Are You the Master or Are You Having an Identity Crisis?

Please Welcome Lila Munro author of Assumed Master, Identity Crisis and True Identity Crisis.

Lila will be giving away a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour as well as to the host with the most comments (excluding the author's and the host's).

INTERVIEW

1. What or who inspired you to start writing? 

I can remember wanting to make up stories before I could read stories, so I’m not sure what inner voice stirred that urge but I’ve had plenty of inspirations and supporters along the way to encourage me to keep my dream alive and help it to come to fruition. My earliest influence was my sixth grade creative writing teacher, Mr. Trokey, who told the rest of the class I had a penchant for driving a story forward. Nothing like stoking the young writer’s ego, right? ☺ Then through the middle school years I had a very good English teacher, Mrs. Pruitt, who drove my imagination through reading and drama. In high school, more teacher’s prodded me to succeed and finally after many, many years of back-burnering my dream, my husband “helped” me decide it was time to do something about it. He’s my biggest fan.

2. What components are necessary for the genre of this novel?

A strong understanding of the lifestyle and the psychology of M/s and D/s relationships. I’ve known people for years that practice and I suppose I was doing research before I realized what it would be used for later. 

3. As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans? 

I’m working on finishing up the Identity series, so long as the characters cooperate and no one else pops out of a box demanding their story be told and I would like to finish up my Slower Lower series this year. Logan’s been dying to tell his story and so far has taken a back seat to all the Masters that keep shoving him aside. As far as plans to expand or climb the ladder, someday, but for now I’m happy working where I am and building my readership. I’ve watched a couple of prominent names in the genre topple and fall this year due to over extending and no one having their back. If success in so far as who I contract with means compromising the quality of my product I’m happy hanging out where I am for now.

4. Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing? 

I don’t, but think they do hold merit. I do have a couple of people in my life that do read for me before each submission and it helps to have that extra set of eyes looking for discrepancies in plot and so forth.

5. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing) 

The best advice I ever received was write what you know and if you don’t know it learn it. The rest of the advice might not have been the best but it didn’t category in the worst either. I think all advice is invaluable as you learn something be it good or bad.

6. Do you outline your books or just start writing? 

I’m a bit plotster with a dash of pantster. I started out a die-hard plotter. Every single detail had to be on “the map.” Then I had a bit of a dry spell and allowed my panster muse to take over and found out that approach made me a bit crazy, so I reeled that in and but quickly. Now I do outlines and keep detailed notes, but if the characters raise their hands politely and suggest things I listen and consider their wants. ☺ Assumed Master was plotted from the editing stage of Assumed Identity as, although, it’s book four in the series, it’s the first book to directly carry on any characters story. 

7. Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book? 

I have started the next project and it is in fact book five of the Identity series, Assumed Calling. It’s Allen’s story that readers may remember from Assumed Identity as well as Assumed Master. I have an unedited blurb I believe my editor will be okay with me sharing:

Like the beat of a primal drum, whispering the rhythm of an ancient dance, the lifestyle calls…

At the seasoned age of fifty-six, Allen Bourke has resigned to the fact he’ll probably never find someone to top that he can also love. After several years toying in the darkest of playgrounds, he met Julie, whom he adored, but found out within the first twenty-fours he shared no chemistry with. Since then, he’s had wives and lovers, none of whom endured. And while he’s continued to look, he’s always watched. He and his friends are getting older as the players emerging on the scene are forever getting younger.

But can one Master bring himself to answer the call even as it pulls at him like the moon pulls the tide?

While watching his friends get older, Mason also witnesses the death of a dear friend who leaves his sub without a rudder and her compass spinning wildly as she finds her way in a new relationship. Stubborn as she ever has been, Julie sequesters herself to Allen’s second home in Savannah where Dante finally bends her to his will and Allen finds himself bending to a quite young Nicki Cartwright. She’s the very spit and image of Julie, complete with attitude—and a thumb sucking complex. Nicki’s full of energy and a lot of fun to service, but Allen can’t help but wonder if they could be more to each other. If they can ever drop the roles they’ve established and discover the real people living beneath the slick veneer of Nicki’s school girl fantasies.

