Showing posts with label characterization. Show all posts
Showing posts with label characterization. Show all posts

Exclusive Character Interviews on Devika Fernando's blog!

Devika Fernando was kind enough to let both Fara Bellamont and Captain Grant Hill from Upon Your Return stop by her blog on the 17th and today, the 24th! So exciting! You can see the interviews below:

 
I'm so excited to have two gorgeous ladies visiting my blog today! Ladies and gents, please welcome Fara Bellamont, the heroine from "Upon Your Return", and the awesome author who's behind her, Marie Lavender. We have a fun Q&A session ahead of us.

Character Interview

Devika: Welcome, Fara. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.

Fara Bellamont:  Oh, it is my absolute pleasure! Thank you kindly for having me (makes a big production of curtsying and then finds a comfortable seat in her Victorian dress).

Devika: Fara, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living?

Fara:  Why, I am a lady (she says with a hand to her chest). Though I must admit, now that I am older and a bit wiser, I have entertained being a seamstress a time or two. But, I digress. I am who I am, an heiress. I am not useless, however. When I am not entertaining my uncle’s guests or running the household, I read literature, play the pianoforte or work on my embroidery. Don’t say anything, but I often leave the house without an escort as well. I doubt my uncle is any the wiser.

Devika: Interesting. What about your family background?

Fara:  Oh (hesitates). I came to La Rochelle at a young age to live with my uncle after my parents suddenly perished at sea. I have no one else.

Devika: I see. So how did you meet (hero/heroine)?

Fara:  (Blushes.) Oh, it was all my fault, I assure you. I insisted upon meeting my fiancé alone at the docks, and after dispatching a couple of ruffians who dared to accost me, Captain Grant Hill was so magnanimous in offering me a place to stay for the night. Of course, I hadn’t a choice at the time as I was fairly unconscious.

Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know he’s/she’s the one?

Fara:  How does any woman know? Your palms sweat, your heart beats wildly in your chest, and you nearly forget to breathe. And when he kisses you? Mon Dieu, it is like nothing you would have ever imagined. I suppose that I fully knew when he became less the handsome rogue and more a human being with strengths and flaws. Of course, he will always be a dashing rogue, won’t he?

Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.

Fara:  Oh, I have always wanted to go on great adventures someday, and I hoped for a man to fill my life, one I could love, who could love me in return. My parents are to blame for that dream. With regards to goals, I suppose that my most basic goal is to be happy. Life has been rather unpredictable lately, however.

Devika: Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?

Fara:  My parents taught me that love was everything – love for family, romantic love, love in general is more important than social expectations. And seeing the love between them every day cemented that notion. I supposed that, in a sense, made me quick to want the same for myself, however hard that is to accomplish for a lady.

Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?

Fara:  My greatest fears were realized when my parents were killed by pirates when I was eight and a half. If you had asked me after I’d left the convent, I would have plainly said that I feared marrying a complete stranger and living with such a man for the rest of my life. Now? I hope upon hope that Grant never discovers my secrets. It will ruin everything.

Devika: Sorry, I didn’t mean to dampen the mood. Why don’t we finish off on a happy note? Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?

Fara: I only wish for peace and love. How could anyone wish for more than that?

Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*


If you enjoyed this interview, don't forget to stop by again in a week from now, we'll be having the dashing hero Grant over!

About the Book & Author

Upon Your Return blurb
Fara Bellamont has been back in society for a year after leaving Cluny Abbey, where her uncle sent her long ago. When he chooses a suitor for her for marriage, she fears that she will be forced to marry a stranger and live a miserable life. But, Fara finds herself thrust into an adventure of a lifetime when unforeseen circumstances cause her to place her trust in a strange man for protection. His intervention not only saves her, but puts her in an even more compromising position. Grant Hill, a trading captain, is enchanted by the young heiress not only because of her beauty, but because she is hardly conventional. Underneath her ladylike exterior lies a tigress. Grant cannot help but offer his protection as she is in need and he is far from immune from her charms. Fara just never bargained on the passion that she feels for Grant Hill. As events unfold, she must decide whether her desires and the dictates of her heart should trump the rules of society…

Book Trailer

http://youtu.be/tpwAq8YFdv8

Purchase Links

Universal Amazon Link: http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00I0D9LQ8
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-return/
CreateSpace:  https://www.createspace.com/4284739

Author Bio

Bestselling author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 19 other books. 2014 BTS Red Carpet Review Nominee. Finalist and Runner-up in the MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.

Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Marie has published twenty books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance/fantasy, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. Lavender just released Second Nature, a paranormal romance/urban fantasy, in December of 2014. She released Magick & Moonlight, a romantic fantasy, back in March. Upon Your Honor, released in late April, is her second historical romance. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series and The Blood at First Sight Series. Feel free to visit her website at http://marielavender.com/ for further information about her books and her life. Marie is also on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.

A list of her books and pen names are as follows:

Marie Lavender: Upon Your Return; Magick & Moonlight; Upon Your Honor; Second Nature

Erica Sutherhome: Hard to Get; Memories; A Hint of Scandal; Without You; Strange Heat; Terror in the Night; Haunted; Pursuit; Perfect Game; A Touch of Dawn; Ransom; Leather and Lace
Kathryn Layne: A Misplaced Life

Heather Crouse: Express Café and Other Ramblings; Ramblings, Musings and Other Things; Soulful Ramblings and Other Worldly Things


Author Links

http://marielavender.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10ahttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Lavender/e/B00C10Q94I/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos
 
 
Picture
Exactly a week ago, I had Fara Bellamont, the heroine from Marie Lavender's historical romance novel "Upon Your Return", over for a character interview.

Today, I'm swooning over the hero Captain Grant Hill while asking him my questions!

Character Interview

Devika: Welcome, Grant. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.

Captain Grant Hill: Oh, it is sincerely my pleasure, Madame. (Lifts her hand to bow over it.)

Devika: Grant, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living?

Grant: I am a trading captain. I run the fine clipper ship, La Voyageur, and in doing that, I meet the demands of my clients who require certain items from different ports.

Devika: Interesting. What about your family background?

Grant:  Ah…I usually hesitate to divulge my meager beginnings, but for you, as you have been so kind, I will make an exception. My father was a Lieutenant in the British army, and he met my mother, who was French, while on a tour of duty. I lived in London for a time with my parents until they both died of disease. After that, I had no one except for perhaps Captain Smith of The Challenger, who taught me all I know now. And there is also Eric, whom I would count as family, but the way in which we met is not my story to tell.

Devika: I see. So how did you meet Fara?

Grant:  I stumbled across Fara in the harbor of La Rochelle one night when I was returning to my ship from a meeting with a supplier. It seemed she was in a bit of trouble, and I couldn’t very well walk away from a lady in peril. And a fine lady she was…(Smiles secretly.)

Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know he’s/she’s the one?

Grant:  (Rubs a hand briefly over his face.) I suppose you know when she is the first thing you think about in the morning, and before you go to sleep. You know when she is a constant distraction in your mind, not just her lovely face or body, but her redeeming qualities – her many kindnesses, her smile, the way she challenges you in small ways.

Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.

Grant:  I suppose I achieved what I wanted. I wanted to be a sailor and through working on many ships, I became one. Watching Captain Smith made me seek more for myself, and I found La Voyageur and made it my own, and I hired the best damned crew I know…er, pardon the language, Madame. As for dreams, my secret dream is to see my mother again. I wish that was possible. She was the kindest woman I ever knew, until Fara.

Devika: Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?

Grant:  I regret to say that being forced into the streets at such a young age gave me a thicker skin than I ever imagined. I worked up from the dregs of society to get to where I am today. I was determined that I would survive, and I have.

Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?

Grant:  My greatest fear is causing harm to Fara because of all the secrets I keep. And second? Having to walk away to protect her, and possibly never seeing her again.

Devika: Sorry, I didn’t mean to dampen the mood. Why don’t we finish off on a happy note? Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?

Grant:  All in all, I suppose I would want peace, to throw off the dark burdens that hound me every waking moment. I would like to live a nice life, a contented one.

Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*

About the Book & Author

Upon Your Return blurb

Fara Bellamont has been back in society for a year after leaving Cluny Abbey, where her uncle sent her long ago. When he chooses a suitor for her for marriage, she fears that she will be forced to marry a stranger and live a miserable life. But, Fara finds herself thrust into an adventure of a lifetime when unforeseen circumstances cause her to place her trust in a strange man for protection. His intervention not only saves her, but puts her in an even more compromising position. Grant Hill, a trading captain, is enchanted by the young heiress not only because of her beauty, but because she is hardly conventional. Underneath her ladylike exterior lies a tigress. Grant cannot help but offer his protection as she is in need and he is far from immune from her charms. Fara just never bargained on the passion that she feels for Grant Hill. As events unfold, she must decide whether her desires and the dictates of her heart should trump the rules of society…

Book Trailer

http://youtu.be/tpwAq8YFdv8

Purchase Links

Universal Amazon Link: http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00I0D9LQ8
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-return/
CreateSpace:  https://www.createspace.com/4284739

Author Bio

Bestselling author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 19 other books. 2014 BTS Red Carpet Review Nominee. Finalist and Runner-up in the MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.

Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Marie has published twenty books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance/fantasy, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. Lavender just released Second Nature, a paranormal romance/urban fantasy, in December of 2014. She released Magick & Moonlight, a romantic fantasy, back in March. Upon Your Honor, released in late April, is her second historical romance. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series and The Blood at First Sight Series. Feel free to visit her website at http://marielavender.com/ for further information about her books and her life. Marie is also on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.

A list of her books and pen names are as follows:

Marie Lavender: Upon Your Return; Magick & Moonlight; Upon Your Honor; Second Nature

Erica Sutherhome: Hard to Get; Memories; A Hint of Scandal; Without You; Strange Heat; Terror in the Night; Haunted; Pursuit; Perfect Game; A Touch of Dawn; Ransom; Leather and Lace
Kathryn Layne: A Misplaced Life

Heather Crouse: Express Café and Other Ramblings; Ramblings, Musings and Other Things; Soulful Ramblings and Other Worldly Things


Author Links

http://marielavender.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10ahttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Lavender/e/B00C10Q94I/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos
 
 
 
 

A Special Dual Character Interview on Devika Fernando's Blog

Desiree and Alec from Second Nature got a spotlight on Devika Fernando's blog yesterday! Here are the highlights:

 
Today I'm having not one but two protagonists from an amazingly talented author and awesome friend over for an interview. Ladies and gents, let me hear a round of welcoming applause for Desiree and Alec from Second Nature, Marie Lavender's latest paranormal romance!
Picture
Desiree and Alec from Second Nature by Marie Lavender

Dual Character Interview

Devika: Welcome, Desiree and Alec. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.

Desiree/Alec:  Thank you. It’s a pleasure (They shake hands alternately with Devika before sitting down.)

Devika: As the saying goes, ladies first. Let me start with you, Desiree. You look absolutely stunning, by the way.

Desiree (blushes):  Oh, thank you. That’s very kind.

Alec (interrupts): Of course she does. She’s absolutely beautiful every time I look at her. (Alec and Desiree exchange an affectionate glance.)

Devika: Desiree, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living?

Desiree:  I am an editor for Read Street Publishing in Baltimore. I also do writing on the side.

Devika: Interesting. What about your family background?

Desiree:  I come from a pretty close-knit family. Though my mother has passed, I still have my father and my sister.

Devika: And you, Alec? Does a vampire like you have a real family or some sort of social network?

Alec:  Yes, of course, I had a family in the past. Desiree is my family now, though. (Puts his arm around her.) She’s my best friend. As for a social network, I have business contacts as an investor. Desiree helps me plan events now and then if I have to entertain them.

Devika: I see. So how did you meet Desiree?

Alec (smiles): I noticed her at the annual Jazz & Blues Festival. After seeing her, I just knew I had to find out more about her. I...(looks at Desiree.) Shall I? (Continues at her nod.) I may have followed her home.

Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know she’s the one?

Alec:  I couldn’t get her out of my mind. She was an obsession, to be sure. I didn’t realize just how unique she was until we got closer.

Desiree (chimes in):  It really drove me nuts when he started reading my mind. But… (looks at Alec with a small smile) I think it worked out.

Devika: I can see why you two are so drawn to each other. Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.

Alec: I will probably keep working as an investor, but more importantly, I’ll keep following this woman around until she gets tired of me.

Desiree (laughs): I think I can handle that. (Their hands link naturally.) I’ve always dreamed of starting a family at some point. But, I’m happy with where I am right now. I’m trying to write books, if I can get a publisher interested in my work.

Devika: Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?

