Today at Books, Chocolate and Wine I’d like to introduce you to Professor
Rebeka Tyler, from Kensington University in Upstate New York and Oxford
University in England. Dr. Tyler has an interesting background that I think
you’ll find as fascinating as the lady herself. Dr. Tyler, thank you for being
with us today.
“Thank you for having me, but I’m really nothing
special.”
Nothing special! I have the quote from your husband, Lord Arik, right here,” the reporter said flipping through his papers. “Ah, here it is. Rebeka never thought herself a warrior, a renowned authority on Medieval and Renaissance studies, yes, a martial arts amateur, absolutely, but a warrior, definitely not. But I couldn’t have saved the family or our beloved Fayne Manor without her by my side.” You do know it’s not everyone who can travel four hundred years into the past to find true happiness?
“Why don’t we get on with your questions.”
Certainly. How did you first meet your writer, Ruth A. Casie?
“It was 2011. I was at Fayne Manor and decided to take the
tour bus to see the standing stones at Avebury. Ruth was my seat-mate. We
talked about the stones and their age then fantasized about what people from
the past would think about things in this century.”
Did you
ever think that your life would end up being in a book?
“Not, in a hundred years! I never thought anyone would think
my life was that exciting. I’m a history professor. So, I went back in time
four hundred years. Is that something to write about?” Rebeka winked at the
reporter.
What are
your favorite scenes in your book: the action, the dialog or the romance?
“The romance, for sure. What woman wouldn’t love a man who breaks
all the rules and travels through time to rescue her? I’m humbled thinking
about what he was willing to sacrifice to find me.”
Did you
have a hard time convincing your author to write any particular scenes for you?
“Ruth had a difficult time writing the scene when Arik had
to return to his century without me. He had promised me we would never be apart
again. But to save me, he had to return without me. It took Ruth days to
finally get to the place where she could write Arik’s frustration and defeat. Each time she
worked on that scene she cried and I cried with her.”
What do
you like to do when you are not being actively read somewhere?
“Aside from spending time with Arik there are several things
I like to do. I enjoy researching the old documents in Arik’s massive library.
Some of the manuscripts date back centuries. They are excellent examples of
well-kept codices.
“I also like to spend time with Arik’s nieces. The girls
were orphaned before I came to Fayne Manor. They are dear to me. We have a good
time together.”
Are you
happy with the genre your writer has placed you in?
“I love historic fantasy. Mine is a time travel story. It
was difficult at first. In Knight of
Runes I was a modern woman and in a man’s world. I thought as a history
professor, specializing in this time period that I was prepared. Hardly. I had
so much to learn about how to survive in the 17th century. Thankfully,
Arik and the others wanted to learn about the 21st century. So in
the end, I got to the live in the best of both worlds.
“In this book, Knight
of Rapture, Bran, an evil druid, tricked me into the future. Arik’s the
only one who can rescue me. He finds his way to me and gets a real taste of the
future. He really looks hot on a motorcycle. Actually, he looks hot on
anything!”
If you
could rewrite anything in your book, what would it be?
“You mean change history. I wish Caylyn, Bran’s wife hadn’t
died. That’s what drove Bran crazy and started the feud between him and Arik.”
Do you
like the way the book ended?
“Yes, I love the way the book ended and I won’t say anymore.
You’ll have to read Knight of Rapture
to find out. When you do, let me know what you think.”
Would you
be interested in a sequel, if your writer was so inclined?
“I’m glad you asked. Ruth has plans for a third story,
Knight of Redemption. I have it on good authority that it will be out the middle
of next year.”
What do you wear when
you go to sleep?
“Nothing. Neither does Arik. I’ll
leave the rest to your imagination.”
What other profession
would you like to try?
“If I chose another profession I’d be an herbalist.
I love plants. I planted an herb garden at Fayne Manor. They thrived there. The
villagers came to the garden often, so much so that I started the herbarium.”
What is your most favorite memory?
“My favorite memory
is the day I packed up to leave for college. My dad was a history professor. He
specialized in Celtic folklore. He gave me his walking stick. I had no idea
that he was a druid grand master and that his walking stick was special. I took
it with me everywhere I went. I felt lost without it. It’s my most prized
possession.”
What’s your most
favorite day?
“My wedding day, both of them. I married Arik at
Fayne Manor in the 17th century and again in 21st. Both
days were glorious. I love him more every day. He is my heart and my beloved.”
That’s all the time we have for today.
Thank for joining us today Rebeka. I’m sure my audience is eager to read about
you and Lord Arik in Knight of Rapture.
Knight
of Rapture
She was his witch, his warrior and his wife. He was
her greatest love. 400 years couldn’t keep them apart.
He crossed the
centuries to find her…
For months Lord Arik has been trying to
find the right combination of runes to create the precise spell to rescue his
wife, Rebeka, but the druid knight will soon discover that reaching her four
hundred years in the future is only the beginning of his quest. He arrives in
the 21st century to find her memory of him erased, his legacy on the brink of
destruction, and traces of dark magick at every turn.
