As
a gruff warrior he evaded female relationships, yet her flaws charmed
him all the more.
For
the remainder of the week, we are happy to have a dear friend and
prolific author, Beverly Wells visiting Wild
Women Authors with The
Gift. A sequel to The
Chalice, from One Winter Knight, The
Gift is Bev's contirbution to One Yuletide
Knight, released Nov. 3, 2017 out of Prairie Rose Publications.
Here’s the blurb:
Sir
Geoffrey Eton, captain of Royce’s regiment is a hardened, gruff
warrior. All his life he served England, protected others, and
trained men. Tavern wenches satisfied his occasional needs. There
simply was no necessity for a wife.
Orphan,
Heather Douglas grew up in an abbey in Scotland, loving life. When
she joins her best friend at the Scotland castle granted to Royce,
she brings her smiles and laughter. She also brings her flawed leg,
her stubbornness and determination. Will her bright smile and charm
be the weapons to finally take down the mighty warrior?
Let's talk with Heather Douglas.
Where are you from? Selkirk,
Scotland in the border country, but now I be living at Dillyglen
Castle north of Selkirk
What
did you think the first time you saw Geoffrey Eton?
Our introduction be a bit short as I had recently arrived to join my
best friend, Ahna and it be more than obvious he did no’ much enjoy
chit chatting with an unfamiliar woman, though he be more than
polite. But I thought him a verra bonnie mon, big and muscular, and
confident in being a knight as well as the captain of Royce’s army.
Was
it love at first sight? Good heaven’s no.
Not the first time I met him and surely not the second time. I be
giving his warhorse apple slices—as I had been doing for more than
a good fortnight—with my forehead resting against Darktonian’s
forehead when Sir Geoffrey’s bellows actually shook the rafters. He
roared like a bear with a spear in his arse and ranted like a hungry
boar. He be more hardened than even I had ever imagined.
Spear
up his arse. Good one, Heather. What do you like most about him?
His reluctant smile. Oh, he more than tries to hide it, but it be
there alright, lighting up his dark brown, almost black eyes till
they twinkle. It makes me own heart take off to pattering it does.
A
pattering heart. Another jewel. How would you describe him?
He be a proud, ambitious mon as well as a fierce, brave warrior, a
chivalrous knight, a true leader of mons, and protector of women.
How
would he describe you? At first he ranted I
be foolish, but I think he truly feared for me safety. Hard to
believe he would ever fear anything. Now that we have shared more
words, I think he might find me a wee bit more intelligent, and
capable of teaching the youngsters painting, music and scholastics
than he first thought. At least I certainly hope so.
What
made you choose teaching as a career? ‘Tis
no really a career as there be verra few women at this time who have
an actual career or trade. Since I grew up in the abbey all me life,
I found I loved to paint, then later I adored playing the lyre. I
enjoyed mathematics more than history, lnguage or geography. So when
I reached an age where I could help the sisters out in teaching the
younger orphans I began teaching mostly art, music, singing and
playing the lyre, as well as mathematics. The others at the convent
taught other subjects.
What
is your biggest fear, Heather? I do no’
fear much really, for I try to live each day appreciating all things
good in life. But to answer your question, I be a wee bit fearful
that I might forget I know better than to ever lose my heart to any
mon since I have such a flaw with me leg plus all the other faults
the good sisters reprimanded me for, but I feel the tug, a forceful
tug, towards one verra crusty, but considerate mon.
How
do you relax? When I paint, any scene, I am
totally transported to another world. ‘Tis verra calming and it
truly soothes my soul. Of course I almost get the same calm from
playing the lyre.
Who
is your favorite fictional character? I can
read and enjoy teaching the children their numbers and letters, but I
have never read any fiction as it was forbidden at the abbey.
What
is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Believe in yourself and you will always succeed.
Thank
you, Heather. This has been a lot of fun. Now we'd like to chat with
Beverly.
What
movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer?
I’ve said this before, but The Diary of Anne
Frank, both the movie and the book, grabbed
me, held me and made such an impression on me when I was a young
girl. So much emotion, turmoil, determinations and strengths. But I
would have to say all books by LaVyrle Spencer and Nora Roberts and
so many more fantastic authors helped me throughout my career
displaying how to form a character with strengths, weakness, and
flaws as well as integrity.
