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Thursday, September 29, 2016

Meet Author Linda Nightingale

I'm excited to introduce you to Linda Nightingale, an author, an Authors Helping Authors friend, and a fellow contributor to the Paranormal Romantics blog.


Isn't she lovely? Let's get to know her. Linda, please tell us about yourself.

A born-and-bred wanderer, (actually nothing quite so romantic!), I hail from South Carolina, but have lived in England, Canada, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta and Houston.  I’ve seen a lot of this country from the windshield of a truck pulling a horse trailer, having bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses for many years.

I’ve won several writing awards, including the Georgia Romance Writers Magnolia Award and the SARA Merritt.   I have two wonderful sons, am a retired legal assistant, member of the Houston Symphony League, and I enjoy events with my car club.  I love to dress up and host formal dinner parties.

Sounds like you've enjoyed the wandering. Where can readers find you?

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LNightingale - @Lnightingale
Web Site:  http://www.lindanightingale.com – Visit and look around. There’s a free continuing vampire story.
Blog:  https://lindanightingale.wordpress.com/ - Lots of interesting guests & prizes

If you could give the younger version of yourself advice what would it be? 

Follow your heart’s desire, persevere in the face of adversity, and be yourself. Writing is good for the soul and for making time fly and chasing away boredom.

Great advice. Let's talk writing. Are your stories driven by plot or character?  

Definitely character.  I begin with one character whispering in my “ear”, wanting to tell me his/her story.  I sit down and begin to listen.  Gradually as the tale unwinds, other characters join the first one on stage.  I usually try not to force characters to do something they don’t like.

How do you balance a life outside of writing with deadlines and writing muses?  

I retired in 2014 from a position as a legal assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center.  I can now set my own schedule, more or less, and write when I feel like it.  The only exception is that I write copy for an agency, and that I do have to write on a schedule.

What are some jobs you've done that would end up in a book?  

I was once an Executive Assistant for a Circuit Judge in South Carolina.  It was probably the most interesting position in my career, and I loved drafting the orders for the judge’s review.  In my experience, it’s a sure-fire way to distance the story.

If I was a first time reader of your books, which one would you recommend I start with?  

Sinner’s Opera because it is the book of my heart, the first book I wrote (years in the making) and Morgan and Isabeau tell their love story. The new release is a collection of short stories starring Morgan! They can be read in a short time, one-by-one.

What do you hope readers take with them after reading your work? 

I want my reader to sink beneath the surface of reality, into the book and enjoy their time in my world, then surface as if they’re leaving reality behind.  I am delighted if the reader feels he/she knows and loves the characters and is sorry to leave them.

Tell us about your latest release.



September 9th, The Wild Rose Press releases Morgan D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody.  Genre is paranormal with strong romantic elements.  Morgan leads his reader on a journey from Victorian England to the Turks and Caicos to modern-day London.  Rhapsody does cross genres, lacking the single focus love connection required of traditional romance, yet it is about relationships. This book video gives an idea of the selection.

Book Video:
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Rating:  Spicy
Digital Price:  $3.99
Print Price:  $13.99

Blurb:
The greatest enemy of a vampire is boredom. Four centuries of existence have taught Lord Morgan Gabriel D'Arcy to fear nothing and no one. Humans and their weapons have little chance against his preternatural speed and arcane powers. Vampires are viral mutations of human DNA. Still, the Vampyre code requires secrecy, and he has learned to hide his nature from the world. The lure of mortality, of a life in the sun, puts Morgan again and again at the mercy of calculating human women though they fail to consider his charm and determination into the equation. However, even grooming a future bride from infancy proves to be fraught with heartbreak. And second chances are not always what they seem unless... you are Morgan. Immortality and beauty, aren’t they grand?