8. What is your favorite reality show? 

Honestly, I don’t watch much television and reality TV doesn’t do it for me at all. Reality is what happens in my house every day and with a husband in the military and gone most of the time, my reality trumps Snookie’s any day of the week. ☺ 

9. Who are your favorite actor and actress?

Jimmy Stewart and Katherine Hepburn. Yes, I’m a TCM junky. Actually Jimmy runs a close race with Bogie. I recently had the good fortune of seeing Casablanca on the big screen during its 70th anniversary and was thrilled to be able to do so. I’ve also seen The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind on the big screen.

10. Can you tell us a little about the black moment in your book?

Assumed Master starts off in the black moment to be honest. Chapter one sees Julie learning of her fate, that her Master of eighteen years has passed away and willed her to another man. Black indeed. 

11. If you were a casting director for the film version of your book, who would play your lead roles?

Antonio Banderas as Dante for sure. Julie’s a bit harder to envision. And Allen? Wonder if Bruce Willis is available?

Assumed Master

by Lila Munro

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

We may be born to the lifestyle,

Julie Stevens and Dante Larson always knew their tastes were a bit more eccentric than those of the average person, but acknowledgement of their chosen paths came at different times. While their lives have run parallel for the last twenty years, destiny always came knocking at the wrong time. Julie was a closeted edge player and before Dante could pull her free of her fears, Mason came along and dragged her kicking and screaming from her self-inflicted darkness, leaving Dante wanting. Although Dante’s been in love with Julie since the day he first laid eyes on her, he's happily married to Blake. But the tides are turning.

But Lady Fate dictates how it should be lived…

Still mourning the death of the only Master she’s ever known, Julie finds herself forced to live with the one man she’s been terrified of for years, Dante. While she has to admit something between them feels right, just as many things feel very, very wrong, starting with the fact he’s married to her gay best friend. Before she even has time to sort out her current predicament, another man catches Julie's attention. But after losing her mother, her sister, and her husband, can Julie come to grips with the fact that Keegan McKettrick jumps out of perfectly good helicopters for a living, rescue diving for the Coast Guard? And where exactly does that leave Dante, who knows for sure he needs a woman to complete his unconventional marriage? Quite frankly, he's tired of waiting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt

“What is it?” Julie whispered, her heart pounding.

Drake cleared his throat again, took a staggered breath, and began to read.

“My dearest, angel. I’ve asked Drake to read this to you as I knew it would be a very hard thing for anyone to do. Dante and Blake are with you at my request as these instructions involve them as well. I’m so sorry I left you alone. You know I’d never do anything to hurt you, but karma and fate had a different plan and I was powerless to stop it. But I’m not powerless to play a part in your future. When you gave yourself to me, you willingly gave me the power to make your decisions for you, although I only did so in cases where what was best for you was against what you thought was right. It never happened often as I never wanted you to lose yourself or your voice. You were always so pleasing to me in that way. I’ll never forget your confusion as to why some subs would purposely displease their Master. It made me so proud to know I had a rare gem in you, a sub that would give so freely and willingly of herself. Angel, what I’m about to do will go against all your instincts, but make no mistake. This is one of the rare times I’m setting my foot down and doing what I know is best for you regardless what you might think.”

Drake stopped and wiped the sweat off his brow, glancing at the three of them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lila Munro currently resides on the coast of North Carolina with her husband and their two four-legged kids. She’s a military wife with an empty nest and takes much of her inspiration for her heroes from the marines she’s lived around for the past fifteen years. Coining the term realmantica, she strives to produce quality romance in a realistic setting. Her genre of choice is contemporary romance that spans everything from the sensual to BDSM and ménage. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, trips to the museum and aquarium, taking field research trips, and soaking up the sun on the nearby beaches. Her works include The Executive Officer’s Wife, Bound By Trust, Destiny’s Fire, Salvation, Three for Keeps, the Force Recon series, the Slower Lower series, and the Identity series. She’s a member in good standing of RWA and Passionate Ink. Currently she’s working on sequels to several series to be released throughout 2012. And has a brand new line scheduled for winter 2012-13.

Ms. Munro loves to hear from her readers and can be contacted via her website http://realmanticmoments.blogspot.com  or through Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Lila_Munro You can also contact her via email at lilasromance@gmail.com

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So don't forget to comment for the chance to win a $25.00 amazon gift card.

OTHER BOOKS

Dakota's The Guy!

