• About Catherine Castle
  • Blog
  • Book Shelf
  • Contact Catherine
  • Copyright Permissions
  • Gardens
  • Guest Blog Information-A Writer’s Garden
  • Guest Blog Information-Musings from a Writer’s Brain
  • Guest Blog Information-Tasty Tuesdays
  • Guest Blog Information-Wednesday Writers
  • WIP

Catherine Castle

~ Romance for the Ages

Catherine Castle

Tag Archives: Character interview

Wednesday Writers–The Legend of Kiwaft: Silvyn’s Tale by Sara Nicole

14 Wednesday Jul 2021

Posted by Catherine Castle in Blog, Book excerpts, books, Christian fiction, Fantasy, Guest Authors, Wednesday Writers

≈ Comments Off on Wednesday Writers–The Legend of Kiwaft: Silvyn’s Tale by Sara Nicole

Tags

book excerpt from Silvyn's Tale, Character interview, Sara Nicole, Speculative Ficton Fantasy, The Legend of Kiwaft: Silvyn's Tale, Wednesday Writers

Welcome to Wednesday Writers! Today’s guest author is Sara Nicole who has a cheeky interview between the characters from her Speculative Fiction/Fantasy The Legend of Kiwaft: Silvyn’s Tale. Welcome, Nicole!

            Dear friends, please allow me to introduce you to Silvyn, a carefree, fun-loving, slightly narcissistic merman of the wondrous undersea city known as Coralae within the realm of Kiwaft. Joining him will be the land-dwelling beauty with the unique purple eyes, Graiceyl (pronounced gray-sill) of Vailyx of the Kiwaftian highlands. They’re here to talk about Silvyn’s Tale, the first novel in the epic fantasy series The Legend of Kiwaft.

Silvyn: I’m not sure what you mean by “slightly narcissistic.”

Graiceyl: Yeah, I think we can leave off the “slightly.”

Silvyn: That’s not what I meant! That’s not true, either!

Graiceyl: Ha! You know you’re in love with your own tail.

Silvyn: I’ll have you know that a golden tail like mine is not very common among my people, and you have to admit it is spectacular. Not compared to your eyes, of course. They’re like jewels, like amethysts. Your hair is like-

Graiceyl: That’s enough sweet talk. Why don’t you talk about how we met?

Silvyn: I’d rather not.

Graiceyl: I’ll start. Your friends abducted me, and you joined them in bullying me…

Silvyn: Do we have to talk about this?

Graiceyl: …and nearly drowned me…

Silvyn: But then I saved your life!

Graiceyl: You put it in danger in the first place!

Silvyn: I saved you from that shark!

Graiceyl: That’s true. You were very brave.

Silvyn: And strong.

Graiceyl: That was the first time I kissed you.

Silvyn: A memory I cherish. Your lips are more dulcet than all the women’s in Coralae.

Graiceyl: You would know.

Silvyn: I’ve changed!

Graiceyl: I know. Truth be told, you’re a walking miracle.

Silvyn: Wow! Well, thank you. I think you mean a swimming miracle, but I can walk too.

Graiceyl: Living proof that no one is too far lost.

Silvyn: Thanks… I think.

Graiceyl: Kanna, our Creator, transformed you completely. You went from being the man who kissed me without permission and once slapped me-

Silvyn: You slapped me first!

Graiceyl: You deserved it!

Silvyn: I know I did. I didn’t really mean to slap you back. It just sort of happened. My moral compass didn’t exactly point north back then. I’m sorry.

Graiceyl: Point north? You didn’t even have a moral compass back then! But I forgave you already. Like I started to say, you went from that to being the first man I ever trusted.

Silvyn: That means more to me than all the jewels in the Nevaltasha Ocean and beyond. I mean it. I can’t take credit, though. It was all Kanna’s doing.

Graiceyl: Like I said, you’re a living miracle.

Silvyn: Well, Kanna sure used you a lot to make it happen. You wrecked my life, you know!

