Hello, and welcome to my first author interview (and contest). I hope you enjoy, and remember to enter the contest (winners will be announced no later than next Thursday, though hopefully before then!)
Now, this particular author is fairly new to the romance novel business, but by no means a newbie. She writes under two names: Jennifer Haymore and Dawn Halliday, and no matter which one of her books you pick up, I assure you, you won't regret it!
Jennifer has been nice enough to answer a few questions that I had for her, and hopefully you too will find her comments interesting. With such a busy schedule (Highland Obsession comes out August 4th ), she may not be able to stop by and answer every one's questions/comments, but know that if you leave a comment on this post, I'm sure she'll still read them!
So let's get started! I'm proud to introduce to you the amazing, very talented....Ms. Halliday!
TheBookQueen: It's a cliche question, I know, but what inspired you to write Highland Obsession?
Dawn Halliday: When I started Highland Obsession, I’d just finished a story about a very intense love triangle for another publisher, and I had love triangles on the brain. I wanted to keep exploring the “torn between two lovers” theme. In historicals, that dynamic can be so intense because the ideals of marriage of the time were so stringent and divorce was essentially unheard of. So I thought, “What would happen to a woman who is torn between her old lover and her new husband…?”
Then Sorcha, the heroine of Highland Obsession, came to life, and she had some different ideas about how the story should be played out. Her interpretations of honor and duty turned out to be far stronger than I expected. Ultimately the story ended up being less of a love triangle and more about how two strangers grow to trust and ultimately love each other against all odds
TBQ: Have you always wanted to write romance? And how did you decide what to write?
Dawn: I started off writing fantasy and historical fiction. Eventually I began to notice in books I was reading that I was most drawn to the relationships and how those relationships developed over time. I realized that romance books are not all fluff and froth and gratuitous sex, but the stories of people who struggle and grow over time and ultimately discover how to be happy. I love reading (and now writing) about people who find their way to true love and ultimate happiness.
TBQ: What, in your opinion, makes a great romance novel? Do you use any of these 'qualities' when writing your own novels, or do you just let the story flow?
Dawn: As with any book, I think it’s mostly compelling characters, a great writing voice, and an engaging plot! I certainly try for all three, but I’ve found my voice is my voice, and there isn’t much I can do to force it to change. As for characterization and plot, I constantly strive to make those the best they can be.
TBQ: How do you come up with the character names? I especially liked the name for the heroine in HO, Sorcha.
Dawn: I spent a lot of time browsing around in Scottish baby name dictionaries and other name references in historical texts. I was looking for names that were accessible to modern-day readers, didn’t have too much of an “English” sound to them, and that fit the characters. Sorcha means “bright” or “radiant,” and I thought the name fit her character perfectly.
**Possible Mini-Spoiler**
TBQ: I was a bit surprised while reading HO that Alan was willing to share Sorcha with Cam (at least for the one night), but I wasn't opposed to this turn in events. I knew that Sorcha and Alan loved each other, trusted each other, and it wasn't just a sex scene that could have just as easily been out of a porno movie. My question is, while writing the book, did you find it difficult to write the very erotic scenes while still keeping the same basic core to the novel (Sorcha's and Alan's love story)?
Dawn: The scene you mention above is a big turning point in the novel—it affects all three of the characters significantly and drives the story toward its climactic scene. That’s how I try to approach all love scenes in my books. They must enhance characters’ growth and development as well as be integral to the plot.
Along those lines, I feel that without the love scenes, Highland Obsession
would be missing part of its backbone, because each scene forces the characters to recognize something within themselves and moves them to a new level of development within the story. I’m a linear writer (I write chronologically from the beginning of the story to its end), so to me, writing the love scenes are like writing any other scene in the book—I’m working to develop the characters along an arc of growth within the novel as well as move the plot along.
TBQ: I've heard that your next novel, which isn't out until 2010, covers the story of Cam. Did you know, even before finishing HO, that Cam would need his own story? Can you tell us anything about Cam's story, or is it one of those 'If I told you, I'd have to kill you' moments? ;-)
Dawn: When I started Highland Obsession, I wasn’t positive what the second book would be about, but as the story progressed, it became clear to me that Cam needed his own story.