So
many movies have shown me purpose, plotting and meaningful
relationships: Brave Heart, Forrest Gump,
Harry and Sally, too many to list, but what
can I say? Cinderella,
the book and movie, reigns on top.
What
event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and
how do you feel it impacted the novel? I
didn’t suffer any physical or health issues as Heather, but felt
inferior for years as I believed others knew my darkest family flaws.
I also grew up watching others be nasty and cruel to others, human or
animals, and swore I would never bow that low, but always give all I
can in helping others in need. Most likely that’s why I was a nurse
for so many years. Several people along the way helped me see I could
believe in myself and in the goodness of others, hold my head up and
persevere. It’s made me a much happier and stronger person and I
believe a more understanding person. I hope I’ve made Heather stick
to being herself no matter what. I also tried to portray Sir Geoffrey
as a brave and hardened man while being leery of others hurting him
emotionally, yet he finally learns to trust another with his heart
and soul and comes out stronger than ever before.
Tell
us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what
influenced your decision to submit to them?
I enjoy reading all types of romance novels, but I especially enjoy
reading and writing historical romance, either set in the American
West or Medievals in England or Scotland. I’d read numerous lines
published by Prairie Rose Publications, looked them up on the
internet and found even more lines, liked what I saw and submitted.
And I’m so very happy I did. I couldn’t be more pleased with the
various lines, the encouragement, assistance, and fantastic
camaraderie of all at PRP. If I ever toss out a question, western or
medieval, or business wise, I get answers from oodles of authors on
our yahoo group. It’s awesome how helpful and supportive everyone
is.
What
books currently rest on your TBR pile? Too
many to list, but I have a few historical westerns, a regency—yes
I do read them too—and the other stories included in One Yuletide
Knight and know I’ll love each and every one of them. I do have a
book I just bought in Montana about the Copper Kings’ war when
Butte, Montana first started mining copper. I recently visited there
to do some research and of course just to see the vast plains of the
West and the majestic mountain ranges. Awesome! WOW, did I get a
bunch to add to my research files.
Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect
to see it on the shelves? I
have a full length novel almost finished, set in the 19th
century in Wyoming—I’ve pushed it aside for the last time. I’m
very eager to have my readers meet my fill-in deaconess/horse trainer
and breeder who rescues the Montana cowboy from the hangman’s
noose, and the loveable dog, Cubby, that believes he is their
designated chaperone. It’s a story of vengeance verses justice as
well as healing. I have about ten different names for this book, but
I’ll make a decision soon.
I hope this short Excerpt for The
Gift tickles your fancy as I tried to pepper a wee bit of humor
throughout the entire story:
He
fought to gain his senses, to protect the foolish woman. He took a
deep breath and bellowed, “Darktonian hold!”
The
horse instantly responded, arching his neck which pulled him back
away from her. He held perfectly still to the command. “Step back
away from him.”
Expecting
her to follow the curt order as if she was one of his men he
captained, he planned to approach her and give her a harsh reprimand
for endangering herself so foolishly. Instead, she turned her head,
graced him with a wide smile and followed it with a husky chuckle.
“He
will no’ harm me. We be the best of friends as long as I bring him
a wee bit of apple ever’ day. He loves it when I pet or cuddle him
too, he does.” Disregarding his words, she reached up to pat his
muzzle and cheek. Thank the good Lord, Darktonian remained a statue.
Geoff thought he might swallow his tongue at her blatant disregard
for her safety and his order.
Pet or cuddle?
Lord grant me strength not to strangle the
irresponsible, foolish woman.
“He
is a warhorse, trained to bite, strike with his hooves and batter or
ram to kill. You are foolish to think otherwise.” His bellow shook
the rafters. “He could remove your head in one split second if he
felt like it. Now step back so I may approach. Now!”
She would suffer much more than her lopsided limp if the horse
became skittish.
He felt like an oaf, an ignorant oaf, yet
she needed to understand the danger of her coddling such a
temperamental, huge beast. He sighed in relief as she took several
uneven steps back. He also noted how her lips tightened and her glare
threatened to cook him to a charred cinder if she had any witchy
powers in her control.
You can read more about Bev or can
contact her below:
