L.L. Diamond's Blog, page 27

Winner of the Forever Yours Giveaway!

A huge thank you to everyone

who contributed questions and comments

for Ask the Author this month!

I’d like to give a special thanks to those repeat offenders out there who have been contributing questions or comments on every interview. Y’all are awesome! 

Without further ado…

Winner of the Forever Yours e-book is

TreshaB!

 

Congratulations Tresha!

 

I have no idea who May’s ask the author is yet!!!!

If you have any ideas or suggestions for who you’d like to be our next victim,

please leave the author’s name in the comment thread.

Robin Helm Interview is in!

I’d like to say a big thank you to Robin Helm for being April’s Ask the Author! 

For those who have somehow missed Robin’s impressive library of books,

she is the author of

Guardian, Soul Fire, Legacy, Accidentally Yours, Sincerely Yours, 

and the soon to be released

FOREVER YOURS

 

 

Before I post Robin’s answers, don’t forget to leave her a comment at the end of the post for a chance to win an e-book copy of Forever Yours!! Those of you who have asked questions already have their names in the pot, leave a comment for a chance to win, or if you asked a question, a second chance to win!

 

Anyway, on to the questions and answers!

 

 

I was just reading the blurbs on your two series… they sound so fascinating and different! What inspired your ideas for each series and what made you consider creating each as a trilogy?

(Dung)

Hello, Dung. Many years ago, I read This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti. Those books forever changed the way I viewed the supernatural, and they influenced the way I wrote The Guardian Trilogy. I did not use Mr. Peretti’s characters or plot lines, but I did show the spiritual dimension in a somewhat similar way to the way he presented it. However, my angels and demons have much more direct intervention into people’s lives than did Mr. Peretti’s.

I think Austen’s Darcy displays the characteristics of a guardian – a protector, if you will. He went to great lengths to protect his sister and rescue Lydia, thus guarding both his family and the Bennet family. He fit the guardian angel role in my mind.

The Yours by Design series grew from my belief that nothing is really accidental in our lives. Most of the circumstances I have experienced that I viewed as terrible when they happened turned out to be wonderful. That’s how we grow and change, as long as we have the right attitude and accept those changes. It isn’t always pleasant, but it is always an adventure. I’m a “Never Say Never” kind of person.

I didn’t think Fitzwilliam Darcy would have changed so radically without a truly major, catastrophic event happening in his life. When he switched places in time with Will Darcy, he thought it was horrible. It turned out to be the best thing for both of them.

 

 

I loved your Guardian series. Do you think you will write any more beside the trilogy?

(Janet Foster)

Hi, Janet. My younger daughter will marry in June, so I’m quite busy at the moment, but I am going to start a rewrite of The Guardian Trilogy this week. It will be a non-Austen, YA, strong first person variation of The Guardian Trilogy. Look for The Xander Chronicles fairly soon if you enjoy YA paranormal, fantasy romance. I plan to add multiple scenes and delete others. My approach to the story will be very different. I’m writing it in a strong, first person point of view (Xander’s). Only the skeleton of the original story will remain, and there will be huge plot changes. If it is successful, watch for spin-off books featuring other characters and their backstories. The titles will be Prodigy, Nemesis, and Victor.

 

 

I have thoroughly enjoyed the first 2 books in the series and am eagerly anticipating the release of this book. How did you come up with the idea of having 2 Darcys switching eras?

(DeborahAnne2)

I’ve always thought that Mr. Darcy changed very drastically and abruptly in the original. I have a “why” sort of mind. I asked myself why Darcy would be so completely different in such a short amount of time. My answer was that he was not the same man. He was, in fact, a different man – his descendant (now ancestor) from the future. I love science fiction and fantasy, so this series was not a stretch for me at all. I’m a real geek.

 

Is this the final book in this series? I have been waiting for this book for awhile now love this series so excited for the 3rd one to be out :). Going to have to read them again. Thanks so much.

(Tresha B.)

Thanks for asking, Tresha. Yes, Forever Yours is the final book in the Yours by Design series. I have no plans to extend the story. I think you’ll like Forever Yours the most of the three. The first book, Accidentally Yours, will likely be the least favorite of my readers. When Fitzwilliam Darcy still lived in the Regency era, he was very unpleasant. You also hear his thoughts, which makes him even worse. I felt it was important for readers to thoroughly dislike him and see him change as the series progressed. He’s swoon worthy in the third book.

