Pam Lecky's Blog, page 24
June 3, 2019
A Conversation with Author Wayne Turmel
Today in the Library we have Wayne Turmel, who has dropped in to say hello and to share some insights into his life as an author.
You are very welcome Wayne, please introduce yourself:
[image error]Hi Pam, thank you so much for letting me drop by and play in your sandbox. I live and write in Las Vegas, although I am Canadian by birth. In my life I’ve been a stand-up comedian, a car salesman, and a corporate trainer. I have been writing non-fiction for 15 years, and fiction since 2014. I’ve written three novels and multiple short stories. My latest is Acre’s Orphans, a sequel to my Crusades-era adventure Acre’s Bastard.
Which genre do you write in and what draws you to it?
My novels have all been historical fiction until now and my short fiction runs the gamut from fantasy to “Literary” (whatever the heck that means.) As a boy growing up in small-town Canada, all I could think of was being somewhere else, or in another time—it HAD to be better than that. (It wasn’t but I was young and stupid)
Are you an avid reader? Do you prefer books in your own genre or are you happy to explore others?
I always have a couple of books on the go, usually one fiction and one non-fiction. I do read historical fiction, but I also have a weakness for big sword-and-sorcery novels too. I am bibliographically promiscuous.
Are you a self-published/traditional or hybrid author?
All of the above! I have self-published the Lucca Le Pou stories (Acre’s Bastard and Acre’s Orphans) but have had other work published by small presses (The Count of the Sahara) and even, in the case of my latest non-fiction book, (The Long-Distance Leader, Rules for Remarkable Remote Leadership) big, international publishers.
Who has been the biggest influence on your writing?
I often say that I’m the literary love child of Robert Louis Stevenson and Hunter S Thompson.
Has your country of origin/culture influenced your writing?
I think Canadians (especially born in the ’50s through the ’70s) were raised with an inferiority complex. We learned more about the literature of US, Britain and France than we did our own country. It exposed me to a lot of great writers, but also filled me with a desire to travel (and time travel) to anywhere other than boring old Mission, BC. The arrogance of youth, I suppose.
What part of the writing process do you find most difficult? How do you overcome it?
As someone who works from home most of the time, it’s finding the time and energy to separate personal writing time from all the stuff you have to do to earn a living. After being at your desk all day, it’s not exactly tempting to do it some more for “fun.”
What was the best piece of writing advice you received when starting out?
Hemingway is reported to have said, “write drunk, edit sober.” Other than that it’s simply that a writer writes.
Do you have a favourite time of day to write?
I do most of my writing on the weekends, so I will daydream and noodle and create scenes in my head all week long, then sit down Saturday and Sunday afternoons and just pour all that stuff onto the paper. I don’t write often enough, but really crank out the words when I do.
If a movie was made of one of your books, who would you like to play the lead roles?
Ooooh, I think most fiction writers (if they’re honest) play the casting game. For Count of the Sahara, The Duchess and I argue if Benedict Cumberbatch or Tom Hiddleston should play Byron de Prorok. For the Lucca books, either Sean Bean or Clive Owen would be Brother Marco, the Leper Knight.
If you could live the life of an historical figure for one day, who would you choose and what would you get up to?
I’d be Richard Frances Burton going undercover to travel to Mecca or some other exotic location. He was a deeply messed-up guy, but he spoke 20 languages, saw the world, published, spoke, and translated pornography. That would be an interesting brain to inhabit for 24 hours.
If you could travel back in time, what era would you go to? What draws you to this particular time?
Assuming I could still have all my shots and running water/indoor plumbing, I would want to go back to Camelot and Arthurian times. (Which, I know, may or may not have actually existed)
You have been chosen as a member of the crew on the first one-way flight to Mars – you are allowed to bring 5 books with you. What would they be?
Oh man…… The Collected Tales of Edgar Allan Poe, The Collected Plays of William Shakespeare, The Three Musketeers, Treasure Island, and The Great White Shark Hunt by Hunter Thompson.
