Author Interview: Cathy Bryant & Jessica Dorman

Lost Love and Shipwrecked: Madeline Pike Finds Hope in the New Land

Unshakable Faith Series

Cathy Bryant & Jessica Dorman

Give us a bit of your background (where are you from, your family, traveling adventures)

We are from Maine, which is where we currently live. We have enjoyed seeing much of the beautiful U.S. as well as parts of Canada. Our family arrived in America in 1635 aboard a ship that wrecked just off the coast of Maine. Happily for us, our ancestor—Ralph Bleasdell and his wife Elizabeth—survived.


Fill in the blank favorites - Type of hero. Type of heroine. 

Our favorite hero or heroine will possess strong, godly characteristics intermingled with traits that we, as the reader, can relate to. It is especially enjoyable to observe a transformation in a hero or heroine that is beneficial with regard to his interpersonal relationships as well as his or her relationship with God.


Most writers are readers. What are some of the books you have on your nightstand and/or on your "must read" list? 

We really enjoy anything in the genre of historical fiction, especially when it is sprinkled with romance. Julie Klassen and Lori Wick are two of our favorite authors. We also enjoy reading contemporary fiction authors such as Dee Henderson and Karen Kingsbury. We also like the classics.


Say your publisher has offered to fly you anywhere in the world to do research on an upcoming book, where would you most likely want to go?

England would be most beneficial for our writing genre and time frame, but Israel has always been on our list of places we would most like to visit.


What is your favorite genre to write?  

Historical fiction/inspirational romance


What got you started on your writing journey?

We were chatting one day when we each shared that we had a desire to write. We were surprised to learn that we had the same time frame in mind for writing. From there the idea took off.


Why do you choose to write clean/sweet romance? 

We believe that there are not enough examples of godly relationships for our culture to understand God’s view of such things. The entertainment industry is so lacking in this area. We are always let down when a relationship moves to the physical before marriage in books or movies. It just seems to cheapen it somehow.


What other things do you have planned with your writing for the rest of the year 2013?

Our second book in the series is coming out if a few months. We are currently working on a third.


How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

We would say probably more than we realize. Additionally, some of the characters in our second book resemble people we know.


Where do your ideas come from? 

Our premise, at least for the first two books in the series, comes from some of our ancestors. We seem to have some interesting stories in our genealogical outline.


How many books have you written, and how many of those have been published? 

We have written two books for this particular series. One has been published and the other is currently in the publishers hands. It should be out by summer.


What are the elements of a great romance for you?

We have always loved Jane Austen type romances where there is a bit of suspense. Mainly, when a romance leads to the physical before marriage, it is a big turn off. As we have already mentioned, it cheapens it in some way when that happens. For example, we were enjoying a particular series when the two characters we most hoped would realize their feelings for each other—came together physically the moment the epiphany happened. What a letdown! It would have been much better to see them go on from there courting and respecting each other, and then having their relationship culminate in marriage.


Please share about your book 

Lost Love and Shipwrecked, Madeline Pike Finds Hope in the New Land is a work of historical fiction with a flavor of inspirational romance. It is set in the a flavor of inspirational romance. It is set in the 17th century and commences with an actual event: thewreck of the Angel Gabriel just off the coast of Maine. Though our hero and heroine are fictional, we have interspersed some real people amongst them.


If you could sum your main character into five words, what would they be?  

Feisty, godly, funny, strong, and beautiful.


What are your hero and heroine of the story like? 

They each have suffered great loss and feel a sense of guilt at having another chance at love. They are both giving, godly, and well liked.


Use no more than two sentences. Why should we read your book?

For anyone who enjoys a book which comprises a bit of history—regarding our godly heritage, highly seasoned with romance, we believe you would not be disappointed.

SMT: A Change of Plans

A Change of Plans

Donna K Weaver

Contemporary Romance

When Lyn sets off on her supposedly uncomplicated and unromantic cruise, she never dreams it will include pirates. All the 25-year-old, Colorado high school teacher wants to do is forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. Lyn plans a vacation diversion; fate provides Braedon, an intriguing surgeon. She finds herself drawn to him: his gentle humor, his love of music, and even his willingness to let her take him down during morning karate practices. Against the backdrop of the ship's make-believe world and temporary friendships, her emotions come alive. 

However, fear is an emotion, too. Unaware of the sensitive waters he's navigating, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship--on the very anniversary Lyn is on the cruise to forget. Lyn's painful memories are too powerful, and she runs from Braedon and what he has to offer.

Their confusing relationship is bad enough, but when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise's snorkeling excursions in American Samoa things get worse. Paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped and Lyn's fear of a fairytale turns grim. Now she must fight alongside the man she rejected, first for their freedom and then against storms, sharks, and shipwreck.