Graiceyl: Just remember, it was you and your friends who abducted me in the first place.

Silvyn: Oh, but you’re the one who showed up unannounced-

Graiceyl: I think we’re giving too much away.

Silvyn: Fine. I’m just saying, if you’d really wanted to be rid of me, you could have left me alone.

Graiceyl: Then who would have taken me swimming? You can’t blame me for wanting to swim with a merman.

Silvyn: Which brings us back to my magnificent tail. Confess, you think it’s marvelous, too.

Graiceyl: I’ll confess you’re a guppy!

Silvyn: Bully!

Graiceyl: Ha ha! Sorry, friends – little inside joke there. I hope you’ll read our love and adventure story in The Legend of Kiwaft: Silvyn’s Tale! It has a twist ending!

Silvyn: What happened to not giving too much away? Thanks for having us, friends! I hope you’ll enjoy reading about how a purple-eyed highlander turned my life inside-out and upside-down!

Graiceyl: And enjoyed doing it! Take care!

The Legend of Kiwaft: Silvyn’s Tale

by Sara Nicole

EXPLORERS BEWARE:
The land of Kiwaft is more than what it seems. Within the mundane is magic, and among the ordinary are those with secrets, some that may metamorphose an entire world. Judge not the destiny of a person by its beginnings. Believe in change. Remember above all else, the truth is revealed in the eyes.

In the labyrinthine depths of the ocean called Nevaltasha lives a race of formidable humans, the Coralaens. Do not trust the ones whose feet transform to fins and back. A mischievous man among them, he of the golden tail, mighty and wondrous happenings await this unsuspecting recalcitrant, but first a trial by water.

If you, brave venturer, still seek to roam these forbidden realms of myth and peril, take great heed of the prophecies given in centuries past- The time has come for the mountains of Wistaor to be shaken. The awaited Legend of Kiwaft has crossed into the Shrouded Isle. When his odyssey is finished, nothing will ever be the same again.
Are you ready?

Excerpt (from Silvyn’s point of view, interacting with Graiceyl) –

She suddenly jumped into the water, splashing me, and I wiped the water from my face. “Let’s swim!” I liked how her eyes lit up as she suggested it. “I want to look at something beautiful.”

“I already am,” I answered. “Want me to bring you a mirror?”

She laughed and splashed me, and her cheeks blushed. “How many times have you said that to a woman?”

“And meant it?”

She splashed me again, so I ducked under the water and tugged her foot down, dunking her. She came back to the surface spluttering and coughing. “Bully,” she rasped when I reappeared above water.

“Hold your breath, guppy,” I retorted, “or use the berries!”

“It happened too fast!” she protested. When she had regained her breath, she swam behind me and put her hands on my shoulders. “Come on! Show me something beautiful… besides myself!”

I chuckled. “Did you know we’re right above a coral reef?”

“Really?”

I nodded. “Your people call it Caleas Reef.”

“My people?”

“Land-dwellers.”

“What do your people call it?”

I shrugged, and one of her hands slid off my shoulder. She pulled herself closer and wrapped her arms around my neck, which I enjoyed. “Leesujun Reef. Sometimes Caleas Reef.” I nodded to where she had been perched. “We call that Reef Rock.”

“Oh.” There was a brief pause, then she asked, “What’s a coral reef?”

I rolled my eyes and dove. Beneath the water, her legs wound about my waist, and I yelped, which startled her. I shifted her legs lower so they weren’t pressing on my battle wounds from the shark, and she said something that sounded like Sorry. I started to respond to her in undersea, but I remembered she couldn’t understand it. I swam a little deeper and westward, and I showed her the wondrous underwater masterpiece called a coral reef. She loved it.