“…Morgan…is a tour de force of egotism, wit, sensuality, and talent…” ~Author Toni V. Sweeney
 “Morgan D’Arcy is a class act and the most arresting vampire I’ve ever encountered in literature or films.” ~ Historical and Paranormal Romance Author Beth Trissel

Excerpt:
“Lord D’Arcy?”  A stunning redhead rested a graceful hand on the chair across the table.
I nodded, drinking in her beauty and the tempting fragrance of her blood.  The lines of her dark green dress emphasized her small waist.  The taffeta and velvet gown was elegant and stylish but probably modest in price.  Mischief sparkled in mesmerizing eyes of the palest blue.  I wished that this vision had appeared another time and place.  My intent was to greet and woo a brilliant scientist.  Soon, Dr. Wolfe would arrive.  For that meeting, I must be alone.  I rose, offering a slight bow.   Skirts swishing, she wafted near enough for me to touch.
“My name is Morgan.”  I brushed her gloved fingers to my lips.
She grinned, her enchanting eyes crinkling at the corners.  “I’m Amber Wolfe.”
Shock bled the color from my face.  “Dr. Wolfe?”
My astonishing guest fought a smile, lost the battle and laughed.  Her laughter was deep-throated, foggy, promising hidden delights to all six of my senses.  “It is evident no one saw fit to inform you that Dr. A. Wolfe is, in fact, Dr. Amber Wolfe... a woman.”
“I apologize for staring.  If I appeared rude, I am somewhat stunned.”  I hurried to hold her chair.
She sat very straight, her posture perfect.  “Thank you.”

“I didn’t expect to be greeted by an English lord when I applied for the Andorra position.”  She swirled the red wine in her glass.  “I must say I am more than intrigued.  If my situation at the Institut were such that I could volunteer my services…”
“I’m quite willing to pay.”  I nodded to the Sommelier.  “Pour, please.”
He delivered a new glass, filling it with a wine to compliment the starter.  I wished I could taste the white Bordeaux, but I’d be violently ill.  With my fresh glass, I saluted my savior.  Some god somewhere had answered my prayer.  She gave me a stunning smile, raising her wine stem in acknowledgment.
I returned my untouched beverage to the table.  “I have a few questions, if I may.”
She inclined her head, the mellow light caressing her glossy auburn hair.  Amusement twinkled in her eyes.  Dr. Wolfe was fully aware she had ambushed me, gaining the temporary advantage.
“I’m sure you know this is a dangerous adventure.  Of greater importance, to me, you must keep everything you learn in the strictest confidence.”
She frowned.  “The Institut is, of course, interested in the Andorran tragedy. I’d thought to use my findings in my work.”
“That’s quite impossible.”
“Why does an English nobleman wish to research anthrax?”  She sipped her wine, never breaking eye contact.  “As you say, the mission is perilous.”
“That, and other revelations, will come in time.   If you commit to the position, you will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement.”
Amber shouldered back in her chair, crossed her arms, and stared into the distance.  I studied the emotions flitting across her face.  She was more than interested but not thrilled with the need for secrecy.  The whisper of conversation and clink of silverware on china intruded on the sudden quiet as my companion considered the demands of the job.  Her pupils dilated, darkening her eyes.  Deep in thought, she was truly lovely.
She roused, tossing me a coquettish glance.  “You had no idea I’d be a woman, and I didn’t dream my employer would be so handsome, Lord D’Arcy.”

Available at: Amazon  The Wild Rose Press  ARe

Other Reads by Linda Nightingale:

Gemini RisingControversial Dark Fantasy with deep psychological undertones


Thank you, Diane, for having me as a guest on your lovely blog.  I’m really looking forward to the release of Morgan D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody because Morgan is among—or simply is—my favorite hero. I hope you enjoyed meeting him in the excerpt.  I never suffer writers block if I’m working on a Morgan story. 

Linda, I'm so glad you joined us today. Morgan sounds really special. I'm glad I got to meet him. Best wishes on this new release.


9 comments:

  1. Really enjoyed the interview, Diane and Linda, Morgan really does sound like the most intriguing hero!

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    1. Thanks so much for dropping by! I do love company! Yes, to me, and I hope to others, Morgan is rather special.

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  2. I admire those who can write convincingly about vampires and this seems to fit the bill perfectly! "Drinking in her beauty and the tempting fragrance of her blood." Oh boy! Keep up your imaginative forays into character!

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  3. Great interview and excerpt!
    Good luck and God's blessings
    PamT

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  4. Thank you Susan and Pam for coming to see us! Appreciate your lovely comments.

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  5. Interesting premise, a viris that renders them mortal... Good luck with the new release.

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  6. Interesting interview. Great excerpt. Best of luck with your book.

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