Tour: Kerry Taylor

One author, 3 amazing books! Get to know her:

Kerry Taylor was born in London, but is living in Madrid, Spain with her three children.
She has written several romantic comedies, short stories and her first erotica book.

Find more about her at: www.kerrytaylor74.wordpress.com

If you want to know more about her work, just check her latest releases:

Quick facts for the 3 books:

Format: Paperback, Kindle, nook, apple, Kobo

Genres: Romance/Romantic Comedy/ Contemporary Fiction

Content: There is no explicit content in any of the books.

Blind Dating by Kerry Taylor

A Romantic Comedy

When mid-forties, divorced, single-mother-of-three, Kimberly, realizes her own mother has more of a life than she does, she decides to do something about it. 

Encouraged by success stories from people at work, she joins a dating chat room, ICQ, which starts to rock her world. 

All of a sudden she’s a swinging single, online, with extreme dates, a little dirty talk, and a sense of her new, sexy self— until that fateful moment when her long-time chat-room buddy, LonelySingle, wants to meet. "Are you trying to find a man on Facelook?" her Mom questions, after years of being told it is Facebook! 

What if he doesn’t like her? What if she doesn’t like him? These are the thoughts, inside her head. Until they meet and realise, that they have been friends offline aswell as online! What happens next? A light-hearted, romantic comedy about a single mom finding true love, which was right before her eyes.

AMAZON  B&N  KOBO

STERILE by Isabella Jones (Kerry Taylor)

A Contemporary Woman Fiction

‘I am his wife, he no longer respects, touches or loves me.’

Lisa cries to herself at night. After 15 years of marriage, she cannot accept their fate: a life with no children. She wallows in paranoia as Mark works late and continues his career as a travelling salesman. Her accusations of him cheating on her result in their first major fight which leads to a trail of events that spiral out of Lisa's control.

Will Lisa manage to keep her tenuous grip on her marriage, her life and ultimately reality?

A novel about one woman’s struggle to carry on when her worst nightmare turns into reality.

AMAZON  KOBO  B&N

Love or Money by Kerry Taylor

A Romantic Comedy

Heather and Kelly are two single best friends who live and do everything together. When someone points out that the only other women who have a similar lifestyle are either lesbians or sisters, they decide it is time to move on and get married. How will they choose? Vowing to find their husbands together as well, they embark on a journey, equal parts hunt and madcap dating adventure, to find their dream husbands. With opposite tastes and ideas, will they be able to find husbands together? Searching for a man with money or searching for a man to love—who will find their husband first? And more importantly, is there a happy ending?

AMAZON  B&N

Tour Giveaway

• 3 digital copies of Kerry's book at each blog! So follow the tour, get to know amazing blogs and have a lot more chances!

Tour Schedule 

June 10: Black Lion Tours Blog: Spotlight

June 11: Fandom Fanatic: Spotlight 

June 12: Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews: Interview

                Love in a Book: Guest Post

June 13: Clean Romance Reviews: Spotlight

June 14: Rusty Reads: Spotlight

June 15: My Reading Obsession: Spotlight

June 16: Pure Jonel: Review

June 17: My Devotional Thoughts: Spotlight

June 18: I know that Book: Spotlight

June 19: Books, Books The Magical Fruit: Spotlight

               Melissa's Midnight Musings: Spotlight

June 21: A Book Lover's Library: Spotlight

June 23: Kindred Dreamheart: Guest Post

               A Novel Idea Live: Live Interview

June 25: My Seryniti: Spotlight

June 27: Tinasbookreviews: Guest Post

June 28: Deal Sharing Aunt: Review

June 29:Paperback Princess: Spotlight

June 30: That Girl Reads: Spotlight

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour: The Portrait

About the book:

England 1812 Severely injured at the battle of Salamanca, Edward Thurston, the new Earl of Sinclair, returns home to his beloved Fly Hall. Determined not to present his prospective bride with the wreck he believes himself to have become, he decides to end his betrothal, unaware that Lady Jennifer, for vastly differing reasons, has reached the selfsame decision. Throughout the campaigns, Edward was often seen relying greatly on a miniature he carried, and it is to this token he clings upon his return. Will he eventually find happiness with the girl in the portrait, or will he remain firm in his resolve not to wed? Reason dictates one course, his heart another.

Book Excerpt:

Confused, he sat heavily in the leather chair set before the desk and attempted to force his eyes to focus on the boy before him. He cursed the fact that he’d drunk so much wine and shook his head as if to rid himself of its effects, but the figure remained the same. There was definitely something odd about the boy.

