Heart of Romance: Vikings

Thursday, January 31, 2013

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR GLYNNIS CAMPBELL

Today I’m interviewing Glynnis Campbell. Her book, THE SHIPWRECK, is a historical romance and was released on January 7.

***GLYNNIS IS GIVING AWAY 2 COPIES OF HER BOOKS TODAY! FOR A CHANCE TO WIN, LEAVE A COMMENT!*****

Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.

THE SHIPWRECK is about a Viking marauder who becomes a castaway on the enemy shore he meant to invade, unfortunately falling into the hands of a Pictish princess with a grudge against Vikings.

Describe the genre of this particular title, and is the only genre you write in?

Though I write in many different time periods, all my books are historical romances. THE SHIPWRECK is set in the Dark Ages.

How did this story come to be?

I’ve always wanted to write an origin legend for my Scots medieval Warrior Maids of Rivenloch trilogy. Somewhere in the Warrior Maids’ past, I knew there was a marriage between a fierce Viking invader and a courageous Pictish noblewoman. But I loved the surprising twist in the story of putting the big, tough Viking at the mercy of the wee Pictish lass.

Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold?

When I first sold, I had one ridiculously long three-part manuscript finished, which the publisher split into three books to become the Knights of de Ware trilogy.

What is your writing routine like?

Because odd jobs like research and promotion interfere with keeping a strict schedule, my writing routine is flexible. Generally, I write five or more days a week, from around 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but I’ve also done several marathon writing sessions and occasionally go for a few weeks without writing anything.

Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?

The best reward of being a published author is the knowledge that people are enjoying my books. I love to share these characters and these stories, and it makes me happy to know that I’m touching readers, making them sigh or smile or laugh.

I read that you were a professional singer before you became an author. Do you miss singing or do you juggle both?

I still sing—I’m just not getting paid for it (unless you count my husband tossing quarters into the shower!). I currently juggle writing with doing voiceover acting, however, and this year I plan to start doing audio versions of my books!

What character is most like you or least like you?

I’m probably most like the heroine’s four-year-old daughter in THE SHIPWRECK. She’s very curious and direct, likes to play let’s pretend, and she’s a good judge of character.

What most inspires you in life?

I’m most inspired by the good things people do for one another. Humans are actually pretty decent. I like reading about heroism, hearing about acts of selflessness, witnessing everyday kindnesses. It’s reassuring, it keeps me believing that people are good at heart, and it adds realism to my heroes and heroines.

What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on a Native California Gold Rush trilogy set in my hometown of Paradise. After that, I plan to revisit Scotland for the Warrior Daughters of Rivenloch!

BOOK BLURB

The legend of Rivenloch is born... When Avril, a Pictish warrior maid and the exiled victim of a berserker, discovers a broad-shouldered Viking shipwrecked on her shore, she immediately takes him captive, never imagining that soon her fiercest enemy will earn her trust, invade her heart, and enthrall her senses.

A little bit about the author

When she’s not writing swashbuckling historical romances and playing medieval matchmaker, she’s a cartoon voice, the wife of a rock star, and the mother of two young adults. She’s been a ballerina, a typographer, a film composer, a piano player, a singer in an all-girl rock band, and a voice in those violent video games you won’t let your kids play. She does her best writing on cruise ships, in Scottish castles, on her husband’s tour bus, and at home in her sunny southern California garden. She loves transporting readers to a place where the bold heroes have endearing flaws, the women are stronger than they look, the land is lush and untamed, and chivalry is far from dead!

Visit her at glynnis.net / Friend her on Facebook / Follow her on Twitter / Share with her on Pinterest

How can my readers buy your book?

Readers can go to the publisher’s home page at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AYO3W2K/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=toursupportnet&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AYO3W2K

You can find more information about Glynnis Campbell and her book, THE SHIPWRECK by

visiting her website, http://www.glynnis.net.

Just a few fun questions to answer if you don’t mind.

1) Mountains or Beach? Mountains

2) Boxers or Briefs? Boxer briefs

3) Bath or Shower? Shower

4) What is your favorite season? Spring

5) What is your favorite thing to eat? Nutella crepe from a Paris street vendor

6) Who is your favorite author to read? Julie Garwood (romance)/Douglas Adams (non-romance)

7) What’s your favorite vacation spot? Scotland—my honeymoon destination!

8) Movies- Horror or Comedy? Comedy

9) Coke or Pepsi? Hansen’s Natural Soda

Photo provided by author.

Thank you for allowing me to interview you here at Heart of Romance. Good luck to you in your future!!!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

THE TEMPERATE WARRIOR

The Temperate Warrior
Book 1 of the Warrior Sagas
By Renee Vincent

Turquoise Morning Press
December 2012
ISBN: 9781622370924

Genre: Historical, paranormal romance, Viking Buy

He was her champion. She was his weakness.
Together, they loved with wild abandon.