Desiree: I think my mother’s death definitely changed me, and, of course, my ex-husband really got me thinking about what I wanted…and what I didn’t want in my life. (Smiles.) I can’t deny that meeting Alec helped me learn more about myself.

Alec:  Becoming what I am, becoming a vampire, that was a really defining moment for me. My entire life changed, and suddenly I had to think about all of these limitations I had. Sure, I had powers, but they sort of paled in comparison to a normal life. I had to cater to those limitations, and I think that doing that changed me. I certainly was less willing to get involved with anyone. I…had lost someone too, and that made me wary. When I met Desiree, I had to question all of my pre-conceived notions about life.

Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?

Alec:  Losing Desiree would be the worst thing imaginable.

Desiree (nods): For me, too. We’ve already been through similar difficulties before… (The glance they share is very intense.)

Devika: Sorry, I didn’t mean to dampen the mood. Why don’t we finish off on a happy note? Tell me, if you two got married, where would you want to have the ceremony, and how would you like to celebrate?

Desiree:  We haven’t discussed that exactly. I don’t know where the road is taking us, but I have no doubt that I want to be by Alec’s side. (Smiles.) I had the dream wedding once, and that turned out bad. If I got married again, I would probably want to do it in a place that meant something to both of us, somewhere special. And I’d want my family to be there, of course.

Alec (returns her smile): I want whatever makes Desiree happy. Although, I’d love to give her some very fine gifts, a few surprises to make the occasion unforgettable.

Desiree (looks at him intently, then kisses his cheek): You’ve already given me the best gift ever.

Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. You two make a gorgeous couple, and I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. (Waves.)

About the Book

Blurb

She never expected it…

Desiree Edwards has a problem. She’s been attacked, kidnapped and forced to get along with a vampire of all things. It’s something right out of the story books she reads, or her worst nightmare. But, sometimes he’s not the monster he appears to be. He seems so humanlike that she can’t help it when her emotions betray her, when her body betrays her. To make matters worse, she finds out more about herself than she ever wanted to know.

She was unlike any other…

Alec has a problem. The animal in him wants Desiree. But, so does the man. The more he learns about her, the harder it is to deny what he wants. But, he’s a freak, and she’s just a human. The two species don’t mix that way. Then an old enemy surfaces and Alec is forced to make a choice. His life or hers.

Can Alec’s soul be saved by this unique human? Or will it be far too late?


Purchase Links

Universal Amazon:  http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00Q7FWIWA
Publisher:  http://solsticepublishing.com/second-nature/
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/5131233

About the Author

Bestselling author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 19 other books. 2014 BTS Red Carpet Review Nominee. Finalist and Runner-up in the MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.

Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Marie has published twenty books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance/fantasy, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. Lavender just released Second Nature, a paranormal romance/urban fantasy, in December of 2014. She released Magick & Moonlight, a romantic fantasy, back in March. Upon Your Honor, released in late April, is her second historical romance. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series and The Blood at First Sight Series. Feel free to visit her website at http://marielavender.com/ for further information about her books and her life. Marie is also on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.

A list of her books and pen names are as follows:

Marie Lavender: Upon Your Return; Magick & Moonlight; Upon Your Honor; Second Nature

Erica Sutherhome: Hard to Get; Memories; A Hint of Scandal; Without You; Strange Heat; Terror in the Night; Haunted; Pursuit; Perfect Game; A Touch of Dawn; Ransom; Leather and Lace

Kathryn Layne: A Misplaced Life

Heather Crouse: Express Café and Other Ramblings; Ramblings, Musings and Other Things; Soulful Ramblings and Other Worldly Things



Author Links

http://marielavender.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/104926404745289477307/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10ahttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Lavender/e/B00C10Q94I/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos

A Character Interview with Chloe from UPON YOUR HONOR!

Upon Your Honor

“Upon Your Honor” by Marie Lavender (Heiresses in Love Series)
Published on… April 2014
Published as… Historical Romance

A Chat with Chloe

Bella: What is the name of the book where we’ll find you? Can you tell us a little about it?

Chloe: The book is titled Upon Your Honor. It is a tale about a young woman’s journey away from the nightmare at home and the danger that pursues her. In the story, a gentleman, Gabriel Hill, offers to protect her, but she keeps a lot of secrets from him in order to protect herself.

Bella: Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you fit into the story? What should we know about you?

