Happy New Year!

Wishing all the wonderful friends, authors and readers a Very Happy Year, filled with joy, love and happiness!

Cover Reveal - Purgatory's Angel by B. Hughes-Millman

Everyone has a dark side where their inner demons roam. When the devils of our nightmares murder in their sleep, only one can stop them.

eBook Edition

April 2016
Price: $3.99

Jaime Connor was once one of the mightiest archangels in heaven. Sent to earth to stop demons from claiming another victim in their sleep, she has battled far too long. Tired of all the killing, she awaits the demon who will overpower her and send her back to heaven. 

Yet her life lingers on and a dream she can’t remember plagues her thoughts. Only remnants of her memory remains in the image of a gorgeous demon who circled her before the kill—the scent of Ireland on his breathe, a brogue on his tongue, and the sea in his penetrating eyes. 

The demon must have died. She never would have woken if he hadn’t. That’s how it works. How it’s always worked. So why did he appear in her world the next day? And why is he trying to seduce her? Will he be the fated one to finally steal the life of the strongest dark angel the world has ever known? If she’s lucky, that will be all he steals. 

Find out more from the Dark Angel series by B Hughes-Millman 
including specials for Subscribers only!

The Oracle Book Tour - Guest Post by D.J. Niko - The Perils of Writing What You Know Too Well

 

The Oracle (The Sarah Weston Chronicles, Book Three) by D.J Niko

Publication Date: November 10, 2015 Medallion Press Paperback; 456p ISBN-13: 978-1605426273 Genre: Historical/Archaeological Adventure

      

 In Delphi, the mountain city deemed by the Greek gods to be the center of the Earth, a cult of neo-pagans re-create with painstaking authenticity ancient rituals to glorify the god Apollo and deliver oracles to seekers from around the world. When antiquities are stolen from a museum in nearby Thebes, British archaeologist Sarah Weston and her American partner, Daniel Madigan, are drawn into a plot that goes beyond harmless role-playing: someone’s using the Delphian oracle as a smoke screen for an information exchange, with devastating consequences for the Western world. Pitted against each other by the cult’s mastermind, Sarah and Daniel race against time and their own personal demons to uncover clues left behind by the ancients. Their mission: to find the original navel stone marked with a lost Pythagorean formula detailing the natural events that led to the collapse of the Minoan Empire. But will they find it in time to stop the ultimate terrorist act?

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | INDIE BOUND

Guest Post

The Perils of Writing What You Know Too Well

By D.J. Niko

Every time I gear up for the release of one of my novels, I hold my breath. I don’t know if this happens to every writer, but it sure happens to me. Four books into my career, I still think: What will the critics say? Will anyone buy it? Will the reviews be glowing, scathing, or, worst of all, lukewarm?

The feeling is amplified when the book’s subject is something I am particularly close to. This month’s release, The Oracle, is one such instance. It is set in Greece, where I was born and raised, and delves into both the ancient history and the current state of this great nation. I’d always known I wanted to write a Greek setting, yet I’d hesitated, waiting to build up storytelling experience—or, perhaps, nerve. Since The Oracle was the third book in my Sarah Weston Chronicles series of archaeo-historical thrillers, I took a deep breath and told myself it was time.

The widely accepted “write what you know” logic might dictate that this was the easiest book for me to write. In fact, it was the opposite. I can’t tell you how many plot lines I scrapped and started over, each time sweating my looming deadline. I even had full-blown anxiety attacks—twice.

While writing what you know is a good policy, writing what you know too well is fraught with peril. It demands that you dredge up your deepest emotions, let go of long-held biases, and be unafraid of telling it like it is, even if you might be judged for it. It’s scary, anxiety-inducing stuff, but, if handled correctly, it can lead to some of your best writing.  

In my case, there were two imperatives: to describe the settings with the authenticity one would rightly expect from a native, and to give some insight into the culture, past and present, and into the sociopolitical minefield of a nation bogged down by crisis and instability. The first part: no sweat. The second was harder to nail, and the jury’s still out as to whether or not I’ve managed that.

I’ll share an example. In the excerpt below, I describe the scene in Omonia, which in my childhood was the commercial and cultural hub of Athens but has since been blighted by neglect and crime. I struggled with whether I should tell it like it is or avoid it altogether. Writing is all about taking risks, of course, so I opted for the latter.

