Welcome Lori Brighton, Historical Romance Fiction Author
Wild Heart is Lori’s debut historical romance with a twist. One look at the first pages (excerpted below) and I knew why I wanted Lori to be the first guest on my online journal (besides the fact that she’s just plain nice and fun). Let’s see if you can guess why, as well (I smile).
Sussex, England, 1855
Surely God was punishing her.
After all, hadn’t Lady Buckley reminded her again and again no good would come to those who had the devil’s ability? Ella plucked at the tattered lace on her cuff, her morose thoughts getting the better of her. As if she any control over her powers. As if she had any control over the devil. As if she had any control over her life.
Do not tell anyone what you are capable of, Lady Buckley’s words whispered through her memory, bringing with them the heat of shame.
Too nervous to stand, Ella sank onto a window seat and focused on the garden, attempting to glean comfort from the cheery daisies. Truth be told, she should have been ecstatic to have been given the post. From the crystal chandeliers, to the soft carpets that covered the floor-boards, the home reeked of money and privilege. A privilege now extended to include her. So why then wasn’t she thrilled to leave Lady Buckley’s noxious company?
“You don’t look well,” Fran whispered, stepping close to her side.
She didn’t feel well either, but Ella forced a smile to her lips. She hadn’t felt right since their carriage swept through the impressive iron gates of Sodalitas Castle. Was it nerves or something more? Blast it, but she couldn’t tell.
Lori once worked as a museum curator, but soon decided working with her imagination was more intriguing than working with dead things. People often ask me why I have chosen to write romance and so I thought I would pose the same question to an anthropologist. Not only did Lori jump in with a response, she brought two books along to give away to two lucky people. All you have to do is leave a comment telling us why you think the first pages of Wild Heart made me want Lori as my first guest (hint: if you can’t figure it out, go to my “links” page for the key). You can read more about Leo and Ella on Lori’s website at www.loribrighton.com. Here’s Lori:
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I first discovered romance novels when at the impressionable age of sixteen, I read a Julie Garwood book. Instantly I fell in love. I couldn’t get enough of her historicals and would stay up all night to read them. It wasn’t until years later that I decided to write my own romance. Why? My imagination wouldn’t rest! I had these darn stories taunting me every night when I went to bed. I figured, maybe if I wrote one down I could sleep in peace. Of course it only made room for the next story to pop up.
Why do I write romance? Why wouldn’t I? In my opinion romance has what every other genre has: suspense, mystery, heck you can even find sci-fi in romance. But what makes romance special? It’s the focus on that basic human need, what we all want, love. The happily ever after doesn’t hurt either. Life is hard enough as it is, why read a book that leaves you miserable and crying? Why do I read romance? Because they make me happy and hopeful. What better reason is there?
Of course as an optimistic romance reader, I hadn’t realized that writing romance was a little more difficult than reading romance. About 3 manuscripts, much heartache, and six years later, I finally got a book deal. Wild Heart, my Victorian romance is out in stores now.
Many times authors are asked what triggered the idea for their latest book. For Wild Heart, there were a couple things that spurred it into existence. My son, who was a toddler at the time, often watched the Disney Tarzan movie. I’d always loved an alpha male and you couldn’t get more alpha than Tarzan. I’d also seen a show about feral children. What would happen, I wondered, if I had a hero who had gotten lost in the jungle as a child?
I had my book idea and eagerly started my manuscript. But something wasn’t right and if writers know anything, it’s that you can’t ignore the muse. The book needed something more…but what? Paranormal was huge (and still is) so why not combine two of my favorite subgenres…paranormal and historical? Since the hero tended to be animalistic, what if the heroine could sense and control animals? This concept would bind them in a way that most heroes and heroines aren’t. I knew I was on the right track when the book started finaling in contests. Still, it was a long, bumpy road before I finally sold the book to Kensington.
So what about you? Do you like it when authors mix subgenres? Leave a comment! Two people will win a copy of my debut book, Wild Heart!
Kathleen,
Allow me to be the first! I love the blog! In fact, I love the entire website!
A terrific blog!
What a lovely place to come!!!
Great blog!!!
Kathleen, congratulations on the new website.
Lori, mixing genres can add depth to stories as long as an author doesn’t get too carried away. Congrats on your first book.
Fabulous new website, Kathleen! It’s really lovely.
Thank you for the kind words. That Jeannie at will design for Chocolates really did a nice job. Hey, I’m finishing up reading Lori’s give away book WILD HEART and it’s really good (my copy, not a give away lol).
Kathleen
Thanks for stopping by everyone!
Kathleen, your site is gorgeous; the colors, the pictures…everything!
As for mixing genres, it wasn’t something I set out to do, it just sort of happened. I think some people do find it interesting, and some just hate it! lol. But when I think of Wild Heart, I do think of it as more of a historical. Now the second book does have more of the paranormal aspect. We’ll have to wait a year to see how people like that one.
The 1st page you can just tell what a love story this will be! Now if we only listened to our inner self telling us what is about to transpire, or is it we are afraid of what we know!
Love your site Kathleen, I’ll be checking back often.
Testing.
Kathleen, I love your site. Lori, your fist page still gives me goosebumps. It’s that good!
Yes, I definitely do like reading and writing cross genre books. It adds a different element to books. A freshness. For awhile, it seemed like I was reading the same book over and over again. Now there’s more variety.
Don’t put me in the drawing. I already have the book and love it.
Kathleen, I’m loving this site. It’s absolutely gorgeous.
Lori is an awesome author. Her writing is fabulous.
No need to enter me in for the book give away.
I’ve already got my copy!
Hi Kathleen! Your Unbook trailer was amazing! I sat here with a sappy smile, and actually got tears in my eyes. I have seen that movie, which one is it? And the song, was perfect! I am totally floating on a happy cloud right now and I wish Hoff was home so I could be lovey with him
Your hint of history is very cool also, and I must say, how awesome that you got married in a Scottish castle, I love your picture 
Excellent choice for a first guest! Lori’s book was fabulous! I also like it when books have a mixed subgenre. Makes for more interesting reading!
HUGS! And congrats on the launch!!!!
You guys are so sweet! And I’m so glad you like my book!
I agree, this site is beautiful! And I love that trailer and that movie!
The movie is Dangerous Beauty, one of my all time favorite period movies.
I agree with Eliza, the subgenre is great here and I really enjoyed the read. I have a daughter-in-law in Budapest, Hungary who is chomping at the bit to read your book, Lori. She improved her English by reading out of my romance library.
I will lend her my copy since she can’t get it there, but back on my shelf it goes because it is a signed copy. Yay!
I love it when there is a mix of genres. Romance and Time Travel for instance. I’m dying to read your book Lori…The reviews are awesome!!!
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