Highland Surrender deals with Cam’s continuing struggle for happiness. As an earl, he faces political expectations from his English peers, but he’s also rooted to the land and people of the Highlands. Highland Surrender starts off with Cam returning home after a six-month absence in England with his English fiancée and her uncle in tow. But when they are just a few miles from Cam’s castle, highwaymen attack and shoot Cam. None of their lives will ever be the same!
TBQ: Have there been any authors over the years that helped to inspire you, or helped you to realize what it was you wanted to do?
Dawn: There are many authors whose writing has inspired me. To name a few: Diana Gabaldon, Wilbur Smith, Sharon Kay Penman, Laura Kinsale, and Julie Garwood. I’ve also been inspired by writer friends (and brilliant writers) Christine Wells, Anna Campbell, Tessa Dare, and Maya Banks.
TBQ: Any plans for writing contemporaries or paranormal romances/erotica in the future, or do you prefer the historical?
Dawn: I’ve written a few short light paranormal and contemporary romances for Ellora’s Cave and Samhain Publishing, and I enjoy writing them—I especially like the freedom of language after being mired in my “historical voice” for so long. I definitely intend to write more of both when time allows. Right now, though, I’m continuing to focus on my hot Highlanders!
Speed Round!
Question: Chocolate OR Vanilla ice cream? Dawn: Chocolate
Q: A day on a secluded island OR a day relaxing at the spa? Dawn: Relaxing at the spa
Q: Reading a steamy romance novel OR a suspense-filled mystery? Dawn: Steamy romance novel
Q: If you had a choice (before you married your husband, of course!) which would you rather have an affair with: a sexy highlander OR a devilishly handsome English lord? Dawn: Uhhh….both?
Q: Hot summer days OR cold winter nights? Dawn: Hot summer days
Q: Where would your dream house be: in the city, where all the action is OR nestled in the mountain where you can enjoy the quiet and the wilderness? Dawn: Nestled in the mountain
Q: If you could live in any time period, past or future, which one would it be? Dawn: I’d love to have a glimpse into the future, maybe see where humanity is 1000 years from now!
Again, thank you Jennifer/Dawn for allowing me the pleasure of not only interviewing you here, but also for Highland Obsession (My review HERE). I loved it, and I can't wait to read your other books...written under both names!
GIVEAWAY IS NOW OVER--THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!
Now, the part you've all been waiting for! Jennifer is offering up an ARC of Highland Obsession to one lucky reader.
And all you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post.
One comment = One entry. You can always comment more than once, BUT YOU WILL ONLY BE ENTERED ONCE.
However, here are a few ways to gain extra entries:
Two Entries:
~If you are already Following my blog
~ If you help to spread the word about this contest/interview on your own blog, website, etc. You may post it in more than one spot, but you will only get the two entries.
One Entry:
~If you decide to start Following my blog now
Whether your comment is a simple hello, or a question for Jennifer, your name will be entered into the drawing (winners will be chosen using random.org). Please leave some way to contact you (a simple email address) or sign in before posting.
If you are already following me, state that in your comment (though I'm sure I can remember the 9 on my list). Same with the other ways to enter. If you post about this somewhere else, please link your post directly to this page, and when you comment on here, leave the link from YOUR post in the message. And if you are going to start Following me, please say so as well.
Simple enough, right? And if you win, you'll have your own (ARC) copy of Highland Obsession on your doorstop soon. I promise, you'll love it! It wouldn't hurt to post some sort of review of your own if you win, but it's not required.
You have until Saturday, June 6th at Midnight to enter. After that, the comments will be closed. I'll be out of town for the first part of the week, so I might not be able to draw the winner and post it on here until Thursday, but I promise I will do it ASAP. After I post the winner, that person will have one week to contact me with their information so that I may pass it on to Jennifer. After one week, if no one steps forward, the names will go back in, and I will draw a new name.
Enjoy, and be sure to check out Jennifer's books, along with her website, so you can stay up to date on all her upcoming releases and news.
Until Next Time,
