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
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lbnightingale1/
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:
Embed Code:
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:
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.