Sarah wandered the back streets of Omonia, the square in the heart of downtown Athens. She needed time to process what she’d just heard and a distraction to keep from doing something she’d regret.

She glanced furtively at the faces around her: Bangladeshi men, dressed in sarongs and tank tops, chewing paan as they sat idly on stoops of shuttered buildings; homeless waifs lying on filthy blankets on the sidewalk, staring vacantly at passersby and on occasion summoning the energy to extend an open palm; an emaciated young woman dressed in a cheap, skin-tight micromini, standing against a corrugated metal construction wall, cigarette in hand, soliciting business.

She couldn’t believe how Omonia Square had changed in the years since she’d visited Athens. Apart from the die-hard souvlaki stands and tobacco kiosks, businesses had gone under, leaving behind boarded-up buildings that eventually became magnets for posters and political graffiti. The apartments, once desirable real estate, had been left to decay and converted to low-rent immigrant quarters, many with no heat or running water. The Greeks had all fled to other neighborhoods, handing the spiritual keys to their Omonia over to poor, jobless foreign settlers—some legal, some not—and letting them turn this former hub into a cesspool of debauchery.

Sarah stopped by the temporary wall, behind which was an abandoned construction site now strewn with garbage. She took a cigarette out of her jacket pocket and fumbled for a lighter. The streetwalker walked up to her, offering a light. Sarah accepted it, noting the multiple needle marks on the woman’s arms. She met her gaze and realized she was probably no older than sixteen. The girl flashed a smile, a heartbreaking playfulness in it. Sarah nodded her thanks and walked on.

It’s a hundred percent accurate, yet it was hard for me to write. But I’m glad I did it. There is a certain acceptance that comes with committing something to paper and putting it out there for the world to see.

Many scenes like this one unfold in The Oracle, and—I hope—enrich the narrative. Though it cost me some sleep and tears, the decision to paint a true portrait of Greece, for better or for worse, ultimately was a good one—if for no one else, for me.

Truth is, after all, one of the paragons of ancient Greek philosophy. As Plato said in his seminal work, The Republic, “When the mind’s eye rests on objects illuminated by truth and reality, it understands and comprehends them, and functions intelligently.” It’s sage advice for all of us.

The Oracle is available this month from Medallion. For more information, visit www.djnikobooks.com or the author’s Facebook page.

 

About the Author

Daphne Nikolopoulos, photography by Lauren Lieberman / LILA Daphne Nikolopoulos in an award-winning journalist, author, editor, and lecturer. Under the pen name D.J. Niko, she has written two novels in an archaeological thriller series titled The Sarah Weston Chronicles. Her debut novel, The Tenth Saint (Medallion Press, 2012), won the Gold Medal (popular fiction) in the prestigious, juried Florida Book Awards. Her follow-up release, The Riddle of Solomon, continues the story of British archaeologist Sarah Weston as she seeks the relics—and mystical secrets—left behind by the biblical King Solomon in remote Israel. Daphne is currently at work on The Oracle, book 3 in The Sarah Weston Chronicles, which releases in 2015. Also slated for publication in 2015 is her first historical novel, The Judgment, which is set in Israel and Egypt in the tenth century BCE. In addition to writing fiction, Daphne is editor in chief of Palm Beach Illustrated magazine and editorial director of Palm Beach Media Group. Prior to that, she was a travel journalist who logged hundreds of thousands of miles traveling across the globe, with emphasis on little-known and off-the-beaten-path locales—many of which have inspired her novels. Daphne frequently lectures about her research on the ancient world. She is an instructor at Florida Atlantic University’s Lifelong Learning Society, teaching on the subject of archaeology. She has also spoken to audiences at the Jewish Community Center of the Palm Beaches’ Academy for Continuous Education, and several libraries and private groups throughout Florida. Born and raised in Athens, Greece, Daphne now resides in West Palm Beach with her husband and twin son and daughter.
You can find her on the Web at djnikobooks.com and connect with her on Facebook (AuthorDJNiko) and on Twitter: @djnikobooks.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, November 9 Review at A Book Geek  
Tuesday, November 10 Guest Post at Historical Fiction Connection  
Wednesday, November 11 Review at Back Porchervations  
Friday, November 13 Spotlight at I'd So Rather Be Reading  
Monday, November 16 Spotlight & Giveaway at Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More  
Tuesday, November 17 Review at Book Nerd  
Wednesday, November 18 Review at History From a Woman's Perspective Spotlight & Excerpt at The Lit Bitch  
Thursday, November 19 Spotlight at A Literary Vacation
 Friday, November 20 Spotlight at The Never-Ending Book  
Monday, November 23 Character Interview at Boom Baby Reviews  
Tuesday, November 24 Guest Post at Yelena Casale's Blog
 Friday, November 27 Spotlight at Teatime and Books  
Tuesday, December 1 Review at Kristin Un-Ravelle'd  
Wednesday, December 2 Review at Book Lovers Paradise  
Friday, December 4 Spotlight at Diana's Book Reviews  
Thursday, December 10 Review at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf
 Friday, December 11 Guest Post & Giveaway at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf Spotlight at CelticLady's Reviews
 