 

 

What are your future plans for writing Austenesque novels now that you have completed two trilogies? Most authors I know stick to writing only stories based on Pride and Prejudice. Have you thought about doing a Emma, Persuasion or Northanger Abbey-inspired storyline? Will you branch out and write something original that does not borrow from Jane Austen’s plots, themes or characterisation?

(Lúthien84)

I’m very open to doing Austen-inspired variations or sequels of any of those stories. I’m not at all timid about branching out; my first series mixed angels and demons with Austen, and my second featured a time switch between 1795 Darcy and 2013 Darcy. I do think the Austen characters should not do anything her original characters would not have done, and I never change the pairings of her main characters (though I have some fun with secondary and minor characters).

I could envision myself doing variations of the books you mentioned more than Mansfield Park. However, Sense and Sensibility would make my list. I like for my male heroes to be very strong and my heroines to be witty, intelligent, and somewhat independent. The characters of Mansfield Park don’t lend themselves to my writing. Frankly, I don’t like them very much.

Northanger Abbey is a favorite of mine. It’s campy and fun. Would you read a variation of that book if I wrote one?

 

Oh, boy! I’m so excited about this month’s interview candidate.

(J “Joy” Dawn King)

You’re making me laugh, Joy! 

1) Have you always been a football fan?

I was a high school cheerleader and cheered for football and basketball for four years, but I never really understood football, or cared about understanding it, until my daughter started dating the quarterback of the University of South Carolina in 2012. Then, I began to watch, study, and read in earnest. Now, I really like it. Good thing, since she’s marrying him in June, and he may end up in the NFL. My husband had never been to a football game of any sort until we went to Dylan’s 2012 spring game. That was quite an experience.

 

2) What does your family think of your global fan base?

My family is so far off this radar it isn’t funny. It doesn’t register with them that what I type on my laptop in my little office/music room is read by people in many countries. I don’t talk about it very much with them. I just keep writing.

My husband and two daughters have traveled extensively in Europe and Asia on mission trips and in the military; I stayed home because of health issues. I guess my books travel since I don’t, but the world is smaller than it used to be. I did go to Japan last summer to meet my first grandchild, and that was a great adventure.

 

3) Do you have a favorite actor for your Mr. Darcy?

Colin Firth will always be my Mr. Darcy, but I wouldn’t object to seeing Henry Cavill or Chris Evans play the role. In fact, Chris Evans is my physical model for my modern Mr. Darcy in the Yours by Design series. I’m all about bone structure. I love a good, strong jawline. Superman and Captain America fit that bill nicely. I told you I’m a geek.

 

4) If you could travel through time, which three periods would you visit first and why?

Oh, my. I’ve researched so much that I know I wouldn’t enjoy being without air conditioning, cars, and phones. Leaving that aside, I would want to visit Austen’s time period (as long as I had money and was of a good family), because I would have enjoyed the balls and formal manners. Meeting Jane Austen is a dream of mine. That’s why I wrote it into the story.

I would love to visit the time period when Christ was on Earth physically and actually hear Him teach. Third, I would like to visit with Beethoven, Debussy, or Bach – any of those time periods would be interesting if I could watch the masters write and hear them play their own works.

I agree with Anne Elliot: “My idea of good company…is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.’

 

5) Which is your secret favorite to read – Regency or modern?

I love them both – I grew up on Victoria Holt and Jane Austen. However, I can best visualize modern. I read everything – Regency, modern, fantasy, paranormal, science fiction. I don’t particularly like biographies or histories. Give me an escape into imagination.

 

6) If a world famous movie producer were to cast you in one of Jane Austen’s movie adaptations, which movie and character would you want to be?

My family kids me about being Mrs. Bennet, but they do that only to vex me. Actually, I like her. I think she’d be great fun to play in the 1995 BBC mini-series.

I was a thespian in high school. I played the part of Mrs. Gibbs in “Our Town,” and I was first runner up in state competition for a dramatic interpretation of Ethan Frome. I have coached choric speaking, duet acting, declamation, and dramatic interpretation on both state and national levels.