It's guy day Friday! And here on my blog we are taking a look at Dakota. Dakota is a white Indian. He was raised by Sioux. When he finds himself in white society, he is used as boy toy. Did they have those in the late 1800's. I guess just the name has changed. He is looking for love in all of the wrong places. Yet when he accidentally finds Emma, he just doesn't know how to proceed.

BLURB:

HER LIFE WAS AT STAKE...
When Emma St. John received her brother's letter imploring her to escape her stepfather's vengeful scheme and to trust Dakota Barringer with her life, she was willing to chance it. But the handsome, brooding riverboat owner Emma found in Natchez was a danger of another kind. For Emma soon found herself surrendering to an unrelenting desire.

...AND SO WAS HER HEART
Raised by the sioux when his parents were killed, Dakota had been betrayed once before by a white woman. He wasn't about to trust another, especially one claiming that her stepfather, a powerful U.S. senator, had framed her as a murderess. But he couldn't deny Emma's intoxicating effect on him. Now Dakota would risk his very life to protect the innocent beauty who had seduced him with her tender love.

EXCERPT:

The hair on the back of Dakota's neck stood on end, a sensation that wasn't new to Dakota. His hand slowly drifted to the handle of his gun, one finger slipping into the trigger.

He deftly closed the cards in his other hand so only one was showing. The ace of hearts.

The scent of vanilla caught his attention then vanished, replaced by the smell of stale liquor and rancid smoke from expensive cigars. Then he thought he heard the soft chime of bells singing in the smoke-filled room.

Every gut instinct he possessed cried out danger, be wary, yet all the warnings seemed to fade. Two different stories. Vanilla. And bells. God, he must be loony.

"More whiskey?" Her warm breath feathered across his cheek. Soft whispers of bells shivered by his ear. When he turned, he saw breasts and shadowed, titillating cleavage. Deep, evocative sensations suddenly coursed through him. He moved his hand from his gun and trailed his finger across her bared shoulder, the contact mercuric. The urge to dip his finger into the valley between her breasts almost overpowered common sense. She was lush and ripe, and he realized suddenly she would be in his bed come morning.

He pushed his glass toward her and she filled it.

He fingered the black lace trimming her bodice, his knuckles brushing silken skin. The heat of her flesh pene­trated his own, her softness beckoning to him.

She flushed and looked away.

A fine actress, he thought. But he couldn't deny that he liked what he saw--desired her. Lust was volcanic and all-consuming at times.

With his free hand, he poured two fingers of whiskey into an empty glass then held it out to her. She hesitated only a minute before drinking the brew. Her eyes widened, but she gave no other sign that the liquid surely must burn a horrible path down her throat.

"Sir," she said softly then put the glass down. "No more." She covered the top of it with her hand.

"Perhaps she'd like this better," Lou said. She set on the table the decanter of red wine Emma had drunk from earlier. Dakota looked at her and she nodded. He poured from the decanter and once again she drank.

He brought his finger to her chin and directed her to look at him. Their eyes met, and he stared into deep gray eyes, a face with delicate features, high cheekbones. He couldn't tear his gaze from hers. Her innate sadness pene­trated bone deep, right into his soul, and seemed to join with him.

He recognized her. She'd come aboard with a little girl who was not more than seven or eight. Hers? he wondered. He could barely credit that. She couldn't be more than twenty or twenty-one. That would have made her--what-- thirteen or fourteen.

Impossible, perhaps not.

Lost for a moment in thought, he downed a drink of his own then poured her more. The bottle of wine, now half empty, stood in front of them.

She touched her top lip with the tip of her tongue. Her satin-covered breasts brushed across his arm as she set her glass on the table. When the piano started up again, she turned to look, her breasts swaying evocatively and her skirts rising higher to give him a glimpse of slim legs and beautiful thighs. With the slight movement the silver bells around her wrist sang magically.

She was a born tease, just like every other white woman. She meant to tempt him, wanted his money and whatever else she could gain from him. It seemed she could hold her liquor as well as any man.

Then she smiled at him, all pretense gone.

Dakota had no way to explain the rapid exhilaration of his heart or the tightening of his most private parts. Everything about the woman appealed to him. Her eyes held him spellbound and suggested an intimacy he could only guess at. Her body was curved and soft. When she sat down, the bodice of her dress was stretched and pulled against her lovely nipples that had tightened into hard little buds.