Eclipse The Flame by Ingrid Seymour - Cover Reveal & Giveaway

 BOOK & AUTHOR INFO:

Eclipse The Flame by Ingrid Seymour
(Ignite the Shadows #2)
Published by: HarperVoyager
Genres: Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis:

In the new world of The Takeover nothing and no one will be safe. Marci must choose: love or vengeance.

One night she secretly follows her lover to a club. To her horror she discovers those closest to her, mingling freely with parasitic creatures which have secretly possessed human minds. A bloody ambush follows, leaving Marci a shadow of her former self.

Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious attacks. Ignite, the only resistance group, is disintegrating. As the world catches fire, Marci struggles to control the buzzing spectres in her own head.

Her hardest battle is between the forces of good and evil within herself. For Marci must fight. She was meant to burn

Goodreads

AUTHOR BIO:

Ingrid Seymour is the author of IGNITE THE SHADOWS (Harper Voyager). When she’s not writing books, she spends her time working as a software engineer, cooking exotic recipes, hanging out with her family and working out. She writes young adult and new adult fiction in a variety of genres, including Sci-Fi and urban fantasy.

Her favorite outings involve a trip to the library or bookstore where she immediately gravitates toward the YA section. She’s an avid reader and fangirl of many amazing books. She is a dreamer and a fighter who believes perseverance and hard work can make dreams come true.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Quote of the Day

Those who wish to sing always find a song

~ Swedish Proverb

Quote of the Day

 

“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other opinions drown your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

 ~ Steve Jobs

Happy Book Birthday to Code Black by Tina Moss! Don't Miss This One!

Heat Up The Night...Heed The Call

eBook Edition

October 2015
Price: $3.99

Sale Price: $0.99 

Read the EXCERPT now!

 

 

Gossip mag reporter Sera Benenati knows a thing or two about unearthing secrets...and burying them. As an unregistered supernatural, her freedom depends on keeping her fire-wielding abilities contained. Yet, the threat of a little flame isn’t enough to snuff out her journalistic pursuits. She’s determined to claw her way to the top and land a spot with a real paper.

When she tracks a lead on a string of gruesome paranormal murders to the small town of Buckhorn, Arizona, she’s certain she’s landed the perfect scoop. But, as the crime scene reveals victims with bite marks, torn flesh, and battered bodies, Sera may have smoked out more than she can burn. As the investigation grows hot and Sera winds up in the crosshairs, she’ll need the help of a sexy shifter, special agent Talon Rede, to unmask the murderers before she becomes the next victim.

Paranormal Romantic Suspense

 

Paperback edition available at Amazon and through the Ingram catalog.

 Pre-Order Book 2, RED ALERT, now. Coming this spring!

ALSO AVAILABLE AT RETAIL OUTLETS

                

  PRAISE FOR CODE BLACK

"A cast of vampires, psychics, and shape-shifters delivers...witty quips that round out this solid example of the genre." - Publishers Weekly

"The introduction to the Paranormal Crimes Division (PCD) promises to be entertaining and tense. Humor is never far from the surface, which comes in handy because the world they patrol is treacherous and fear-inducing." - RT Book Reviews

SPEND A WILD NIGHT WITH SOME VERY WICKED ALPHAS...

SPEND A WILD NIGHT WITH SOME VERY WICKED ALPHAS...

