Interview & Giveaway: Christine Young - HIGHLAND HONOR

Hi Everyone. Please help me welcome Christine Young to AsianCocoa's Secret Garden today! Christine's novel Highland Honor was released last month.

AsianCocoa: Welcome Christine and congratulations on the release of your novel, Highland Honor. It’s a pleasure having you here on the blog today!

Please tell us a little about yourself and why you became a writer.

Christine Young: Writing stories in my mind has always been a part of my life. I made up stories when I played with my dolls and now I make up stories on the computer. Ideas come from everything and anything. Soooo many stories and soooo little time. I became a writer because writing and creating are my passion. 

For the last 35 years I have taught school. Now I'm retired and enjoying all possibilities, including travel and more time to write. I have 3 children and 2 grandchildren who I adore. I spend free time knitting and at the moment remodeling my kitchen. 

AC: Your book, Highland Honor was re-released last month (November 28^th).

Would you tell us a little about it? Is this book part of a series?

CY: Highland Honor is the first book in a 3 book series: Highland Honor, Highland Magic and Highland Song.

Highland Honor is set in the rugged Highlands of Scotland. After watching her evil stepbrother and the man she is supposed to wed, Callie flees her home. She means to find the one man she believes her deceased father trusted, Colin "Hawke" MacPherson. Unbeknownst to her Hawke blames her father for the cruel murder of his father. 

From the first they are drawn to each other. But when Colin discovers who Callie is, he is torn between needing her in his arms and the revenge he has sought against the Whitcomb family. 

Their story revolves around the strength of their love and their need to discover the truth about the horrific day Colin's father is branded a traitor to the English King and sentenced to die. Colin's worst fear is that Callie will do something impulsive that will jeopardize her life.

AC: Can you tell us about the research you did in preparation for writing Highland Honor and the series?

CY: The most valuable information for this series came from attending the Highland Games at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham Oregon. I ate authentic food, found many books and two maps of Scotland one a Historical map and the other a clan names map. I also have a travelers map of Britain. Watching men in kilts actually toss a caber made the adventure real. Many visits to the Library is also a part of the research that goes into my work.

AC: Can you describe to us your writing process?

CY: I usually have a story line in my head. After that I begin with my name book and find names that are suited to my characters. Then I go into a detailed analysis of their characters. To create personality conflicts I use the Mind Styles by Gregore. Every character has a detailed past.

A basic plot comes next. And it is very basic because my characters usually take over the story line. My in depth plotting comes with each scene. I write a first and last sentence so I know where I'm starting and I have a page turner at the end of the scene. Within that plot I include, POV, Setting, Internal and External Conflict. Foreshadowing, Motivation, the plot to a twist, to name a few. Then I write the scene.

AC: What genre do you enjoy writing most?

CY: I love historical romance. It doesn't matter if it is a western, a regency or a highland book. I would like to try my hand at steampunk but don't know enough about it yet.

AC: If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?

CY: That’s hard because my characters all seem to have a difficult past. If I looked beyond their past and concentrated on the person they become, I would have to say Lainie MacPherson in the last of the Highland series. She overcomes so much. She is smart as a whip and strong in spirit.

AC: Do you have an all time favorite book? What was the last amazing book that you have read? 

CY: I don't have an all time favorite book. The book that launched my romance writing career was A Pirate's Pleasure by Heather Graham. Although an avid reader, I had never read romance until my mother-in–law gave me that book to read. And then I was hooked on romance—and pirates.

AC: What is your favorite supernatural character and why?

CY: Have to go with Superman. Loved Christopher Reeves in the movie.

AC: Who is your favorite sexy actor?

CY: Going to have to date myself and say Sean Connery. 

AC: I know you’re an avid reader of romance and other than writing, what other things interest you?

CY: Swimming. I coached a high school swim team for 13 years. I love to ski, snow and water although I don't get out there much any more. Knitting and needle work are great when watching TV and I've been a fan of Jazzercise for over 30 years.

AC: Is there anything else you would like to share with your readers? Are there any new projects you’re working on? 

CY: I'm finishing an April Fools anthology and I started a regency series several years ago that would entail 12 books. The first three are done and should be released soon and I would love to find time to work on them. And of course there are other stories in my head just waiting to be written.

