Today we have the very lovely and very talented Sue Ellen Welfonder with us!!! I am so excited to have her here to talk about her latest release A Highlander's Temptation plus her other books and Scotland much more! So without further ado...

JennJ: First off Sue Ellen thank you so much for doing the Q&A for my blog it’s such a true honor to have you on there!!!

SE: You’re very welcome, Jenn. I’m delighted to be here and appreciate the opportunity to say hello to readers and chat about a book I really love. Thank you so much for inviting me.

I know you’re a long-time reader, so you know Devorgilla. Everyone else, Devorgilla is a recurring character in my Scottish medievals. She’s a cailleach (a Highland crone) who weaves her magic in my stories. She’s quite meddlesome and can be opinionated, but she means well. She also believes in the Highland code of hospitality. So let’s pretend she’s here with us, passing around some oatcakes, cheese, and fresh butter. She’s also pouring generous cups of her fine heather ale. And, of course, she has a lovely peat fire glowing on the hearth. Now don’t refuse her refreshments or she might take offence. My readers know she isn’t one to get on your wrong side.

So now that we’re all cozy – and Devorgilla is happy - let’s get started….

JennJ: In your latest release A Highlander’s Temptation it’s Arabella’s story now she is the eldest daughter of Duncan and Linnet. Now Gelis was always the feisty and bold one, but we see Arabella finally letting herself go a bit in this one and seeking adventure and passion. Can you tell us about the book and what were some of your favorite things about writing this one?

SE: That’s right. A Highlander’s Temptation (GCP, Oct. 2009) is Arabella’s story. As the eldest daughter of Duncan and Linnet, the hero and heroine of my first book, Devil In A Kilt (GCP, July 2001) she’s led a privileged life. Her father is one of the most respected (and feared) chieftains in the Highlands and absolutely dotes on her. And she’s learned the proper ‘lady skills’ from her mother, Linnet. Arabella has always been the perfect daughter. But when she learns that her younger sister, Gelis, heroine of Seducing A Scottish Bride, (GCP. Mar. 2009) is expecting her first child, Arabella fears that she may never experience love or have a family of her own. She has suitors, but her overprotective father scares them away. When A Highlander’s Temptation (GCP, Oct. 2009) opens, Arabella is doing the one thing she’s never done: she speaks out against her father and expresses her wish to see the Seal Isles, which are part of her dowry. The journey is the beginning of events that will change her life forever and bring her the happiness and love she so deserves.

Here’s a mini-blurb:

Highland heiress Arabella MacKenzie is the last woman Darroc MacConnacher should desire. Yet when a sea disaster strands her on his remote Hebridean isle, they’re swept into a tempestuous passion as irresistible as it is forbidden. Their clans are bitter foes and acknowledging their attraction could shatter everything they hold dear. Unless they’re willing to defy the world and accept that no challenge is too great when you’re fighting for the love of a lifetime.

My favorite part of writing this book was watching Arabella tap into her inner strength and become the courageous woman I always knew she could be. Her sister was the vibrant one, dazzling and winning hearts with her quick, flashing smile. Arabella was reserved and always did what was expected of her. As I am quiet and reserved, I understand what it’s like to be overshadowed by ‘dazzlers.’ So I really loved seeing her bloom.

JennJ: Darroc was such an interesting character I loved him and how he was so honorable and trying desperately to reclaim his clans honor and good name again. And the lore of the Thunder Rod that played a big part in the novel was there a real Thunder Rod or is it based off something in real Scottish lore?

SE: I loved Darroc, too. A hero isn’t heroic for me unless he is driven by a granite-hard sense of honor.

No, there isn’t a real Thunder Rod. But, yes, the magical rod was based on something real in Scottish lore.

The Thunder Rod was inspired by a magical stone at an old droving inn near Loch Lomond. I love this inn and always stop there on my trips to Scotland. The stone is called the Thunder Stone and it is said to have powers similar to the ones I use in the book. I’ve always been intrigued by the stone and thought to use it in a story someday. A Highlander’s Temptation (GCP, Oct. 2009) seemed ideal and so I ran with the idea. I changed the stone to a piece of fossilized wood, embellished the powers, and created my own legend and origin for the rod.