Chloe: I am 19 years old. I lost my father to pneumonia a few months ago, and since then, I have been in a pretty precarious situation. Upon Your Honor is my story. What should you know? I strongly suspect that who I ran from is coming after me, but I will not return. I simply cannot live that way.

Bella: What do you think of the author? Be honest. We won’t tell.

Chloe: Well, Marie is interesting, I’ll give her that. She often thinks in modern ways, and I have to remind her that we are Victorians after all.

Bella: How do you feel about the story you’re in?

Chloe: Parts of it are a bit startling, but there are some relaxing moments.

Bella: Do you like being a character in the book?

Chloe: It is like being exposed on the front pages of the society column in the newspaper at times. It can be a bit too revealing for my own comfort.

Bella: How do you see your future? Without giving anything away about the story, naturally.

Chloe: I just want to be safe. I want to reach New Orleans, where I can find some kind of peace.

Bella: What do you know about your author’s plans? Can we expect to see you in any future stories?

Chloe: From what she tells me, she is moving on to focus on Gabriel’s sister next, but she assures me that each and every one of us will play a role in the final book.

Bella: Let’s say they make a movie about this book. Who do you want to play you, and why?

Chloe: I believe that Julianne Hough would be a good fit. She is just the right height, and, since she has played the role of a woman on the run before, it seems like this would be a familiar role for her, despite the historic costumes. Besides, I hear she is a lovely dancer.

About the Book

Deception is a dangerous path… New York City, August, 1891 – Orphaned after the death of her father, Chloe Waverly stows away on La Voyageur to escape the clutches of her cruel fiancé, Lamonte Beckett. Gabriel Hill, a strange and compelling gentleman, comes upon Chloe and promises to protect her without knowing the true circumstances of why she is running away. During their journey, Gabriel doesn’t bargain on being distracted by her fair beauty or succumbing to her many charms. As their attraction to each other grows, so does the danger and Gabriel suspects things are not as they should be. Both are determined to get to New Orleans, where she can start a new life. But, once they reach their destination, events spin out of their control and Chloe is captured by the fiancé she escaped. Gabriel is left wondering if he can overlook her betrayal. Soon he finds himself in a race against time, to reach her before Beckett can exact revenge.


About the Author

Marie Lavender Author Photo
Bestselling author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 18 other books. 2014 BTS Red Carpet Review Nominee. Finalist and Runner-up in the MARSocial’s Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader’s Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors. Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Marie has published nineteen books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. Lavender just released Magick & Moonlight, a paranormal romance, in March. Upon Your Honor, released in late April, is her second historical romance.

Character Interview: Jessie from MAGICK & MOONLIGHT on Snow Tigra's Blog

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Character Days: Jessie Anderson from Magick & Moonlight

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IRKN5P2
Tell me a little about yourself and the world you live in. 
 
I live in a Victorian cottage in Yachats, Oregon.  It is a pretty small town where everyone is involved in everyone else’s business.
Do you like your job?
 
Yes, I love it.  I run a gift and candle shop in town.  I love being my own boss.
Tell us about your single most important memory.  What was it and how does it affect you now?
 
When I was young and very eager to do spells, my grandmother would ground me with other practices first.  She taught me to love gardening.  She said, “First we must love and respect nature in all its forms.  Only then can you understand who you are.”  Since then, I have loved nature.  I love going for walks in the forest and I especially love the drastic weather changes.  It is like the God and Goddess are trying to tell us something.
What type of person are you?  Are you a hero or do you shy away from conflict?  
 
No, I don’t shy away from conflict.  I’m not a fan of it, but I will stand up for what I believe in.  I have always detested crimes against nature and when I was a teenager, I was an activist.  However, there are forces that are beyond our control as well.  It is not uncommon to have forest fires in Oregon and I really hate to see such destruction to our beautiful trees.
Do you have any hobbies, any special talents?
 
I make my own candles and use them in my shop.  I also garden as I mentioned before.  I do spells to center myself.
And in that line, what would be your ideal day?  
 
My ideal day would be to close up shop and go on a walk.  I love walking.  After a simple lunch, I might plan for an evening ritual in the forest.  I always celebrate the full moon.
Do you have anyone close to you, any family or friends of interest?
 
