Good day!
Thank you for dropping by ‘Books, Chocolate and Wine’ today. And, a big thank
you to Ruth for having me as a guest on the blog.
1.
How did you come up with the idea for Just Wait For Me?
Just Wait For Me is the third novel in the Highland Gardens time travel series of
stories rife with matchmaking faeries, a meddlesome brownie, and other fae
creatures. Most of the stories take the reader on a journey from the Blue Ridge
Mountains of North Carolina to the early sixteenth century Scottish Highlands
and back or vice versa. With Just Wait
For Me, I wanted to do something slightly different. I was working on the
initial outline while on a bicycling trip in West Virginia. One of the days, we
had a heavy rain storm that kept us at our campsite for the better part of the
day. There was a gnarly old tree there with a marred circle of bark that looked
like a deformed face. I’d been reading about changelings—children believed to
be an ill or misshapen faery child that had been left in place of a healthy
human child stolen by the faeries. So, Jillian falls into a well while on a
bicycling trip to West Virginia and travels back in time to where she meets a
group of misshapen children discarded in the woods as changelings. And, if you
read the book, the answer is yes. I came upon a rattlesnake on the side of the
trail during my trip to West Virginia.
2.
How long did it take you to write Just Wait For Me?
I wrote Just Wait For Me over a two year
stretch, putting it aside several times to work on other projects. The actual
amount of writing time was probably about nine months. I write slowly.
3.
What was the most difficult aspect of writing Just Wait For Me?
With most
of my books, I find writing the love scenes challenging. I want them to be
enjoyable and non-offensive to readers, so I stress over each and every word.
4.
How much research did you conduct for Just Wait For Me?
Research is
fun and I completed most of what was needed for Just Wait For Me before writing the first book in the series. That
included researching locations both in the US and Scotland, Scottish and Gaelic
history and culture, MacLachlan clan history, flora and fauna, faeries and
other Highland mythology, etc. In the first book of the series, Just Beyond the Garden Gate, a
fictitious place called the Caves of the Gray Women is introduced. In Just Wait For Me, I expanded upon the
caves using inspiration from research of Smoo Cave
in Durness, Scotland. I also needed to research cleft palates because one of
the sweet children in the story has such an affliction.
5.
Why did you decide to write time travel and
fantasy?
I enjoy
writing what I like to read. My favorite romance books are time travel stories
filled with love and fantasy elements.
6.
Do you use any techniques, tools, or aids to
help you write?
I start
with a general outline and then build a chapter storyboard using a large poster
board and sticky notes. Each ongoing story thread and POV—point of
view—character has a specific sticky note color. The sticky notes can be moved
around as the story evolves.
7.
What books can we expect to see in the near
future?
I recently
began work on a novella for the Highland Gardens series, Just Within a Highland Mist, which is in its early stages. My hope
is to release the Kindle ebook edition in January or February. Other editions
to follow. I’m also working on the fourth novel for the series to release later
in 2017—Just His Fae Kiss.
8.
Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one?
The feel of
a paper book in hand, especially a hard cover book is most enjoyable. That
being said, I have an older Kindle DX with a larger screen, which I use during
the editing process of my books, and a Kindle Fire used when traveling.
9.
Who’s on your auto-buy list for authors?
J. R. Ward,
Terry Spear, Lynn Kurland, and many more
10.
If you could have one special, supernatural
power, what would it be?
The ability
to fly.
11.
What is your favorite film?
Somewhere in Time with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour—a wonderful love story.
12.
What is your favorite quote
“The greatest danger for most of us is not
that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” ~Michelangelo
The third match in the Fae Queen's
challenge is in play. Will fae magic change Stephen and Jillian's destiny?
In the chaotic aftermath of the battle of
Flodden, an injured Highland warrior makes a vow to a twenty-first century lass
cast back in time by a meddling, matchmaking faerie. Stephen MacEwen promises
to find a way to send her forward to her own time. But is that an oath he'll
want to keep after finding love in Jillian O'Donnell's arms? And after saving
Stephen's life, will Jillian want to go?
No matter what the lovers decide, Stephen's
wife—a woman who acquired the title through deceit—and an old enemy attempt to
destroy the couple's chance for happiness. Only with the help of Fae allies can
Stephen and Jillian overcome and earn their reward—everlasting love.
Excerpt:
“Your recovery has been
truly miraculous,” she said. “I’m becoming a believer in your fae healing
magic.”
His quick grin was electric, and it sent a shiver of awareness
through her body, culminating in the clenching of her sex. She stepped close to
Stephen, placed a palm on his bare chest. The children were off to who knew
where, and she was determined to take advantage of their absence. Jillian
rolled onto the balls of her feet and planted a kiss on Stephen’s lips.
He stiffened, but then got with the program. The sword dropped
with a clatter to the floor and his arms came around her in a crushing embrace.
He repositioned his head and sought her tongue. The heady sensation curled her
toes. She clutched his firm ass. God, he tasted good from the medicinal herbs
the women made him eat. When the kiss ended they pressed their foreheads
together and just breathed.
“Ach,
lass, you make me want things I must not have.”
“What do you mean?” She leaned away. “I know we haven’t known
each other long, but sometimes it only takes a moment to feel an undeniable
attraction that might blossom into more. I feel that with you.”
He ran a hand through his overlong blond hair. “You are so
sweet…”
“But…”
He opened his mouth, though before he provided an explanation a
crashing noise came from the (cave) entrance. Stephen dove for the sword, and
she swirled to face the opening.
Author Bio:
Dawn
Marie Hamilton dares you to dream. She is a 2013 RWA® Golden Heart® Finalist
who pens Scottish-inspired fantasy and paranormal romance. Some of her tales
are rife with mischief-making faeries, brownies, and other fae creatures. More
tormented souls—shape shifters, vampires, and maybe a zombie or two—stalk
across the pages of other stories. When not writing, she’s cooking,
gardening, or paddling the local creeks with her husband.
Author contact information (full URLs please):
Blog: http://dawnmariehamilton.blogspot.com/
Social Media Links:
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/dawnm_hamilton
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/authorDawnMarieHamilton
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/DawnMarieHamilton
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Marie-Hamilton/e/B00CW1W742
Google+:
http://bit.ly/Gplus-DawnMarieHamilton
Pinterest:
www.pinterest.com/DawnM_Hamilton
BookBub:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/dawn-marie-hamilton
Email:
author@dawnmariehamilton.com