Please Welcome Dana Littlejohn Author of To Have and To Hold

It's great to host you and your book at my blog today. Welcome to all my visitors today. Please feel free to leave a comment. And, a comment is all you need to be entered to win the contest below.


Dana will be awarding five prizes, one randomly chosen commenter at each tour stop will win a prize. All are promo items displaying a different Dana Littlejohn design: 2- t-shirts (size XL), 1 coffee mug, 1 ink pen (black ink) and 1 baseball style hat .

To Have and To Hold

by Dana Littlejohn

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BLURB:

Christian and Andrea Cooper had made many plans on what they would do when their children were finally out of the house. Now that they were gone their plans had hit a snag. Christian had the chance to start his own company and promised to put their plans in motion as soon as it was off the ground. Andrea agreed to those terms, but she had no idea how lonely and neglected she would feel while she waited. On a trip to the city in search of something to do she ran into Raymond Reyes, her first love. Reminiscing with Ray brought back a flood of emotions that she found difficult to ignore. Did she make the right decision by marrying Christian after all? Could Ray convince her that this was their second chance and they were meant to be together?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

INTERVIEW

1. What or who inspired you to start writing? I have always wanted to write. I can’t remember a time that I didn’t. I was that little kid who said when they grow up they want to be a writer.

2. How did you come up with ideas for your books? Anything can spark an idea for me. A conversation, publisher prompts even a picture.

3. As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans? I want one of my novels to become a movie. That is a goal I am working toward that now.

4. If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why? I would love to be Kelley Kingsley! She has her own business, lots of money and she does whatever she wants. As long as it is within the confines of the law, that’s all that matters to her. LOL

5.When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step? For weeks I was telling my husband about the details of all the stories I had in my head. It amazed him that I could keep all the people, places and details separate and together at the same time. One day he came home with 3 notebooks and said to write it all down. This was in 2004, before computers were in everyone’s home. Once I had one completed, he said, “now that it’s out of your head find someone who wants to publish it.” So I did. J

6. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing) When I first started out an already established author said for me to read the genres I’m trying to write so I know what is being accepted, then push the envelope. Notice the voice of the authors I like and then “find my voice and stay true to it”. That is the same advice I pass to new authors.

7. Do you outline your books or just start writing? Yes, I do an outline making sure to put the highlights I want to add to the story. Even though the highlights make it to the story the characters hardly ever follow the outline that I make.

8.Do you have any hobbies and does the knowledge you've gained from these carry over into your characters or the plot of your books? Yes. I like to crochet, dance and cook exotic foods. A lot of my characters like those things as well.

9. Do you have an all time favorite book? Actually yeah, To Love Again, Bertrice Small. I love it. I swear I read it several times a year just to clear my head of my own stories.

10.           Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book? I am usually writing 2 sometimes 3 books at a time. Right now I am putting finishing touches on a full length novel contemporary romance I call Tri-Romance and my first non-romance. It’s a murder mystery I call Brighton Beach Murders.

11.           What is your favorite reality show? I like Dancing with the Stars and America’s Got Talent.

12.         Who is your favorite actor and actress? Sean Connery is still number one in my book, but I really like Nicolas Cage, too.

13.           Can you tell us a little about the black moment in your book? After being by her husband several times, Andrea fell victim to her desires.

14.           If you were a casting director for the film version of your book, who would play your lead roles? I knew the answer to this as soon as I typed “the end”. LOL Antonio Banderes would play Raymond Reyes, Terence Howard would be Christian and Gabrielle Union would be Andrea.

15.           Anything else you might want to add? Thanks for having me. I invite all your followers to friend me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter. I always do random contests. Keep up with my website for new releases and free reads.

Dana

www.danalittlejohn.net

www.authordanalittlejohn.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/liljohndana

www.twitter.com/authordanalittlejohn

EXCERPT

“No, no, I was early. You look lovely, Andrea. That color really suits you.”

His words warmed her. “Thank you. Have you ordered?”

He shook his head and called for a waitress. After lunch they stayed a while longer to discuss the book.

“Oh, by the way, I talked to LaTonya and she said it was okay. I can be in your book club,” he said between sips of iced tea.

“That’s good. It should be fun.”