She seemed to especially love the tiny seahorses that called the coral reef home, so after a while I took her away to another place I knew she’d love: a wide field of seagrass that was home to many seahorses. Her cry of surprise and delight when she spotted them made me grin. We watched them for some time, and she laughed when I showed her how to hold one with its tail curled around her finger. I checked several times to make sure she wasn’t drowning, but the berries were achieving their purpose. We swam a long time, and I showed her many parts of the underwater world, at least the shallower parts. I enjoyed sharing its secrets with her. When we at last returned to the surface, I had brought her back to Rubble Coast and the rocks covered with starfish.

She slid off my back, then she hugged me and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Thank you,” she said breathlessly.

Want to read more? Check out Sara’s website for Silvyn’s Tale that includes additional details about the book and a song she picked as its theme song, or buy the Paperback or EBook on Amazon

About the Author:

A born Kansan with southern roots, Sara did not grow up loving to write. She did, however, love stories. Hearing them, telling them, reading them… Only when she could not find a story that explored the questions she had inside of her did she begin writing them. Beginning as a search into the character of God and what His love is really like, her God took over from the start and used her writing to speak to the deepest questions in her soul. Sara does not think of herself as an author, but rather a scribe, for her books are only born from listening to God, who loves to speak truth through stories and inspires all of her books.

She uses the pen name “Sara Nicole” in honor of her grandmother, Sara Gene, who went to be with the Lord in 2011.

“LORD, You will establish peace for us,

since You have also performed for us all our works.”

– Isaiah 26:12, NASB –

Connect with Sara on her Social media links  Blog  Facebook  BookBub

Tasty Tuesdays–Voodoo Oven Fried Pickle Chips from Leigh Goff

16 Tuesday Feb 2021

Posted by Catherine Castle in food, Recipes, Tasty Tuesdays, YA fiction

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Character interview, Fried Pickles, Koush Hollow, Leigh Goff, recipe, Wednesday Writers, YA Gothic novel

Here’s a favorite appetizer or snack straight from the bayou, courtesy of author Leigh Goff. Shew claims it the favorite snack of her character Jenna, from her YA paranormal book Koush Hollow. I have a feeling that Leigh also likes this dish.

images-4

The unique flavor of Zapp’s Voodoo potato chips, which are made in Louisiana, features salt and vinegar with a smoky BBQ sweetness and spicy, jalapeno kick. These chips are so good, they’ll taste even better on an oven-fried pickle.

Voodoo Chip Fried Pickles
2 cups sliced dill pickles drained and patted dry
2 eggs
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups crushed Zapp’s Voodoo potato chips

Cajun sauce for dipping
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon horseradish
4 teaspoons ketchup
1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

  1. Preheat oven to broil on high. Mix together the sauce ingredients and set aside. Whisk the eggs together in a bowl and then whisk in the flour.
  2. Place crushed Zapp’s Voodoo potato chips in a shallow dish. Dip each pickle slice in the egg mixture, then dredge in the crushed potato chips.
  3. Place coated pickles on a rack set above a baking sheet and sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Place baking sheet in the middle rack of the oven. Broil for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
  4. Serve right out of the oven with Cajun sauce.

Koush Hollow by Leigh Goff

After her father’s untimely death, Jenna Ashby moves to Koush Hollow, a bayou town outside of New Orleans, dreading life with her wealthy mother.
As the sixteen-year-old eco-warrior is introduced to the Diamonds & Pearls, her mother’s exclusive social club, she comes to the troubling realization that secrets are a way of life in Koush Hollow: How do the Diamonds & Pearls look so young, where does their money come from, and why is life along the bayou disappearing?
As Jenna is drawn into their seductive world, her curiosity and concerns beg her to uncover the truth. However, in this town where mysticism abounds and secrets are deadly, the truth is not what Jenna could have ever imagined.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Leigh Goff is a young adult author with type 1 diabetes who is inspired by caffeine, enchanted spells, and unforgettable, star-crossed fates.

