Solomon Eccles and an interesting use of Chafing dishes - Jessica Cale

I am kicking off the year with a fellow 17th century passionista (my crusade to prove the 17th century is the new Regency appears to be working!).

Welcome to author Jessica Cale, whose debut novel TYBURN (just the very word is evocative) is set in Restoration London. Jessica  is a historical romance author and journalist based in North Carolina. Originally from Minnesota, she lived in Wales for several years where she earned a BA in History and an MFA in Creative Writing while climbing castles and photographing mines for history magazines. She kidnapped (“married”) her very own British prince (close enough) and is enjoying her happily ever after with him in a place where no one understands his accent. You can visit her at www.authorjessicacale.com. 

Jessica is offering a GIVEAWAY of TYBURN! Like her on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and leave a comment here but don't forget to say that you read about the GIVEAWAY here... 

As you know I ask my guests to share a tid bit of interesting research they discovered in writing their book and, if possible, to show how it is reflected in the book itself. 

Jessica's Friday Fun Fact is on an interesting Restoration sight (rather than the person himself)... Solomon Eccles. Thanks for a fascinating post, Jessica!

Solomon Eccles

 Westminster Hall was a popular place to shop in Restoration London. It shared its space with the law courts, and the heads of Cromwell and two of his generals were displayed there until the 1680s. Perhaps the most memorable sight there, however, was Solomon Eccles. Eccles, sometimes known as Solomon Eagle, was a composer and a Quaker who began to appear in Westminster Hall as early as 1665. Spurred on by the plague, he urged shoppers (and presumably lawyers) to repent.

Solomon Eccles - modesty preserved...

Daniel Defoe mentioned him in A Journal of a Plague Year:  “He, though not infected at all but in his head, went about denouncing of judgment upon the city in a frightful manner, sometimes quite naked, and with a pan of burning charcoal on his head. What he said, or pretended, indeed I could not learn.”

Pepys came into contact with him on July 29th, 1667, writing: “One thing extraordinary was, this day a man, a Quaker, came naked through the Hall, only very civilly tied about the privities to avoid scandal, and with a chafing-dish of fire and brimstone burning upon his head, did pass through the hall crying, ‘Repent! Repent!’”

Eccles was arrested in Southwark in 1665 and briefly imprisoned. He burned his music, but had two sons who also became composers. He died in Spitalfields in 1682.

READ AN EXCERPT FROM TYBURN (featuring and encounter with Mr. Eccles...)

“Repent! Repent!”

Wrath was taken aback as a man leapt before him, naked as the day he was born, with a chafing dish of smoking brimstone on his head. His face was red with heat and pain, his features contorted into an expression of ecstatic madness. “Repent!” He cried as he rushed through the crowd.

Most of the shoppers paid him little heed as he ran between them. They averted their eyes at his nudity, stepping out of the way of any cinders falling out of the chafing dish in his wake. He ran to the end of the hall and back again, shouting, “Repent! Repent!”

Wrath increased his pace. He was nearly out of the hall and Charlie waited with his carriage in the street outside. He’d had quite enough madness for one day.

The man crossed Wrath’s path once again, and he stopped so abruptly that the chafing dish flew from his head and extinguished itself on the floor. He stood in Wrath’s long shadow, his red face glistening with sweat. His mouth hung open slightly, and he stared at Wrath as if he could see into his soul. It was unsettling, to say the least.

Wrath cleared his throat. “I suppose you’re going to tell me to repent?”

The man’s face twitched. He sat on the floor beside the chafing dish, covered his eyes, and began to weep.

Wrath felt a chill go down his spine but dismissed it. He pushed the man out of his way with the end of his polished black cane and walked through the exit. “Bloody lunatics.”

ABOUT TYBURN

Sally Green is about to die.

She sees Death in the streets. She can taste it in her gin. She can feel it in the very walls of the ramshackle brothel where she is kept to satisfy the perversions of the wealthy. She had come to London as a runaway in search of her Cavalier father. Instead, she found Wrath, a sadistic nobleman determined to use her to fulfill a sinister ambition. As the last of her friends are murdered one by one, survival hinges on escape.