So, basically, I was inspired by a stone said to have certain powers and then dipped into my knowledge of Celtic and Norse myth and legend and created my own magic with the Thunder Rod.

JennJ: I loved all of the characters in the book but there was one secondary character that just stole my heart and I was wondering if we might see more of Darroc’s cousin Conall in the future possibly? LOL

SE: Ah, Jenn. I, too, adored Conall. I always fall in love with my secondaries and, as you know, some of them (like dear Sir M and Jamie) have gone on the get their own happy endings. I don’t have any plans as yet for Conall. But I am keeping him in mind, yes.

JennJ: Oh good! I so hope we do see him again! :) Now on to Duncan... bless his heart has such a temper doesn’t he! I just love how he and Sir Marmaduke clash and bicker at each other it’s so funny! Is Sir Marmaduke going to have children either his own or adopted and could we see them in future novels maybe? It would be hilarious to see Duncan giving advice to his kids wouldn’t it LOL!

SE: I do have ideas for a series tentatively titled “Daughters of the Beast.” The heroines would be Sir M’s girls. He has four, though I’ve only mentioned them in passing. He also has a son. The boy is the youngest. If you have a copy of Only For A Knight, (GCP, July 2005) you can flip to chapter 12 and read about Sir M’s children there.

I agree, it would be great fun to turn the tables and toss Sir M and Duncan into such a situation. Payback time for Duncan. You know he’d love that.

JennJ: Is there many more adventures awaiting the Mackenzie’s in upcoming books?

SE: Well, as noted above, I do have Sir M’s girls in mind as a possible future series. But for now, next up is a new Scottish medieval trilogy. GCP might change the titles, but Swords of the Glen is my working title for these books. They introduce three new clans and the first book is Sword of Vengeance. I’m very excited about this trilogy. I’m too superstitious to talk about books I’m presently writing, but will tell you that these books have Highland heroes just as proud, bold, and honorable as my MacKenzie men. Their heroines are strong, equally proud women. Readers can expect a phenomenal Highland setting. I’ve chosen an area I love dearly and that’s wild, rugged, and beautiful. So the trilogy’s setting is every bit as glorious as Kintail. As always, the books have lots of Celtic magic, myth, and lore.

JennJ: Oh these sound amazing I can't wait to read them! Your passion for Scotland and it’s people and history is very present in every book you have written. What would you like to share about your own Scottish history and some interesting facts that some people might not know about Scotland that you think is extremely interesting?

SE: Thanks, Jenn. I am passionate about Scotland. I believe loving Scotland as I do helps me bring the stories to life. I’m of Scottish descent, so I was raised to appreciate Scottish history, culture, and tradition. I’ve also been traveling there all my life. My roots go back to the Hebrides. My ancestral isle is Colonsay. To me, it is the finest of all Hebridean islands. Colonsay was my inspiration for MacConacher’s Isle in A Highlander’s Temptation (GCP, Oct. 2009)

To answer the second part of your question, I think everything about Scotland is fascinating. But here are a few things that might surprise some people…

**Because Scotland is so far north, it never gets truly dark in high summer. The night sky just turns a luminous mother-of-pearl shade and actually shimmers. When I am there in summer, I often take walks at 1 or 2 a.m. because the atmosphere is so magical. Below is a photo I took on such a walk in Scotland's far north. It was well after midnight.


**The Highlands are often described as being ‘without trees.’ That wasn’t and isn’t so. In olden times, the Caledonian Forest was huge and covered a great area of Scotland. Even today, there are plenty of lovely woods.

**The Gulf Stream keeps the climate pretty mild. Yes, winters are cold and blustery and it does snow. But you won’t see the kind of terrible blizzards you’d experience in say, the Alps. There are even places along the Scotland’s western coast or Orkney, where you’ll see scrawny palms. That’s because of the Gulf Stream.

**There weren’t rhododendrons in medieval Scotland. Yes, they are everywhere now. But they aren’t native to Scotland and were not there in medieval times. They were imported centuries later by rich landowners who saw them as landscape beautifiers.