“I agree, and I get to spend more time with you.”

“This is not about me and you, Ray. I’m married. We can only be friends,” she told him firmly.

“I know that. I heard you married not too long after I left.”

“It was long enough.”

“Did you miss me when I left?”

“Miss you? You’re not serious, are you?”

“Yes, I’m serious. I heard it wasn’t even a year before you and that guy from the track team got together.”

“It wasn’t like that.”

“Well, what was it like?”

He continued to push the conversation and the more he pushed the angrier she became.

“Okay, you want to talk about this? Fine! Let’s get it out in the open. When you left you broke my heart, Ray. I cried for over a year wondering what I did that was so wrong that you would do something like that to me.”

“Andrea, I—”

“No, you want me to talk about it so now you listen!”

She watched him look over the booth they sat in and then to his left and right.

“I’m sorry, please continue,” he said in a soft voice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Author bio:

Dana Littlejohn was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, but has called Indianapolis, IN her home for over ten years. She works a nine to five at a nearby doctor's office while she pursues her dream of writing. Her writing to-do list grows daily. Stop by Dana's website to see what she's doing next . It's a ride you will not soon forget!

Website: www.danalittlejohn.net

Blog: www.authordanlittlejohn.blogspot.com , www.trysomethingnewwithme.blogspot.com

Facebook @ liljohndana

Twitter @ authordanalittlejohn 

Don't forget to leave a comment!

Dana will be awarding five prizes, one randomly chosen commenter at each tour stop will win a prize. All are promo items displaying a different Dana Littlejohn design: 2- t-shirts (size XL), 1 coffee mug, 1 ink pen (black ink) and 1 baseball style hat .

Who are the de Montforte Brothers?

Please welcome Danelle Harmon author of The de Montforte Brothers series. 

Danelle will be awarding a digital copy of book two, "The Beloved One" to one randomly drawn commenter at every stop and a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

So don't forget to comment! :D

The de Montforte Brothers series

by Danelle Harmon

INTERVIEW

1.What or who inspired you to start writing?

I've always been a reader, even as a little girl, and that certainly contributed to my love and appreciation for a good story.  I think that for any writer, there comes a time when they realize that nobody's writing the story that *they* want to tell, and when that moment comes … it's time to pick up the pen, so to speak.  At least, that's the way it was for me.  As a child, I wrote (and illustrated, probably quite poorly!) a series about a fictional Thoroughbred racehorse named Royal Admiral, much in the style of Walter Farley's beloved Black Stallion novels … I did these books with tear-out, lined notebook paper, drew up illustrations, and used yarn to bind them.  By the time I was in my mid to late teens, I was writing short stories, which I passed around to my friends to read, and also penned (literally) a 400-page handwritten manuscript about a group of Doberman Pinschers and their exploits.  I discovered romance novels in high school, but it wasn't until I was in my late 20s that I became serious about writing one.

2.How did you come up with ideas for your books?

I'm often inspired by setting, with character being a close second.  For example, when I wrote WICKED AT HEART (just released in e-books!), I was living in England, and inspiration was all around me.  One of my favorite areas of the country was, and remains, the Cotswolds, and during a trip out there one summer afternoon from our home near Oxford, I became inspired by the beautiful scenery and gorgeous yellow stone that characterizes this area of the country, and knew I had to set at least part of a book there; that book became WICKED AT HEART.  Sometimes a historical event might inspire me.  We live about 45 minutes from Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired, and I have always felt tied and drawn in some spiritual way to this day and these events.  I've spent many a reflective hour at Concord's Old North Bridge (often in colonial clothes, as I'm a re-enactor), and walking along the Minuteman Trail/Battle Road that the British troops took on their harried flight back to Boston, and that was where much of THE BELOVED ONE (second book in the de Montforte Books series) came to me.

3.What components are necessary for the genre of this novel?\

Oh, you've got to have a love story, first and foremost!  Add in good character development, characters that are unique from book to book (I never write the same hero twice), some deeply emotional scenes and high adventure, and you've got a bestseller!

4.What expertise did you bring to your writing?

I have a passion for the 18th century, especially as it relates to England and New England.  Most of my books are set in either or both of these places, where history is all around and the rescoures for exploring and researching it are endless.  I have also been involved with re-enacting for many years and am a longtime member of a local "minuteman" group.

