Tell us about your book(s)! 

First, thank you so much for inviting me to your blog!

I have two series I am working on. My first is the Clan Grant Series set in medieval Scotland. My first novel, RESUCED BY A HIGHLANDER, won the Sneak Peek contest for the Historical Romance category in 2013. It was an important contest to me because it is judged by readers, librarians, and booksellers.

My next novel is the second in this series, HEALING A HIGHLANDER’S HEART. This is Brenna’s story and begins when she is kidnapped at knifepoint and whisked through the Highlands with no knowledge of her captor. She is renowned as a healer and accepts the task she is asked to do. I hope to release this next month.

My second series is the St. James Series set in Regency England and the first novel is THE DUKE AND THE DRESSMAKER. My favorite character is actually the Dowager Duchess and she will have a strong role in all the books in the series.


Who would you like to talk to that is famous?

I would love to talk to Diana Gabaldon or any other seasoned romance writer. I had the pleasure of meeting Loretta Chase recently and she was gracious and inspiring.  I know I have much to learn and what better place than from experience?

 
Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?

I guess I am fortunate as I have never experienced this. I have trouble getting the time to sit and write, but once my fingers hit the keyboard, I can’t stop!


What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?

The value of any novel is in the eye of the beholder. What one person loves, another will hate. Having said that, I admit that I have read every one of my reviews and I will never stop (even though I am advised not to read them). The good reviews are my motivation to keep writing and also help give me direction.

Reading comments, reviews and emails have helped me to refine my brand. I will always write fast-paced, emotional romance. I love historical, but I could write in other romance genres. But emotional is the key to what I love writing. I hope to make readers shed a tear or two. You will often see children in my novels as I was a pediatric nurse. It has been responses from readers that have helped me to see where my passion truly rests and it is this emotional world-building that I attempt to create. I love to write about characters healing, both emotionally and physically.

As to the bad reviews? At first, they did bother me, and it has taken me awhile to be able to recognize the difference between constructive criticism and attention-seeking behavior. There is a BIG difference. I always read constructive criticism and have taken much from it. Now I have learned to recognize attention-seeking reviews for what they are and I do not put any merit in them.

How do you relax?

Read a romance, of course! I also love to swim and take ballet lessons.


What is your favorite motivational phrase?

Trust your instincts. There is usually a guardian angel trying to lead you in the right direction.

What is your favorite book?

I don’t have just one, but probably PRIDE OF LIONS/BLOOD OF ROSES by Marsha Canham, OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon, INTO THE WILDERNESS  by Sara Donati, and THE SECRET by Julie Garwood would be my top five. I actually ran a blog at www.keiraskeepers.com where I reviewed my favorite historical romances. You will find them all there.

Who is your favorite author?

Any of the above.

What is your favorite movie? 

Forrest Gump…..that emotion pops up everywhere!

Where was your most interesting trip?

Charleston, South Carolina. The city and the beaches are enchanting.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

Probably the time I fell down the library steps. I try to fall gracefully from my ballet, but I don't think it looks graceful to others. My daughter was hysterical!

Lighting Round:


White wine or red? White wine

Coffee or tea? Both

Cook dinner or order take-out/delivery?  Neither. My husband cooks the best dinners!

Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream? Vanilla, all the way!

Pancakes or eggs? Eggs

Sleep in or get up early?  Would love to sleep in someday, but forced to get up early.

Laptop or desktop for writing?  Usually desktop, but that is changing.

Keira has GRACIOUSLY offered a $20.00 Amazon gift card to a Lucky contestant today.  All you have to do to enter for  a chance to win the Giveaway is answer the question; What is your favorite historical romance setting or time period? 

Tell us about your book(s)! 

My writer-self is scattered. I write Regency romances and paranormal romances as Dorothy McFalls. And I also write cozy mysteries as Dorothy St. James. I brought my love for historical research to my latest cozy mystery published by Berkley Prime Crime, OAK AND DAGGER.  Set at the White House, Casey Calhoun (organic gardener) must solve a mystery that dates back to the nineteenth century in order to save lives now. I wove fictional and real events together in this book, much like I try to do in my historical romances.