Find your next red-hot read in this sizzling collection of paranormal romance scenes, featuring werewolves, dragons, vampires, witches, psychics, angels, goblins, aliens, a succubus, and sexy cowboy shifters. Your favorite authors (including New York Times and USA Today bestsellers as well as rising stars) share the steamiest scenes from their latest works!

ePubKindle (.mobi)

Coming September 30th, but don't wait! Pre-Order your copy today.
Only $0.99 for the hottest excerpts in paranormal romance!

All Retail Outlets:

                

Don't forget to check out the Wicked Alphas, Wild Nights website for all the details and newsletter sign-up. Be the first to find out about the next two sets in the series!

The Outlander King (The Aetheling's Bride Book 1) by Hilary Rhodes - Review

 The Outlander King (The Aetheling’s Bride, Book 1)
by Hilary Rhodes

Publication Date: June 1, 2015
Amazon/Smashwords
eBook; 476 Pages
ASIN: B00XM9QJ1K

Genre: Historical Fiction

The story of The Lion and the Rose and the Norman Conquest continues in this spellbinding new historical fiction series from author Hilary Rhodes, pulling back the curtain on the lives of two remarkable women connected across centuries: Aislinn, a seventeen-year-old English girl caught up in the advancing army of the “outlander king,” the man who will become known to history as William the Conqueror. Thrust into the center of the new Norman court and a dizzying web of political intrigue and plotting princes, she must choose her alliances carefully in a game of thrones where the stakes are unimaginably high. Embroiled in rebellions and betrayals, Aislinn learns the price of loyalty, struggles to find her home, and save those she loves – and, perhaps, her own soul as well.

Almost nine hundred years later in 1987, Selma Murray, an American graduate student at Oxford University, is researching the mysterious “Aethelinga” manuscript, as Aislinn’s chronicle has come to be known. Trying to work out the riddles of someone else’s past is a way for Selma to dodge her own troubling ghosts – yet the two are becoming inextricably intertwined. She must face her own demons, answer Aislinn’s questions, and find forgiveness – for herself and others – in this epically scaled but intimately examined, extensively researched look at the creation of history, the universality of humanity, and the many faces it has worn no matter the century: loss, grief, guilt, redemption, and love.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | ITUNES | KOBO

My Review

4 out of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction set in the time of William of Normandy (later known as William the Conqueror). The main story follows a commoner girl, Aislinn, as she is taken away from her home and goes through various personal and historical events to becomes a strong yet flawed woman. Aislinn and her family are fictional characters but most of the rest of the people surrounding her are in fact historical characters, and I really liked the mix of the two. Most of the secondary characters were also well fleshed out and interesting. There were a couple of Aislinn's actions that had me shake my head and wonder why she would do it, but on the whole, it was a strong and captivating story.

The other part of the book is about Selma, an American graduate student studying at Oxford, on a search of the “Aetheling” manuscript, presumably written by Aislinn herself. In honesty, I could have done without that part. I felt like taking a sharp break from the medieval story for Selma's part took me out of Aislinn's story and did not add much value to it. I also didn't connect much with Selma's story and didn't find much of a connection between her story and Aislinn's (it's possible there will be more of an explanation in the next book).

Minus the modern day part, I loved the novel and would recommend it for any historical fiction aficionado. I will also pick up other novels by Hilary Rhodes.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 

Hilary Rhodes is a scholar, author, blogger, and all-around geek who fell in love with medieval England while spending a year abroad at Oxford University. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in history, and is currently preparing for doctoral studies at the University of Leeds, fulfilling a years-long dream to return to the UK. In what little spare time she has, she enjoys reading, blogging about her favorite TV shows, movies, and books, music, and traveling.

For more information please visit Hilary Rhodes’ blog.

 

 

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, August 24
Spotlight & Excerpt at What Is That Book About

Tuesday, August 25
Review at Based on a True Story

Wednesday, August 26
Spotlight & Excerpt at To Read, or Not to Read
Spotlight & Giveaway at Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More

Thursday, August 27
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Friday, August 28
Spotlight at The Never-Ending Book

Monday, August 31
Review at History From a Woman’s Perspective
Interview at Boom Baby Reviews

Tuesday, September 1
Spotlight at The True Book Addict
Wednesday, September 2
Guest Post & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books
Thursday, September 3
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews
Guest Post at Books and Benches
Friday, September 4
Spotlight at A Literary Vacation
Saturday, September 5
Review at A Fold in the Spine
Monday, September 7
Review & Excerpt at Queen of All She Reads
Tuesday, September 8
Review at Book Nerd

Wednesday, September 9
Spotlight & Excerpt at Historical Fiction Connection

Thursday, September 10
Review at Yelena Casale’s Blog

Friday, September 11
Spotlight & Excerpt at The Lit Bitch

Cover Reveal - The Touched by Jennifer Weiser

BOOK INFO:

The Touched by Jennifer Weiser
Published by: Limitless Publishing
Publication date: September 29th 2015
Genres: Dystopia, Paranormal, Young Adult

 

The first sixteen years of Arabella Penthallow’s life have been a lie…
In a world where deception is the key to survival, Ara has kept up the charade of being a perfect Legion Leader’s daughter. But a darkness stirs, and she discovers she is Touched, a mortal gifted by the Gods. The Touched are as rare as they are feared, and Ara is forced to leave Union City for neighboring Midnight City to protect herself and those she loves, leaving Tove Thorn, the boy who has always known her heart, behind.

Carter Decker has vowed to burn Union City to the ground…

Midnight City’s cocky, infamous bad boy always gets what he wants, and he wants Union City to pay for burning his mother alive because she was Touched. When Carter meets Ara, she is everything he’s been taught to hate. Then he learns she is Touched—just like him—he isn’t sure who he hates more…the Touched girl whose father killed his mother, or himself for being tempted by someone he’s sworn to kill.

They are told they’re fated to be soul mates…and they each wish the other never existed.

When Midnight City is attacked by Union City, Carter and Arabella will do the unthinkable…even if it means falling for the enemy. The truth lies in Arabella’s home nation, and Tove is waiting. Soul mates or not, he has an advantage Carter doesn’t, fated souls be damned.

War is coming…and Ara is the prize.

Goodreads

AUTHOR BIO:

 

Jennifer Weiser is a young adult author who has always been a book nerd and a bit chocolate obsessed. Writing has always been a favorite escape, but quickly became a passion not long after the birth of her daughter. When she isn't combing the shelves of her local book stores or blogging about newest book obsessions, you can find her nestled in her nook creating worlds she hopes that one day will inspire her daughter, who not only has given her the courage to follow her dreams--but offers the inspirations that help color their worlds together.

 

 

Author links:

Website

Twitter

Goodreads

Sneak Peek: WICKED ALPHAS, WILD NIGHTS

ARE YOU READY TO...SPEND A WILD NIGHT WITH SOME VERY WICKED ALPHAS...

Find your next red-hot read in this sizzling collection of paranormal romance scenes, featuring werewolves, dragons, vampires, witches, psychics, angels, goblins, aliens, a succubus, and sexy cowboy shifters. Your favorite authors (including New York Times and USA Today bestsellers as well as rising stars) share the steamiest scenes from their latest works!

Coming September 30th, 2015
At an amazing price of only $0.99 for the hottest excerpts in paranormal romance!

Sign up for the Wicked Alphas, Wild Nights newsletter to get news, freebies and

to be the first to discover all the details about the next two sets in the series. 

 

Cover Reveal - Lucid Dreaming by Cassandra Page

BOOK INFO:

Lucid Dreaming by Cassandra Page
Publication date: November 2015
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy

Synopsis:

Who would have thought your dreams could kill you?

Melaina makes the best of her peculiar heritage: half human and half Oneiroi, or dream spirit, she can manipulate others’ dreams. At least working out the back of a new age store as a ‘dream therapist’ pays the bills. Barely.

But when Melaina treats a client for possession by a nightmare creature, she unleashes the murderous wrath of the creature’s master. He could be anywhere, inside anyone: a complete stranger or her dearest friend. Melaina must figure out who this hidden adversary is and what he’s planning – before the nightmares come for her.

Goodreads

AUTHOR BIO:

Cassandra Page is a mother, author, editor and geek. She lives in Canberra, Australia's bush capital, with her son and two Cairn Terriers. She has a serious coffee addiction and a tattoo of a cat -- despite being allergic to cats. She has loved to read since primary school, when the library was her refuge, and loves many genres -- although urban fantasy is her favourite. When she's not reading or writing, she engages in geekery, from Doctor Who to AD&D. Because who said you need to grow up?