Nick Virtue is a tutor with a secret. By night he operates as a highwayman, relieving nobles of their riches to further his brother’s criminal enterprise. It’s a difficult balance at the best of times, and any day that doesn’t end in a noose is a good one. Saving Sally means risking his reputation, and may end up costing him his life.

As a brutal attack throws them together, Sally finds she has been given a second chance. She is torn between the tutor and the highwayman, but she knows she can have neither. Love is an unwanted complication while Wrath haunts the streets. Nick holds the key to Wrath’s identity, and Sally will risk everything to bring him to justice.

      

Unless the gallows take her first.

  

Buy TYBURN from ALL reputable ebook stores:  Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and if you go direct to Liquid Silver there is 25% off until Jan 31

Connect with Jessica Cale: 

Website: http://www.authorjessicacale.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjessicacale

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaCale @JessicaCale

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JessicaCaleWrites

Tumblr: http://authorjessicacale.tumblr.com/

Pintrest: http://www.pinterest.com/rainbowcarnage

Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/jessicacale

AND DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO GO IN THE RUNNING FOR A GIVEAWAY!

Taking tea with... Sydney Jane Baily (and Giveaway)

With this week's guest, Sydney Jane Baily, I am back in historical country, in the elegant years following the American Civil War. 

When an editor turns her hand to writing...

Welcome to my parlour, Sydney. George will pour for us. What is your preference for tea?

Usually, I like a strong Irish tea, like Barry’s Gold. I let it steep for about four minutes, add a teaspoon of honey, and a goodly splash of whole milk. (Unless it’s evening, then let’s have a Long Island Iced Tea!) (AS: I have come across this habit of putting honey in tea with a few of my American guests... I suppose it's no different from a lump of sugar!)

You write wonderful historical romances set in nineteenth century America (is it correct to call it Victorian when talking about stories set in the US?)?  This is a period we think we know from westerns and other Hollywood movies but what is it about this period that sparks your passion?

It’s not normally called Victorian, no. It seems that this genre is now generally referred to as Americana. It’s a bit tricky to classify because my time period, 1870s and 1880s, is after the Civil War, so it’s not a Civil War romance, nor is it a Western though there are elements of Westerns in my stories. A cowboy may happen through or one of my heroes may enjoy riding horses. Still, if a reader wants a true Western, he or she would be looking in the wrong book. My characters spend as much time on trains and in hotels and, as they do on horses and in saloons.

This late nineteenth-century period is one of tremendous ingenuity and growth in America. Trains crisscross the country and meet in the middle, making travel easier and faster. Telephones are finding a place in businesses and homes. Gas lamps are giving way to electricity.

If we were transported back in time, we’d find these people to be very modern and extremely familiar. For me, as a storyteller, I like to set my characters in a time period when I know they will have a great life. The country has gone through a terrible war on home turf but it’s nearly 20 years in the past, and WWI is in the distant future. It is a safe yet exciting time with loads of opportunity. And I absolutely love the fashion. I spend way too much time researching the clothing; there are so many examples that still survive. Even as the silhouette and the bustle change over the decades, the women maintain a look that is elegant, stylish, and simply beautiful. The men have some good choices, too. I love a man in a duster (long coat), but I also think their dress suits, morning suits, and vests are equally attractive.

You have come from a background in publishing and editing. When did the bug to write your own stories hit and what made you decided to choose the indie publishing route?

I am a late bloomer as far as finally getting published is concerned. I wrote a novel at age 17 (about 100,000 words) and kept on writing ever since. However, I let myself get distracted by life, including college, grad school, publishing career on the other side of the desk, marriage, children, pets. You name it, I would put it first. And when I was a production editor for college textbooks, I simply could not look at a computer screen at night to write my fiction.

I didn’t seem to have the discipline to write regularly and follow through with finding an agent or a publisher. I wrote my first historical romance about fifteen years ago and sent it off by snail mail. I even had some interested parties, but it was a busy time in my life. Within a few years, I had two children under three. I kept putting writing on the back burner. I wrote a contemporary novel a few years back and started shopping it around. Again, I had interest. But in the back of my mine, my historical was my best work, and I knew it needed another chance. I decided to self-publish. I followed it with two more historicals featuring family members from the first book, and I have just completed a prequel to this series.

