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Carla Lyle
www.caralyle.net
Heart on Hold
What is Heart on Hold about?
Heart on Hold is about a young woman who has turned her back on close relationships, pouring all her energy and passion into her profession. Yet, when a chance crime in a forest presents her with a rescuer, a Galahad-like Coast Guard officer, and she finds she cannot turn her back on him. She is very, very attracted to him. However, attraction is a long way from trusting him. But she can offer herself a night of love.
When a telephone call from her solicitor in Scotland catapults Gwen into an emotional tailspin, she has to trust Ian to help her cope with the news that her mother has reappeared in Aberdeen after an absence of seven years, now a victim of a shooting and very near death.
Despite her problems, Ian Loudoun has determined she is the one for him, and gladly stands as a bulwark against her anger at her mother, her mother’s killer and the nightmares she used to suffer as a child.
What do you think readers will enjoy about it?
Foremost, the characters. Ian Loudoun is an easygoing, very confident man. Comfortable with himself and with the authority he commands as a Coast Guard commander. At first Gwen is blithe, happy. After the telephone call, she is confused and hides behind bluster and bravado, camouflage intended to hide still festering wounds. He likes her blitheness but recognizes her brashness as symptoms of her hurt. And then there is the little half-sister, a child of mystery who engages both Ian’s and Gwen’s hearts.
The various settings. A)the dark mystery of the Olympic National Forest in Washington State. B) Aberdeen, Scotland, from where her mother unaccountably disappears but then reappears, a victim of a shooting. It’s a sad place for her. But also a place where she receives the gift of a seven-year-old half sister. C) Then there is the huge farm in the Palouse, Ian’s home, where Gwen learns the depth of his love for her. D) Finally, the sailboat cruise around the Olympic Peninsula that ends in disaster for all three of them.
What do you do for fun and recreation?
Well, I really do like writing. Almost as much as I like reading. And I read just about anything. For recreation? I walk, ski, sail, and travel when I can tear myself away from the computer.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve done?
Circumnavigated the British Isles in a 40-foot boat. I loved the sailing; screamed at the gales.
What qualities do you find attractive in a man?
A man who is happy with what he is, who thinks things through and then does them. Doesn’t talk his feelings or his thoughts to death. And doesn’t ever, ever apologize (in the many ways they do it) for being a man.
Tell us about your first love.
I was 17 and observed the end of the Dun Loaghaire, Ireland to Liverpool race. A horrible gale hit at midnight. More like a hurricane it was so strong, I had to keep tethered to the guardrails or risked being blown off the deck. All the racers were at the Royal Yacht Club drinking and unaware that this gale had hit. I came on deck to take my turn at watch and noticed this poor soaked man bailing out his 20-footer. Believe it or not, he wanted to make conversation with me in a high wind and him soaking wet, his boots filled with water, and joking about it. I fell in love with him right then. The affair continued for an entire week, with me helping him dry out his half-drowned boat. So there was no chance for very much more than conversation. But when he and his buddies sailed out of Dun Loaghaire harbor a week later, I stood on the pier, crying my eyes out, thinking I would never meet anyone like him again. I was right. I never have.
Describe your most memorable New Year’s Eve.
In Spain. I was working on a project that had a very tight deadline, and forgot all about New Year’s Eve when my boss told me to scram and get home. At that time, I walked to and from work. As I went around the corner through a small street with tiny cafés and bars, I was caught up in a pedestrian bottleneck. Revelers just clogging the sidewalk. Before I knew it, I was part of some family’s celebration. No one cared that I didn’t belong. I was given a glass of wine, some tapas, and from that moment, I forgot about getting home. I just went along. And enjoyed every moment. I got home about seven the next morning, not drunk, but feeling very nice. Part of something.
If you could pick a person to be trapped on a tropical island with for a month, who would it be and why?
First and foremost! Someone with good fishing skills. Someone who is not afraid to explore just about anything whether it’s cerebral or physical explorations. A conversationalist. A man with a sense of humor.
(Probably someone like Andrew Greeley. Or my husband, a sailor, skier, soldier.)
What else would you like readers to know about you?
I grew up thinking nothing of hearing at least three different languages spoken at the dinner table. My father’s guests might be Italian, French, Spanish, Greek, Dutch or British, all businessmen. My life has always been full of activity: sports as well as study. While I now live in the Pacific Northwest, I still find myself playing host to Germans, South Africans, Turks and Spaniards. Just last month, I drove across the United States, from Florida to the State of Washington. A nice little adventure.
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Jenyfer Matthews
www.jenyfermatthews.com
Here to Stay
What is Here to Stay about?
Here to Stay is a romantic suspense about a married couple who have drifted apart but still love each other. Julia, my heroine, wants to start fresh in a new place but Patrick, her husband, wants to win her back. The suspense revolves around the house that Julia inherits from her great-aunt and whether or not Julia’s aunt’s death was indeed an accident as it was ruled.
What do you think readers will enjoy most about it?
I hope that the readers will like the characters and root for them as they explore what it was that drove them apart in the first place and what they can do to make their relationship work again, with the insight of what went wrong for them fresh in their minds.
What inspired you to write this book?
There were a few things that came together for me at the same time. I had just come from visiting the New Jersey coast in March. The beaches are mostly deserted and the waves and cold are fierce. There was a fascinatingly powerful melancholy mood that called to me. In addition, there were all these lovely but decrepit Victorian houses in this particular area that I really wanted to breathe some life into, even if it was only in my imagination.
As for the relationship, it seemed like there were lots of stories about people finding each other for the first time, but not so many about old lovers reviving troubled relationships. It was something I was interested in exploring. It seems to happen often enough in real life: People get into ruts, they lose sight of what is really important in their lives, and they forget to nurture their relationships. I wanted to write about a couple like this and give them a happy ending for a change.
What is the most interesting thing you’ve ever done?
I’d say taking an eight-month-old baby to India has to rank right up there!
If you could be another person for a month, who would you be?
I guess this is a pretty boring answer, but there isn’t really anyone famous that I can think of who I would want to be. I don’t crave fame; it seems to come with too high a price and I’m happy with my life as it is—with one big exception: I’d really enjoy being fabulously wealthy!!! I’d like to be me, but with no restrictions on my time or activities that are rooted in money (or lack of it!)
What do you like to do with your free time?
When I have a little free time—which isn’t that frequently when you have small children around—I like to tend to my garden, do some baking, or if I’m really feeling lazy, just sit down in a cozy spot with a good book and a cup of tea. Bliss.
Who do you think is the most attractive man who ever lived and why?
Another tough question! There are lots of attractive men in the world! A personality will make or break the deal of course, but in general, I’m not into pretty boys or men who are too smooth. A man doesn’t have to be classically handsome to catch my attention. I prefer someone with a little character in his face (and of course a nice butt!) I like a man who’s a little rough around the edges, who has an air of powerful masculinity about him. Daniel Day Lewis, as he was in Last of the Mohicans, springs to mind. Or maybe Hugh Grant when he’s playing a cad. And James Denton, the sexy plumber from Desperate Housewives, is pretty yummy too.
Tell us about your first love.
I was in seventh grade and had a tremendous crush on one of the popular boys. It was unrequited and quite wrenching at the time.
What is your idea of a romantic date?
I think a perfect date would be something that showed the man had put a little thought into what I might really enjoy—something beyond the usual flowers and dinner routine. It might even depend on the time of year. I’m really not hard to please but kind of silly deep down. For instance, if it was winter, it would be fun to find a quiet spot to go sledding and then have cocoa afterwards to warm up—before he ravished me on a bearskin rug, of course!
Where is your favorite place to spend time?
I’ve had the privilege of living abroad and have travelled to more interesting places than I can count, but there really is no place like home, is there?
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Sandra Cox
www.sandracox1.com
The Crystal
What is The Crystal about?
Caught in a downpour, Gabriella Bell enters a trendy little shop and discovers a crystal ball in which she sees the face of a hard-eyed stranger. Drawn by a force she doesn't understand, she buys the crystal, unaware she is purchasing stolen property that belongs to the aunt of a premiere cat burglar known to polite society as Christopher Saint and to the underworld as The Tiger.
She soon discovers that not only does the handsome, hard-eyed stranger want the mysterious globe, but so does a beautiful ruthless jewel thief who will stop at nothing, including murder, to possess Christopher and the crystal ball … and Gabriella is standing in her way. Gabriella discovers the road to true love isn't just rocky; it's downright dangerous.
What do you think readers will enjoy most about it?
I hope the readers will enjoy not only the romance, but the adventure that Christopher and Gabriella find themselves caught up in.
What inspired you to write this book?
I love fantasy. I think we all find ourselves wondering what if.... What if magic really did exist? How would it change us and how would we change the world?
What is the most interesting thing you've ever done?
I attended my daughter's wedding in Italy last month. It’s the first time I've been out of the country.
If you could be another person for a month, who would you be?
Nora Roberts or Elizabeth Peters. Both are prolific writers and excellent storytellers. I'd love to have some insight into their cognitive processes.
What do you like to do with your free time?
Probably like most writers I spend my spare time reading. I also like to hike in the mountains or walk along the seashore.
Who do you think is the most attractive man who ever lived and why?
Cary Grant. His voice, his sophistication, his good looks. He just packed a potent dose of sex appeal.
Tell us about your first love.
I saw him for the first time when I was 14 and it was love at first sight. At least for me; he was more interested in my best friend. We started dating at 16 and dated for about 6 years and then our paths diverged.
What is your idea of a romantic date?
Dinner, flowers and candlelight followed by a romantic walk along the ocean.
Where is your favorite place to spend time?
It would be a toss up between the bookstore, the mountains and the ocean.
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Sharon Milburn
Captain's Lady
What is Captain's Lady about?
Set in 1815, Captain's Lady tells the story of Alice, a governess who has a strong sense of loyalty to her cousin, Lavinia. When Lavinia's husband dies, her unborn baby will inherit the estate if he's a boy. The baby turns out to be a girl, though, and the estate passes to the black sheep of the family, Captain Edward Masterman of the Royal Navy. Edward and Alice get off to a bad start, but soon Edward learns that family, loyalty and love can mean more than his duty to his King and Country.
What do you think readers will enjoy most about it?
Captain's Lady is warmhearted and romantic, with a bit of action, a bit of drama, heroes and villains and a satisfying, happy ending.
What inspired you to write this book?
The anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar started me thinking about the men of the Royal Navy, and what they must have given up to do their duty. Their friends and families back home must have suffered, too. The book is about what might have happened to one of them.
What is the most interesting thing you've ever done?
I've done lots of things, but a ride on the back of an elephant up to the hill fort of Amber, in India, was a real highlight. Getting sprayed by the elephant clearing its trunk was less than interesting. :)
If you could be another person for a month, who would you be?
It would be fascinating to be a man for a month. Perhaps Daniel Craig (the new James Bond). I'd be very glad to change back again, though.
What do you like to do with your free time?
I'm a collector of all things old and interesting. I go to flea markets, garage/yard sales, junk shops and charity shops whenever I can.
Who do you think is the most attractive man who ever lived and why?
My goodness. There would be a lot of candidates. I think charisma, strength of character and generosity of spirit rank higher than physical good looks. How about Sir Edmund Hillary, the man who climbed Everest.
Tell us about your first love.
My first love was an absolute disaster and I'd rather not think about the philandering rat. My last love is the one I think about all the time and probably will for the next 30 years or so.