AC: Thank you so much for visiting, Christine.

Highland Honor
by Christine Young

Release Date: November 28, 2011

Willfully stubborn, innocently courageous, Callie Whitcomb braves a journey through the treacherous highlands to the MacPherson castle. Callie flees from an unwanted marriage as well as her ruthless half brother. Naively she believes Colin MacPherson, the head of the clan, is loyal to her father and will give her sanctuary, protecting her from the vile plans that have been made for her.

As hard and as unyielding as the winter storms that sweep through the countryside, Colin is irresistibly drawn to the impetuous beauty who has magically appeared on his doorsteps. Despite his vows of revenge against her father, she stirs his passion as well as his sense of justice...but to love her would violate all his vows of revenge.

Excerpt:     

"Where are we going?" she asked as they rode side by side across a vivid green meadow. Even before she asked the question, she had guessed his intentions. They were two-fold.

"To find a private spot, a place where we can eat and," he paused thoughtfully as he turned to look her way. Then his roguish smile captured her heart. He could make her heart melt with just a smile. 

"And?" she queried even as her cheeks heated, knowing the answer before he spoke.      

His grin widened, then he winked. "Race ye to the trees." He waited silently for her

to accept the challenge he tossed her way. 

"Ye would like that wouldn't ye? But I won't fall for the bait ye toss my way. We both know who has the fastest horse." 

"And who would that be?" he asked, laughing.

"I do." She had waited long enough for him to drop back a few strides, giving her more of a head start than she knew he would have allowed. She gave a silent command to her horse. The mare lunged forward. 

"Callie--" she heard him cry out her name, laughingly. "Cheater. I'll get my revenge."

Author Bio: 

Born in Medford, Oregon, novelist Christine Young has lived in Oregon all of her life. After graduating from Oregon State University with a BS in science, she spent another year at Southern Oregon State University working on her teaching certificate, and a few years later received her Master's degree in secondary education and counseling. Now the long, hot days of summer provide the perfect setting for creating romance. She sold her first book, Dakota's Bride, the summer of 1998 and her second book, My Angel to Kensington. She is the author of 10 published romance books and 2 novellas. Christine is a retired high school math teacher. Her teaching and writing careers have intertwined with raising three children.  Christine's newest venture is the creation of Rogue Phoenix Press. Christine is the founder, editor and co-owner with her husband. They live in Salem, Oregon.

Links:

http://christineyoung-romancewriter.blogspot.com/

http://www.roguesangels.blogspot.com/

http://www.roguephoenixpress.com/

Giveaway:

Christine will be giving away:

* A $50.00 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter for the blog tour. 
* A Clan MacPherson book mark awarded at each stop to one randomly drawn commenter.

 

To Enter:

Leave a comment or question with your email address.

Be sure to visit the other blogs on this tour. Click on the tour button below for a list of participating blogs.

Guest Post & Giveaway: VAMPED UP by Kristin Miller

Hi Everyone! I would like to welcome author Kristin Miller to the blog. She is here today to promote her new book, Vamped Up and talk about the Vampires of Crimson Bay.

Things couldn’t get much worse for the Vampires of Crimson Bay…

In an age where vampires are born blood-dependant and mundanes are blind to the paranormal creatures roaming their streets, a unique breed of shape-shifters—therians—have risen to power, rounding up bloodlusting vampires for slaughter. Forced into hiding, vampires have gathered in havens around the globe, secretly living their gothic, sun-sensitive lives apart from the rest of the world.  A few havens discovered peace in the Crimson Bay area of California by finding acceptable ways to blend with society, revamping warped perceptions of vampires as bloodthirsty monsters…until these shape-shifters, with their ruthless, power-hungry ways, set upon a course to exterminate them completely.   

But they aren’t going to let their fangs retreat without a fight. The Vampires of Crimson Bay Series tells of their fight for survival. And the risks they take for undying love. 

Vamped Up
by Kristin Miller
Release Date: December 6, 2011

There should be nothing to fear; Eve’s safe. But I can’t go back. Not when my nightmares have resurfaced—the ones in which the only person I’ve ever loved is ravaged by a vampire bite.

If she only knew how close I am to losing control . . . 