My big news, however, is that I recently signed with a publisher, EPW, which is re-publishing my first three books, as well as producing the recently completed prequel and as-yet unwritten fourth book. They were impressed enough with my reviews to offer me a contract. After the fourth book, I have an idea for an Edwardian historical romance with a tortured hero who simply won’t leave me alone. I can’t wait to write his story.

You are the power behind “Cat Whiskers Studio” which offers website and editing services to writers as well as being a small press in its own right.   What led you to set this service up?

Why Cat Whisker Studio?
Because cat whiskers are really lucky—
even luckier if the cat is still attached.

As a freelance editor since 1994, I worked for many publishers, mostly handling non-fiction projects. Eventually, I began to dabble in website design. I created Cat Whisker Studio as an umbrella company for all my freelance work, both for websites and for publishing services. Up until recently, I used my own imprint, Cat Whisker Press, to publish my books, but as mentioned above, I’m going to try an outside publisher and see how it goes.

(To find out more about Sydney's Author services at Cat Whiskers Studio, click HERE)

I am assuming you are a cat person? Tell me about the cats in your life?

The girls

Oh, the cats in my life! I have been truly blessed. I have been loved by some splendid felines, and I have loved them wholeheartedly in return. My first cat, Sandy, we got when I was 13 years old. I had her through high school, college, grad school, about eight moves or more, and even getting married. She passed away 17 years later (though we don’t know her true age as she was a shelter kitty). She was a bold, fearless, orange tabby—a great hunter and an awesome companion. We had a special connection, and I am so grateful to have had her in my life.

Leo taking it easy...

My husband and I found Leo, a buff-colored Maine coon, under our lilac tree one winter; never a hunter, he was starving and had frostbite, and he was very happy to come in from the cold. I didn’t want to get as attached to him as I had to Sandy, so we got a kitten from the shelter to keep Leo company. Chloe was an all-black, part Siamese, super smart talkative girl. She wanted to live on my shoulder or on my lap, and I let her as much as possible. As it turned out, I got just as attached, and Chloe decided early on that I was her special person. Calm and dignified, Leo passed in 2012, and Chloe passed at age 19, two days before Christmas this past year (2013). I am reeling a bit as my animal family has been quite decimated.

Perry and old Chloe

We still have two cats, Sabby (16 lbs. of tuxedo cat) and Coco Puff (fluffy craziness), each adopted from a shelter, one for each of my children. They are unique and loveable, but I haven’t got the same connection. I suppose that lightning cannot strike too many times in the case of cat/human love.

I also have my very first dog ever, Perry, a rescue from Tennessee, part Beagle (in the face), part “you name it and someone says he is it”: Australian shepherd, Border collie, feathered-tail spaniel. Who knows? But a smart, herding, silky-furred, and active dog. He has added a different dimension of unconditional love. I’m thrilled to have him in my office every day and, of course, he makes me walk (or run) the way the cats never have.

(AS:  Thanks for sharing the stories of your animals! I would not be without my feline companions)

You have a series of three (the Sanborn-Malloy series) what was the inspiration and the links in this series?

I already mentioned the first book in the series which I wrote years ago; I rewrote An Improper Situation and published it in October of 2012. That story of a female writer in the 1880s—isolated, secluded, and not traditionally marriage-minded, nor maternal—came to me with the idea of a man and two children suddenly showing up on Charlotte’s doorstep in a small-town in Colorado. I had to figure out who they are. Turns out they are from urban Boston, and they need her as much as she needs them. One of the hero’s sisters inspired my second book, An Irresistible Temptation. Sophie is a classical pianist with a broken heart who crosses the country to find her destiny and, of course, true love. Charlotte’s brother stars in the third book, An Inescapable Attraction, when he reconnects with a love from his past on a wild race-and-escape story with trains, riverboats, and horses, gamblers, gun fights, and sexy romance.

Thank you so much, Alison (and George) for allowing me to take tea with you. One last thing: I read all genres of historicals while I’m on my exercise bike, including medieval, highlander, and regencies. I would love to hear from readers of your blog about their favorite time periods. 