I wish I still did.  My family is gone now and though I had a couple of friends in college, we drifted apart after my grandmother’s death and when I returned to Yachats.  I do know people in town, but I wouldn’t say they are friends exactly.  Ethan is probably the closest thing to a friend I have had in awhile.
What is your most prized possession?
 
My house.  It has always been home.  It was my grandmother’s house, but I can’t imagine not living there.
What initially spurred your actions in this story.  Obviously it had to start somewhere for you, give us an idea of where that starting point is and where it all started.
 
Well, a man caught me practicing in the moonlight.  I shouldn’t have told him what I did, but I had to do something to fix my mistake.
How do you envision your future? 
 
I am a simple girl.  I just want to live my life in peace.  Perhaps at some point, I can find someone who accepts who I am, but I am in no hurry.
Tell us where we can read more about you?  
 
You can read more about me in Magick & Moonlight.
Author:  Marie Lavender  
Book trailer:  http://youtu.be/G5p9UijAgsQ    
Author's blog or website:  http://www.marielavender.webs.com/
Any other information you think is important that you would like to include. 
 
I have published 19 books.  I also run three blogs, and you can find me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.

Hottest Male in Literature contest!

The Hottest Male in Literature contest is back at Inner Goddess. July 1-4 is nominating, July 5-6 is voting on top 10 nominees. They will also be giving a prize basket to a random participant.  Click the pic below to access the site for those days.



http://www.innergoddessforum.com/



Don’t forget to nominate Grant Hill in Upon Your Return

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I0D9LQ8


or Gabriel Hill in Upon Your Honor! 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JTKTODG


 

Character Interview with Gabriel from UPON YOUR HONOR on Mika Jolie's blog!

Meet Gabriel Hill, the MMC from Upon Your Honor – Character Interview

I had so much fun interviewing Marie Lavender, Author of Upon Your Honor, I decided to have a Q&A session with the MMC Gabriel Hill. What a great hero he is.

GABRIEL HILL 

What do you consider your greatest achievement? 

I believe I am where I should be at this point in my life.  When I was a child, I wanted to be a pirate, but that was when I romanticized being a sailor or a captain.  It is hard work, and now that I am older and much wiser, I want to acquire a ship of my own and run it as my father does.  So, perhaps I haven’t achieved all that I want yet, but I am here for a reason.  I will attain it when the time is right.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

I would like to be settled down with a family at some point.

You’ve gone on several adventures with your father. What was your favorite journey?

Just before my 24th birthday, we arrived in Falmouth.  We were to meet a client and drop off cargo.  I accompanied my father and George into town.  Eric had stayed back in New Orleans to keep watch over Maman and Tante Lina.  We got into a skirmish outside of a tavern one night and I quickly felt the adrenaline move through my system.  Of course, I had my sword as did my father.  George, on the other hand, carried a pistol and a well-placed dagger.  I really got to see Captain Hill, my father, in action that night.  He had trained me in dueling, but this was real danger and I saw how effective his technique was.  The bastards who confronted us were quickly incapacitated, and we were able to finish our business in Falmouth as soon as possible.  Afterwards, my father and I had a drink in his cabin and spoke of the future.  I think it was one of the few times I really felt close to him.

Do you have any siblings? If so, will we have an opportunity to get to know them better?  

I have a sister.  Her name is Adrienne and yes, I believe you will be hearing more about her in the future.

Considering the time period of Upon Your Honor, do you feel your love/sex scenes were hot enough? Anything you have liked done differently by the author?  

That is between the lady and myself.  If the author did not go into graphic detail, it is merely because she was trying to respect our wishes.

Any particular scene you enjoyed the most?  

(*Blushes.)  I do believe I will never forget our first kiss.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?  

I like someone fair and kind, of course.  But, I don’t mind a woman who can stand up for what she believes in either.  I think I’ve seen enough of that in my own family.

Is your hero/heroine a good kisser?  

Oh, I think she does very well for not having much experience.

When did you know you were in love with your hero/heroine?

I wrestled with my feelings for her for awhile.  I believe I was drawn to her from the beginning so I can’t really pinpoint the moment I realized it for sure.  I began to suspect that I was in trouble the night she almost went overboard.

Did your story end too soon? 

(*Smiles.)  Our story isn’t over yet.  I think there is more to tell.

What is your greatest fear?