Yep. I’m a nerdy geek. I suppose that’s why I really love “The Big Bang Theory.” Star Wars, Star Trek, Blade Runner, X-Men, The Avengers, etc. – bring it on.

 

7) Do you have a plot bunny that just won’t go away? If so, would you share?

Gayle Mills is my sister. She and I have talked about the plot of a book to be called Darcy, Ink. I really like the idea of interactive tattoos.

 

 

Would you consider selling your trilogies as a boxed set?

(tgruy)

That’s funny, because I’ve been trying to figure out how to do it. So, absolutely, yes! As soon as I can have Wendi Sotis explain it to me. She’s my go-to gal for anything technical. (She and her husband love Star Wars. I think he’s built a replica of the Death Star. Good people.)

 

 

Well in addition to Joy’s questions, I would like to know a little more about your background in music. I love it that your Darcys play piano. Also, any hints for the next book??? Best of luck with your new release.

(Jen Red)

Thanks, Jen! I began taking piano lessons when I was eight years old, and I’ve been fascinated by music ever since that time (fifty-three years). There is no musical genre which I hate in its entirety. I even like hip-hop. (Pure rap is not music. It’s rhythmic poetry. I don’t care much for it.)

When I was in fourth grade, the high school band teacher came to my elementary school and taught some of us to play recorders. From that, I began taking flute lessons and joined the band. I was marching in the high school band when I was still in elementary school.

I went to college not really knowing what I wanted to do, but the admissions people saw that I could play piano, so they referred me to the head of the music department. He asked me to play for him and, after listening to me, he hired me to play for voice lessons and the college Chorale. He also advised me to major in music, which I did. My degree is in piano performance with a minor in organ performance.

I played for my husband’s voice lessons. I just love a man who can sing. He just loves a woman who can play piano. All of my Darcys will play or sing – preferably both. Music is very sensual. It’s a way I connect with people and emotions.

Now, I am director of a Music Academy in which I teach piano, flute, and organ. We also offer drums, trumpet, and voice. I teach music two days a week in an elementary charter school, and I am the Associate in Music for my church.

 

 

 

 

If you’d like to keep track of Robin and her writing, you can follow her through any of these popular social media sites:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robin.helm.372

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmhelm

Instagram: https://instagram.com/jrhelm/

Blog, Jane Started It: https://crownhillwriters.wordpress.com/

Administrator of Beyond Austen (forum): http://www.beyondausten.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5210675.Robin_M_Helm

Amazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005MLFMTG

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/robinhelm

LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/pub/robin-helm/45/1b9/19/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much, Robin! Now, don’t forget to comment!

Robin is offering one e-book of Forever Yours as a giveaway! Usual rules apply – Every person who submits a question gets one chance entered into the pot. If you submit a question and a comment on the final interview you get two chances!

Final date for comments to be entered into the drawing Wednesday, 15 April.

Winner will be announced Friday, 17 April! 

Good luck!!

April – Robin Helm

It’s Ask the Author time!

It’s April and I hope all of you had a wonderful Easter or Passover!

Ask the Author time is here again, so get your questions ready!

I’m excited to introduce this month’s Ask the Author guest

Robin Helm!

Robin is the author of Guardian, Soul Fire, Legacy, Accidentally Yours, Sincerely Yours, and the soon to be released 

Forever Yours

 

 

But wait!!! Robin is offering one e-book of Forever Yours as a giveaway! Usual rules apply – Every person who submits a question gets one chance entered into the pot. If you submit a question and a comment on the final interview you get two chances!

I hope everyone will welcome Robin with a question or two!

All questions must be submitted by Friday, 10 April.

The final interview will be posted Monday, 13 April.

Final date for comments to be entered into the drawing Wednesday, 15 April.

Winner will be announced Friday, 17 April! 

Leave Robin your questions in the comments below!

 

April Preview

It’s April!

April is always such a cheerful month. The weather is pleasant, the flowers begin blooming-like a preview of what’s to come–and the air begins to smell of spring. I just love this time of year!

April here will reflect nature of sorts here. My posts should all be pleasant, with the release of An Unwavering Trust coming in May-there will be previews of things to come, and hopefully, you enjoy all of it!