Author links:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

When An Omega Snaps by Eve Langlais Book Blitz

 

Book & Author Details:

When An Omega Snaps by Eve Langlais
(A Lion’s Pride #3)
Publication date: August 6th 2015
Genres: Adult, Paranormal

Synopsis:

Leo is the calm guy. The nice guy. The one nobody screws with. So could someone explain that to Meena so she stops driving him insane—with desire.

When Meena literally throws herself at Leo and declares he’s her mate, his first reaction is to deny—and run far, far away. This lion/tiger mix doesn’t do drama and chaos. Problem is, once he sets eyes on her, he can’t help but want the vivacious blonde with plus-sized curves, perfect for a big man like himself.

He wants her even if it breaks all his rules when it comes to women.
Wants her even if she destroys his serenity.
Wants her more than a perfectly grilled piece of steak with a dash of garlic, pepper, and salt.

Thing is, someone else wants her too.

This poor omega is about to have his world turned upside down, which means everyone better watch out because when Leo experiences love, jealousy, and frustration for the first time, he doesn’t just snap—he roars!

Goodreads

Purchase:

Amazon

B&N 

Kobo

iBooks 

Google

AUTHOR BIO:

Hello, my name is Eve and I am a Canadian author who loves to write hot romance, usually with werewolves, cyborgs or aliens.

I should warn you that I possess a twisted imagination and a sarcastic sense of humor something I like to let loose in my writing. I enjoy strong alpha males, and shifters. Lots of big, overprotective shifters. I am also extremely partial to aliens, the kind who like to abduct humans and then drive them insane...with pleasure. Do you like something a little darker? Then check out my cyborgs whose battle with humanity have captivated readers worldwide.

I love to write, and while I don't always know what my mind is going to come up with next, I can promise it will be fun, probably humorous and most of all romantic, because I love a happily ever after.

Author links:

Goodreads

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Interview with historical romance author Regan Walker (and a bonus recipe!)

Today, it is my pleasure to interview Regan Walker, the author of the historical romance novel To Tame the Wind. Read on and don't forget to check out the rest of the tour schedule on the bottom of the post.

About To Tame the Wind

Publication Date: May 9, 2015
CreateSpace
eBook; 294p

Series: Agents of the Crown (Prequel)
Genre: Historical Romance

Paris 1782…AN INNOCENT IS TAKEN

All Claire Donet knew was the world inside the convent walls in Saint-Denis. She had no idea her beloved papa was a pirate. But when he seized Simon Powell’s schooner, the English privateer decided to take the one thing his enemy held most dear… her.

A BATTLE IS JOINED

The waters between France and England roil with the clashes of Claire’s father and her captor as the last year of the American Revolution rages on the sea, spies lurk in Paris and Claire’s passion for the English captain rises.

Author Interview with Regan Walker

Hi Regan, it is such a pleasure to have you here today!

Tell us a bit about your latest work. What was your inspiration for it?

After I finished my Agents of the Crown trilogy, set in the Regency period, I thought it would be interesting to tell the story of the parents of the heroes in books 2 and 3, Claire Donet and Capt. Simon Powell. So I did… in a prequel, To Tame the Wind. Since their love was born out of the American Revolution as played out in London, Paris and the English Channel, there was a lot of history to draw upon. It’s set in 1782, the last year of the Revolution, and features a French pirate, an English privateer and spies lurking in both England and France. Oh and did I mention there are ships?

What is your favorite historical period to write about and why? Favorite historical location?

So far, it might be the late 18^th century, the period in which To Tame the Wind is set. But now that I’m writing Rogue Knight, book 2 in my Medieval Warriors series, I love being back in England in the 11^th century. As for location, it would be difficult to compete with London and Paris but I do love Scotland and have a series in mind set in Skye and the Isles, beginning in the 12^th century.

You mention in your bio that you traveled a lot and you love meeting new people. What are your favorite places to travel to?

The South Pacific is an amazing place… Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and all the island countries. But I also love Europe, particularly the older parts. Last year I returned for the 3^rd time to the Highlands of Scotland and loved diving into the deep past of that wonderful country with its proud heritage. I have a Pinterest board from my trip you might like to see: https://www.pinterest.com/reganwalker123/regans-trip-to-the-western-highlands-of-scotland-s/.