**Because of the thick forests that covered much of medieval Scotland and the rugged terrain in general, roads were rare to nonexistent. Travel by sea was common. For this reason, the Hebrides were not as remote and empty-seeming in medieval times as one may suspect, visiting them today. In medieval times, the Hebridean Sea was used as we use Interstates. It was a busy time, filled with shipping activity that included everything from just plain travel to trade to warring/raiding, and piracy.

JennJ: Those are all fascinating! And that photo oms that's too cool!

What are some of your favorite places to visit in Scotland? Which is your favorite castle and have you been to any that gave you the creeps? There are a lot of haunted castles and haunted places everywhere in Scotland.

SE: I love the wild places, so Scotland’s far north and also Shetland are my favorite places. I’m also very fond of the Hebrides, obviously. The Cairngorms are beautiful, too.

No place in Scotland has ever frightened me. I’ve been to places that were eerie and heavy with atmosphere one might call gloomy, but I’m fascinated when I visit such a place, never scared.

Because I love the wild and empty places, my very favorite castles are the ruined ones that are way off the beaten path. The ones that usually include hours of driving thread-thin, winding roads to get there and, even then, require a substantial trek across hill and moor to reach their tumbled walls. It is in such places where you really feel transported back in time. Much more so than the ‘big and popular’ castles with huge car parks for the tourist buses. One such ruin that I really love is Castle Varrich in Scotland’s far north. I used this one in my Allie Mackay book, Tall, Dark, And Kilted, (NAL, Nov. 2008)

If you look close, you can just see the castle ruin perched on the cliff edge in this photo.


JennJ: You always have a bit of the paranormal showing up in your books do you believe in ghosts and is there any particular stories you would like to tell in why you like to include it in your books?

SE: Yes, I do, don’t I? I doubt I could write a book without weaving in such threads. And, yes, I absolutely believe in ghosts. My Allie Mackay book, A Highlander In Her Dreams, (NAL, Nov. 2007) was inspired by an eerie experience I had at the ruin of Duntulm on Skye. I’ve also spent many wonderful ghost-hunting’ holidays exploring haunted sites in England and Wales with two friends who share my interest in the paranormal. And I’ve visited tons of such places on my own in Scotland.

I include bits of paranormal in my Scottish medievals because such things were a very real part of life in medieval Scotland. There really were seers and wise women like Devorgilla. (although I embellish her powers, certainly) But people really did believe in magical stones, healing wells, mythical creatures like selkies and water horses. The evil eye was dreaded and there were many charms and incantations to work all kinds of spells from protection in battle to procuring love, to – in a reversal of goodness – making a neighbor’s cow’s milk run dry or ruining an enemy’s crops. Ghosts, fairies, banshees, and all manner of supernatural forces were accepted as being real. Superstitions touched almost every aspect of life. To exclude such things would be to ignore a very large swatch of Celtic belief and tradition. I also have fun working with these elements and just like them. But they aren’t ‘inaccurate.’ They were deeply entwined in medieval Highland culture.

JennJ: You write under the pen name of Allie Mackay as well can you tell us a little of how that came about and why you chose that name? Also I just got the first glimpse of the next Allie book Some Like It Kilted and OMS girl I about melted lol it is gorgeous!!!! And man on man do I like it kilted!!! LOL!

SE: I –love- my Allie Mackay books. I have so much fun writing them because they let me send American heroines to the Highlands where they either meet a medieval Highland ghost hero or go back in time to medieval Scotland. Whenever I am in Scotland and poking around some wonderfully atmospheric castle ruin, I always imagine what it would be like to either encounter the ghost of medieval chieftain or – better yet – be swept back in time and meet him there. The Allie Mackay books let me do this. In the writing, anyway!

I chose my pen name because I wanted a short and easy Scottish name. My real name is long and a bit of a tongue twister. I was born with a “Mac” name of my own, but it’s another longish name. So I chose “Allie Mackay.” Both “Allie” and “Mackay” are family names and I hoped that would bring me good luck.

