Today I’m thrilled to have Lana Williams, author of Unraveling Secrets,with me in the Blue Rose Writing Room.
Welcome Lana!
Can you tell us how long you have been writing?
I’ve been writing for many years and seriously pursuing publication the last ten. I think they say you have to spend 10,000 hours doing something before you begin to master it, so I like to think I’m getting better at telling stories all the time!
What’s one thing you absolutely can’t tolerate during your writing? One thing you can’t write without?
I prefer quiet when I write, but since that isn’t always a possibility with a busy family life, I’ve gotten pretty good at tuning things out. I can’t listen to music with words when I write, and I must have M&M’s nearby. J
Place you absolutely want to visit before you die?
My husband and I are planning a trip to Europe! I’ve never been and can’t wait to go! All that history fascinates me. It will be a delight to see some of the places I’ve researched, such as Regent Street, Piccadilly, and of course, a few castles.
Why did you choose to write in this genre? Have you ever written any other genre? Do you plan on doing so in the future?
I love historical romance, both writing it and reading it. While I enjoy other genres as well, there’s something about being transported to the past that provides another level of escapism for me. Thus far, I’ve written three medievals set in 13th Century England, and now am writing Victorian romances. This particular trilogy is set in 1882. I find this period especially interesting as so much of the world is changing at that time.
Tell us one unusual, weird, or curious fact you discovered while researching this book.
I had never heard of a “knocker-up” before I researched this book! A knocker-up had the task of waking up people so they could get to work on time (before clocks and alarm clocks were affordable). They most often used a long stick to reach windows on the upper floors. They tapped on the windows until the person confirmed they were awake! Makes you thankful for modern conveniences, doesn’t it?
What are you most proud of about your writing?
I love the idea that I can help a reader forget their troubles, if only for a few minutes. I can take them on a safe ride to another world where they experience dips and spins, but they know they’ll get a happy ending. I’ve enjoyed reading those sorts of books all my life, and I’m so proud to be able to give that to someone else. Such a joy!
How do you respond to negative reviews?
Negative reviews are tough, but I know not everyone is going to like what I write. I don’t like all the books out there either. Sometimes there are a few nuggets readers share that can help me improve my writing. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, including me. The good reviews are the ones that keep me going, so I stay focused on those!
Do you have a favorite quote?
I have a lot of these, but one that has stood me well is from Benjamin Franklin, “Energy and persistence conquer all things”. I like the idea that with enough time and enthusiasm, we can accomplish anything we want. That’s very inspiring to me.
Okay, now for the quickie questions: Answer in three words or less. Ready? Go!
Favorite Disney Character? Beast from Beauty and the Beast. Love a tortured hero!
Favorite Fruit? Apples. I eat one almost every day.
Favorite Hero? Hmm…this keeps changing, but today, Aragorn from Lord of the Rings
Favorite Eye Color? Brown, the color of my husband’s eyes. J
Best Vacation destination? The Caribbean – love the beach!
Food you can’t stand? Anchovies. Not a fan.
What annoys you? I hate being told what to do. LOL.
Coffee, tea, or something else? Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon or evening.
Nightgown or Jammies? Nightgown
Prefer dogs or cats? Dogs. We have two labs and we love them dearly!
A bit o about Lana
Lana Williams writes historical romance filled with mystery, adventure, and a pinch of paranormal to stir things up. Her medieval romances begin with A Vow To Keep, the first in The Vengeance Trilogy, followed by Trust In Me and then Believe In Me. Unraveling Secrets is the first in a trilogy set in Victorian London.
Filled with a love of books from an early age, Lana put pen to paper and decided happy endings were a must in any story she created. She writes in the Rocky Mountains with her husband, two growing sons, and two dogs.
She loves hearing from readers! Stop by her website at www.lanawilliams.net and say hello!
The blurb about Unraveling Secrets
When the past returns to haunt her…only one man can save her.
When her father’s murderer returns from the dead to threaten her family, Abigail Bradford attempts to warn him off, but soon learns chasing a ghost is no easy task.
Stephen Nolton, Viscount Ashbury, stumbles upon Abigail in the dirty streets of London’s East End. Able to read auras of good and evil after an electromagnetic experiment went terribly wrong, Stephen hovers on society’s edge, keeping secret his unique skill and personal mission. Despite his fascination with the lady and her unique golden aura, he intends to keep his distance.
Desperate to protect her family, Abigail turns to the one man she believes can aid her. In Stephen’s arms, she finds so much more than she hoped. Stephen tries to resist his desire for the independent beauty, afraid she’ll unravel his secrets. But when he discovers the murderer is linked to his own past, he must decide how much he’s willing to risk for love.
Enjoy an excerpt from Unraveling Secrets.