What is your idea of a romantic date?
Balmy summer breezes, flickering candles, dinner for two on a beachside terrace with the sun setting over the Indian Ocean.
Where is your favorite place to spend time?
I love to walk along the bank of the Swan River in Western Australia. It's not unusual to see a dolphin or two, and the wind across the water sends the light sparkling back in a thousand reflections.
Ariana Dupre
Night Visions
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What is Night Visions about?
Night Visions is about what happens when dreams really do come true, even if those dreams are nightmares. It’s about accepting a destiny that you absolutely don’t want to participate in while learning to trust the one person you’re afraid will hurt you. It’s learning to understand yourself and accepting your abilities even if you’re negatively labeled because of them. Ultimately, it’s about acceptance and love. Here’s a blurb:
He appears to her every night, chasing her until she’s trapped behind the barrel of a gun. A stalker who wants her dead. Terror jolts her awake with vivid scenes of her death. The problem is that Angelina Benton’s prophetic dreams always come true. The day Jared Maxwell in walks into The Variety Vine, the nightmare becomes reality. Circumstances force Angie to work and live with Jared. If she refuses, she loses her home and business. If she agrees she may lose her life.
Love at first sight isn’t possible in Jared Maxwell’s mind. When he meets Angelina, his world turns upside down. He’s determined to gain her trust and win her love even though he has an ulterior motive for being in Dansburg, Virginia.
Strange events unfold during the renovation that put Angie’s life in danger. Despite her fears, she realizes she’s falling in love with the rugged man from her dreams. She learns that she may be one of three destined to break a 200-year-old curse. Can she overcome her fears and suspicions to fulfill her destiny or will trusting Jared be the ultimate mistake?
What inspired you to write it?
I had put my kids to bed for the night and was in that in between stage when you’re still awake but falling asleep. We live on the beach and I was listening to the waves pounding the surf when suddenly I saw the opening scene like a movie in my mind along with the book title. I got up, rebooted the computer, opened a blank word document and sat there and typed until the scene played itself out. That movie in my mind was the inspiration to write the book. Once I started telling Angie’s story I couldn’t stop until it was finished.
What do you think readers will enjoy about it?
I hope they enjoy the characters as they develop and interact throughout the story. I also hope they enjoy the suspense and twists and turns in the plot.
What do you like to do with your spare time?
I own five Friesian horses with my husband and we’ll have two foals born this spring. We also have four boys, a rabbit and a little dog (she’s only a pound an a half) and two businesses. Plus, I write and do psychic readings. When I do have spare time, which is rare, I like to spend it relaxing. So much of my time is spent creating, writing or being there for someone else that sometimes it’s nice to have just a few moments to soak in a tub or take a swim. Those moments are fleeting so I grab them whenever I can.
Where is your favorite place to spend time?
Either at the beach or with the horses. Bookstores rank high on my list of favorite places too.
Who do you think is the most attractive man who ever lived and why?
Well, definitely my husband. He’s handsome, funny and a big tease. Why? He keeps me smiling and happy, supports my interests and shows me daily how much he loves me—who could ask for anything more?
What is your idea of a romantic date?
Ten minutes without children around. LOL. Seriously, we try to make romance a part of our daily life. We don’t get to go out much because of the kids but when we do a nice dinner, a boat ride down the Intercoastal waterway or sitting on the beach enjoying each other’s company is romantic to me.
Tell us about your first love.
Well, my FIRST love was reading. I was a fanatic and read as many books as possible (I devoured close to 400 books one summer.) I still read daily. And I still have books I had as a kid that I share with my children which is very cool for them and for me.
If you could be someone else for a month, who would you be and why?
There’s not one specific person that I’d like to trade places with but I would like to be a world traveler. Then I could see places I’ve always wanted to see (Ireland, Scotland, Egypt and many more places) and have more experiences to draw from for the characters in my books. |
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