Due to the lateness of the hour and his intoxicated state, as he relaxed in the chair his head drooped forward and he too drifted into sleep. However, after only a few moments, an insistent hand shaking his shoulder woke him, and with a great effort, he fought his way back to consciousness.

“Edward, do wake up,” commanded an urgent voice. “I have need of you! Wake up!”

“Jen?” he expostulated in a bewildered tone, attempting to focus on the face above him.

“You’re drunk,” she accused with disgust.

“No, I’m not foxed,” he corrected, straightening in his seat. “Just slightly bosky.”

“You are decidedly drunk. I can’t believe you would choose this of all nights.”

“My profound apologies,” he said, gripping her shoulder and rising unsteadily to his feet. “Bad form to be bamboozled in front of a lady.” His eyes narrowed as he took stock of the figure before him. “What’s happened to your hair, Jen, and why are you wearing boys’ clothes? Though I must say, they suit you admirably.” Then almost as an afterthought, “Are they Freddie’s?”

“Yes, but never mind that,” she said impatiently, pushing him back into his seat. “Do try to understand that I need you.”

“At your service,” he said, once more standing erect and bowing. “I’m not so bosky as to render me useless, but I feel I must point out to you my dear that I am not at my best and this situation is highly irregular.” A frown puckered his brow as he looked questioningly about the room. “Does your maid accompany you? I don’t see her and surely you must realize that to be visiting a bachelor’s establishment at this time of night and without even your maid, is not at all the thing.”

She looked impatiently at him. “No, no one accompanies me. Oh, do sit down, Edward; I can’t talk to you when you tower over me as you’re doing now.”

“Why are you here,” he asked, resuming his seat. As an afterthought he added, “Not run away have you?”

“Certainly not! Though upon reflection, I can see that it may seem that I have. I never thought of it in that light. Now it will not do that you sidetrack me. It’s Perry and that ungracious brother of mine.”

He groaned, putting his hand to his bowed head. “Not another scrape! What now?”

“Perry came to see me late this afternoon. Freddie’s absconded.

Purchase a copy of the novel at the following links below:



Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

About the author:

Hazel Statham lives in England and has been writing on and off since she was fifteen. Initially she was influenced by Austen, the Brontes, and Sabatini but when Hazel turned seventeen, Georgette Heyer opened up the romance and elegance of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. She immediately knew she had found her eras and wanted nothing more than to re-create them in her work. Hazel lives with her husband, Terry, and a beautiful Labrador named Mollie.

Stay up to date with the author via her:

Website

Twitter

Goodreads

Give us a bit of your background (where are you from, your family, traveling adventures) 

I live in the UK, Staffordshire to be precise and have lived here all my life. I have been married to my husband Terry for almost 44 years and we have a married daughter named Clair and a beautiful grandson named Daniel (who, at 11 plays the guitar, keyboard and violin and is convinced he is going to be a rock star). Unfortunately, due to ill health, I am no longer able to travel outside the UK but previously we have visited the USA eleven times and have also travelled to Spain, Portugal, Greece, Malta, Canada and a cruise to The Bahamas. It seems rather tame now, being confined to travelling within our own country and we would love to visit America one last time but, according to the doctor, it’s not to be. We have a lovely yellow Labrador named Mollie and, even though my riding days are long gone, I am part owner with my daughter of a large gypsy cob, two foals and a Welsh Mountain pony. As you can probably guess from that, animals play a huge part in our lives. 

Most writers are readers. What are some of the books you have on your nightstand and/or on your "must read" list? 

I have just discovered Carla Kelly and am on a mission to read all her books – or at least, as many as I can find in Kindle format. She is a relatively new author to me but I have also recently read Anne Gracie and Mary Balogh. 

What is your favorite genre to read? 

Without a doubt it is Historical Romance. I love anything historical, be it fact or fiction. 

What got you started on your writing journey? 

To be honest, I don’t really know. All that I can remember is that at fifteen I had this desire to recreate my own historical world and just took up a pen and started to write. Then, everything was done in longhand and I filled countless ledgers (the only books available to accommodate my voluminous amount of writing). Now of course, there is the computer which helps to make writing a lot easier. 

What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer? 

The fact that people all over the world can read and enjoy my work. In the beginning, I wrote only for my own amusement and was horrified when it was suggested I submit something to a publisher. It took quite a while for me to pluck up the courage but, when I did, my books were accepted in quite quick succession. I just hope my readers enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoy writing them. 

Do you have a favorite comment or question from a reader? 

I love it when a reader says she has had to stay up late into the night to find out what’s happening next. There is also this lovely comment on Amazon for The Portrait ‘This is one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read. The characters jump off the pages into your imagination and the story line is wonderful.’ 

How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing? 

I would like to think I share some of the characteristics of my heroines but I have only shared their experiences in my imagination. However, some of our animals do appear in my work. For example, Mollie masqueraded as a Pointer in For Love of Sarah. About The Portrait! If you could sum your main character into five words, what would they be? Edward is erudite, considerate, generous, protective and loving 

What are your hero and heroine of the story like? 

Edward, Earl of Sinclair is a young aristocrat who returns from war with horrendous injuries and is determined not to inflict himself on his betrothed. Lady Jennifer is a young lady with romantic ideals who feels she has been slighted by her would-be husband and together they decide to end their betrothal. So begins their friendship that unfurls and blossoms into love. Use no more than two sentences. 

Why should we read your book? 

I believe that all lovers of Traditional Regency Romance will enjoy Edward and Jennifer’s story. There is mystery, pathos, humour and ultimately love which will culminate in a satisfying end. 

Giveaway:

To be in with a chance of winning a H/B copy of Consequence or a small item of jewellery. (e.g. pearl earrings) please leave a comment below with your email addie ANY comment you make during the tour on ANY post counts as an entry into the giveaway! The giveaway ends 30 June and a random commenter will be picked, emailed and announced on the Dilly Dally PR site. GOOD-LUCK!

The British Invasion Tour

Fans of British chick lit & romantic comedy: Win a haul of books just in time for your summer holidays from some of the UK's best-loved and best-selling authors! 

5 winners + 25 books = a Summer of Love

To celebrate the launch of Notting Hill Press, five lucky winners will each choose five personally inscribed and signed eBooks from the Notting Hill Press authors - there are 50 best-selling and award-winning books to choose from. To enter, go to Amazon (the giveaway is open to US or UK residents)* and:

• Kick off your summer reading by buying any TWO eBooks listed below between now and June 13th.
• Click the "Share This Item" button on the Amazon Thank You page after purchase to tweet/facebook about each book (if you use Facebook and/or twitter).
• Enter to win by posting a comment over on the Notting Hill Press Facebook page telling us which two eBooks you bought. If you don’t use Facebook, you can enter the competition by adding your comment at the bottom of this post instead. Winners will bechosen randomly from all the comments (here and on Facebook) on June 14th.
• "Like" the Notting Hill Press Facebook page to get freebies, discounts and sneak peeks at the authors' books before they're published! And if you're on twitter, follow@nottinghillPR

Choose any two of the eBooks below for your chance to win, and don't forget to check back here or on Facebook on June 14th to see if you've won!

Scarlett Bailey, alter-ego of Rowan Coleman, winner of RNA Epic Romantic Novel 2013 
"A light, fun and fast-paced chunk of chortlesome chick-lit" - Heat
Also available:
   

Victoria Connelly, best-selling author of nine novels, 
shortlisted for the RNA's Romantic Comedy of the Year 2013

"Sunshine on a rainy day. A charmingly written slice of warm-hearted escapism." Lisa Jewell
Also available:
   

Matt Dunn, #1 best-seller in Humour, shortlisted for the Romantic Novel Of The Year award and the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance
One office, five lives, on the most romantic day of the year 
Also available: 

 

Michele Gorman, #1 best-seller in Humour, #6 in Women's Fiction
Sometimes the life you walk away from doesn't let you walk away
Also available: 
    

Belinda Jones, Sunday Times Top 10 best-selling author
How far will she go to win her Romeo?
Also available:
   

Chrissie Manby, Sunday Times best-selling author, nominated for the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance
"Nothing short of brilliant." Marie Claire
Also available: 
  

Nicola May, 2012 Festival of Romance winner, Amazon Top 20 best-selling author
"Heartwarming, Unpredictable... loved it!" Woman Magazine
Also available:

     

Lucy Robinson,Top 3 Women's Fiction Debuts of 2012 and #1 eBook best-seller

"Romantic and laugh-out-loud hilarious" - Cosmopolitan
Also available:


Talli Roland, twice shortlisted for the UK’s Festival of Romance
Is finding true love as easy as an attitude change? 
Also available:  
       

Nick Spalding, one of Amazon UK’s Top 10 best-selling authors of 2012 
Nick Spalding tried to write a book in 24 hours. Turns out that's impossible... it took 30! 
  
Also available:  
  
  
Sue Welfare, Sunday Times best-selling author, shortlisted for the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance
Romance, recipes and the chance to start over is all a girl needs
Also available: 
   

*This is an Amazon eBook giveaway, open to US and UK entries. It will run from June 3^rd through June 13^th. The five winners will be randomly selected and announced on June 14^th on the facebook page and Notting Hill Press blog. Winners can choose any 5 books from the participating authors - here's the list. The links above are to Amazon US. The same books are available on Amazon UK.