First off, Ask the Author for this month features Robin Helm, author of The Guardian Trilogy as well as other wonderful works. She has a new release in the works, so get your questions prepped and ready to post. I’ll be calling for questions on Monday!

I also have a bit of an unveil this month. A big cover unveil! For those who have been waiting so patiently impatiently for the release of An Unwavering Trust, mark your calendars! It is coming in May and I plan on revealing the cover with an excerpt on Austen Variations on 20 April.

In the meantime, expect more posts from the Expat and perhaps a post in Sources of Inspiration. Now that the release of An Unwavering Trust is so close, I may begin to reveal bits of inspiration from that work as well!

I have two scenes from The Scenes Jane Never Wrote posting at Austen Variations this month, so I hope you’ll stop by for those as well. I look forward to reading your comments and insights into my work.

Lastly, I hope to announce a blog tour for the book release as well. I will post a schedule and more whenever I have confirmation of dates.

April looks to be an exciting month and I hope you’ll stop by!

 

Leslie

Release Date Set for An Unwavering Trust

So, editing has been rather slow going, and I’d like to thank Lisa, Kristi, Suzan, and Janet for all of your hard work! I couldn’t do this without your contributions. You ladies are the best.

 

Anyway, I’m confident enough to finally set a release date for An Unwavering Trust! When is this day you ask? I’m trying to make sure I have plenty of time, so I’ve set

May 30 as the day!

I’m so excited, and I hope you are too! Stay tuned for further announcements regarding the release as well as the cover unveil and whatever blog tour I can put together.

In the meantime,

Happy Reading!

British Museum

British Museum on a Rainy Day

History of the British Museum dates back to the 18th century, and its artefacts date back centuries further. The large Palladian style building on Great Russell Street in London is enormous and houses some famous and incredible artefacts. I would love to say I travelled the entirety of the place on the day we visited, but the truth is, you will probably see more than one post because the place really is enormous!

One of the greatest aspects of the museums in Britain is that they are free. There is no set admission fee for entry. The museum does have bins placed throughout the museum requesting donations, and honestly, what is even five pounds when you can view the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles.

We began with the Cycladic exhibit and worked our way through the Minoan, Greek, Roman, Assyrian, and Egyptian exhibits. We did go inside the Enlightenment exhibit for a time, but we mostly got our feet wet in the ancient artefacts.

I have to say that even my mother-in-law, who didn’t think she’d enjoy the museum, loved it.

It’s a beautiful building and there is so much inside to see. I took a Bronze Age in the Aegean class, so the ancient cultures was an incredible place to start. The Cycladic figurines, the Geometric Greek Pottery, the Roman copies of ancient Greek statues–the Elgin Marbles. It was great.

If someone had no interest in ancient civilisations and were to ask for the highlights, it would be difficult, but I would have to tell them to see two main things–the Elgin Marbles and the Rosetta Stone.

Parthenon Frieze – Elgin Marbles

I know, I’ve mentioned the Elgin Marbles several times, so what are they. Well, Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin travelled to Greece in 1798. At that time, Greece was a part of the Ottoman Empire. While there, Elgin acquired parts of the Parthenon and other pieces of the Acropolis in Athens. Some sources claim he just took them, and others claim the Ottomans gave him the pieces. Yet, he returned to Britain with them and they now reside in the British Museum–much to the consternation of the Greek government.

In my opinion, the showpiece is the frieze from the Parthenon. The British Museum claims it represents a Panathenaic celebration, but a book by Connelly refuted this and I tend to agree with her interpretation. I highly recommend reading her hypothesis since I don’t have the time or space to cover it all here. Needless to say, it is really interesting–mythology, sacrifices, and everything for entertainment.

Rosetta Stone

The last piece is one my daughter was itching to see, and that is the Rosetta Stone. This is the artefact used to finally translate hieroglyphics. My daughter aside from being a mythology fanatic is a huge reader of Rick Riordan and wanted to see the Rosetta stone since it exploded within the British Museum in one of his books.

Regardless of age or your inclinations, there is something at the British Museum. I’ll update this when I am able to tour more of this amazing place.

 

 

Foundation of Love e-book Winner!

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed questions and comments for Ask the Author this month!

Winner of the Foundation of Love e-book is

Dung!

 

Congratulations, Dung!