AN IMPROPER SITUATION by Sydney Jane Baily

With her chestnut hair and striking green eyes, Charlotte should be the catch of Spring City, CO. But she wears her independence like an impenetrable suit of armor, cloaking her identity behind her male nom de plume. A 24-year-old confirmed spinster, she won’t risk heartbreak; that is, until a handsome stranger arrives.

Boston lawyer Reed Malloy has a solemn mission—deliver two orphaned children to their Colorado cousin. He's not prepared for Charlotte being utterly beguiling, or for her flat-out refusal to raise her kin. It will take some firsthand persuasion to complete his legal duty and resolve more tantalizing issues.

When Charlotte forsakes everything familiar and is welcomed into the high society of the Boston Brahmins, concealed malice, sinister forces and scorned women emerge. With passions ablaze, Reed and Charlotte find themselves in a very Improper Situation. 

Available at:  Amazon

For all 3 Sanborn- Malloy books visit Sydney's Amazon page

About Sydney Jane Baily 

Sydney Jane Baily completed her first novel at the tender age of 17. Thankfully, that manuscript currently resides in an undisclosed secure location. She went on to get B.A. degrees in English literature and in history, and an M.A. in literature with a concentration in Romanticism. During her career while continuing to write stories, she has been a copy editor, cat snuggler, proof reader, production editor, mother of two, developmental editor, indexer, and dog walker, among other things literary and not. Besides writing historical romances, she also writes contemporary women's fiction, and believes in happily-ever-after stories for an already challenging world. Though born and raised in California, she resides in New England with her family—human, feline, and canine.

Sydney welcomes email from fellow writers and readers at sydney@sydneyjanebaily.com.

Join Sydney and I for a discussion on your favourite historical period and Sydney will giveaway a copy of an Improper Situation to a randomly drawn commenter.

AS:  No prizes for me... but of course my favourite historical period is the English Civil War... but I do find American history interesting partly because of the parallels with Australian history (without the wars!). Having had ancestors who fought in both the American War of Independence and the American Civil War, I think I am about as American as the next person... :-)

Taking tea with... Jennifer Lowery and some very handsome Navy Seals...

So far this year I have entertained highlanders and cowboys and today its the turn of the Navy Seals.  Being ex military myself  I am right at home. Atten...shun!  (yes, boys... I am a Major... oh I do like it when men salute me!). Make way for my guest, contemporary action romance author, JENNIFER LOWERY! 

Welcome to my tea table (guys, just move those weapons along so Jennifer can sit down). Now, Jennifer, I can make a good strong military tea, but if you have another preference?

Hi Ms. Stuart and all you fabulous readers out there *waves* Thank you so much for having me today! And, tea is my favorite. I drink it every day so I would love a cup, thank you. The stronger the better.

Jennifer, it’s not just Seals, its mercenaries, navy pilots, CIA agents… what is the attraction of men in uniform for you?

Great question. It took a few years of writing in many genres and getting my feet wet before I finally found my niche with military heroes (AS I am a sucker for a man in uniform...!). I found myself writing all my stories with one thing in common: strong, alpha heroes who were protectors. Men in uniform put their lives on the line to protect and I think that is what draws me to them. They will do whatever it takes to keep whatever they are protecting safe. I find that incredibly sexy.

Like me, you are something of a “hybrid” author, having moved from a small press publisher into indie publishing. What prompted the move and how have you found the experience?

When the small press I was published with became a digital-first imprint of a bigger publisher I had a choice to make: sign new contracts or go on my own-something I had been considering already. I decided to go Indie because it was the best for my career for now.

I do love being an Indie author. I’ve met so many fabulous authors who have helped me learn the ropes. And the covers!! I just love being in control of my own covers. (AS... I agree. The degree of artistic control, particularly over the cover art is a winner for me!)

What occupies your time when you’re not writing? Are you still tied to the dreaded “day job”?

I’m a mom of two, but they are 14 and 20. My son is in college and my daughter a freshman in High School. They keep me pretty busy though J  I’ve been married to my hubby for 22 years.

I quit my job as a Respiratory Therapist four years ago to write full-time (AS:  Lucky you!). Writing has always been my dream and the time to do it was calling me so I took the plunge. I’m so glad I did!

Your latest re-release is Murphy’s Law, what was the inspiration behind this story?  