[image error]Please tell us about your latest published work.
Acre’s Orphans is the second of the Lucca le Pou stories, set during the second Crusade. Lucca is a young orphan who is driven into the streets of Acre at a time when the Kingdom of Jerusalem is about to fall. He unwittingly becomes a spy, and may be the only hope for the Crusader Kingdom as Salah-adin’s forces prepare to conquer once and for all. Just when he thinks he’s safe, he and a young girl must flee the safety of Acre to get help across bandit-infested territory or the last Crusader stronghold will perish.
It’s historical fiction for people who don’t think they like historical fiction, and the series has garnered some nice press and awards.
Thank you for the opportunity to play with your readers today, Pam. Much luck to you with your own work.
Thank you for taking part, Wayne, it was a pleasure.
If you’d like to know more about Wayne and his work, please check out the media links below:
Twitter @Wturmel
Amazon Author Page https://amazon.com/Wayne-Turmel/e/B00J5PGNWU/
June 2, 2019
Historical Fiction Cover Competition June 2019
What draws you to a historical fiction book cover?
Welcome to my monthly historical fiction cover competition. I hope you find some new books and authors for your ‘must read’ list. If a cover interests you, just click on the link to learn more about the book.
My June winner is:
The Marigold Chain by Stella Riley
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Stella’s covers are always sumptuous and this one is particularly gorgeous. The colours and mix of images are a delight. Congrats Stella!
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2018 B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE
England, 1666; the year when people who take prophecy seriously believe that the world is going to end.
For Chloe Herveaux, marriage to wild, unpredictable Alex Deveril offers escape from a home she hates. For Alex, waking up with an epic hangover, the discovery that he has acquired a bride is an unwelcome shock. But while the marriage remains in name only, other forces are gathering.
England is once again at war with the Dutch and Prince Rupert suspects that sabotage is at work within the fleet. Instructed to find and stop the traitor, Alex enters a dark labyrinth of intrigue – where no life is safe and nothing is what it seems.
Chloe, meanwhile, navigates the shark-infested waters of Charles the Second’s Court and plots a course of her own aimed at financial independence. But as the intriguing facets of Mr Deveril’s personality are gradually revealed to her, Chloe’s mock-marriage becomes fraught with difficulties – the greatest of which is Mr Deveril himself.
Absorbed in his search for a traitor, Alex spares little thought for his bride. But as the flames of the Great Fire sweep over London, Alex and Chloe face their ultimate test. Their world is at risk … their choices may save it.
To find out more, please click here
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As always, it was difficult to choose. Here are some other wonderful covers to tempt you!
Lady Caroline (Callie) Sutton has known Nathan, heir to the Dukedom of Craven, all of her life. He is best friend to her brother, James. Her childhood has been idyllic, brought up away from the restrictions and trials of society. As she grows from child to maiden, the feelings between herself and Nathan change. A touch, a smile and a kiss, promise future happiness. When he leaves to tour the Americas with James, there is an unspoken agreement between them. But events destroy her idyllic life, snatch her away from that she had expected, and push her into a life she does not want. Unable to fight the forces now controlling her, she vows to seek one last moment of the life she was destined to have, before bowing to the life she must now live. But into that life she takes a secret so dire that if it were discovered her very life could be at risk. Will she be able to maintain her deception? Will she be able to re-capture the happiness she once knew, or is she doomed to the fate that was thrust upon her?
To find out more, please click here
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Freedom of the press is in peril. Families are torn apart by politics and principle. Opposing political parties manipulate the public in speeches, public meetings, and the media, grasping for votes and consolidating power. Foreign nations peddle influence in all directions to achieve their own ends. The struggle between citizens and government tugs at the threads of the American Constitution… and democracy itself. In a matter of moments, the United States will shatter, beginning the long march of the American Civil War.
Harry Wentworth, gentleman of distinction and journalist of renown, spends a lifetime of social and financial capital, exploiting his position as Executive Editor of the Philadelphia Daily Standard to try to arrest the momentum of both Union and Confederacy. To his sorrow and disgust, his calls for peaceful resolution are worth no more than the ink he buys to print them. As such, he must finally resolve his own moral quandary: comment on the war from his influential-safe-position in Northern Society or make a news story and a target of himself south of the Mason-Dixon Line, in a city haunted by a life he has long since left behind? His choices, from the first day of the war to the last, will irrevocably alter his mind, his body, his spirit, and his purpose as an honorable man.
To find out more, please click here
And the not so small print: the judge’s decision is final (that would be me!) and is highly subjective.
Please note this is a cover competition only and does not constitute a review of any of the books featured. It’s up to you to explore. Happy Reading!
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Don’t forget, if you read a book and love it, post a review and make an author happy.
May 3, 2019
Historical Fiction Cover Competition May 2019
What draws you to a historical fiction book cover?
Welcome to my monthly historical fiction cover competition. I hope you find some new books and authors for your ‘must read’ list. If a cover interests you, just click on the link to learn more about the book.
My May winner is:
The Girl Puzzle by Kate Braithwaite
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This cover drew my attention immediately. The clever combination of images suggests a bit of mystery and Victorian intrigue. I had to find out more and went straight to Amazon to see what it was all about. It sounds like a fascinating story. Publication is 5th of May but is available now for pre-order. Congrats Kate!
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Her published story is well known. But did she tell the whole truth about her ten days in the madhouse?
Down to her last dime and offered the chance of a job of a lifetime at The New York World, twenty-three-year old Elizabeth Cochrane agrees to get herself admitted to Blackwell’s Island Lunatic Asylum and report on conditions from the inside. But what happened to her poor friend, Tilly Mayard? Was there more to her high praise of Dr Frank Ingram than everyone knew?
Thirty years later, Elizabeth, known as Nellie Bly, is no longer a celebrated trailblazer and the toast of Newspaper Row. Instead, she lives in a suite in the Hotel McAlpin, writes a column for The New York Journal and runs an informal adoption agency for the city’s orphans.
Beatrice Alexander is her secretary, fascinated by Miss Bly and her causes and crusades. Asked to type up a manuscript revisiting her employer’s experiences in the asylum in 1887, Beatrice believes she’s been given the key to understanding one of the most innovative and daring figures of the age.
To find out more, please click here
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As always, it was difficult to choose. Here are some other wonderful covers to tempt you!
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Teen & Young Adult Historical Fiction.
Every choice has a consequence.
When a magical picture frame reveals the danger facing a teenage traitor, her best friend hatches a plan to sneak her out of Nazi Germany. Options are few. Choices are desperate.
Decades later, an aged Nazi hiding under an alias plans to die with his secrets intact. Confronted with his role in the fate of his sister and her best friend, he must decide: maintain his charade or face the consequences of the path he chose so long ago.
In this powerful conclusion to Risking Exposure, interwoven tales of guilt, sacrifice, and hope crack the divide between personal safety and loyalty to those we claim to love.
To find out more, please click here
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“Through the Fire” is a novel in short stories about Prince Konstantin Romanov of Russia. Konstantin was a cousin of Tsar Nicholas II and the third son of the Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich, the Imperial Family’s famous poet.
Prince Konstantin was a decorated war hero who was an officer in an elite Imperial Guards unit during World War I. “Through the Fire” is an alternate history that examines the life that Konstantin might have lived if the Russian Revolution had been averted, and the Romanovs had retained their throne. It is set in the same alternate historical universe as Tamar Anolic’s previous novel, “Triumph of a Tsar.”
To find out more, please click here
And the not so small print: the judge’s decision is final (that would be me!) and is highly subjective.
Please note this is a cover competition only and does not constitute a review of any of the books featured. It’s up to you to explore. Happy Reading!
***
Don’t forget, if you read a book and love it, post a review and make an author happy.