 

Next month’s Author is Robin Helm, 

author of The Guardian Trilogy: Guardian, SoulFire, and Legacy, and Accidentally Yours, and Sincerely Yours

Call for questions posts is Monday, April 6! Stay tuned!

Sources of Inspiration–The Art of A Matter of Chance

As anyone who has read A Matter of Chance knows, Elizabeth Gardiner (Bennet) is an artist–a watercolour artist to be specific. So, why did I pick watercolour and whose art did I use as inspiration when I described her work? Honestly, I used my own.

It was easiest as she painted to describe how I might go about creating one of my paintings. My watercolours aren’t typical of the medium by any means, but I enjoy them and my watercolour instructor often praised my work whether I used a typical watercolour style or my own darker one.

When Darcy attends Lizzy’s show, we know his internal impressions of Lizzy’s work. Those were from a description of my watercolour instructor used for a still life I had to paint early in her first class. It was a simple monochromatic arrangement, but I was always happy with how it turned out–especially the wine bottle! It had been years since I had really painted and I was so excited to be doing it again. That semester, I had to paint several compositions dictated by the instructor, but I discovered when I tried the landscape that I was better at it than I thought. I assumed it would be terrible (I’m not completely happy with all of the background, but I was really happy with most of it). Then, we were allowed to finish the class with two paintings from any genre, and I chose landscapes for those as well. This was how I discovered that I enjoyed painting landscapes, which is why Lizzy enjoys landscapes.

I wish I could say that I’ve painted Chatsworth as I had Lizzy paint Pemberley. I did start one, but it wasn’t working. I have yet to attempt it again. Instead, I have mostly painted scenes involving water and usually at sunrise or sunset. I enjoy the effect of the lack of light on the scene–much like the Impressionists.

Bay

The cover of A Matter of Chance is one of mine as well, along with my palette and paintbrushes. The scene is from a picture of the beach in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. I do not know if it is sunrise or sunset, but I adored the picture and wanted to paint it. It’s one of my favourite works so far.

When I have the time to break out my palette, add a bit of water to the dried pigments already there and add a few dabs of new paint, I can lose myself for a period of time. Music is almost essential but it’s one of the most relaxing things I can do. I love it! It’s even better when I can combine it with my writing!

 

This was the last landscape I finished while pursuing my art degree. It’s one of my other favourites!

 

Do you have a favourite artist? Degas, Botticelli, DaVinci, Van Gogh?

 

Wendi Sotis Interview is in!!!

I’d like to say a big thank you to Wendi Sotis for being our Ask the Author guest this month! 

For those who have somehow missed Wendi’s impressive list of accomplishments, she is the author of Foundation of Love, Dreams and Expectations, Promises, All Hallow’s Eve, The Gypsy Blessing, The Keys for Love

 

Before I post Wendi’s answers, don’t forget to leave her a comment at the end of the post for a chance to win an e-book copy of Foundation of Love!!! Those of you who have asked questions already have their names in the pot, leave a comment for a chance to win, or if you asked a question, a second chance to win!

 

Anyway, on to the questions and answers!

 

Why do you write JAFF? What is it that draws you to Jane Austen’s work and characters?

Thanks for having me here, Leslie, and thank you to everyone who participated by asking questions!

What draws me in? I love the manners, language, and propriety of Regency times, though I don’t think I would have liked to have lived back then. Jane Austen has a “voice” that’s almost musical to me. How she weaves her romantic tale in with masked statements about society.

Why do I write JAFF? For years, I kept re-reading Jane Austen’s works, and I wanted more. One day, I searched online to see if there was a Jane Austen fan club, and found several JAFF forums. It was like a dream come true! I guess I had been reading a LOT of JAFF and started literally dreaming new storylines. I was going to jot them down in a plot-bunny thread on one of the forums, but I had always dreamed of becoming a writer, so I decided to write one of them myself.

 

You have triplets and a husband. When do you find time to write?

(J. Dawn King)

Hi, Joy. The kids catch every illness that’s going around, and in turn, I come down with it, too, so if I was working outside the house, I’d end up getting fired for taking too many sick days. I write pretty much every day instead. It’s something I can do from home and keep an eye on sick kids.