5.What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

That we moved back here from England because I was, and am, terrified of flying, and every time I wanted to come home to see my family here in Massachusetts I was truly convinced that I was going to die.  I have severe aerophobia, which really limits my travel opportunities … I love and deeply miss England, but I can't see myself stepping foot on a plane in order to go back, which is, even to me, pretty sad.  However, our daughter, who has romanticized England, wants to see the country of her father's birth, so I'm going to have to find a way, some way, to pluck up what shreds of courage I have and get on a plane.  (Gulp.)  Some day...

6.As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

I'm currently working on what will be the fifth book of the de Montforte Brothers Series … though this one is not about a brother, but their "little" sister, Lady Nerissa.  When we last saw her and her beau, Perry, Lord Brookhampton at the end of THE WICKED ONE (4th book in the de Montforte Brothers series), it was implied that they were going to have a happily-ever-after … but there was so much more story that needed to be told.  Perry was left deeply scarred, both emotionally and mentally by his terrible experiences in THE WICKED ONE and I can't let his story rest there.  And so, to all of my readers who wrote to me over the years asking for Perry's and Nerissa's story … this one's for you!

7.If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?

One of my dearest, and funniest friends, tells me that if she dies, she wants to come back as one of my dogs because they're all spoiled rotten.  (So, can I be "Freckles" in THE DEFIANT ONE?)  In all seriousness, this is a toughie to answer, but if pressed, I'd have to say Amy from THE BELOVED ONE.  Brave and handsome Lord Charles is my favorite of the four de Montforte brothers (sorry, Lucien lovers!) and I sure wouldn't mind being in Amy's shoes, married to a hero like him!

8.Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?

I do not, and never have.  Sometimes I'll bounce an idea off my husband, or a writer friend, but other than that, I pretty much fly solo.

9.When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?

Back in the late 1980s, I became fascinated with the local legend of pirate Captain Sam Bellamy, whose ship, Whydah, went aground in a storm off Cape Cod back in 1717 with nearly all hands lost, including its bold and handsome captain.  Legend tells us that Bellamy was on his way back to the Cape after a successful pirating expedition in southern climes to claim his lady love, Maria Hallett, but ended up dying in view of her little cliffside hut in the shipwreck.  That story haunted me, and I determined to give Sam and Maria the happy ending that was denied them.  While writing their book (much of which was done with pencil and notebooks out on the Cape Cod dunes where the ship itself went down), I got involved with Barry Clifford (who found and is salvaging the Whydah) as a research associate and occasional artifact artist; getting to work with the actual artifacts that Bellamy himself surely saw and touched, and to hang out with some of the leading historians in the world only enhanced the story.  What memories!  It took three years to write (it was originally all in longhand!), but eventually I finished it and submitted it to New York.  It was bought by Avon and eventually becoming my first book, PIRATE IN MY ARMS.

10.         What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

The best advice is advice that I pass on to other aspiring (or procrastinating) writers:  Sit down and write.  No excuses.  An idea or a half-finished manuscript won't sell a book.  You have to sit down and, no matter how difficult, no matter how painful, no matter how frustrating, write the book and finish it.  Period.  You can always go back in and edit it later, but just being able to reach the end and know that you've completed it, is hugely satisfying, and validating in itself.

As for worst advice, I'm having a hard time with that one … but if your hero has blond hair, and your publisher gives you a cover with a black haired hero, don't believe your editor when she insists that "readers won't notice."  Trust me.  They will.

11.         Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I like to do a rough outline, but I usually deviate from it. 

12.         Do you have any hobbies and does the knowledge you've gained from these carry over into your characters or the plot of your books?

I have too many hobbies .  As I mentioned above, I have been involved for many years with a colonial re-enactment group, and we re-enact local events such as the battles that opened the American Revolution; in this role, I bought a reproduction Brown Bess musket and had to learn how to not only fire it, but to roll my own cartridges with black powder, take it apart, and clean it; I also learned to hand-sew period clothes such as a shift and petticoats, complete with tapes, both cut from authentic 18th century patterns.  I also enjoy dog showing, and competing with my dogs -- we have four German Shorthaired Pointers ranging in age from twelve months to fifteen years.  They often sneak onto my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/DanelleHarmon ) … you can see my beloved champion, Marcus, there, posing next to the Minuteman statue at Concord's Old North Bridge.  (He wears a collar with a Union Jack, so we know where his loyalties are!)