It doesn’t matter that I promised Eve, and myself, I wouldn’t sink my fangs into her perfect, unblemished skin. I know that one day my bloodlust will overcome my love and my promise. The only thing I don’t know is how much longer I can fight the truth of my dreams: I will taste her . . . and when I do, I’ll drain her dry.

~ Amazon blurb

Author Bio:

Kristin Miller has had a passion for language and literature her whole life. Born and raised in Small Town USA, she often made up stories about faraway places and edge-of-your-seat adventures.

After graduating from Humboldt State University with a degree in psychology, Kristin realized there is no scarier place than the warped human psyche. Wanting to combine her love of writing with her desire to paint twisted villains, Kristin wound up in the unlikeliest of places—the classroom. She taught high school and middle school English before giving in to the desire to create her own world, where villains can be sympathetic and heroes can be devilishly good.

She is represented by Nalini Akolekar of Spencerhill Associates Ltd. and writes dark paranormal romances and toe curling romantic suspense.

Kristin's Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Giveaway:

Kristin will be giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. The more comments you leave the better your chances of winning.

 

To Enter:

Leave a comment or question with your email address.

Be sure to visit the other blogs on this wonderful tour. Click on the tour button below for a list of participating blogs.

Interview & Giveaway: Carrie Ann Ryan - AN ALPHA'S PATH

Hi Everyone. Please help me welcome Carrie Ann Ryan to AsianCocoa's Secret Garden today! Carrie's new novel An Alpha's Path was released this month.

AsianCocoa: Welcome Carrie Ann and congratulations on your debut novel, An Alpha’s Path. It’s a pleasure having you here on the blog today!

Please tell us a little about yourself and why you became a writer.

Carrie Ann: My name is Carrie Ann and I’m a paranormal romance author by night and a chemistry teacher by day. I’m short in height, but tall on the sarcasm. :-)

I started writing because I read so many books in such a little amount of time, that the voices in my head wouldn’t shut up. LOL. They wanted to voice their story, so I wrote them down. Luckily, I have great friends who’ve helped me turn my stories into something that I wouldn’t mind reading. I hope you feel the same.

AC: Your new book, An Alpha’s Path was released this month (Dec. 5^th). Would you tell us a little about it?

CAR: It’s a book about finding your true love. Someone to complete you. Sounds cliché – but really – who doesn’t want to find that. Mel is a brilliant chemist who’s never really had a decent date and Kade is a century old werewolf coming off a bad breakup. Together there is a connection of hope and sweaty goodness.

Oh and did I mention it was a blind date?

They may have great chemistry – yes I just laughed at my own joke – but that doesn’t mean they can stand it in the long haul. You’re just going to have to read to find out.

AC: Melanie and Kade meet on a blind date. Have you ever been on a blind date? If so, how did it turn out? If not, would you ever consider it?

CAR: I’ve been on one blind date when I was 16. My friend wanted to go out with her boyfriend, but her mom would only let her date in groups. So I was forced on a group date. OMG. My head hurts just thinking about it.

At 16 I was already in college, the guys were 17, but still in high school. And they acted like 14 year old boys. If I had to hear the phrase, “Dude, whatever” one more time, I would have hit them. As it was we saw the movie Ali, then went home.

HORRIBLE

However, Kade and Mel’s date went better by far! Believe me. Their date in no way had anything to do with the disaster that was mine. LOL

Have y’all been on blind dates?

AC: How many books do you have planned for the Redwood Pack series?

CAR: Seven! Whoot! An Alpha’s Path is the first book that starts off the series. Though it’s a novella, the other six will be full length novels. Since there are seven Jamenson siblings, you can guess that each book will be about one of them.

However, as I introduce new characters, more ideas are forming. So there may be novellas on the side of the overall story arch as the series progresses. It just depends on if their voices are strong enough.

AC: Who has been your favorite character(s) to write about? Is there any of your of books that has been your favorite to write so far?

CAR: My favorite character so far is Kade. He’s an Alpha male, but not annoyingly so. I loved finding the depth of this character as I went on.

An Alpha’s Path is the favorite of mine so far, but my current WIP Trinity Bound, the third book in the series, is quickly moving up to be my favorite.

AC: Can you describe to us your writing process?

CAR: I’m a plotter. I have an overall outline for the series for key plot points. Then for the book I’m currently on I have a book outline. Then I have an in depth outline for each chapter. I need it because my brain works too fast for my fingers to type :-).