I used to get up at 4 a.m. to write before the kids woke up and write again after they went to bed. I don’t get up that early anymore, but I still do write after dinner instead of watching television. It’s been years since I knew what shows are on!

What I find the most difficult is when I’m interrupted. Switching gears from “living” inside one of my Regency stories to the real world doesn’t always work as quickly as they’d like. Someone will ask me a question, and I’ll just stare at them blankly for a minute as I my brain changes time periods! It’s a little easier with modern stories.

 

What do your children think of seeing Mom’s name in print?

(J. Dawn King)

At first, they were very excited about it, but with six books out, they’re kind of used to it now.

I have to say that Catherine is not very happy with Lady Catherine’s character, though ;-)

 

Of all of Jane Austen’s characters, who do you identify with the most?

(J. Dawn King)

I’d like to be more like Elizabeth Bennet, of course, but I’d have to say my personality is naturally more like Jane Bennet or Anne Elliot. I think the two characters are very much alike.

 

Do you write with an outline or fly by the seat of you pants?

(J. Dawn King)

Although I really do try to write with an outline, the resulting story rarely ends up being anything like the original outline! I also tend to write while jumping around during the story, meaning I might write a scene at the beginning, then jump to a scene in the middle that connects to it somehow, and later fill in what happened in between. It makes posting a WIP to a forum rather difficult until a good part of the beginning is solid!

I do make an outline as I go to keep track of when things happened. That’s important since I don’t write consecutive scenes – I have to remember who knows what and when! Another reason is, for example, keeping track of all the drawings/photos in The Gypsy Blessing and Foundation of Love. I had to plan out what would happen before Elizabeth received the drawing or photo, but then I had to keep track when those things would actually happen.

 

We promise to keep your secret, which is your favorite time period to write? Regency? Modern? Future?

(J. Dawn King)

Do you have a preference on modern adaptations or regency?

(Dung)

Hi Joy and Dung. A double-shot question! I like to read all of them, that’s for sure. Up until recently, I had only written Regency, but I really enjoyed writing the modern stories, too. It’s actually more challenging for me to write modern, probably because I’m not as used to writing it. Keeping myself from writing Regency speech patterns in a modern story is very difficult! Most of the plot-bunnies I have on the back burner are modern, but I’m sure more Regency stories will pop into my head one of these days.

 

Wendy, you have such a variety of genres in your stories. Is there any one that you favor?

(Jen Red) (PS Hope you are staying healthy these days.)

Hi Jen. I think most of them have a bit mystery and suspense in them, or more than a bit, though there is paranormal in three, as well. Romance is first and foremost. I’d love to write a story set in the future, but that must be a tough genre to write. In All Hallow’s Eve, I had to come up with a different society that could work in the background of Regency society, but to predict what might happen in the future… people who do write this genre amaze me!

I’m good, thanks! It’s sweet of you to ask, Jen!

 

If you had Mary, Kitty, and Lydia as your three, what steps would you take to improve their character?

(J. Dawn King)

I think this is the hardest question of all, Joy! I did have Lydia change in Foundation of Love after her experience with Wickham. She had such a lackadaisical and selfish attitude toward her behavior that no matter who tried to tell her she was acting too wild, it didn’t help. Unfortunately, she needed an extreme situation to occur where she really could have lost everything before she could realize her behavior had been wrong.

Mary is usually more sensible in my stories than she was in the P&P movies, though I think they exaggerate her character from the book. When Kitty is in one of my stories (sometimes she isn’t,) as soon as she is separated from Lydia, she becomes a different person.

So in real life, if they were my children? (Thank goodness I don’t have to worry about having troublemakers as children in real life!) In modern times, I’d separate Lydia and Kitty, for sure! If they shared a room like my girls do, it would only lead to trouble. I’d get all three involved in activities they are interested in – after school clubs and activities, and encourage them to follow their own paths, but I’d also make sure they actually went there. My triplets were not allowed to be in the same classroom until they were in middle school, so they developed their own friends and interests. If I was their mom in the 19th century, I probably would have sent Lydia away to a very strict school. I think Kitty would have been okay at home once Lydia was gone.

 

The premises for your books are so intriguing. How do you come up with the concepts for your stories both modern and regency?

