<br /><br /><u>How would she describe you?</u> I think she'd like to put me in a straight jacket and deposit me someplace where I can't take over her life and give her all those problems. She sees me coming and wants to run and hide. <br /><br /><u>Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share</u>. Maggie is naive about a lot of things, but she's had to grown up fast between the prologue and the first chapter. She's wary of people and, although basically being outgoing, now she wants to shrink away. She feels guilty about leaving Black Autumn, a horse she'd loved and trained, to a man (Ricky Lane) she thinks might have killed him. Now, she's scared that someone might be after her.<br /><br />Please provide your website link. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.patriciaanneguthrie.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201485622_3">www.patriciaanneguthrie.com</span></a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.paguthrie.blogspot.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201485622_4">www.paguthrie.blogspot.com</span></a> <br /><br />What is the link to buy your book? <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.lightswordpublishing.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201485622_5">www.lightswordpublishing.com</span></a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.patriciaanneguthrie.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201485622_6">www.patriciaanneguthrie.com</span></a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201485622_7">www.amazon.com</span></a>, <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.borders.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201485622_8">www.borders.com</span></a> </p> <p><br /><br /><u>It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us</u>. Maggie says as soon as things are back to normal, she would love to go out for lunch. Her treat. And--she'll even invite her author-mommy. (that's me.) That is if I haven't put her in the middle of another murder. In the<br /></p></div>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-49082058785262588452008-01-13T15:52:00.000-08:002008-12-09T01:31:41.581-08:00Mystick Moon by Terry L White<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R4qkdmr9iZI/AAAAAAAAAt0/9MpAWDKj1xc/s1600-h/Mystik+Moon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R4qkdmr9iZI/AAAAAAAAAt0/9MpAWDKj1xc/s320/Mystik+Moon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155113551987050898" border="0" /></a><br /> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.<br /><br /></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">What's her name? </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Rebecca</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />Why did you pick that name? </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">It was a commonly used name for the times.</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />Give us a brief description of how she looks. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Rebecca is a child of wealth who has journeyed to <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1200268321_0">New England</span> where she lives a hard life taking care of her mother and raising herself against all odds. Her stepfather abuses her and leaves her alone much of the time. She has a pretty face with worried eyes and wears her dead mother’s cut-down clothing and the skins of animals she and her servant catch to eat.</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />Is there anything unusual about her appearance? </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Rebecca looks like she had to grow up far before her time.</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />Who does she love? Why? </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Rebecca loves her mother. She loves the Pequot woman, Squirrel because Squirrel teaches her how to survive. She also loves Adam, a young boy who befriends and helps her, and his mother Anneke.</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />Does this person love her? </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">These people all love Rebecca. Adam loves her as a boy and returns from a time at sea to love her as a man.</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />Tell us about her family. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Rebecca is alone in the world. Her mother died in childbed and her stepfather abandoned her. Her servant Squirrel is the closest thing to a family member she has.</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />Where is she from?</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">She is originally from <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1200268321_1">London</span> and lives in colonial Mystic Connecticut.</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The people of Mystick want Rebecca to go to church and school as they do, but she is much too concerned with survival. She is only befriended and loved by people who are as different as she. The townspeople call her a witch and accuse her wrongly. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />What does she want out of life?</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Rebecca wants a home and to be loved.</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />What's her biggest secret? </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Rebecca has developed more than one personality and the other persons inside her help her survive.</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />Did you write more than one story about her?</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">No. One was it.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />How would she describe you?</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I don’t think Rebecca would know what to make of me. Our worlds are too different. She would probably think I am a witch!