You can find more information at www.LeighGoff.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

unnamedBUY LINKS

Parliament House Press

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Wednesday Writers—Koush Hollow Character interview by Leigh Goff

06 Wednesday Jan 2021

Posted by Catherine Castle in books, paranormal, Wednesday Writers, YA fiction

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Character interview, eco-warrior heroine, Koush Hollow, Leigh Goff, Wednesday Writers, YA Gothic novel

Today’s Wednesday Writers guest is YA Author Leigh Goff, with a Character from her YA Gothic book Koush Hollow interview. Welcome, Leigh.

Don’t Call Me Jennifer

An Interview with Jenna Ashby from Koush Hollow

Unknown-10

What is your full name?

Technically it’s Jennifer Ashby, but don’t call me Jennifer. I prefer Jenna (most of the time) and my middle name is Crossland, which is my mother’s maiden name, bleh, however, I have a feeling that’s not really what my middle name is…

Tell us about your parents.

Do I have to? They divorced when I was little and I moved with my dad from Koush Hollow outside of New Orleans to Atlanta. I was fifteen when my dad died tragically last year, and I had to move back to live with my mother, Rayna. She’s rich and ambitious and she pretty much has my whole life planned out for me, which is so not going to happen. One day she wants me to take over her exclusive social club, the Diamonds & Pearls, but I’m an eco-warrior at heart and have no intention of hanging out with those snobby women, attending balls, or wearing pearls. Needless to say, life with Rayna is going to be a challenge—mostly for her.

Do you have any distinguishing features?

Besides my cool short, blonde spikes of hair, I have these interesting red marks on my hands. They’re crescent moon-shaped and my dad always told me they mark me as special, but Rayna hates them. And ever since I’ve returned to Koush Hollow, they’ve been acting up. I think it has something to do with being near the bayou, but I’m not sure why.

diamonds-and-pearls-3-gina-sullivanWhat is your greatest regret?

Not spending more time with my dad before he died. I’ve really struggled to deal with him being gone, too. Rayna wants me to forget about him and focus on being perfect, but I’m not perfect. I’ve made bad choices. I keep making mistakes because of other traumatic events that keep sending me whirling. I regret the mistakes, but that’s what being a teenager is all about. Being sixteen means making mistakes. No one’s perfect. We all have regrets and maybe other kids can learn from my mistakes.

Unknown-9Who is the most important person in your life?

My dad was the most important, but since I’ve arrived in Koush Hollow, I’ve met someone who makes me question what’s going on in the world that Rayna wants to paint as perfect. His name is Hayden and he’s more like me than any of the Pearls. He irritates me most of the time, but he’s smart and cares about Lake Pontchartrain and the bayous around us, which aren’t as healthy as they used to be. He blames the nuclear power plant where Rayna works, but she’s a former marine biologist. There’s no way she would do anything to hurt the environment, right?

Who are your friends?

I had the coolest friends back in Atlanta. We would cosplay together and have the best times. I even had a long-distance boyfriend who I detest now. In Koush Hollow, I hang out with Lauren and Abigail. They’re Pearls and on Rayna’s approved list, but they are starting to grow on me. They want me to become a Pearl, too, so I can meet with the mysterious Marais sisters and have access to their stupid beauty treatments. What they don’t know is that I’ve already met them. Lauren keeps hinting at the price I’ll have to pay to be a Pearl. We’ll see what happens.

images-4What is your favorite food?

The one thing I love about being back in New Orleans is the food! It’s all freaking amazing. A perfect day would begin with beignets for breakfast, a Muffuletta for lunch, shrimp and grits for dinner, bread pudding with bourbon sauce for dessert, and Zapp’s Voodoo chips to snack on while I binge on Netflix shows.

Thanks for joining us today, Leigh and Jenna. Want to know more about Koush Hollow? Here’s a peek at the blurb.

Koush Hollow by Leigh Goff

After her father’s untimely death, Jenna Ashby moves to Koush Hollow, a bayou town outside of New Orleans, dreading life with her wealthy mother.
As the sixteen-year-old eco-warrior is introduced to the Diamonds & Pearls, her mother’s exclusive social club, she comes to the troubling realization that secrets are a way of life in Koush Hollow: How do the Diamonds & Pearls look so young, where does their money come from, and why is life along the bayou disappearing?
As Jenna is drawn into their seductive world, her curiosity and concerns beg her to uncover the truth. However, in this town where mysticism abounds and secrets are deadly, the truth is not what Jenna could have ever imagined.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Leigh Goff is a young adult author with type 1 diabetes who is inspired by caffeine, enchanted spells, and unforgettable, star-crossed fates.

You can find more information at www.LeighGoff.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

unnamedBUY LINKS

Parliament House Press

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Wednesday Writers–Jules Montgomery Character Interview by Jodie Wolfe

22 Wednesday Apr 2020

Posted by Catherine Castle in Christian fiction, clean romance, historical romance, Sweet romance, Wednesday Writers

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Character interview, Inpsirational Historical Romance, Jodie Wolfe, sweet clean romance, Taming Julia, Wednesday Writers, western romance

Today’s Wednesday Writers guests are Jules Montgomery, heroine of Taming Julia, and her creator Jodie Wolfe. I have to tell you, I read this book and loved the heroine! Jodie did a fabulous job of crafting the character and keeping her voice intact, interesting, and entertaining. If you get the chance, check out Taming Julia. I’m sure this interview will enchant you, like it did me. Welcome, Jodie and Julia!

 

Thanks, Catherine.

Both Jules and I are glad to be here today. I guess we’ll get on with the interview now.

 What is your full name? Do you have a nickname (if so, who calls you this)?

My right name is Julia Walker, I mean Montgomery. Keep forgettin’ I’m hitched now. I don’t ever go by Julia though. Been Jules as far back as I can recall.

Do you have any siblings? If you do, what are/were they like?

I had a sister but she died when I was a wee tyke. I have a big brother, Josh Walker. He’s always been protective of me, so much so that we lived along the trail all the days I remember.

How would you describe your childhood?

I don’t know how to compare it to others since it’s the only one I know, but most of it was spent hidin’ out, makin’ sure we weren’t around folks much. Josh was mighty particular about that. I did have some book learnin’ with a set of McGuffy Readers. My brother taught me how to ride, hunt, track outlaws, and other normal things like that.

Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?

Like I just said, my brother taught me. He’s pretty skilled too since he’s a deputy with the U.S. Marshals.

Who were your friends, and what were they like?

Didn’t rightly have no other friends aside my brother. It’s been nice gettin’ to know Drew; he’s my husband if you didn’t know. I’ve become friends with Drew’s sister, Sarah too.

Who is the person you respect the most, why?

I’d have to say my brother since I’ve known him the longest. I’m learnin’ to respect Drew though, although he’s mighty particular with wantin’ things a certain way. Still haven’t figured him out yet.

What is your favorite food?

A prairie chicken fried up in a skillet along with some trail bread. Mmm. Mmm. That’s good eatin’.

Do you like to read? If so, what do you like to read?

I didn’t have much to read other than them readers, but Drew’s got lots of books. I came across one that was written by a fella named Jules. I think my husband said his name was Jules Verne. Apparently this fella went on a trip around the world in 80 days. Can’t wait to read more of that one.

What is your greatest strength?

Hmm. I would guess my shootin’ and trackin’ abilities. I can read the signs pretty well from the dirt. When I shoot, I don’t miss.

How do you feel about your home/living space?

I’m adjustin’ to livin’ in a house. Must say, it’s one of the best things that’s happened to me.

Thank you kindly for havin’ me here today!

Here’s a little bit more of my story. Apparently it’s a historical romance, whatever that is. It’s found in a book called Taming Julia:

Taming Julia

by Jodie Wolfe

In 1875, Kansas bachelor Drew Montgomery’s sole desire is to serve God, but his congregation’s ultimatum that he marry or leave, forces him to advertise for a wife by proxy.

Jules Walker strides into Drew’s life wearing breeches and toting a gun and saddle–more cowboy than bride. After years on the trail, she’s not exactly wife material, but she longs for home and family, and will do anything to ensure Drew never discovers what she really is.

Here’s what happened shortly after I met Drew:  

“Josh said couples kiss after they’re hitched. Should we try it? I’ve never done it afore, but I reckon we could give it a shot.” She puckered her lips and waited.

Drew took a big step backward.

Had she used the wrong word? Jules wrinkled her brow, trying to recollect what her brother had said. Had he called it a peck? Nah, couldn’t be. That’s what prairie chickens did when they found a tasty bug.

Jodie Wolfe’s the one who wrote my story. This is more about her:

About the Author:

Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Romance Writers of America (RWA), and COMPEL Training. She’s been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests. A former columnist for Home School Enrichment magazine, her articles can be found online at: Crosswalk, Christian Devotions, and Heirloom Audio. She’s a contributor and co-founder of Stitches Thru Time blog. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. Learn more at http://www.jodiewolfe.com.

 Purchase the book here.

 Connect with Jodie on BookBub, Facebook, and Twitter.

 

Wednesday Writers Welcomes Dawn Ireland with an Unusual Character Interview

13 Wednesday Sep 2017

Posted by Catherine Castle in Book Character interview, Romance, Wednesday Writers

≈ Comments Off on Wednesday Writers Welcomes Dawn Ireland with an Unusual Character Interview

Tags

Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, Character interview, Dawn Ireland, Highland Romance, Highland Yearning, time travel romance

Today Wednesday Writers welcomes Dawn Ireland, author of several award-winning novels set in Georgian England and the Highlands. ‘Highland Yearning’ part of the MacKay Saga won the Holt Reader’s Choice award this year in the time travel/paranormal division. Today Dawn is giving us a peek at a very different character interview. Welcome, Dawn!

Thanks, Catherine.

Highland Yearning was the first book I’d written that had a dog as a character. By the end of the story I fell in love with Scruffy, so I wrote the Epilogue from his point of view. This worked for me, but not my editor. (Alas, she was right. The book was stronger when I ended it from the heroine’s viewpoint.) That said, I think you should know a few things about Scruffy.

Today, I have Scruffy with me, one of the characters from my latest book.

Scruffy, you weren’t allowed to speak in Highland Yearning. (Barking doesn’t count.) So, I thought I’d learn about the story from your point of view.

Scruffy’s whole body moved with his wagging tail. “Finally, I get to tell what really happened.”

Did you know you were going to be sent back in time with Ariel?

He cocked his head. “No one ‘sent’ me back. I chose to go. A few days before we ended up in Scotland I was visited by one of the Ring of Belief’s witches. The witches are okay. This one, Elspeth, is beautiful by human standards. Unlike most humans, she had no trouble understanding me.

The witch asked, very politely, if I wanted to go back to 1775 with Ariel, or stay in this time. I told her I wanted to go back, Ariel needed me.” Scruffy raised his bushy eyebrows. “Actually, we needed each other.”

I had the feeling you weren’t over-fond of Caden, the hero in the story.

In spite of what some readers may believe, I am not jealous of the hero. Human women are always sighing over Caden, but I consider him an acquired taste. Oh, he’s big, and can hold his own in a fight with other humans, but his sense of smell is terrible. It’s a good thing he doesn’t lose Ariel on a regular basis. She loves him, so I have to make allowances.

A little bird told me you found your own ‘lassie’ in Scotland.

Birds talk too much. But yes, I met Ellie there. You won’t come across a finer West Highland Terrier this side of the Dornoch Firth. She likes to think she’s ‘domesticated’ me, but that’s only because I let her believe I’ve been tamed.

She must love you. I understand you have pups of your own.

“Aye.” Scruffy stuck out his chest. “They’re fine little lads and lassies. One of them, Scout, has huge paws for a little pup, but he’ll grow into them. No doubt, he’ll be bigger than his father.” He cocked his head. “My pups aren’t nearly as much trouble as Ariel and Caden’s. I don’t envy them their helpless offspring, they have to keep them around for years.

Is there anything else you’d like to say about Highland Yearning while you have the chance?

Scruffy’s eyebrows raised, and his liquid brown eyes twinkled. “I like what you did with our story. Now, will you write me back to the Highlands? My family’s waiting.

 

Highland Taming

By Dawn Ireland

 

Caden Mackay would never bed a Sutherland, let alone marry one. Bloody hell, what had possessed his twin brother to propose to one of the she-devils? And what is Caden to do with the Sutherland beauty who appears, as if by magic, in his library? The defiant intruder is the enemy, but she is unlike any woman Caden’s ever known, and her tantalizing curves and wide green eyes could tempt a monk. He must devise a way to stop the wedding. But can he stop the desire that makes him long to make Ariel Sutherland his own?

Ariel’s life had never gone the way she’d hoped, but ending up in eighteenth century Scotland was a stretch, even for her. If not for her dog, Scruffy, she might have thought she’d walked into a romantic daydream. Especially since the object of her desire appears to be entirely too virile. But can she find her way back to her time, before her too-handsome Highlander makes her believe that love can conquer in any century?

Want to read more? Check out Dawn’s book on Amazon.

About the Author:

“Once Upon a Time” are four of Dawn’s favorite words, because she never knows where they will lead. She writes stories to remind herself that even though things may seem bleak, there is always the possibility of a “Happily Ever After.” If along the way she makes readers smile, cry or see the magic in their everyday lives, then she’s done her job.

 

Dawn’s written several award-winning novels set in Georgian England and the Highlands – an era filled with rules and intrigue. Her characters often defy “Society” as they pursue love, run away, pursue, run away – well, you get the idea.

Then again, she might write romance in order to do the research. What other profession encourages you to sit in the audience at Harlequin’s Male Model search, and take notes, or just sigh?

When she’s not writing, Dawn may be found singing, gardening, learning to play the harp or wood carving. She lives in a Victorian home in Upstate New York with her husband and very independent cats.

Dawn hopes you’ll read her books, and together you’ll bring to life characters that aren’t perfect, but have a story to tell.

Social Media Links

http://www.dawn-ireland.com/

http://www.authordawnireland.wordpress.com/

http://www.smpauthors.wordpress.com/

www.Twitter.com/AuthorDIreland

www.Facebook.com/DawnIrelandAuthor

http://www.writeblogconnect.wordpress.com/

 

 

Warning to readers of sweet and inspirational romance: This book may contain language and sensual situations.

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Writers Welcomes Terri Wangard

01 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by Catherine Castle in Author Catherine Castle's blog, Book Character interview, books, Wednesday Writers

≈ Comments Off on Wednesday Writers Welcomes Terri Wangard

Tags

Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, Character interview, Christian Historical Romance, No Neutral Ground, Terri Wangard

 

NNG smallToday Wednesday Writers is welcoming Terri Wangard, author of the Christian historical novel No Neutral Ground, set in the WWII era. The book is the second book of her historical Promise For Tomorrow series. Here’s a quick blurb on the story, and a character interview of her heroine, Jennie Lindquist.

No Neutral Ground

By Terri Wangard

After his father divorces his mother because of her Jewish ancestry, Rafe and the rest of his family flee Germany. As a B-17 navigator, he returns to Europe. Flying missions against his former homeland arouses emotions that surprise Rafe. Despite being rejected, he is troubled by the destruction of Germany and his heart still cries for his father’s love.

Sweden may be neutral, but it’s full of intrigue. Jennie assists the OSS at the American legation in Sweden. She thought she’d be doing passive, behind-the-scenes work. Instead, she’s pushed into an active role to gain intelligence and frustrate the Germans.

How can Rafe and Jennie succeed in their dangerous roles when they are so conflicted?

 

Now, let’s chat with Terri’s heroine, Jennie.