Murphy. He wouldn’t leave me alone, lol. I’m a pantser so all I saw in my head was this scarred hero who pushed away everyone he loved because of what he’d done in a Middle Eastern country. Then I saw this woman on the run. Her daughter, Abby, she was a surprise. I knew Sara would have a daughter, but I never knew she would be…sorry, you’ll have to read the book :-)

Murphy’s Law is the story of my heart. The second manuscript I ever wrote and one I just couldn’t let go. I love the characters so much. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

***GIVEAWAY***

In honor of my re-release I am giving away an e-book copy of Murphy’s Law to one lucky commenter so please leave a comment with your EMAIL so I can contact you if you win!!

Thank you for having me today, Ms. Stuart!! I truly enjoyed your tea. I just want to send out a big THANK YOU to all my readers out there! Without you I wouldn’t be here. My wish is to one day meet each and every one of you so I can personally thank you for your generosity and support! 

And thanks for being a fabulous guest, Jennifer. OK, boys, by the left... quick march!

MURPHY'S LAW

He lost his family. She gave them back to him.

Home is the last place Jon Murphy can go. After being held captive in Azbakastan, he returns to the States only to find he can’t face his mom and sisters with what he did while he was a prisoner, so he retreats to the mountains.

Widow Sara Sheldon has made a lifetime of mistakes and is now running scared from her husband’s powerful family, who are determined to take her daughter away from her. When her little girl goes missing in the Rockies, Sara enlists the only help she can find: a gruff recluse with tracking skills to admire and a body to covet.

A storm strands Sara and her daughter at Murphy’s cabin, leaving her no choice but to hope her in-laws don’t catch up while she plans where to run next. Murphy resents the invasion of his privacy, but can’t seem to keep his mind--or his hands--off Sara. How can she stand to look at him, with all his scars? He’s not nearly as honorable as she might think…only enough to make sure she’s safe, and then he’ll go back to being alone, the way he should be.

(CONTENT WARNING: Sexual content)      

Available on Amazon

ABOUT JENNIFER LOWERY...

Jennifer Lowery grew up reading romance novels in the back of her math book and on the bus to school, and never wanted to be anything but a writer.  Her summers were spent sitting at the kitchen table with her sisters spinning tales of romance and intrigue and always with a tall glass of ice tea at their side. 

Today, Jennifer is living that dream and she couldn’t be happier to share her passion with her readers.  She loves everything there is about romance.  Her stories feature alpha heroes who meet their match with strong, independent heroines.  She believes that happily ever after is only the beginning of her stories. And the road to that happy ending is paved with action, adventure, and romance. As her characters find out when they face danger, overcome fears, and are forced to look deep within themselves to discover love.  

Jennifer lives in Michigan with her husband and two children.  When she isn’t writing she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.  

Visit Jennifer:  Author Website   Facebook   Twitter   Romance Recipes

And don't forget to leave a comment (and your email addy) below and go in the draw to win a copy of MURPHY'S LAW... 

Jennifer

Taking Tea with... Angela Verdenius

It’s a great pleasure to welcome an ‘old’ friend, Angela Verdenius to my tea table this week. 

Angela and I first met way back when my first books were published through a small epress in the US. This was in the days when epublishing was viewed askance by the mainstream publishers and as for self-publishing... well that was "vanity" publishing and no self respecting author would do that! There was no such thing as an "e-reader" and I remember reading ebooks on my Palm Pilot (remember them?). So when was this "dark age" - 2007...not even 10 years ago!

Angela is offering a GIVEAWAY of her latest book, Adam's Thorn (more about that later)

So Angela, before we start, George is wheeling in the tea trolley, what is your preference?

Hmmmm…would you cringe if I said white tea with four sugars?!  (AS chokes and clutches her throat... strong sweet tea, good for shock!)  LOL  Can I add how honored I am to be sitting with you?  We go back a long way, we’ve seen a lot of changes, and I always feel a sense of meeting an old friend when I see you at conferences.  My Mum has never met you, but she knows your name! (AS: That's lovely! Thank you)

Angela, as I said above,  we first met many years ago as “epublished authors” with a small epress.  Back in the days before ereaders, epublication was definitely considered a lower form of publishing life.  What changes have you seen over the last few years?