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April 1, 2019
Historical Fiction Cover Competition April 2019
What draws you to a historical fiction book cover?
Welcome to my monthly historical fiction cover competition. I hope you find some new books and authors for your ‘must read’ list. If a cover interests you, just click on the link to learn more about the book.
My April winner is:
A Highland Captive by Cathie Dunn
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The first time I saw this cover it blew me away. Evocative and so clever as you are instantly drawn to the time and place and want to know more about this mysterious woman on the cover. Congrats Cathie!
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1298, Scotland
Cailean MacDubhgaill, a knight from a small western island fighting for the Scottish cause, joins the battle at Falkirk but is wounded when he takes a blow to the thigh by an axe. Sir Eòin de Moray, uncle to his late friend, the former guardian, Andrew, helps him escape the carnage and takes him into a nearby forest, but is killed whilst fighting off pursuers.
Once Cailean has recovered from his injuries with the help of the healer Brìde, he rushes to de Moray’s manor on the northern shores of Loch Ness to convey the news to de Moray’s daughter, Isobel, but he is too late. He finds the manor burnt down, its people displaced, and Isobel abducted. Determined to honour the knight who had saved his life, he tracks Isobel down.
Finding herself taken away from her home against her will, to be married off to an English lord in service to King Edward I, Isobel de Moray ponders her fate when a nighttime raid on the mercenary camp sees her freed – only to fall into the hands of a strong-minded knight. The stranger takes her to his keep on the remote island of Eorsa, to keep her safe.
But Isobel has other ideas…
To find out more, please click here
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As always, it was difficult to choose. Here are some other wonderful covers to tempt you!
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IRELAND: 192 A.D. A time of strife and treachery. Political ambition and inter-tribal conflict has set the country on edge, testing the strength of long-established alliances.
Following a successful ambush at Cnucha, the Clann Morna tribe are hungry for power but must wipe out the hereditary leadership of their opponents to achieve this. Meanwhile, mysterious war parties roam the forests of the ‘Great Wild’ and a ruthless magician is intent on murder.
In the secluded valley of Glenn Ceoch, a disgraced druid and a woman warrior have successfully avoided the bloodshed for many years. Now, the arrival of a pregnant refugee threatens the peace they’ve created together. Run or fight, the odds against them are overwhelming.
And death stalks on every side.
Based on the ancient Irish mythology and Fenian Cycle texts, the Fionn mac Cumhaill Series by Irish author Brian O’Sullivan is a gritty and authentic retelling of the birth and early adventures of Irish mythology Ireland’s greatest hero, Fionn mac Cumhaill. Gripping, insightful and utterly action-packed, this is Irish mythology/ fiction as you’ve never read it before.
This classic Irish fantasy and historical adventure was a 2016 SPFBO Competition finalist and Irish bestseller.
To find out more, please click here
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In 1915 while the First World War raged on in Europe, Americans, and especially New Yorkers, faced their own “silent war” at home. Disgruntled with America’s so-called promise of “neutrality” and overt trade deals with England and France, the German government set up a spy ring headquartered in Manhattan. Their espionage and terrorist networks had tentacles reaching all the way to the German Ambassador in Washington D.C. German operatives planted explosives on American and British cargo ships en route from New York to England, France, and Russia. They plotted to blow up trains, bridges, factories, and even the U.S. Capitol Building.
Josette Rogers is the daughter of a rich businessman who must move his family to London when he inherits his uncle’s import/export business. Curtis Carlson is a rising star at the House of Morgan on Wall Street. They each have very different opinions about whether or not America should enter the war.
Curtis and Mr. Van Camp, a senior partner at Morgan’s Manhattan offices, are sent to England to have $500 million loan documents signed that will help finance the nearly bankrupt British and French governments. Josette and Curtis are both traveling to England on the RMS Lusitania when Josette suspects there is a spy ring on board. Were they sent to divulge the location of the Lusitania?
To find out more, please click here
And the not so small print: the judge’s decision is final (that would be me!) and is highly subjective.