  I ask this question of all the authors I have a chance to interview. What is your advice for aspiring writers?

I think it’s important to read in the genre they want to write in to get a sense of the storytelling and what you want your style to be. I like books with real history in them, the deeper ones. And that is what I want to write, too. I also suggest finishing their first book (at least) and then get some critical eyes on it… a critique group, a beta reader. If you like being in control, you might prefer being an Indie. I began with a publisher but I’m happy as an Indie now.

 If you could have dinner with one historical figure, who would it be?

Probably Sir Winston Churchill. But William Wilberforce and the Apostle Paul are also favorites.

  I saw a number of great recipes on your website. Can you share a recipe with the blog readers?

I would love to. How about Ginger Carrot Soup from To Tame the Wind? This is the soup the Irish cook, McGinnes, served (with Claire's help) onboard the Fairwinds just before they sailed for London. Simon was surprised to see soup as they did not typically have soup onboard the ship and he was skeptical as McGinnes was new at his craft. McGinnes' soup turned out to be a hit and, being as Claire is French, of course it was made with cream.

Ginger Carrot Soup (http://www.reganwalkerauthor.com/mcginnes-gingered-carrot-soup.html)

Ingredients

·         2 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter

·         2 onions peeled and chopped

·         2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger

·         2 pounds carrots, peeled and sliced (about 4-6 cups)

·         4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

·         1 cup half & half or whipping cream

·         1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Heat oil (or butter) in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and cook, stirring often until onions are translucent and limp. Add broth, carrots and ginger. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until carrots are tender, about 30 minutes.

Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a blender. Working in batches, pulse at first, then puree the mixture. Be sure to release one corner of the lid to avoid creating a vacuum. You can also place a towel over the top of the blender.

Return soup to saucepan and add half & half or cream. Stir over medium until hot. Add salt and pepper to taste and cinnamon (optional). Mix in ground cinnamon. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before continuing, thinning with more stock if necessary. Ladle soup into bowls.

Lightning round questions:

1.      Tea or Coffee: Tea, Green tea with Jasmine

2.      City or Country: country

3.      Cat or Dog (both is ok J): dog (I have a Golden Retriever)

4.      Favorite season: Spring

5.      Favorite TV show: Masterpiece Theatre’s Poldark series at the moment

  Thank you for stopping by to chat with us!

Praise for To Tame the Wind

“A sea adventure like no other, a riveting romance!” -NY Times bestselling author Shirlee Busbee

“Another exciting historical romance from Regan Walker” –NY Times Bestselling Author Virginia Henley

“I was hooked from the first page! Political intrigue, a bit of mystery and a beautifully developed romance that swept me from Paris to London and to the waters of the English Channel! Very, very, very well done!” –The Reading Cafe

About the Author

Bestselling author Regan Walker loved to write stories as a child, particularly those about adventure-loving girls, but by the time she got to college more serious pursuits took priority. One of her professors encouraged her to pursue the profession of law, which she did. Years of serving clients in private practice and several stints in high levels of government gave her a love of international travel and a feel for the demands of the “Crown” on its subjects. Hence her romance novels often involve a demanding sovereign who taps his subjects for “special assignments.” And in each of her novels, there is always real history and real historic figures. Regan lives in San Diego with her golden retriever, Link, whom she says inspires her every day to relax and smell the roses.

For more information please visit Regan Walker’s website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, July 27
Spotlight at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, July 28
Review at Diana’s Book Reviews
Wednesday, July 29
Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews
Guest Post at Susan Heim on Writing

Thursday, July 30
Interview at Yelena Casale’s Blog

Friday, July 31
Review at Kristin Un-Ravelle’d
Saturday, August 1
Spotlight at Genre Queen
Monday, August 3
Review at “Good Friends, Good Books and a Sleepy Conscience: This is the Ideal Life.”
Tuesday, August 4
Review at Shelly’s Book Shelves
Thursday, August 6
Spotlight at Long Ago Love

Friday, August 7
Review at Book Nerd

Thursday, August 13
Interview at Books and Benches

Friday, August 14
Guest Post at Passages to the Past