A threat has
followed…
Bran, the dark druid, is more determined
than ever to get his revenge. His evil has spread across the centuries. Arik
will lose all. Time is his weapon, and he’s made sure his plan leaves no one
dear to Arik, in past or present, safe from the destruction.
But their enemy
has overlooked the strongest magick of all…
Professor Rebeka Tyler is dealing with more than just
a faulty memory. Ownership of Fayne Manor, her home, has been called into
question. Convenient accidents begin happening putting those she cares for in
the line of fire. And then there’s the unexpected arrival of a strange man
dressed like he belonged in a medieval fair—a man who somehow is always around
when needed, and always on her mind. She doesn’t know who to trust. But one
thing is certain. Her family line and manor have survived for over eleven
centuries. She won’t let them fall, not on her watch… in any century.
Reviews
for Knight of Rapture
"A
thrilling and emotionally evocative tale filled with adventure, love and
hope. Casie's weaved an exciting medieval fantasy romance series that I
can't get enough of." …Eliza Knight, USA Today bestselling author
Great story told exceptionally well. “There are a lot of long reviews here so I will try to be
brief (if possible), this was an amazing story… It was great storytelling and I
enjoyed it right through the end. Well done and probably deserves a longer
review but I stayed up late last night finishing this book (could not put it
down) and so you get the abbreviated version of my thoughts on this extremely
entertaining novel.” …Douglas C. M. Amazon Top 500 Reviewer - 5 Stars
I’m
hooked on Druid Knights. “A
friend suggested I read this book and even through time travel is not my usual
genera, I do love a good romance. This story was so well thought out and
written I was hooked from the first page. The hero Arik is what a knight aught
to be without being cliché and his bad boy image in the 21st century is so, so
sexy. Rebeka the love of his life is smart, head strong and vulnerable. You
can't help but fall in love with her too.
A great love story where their devotion to each other is so strong that even dark magick, events of the past, and mistakes of the present can't separate the two. It left me wanting more. I can’t wait to venture back in time and read about Arik and Rebeka’s early days in Knight of Runes.” …Debbi C. – 5 Stars
Excerpt
from Knight of Rapture:
She took another step
and past the stone marker.
The air chilled and the
sky turned an array of colors. Everything around her began to swirl. She
realized her mistake too late. The portal, she was in the portal.
Arik.
Close to him now, she reached for him but her hand passed through the form. She
examined her hand turning it over then spotted the shadow of the man.
An illusion?
The shadow turned
towards her. She watched as the wind washed over his face and it changed.
“Bran,” she whispered in disbelief. Her head swiveled while she searched for
something, anything to grab on to. The portal had one use and she had no
intention of leaving.
Get
out,
her brain shouted.
His lips twisted into a
cynical sneer. He tilted his head in jaunty satisfaction, snapped his fingers
and vanished.
“No,” she yelled. “Arik,” she closed her eyes and screamed
in her head trying to mind touch him while the wind tore at her.
“Beka,” he boomed.
Her eyes snapped open.
She shielded them from the dust and debris and stared at Arik on the other side
of the opening. He stood at the high plateau, miles away. His hands were braced
on the opening’s edges, which were nothing more than solid streams of whirling
wind. He struggled to keep the portal from closing.
“Come.” His voice
didn’t allow for any argument.
The wind whipped at
her, pushed her back. She tried again. “I can’t. The wind. Keeps. Pushing. Me.
Away.” She shoved her staff in front of her and anchored it in the ground.
Against the gusting wind, pulled herself towards him.
“A little more, Beka.”
He gripped the edge of the portal with one hand and stretched the other out to
her. She shoved her hand towards him as far as she could. The tips of their
fingers brushed. In a burst of effort he caught the top of her hand, a
precarious hold. With a tight grasp she wrapped her fingers around his thumb.
Safe, she wasn’t far
now.
She concentrated on his
face. The corners of his mouth turned up as he pulled her towards safety. The
wind grew stronger buffeting around them then changed its path.
Before she could brace
herself for the new direction, the gust blasted them. Without a firm grip, her
hand began to slip. She pushed through the building panic. His smile slipped.
The expression on his face turned to determination. Again her hand slipped until
he held her by her fingertips.
He held them
fast—crushing them but that didn’t matter. He had to hold on to her. Every
muscle strained. Inch by inch he brought her closer to him. She tried to help
him the best way she could. Anchored to the edge of the portal, Arik encouraged
her on. But his alternatives were limited. The closer she got to him, the
stronger the gale blew. Just a little closer, that’s all she needed for Arik to
grab her and get her out of the portal.
The wind exploded from
another direction.
The blasting gale
pushed her staff away from the opening, across the dirt, cutting an ugly scar
in the ground and dragging her away with her staff.
Away from Arik.
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