Oh, so much has changed.  Ebook authors are now accepted along with the traditional authors, ebooks are being published by mass market publishers, ebooks are seen as an alternative to hard copies, and really, ebooks have paved the way for writing in genres that may not have once been accepted, and allowed us to push the boundaries.  Big-name authors have their works available in both ebook and hard copy formats.  I think it’s made us all equal and respected as authors.

It wasn’t that long ago that ebook readers were only known to a few people I met, now just about everyone knows what they are and owns one.  People love having so many books on one device without having to worry about space to put paperbacks/hardbacks.  

Can I mention how I used to have to cull my book collection every year because I ran out of room?  Heartbreaking! (AS: I pretty much only read fiction as ebooks these days... apart from anything else, my eyes can't take print particularly late at night and with an ereader I can adjust font size)

Am I right in thinking you started with writing science fiction romance (your Love, Heart and Soul series)?  What was the attraction of science fiction and are you still writing in this genre?

Correct, Alison.  I used to write science fiction romance, and wrote 18 full length novels in the Love, Heart & Soul series, as well as two novellas (not related to the LHS series).  I loved the freedom of science fiction, being able to make my own laws and cultures, not being forced to write according to what we all know and accept as normal.  Basically, my only limits were my imagination. 

Currently, I am not writing science fiction romance, but that’s not to say I won’t ever write more books for the Love, Heart & Soul series, I confess there are still a few characters I’d like to revisit and give their own story. 

In more recent years you have been writing contemporary romance with plus sized heroines – what led you on to this path?

I felt that my voice was getting stale and I wanted to try a different genre to ‘freshen’ my voice.  I started writing a contemporary romance featuring a plus-size heroine, and so Doctor’s Delight was born.  From there I had other characters coming forward and wrote their stories, and it went from there.

I really enjoy the plus-size heroines.  They are real - hey, we BBWs are out there!  Love knows no boundaries, and that includes size.  I know there are men out there who love a woman for who they are, not what they look like, and these are the heroes I value and want to write and read about.  And there are women out there who want to read about ‘real’ heroines finding love, women with whom they can identify.  Not every woman is a perfect size 12 (Aus size).  The heroines come in many sizes, with varying degrees of issues and confidence.  One thing I don’t do is mention exactly what size the heroine is, because I believe every reader will see her according to their POV.  As for the hero - well, who doesn’t love a strong, handsome hunk with eyes only for you?!  Everyone deserves a HEA!

I am in awe of your productivity level! Are you writing full time?  How do you organize your writing into your day?

Oh gosh, I wish I did write full time.  That’s the dream!  I work mostly shift work, with only two days per week of ‘normal hours’, so I always write before work or after work (depending if I’m on a late or early shift) and all day on my days off and holidays.  TV is only watched if there’s a program I really, really want to watch.  I only read in bed (or at the kitchen table for a stolen few minutes). Basically, I love writing, but it is my second job and I treat it as such, which keeps me disciplined.  I’m hoping to one day work part-time and write part time to make one living LOL.  Even better if I can just write full time! I’m still working on that million-dollar bestseller!

When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?

Read!  I read in bed every night, never fail.  And when I’m having a break between writing books (usually a week off before starting a new one), then I read as much as I can, and I also tend to get horror DVDs and do a one-day marathon run .  Oh yeah, and I have this habit of browsing the internet, seeing what new books my favorite authors are bringing out, checking out other author websites to see what they’re up to, browsing Amazon, Smashwords, All Romance eBooks and other book places, checking out what new horror movies are coming out…basically playing guilt-free catch-up!

About every 4 - 6 weeks, I spend an afternoon with my friends and we hire a DVD, go to a movie, or have an early tea (evening meal) at the Dome and chat until the place closes .  It’s catch-up time for us all.

And finally, your cats.  So many authors are owned by cats (including me). Tell me about your two furry feline “mewses” and their importance in your life?

