1. Tell us about your
newest release.
Viking Fire is a historical romance
with a touch of magic. Kaireen is the spoiled daughter of Laird Liannon. She is
forced into an arranged marriage with her enemy, a Viking. And a handsome,
cocky one at that. Bram, is the charming Viking who loves Kaireen and must win
her heart. But is marriage worth the battle scars of such a relentless
opponent?
There is also a traitor in Kaireen’s clan, who
frames them for a rival laird’s death, she and Bram must find a way to escape
the unforeseen darkness.
I wrote this story learning that Lauchlin or
Lochlann was the Gaelic word for Viking. Since my grandmother’s maiden name was
McLauchlin, I thought it would make an interesting story of how a Viking came
to marry a stubborn Celtic girl. Even though my ancestry is Scottish, not Irish
(as far as I know), but the magic and appeal of Ireland made me have the
setting there instead.
2. Can you tell us a
little about your favorite scene in the story?
I had such fun writing
this story, especially the banter between Kaireen and Bram. My favorite scene
is when Kaireen wants to take her bath in private (during the dark ages, it was
common for people to take baths together in a large wooden barrel). When she
stumbles upon Bram freshly bathed.
3. When did you first
realize you wanted to be a writer?
I have always wanted to
be a storyteller. When I was a child, I would make up characters and plots.
Then my friends and I would act them out. I started writing poetry when I was
fourteen until my early twenties. However, it was not until my early thirties
that writing down my characters and their stories grabbed ahold of me.
4. What is a typical writing
day like?
I mostly write at night,
after the kids are in bed. During the day, I’m a stay-at-home mom to a four
year old and a thirteen month old. Therefore, I juggle being a fulltime mommy
with emails, facebook, twitter, etc. during the day, and write at night.
Although, if I could survive on less than four hours of sleep, I would get so
much more writing done J
5. Do you have an
interesting writing quirk or habit?
Until recently, I had to
write in a linear pattern. I don’t outline, but I know pieces and how a book
will end. However, a few of my novels fizzled out after a hundred pages. I dug
one out for a contest and changed my tactic. I skipped ahead to the ending and
wrote it. Then I backtracked and figured out how to get from where I had left off
to the end. I may have to do this with more of my novels.
6. What was one of the
most surprising things you learned as a published author?
That authors use beta
readers - a lot. I never had a beta reader until I started working on Son of Dragons, Book Two in The Garnet
Dagger trilogy. They are invaluable to a writer and wish I had found mine years
ago and before my first two books were published.
7. What authors or
friends influenced you in helping you become a writer?
For my historical
romances, Julie Garwood influenced me. I loved how she mixed history with
humor. My fantasy / paranormal romances were influenced by Terry Goodkind.
Reading excellent stories by many authors inspired me to write stories I love
reading…and maybe a few others would love them too. My husband also inspires
me. If he says something sounds interesting or reads well, then I know I’ve
done a great job.
8. What does your family
think about your career as a published author?
My family supports me
and are wonderful fans. My husband listens to my highs and lows, and I can even
brainstorm with him when I’m working on a new project.
9. Besides writing, what
other interests do you have?
I love Zumba. Doing it
two-three times a week along with weight-training helped me lose forty pounds
before I got pregnant with my daughter. Now I’m lucky if I can squeeze it in
once a week. I’m an avid reader, when I have the time. I love fantasy,
paranormal, historical, or anything with magic. Finally, I’m a video gamer.
Give me a hack-n-slash magic user dungeon crawler game and then don’t expect me
to remember you’re here J
10. Can you tell us
about what’s coming up next for you writing wise?
I am working on
revisions to Son of Dragons, Book Two
of The Garnet Dagger trilogy. I also have several novels that I wrote years ago
that I want to make changes to – i.e. taking Native American historical
romances and adding a paranormal side.
11. How can readers
connect with you online?
The Garnet Dagger Blurb: Everyone
knows what happens when a vampire bites a human…but what if the victim is
Elvin?
Forbidden to cross the Elvin barrier into human lands, Brock
cannot sate his curiosity. Cursed by a vampyre bite that forces him to feed on
the life-essence of others, he is unable to touch another without taking their
life. Chained by prophesy, he must find a witch, pierce her heart, and draw her
blood for his cure.
Celeste must escape the monks who have held her
prisoner for years. Her magic has been kept dormant by her captors. An ancient
powerful Warloc craves her powers. If he succeeds in devouring her magic, she
and his world will die.
When Brock falls in love with Celeste before
realizing her demise is his cure, will love triumph over his desire to be
healed? Will he risk everything to save her from a Warloc, an oath breaker, who
also wants her dead?
Excerpt
I’ve known
death. For over half a millennia, I escorted many to death at the end of my
sword. In the eyes of the dying, I watched it shroud them. Foolishly, I thought
many more eras would pass before death came for me. It came so swiftly that I
could not run; I could not escape. At a village, dressed in human clothes, I
took in everything.
I delayed my
return to my people as I watched human jugglers bounce torches and knifes. It
was autumn equinox and the festivities would continue well into the night.
Children laughed as they chased each other. A trail of leaves from their
costumes twirled after them. It was dark when I reached the forest.
I hiked slower than my normal speed, so as
not to startle whatever human called out. My leather boots crunched upon dried,
diseased leaves and bark. Horrified, I glanced up. Branches twisted around each other to suffocating. Lifeless
limbs cracked in the wind. Flesh of the trees sloughed off in layers, exposing
its bones. Gashes hollowed out chunks of warmth. Fragments of leaves clung to
finger tips, marking sepulchers of the dying trees. Trees mourned with wails
like splitting wood, and I brought my hands over my ears. I must flee before I
became infected, they told me. Flee before the stain of this defilement creeps
into you, they warned. Trees spoke to my kind, always had. Yet these trees were
in such agony of death that I could not breathe. Felt as though my lungs had
folded in on themselves, like a moth unable to break loose from its cocoon.
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Links:
Author Bio:
Growing up in Houston, Texas, Andrea has always created characters
and stories. But it wasn't until she was in her late twenties that she started
writing novels.
What happened that ignited the writing
flame in her fingers? Divorced, and disillusioned by love songs and stories.
They exaggerate. She thought. Love and Romance are not like that in the real
world. Then she met her husband and realized, yes love and romance are exactly
like the songs and stories say. She is now a happy wife, and a mom to three
kids (two boys and a girl).
Andrea writes paranormal and historical
romance. When not writing or reading, one may find Andrea dancing in Zumba.
She believes in the power of change
and counting each moment as a blessing. But
most importantly, she believes in love.