I’m so glad you like Bran’s cover. I really love his book, Some Like It Kilted, (NAL,Feb. 2010) He made an incredible hero (I want him for myself!) and the Hebridean setting, *the Isle of Barra was such a joy to write. Barra is an amazingly special place and the MacNeils… well, hats off to them. What a clan! So, yeah, I really fell in love with Bran. His book may end up as my own personal all-time favorite. I love it that much.

*There are twenty islands making up the Barra group. Bran’s is the largest and is called “Barra.”
JennJ: Ooo Happy dance I so can't wait to get ahold of Bran! And for those of you who haven't had a chance to try her paranormals yet you have to try them they are absolutely wonderful!!!

Who are some of your favorite romance authors?

SE: I love Kate Angell. I appreciate how she can make can make me laugh on one page and then have my throat closing with emotion on the next. Her heroes are hot, fabulous, and fun, her heroines always sympathetic, and she writes the most lovable four-legged characters. I adore her Rogues baseball heroes – Kate Angell is the Queen of Baseball Romance. But I also loved her earlier books. More recently, I’ve started reading Vicki Lewis Thompson and she’s now a must-buy for me. Wow! She’s a laugh-a-line writer. Absolutely brilliant. Working with Patricia Sargeant in Tails of Love got me hooked on her books. She writes with an emotional depth that just takes my breath away. Patricia is one of the few writers who can make me cry. She’s also incredibly genuine and so nice. Her books are just as special as she is. I highly recommend her “Sweet Deception.” I loved that book, especially because the heroine is a romance writer.

If you noticed those are all contemporary authors, that’s because I don’t read in my own subgenre. When I do read historical for pleasure, it’s mostly straight historical fiction. I love Anya Seton, Sharon Kay Penman, and Cecelia Holland to name just a few. Barbara Erskine is another fave. I can’t resist her and really love the rich atmosphere and ghostly elements in her books. She’s an amazing talent.

JennJ: Sue Ellen thanks so so much again dear for doing this! You are the best!!! BIG HUGS

SE: My pleasure, Jenn! Thank you so much for having me. It was fun. And, oh… Devorgilla is pleased that everyone seems to have enjoyed her hospitality. She’s hobbling about now, gathering empty ale cups and clearing away oatcake crumbs. There’s a twinkle in her eye, so I know she’s happy. Readers can visit her (and me) at www.welfonder.com and www.alliemackay.com

Now in celebration of her new release Sue Ellen is giving away 5 copies of A Highlander's Temptation to 5 lucky posters!!! Simply post your comments and/ or questions here on the Q&A post and you will be entered for your chance to bring home Darroc and Arabella!!! And believe me you don't want to miss them! :)

**Sorry I forgot to post these small rules for the giveaway earlier...

Only residents of the U.S. or Canada are eligible to win- & No P.O. Boxes please. **

This one will run until Oct. the 5th so there is still time if you would like to enter! :) Tell your friends and fellow book buddies!

Hi all I did indeed get to go to the Diana Gabaldon signing and it was just unbelievably awesome! She is so funny and so nice and I promise to have more of the details typed up for a post later this week with pics woohooo. (even tho I might scar you with my ugly mug on there lol) I would have this already written up and posted but alas I've had a sinus infection the last two days and it's had me out of it. I've barely touched the computer in days. UGH

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

Well drat it all I've been MIA more than I've meant to again!!! I'm sorry for disappearing on everyone. My hubby took a week of vacation this week... (I totally forgot about it till he mentioned it when he got home early Sat. morning oopsy!) So I've been spending time with him and the boy and trying my best to stay off the net for a bit so I can spend more time with them. Oh my but I'm twitching already from withdrawals LOL! ;) So that's why I'm not around as much this week.

But I do have great news Sue Ellen Welfonder is going to be my guest here on Friday for a very special Q&A session! Her new release is on the agenda as well as her upcoming Allie Mackay books, Scotland, Ghosts and more! Plus she is going to also be giving away 5 copies of her Sept. 29th release of A Highlander's Temptation!!! That's right 5 big copies so be sure to come back for your chance to win!!!!!