</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Rebecca doesn’t give up, even when facing death, and she never stops believing in love.</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />Please provide your website link.</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.terrylwhite.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1200268321_2">www.terrylwhite.com</span></a><br /><br /></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">What is the link to buy your book?</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.ebooksonthe.net/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1200268321_3">www.ebooksonthe.net</span></a></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1200268321_4">www.amazon.com</span></a></span></span></div>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-69302356628624634002007-12-05T18:38:00.001-08:002007-12-05T18:38:31.771-08:00Blog Tours - What Would You Like to Know<p>I'm doing a tele-seminar next week about blog tours and I would love input from you all.<br /><br />There are many things to discuss about blog tours and I worked out some initial questions to get people thinking - they are:</p> <div>Discover Ways to Promote Your Book on a Virtual Blog Tour to Gain Greater Visibility and Sales</div> <div><br /><ul><li>What are the benefits of doing a blog tour?</li></ul> </div> <div> <ul><li>Should you promote your book in a blog tour?</li></ul> </div> <div> <ul><li>Should fiction and non fiction books be promoted differently in a blog tour?</li></ul> </div> <div> <ul><li>Should you organize your own blog tour?</li></ul> </div> <div> <ul><li>Why hire a publicist to organize your tour?</li></ul> </div> <div> <ul><li>If you hire a publicist, will you still need to work on the tour?</li></ul> </div> <div> <ul><li>Can you use a blog tour to promote anything besides books?</li></ul> </div> <div> <ul><li>Is there a new option in book blog tours?</li></ul> </div> <p>But, now I need to create a couple of handouts and I'd love your input. Is there any specific info about blog tours that any of you think would be most helpful? Some folks here have done tours, some have hosted touring authors and I bet some of you have thought about doing a tour. So, since many of the people here are authors, I figured it would be a great place to pose the question. What information would you suggest I offer in handouts? Thank you all for your thoughts. There will be plenty of blog tour info coming very soon .<br /><br />Nikki Leigh</p> <p>PS - The answer to the last question is - most definitely. Stay tuned for much more information about that option - SOON. Or, contact me to be added to the mailing list - nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com with Mailing List in the subject line.</p>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-78063893225928183142007-12-02T18:37:00.000-08:002008-12-09T01:31:41.702-08:00"The Second Line" by Sheryl Nantus<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R1NtHKbToGI/AAAAAAAAAmo/nXzmneXAWCk/s1600-R/SecondLine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9KjiHMIyIPwF1RkAGYyBk1WcJwBV86P62FeYsQdR0kxoTNnqEkpif8_xvXif9rE0ivuW_7JmazS7C8sIqIGJWqNvPPM5eU9YDHCoPfEIziENA7VWBgni8-PXeBUF9U_4h2xmkDF_HqA/s320/SecondLine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139571569585266786" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.<br /><br />What's her name? </div> <div>Jacklyn Amanda St. George (Jackie for short!)<br /><br />Why did you pick that name? </div> <div>It's classy and she's a classy broad. Can I say broad?<br /><br />Give us a brief description of how she looks. </div> <div>Young redhead with an attitude - jeans, torn combat jacket or <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1196649490_0">leather jacket</span> to get around; doesn't <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1196649490_1">dress up</span>. Ever.<br /><br />Is there anything unusual about her appearance? </div> <div>She looks very normal - which is good when you're a corporate spy!<br /><br />Who does she love? Why? </div> <div>No one yet... but there's someone on the horizon!<br /><br />Does this person love her? </div> <div>Maybe... there's a chance!<br /><br />Tell us about her family. </div> <div>Mother passed away from cancer; father... well, you'll have to read the book to find out. She's alone in the world.<br /><br />Where is she from?</div> <div><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1196649490_2">Toronto, Canada</span>! (Parkdale, for the Canucks who know of where I speak!)<br /><br />Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?</div> <div>She loves her city and knows it inside and out - she loves the bars, the nightlife as well as the businesses she has to break into.<br /><br />What does she want out of life?</div> <div>Inner peace. Which is hard to get.<br /><br />What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)</div> <div>Ah... can't say. In book!<br /><br />Did you write more than one story about her?</div> <div>Just the one book so far... but there's always a chance for more!<br /><br />How would she describe you?</div> <div>A fellow Canuck who should really get out more.<br /><br />Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.</div> <div>Jackie's a self-made woman - a corporate spy who knows how to get what her clients want and how to make good money. She has money to burn, but doesn't show off. She loves her steak.<br /><br />Please provide your website link.</div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.sherylnantus.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1196649490_3">www.sherylnantus.com</span></a></span><br /><br />What is the link to buy your book?</div> <div><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.mundania.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1196649490_4">www.mundania.com</span></a></div> <div><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.sherylnantus.