"Evie" short for "Eve of Destruction"

I actually have 9 furry feline “mewses”, but the one who keeps me company the most when writing is Evie (aka Eve of Destruction), mainly because she likes to try and pick a fight with me by lying all over the keyboard and doing weird things to my screen (AS: I have one of those... I am sure he thinks his name is 'B$##%^' Nuisance!).  I discovered a new program I didn’t know I had thanks to Evie and her habit of touching things!  She snoozes behind the computer, rolls beside it, lies on the hutch and looks down at me, accepts kisses and pats, and fights with me - that’s when we start shoving each other.  Okay, I push her away when she decides to start messing around with the keyboard, and she slaps back.  It really degenerates into a shoving match between us, but I love it when she’s there!  My other little writing buddy is Abby, who often flops on her back behind my chair and snoozes.  Now and again Lily will wander in and nap on the chair which I pull up beside me for her.

My cats mean so much to me.  They’re my furkids and I love them heaps.  They make me smile, laugh, and even shed a tear when something happens.  They relax me.  I just can’t imagine life without them.

Angela's latest book is ADAM'S THORN, a contemporary romance with a plus size heroine and, my favourite, a spook old house!

The arrival of Barbie Declan in his town brought up a lot of bad memories for Adam.  A lot.

The calm, controlled cop had Barbie acting like a shrew whenever he was near her.  Talk about guilt.

Now she had not only sparks of dislike between them, but something growing a little hotter.  As if that wasn’t disconcerting enough…

…there’s something very wrong with the spooky old house she’s inherited…

ADAM'S THORN is available from Amazon, Smashwords (all formats), ARE and Barnes and Noble. It will be coming out in print shortly.

ABOUT ANGELA

I live in Australia where I am happily ruled by my cats. When not working as a nurse, I can be found at my second job - pounding on the computer keyboard bringing to life the characters lurking in my imagination.  Oh yeah, and drinking Diet Coke, playing with the cats and pretending I’m not procrastinating!

Reading has always been my escape, writing my dream. Horror, myths, legends, fantasy and history, there are no limits to the wonders to be found. And romance? Well, that adds the spice, hope and happiness ever after…

Join Angela and I in a discussion on the topic of the kind of qualities we look for in a hero....

Angela is offering a free Ebook Giveaway of Adam’s Thorn to a lucky commenter.

We like our heroes laid back and comfortable in their own fur....

Taking Tea with... Vonda Sinclair (and a bunch of hunky highlanders)

My front hall is full of large highlanders (all clamouring for whisky) who appear to be accompanying this Friday's tea guest, best selling and award winning writer of Scottish romantic historicals, Vonda Sinclair.

If you can just push through them, Vonda; George has brought through the tea trolley. What is your preference (or would you prefer a bit of the whisky and haggis to share with those delightful men you have brought with you)?

Hi, Alison! Thank you so much for inviting me (and my Highlanders) to your lovely home. Hello, George, so nice to meet you. I'm not much of a pure whisky drinker. I'd love to have some Bruadar if you have it. It's a liqueur made in Scotland with whisky, honey and sloe berries. Far more tasty (to me) than whisky. If you don't have that, I'll take some green tea. As for the haggis, it will be gone in two minutes in the presence of these hungry Highlanders.

I have a confession to make, Vonda, the romantic skirl of bagpipes just makes my ears hurt… so despite my Scottish antecedents (and Stuart, while my pen name, is also a family name), I am probably a disgrace to my clan… what is it about Scotland that draws you?

Glencoe

Oh wow, there are so many wonderful things about Scotland that I love. The friendly people, the beautiful, breathtaking landscapes (usually featuring a castle by a loch) of the Highlands, the food. I love visiting all the historic and prehistoric sites. Walking through the towns, on a pebble beach, or hiking in Glencoe is an adventure (AS:  I have to agree with you there - I have wonderful memories of the King's House Hotel with the mist wreathing the valley). 

Aye, if you're too close to the bagpiper, your ears can hurt, for the pipes are loud and shrill (AS:  Formal mess dinners in the Army killed the bagpipes for me, Vonda!). But at a distance, with the chill Highland wind whipping, there is naught lovelier than the skirl of bagpipes. I love to bring the romance of Scotland and the bravery of the Highlanders to life in my books.

(AS:  I was in a little town hidden in the high country of Victoria last year and we woke to a lone piper high above the town. It was chilling and haunting at the same time so I retract what I said about bagpipes...they have their moment!)

When you are not lost in your beloved highlands, are you writing full time or do you have a “day job” that keeps you grounded in reality?