Hello, Jennie, and welcome to Wednesday Writers. You traveled overseas in 1944. What did you do in the war years before that?

I worked at the Chicago art museum where I put together special exhibits like “Art in War: American Artists’ Record of War and Defense.” I also conducted tours through the museum for school groups.

What prompted you to go overseas?

Rumors of layoffs swirled around the museum, with the understanding that the last hired would be the first fired. I don’t know how true the rumors were, but my dad saw them as an opportunity to spread my wings and go to Sweden, where he was a military attaché.

Being ringside to a vicious war didn’t sound appealing, but my boss said I could scout out possible exhibitions for after the war. Other countries wouldn’t be able to take part in exchanges, what with the mess they were in and their art stolen or destroyed.

You traveled across the Atlantic on the Queen Mary. Were you concerned about submarines?

By 1944, the U-boats weren’t having the success they enjoyed earlier in the war. Both of the Queens were supposed to travel so fast, the U-boats couldn’t set up a shot. I never heard of either ship having a torpedo fired in their direction. That gave me confidence I wouldn’t have had if I’d traveled on a Liberty ship.

How did you like being one of few women among all the troops making the crossing?

Over twelve thousand servicemen packed in, plus the nurses in a few medical units. But you know, being so crowded made it safer for us. There was no privacy. No man could be improper toward us without someone to rescue us.

You managed to have a shipboard romance.

Oh, I wouldn’t call it a romance. Rafe and I did spend a lot of time together, and I hoped to see him again after the war. I wondered about him often. Being part of a B-17 crew was so dangerous. And then his plane crashed in Sweden and there he was, covered in blood. My heart stood still.

You had a brief but intense training course for the OSS. You saw no danger there?

I was convinced I’d work behind the scenes. And I was going to Sweden. That was hugely different from being an agent in Germany. Still, when I was assigned to leave the legation and meet with agents, I had qualms. Not until Rafe joined me did I start to enjoy our outings. They could still be nerve-wracking, but Rafe made it fun. Of course, as a former German national, the war was very personal for him.

Do you have any misgivings about Rafe being from Germany?

Never. I knew the day we met that he was angry with the Germans and with his father for rejecting him and the rest of their family because of Jewish ancestry. It hurt him to see Germany being destroyed. By war’s end, he came to understand how his father had been unable to cope with the belligerence of the Nazis. How would any of us react if we had a government turn so vicious? I’m so glad we found Rafe’s father in Cologne after the war and their relationship began to heal. Remembering their embrace still brings tears to my eyes.

Thanks for letting us get to know you, Jennie, and to Terri for bringing you to visit. If you want to know more about Terri’s book, you can buy No Neutral Ground   at Amazon

 

About the Author:

Terri WangardTerri Wangard grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. Her first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. These days she is writing historical fiction, and won the 2013 Writers on the Storm contest and 2013 First Impressions, as well as being a 2012 Genesis finalist. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she lives in Wisconsin. Her research included going for a ride in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984, keeps her busy as an associate editor.

Connect with Terri: www.terriwangard.com Facebook: Pinterest:

 

Catherine Castle Facebook

Catherine Castle Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,709 other followers

Recent Posts

  • Wednesday Writers–Shadow in the Dark by Antony Barone Kolenc January 5, 2022
  • Musings from a Writer’s Brain—Reality or Make-believe? by Amy R Anguish December 27, 2021
  • Wednesday Writers—When Love Trusts by Judythe Morgan December 22, 2021
  • Wednesday Writers–Defending David by Barbara M. Britton December 15, 2021
  • Wednesday Writers–An interview with Lady Fallon from Susan Hanniford Crowley’s YA Fantasy Lady Fallon’s Dragons December 1, 2021

Archives

Categories

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Writer's organizations

  • ACFW Ohio Chapter
  • American Christian Fiction Writers

Blog Stats

  • 60,687 hits
  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Catherine Castle
    • Join 1,709 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Catherine Castle
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...