Hi, Samantha! It's lovely to invite another UK author to guest on my site :) As I write for the US market , the majority of my guest are US writers so this feels kind of a different for me, lol! Love your cover, by the way...ready for the questions??
1) When and why did you decide you wanted to be a published author?
Shortly after I finished my first book. I
wrote it for myself, to keep myself occupied while my hubby was away and I
thought it would be fun to share it. I never quite realized I’d take it up as a
full time job!
2) What is the best and worse thing you have learned from an
editor/agent?
To read instructions thoroughly - that was the best and worse thing
because I felt like an idiot after messing up but it was a good learning
experience.
3) Favourite author/s?
Elizabeth Gaskell and most Harlequin
authors. I’m a sucker for those books.
4) What is your typical day?
Run around like a headless chicken doing
housework, send kids to school, knuckle down to writing and hopefully get the
chance to squeeze in a little siesta. Then it’s back to kids and housework
until the evening when writing takes over once more.
5) Share your blurb or short excerpt from your latest release with us.
Here’s a little sneaky peak at one of the
tender moments between Jake and Isabel:
A silent sob welled in her throat and
she couldn’t hold it back. Her shoulders shook gently as the tears escaped but still he stood
there.
Would he not just leave her? What an
ungrateful fool she was.
His woodsy scent worked through her
tears and she tensed as the bed ropes
strained beneath her. Jake pushed his hand under the crook of her knees and her shoulders. Isabel opened her
mouth to squeal as she found herself
rolled into Jake’s arms. He lifted her with a gentleness that seemed so at odds with his broad chest.
6) Who would you cast to play your hero & heroine in a movie?
Jake would need to be someone big and
brooding. Maybe Joe Manganiello. I think he is absolutely perfect. For Isabel,
maybe Scarlett Johansson. She’s feisty but she can also do subtle, like in The
Girl with the Pearl Earring.
7) Did you plan this book? Or write it as it came?
I rarely plan my books though I usually
have a beginning, middle and end vaguely sketched out in my head. The ending on
this one changed quite dramatically when I was close to finished.
8) What surprised you the most when you became published?
That people actually wanted to buy and read
my books! Still blows me away even now!
9) Do you have a dedicated writing space? What does it look like?
Not yet! You’d think I’d have one by now
but I just sit in ‘my spot’ on the sofa and tap away on my laptop. My wrists
suffer for it so I’m trying to persuade my children they don’t need all their
toys so I can turn half of the playroom into an office.
10)
What’s next for you?
Borderland Beauty - Book 2 of The
Borderland Legacy is finished and is in the hands of my publisher so I’m
waiting on a release date for that and I’m just finishing up a fantasty novel -
new territory for me as I’ve never written anything other than medieval. Eeek!
Borderland Bride (The
Borderland Legacy)
by Samantha Holt
Historical Romance
Publisher: Jupiter Gardens Press
Release Date: March
21, 2013
Heat Level: Steamy
Word Count: 50,000
Buy Links
Description
These
are the borderlands, lass. We make our own rules here.
In the wilderness of 14th century Northumbria, Lady
Isabel discovers just how dangerous the borderlands can be. With the loss of
her voice and her hearing, there is little hope left for her. But when a
brooding knight rescues her, she vows never to become a victim again and buries
the secrets of her past in the hope that those hunting her will never find her
in the borderlands.
Jake is astonished to come across the beautiful
Isabel, near to death, on his brother’s lands. Bringing her back to his
brother’s home, he finds himself longing for something more from the courageous
woman, something that he thought he would never want again. Isabel works her
way into his scarred heart and opens Jake up to loving once more. But will
Isabel’s secrets destroy their bond? And with his charismatic brother, Dominic,
charming her, does he even stand a chance?
Warning: This title is intended for readers over the
age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language, and may
be considered offensive to some readers.
Excerpt:
“Isabel, what in God’s name are
you doing?”
“I am returning to my father,”
she told him breathlessly.
“You would see yourself in that
monster’s hands? Why?”
“I cannot see Thornewall suffer
for my sakes. And I cannot see you or Dominic harmed. Not for me.”
“We are grown men; will you not
let us make these decisions ourselves? Thornewall is strong, we have endured
worse.”
Isabel shook her head. “Nay, I
will not see war brought to your door. If my father fails here, then he will
turn his attention to your lands. They have not the strength of Thornewall, you
have said as much yourself.”
Jake squeezed her arm until he
saw her wince. Damn his brutish manners. He could not let her throw herself
into the arms of a murderer for their sakes. “I can defend my lands, lass. I’ve
done it before and I’ll gladly do it again.”
But she was right, Greycroft was
ill prepared for a full-scale war and his own castle would not hold out long
against a siege. It was likely he would die defending it.
“That is what I fear,” she said
softly and Jake wondered if he had spoken aloud.
Her voice took on a desperate
quality and she pulled against his grip. “Let me go, Jake, for I cannot allow
you to place yourself in danger for me. Not for a woman that hurt you so.”
He considered her and saw the
fear in her eyes - a fear that was not for herself, but for him, his brother,
and all their people. How he could ever have thought her as wicked as his wife,
he knew not. There was nothing in this lass but kindness. He gulped, fighting
the words he would have to say. There was no other way.
“Isabel, you do not have to
return.”
“I do, Jake!” She struggled
again.
“Listen…” He grabbed at her other
arm and pinned her still. “Listen, there is another way. Marry…”
She ceased her struggles and
stared at him.
“Marry Dominic.”
Isabel blinked at him. “What?”
she whispered.
“Marry Dominic. Your father would
be a fool to say nay to such an allegiance. He is one of the richest men in
England. There will be no war and you will be safe.”
Safe. He clung to the word,
trying to ignore the ache in his heart. It didn’t matter, as long as she was
safe. In spite of himself, he urged her to say nay, to confess her love for
him, but he knew it could come to nothing. He had nothing to offer Lord Henry
in return for her hand.
Isabel gaped at him. “Marry
Dominic? But…did he decide this?”
“Nay.” He sighed. “‘Twas my
idea.”
She gulped and her eyes misted
with tears as she took a deep breath. Her composure regained, she shook her
head in disbelief. “Why would you suggest such an idea?”
Book Trailer
About the Author
Samantha resides in Warwickshire, England with
her twin girls and occasionally her husband, who works abroad. She admits that
his long absences often help get the creative juices flowing. She's a romance
addict and has been devouring all kinds of romance for as long as she can
remember.
A huge history buff, Samantha likes to blend her
love of the past with her love of romance and create thrilling and passionate
tales set to medieval backdrops. She thinks there's nothing sexier than a
rugged warrior and a feisty maiden falling head over heels for each other.
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with Samantha Holt
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