I love the historical romance genre.  As a reader, it lets me be swept away into another time and place.  Talk about a mental vacation.  (Don’t we all need those from time to time.) As a writer, historical romances feed my need to research. What could be better than to immerse myself in letters, drawings, maps of the Regency time period. The more time I spend learning about the time period, the more alive the characters become to me. I can see my fearless heroines moving around in the world of the Beau Monde dressed in gorgeous gowns. And the heroes with their tight superfine jackets stretched over their muscular chests. SIGHS.

 I am currently working on a new Regency series as well as developing a mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime.


 Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?

First, don’t stop writing. Even if you’re only writing a few sentences a day. Keep coming back to the page. Keep honing your writing skills. Even if you’re writing about why the book isn’t working out, at least you’re writing. You’re working.

 Second, I find that if my plot isn’t working, my mind will start shouting “STOP!” It took a while to recognize this. When that happens, I will stop work on my pages and go back and rework my plot. (Notice that I’m still writing. I’m not doing this work in my head.) I will write down what I think the main character is doing and why. I will write plot maps. I will write fresh interviews of my characters. Often I will learn something new, something surprising. I then am excited about the story again and eager to write/revise/rewrite the rest of the book.

Finally, I’ve discovered that every time I reach the two-thirds mark of my book, I’m hit with writer’s block. Why? Heck, I have no idea why. But it always happens. It used to scare me to death. I’d start thinking, “Oh no, I can’t finish this book. And I have an editor waiting for it. I have a deadline. What am I going to do? I’m doomed.”

 
After almost losing my mind several times, I learned that if I jump to the end and write the final scene I’m able to start writing again. Once I have that final scene written, I go back and write my way to the satisfying conclusion. I know what threads I need to tie up. I know where I’m going. I need to see the end point in order to reach it.

 
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?

It gets better. The first bad review stings. The first great review can be overwhelming. The more books you publish, the more reviews that come in, the less power each one will have. For one thing, I’ve found my confidence in my story-telling ability growing. I don’t need a review to tell me if I’ve done a good job or not. I’ve also discovered that my books aren’t going to please everyone. No book can. I’m sure you’ve read a book with rave reviews to have it fall flat for you. Or read a book that critics have panned only to have it touch your heart in a way you’ll never forget. I know I have experienced these things many times. It’s not the book that is flawed, or the reviewers. The reader brings her background and experiences to the books she readers. It’s a collaboration that is a personal connection between the reader and the story. Sometimes that collaboration simply doesn’t work out. It wasn’t meant to be. If my book didn’t reach a certain reader, that’s okay.  It wasn’t meant to be.

How do you relax? 


In the summer, I love boogie boarding in the ocean.  In the winter, I enjoy knitting and crocheting. And no matter what time of year it is, I read as many books as I can get my hands on. My favorite genres to read are non-fiction, romance, mystery, and science fiction.


What is your favorite motivational phrase? I have two that help me with my writing:

“Whether you say you can or you say you can’t, you are absolutely correct.” Henry Ford

“Difficult, difficult, difficult. Easy, easy, easy. Neither difficult nor easy.” Zen Buddhism



What is your favorite book?


 Come on now. It’s impossible to pick just one. Often, it’s the last great book I’ve read (or re-read.) For me a book is a resounding success if when I reach the end of the book, I flip back to the first page and immediately read it again. Now that’s good reading!

 

Who is your favorite author?


Sadly, we lost one of my favorite authors this past year. Barbara Mertz, writing as Barbara Michaels wrote gothic romances. And as Elizabeth Peters she wrote some of the best romantic mysteries ever written. I consider her books gifts to readers everywhere. If you haven’t read her Vicky Bliss mystery series, do so! You won’t be disappointed. And while you’re at it, grab a copy of one of her Amelia Peabody books, too. They’re fantastic 


What is your favorite movie?


 A few good movies that come to mind are Gigi and An American in Paris. I suppose my mind has been in Paris lately. I like my movies fun and filled with equal parts adventure and romance.