It's still raining here believe it or not!! And they are calling for rain and thunderstorms the rest of the week!!! Ack enough already... everything is thoroughly waterlogged around the county. Hopefully next week will see some sunshine so that things can start to dry out again.

I miss you all and will do my best to sneak on as I can and hopefully get some reviews up, and some of my visiting done as well! Big hugs to all! :)

Well I guess I better get back to the ol grind stone now, and hope to be back to my regularly scheduled blogging and visiting soon!!!

Thanks to all who entered and if you didn't win this time there is more great contests coming up very soon! Including a chance to win one of 5 copies of A Highlander's Temptation when Sue Ellen Welfonder stops by for a special Q&A next week on Sat. the 26th!

More new awards came my way!!! Big thanks to Cecile and Jessica for the lovely awards!!! I appreciate them so very much and I will get them posted up here in the next day or two! I am so behind this week on everything. OMS I wish this week was over already it's been so hectic AHHH LOL!!!!(((BIG HUGS)))

I hope everyone had a great weekend! It's time to announce the lucky winner of Jennifer Ashley's contest! And that lucky commenter was....

YAY!!!! Virginia you get your choice of one book from Jennifer Ashley/ Allyson James /or Ashley Gardner's titles. :)

Big Congrats dear!!! I know you will love your book whatever your choice!!! Big thanks again to Jennifer Ashley for being here!

And remember to check back for the winner of the Stacey Kayne autographed copy of Mountain Wild!

I hope to have my review for Never Love A Lawman up later tonight or tomorrow. It was awesome!!! I'm just digging into Catherine Spangler's A Touch of Light today oms is that cover not to just melt over!

In my mailbox I got How to Catch and Keep a Vampire! Plus I heard that I'm getting a copy of Diana Gabaldon's An Echo In The Bone from NOR to review woohooooo! Happy dance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today we have the wonderful Stacey Kayne with us! Hello Stacey! It’s so good to have you join us today! I'm such a big fan of your books. I love a good western and you are one of the best western authors I've ever read! If any of you are fans of a great old west romance you have to try her books they are just awesome! :)

JJ: Stacey you please start by tell us a little about yourself?

SK: Thanks for inviting me over, Jenn! I’m a California-born Leo, a writer, a mom of two boys (fourteen and fifteen) and wife of a man who married me when we were really too young to know better, but we’ve survived twenty years together anyhow—a testament of my stubborn nature and unnatural good luck.




Ok folks please leave your comments and or questions for Stacey and be entered for your chance to win an autographed copy of Mountain Wild! :)

Today we have the fabulous Emily Bryan / Diana Groe with us!

JJ: Hello Diana! It’s so good to have you join us today! I’m a big fan of your books! So it’s a big honor to have you here, hon!

EB: Thanks for having me, Jen! And thanks for those kind words.

JJ: First off many already know this but for those that don’t - you write under your real name Diana Groe and the pen name Emily Bryan. Please tell us a little more of how you came by that name as your alter ego, and what is the difference between Diana and Emily books?

EB: There are several differences. The first is tone. My Diana Groe books are darker and more dramatic. These stories are not quite safe. The Emily books are light-hearted and –‘scuse me while I blush!—sexier.

Another difference is the setting and historical era. My Emily Bryan books are set in the beloved Regency/Georgian/Victorian time period. The Diana Groe books feature Vikings in 9th century Scandinavia, Ireland and ancient Byzantium.

When I wrote DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS, my editor said it was so different from my previous books, I was likely to give my readers whiplash. She suggested a pen name and Emily Bryan was born.

JJ: Well both are outstanding! :) Now if it isn’t too precocious of me to ask do you plan on releasing any more books as Diana Groe in the near future?

EB: Not at present. Even though I loved writing my tales of the North, more readers seem to enjoy my Emily books. And publishers follow the readers’ wishes.

JJ: Could you please tell us about your latest releases!

EB: My most recent release is VEXING THE VISCOUNT. Daisy Drake is Lucian Beaumont’s unwanted assistant by day as he searches for a lost Roman treasure. And Daisy masquerades as a French courtesan who’s teaching him about love by night. Since they’re both virgins, it’s a good thing she has a real courtesan’s memoirs to help her along. The story is part treasure hunt and part mistaken identity. And I sneaked a little of my Diana Groe voice into this story in the 5th century romance between freedman Caius Meritus (who originally stole the treasure Daisy and Lucian are seeking) and the Celtic slavegirl Deirdre.

And I’m so excited about my next release A CHRISTMAS BALL, a holiday anthology which hits the bookshelves in just a couple weeks—September 29th! I teamed up with USA Today Bestseller Jennifer Ashley and Alissa Johnson for this anthology. Our stories are united by a shared setting and time. All our characters are attending Lord and Lady Hartwell’s grand Christmas Ball (even though some of my characters don’t have invitations!) Please visit my website to read an excerpt.

JJ: Both are absolutely wonderful books I was lucky enough to get to review both and loved both of them! (You can read the reviews here under the reviews section) Emily are there any sneek peaks that we could have of future books you plan on writing, that you can share with us?

EB: Right now I’m working on STROKE OF GENIUS for a June 2010 release. It’s a play on the old Pygmalion myth, where the artist falls in love with his own creation. Brilliant but cynical, my hero thinks it will be great fun to help a Bostonian heiress snag a titled husband. But when she catches the eye of a marquess, he begins to wish he were the object of her husband hunt.

I’m having great fun with these characters and I’ve posted the first chapter of this one on my website already.

JJ: OOO I didn’t know about the first chapter I will have to go and read that!!!
I adored Pleasuring the Pirate. That was one of the most fun reads I had in a long time and starring pirates so who could resist!!! Are there more pirates possibly on the way from your pen to us in the future?

EB: I’m so glad you loved my PIRATE. It’s hard to resist a sailing man and Gabriel was a delicious alpha to write. There’s nothing definite planned for another pirate hero at present, but I won’t say never.

JJ: I also absolutely loved the Courtesan Blanch La Tour in Vexing the Viscount! Is there any chance that we could see more of her in another book sometime in the future?

EB: Lots of readers have asked if I’ll ever write Blanche La Tour’s story. My mother even thought she was real, that I’d uncovered an 18th century courtesan’s actual memoirs and used snippets from it in VEXING THE VISCOUNT. A courtesan heroine would be fascinating to write, but I haven’t been able to figure out how to give her a happy ending, so it wouldn’t be a romance.

JJ: That is awesome about your mom thinking she was real as well. You did such a vivid depiction of her journals that I had the same thoughts myself when I was reading!

Did you always want to be an author?

EB: No, actually. I’ve been—hang on!—a professional opera singer, a choir director, a school teacher, a realtor, a banker and now finally, I’ve figured out what I want to be when I grow up! A writer!

When I was in high school, my English teacher said it was a pity that young people have all the time in the world to write, but nothing to say. That ruffled my feathers a bit then, but now I know what she meant. Life hadn’t knocked me round at all. My heart had never been broken. I’d never stood by a graveside or experienced a breach of trust. My health was perfect and I expected to live forever in my strong 18 year old body.

Now that I’ve lived a little, I have more in me to share. I use everything I’ve ever done, dreamed of doing, and wished I’d done.

JJ: WOW you really have worn many hats that’s AMAZING!!!

JJ: What is your all time favorite book or books if you are like me and can’t choose just one lol?

EB: Since I’ve been a voracious reader all my life, I have loved many books. But there is one I return to every few years. It’s THE FAR PAVILIONS by MM Kaye. If there is a better adventure/romance historical out there, I haven’t seen it. The characters live in my heart and the story-telling is so rich and dense, I see new beauties each time I give myself over to this story.

JJ: What would be that special book that you have written yourself? Do you have a personal favorite?

EB: I can’t choose a favorite from among my own work. Like any good mother, I can’t have favorites. However, I’m usually partial to the current WIP because it’s needier than the others!