I also have character descriptions and world descriptions in their own files. I also made a family tree. You can see some of it here.

AC: What was the last amazing book that you have read?

CAR: So hard to say! But the most recent one was Courting Darkness by Yasmine Galenorn. Dark, entertaining, steamy and action packed. Love the series. Love the author.

AC: What is your favorite supernatural character and why?

CAR: Spade from the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost.  While most people love Bones – oh and I do too – I fell for his friend. The way he cares for Denise just makes me blush.

AC: I know you’re an avid reader but other than writing, what other things interest you?

CAR: Cooking. I love finding new recipes, making new things, and just watching my hubby’s face when he likes it. I started college too early to know exactly what I wanted to do. But if I could have gone back at 13, I might have gone to culinary school

AC: Is there anything else you would like to share with your readers? Are there any new projects you’re working on?

CAR: I’m currently working on A Taste for a Mate, book 2 in the Redwood Pack series, which is Jasper’s story and Trinity Bound, book 3, which is Reed’s story.

Book 2-7 of my series has an overall story arc that’s taking me to a darker place. I love it.

I’m also thinking about a new Angel series and a Western series that won’t let me go. We will just have to wait and see what happens!

Thank you so much for letting me come by today! I’m super excited about my debut release and I can’t wait to share it with y’all!

An Alpha’s Path
by Carrie Ann Ryan
Release Date: December 5, 2011

          Melanie is a twenty-five year old chemist who has spent all of her adult life slaving at school. With her PhD in hand, she's to start her dream job, but before she does, her friend persuades her to relax and try to live again. A blind date set up through her friends seems like the perfect solution. Melanie can take one night away from the lab and let her inner vixen out on a fixed blind date - a chance to get crazy with a perfect stranger. The gorgeous hunk she's to meet exceeds her wildest dreams – be he is more than what he appears and Melanie's analytical mind goes into overdrive.

          Kade, a slightly older werewolf (at over one hundred years), needs a night way from the Pack. Too many responsibilities and one near miss with a potential mate made Kade hide in his work, the only peace he can find. His brother convinces him to meet the sexy woman for a one night of fun. What could it hurt? But when he finds this woman could be his mate, can he convince her to leave her orderly, sane world and be with him and his wolf-half, for life?

Excerpt:

Kade could only imagine how she would look with her pale, creamy, skin against his darker, bronze skin. Watching her lashes brush her cheeks as she glanced down at her barely touched meal he knew he wanted to kiss any fears or anxiety she carried away.

Mate? I think it’s time to go upstairs. Don’t you?

He couldn’t agree more with his wolf. But he didn’t want to rush her. No matter what happened tonight, they would be going upstairs – that was a guarantee. What they did once they arrived however – was up to the woman in front of him.

“You look as if you have the same appetite as me.” At the sound of his voice, her head popped up from whatever deep thoughts she was thinking. “What do you say we take a walk around the property?”

“Oh, okay. I guess I am just not that hungry tonight.” She smiled sheepishly as she set down her fork and any pretense of enjoying her food.

“Let’s go then, the check taken care of, so we can take our time tonight.”

She smiled timidly again and grabbed her wrap and black, beaded bag. He fluidly rose from his seat and offered her his hand.

“Where would you like to walk to?” Kade, again, toned down his wolf and waited for Melanie’s reply.

“Our room?”

Her face was still stunning with the shade of beet red it became at her surprising, yet not unwelcome, announcement.

His wolf growled in agreement and preened for attention.

He gave her a smile that promised sinful and wicked deeds.

“That sounds like an outstanding idea, Melanie.”

Author Bio:

Carrie Ann Ryan is a paranormal and contemporary romance author. Her first book, An Alpha's Path, will be released soon. She's also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She love meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens.

Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. You can find her at:

Website and Blog

Facebook Author Page

Facebook Friend

Twitter: @CarrieAnnRyan

Giveaway:

Carrie Ann will be giving away a $25 Amazon Gift card to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. The more comments you leave the better your chances of winning.

 

To Enter:

Leave a comment or question with your email address.

Be sure to visit the other blogs on this wonderful tour. Click on the tour button below for a list of participating blogs.