Those green eyes bored into hers as his fresh, clean scent filled her lungs. It struck Abigail that, for the second time that day, she’d placed herself in danger.
“Did you not see the knife he held the last time you confronted him?”
“Ah…” How was she supposed to think when he loomed over her? His lips were close enough to—
“He could stick that knife in your side before anyone noticed he held it.”
His hands held her waist to make his point. She jolted forward at the contact, her nose bumping his chin.
“Oh!” Her lips parted. She couldn’t take her gaze off his mouth. His hands felt warm on her waist despite the layers that separated them.
He gave her a little shake as he spoke. “Do not approach him again.”
She looked up into his eyes and tried to swallow. What had she been trying to say? Oh, yes. “Someone has to and you’re not taking any action. I don’t understand why you haven’t yet spoken with him.” Lord Ashbury didn’t seem to realize how desperate she was to put an end to the threat that Simmons represented.
“For one, Simmons vacated the lodging house you discovered and hasn’t been seen at the pub. Secondly, a more pressing matter is now requiring my attention.”
She drew in a breath to steady her nerves only to catch his clean scent once more. It reminded her of the sea with a hint of bay rum. Compared to the foppish dandies she’d met who smelled of strong cologne in an effort to mask other odors, Lord Ashbury smelled refreshing. She looked up at him from beneath her lashes, hoping to hide his affect on her.
What on earth was wrong with her?
A mere look from this man had her fumbling like a young girl, uncertain of herself. And when he touched her—regardless of the layers of clothing that separated them—awareness speared through her to her toes. The sensation was very unsettling, not to mention unfamiliar, but oh, so intriguing. No man had ever made her feel anything like this.
He rubbed his forehead as though he had a headache before scowling at her. “I did not promise a particular schedule.”
“If you can’t find him, simply say so. There’s no need to become defensive.”
The glare he gave her would’ve withered others, but luckily she was no fainting wallflower. “Perhaps we should locate him together,” she suggested, her enthusiasm growing as the idea took hold.
“I’m experienced in such matters. You may rely on me to take care of it.”
“You must forgive me for failing to trust you,” Abigail said. “After all, I only have your word.”
“That should be enough.”
“Hmm. I would suggest we plan some sort of outing for the morrow to see if Simmons appears.”
“No.”
“Probably not Regent Street again. What of Hyde Park?”
“Miss Bradford—”
“Or perhaps Piccadilly would be better?”
“The two of us seen together will only complicate matters.”
She frowned, not sure what he meant. “How so?”
“I’m an unattached gentleman and you a lady. If we’re seen together in public, certain conclusions would be drawn.”
“Oh, but—”
“We wouldn’t want the ton to latch on to the notion that we are involved in any way.”
She bit her lip, pondering the ramifications of what he’d said.
“I would remind you,” he continued, moving to the edge of his seat, “that your visit here today is highly inappropriate.”
“True.” She blinked and eased back, suddenly uncomfortable with his proximity.
“I think it best we don’t meet again.” He tapped his gloved finger on her nose. “And do not confront Simmons.”
A spark of awareness flashed through her, mingled with fear.
But she couldn’t afford to let him intimidate her. “I will do what I see fit—”
A small smile played at the corner of his mouth. “Do you never cease arguing?”
She stiffened when his lips took hers, shock holding her still. The heat from his lips melted her from the inside out. A tiny moan escaped her mouth and he groaned in response.
Her anger slipped away and desire took its place. All thoughts flew from her mind and she could only feel. Much more than simple heat spiraled through her.
So this was desire…
For so long now, she’d thought herself incapable of feeling it.
She tilted her head, wanting more of what he offered. His hand cupped her cheek, the other holding her arm, steadying her from the sway of the carriage. With more courage than she’d thought she had, she reached up to rest her hand on his broad shoulder.
For a long moment, she allowed herself this pleasure. She allowed herself this longing for things that could never be. This man was not for her, but that didn’t mean she didn’t wish he was.
He eased back, breaking the fragile moment that she’d never forget.
She opened her eyes and couldn’t stop a smile from spreading across her face. She knew exactly why he’d kissed her, and while a small part of her was sad that it wasn’t because he desired her, she was grateful he’d tried to distract her from her purpose. It had been a lovely distraction and had taught her something new about herself. She was capable of passion. How wonderful to know.
“You are a very clever man, Lord Ashbury. Of that I have no doubt. But you will not be rid of me so easily.”
Here’s how you can contact Lana
Website: www.lanawilliams.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LanaWilliamsBooks
Twitter: www.twitter.com/LanaWilliams28
Thanks again, Lana, for joining me here today.
Buy links
Amazon: http://amzn.to/18wWuV3
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1cyNx9I
Kobo: http://bit.ly/IVk4zl
Paperback: http://bit.ly/1ji9DpW