13.         Do you have an all time favorite book?

Yes:  Joshua  by Joseph Girzone. 

14.         Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book?

Well, I'm working on Lady Nerissa's and Lord Brookhampton's book (working title:  THE CHERISHED ONE), but after that, I have three handsome British officers in pre-Revolutionary Boston clamoring for attention, so they'll be getting my attention next … unless readers who fall in love with Connor from WICKED AT HEART start clamoring for his book! (I must confess, I've already started getting requests, ha!  What is it about supporting characters?)

15.         Do you have any family traditions or recipes you might like to share?

Here's a goodie that often makes our way onto our supper table, enhanced by my English mother-in-law's tips:  It's called "Toad in the Hole," and it's a humble and traditional English dish.  Wonderful as comfort food … not so wonderful for the waistline!

Toad In The Hole (serves 4)
- 1 cup plain flour (not the self-raising kind!)
- Pinch each of salt and pepper
- Approximately 3 tablespoons cooking oil (i.e. vegetable)
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk mixed with ¼ cup water
- Approximately 8 small sausages, uncooked ... Irish sausage works great, or any traditional English sausage ... don't use Italian, Chinese or i.e. Jimmy Dean, etc., you won't get the same effect

Preheat oven to 375F. Put oil into the bottom of a shallow baking dish (about the size of a pie plate) and place into the oven for maybe eight to ten minutes, to get the oil piping hot (getting the oil REALLY HOT is ESSENTIAL!). Meanwhile, put the flour, salt and pepper into a bowl and stir together. Make a well in the centre of the flour, break the egg into it and beat by hand, gradually adding the milk/water mixture until the lumps are gone and the batter is the consistency of thick pouring cream. When the oil is piping hot in the oven, quickly remove the dish, put in the sausages, and immediately pour the batter over all, returning to
the oven as quickly as possible. (The key is to get the oil really hot,
and to put the sausages and batter in as fast as you can!) Bake for about 30 minutes, or until it's puffy, crispy, and golden brown.

Enjoy!Top of Form

Bottom of Form

16.         If you were a casting director for the film version of your book, who would play your lead roles?

Oh, what fun!  For carefree young rake Lord Gareth de Montforte in THE WILD ONE, it would definitely be the young Matthew McConaughey, still young and relatively unknown as he was in his first film, A Time To Kill.  For my newest release, WICKED AT HEART, I would cast the young Ralph Fiennes, looking as he did back in the mid 1990s.  Oooh-la-la!  I'm having a hard time casting the other de Montforte brothers (Lucien, anyone?) and heroines, as nobody who comes to mind really fits -- perhaps readers here have some ideas?  J

17.         Anything else you might want to add?

I love to hear from my readers, and I answer all email; you can reach me at Danelle@Danelleharmon.com, or you can find me on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DanelleHarmon), my website (Danelleharmon.com), or even follow me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/DanelleHarmon).  Stop by and say hello!  I'd love to "meet" you!

Christine, it has been a pleasure to be here with you and your readers on your blog today -- thank you so much for hosting me, and I wish you all a wonderful and happy summer!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

"The bluest of blood, the boldest of hearts; the de Montforte brothers will take your breath away."

England, 1776: Lord Gareth de Montforte is known as an irresponsible rake with a heart of gold. When he takes a bullet for boldly thwarting a stagecoach robbery, he is stunned to discover that the beautiful young woman he has heroically rescued, Juliet Paige, is his deceased brother’s American fiancée, accompanied by her infant daughter. Despite his brother the duke's refusal to acknowledge Juliet, Gareth is determined to do right by the courageous woman who crossed an ocean to give her baby her rightful name. But Juliet is wary of marrying this black sheep aristocrat, even while she is hopelessly charmed by the dashing devil. Never has she met anyone who embraces life so thoroughly, who makes her laugh, who loves her so well. And, even when it seems the odds are against them, Juliet has absolute faith that Gareth will go beyond the call of duty, risking his life itself to give her and her daughter a home — and a love that will last a lifetime.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPTS 

Prologue

Newman House, 18 April, 1775

My dear brother, Lucien,

It has just gone dark and as I pen these words to you, an air of rising tension hangs above this troubled town. Tonight, several regiments — including mine, the King's Own — have been ordered by General Gage, commander in chief of our forces here in Boston, out to Concord to seize and destroy a significant store of arms and munitions that the rebels have secreted there. Due to the clandestine nature of this assignment, I have ordered my batman, Billingshurst, to withhold the posting of this letter until the morrow, when the mission will have been completed and secrecy will no longer be of concern.

Although it is my most ardent hope that no blood will be shed on either side during this endeavour, I find that my heart, in these final moments before I must leave, is restless and uneasy. It is not for myself that I am afraid, but another. As you know from my previous letters home, I have met a young woman here with whom I have become attached in a warm friendship. I suspect you do not approve of my becoming so enamoured of a storekeeper's daughter, but things are different in this place, and when a fellow is three thousand miles away from home, love makes a far more desirable companion than loneliness. My dear Miss Paige has made me happy, Lucien, and earlier tonight, she accepted my plea for her hand in marriage; I beg you to understand, and forgive, for I know that someday when you meet her, you will love her as I do.

My brother, I have but one thing to ask of you, and knowing that you will see to my wishes is the only thing that calms my troubled soul during these last few moments before we depart. If anything should happen to me — tonight, tomorrow, or at any time whilst I am here in Boston — I beg of you to find it in your heart to show charity and kindness to my angel, my Juliet, for she means the world to me. I know you will take care of her if ever I cannot. Do this for me and I shall be happy, Lucien.

I must close now, as the others are gathered downstairs in the parlour, and we are all ready to move. May God bless and keep you, my dear brother, and Gareth, Andrew, and sweet Nerissa, too.

Charles

Sometime during the last hour, it had begun to grow dark.

Lucien de Montforte turned the letter over in his hands, his gaze shuttered, his mind far away as he stared out the window over the downs that stood like sentinels against the fading twilight. A breath of pink still glowed in the western sky, but it would soon be gone. He hated this time of night, this still and lonely hour just after sunset when old ghosts were near, and distant memories welled up in the heart with the poignant nearness of yesterday, close enough to see yet always too elusive to touch.

But the letter was real. Too real.

He ran a thumb over the heavy vellum, the bold, elegant script that had been so distinctive of Charles's style — both on paper, in thought, and on the field — still looking as fresh as if it had been written yesterday, not last April. His own name was there on the front:  To His Grace the Duke of Blackheath, Blackheath Castle, nr. Ravenscombe, Berkshire, England.

They were probably the last words Charles had ever written.

Carefully, he folded the letter along creases that had become fragile and well-worn. The blob of red wax with which his brother had sealed the letter came together at the edges like a wound that had never healed, and try as he might to avoid seeing them, his gaze caught the words that someone, probably Billingshurst, had written on the back....

Found on the desk of Captain Lord Charles Adair de Montforte on the 19th of April 1775, the day on which his lordship was killed in the fighting at Concord. Please deliver to addressee.

A pang went through him. Dead, gone, and all but forgotten, just like that.

The duke of Blackheath carefully laid the letter inside the drawer, which he shut and locked. He gazed once more out the window, lord of all he surveyed but unable to master his own bitter emptiness. A mile away, at the foot of the downs, he could just see the twinkling lights of Ravenscombe village, could envision its ancient church with its Norman tower and tombs of de Montforte dead. And there, inside, high on the stone wall of the chancel, was the simple bronze plaque that was all they had to tell posterity that his brother had ever even lived.

Charles, the second son.

God help them all if anything happened to him, Lucien, and the dukedom passed to the third.

No. God would not be so cruel.

He snuffed the single candle and with the darkness enclosing him, the sky still glowing beyond the window, moved from the room.

~~~~

Berkshire, England, 1776

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Multi-award winning and critically acclaimed author Danelle Harmon is the author of ten books, previously published in print and distributed in many languages throughout the world. A Massachusetts native, she married her English husband while living in the United Kingdom, and both now make their home in Massachusetts with their daughter Emma and numerous animals including four dogs, an Egyptian Arabian horse, and a flock of pet chickens.

Danelle welcomes email from her readers and can be reached at danelle@danelleharmon.com , on the web at http://www.danelleharmon.com, or through her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DanelleHarmon

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