 


Lighting Round:


White wine or red? White


Coffee or tea? Tea, definitely tea.


 Cook dinner or order take-out/delivery? Cook dinner (well, let my husband cook dinner.)


Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream? Chocolate, is there any other flavor? Seriously. Is there?


Pancakes or eggs? Eggs


Sleep in or get up early? Sleep in, although I always get up early now that I have a baby at home.


Laptop or desktop for writing? Not so easy to answer. I have a laptop hooked up to a full keyboard and a full-sized screen. This way I have 2 screens. But I can take the laptop with me if I need to. So I guess my answer is laptop. Definitely the laptop.


Dorothy is GENEROUSLY giving away a copy of her novel; THE NUDE: A HISTORICAL ROMANCE ebook.  All you have to do to enter the contest is answer the  question; Name one of Dorothy’s favorite movies (answer found in this interview.)  Good Luck ALL QU FANS!!

Writing Related:

Tell us about your book(s)!

I write what I love to read; sinfully sexy adventures with a hint of humor.  The Heart of a Duke, the regency anthology I've written with Samantha Grace, Aileen Fish, Olivia Kelly, and Christi Caldwell came out Feb 3rd! I would love to share the story with your readers.  A gypsy fortune teller, five determined young ladies, and an enchanted locket guaranteed to win the heart of a duke.  My heroine Alison is science-minded, so she doesn't want to believe in the supposedly magical pendant.  However, when her father gives her an ultimatum--choose a man to marry or he will choose one for her--the one man she truly wants isn't even offering.  In desperation, she wears the necklace, shoves aside her fears and reservations, and puts her faith in fate.

Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book? 

Well, the jittery yet loving and fun character of Sookie from Gilmore Girls was her inspiration, so it would be fitting to have Michelle McCarthy play her. :D  

Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block? 

I have three tricks. The first thing I do is read.  Sometimes my muse just needs a refill, and that will do it.  The second thing I do is read books on writing and articles about craft.  This will often get me thinking of my story in a new way.  The final thing, and definite last resort, is I go back and delete everything they’ve done since their last major decision and gently encourage them to take another route. I rarely have to be that extreme though.

What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?

Don’t read them. But since that is a highly unrealistic philosophy, my practical one goes something like this: hope for the good, learn from the bad, and try not to take either too personally. 

How do you relax?

I love to snuggle my kids and hubby, write, or read a good book. If I can somehow combine those, all the better. :D   

What is your favorite motivational phrase?

Dreams can come true, if you have the courage to pursue them.

What is your favorite book?

Tough question, but I really love humor, so maybe Odd Thomas, Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, or The Secret Diary of  Miss Miranda Cheevers. I love dark adventures as well. I've recently read The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie, and I loved it.
 
Who is your favorite author?

This is almost impossible because there are just too many really great writers throughout time and in all those genres. I mean, how would I choose between Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Piers Anthony,  Douglas Adams, Julia Quinn, and all the other fantastic writers out there whose styles are so different? If that sounds like an evasion, well ... What in the world could that be? A land war in Asia? A Sicilian? A Princess? Oh, nothing? Well, let’s move along then. ;) 

What is your favorite movie?

Wow, these questions are hard. I’d have to say that I love the romances. Bridget Jones, The Mummy (the version with Brendan Frasier) and Silver Linings Playlist <3. I also love Arsenic and Old Lace, Romancing the Stone, Harvey, Rope and so many of those old movies.

Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

This is another of those “there are so many” questions, and yet the simple answer is NONE! I’d love to talk to Jane Austen about her time and circumstances. I’d love to talk to Ben Franklin because that man was full of wit, and Oscar Wilde for much the same reason, though he had a naughty streak. The sad truth, proven over and over in my life, is that I cannot talk to celebrities. I turn into a bumbling fool. *sigh*  So, sadly, I will never be able to sit across from Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, or Ryan Reynolds and stun them with my witty banter.

What is the most interesting trip you have ever taken?

Single trips? Not really sure. I did have a job on the road for a year though. Now those were some interesting days. I would tell you about the trip that began with tequila shots alongside human cannonball, Dave ”The Bullet” Smith, and ended with the cops and several pairs of handcuffs, but I’d have to use a memory charm on you.
Obliviate!

What was your most embarrassing moment?

I wouldn't want to have to obliviate you twice in one blog, so I will avoid the sad tales of my bumbling over celebrities and keep it simple. I poured boiling oil (and I do men boiling) over my own fingers. To make myself feel better, I made it into an experiment on the uses of boiling oil in wartime. You can read about it at Ladyscribes, if you’d like. http://ladyscribes.blogspot.com/2013/10/efficacy-of-boiling-oil-as-weapon-by.html

Lighting Round:   Oh boy! Are the questions harder and the points worth double? I’m nervous.   White wine or red?

Pass! I mean none. I live in the wine country, but the only wine I can drink tastes like juice (or so complains my husband.)   Coffee or tea?

Coffee!  Give me Starbucks, or give me . . . Sorry, I can’t think. I need my Starbucks.   Cook dinner or order take-out/delivery?

I’d love to order, but my son recently went gluten/casein/soy/almond free and corn light. That means we have to stay home and eat air flavored with oregano.   Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream?

Chocolate. Yum.   Pancakes or eggs?

Both, thanks!   Sleep in or get up early?

Get up early. It’s the only way I get to write without kids in the room.   Laptop or desktop for writing?

Laptop. It’s just easier to take with me to Starbucks. ;D

Robin is offering a copy of her story, The Heart of a Duke to one commenter. Please tell me what prophecy you would like to get from a gypsy fortune teller. 

Writing Related:
 
Tell us about your book(s)!

I have written two historical romance novels: Edenbrooke and Blackmoore. Both books are set in Regency England. Edenbrooke has the feel of a Jane Austen novel while Blackmoore has the feel of a Bronte novel. They are both highly romantic without having any bedroom scenes. 



Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?

I picture Kate being played by Lily Collins. 
 
Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?

I like to walk outside and let the fresh air and nature inspire me. I'll also listen to music, do the dishes, or take a shower. I get my best ideas in the shower! And sometimes I just make myself sit down and write until something comes out. 

What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
 
Reviews should never be read if you value your sanity. 

How do you relax?

Relax? What's that? Actually, nothing is better after a long day than a good book in a quiet, clean bedroom. 
 
What is your favorite motivational phrase?

"There is no excellence without labor." 
 
What is your favorite book?

I can't pick a favorite! It's too hard. But the book I've been recommending a lot lately is Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys. It is moving and funny and beautiful.
 
Who is your favorite author?

Again. Too many favorite authors to name just one. For my writing, I was inspired by Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, and Mary Stewart. Recently, I have enjoyed reading Ruta Sepetys, Scott Westerfeld, Martine Leavitt, Leigh Bardugo, and (always) Jane Yolen.

What is your favorite movie?

It's a toss-up between Tangled and How To Train Your Dragon. (Have I mentioned I have four kids?)
 
Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

I would love to meet Adele and tell her I adore her music. 

What is the most interesting trip you have ever taken?

Earlier this year I traveled to Scotland with my husband. I fell in love with the Isle of Skye. But probably the most interesting trip was to East Berlin before the wall came down.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

Too many to identify. I embarrass myself all the time. But at the top of the list is when I jumped out of a moving truck because I had to throw up. And my future agent was riding in the truck. 

Lighting Round:
 
White wine or red?

Sparkling cider.   

Coffee or tea?

Herbal tea. 
 
Cook dinner or order take-out/delivery?

I like it when others cook dinner. 
 
Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream?

Chocolate, of course.  With nuts.

Pancakes or eggs?

I'd rather have a waffle.
 
Sleep in or get up early?

Sleep in for sure. 

Laptop or desktop for writing?
Laptop. 

Julianne is offering to give away one copy of Blackmoore.  All you have to do to enter for your chance to win is answer the question, "What was your favorite book of 2013?"