Please note this is a cover competition only and does not constitute a review of any of the books featured. It’s up to you to explore. Happy Reading!
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Don’t forget, if you read a book and love it, post a review and make an author happy.
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March 1, 2019
Historical Fiction Cover Competition March 2019
What draws you to a historical fiction book cover?
Welcome to a new year of ‘Pam’s Picks’. I hope you find some new books and authors for your ‘must read’ list. If a cover interests you, just click on the link to learn more about the book.
My March winner is:
A Mistake of Consequence by Terri Evert Karsten
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I love covers using images of the time because you instantly know the setting. An adventure on the high seas must be on the cards when you see this beautiful sailing ship. Romance on the high seas? You’ll have to read it to find out! Congrats Terri!
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It is 1754 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Callie Beaton is nearly twenty, single, and determined not to marry anyone her grandfather deems worthy. But after her impulsive flight from yet another unwanted suitor leads her to the pier one rainy evening, Callie is mistaken for someone else and dragged aboard a ship. Trapped in a dark hold and at the mercy of strangers, Callie has no idea the ship is headed for a bustling port city across the ocean in America.
Wracked with seasickness, unable to convince the ships captain she is not who he thinks she is, and with only one tattered dress to her name, Callie somehow survives the horrid journey. She arrives in colonial Philadelphia penniless, nameless, and alone in a strange place. Two men offer her help: Ethan Asher, a handsome gentleman with a hidden past, and Davy McRae, a charming ship captain with a dangerous secret.
Neither seems trustworthy, but when tragedy strikes, Callie is caught in the middle and must choose one of them to help her if she is to save herself and her newfound friends from disaster.
In this historical romantic adventure, a Scottish lass who finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time unwittingly embarks on a journey across the ocean to a new beginning where she searches for love, belonging, and ultimately her true destiny.
To find out more, please click here
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As always, it was difficult to choose. Here are some other wonderful covers to tempt you!
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Being a young girl in 1940’s Ireland isn’t easy for Molly, especially since she isn’t like others. Her family and community are wary of the beautiful child.
As Molly becomes a teenager life gets harder and she loses faith in everything.
Molly is surrounded by danger. She must make choices. But will she chose the right path or is she doomed to a life of misery? Will she survive in a world of violence and crime? Will The Healer ever be healed?
To find out more, please click here
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In the ancient city of York, something sinister is stirring…
What do a highwayman, an infamous traitor, and two hardened soldiers have in common? Centuries of friendship, a duty to the town, and a sense of mischief – until they realise that someone is trying to bring chaos to their home.
Joining forces with local Vikings, the four friends keep an eye on the situation, but then, disaster strikes.
Can peace be restored both inside and out of the city walls?
To find out more, please click here
And the not so small print: the judge’s decision is final (that would be me!) and is highly subjective.
Please note this is a cover competition only and does not constitute a review of any of the books featured. It’s up to you to explore. Happy Reading!
***
Don’t forget, if you read a book and love it, post a review and make an author happy.
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February 25, 2019
A Conversation with Author Linda Covella
Today in the Library we have Linda Covella, who has dropped in to say hello and to share some insights into her life as an author.
You are very welcome, Linda, please introduce yourself:
[image error]Hello Pam and visitors! My varied background and education have led me down many paths, but one thing I never strayed from is my love of writing.
In writing for kids and teens, I hope to bring to them the feelings books gave me when I was a child: the worlds they opened, the things they taught, the feelings they expressed.
I have four published novels for middle grade and young adult, and a recently released narrative nonfiction picture book. I’ve been a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) since 2002. I live in Santa Cruz, CA with my husband, Charlie, and dog, Ginger.
Did you read much as a child?
I’ve been an avid reader from an early age thanks to my mother who was a school librarian. Also an artist and choral singer, she taught and encouraged me to embrace all the arts.
Are you an avid reader now?
Yes. I must always have a book to read!
Do you prefer books in your own genre or are you happy to explore others?