Sometimes I believe I’m not good enough for Chloe, that she deserves better than a sailor.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I spend a lot of money trying to acquire books for my library.  I can’t get enough of the written word.

Which living person do you most despise?

I don’t hate anyone really, but anyone who goes after Chloe deserves a special punishment.

What is your greatest regret?

I wish I had established with my father sooner what my future plans were.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I would like to be a great leader.

Where would you like to live?

I would spend my days at sea, but have a house in New Orleans, where my family is.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Unrequited love.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?  

Sometimes I am arrogant, like my father, and it is a not comfortable seeing that in myself.

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

John Harmon/John Rokesmith in Charles Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend.

Who are your heroes in real life?

Both my father and mother are my true to life heroes.  Despite the odds, they still persevered and attained happiness.

Look for Chloe Waverly’s Character interview to be featured soon. 

Upon Your Honor is available in ebook stores other than Amazon, B&N, Smashwords, CreateSpace and at Marie’s Publisher’s website: http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-honor/

Purchase Links

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00JTKTODG
http://www.amazon.com/Upon-Your-Honor-Marie-Lavender-ebook/dp/B00JTKTODG/
http://www.amazon.com/Upon-Your-Honor-Marie-Lavender/dp/1625260423/​
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/upon-your-honor-marie-lavender/1119268362
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/430789
https://www.createspace.com/4762748
http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-honor/

Her other books are available on Amazon or through Lulu.com.

You can also find all of Marie’s books at her website at http://www.marielavender.webs.com/

Marie Lavender – Author of Upon Your Honor
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Intrigued by what Gabriel Hill might look like? Check out the cover:
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Character Interview with Evangeline from LEATHER AND LACE on Snow Tigra's blog!

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Character Days: Evangeline Lewis from Leather and Lace


Back from a successful week at Anime Detour where we SOLD OUT of our book Seeking the Storyteller!  So we're ordering more copies now and soon we'll also have it listed on our store, where you can get a signed copy.  Stay tuned!

In the meantime, this week we have Evangeline Lewis from another Erica Sutherhome's book Leather and Lace!  Take a read below.

Evangeline Lewis from Leather and Lace

Tell me a little about yourself and the world you live in. 

I work as an exotic dancer at The Glass Slipper to make ends meet.  Boston is my home.  I live in a small apartment on Dartmouth in the South End.
Do you like your job?
I find there is a kind of power in dancing.  I can take on a different role.  It is nice to step away from my problems for a time and lose myself in the music.
Tell us about your single most important memory.  What was it and how does it affect you now?
It was just after my parents’ car accident.  A social worker came and started talking to me and my sister Sherrie.  When the woman walked away, Sherrie looked at me and said, “Do you think they’re going to separate us?”  I shook my head and told her, “They can’t.  I promise I’ll always take care of you.  Do you believe me?”  But, life never quite works out the way you planned, does it?  I can never forget that trust I saw in her eyes then.
What type of person are you?  Are you a hero or do you shy away from conflict?  
I don’t like conflict exactly, but I have a stubborn streak.  I’m a survivor.  And I will fight for what’s right. 
Do you have any hobbies, any special talents?
I like to draw and paint in my spare time.  I used to do it quite a lot.
And in that line, what would be your ideal day?  
My ideal day would be to unwind after work, turn on some soft music and listen to it play in background while I make a good home cooked meal.
Do you have anyone close to you, any family or friends of interest?
There is my sister Sherrie, but I haven’t seen her for awhile.  No, I guess no one that close.  I get along with the girls at the club though.
What is your most prized possession?
I keep all of the letters Sherrie and I used to write to each other in a shoe box.
What initially spurred your actions in this story.  Obviously it had to start somewhere for you, give us an idea of where that starting point is and where it all started.
I saw something I shouldn’t have.  Since then, I have been in a tight place.  When I saw the crime happening, I couldn’t prevent myself from responding.  And that’s when I met Patrick.
How do you envision your future? 
I guess I don’t really think about it.  I’m just trying to live from one day to next, hoping that at some point, I can get out of this mess.
Tell us where we can read more about you?  
You can learn more about me in Leather and Lace.
Author:  Erica Sutherhome (Marie Lavender)
Don't forget, there are eleven other books by Erica Sutherhome!