(Dung)

Hi again, Dung. The ideas often come from dreams… Yes, I dream in JAFF! Another way is when I get stuck on a story I’m writing, I often go searching the web for writing prompts. Sometimes I’ll put several prompts together and my imagination goes wild!

Fleshing out ideas usually comes to me while I’m doing mundane tasks, like folding laundry or waiting in line at the supermarket. The shower is a great place to “write.”

Once I sit down to actually get the ideas into the computer, the characters tend to take over and write the story themselves. I know it sounds strange, but it’s the way it works for me.

 

Did you have a particular basis in reality for All Hallow’s Eve? Was there a particular old religion or mythology that you used for inspiration?

Halloween was coming up, so I did some research into the history of it. I ended up getting lost in the research. I found it was based on ancient Celtic rituals and beliefs, some of which are practiced today by some people. Some of what is in All Hallow’s Eve is based on those traditions, and some I made up. The herbs mentioned in the book were really used at one time or are still used today for those purposes, some by people practicing Wicca but there are other groups as well. I did get creative with them. For example, some might be used as an oil, but I had the characters throw a dried herb into a fire. I tried to stay within European traditions, but I ended up using some Native American traditional uses for herbs as well when I couldn’t find one that suited my purposes.

 

Were you a fan of Dark Shadows? I kept thinking of Sandor and Magda throughout The Gypsy Blessing.

(kneyda)

Hi Kneyda. Really? No, I never saw it – I had to look it up to see what you were talking about. Where have I been? This is right up my alley. I can’t believe I never heard of it before because I do love science fiction and paranormal. My husband got me into shows like Twilight Zone and Outer Limits when we first met.

I see it’s on Netflix, and I’m excited to order those disks. It’s a good thing they don’t stream it, or I’d be watching one right about now instead of answering your question! Thanks for the recommendation.

 

Out of all the stories you have written, all the scenes in each – what stands out as your favorite of all and why?

(Sarah Johnson)

Oh my goodness, Sarah, that’s a tough one, but I’d have to say the Netherfield library scene in Promises is my favorite. I don’t know why, really, it was just so easy to write, but one of the most emotional for me to write. I still get teary-eyed every time I think of it.

 

My question is similar to Sarah’s…which story (not just scene, but story) you have written is your favorite and why?

(Zoe Burton)

I know it sounds like a cop-out, but I really do think my favorite is always the one I’m working on, Zoe.

 

Do you currently have a new tale in the works? If so, do you have any idea when we’ll be able to read it?

There’s a fabulous narrator, Veronica Leckie, recording All Hallow’s Eve right now. She’s the same lady who did The Gypsy Blessing audiobook. I’m not sure of an exact date, but All Hallow’s Eve audiobook should be out on Audible, Amazon, and iBooks before the fall.

And I’m actually writing three stories right now, Leslie. Whenever I get stuck on one story, I switch to another.

I’m not sure whether the titles will change, but I’m using these for now. I’m very bad at making up titles! I’ll probably ask readers to help me name them.

The JAFF Regency starts out with a revised version of a short story I wrote years ago, A Lesson Hard Learned, and continues from there. I wrote the short in answer to a question: What happened to Darcy to make him change? (Other than Elizabeth’s refusal, of course.) Darcy has a Scrooge-like dream and realizes Elizabeth was right about him. I’ll begin posting that soon at BeyondAusten.com.

The JAFF modern story, Safekeeping, is romantic suspense. I already posted the first chapter on BeyondAusten.com: A woman finds she’s alone in the world and recognizes nothing. Who is she? Why does she have this feeling of impending doom? And why does she feel so safe with a man she’s just met, Darcy Fitzwilliam?

I’m also almost ready to begin posting the non-JAFF Regency, tentatively called The Pact, on BeyondAusten.com. This started out as a JAFF story, but it ended up being so far from Elizabeth and Darcy, that I changed it to non-JAFF. I don’t have a blurb for this yet, but here goes: The Earl of Westbury is running out of money and makes a pact with two men whose lives he saved while in the army. He arranges the marriage of his son, Viscount Eagleton, and his grandson, James Aldridge, to the gentlemen’s daughters, who have generous dowries, Miss Victoria Sharrington and Miss Celia Colton. Mr. Colton’s only addition to the contract is to allow Celia the enjoyment of a normal season in London before being forced to marry, therefore the pact is kept a secret. Celia and James are close until stubbornly-independent James finds out about the arranged marriage.