I read a wide variety of genres and books for both adults and children. I enjoy reading middle grade and young adult books, but I also read them for the education, i.e., learning technique and craft from other children’s writers.
I read most genres, but not a lot of romance or thrillers. I’ve always loved historical fiction and still am drawn to those stories. I get more into character than plot (though of course the plot has to be engaging), so if a story includes deeply realized characters, I’ll enjoy it.
Are you self-published or traditionally published?
[image error]Both. My first books (Yakimali’s Gift and The Ghost Whisperer series books) were originally traditionally published with small presses. One went out of business, and I ended up self-publishing these books as well as Cryptogram Chaos.[image error]
My latest book, The Power of a Dream: Maria Feliciana Arballo, Latina Pioneer, a narrative nonfiction picture book, is traditionally published.
Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. With self-publishing, you have more control over the publication, the content, the layout and presentation, and how quickly it’s published. But more costs and time are required for covers, publication, editing, etc.
With traditional, you have support of the publisher who pays for the cover, editing, initial publication, etc. The Power of a Dream has beautiful illustrations by an artist hired by the publisher.
Either method requires the author to do marketing!
Which genre do you write in and why?
I’m a children’s author, and I love writing for children, having them as my audience. Kids and teens have such unique perspectives on life. I absolutely love hearing what’s on a kid’s mind—at any age.
The youngsters are always fun to watch as they show their amazement and delight with each new discovery—discoveries that we have long since taken for granted.
During the middle-school years, kids are starting to come into their own, learning who they are and flexing their maturity muscles. Their independence is beginning to flourish as they start to question things and form their own ideas and opinions.
I have a great respect for teens. By that age, they’ve developed their own one-of-a-kind personalities and strong viewpoints on all sorts of topics. They rightfully question things and begin to test and stretch the limits that are attempting to rein them in. Believe it or not, I can still remember those feelings from my own teen years, and it’s an exhilarating time of life.
I think writing for kids keeps me in touch with the feelings from my childhood. It also encourages me to keep an open mind when I’m with kids, to remind me they are unique individuals, and to give them that respect.
Who has been the biggest influence on your writing?
I’d have to say my mother. First of all, she taught me to love reading, and reading is so important if you want to be a writer. When I started pursuing writing professionally, she was my biggest fan, always encouraging me to keep at it, to never give up.
Of course, other authors and the books I’ve read my entire life have influenced me as well. But it’s difficult to pinpoint any one author who’s had the biggest influence.
What is the best thing about being an author? And the flipside – what is the worst?
I love being creative, and writing is one outlet for that. But the best thing is when I get a positive reaction to one of my books, especially from the targeted audience—kids and teens. The worst thing? That would have to be the marketing, especially personal appearances. I’m not a practiced public speaker, so those are difficult for me. But it’s getting easier each time!
Is social media an essential chore or something you enjoy? Which forum do you prefer?
I like the aspect of social media that allows me to reach out to so many people. I’m most active on Facebook and Twitter. I recently joined Instagram, so I’m working on building up my following there. I also have accounts on Goodreads, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and book trailers on YouTube.
If you weren’t an author, what would you be up to?
I never thought of writing as a career. Instead, I ended up with a few degrees—art, business, mechanical drafting, manufacturing management—while I decided what I wanted to do with my life. Now, besides writing, I run my and my husband’s small tech business (we have a product my husband, an electronics engineer, designed). I also volunteer with the local Young Writers Program where I mentor kids and teens in the classroom.
Please tell us about your latest published work.
My latest book, released February 26, 2019, is a narrative nonfiction picture book: The Power of a Dream: Maria Feliciana Arballo, Latina Pioneer.