JJ: I personally loved Silk Dreams that you wrote under Diana Groe in 2007 that novel was so different than most of the historicals, both in setting Constantinople and in your characters attributes and stations in life. Valdis was sold into slavery and she had the second sight, she also suffers from epilepsy as well. Also that it had a eunuch as one of the major supporting characters. That was fascinating to me! And something I have never seen done before in any of the other romance I have read. I would be very interested in knowing more about how this book came about and what type of research went into this particular book as it was so different. (and for those of you who haven’t read this one I HIGHLY recommend it! It’s a fabulous book! )

EB: Thanks so much. I’m so glad you read and enjoyed SILK DREAMS. This is one of those books that sort of fell through the cracks. It got consistently rave reviews, but because it is so different, it hasn’t found a wide readership.

All my Diana Groe books feature Northmen and my hero in SILK DREAMS is a disgraced Viking who hopes to regain his honor as part of the Byzantine emperor’s elite Varangian guard. The Byzantine Empire gets short shrift in most history classes and when I discovered the connection with my beloved Northmen, I had to set a story there.

I decided to write an epileptic heroine when one of my co-workers missed work due to a grand mal seizure. Epilepsy is tough enough to deal with now. Just imagine what it was like in the Dark Ages! My co-worker was a wonderful resource for creating my heroine Valdis.

And I’m glad you were fascinated by Damian, my eunuch spymaster. He is probably the most complex character I’ve ever written and one readers have told me they both loved and hated. If I ever wrote a straight historical, I’d love to tell his whole story.

JJ: It truly was a fabulous book and I highly recommend it! ;) It's such a shame that this one didn't get more attention because it really was such an awesome book! And I would love to hear more about Damian he was a very enigmatic character I loved trying to figure out what he was going to do next!

JJ: Who are some of your biggest influences in writing?

EB: I’m moved by big stories. I love myths and legends. And I love the stories of real people. My DH is the inspiration for my heroes. The man definitely knows how to love unconditionally. As the old country-western song says, “I come from a long line of lovers.” My parents and both sets of grandparents all celebrated their 50th anniversary. I’ve seen what love that lasts looks like. There may be valleys, but the high points far over-shadow them.

What I try to catch in my stories is the beginning, the first halting baby-steps, of that lifelong love.

JJ: What do you do on a typical writing day?

EB: Because I’m experimenting with “pantsing” (writing by the seat of my pants) again now, I’m not sure exactly what’s going to happen in the scene I’ll be working on. So my workday begins the night before. I make my next scene the last thing I think about before I go to sleep. The unconscious mind is a natural problem solver, so often I’ll wake with an idea that wasn’t there before.

I write for a couple hours, break to take the dogs out, write a little more, break for lunch, then work like crazy to finish my ten pages by 3pm so I can snag a treadmill in the workout room before the young, hip and fit crowd gets there. Walking is a present I give myself after I hit my goal and it’s much needed. Writing is such a sedentary activity, a writer needs to find ways to get the body moving.

If I get stuck in the writing, I find a little housework is all it takes to get my muse into high gear and I’m scurrying back to the computer.

JJ: What kind of research do you do for your books? Do you enjoy the research process?

EB: I research in the library and online. I visit museums and study portraiture for ideas about costumes. I use our vacation travel as opportunities to research. But mostly, just living life and noticing the telling details around you is what makes a writer’s work vivid.

JJ: Do you listen to music while you are writing and if so what music is it?

EB: I listen to movie soundtracks because they offer a wide spectrum of emotional content without any lyrics to distract me. When I start a new story, one of the first things I do is pick the soundtrack I’ll listen to the entire time I’m writing it, so I have to love the music. It really helps when it’s time to revise and I’m already heavy into the next story. When I put on that story’s soundtrack, I’m automatically back into that fictional world.

Right now, I’m listening to Shakespeare in Love for STROKE OF GENIUS (coming June 2010).

JJ: If you could be one of your characters – Who would you be? And why?

EB: I am all of them. I have lived all their lives. I’ll go one better. I’ve lived every character in every book I’ve ever read. Reading is our chance to try on someone else’s life without sacrificing the great things going in our own. When you read, don’t you slip on the heroine’s shoes? And sometimes, if you’re feeling ornery, the villain’s?

JJ: If you could time travel what period and time would you like to fly off too?