Good luck with the giveaway to everyone who chimed in with questions and responses!

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much, Wendi! Now, don’t forget to comment!

Wendi is offering one e-book of Foundation of Love as a giveaway! Usual rules apply – Every person who submits a question gets one chance entered into the pot. If you submit a question and a comment on the final interview you get two chances!

I hope everyone will welcome Wendi with a question or two!

Final date for comments to be entered into the drawing Wednesday, 18 March.

Winner will be announced Friday, 20 March! 

Good luck!!

 

March – Wendi Sotis

It’s Ask the Author time!

March is here, and I don’t know about you, but I’m thrilled to see hints of spring peeking through the cold! Despite the still winter weather in some parts of the world, we have questions that need to be posed!

I’m excited to introduce this month’s Ask the Author guest

Wendi Sotis!

Wendi is the author of The Gypsy Blessing, Promises, All Hallow’s Eve, Dreams and Expectations, The Keys for Love, and Foundation of Love.

 

 

 

But wait!!! Wendi is offering one e-book of the reader’s choice as a giveaway! Usual rules apply – Every person who submits a question gets one chance entered into the pot. If you submit a question and a comment on the final interview you get two chances!

I will include blurbs below for each of Wendi’s wonderful books to help you decide which you want to win!

I hope everyone will welcome Wendi with a question or two!

All questions must be submitted by Friday, 13 March.

The final interview will be posted Monday, 16 March.

Final date for comments to be entered into the drawing Wednesday, 18 March.

Winner will be announced Friday, 20 March! 

Leave me your questions in the comments below!

Good luck everyone!!

 

 

All blurbs from Amazon.com

Promises –  

Adapting characters from Jane Austen’s much-loved tale, this novel takes Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy on a much different journey than Austen did in Pride and Prejudice. 

Through their fathers’ friendship, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy meet as children. Over the years, their feelings for each other grow and they promise themselves to each other, but unfortunate circumstances and interfering family members seek to keep them apart.

Will misunderstandings and mistaken impressions divide Elizabeth and William forever?

All Hallow’s Eve – 

Since ancient times, every Halloween, the ritual of Sanun is performed, freeing the dead to interact with the living for one night. One Evil Soul discovers a way to hide from the Return, remaining on Earth to meddle with the fates of the living. As the centuries pass, It begins to search for the High Priestess, intending to force her to do its bidding, no matter the cost.  

Appearances can be deceiving, even in Regency England. To most, Elizabeth Bennet is simply the second daughter of an insignificant country squire, but in truth, she is High Priestess and leader of an ancient cult secretly co-existing alongside British society. Confusion reigns when she learns that the man she despises, Fitzwilliam Darcy, is her Soul Mate, assigned to protect her from Evil. Can they work together to preserve the future?

 

Dreams and Expectations – 

While staying true to the characters of Jane Austen’s much-loved tale, this novel takes Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy on a much different journey than Austen did in Pride and Prejudice. 

Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet quickly recognize their feelings for each other and form a friendship, but misunderstandings and a bit of mystery and adventure hinder their path to happiness.

 

The Gypsy Blessing – 

While taking a solitary ramble on her father’s estate, Elizabeth Bennet finds an injured woman, cares for her, and helps her return to her gypsy camp. For her exceptional kindness, Elizabeth is awarded a blessing, bestowed through gypsy magic.

Forgetting the incident, Elizabeth thinks it merely odd when she begins to receive drawings in the mail with no return address—until she recognizes these same scenes as they become true events in her life. Through the blessing, circumstances bring Elizabeth and Jane Bennet to Ramsgate, where they meet Georgiana and Fitzwilliam Darcy, along with a charming young man named George Wickham. 

Will Elizabeth’s efforts to reshape future events alter her destiny?

 

The Keys for Love – 

In this sweet Pride and Prejudice-inspired romance, William Darcy has finally torn himself away from work to join his sister at their vacation house in the Florida Keys. There, he meets his sister’s new friend, Elizabeth Bennet, the housesitter staying next door. 

A light, fluffy, feel-good short story/novella. No graphic love scenes.