[image error]The story tells of a little-known part of U.S. history when, in 1775, some of the first Spanish settlers embarked on a colonization expedition from Mexico to California. THE POWER OF A DREAM focuses on Feliciana Arballo, an inspiring, brave, and remarkable woman, especially for the time in which she lived. Her husband died before the expedition began, and, as a young widow, Feliciana made the arduous four-month journey with her daughters: the infant Estaquia and four-year-old Tomása. Her husband, and thus her daughters, were looked down upon as mestizos, those of mixed Spanish and Indian heritage. As many immigrants do today, she followed her dream to have a better life in California for herself and her children, including eight more children she had with her second husband. Feliciana is referenced in the diaries of Captain Juan Bautista de Anza, who led the expedition, and Father Pedro Font, who also went on the journey. The book includes my two author notes: one discusses Feliciana’s background and her descendants, many of whom played important roles in the history of California; the other author note provides a background of the expedition itself.
The primary audience are children ages 5 – 10 (grades 1-4), as well as parents and teachers who can use the book to teach children about this important part of U.S. history and how it relates to today’s issues of race, immigration, heritage, and the value of diversity.
Thanks so much for the interview, Pam. I really enjoyed answering these questions.
If you would like to know more about Linda and her work, check out her links below:
Twitter @lindacovella
February 18, 2019
Women in Horror Month: Featured Author: Pam Lecky
Thanks to Jo and Fiona
Pam Lecky was featured earlier this month on the Unusual Fiction blog. I have read some of Pam’s stories, and they are very good, so I thought I would share her interview here, too.
A special thank you to Fiona Cooke for also featuring some amazing women of horror on her blog this month.
A Conversation with Author Angelina Jameson
Today in the Library we have Angelina Jameson, who has dropped in to say hello and to share some insights into her life as an author.
You are very welcome to the Library, Angelina, please introduce yourself:
[image error]Thank you for having me here, Pam. I’m Angelina and I live in Alaska. I was born in Las Vegas, Nevada and lived in several of the states here in the USA and in Suffolk, England. I love to travel and spend time with my husband and two grown sons.
Which genre do you write in and what draws you to it?
I currently write in the long Regency. I love the elegance and the manners of the era.
A re you an avid reader? Do you prefer books in your own genre or are you happy to explore others?
I love to read. My tastes change often although I mostly read mysteries and romance.
Are you a self-published/traditional or hybrid author?
I’m a hybrid author.
Who has been the biggest influence on your writing?
That’s a hard one but I would have to say Julia Quinn. Her Bridgerton books are why I try to have a little bit of lightheartedness in my work.
Has your country of origin/culture influenced your writing?
Although I grew up in America my mom was fascinated with England, so I grew up learning about castles, kings and queens. I joined the military, made it to England and knew I wanted to write about the history of the country in some fashion.
What was the best piece of writing advice you received when starting out?
To read a lot. By reading you learn how to write dialogue, how to weave in backstory.
Do you have a favourite time of day to write?
The evening when everyone in the house is in bed and I have quiet time. I have a bad habit of needing near silence to really get into writing.
If you weren’t an author, what would you be up to?
I would want to be an Archaeologist. One of my sons is currently in school for archaeology and I am a bit jealous.
If you could live the life of an historical figure for one day, who would you choose and what would you get up to?
Jane Austen. I would love to visit her sister Cassandra and perhaps peep at some of the letters from Jane that Cassandra destroyed. Simply to see what Jane saw every day and mingle with her family.
If you could travel back in time, what era would you go to? What draws you to this particular time?
The Regency era. I like the idea of civility and more elegant dress. It is my favourite time period to write and it would be nice to go back and see if the social customs and habits of the gentry are what we believe them to be.
Please tell us about your latest published work.
[image error]My latest work is Lord Albany’s Bride. It is a Regency historical novella with a couple in their 40’s.
Nearly twenty-five years ago John Winge let Emma slip through his fingers. Emma is now a widow, her two sons all grown up. Now a viscount, Lord John Albany needs to know if he used his handicapped sister as an excuse to never marry or because he couldn’t imagine a life with anyone other than Emma.
Lady Emma Upton’s loveless first marriage was merely a way to secure the children she desperately wanted. Now a widow, she can’t imagine a reason she would need a husband, let alone one in the form of Lord Albany, a notorious fortune-hunter.