EB: While I dearly love to read about times and places gone by, I’m so thankful to live in this one. Especially as a woman. Thank you, no. I’ll pass on cholera and child-bearing with no medical care.

Time-traveling forward might be fun, but I’m afraid I’d be so hopelessly behind the curve, I’d be straining to keep up. Just in terms of language, think how much English has changed over your lifetime. It’ll change even more going forward.

JJ: What would be the best way for readers to learn more about you and contact you?

EB: I have a Contact Em page on my website that allows readers to send me an email. I answer everyone who writes to me, but please be patient because I may be under a deadline. If you want to send snailmail, there is an address listed there as well.

Here are the best places to find me on the web:
http://www.emilybryan.com
http://www.emilybryan.blogspot.com
http://www.myspace.com/emilybryanromance
http://www.facebook.com/emilybryanromance
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1047085.Emily_Bryan
http://twitter.com/EmilyBryan
And my group blog: http://www.thechatelaines.blogspot.com

JJ: And yes my favorite question that I always have to ask lol…do you ever use real life actors or actresses as how you see your characters when you write in your head? I know I personally see them as the main characters a lot in the books I read when I’m reading them so I was just wondering if authors do that as well when they are writing them?

EB: No, I don’t cast my characters in Hollywood. I used to put people I know in the books I read, but then I put my Hispanic brother-in-law in Clancy’s Clear And Present Danger as Domingo Chavez. Well, things got pretty dicey with Ding and I was scared to death I’d kill off my sister’s hubby with each turn of the page. So now I conjure my characters from thin air, when I read and when I write!

JJ: ROFL that is priceless I love it!

And basically hon anything else you want to share feel more than free to do so! :)

EB: I’m starting a 12 Days of Christmas Blog Tour on September 14th along with Jennifer Ashley and Alissa Johnson. There will be prizes and give-aways every day, so please plan to join us. Be sure to check my blog http://www.emilybryan.blogspot.com for updates each day so you can trek through cyber-space with us. Or you can sign up for my newsletter at http://www.emilybryan.com/Newsletter.htm and I’ll send you a special notice with the full itinerary!

Thanks for having me, Jennifer! I would love to give away winner’s choice from my backlist to someone who leaves a comment or question here today! My DH usually chooses the winner with some random method. Good luck, everyone and I look forward to hearing from you!

JJ: Emily thank you so much for taking the time to be with us today it has been a true pleasure!

You heard her folks get your comments and or questions (or better yet both) coming and be entered to win your choice of an Emily /or Diana book!

to the winners........

Wanda

Winners were chosen at random via Random.org

MARTHA LAWSON

Also I received some beautiful new awards this week! Squee!!!!!

I received the Lemonade Award from the very lovely Cecile! Thank you so much my friend you have been so supported of me and SRR from the very beginning! (((BIG HUGS))) I appreciate it so much.

Here are the rules:The Lemonade Award is a feel good award which shows great attitude or gratitude. Here are the rules:~Put the Lemonade Award logo on your blog or post.~Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude.~Link your nominees within your post.~Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.~Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award.

I'm passing this one on too....

1. Tammie King at Night Owl Romance Blog
2. Patti at Book Addict
3. The Book Queen
4. Shamyless Aymless
5. Jessica at Booklover's Diary
6. Lea at Closet Writer
7. Book Junkie
8. All the Gals at Royal Reviews!
9. Danni at Romantic Harbor
10. And Marissa at Marrisa's Book Lair

There aren't any real rules for this one but it was Leontine saying: I'm particularly drawn to bloggers who review across the spectrum of genres in romance, who do so with laughter and a good will, and who aren't limited by the expectations of their audience. They open doors. Thank you so much Leontine! Your just an awesome lassie yourself hon and have been a huge supporter of me and my lil blog here (((BIG HUGS)))!!!

And my nominations for this one go out to...

1. The Book Queen

2. I Heart Book Gossip

3. Night Owl Romance Blog

4. Barbara at Happily Forever After

5. And Kristie J at Ramblings on Romance etc...

Big Hugs to all!!! :)