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1196649490_5">www.sherylnantus.com</span></a></div>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7669676486206539983.post-57652716666103663592007-11-17T20:37:00.000-08:002008-12-09T01:31:41.834-08:00Late Night Sessions<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1CSztGUjk3Sn5mBbgDCVztrYB37t_Eb8t1m6oKp6V9GscqCAAZ5ExREaLbcx26Xhjyq38YWiK3h-ymW-vLKLPi_mU1-xHuJuoWR3Gf0QQwfabLMTnAcwrjc6UzL9_v-h2mwHESaMTdo/s1600-h/Late+Night+Sessions.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1CSztGUjk3Sn5mBbgDCVztrYB37t_Eb8t1m6oKp6V9GscqCAAZ5ExREaLbcx26Xhjyq38YWiK3h-ymW-vLKLPi_mU1-xHuJuoWR3Gf0QQwfabLMTnAcwrjc6UzL9_v-h2mwHESaMTdo/s320/Late+Night+Sessions.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134036867797597874" /></a><br /><br /><br />What's her name?<br /><br />Vicky<br /><br />Why did you pick that name?<br /><br />She’s named after Vicki Williams, a favourite folk singer of mine. My Vicky is a folk enthusiast living in the Midlands, and a flautist, while Vicki Williams is a singer songwriter from Wales who gigs with her husband Trefor – so aside from the folk connection they don’t have much in common.<br /><br />Give us a brief description of how she looks.<br /><br />Vicky isn’t a great beauty, but is pretty in her own way. She’s on the tall side of average height, with curly, reddish brown hair that falls to her shoulders. Grief has taken a toll on her, and at the outset of the book, she looks gaunt and weary. Despite her relative youth (26) you can tell from her eyes that she’s been through a lot. Slow to smile, and prone to fits of deep melancholy, Vicky isn’t an approachable young woman, but when she plays her flute, you can see something of the joy and passion she had before everything went tragically wrong.<br /><br />Is there anything unusual about her appearance? Aside from the marks of sorrow and hard experience, Vicky looks quite unremarkable. She is a typical, bright twenty something young woman, with jeans, doc martin boots and skimpy tops.<br /><br />Who does she love? Why? Vicky’s life used to centre around her flatmate and best friend, Kirsten. Death has not destroyed her attachment, but she needs to move on. Her affections are engaged by Dan – a much older folk musician who has his own difficult past to contend with.<br /><br />Does this person love her? Initially, Vicky has no idea what to make of Dan – he seems interested, but his personality is full of contradictions and he reveals little about himself. He isn’t an easy person to trust, and it takes Vicky quite a while to determine how he feels about her.<br /><br />Tell us about her family. Vicky grew up in Malvern – a small town on the edge of the Malvern hills, in the UK Midlands. Her mother is an unpredictable matriarch, her father is laid back to the point of seldom bothering to communicate. Vicky has a younger sister, with whom she is on good terms, and a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins who all live in the same area. Although they are nice enough people, Vicky seldom knows how to relate to them.<br /><br />Where is she from?<br /><br />Malvern is an old town spread along the side of some very big hills. It’s a spa town, with a reputation for health giving mineral waters. Vicky grew up hankering after city life, and greater possibility. Having gone to Birmingham University for her degree, she stayed on in the city, only to find that wasn’t what she wanted either. Being the sort of person who can feel isolated anywhere, she’s never really found her place in the world. <br /><br />Does her hometown affect her behaviour, thoughts and attitude? Vicky has struck out on her own, moving away from her hometown and trying to find her own ways of doing things. She rejects a lot of her parents’ attitudes, but is affected by the small town values she acquired growing up.<br /><br />What does she want out of life? At the outset of the novel, Vicky has no idea what she wants. She isn’t happy with her job, she doesn’t like the city and has let a lot of her friendships falter. She’s single, but not really looking for love. Still trying to get to grips with her recent bereavement, she can’t yet plan for the future. Only when she knows herself a little better will she be able to figure out what she wants.<br /><br />What's her biggest secret? Vicky still talks to Kirsten, even though the other girl is some months dead. Sometimes Kirsten seems to answer her, but this isn’t something Vicky feels able to share with most of the people in her life.<br /><br />Did you write more than one story about her?<br /><br />Vicky has the lead role in ‘Late Night Sessions’ but also turns up as bit part in the book I’m currently working on – ‘Hazel Arden’ which is also set in the Midlands.<br /><br />How would she describe you? I’m very likely someone Vicky would enjoy jamming with as her flute playing would compliment me singing and playing the bouzouki. She would describe me as a fellow folky, and a druid like her friend Kirsten. I am the sort of person she could sit up late talking with, and would get along well enough with her eccentric older man.<br /><br /><br />Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share. <br /><br />Vicky is on a challenging journey, one that will bring insights, self awareness and hope. It takes her a while to discover her own strength.<br /><br />Please provide your website link. http://bryncolvin.mysite.orange.co.uk<br /><br />What is the link to buy your book? <br /><br />Late Night Sessions <br /><br />http://www.amazon.co.uk/Late-Night-Sessions/dp/1934446076/ref=sr_1_1/202-6559455-6676664?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191227563&sr=1-1<br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/Late-Night-Sessions-Bryn-Colvin/dp/1934446076/ref=tag_dpp_lp_edpp_ttl_in/105-8048599-4428442?ie=UTF8&qid=1191227046&sr=8-8Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0