Or Click below for Amazon UK
If you would like to know more about Angelina and her books, please explore her social media links below:
February 5, 2019
Welcome to Women in Horror Month 2019 – Introducing Historical Fiction and Ghost Story Author, Pam Lecky
‘Horror-filled’ fun today on Fiona Hogan’s blog. It’s nice to talk about the spooky tales.
It’s a miserable day – the wind whistles down the chimney, rain pelts the window pane; it’s a day for the fireside. A typical Irish, February day. In fact, it’s the perfect weather for curling up with one of my next author’s eerie ghost stories. It gives me great pleasure to introduce my good friend and fellow Irish author, Pam Lecky.
Pam Lecky is an Irish historical fiction author, writing crime, mystery, romance and the supernatural. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society and the Society of Authors and has a particular love of the late Victorian era/early 20th Century. Her debut novel, The Bowes Inheritance, was awarded the B.R.A.G Medallion; shortlisted for the Carousel Aware Prize 2016; and long-listed for the Historical Novel Society 2016 Indie Award. Her short stories are available in an anthology, entitled Past Imperfect, whichwas published in April 2018. She…
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February 1, 2019
Historical Fiction Cover Competition February 2019
What draws you to a historical fiction book cover?
Welcome to a new year of ‘Pam’s Picks’. I hope you find some new books and authors for your ‘must read’ list. If a cover interests you, just click on the link to learn more about the book.
My February winner is:
Flavia’s Secret by Lindsay Townsend
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A beautiful cover from Lindsay, instantly transporting you to Roman times. The images and colours are just perfect, suggesting romance and mystery. Congrats Lindsay!
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Dare Celtic slave Flavia trust her Roman master Marcus?
In the Roman city of Aquae Sulis (modern Bath), Celtic slave Flavia longs to be free. Her mistress’ death brings a threat to Flavia’s dream: Valeria’s heir Marcus, a handsome, dangerous Roman officer. Flavia is drawn to Marcus but she has a deadly secret to hide and many enemies.
To find out more, please click here
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As always, it was difficult to choose. Here are some other wonderful covers to tempt you!
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Trapped in a loveless marriage far from home, Bridget does what she can to fill her lonely days. She throws herself into charitable work, but her cherished daughter, Emily, is her only true source of happiness.
Meanwhile, Cormac’s own life unravels and he finds himself doing unspeakable things just to survive.
Neither of them dream they will ever meet again, but fate brings them back together in the most unexpected of ways.
Can Bridget rediscover her love for the man Cormac has become? And how will Cormac react when he learns Bridget’s secret?
A Class Entwined is the second book in Susie Murphy’s A Matter of Class series.
To find out more, please click here
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In this collection of adult bedtime stories, Sarah Dahl pulls back the curtain of history to depict the erotic lives of Viking men and women. Amid the stark landscapes of fjords, forests and snow-capped mountain peaks, her characters search for love and passion. Dahl authentically illuminates the sensual side of a world of battle and plunder in an alluring collection perfect for every lover of gritty Viking romance.
A warrior recovering by a river is drawn into an unforeseen skirmish with a beautiful shield maiden. An enslaved Christian monk is entranced by his captors’ pagan allure. A dissatisfied housewife finds that her home holds an unexpected and liberating secret. An injured farmer is captivated by the magic of his irresistible healer …
In a world of crackling fires and rough landscapes, long winters and bloody raids, the immediacy of life and death ignites undeniable passions. Warriors and monks, healers and housewives – all follow the call of their hearts and bodies to indulge in pleasures that may forever change their lives.
To find out more, please click here
And the not so small print: the judge’s decision is final (that would be me!) and is highly subjective.
Please note this is a cover competition only and does not constitute a review of any of the books featured. It’s up to you to explore. Happy Reading!
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Don’t forget, if you read a book and love it, post a review and make an author happy.
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