Guest post on Exquisite Quills blog

Thursday, March 13, 2014

The Genesis of a Book - Leather and Lace by Marie Lavender


Start with a Title

My newest book is Leather and Lace, a romantic suspense.  It was released in November.  It is about a cop and the stripper he pursues because not only does he believe she is involved in a crime, he also can’t shake his desire for her.  But, there is a lot going on under the surface of things.  Patrick knows Angie is into something she can’t get out of, and yet she won’t tell him the truth.  His only choice is to try to gain her trust.  Angie, however, is a tricky girl and she makes him work for it.

When I first had the idea for Leather and Lace, all I had in mind was the title.  That’s not normally how I work.  The title is usually last.  But, I thought it was an awesome title and I went with it.  The premise of the story started to fall into place right away.  I had always been fascinated with women who use their sexuality to make money.  And I don’t mean prostitution, but exotic dancing.  Though I have done a strip tease (*blush) for my fiancé before, I just find it interesting that there are women comfortable enough to do that as a profession.  I don’t think I’d have the courage.
 
The fun thing about writing is that when you’re researching and composing, you kind of fall into the roles of the characters.  For a brief time, you can imagine yourself as those people.  So, it was really exciting to “become” Angie for the time I was writing Leather and Lace.  She is a multi-faceted character, and our hero, Patrick, has to work pretty hard to see those layers.  But, he was just as complicated a character and I had to not only give him cop instincts, but find out more about the location they were in.
 
I had a grand time researching Boston.  In fact, I found it so interesting, I plan to write about it again.  I wanted Patrick and Angie to live and work somewhat close to each other and after a bit of maneuvering, I figured out a way to do it.  I tried to use real places to give the story some authenticity.  For the rest, I used some creative license.  There is a restaurant that the couple goes to in the story, and I plan to go there too when I visit.  It is so amazing what you can find online these days.  I used the menu and pictures of the restaurant to describe it the best way I could.

As for Patrick, it was pretty fun researching what precinct or “district” he would work in as well as showing exactly the way a detective worked.  Patrick was not just a cop though.  He was a man with a pretty interesting background and I did my best to show that.

Overall, I found Leather and Lace to be one of my greatest joys.  I hope you find it just as exciting to read.

Blurb
 
When Detective Dreyling sees Evangeline Lewis standing over a dead body, his whole life changes. Determined to not only find out what she knows about the crime but also to make her his, he will go to any lengths, even bribe her boss, to have more time with her.

Angie fights the overwhelming desire she feels for Patrick, but there are some things in this world you can’t fight. There are rare kinds of attraction. No matter how much she tries to keep her heart from him, she can’t help the feelings that strike her.

What makes it all harder is the secret she keeps from him, the reason she has put herself in some pretty bad situations. Can she come clean with him in time or will the lie destroy any chance they have at happiness?


Author Bio
 
Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands.

At the tender age of nine, she began writing stories. Her imagination fueled a lot of her early child's play. Even growing up, she entered writing contests and received a certificate for achieving the second round in one. She majored in Creative Writing in college because that was all she ever wanted - to be a writer. While there, she published two works in a university publication, and was a copy editor on the staff of an online student journal. After graduating from college, she sought out her dream to publish a book.

Since then, Marie has published eighteen books. Marie Lavender's real love is writing romances, but she has also written mysteries, literary fiction and dabbled a little in paranormal stories. Most of her works have a romantic element involved in them. Upon Your Return is her first historical romance novel. Feel free to visit her website at http://marielavender.webs.com/ for further information about her books and her life. Marie is also on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

A list of her books and pen names are as follows:

Marie Lavender: Upon Your Return; Magick & Moonlight

Erica Sutherhome: Hard to Get; Memories; A Hint of Scandal; Without You; Strange Heat; Terror in the Night; Haunted; Pursuit; Perfect Game; A Touch of Dawn; Ransom; Leather and Lace

Kathryn Layne: A Misplaced Life

Heather Crouse: Express Café and Other Ramblings; Ramblings, Musings and Other Things; Soulful Ramblings and Other Worldly Things

http://www.marielavender.webs.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Upon-Your-Return/221212331354873
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Lavender/e/B00C10Q94I/
http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00BFX8YLI
http://store.solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-return/
https://www.createspace.com/4284739

Taking a Break from MLB

Yes, readers, that's right. I'm on hiatus for a while. I know I haven't posted for a bit, and that's really the reason why I...