Blurb:
Gustaf Ræliksen lives by the blade of his sword. After avenging his father’s murder and reuniting with his family, he wants nothing more than to settle down and have sons of his own. Only one woman will do—a fiery redhead he saved from the spoils of war. No longer forced to warm the beds of the men who've taken everything from her, Æsa has nothing to offer the noble warrior but her heart. When someone with a deep score to settle seeks revenge upon her, Gustaf's world is torn asunder. He has but one vow—saving the woman he loves from the ignorant fool who dared to best the temperate warrior.

Excerpt:
“Dying a thousand deaths in my head to protect you is better than losing you one time in the flesh. I would never recover if I let anything happened to you.”

His voice was devoid of emotion, monotone as he laid open his heart for her. Most would think he was just being aloof, uncaring as he rattled off sentimental words in an impersonal way. But Æsa knew better. He was not only bearing his soul to her, but doing so the only way he knew how; by occupying his mind and body with a simple task so his heart couldn’t entertain the idea of failure.

Moved by his words, she stood and made haste to join him on the hide. Dropping to her knees, she laid her hands atop his wrists, impeding his progress with the knife. His eyes met hers and they stared at one another.

Long, heartfelt seconds ticked by as she absorbed the magnitude of his pain. She plucked the tools from his hands and set them at his feet. “I am so sorry for bringing this burden upon you.” Gustaf opened his mouth for rebuttal, but she pressed her finger to his lips, feeding his words back to him. “Yesterday, you were without burden, at peace knowing you had fulfilled your duty as a loyal son. Ready to start your life anew…remember?”

He closed his eyes as if forcing himself to hear her and wait his turn.

“And now, I have thwarted your future happiness with a dark past that follows me everywhere I go. You can deny all you want what I used to be and pretend that I am a woman of worth if it makes it easier for you to accept my shame. But I know what I used to be and I will not let you add me to the list of things you will punish yourself for should you fail. I am not worth it. I am not worth any man’s grief. Or death,” she added.

Slowly, Gustaf opened his eyes and stared at her. His lips drew a straight line across his face. He removed her finger from his mouth and held her wrist in a tight grasp. “May I speak?”

Æsa nodded, steeling herself for the tongue-lashing she knew would follow. He took his time replying, which was worse than having him berate her on the spot. The look in his eyes foretold of his disappointment, and his quiet reserve prefaced the exceptional temperance this man was capable of.

“I shall do my best to make myself clear,” he began, his eyes never leaving hers. “We all have a past and oftentimes we have an unfortunate moment in our existence we would rather erase from our memories. But it matters not what we have failed to do, but what we succeed in doing from those failed moments onward. In my past, I have failed to protect my family, as I am the only one left, save for my nephews on Inis Mór. While their deaths, brought about by various regrettable circumstances, were not a direct cause of my own negligence, the burden is still the same. Like you, I face that demon every day of my life.

“That being said, our demons do not become us. They are not the bones and flesh of our bodies, nor the substance of our hearts. They are recollections of what used to be and what is no longer. Your demon—or your previous life as a whore, as you like to beat upon my brow—is not who you are inside. Your worth is diminished only by the demon you place across your shoulders like a royal cloak. Divest yourself of that, my dearest Æsa, and you will understand the depths of my love and the extent to which I will go to protect you. Gladly protect you,” he reiterated. “Until then, you will just have to take my word for it.”

Author Bio:
I am an author with a passionate interest in Irish and Norse history. I live in the rolling hills of Kentucky with my husband and two children on a beautiful secluded farm of horses and hay fields.

I am a sucker for a good cup of coffee (lots of cream and sugar...and whipped cream if I can get my hands on it), great conversation, and a lilting Irish accent. I love to read and I can't resist watching great epic historical movies.

From an early age, I've always had scenes playing out in my head. Whether it was a story with a moral or a tale with a twist, those ideas have never let me sleep until I wrote them out. And considering I have an eclectic ensemble of stories swarming in my brain at any given time, I write under a couple pen names to accommodate the various genre categories. Renee Vincent (Historical & Contemporary Adult Romance) From the daunting, charismatic Vikings, to the charming, brazen Alpha male heroes of modern day, you'll be whisked away to a world filled with fast-paced adventure, unforgettable romance, and undying love. Visit my website at http://www.reneevincent.com/

Gracie Lee Rose (Lighthearted, Fancy-free Women's Fiction) For those who love to read fun, wholesome, and endearing romantic stories that your mother, sister, friends, and daughters can enjoy. Visit my website at http://www.gracieleerose.com/

Author Links:

Website: http://www.reneevincent.com/