I'm fortunate and thankful to write full time. I have the best job on earth and the perfect job for me. Since I was a child, getting lost in my own imagination was what I enjoyed most. I tried many jobs over the years before I was published, but I was miserable in most of them. Writing is definitely the thing for me. :)

Would you agree that the love affair with men in kilts began with Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series or does it go further back? Is it here to stay and do you think “Scottish Historical Romance” is now an established  sub genre of historical romance in the same way as “Regency Historical”?

Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series got me hooked on hot Highlanders. :) And I read several Highland historical romances before her books came out. I'm a huge fan of romance. Yes, I think Scottish historical romance is here to stay and it's a reader favorite. It's easy to see why. Scotland has some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. And who can resist a fierce Highland warrior in a kilt who is so loving and protective of his lady?

You’ve written 5 books in your award winning and Amazon best selling series of “Highlander” books. What is the link between the series and are there any others to come?

Yes, there are more books to come in the Highland Adventure series. I'm writing the next one now (My Rebel Highlander) about Rebbie, a sexy, entertaining Scottish earl who has been in the last four books as a secondary character and friend of the heroes of those books. Rebbie loves to tease and needle his friends, but he also helps them. 

The books are connected by family and friend relationships. The heroes of My Fierce Highlander and My Wild Highlander are brothers (Alasdair and Lachlan). The hero (Dirk) of My Brave Highlander is the friend of Lachlan. The hero of My Daring Highlander (Keegan) is the cousin of Dirk. The heroine of My Notorious Highlander (Jessie) is the sister of Dirk. Rebbie is best friends with Lachlan and Dirk. That was probably as clear as mud. LOL Each book stands alone and they can be read in any order, but it's probably best to read them in order to appreciate the relationships between all the secondary characters. Readers tell me they enjoy seeing what's going on with the heroes and heroines of the earlier books as I revisit them as secondary characters in later books. Books 3, 4 and 5 are more closely connected because some of the villains are the same. I also have plans to write about Isobel's brothers. She is the heroine in My Brave Highlander and she has five gorgeous brothers who all need to find wives. :)

MY NOTORIOUS HIGHLANDER

Chief Torrin MacLeod vows to possess and wed the spirited lady who stole his heart the previous winter. But Lady Jessie MacKay wants naught to do with the dangerous warrior, no matter how devilishly handsome and charming he is. When Torrin arrives unexpectedly at Jessie's home, along with Gregor MacBain, a man Jessie was formerly handfasted to, she is thrown off-kilter. She never wanted to see either man again, but now they are vying for her hand. Torrin promises to protect her from the devious MacBain, but how can she trust Torrin when she has witnessed how lethal he is?

The more time Torrin spends with the strong and independent Jessie, the more determined he is to win her heart. Once she allows him a kiss, he feels her passion flame as hot as his own. After she knows Torrin better, Jessie finds herself falling for the fearsome Highlander. But the odds are stacked against them. The sinister MacBain is bent on kidnapping Jessie, making her his bride and killing Torrin, while Jessie's conniving younger brother, Haldane, is determined to use Jessie to take over the castle in his older brother's absence. Jessie fears she can never be with the man she loves, while Torrin will do everything in his power to ensure they are together forever. In his heart, she is the only lady for him.

Castle Stalker

    And some more about today's delightful guest, VONDA SINCLAIR 

Vonda Sinclair’s favorite indulgent pastime is exploring Scotland, from Edinburgh to the untamed and windblown north coast. She also enjoys creating hot Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. Her books have won an EPIC Award and a National Readers' Choice Award. She lives with her amazing and supportive husband in the mountains of North Carolina where she is no doubt creating another Scottish story.

Find Vonda:  My website , Be my friend on Facebook , Like my Facebook Page, Follow me on Twitter,  Join my Newsletter

AND VONDA IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY OF MY NOTORIOUS HIGHLANDER... drop by and tell us what kind of Highland hero is your favourite?  

(AS:  ooh... Connor Macleod from the Higlander movie is my fave...and no, I am not a fan of Jamie from Outlander/Cross Stitch - I loved the first book but never got into the subsequent stories)

Congratulations to Ashley York, winner of My Notorious Highlander by Vonda Sinclair.