GUEST POST WITH AUTHOR LINDSEY EDWARDS

Today I'm happy to have author Lindsey Edwards as my special guest. She's agreed to hang out with us for the day. Check out her interview and find out about her new release from Secret Cravings Publishing, Heart's Desire. 

Who wants swag? Lindsey will send one lucky commenter her latest swag from Heart's Desire. Don't forget to leave your email address. 

Q&A with the author:

What is your favorite genre?

I enjoy several genres, but I would have to say I read fantasy and/or historical romance the most. I think the reason I prefer said genres is due to the escape. When I read, I want to go someplace I've  never been and learn something new, travel to different worlds and do things the real world would never allow me to, like wield magic or don one of those grand gowns  to a Georgian masquerade ball.

What is your creative process like? What happens before sitting down to write?

I find it hard to write in public places like coffee houses or even when I'm surrounded by family members when on vacation. Luckily I have my own office where I am surrounded by personal knickknacks and pictures inspirational to the writing process. I sometimes burn incense or light a candle for mood lighting and scent. I also like classical music quietly playing in the background. It helps when the atmosphere beckons me to another time and place.

I am a dedicated writer, devoting no less than four hours daily. Perhaps I am so committed because it's such a blast. Sure, there are times when the muse is sluggish, but overall, it's great fun. It's like having an adventure to faraway places and/or times without ever having to leave my chair.

Writing for me is partially premeditated and partially unintended. I like to have an idea of where I'm going with a scene, as it helps keep me from excusing myself from writing due to lack of direction, but I keep an open mind. If my characters decide on a new direction, then I go on the journey with them, altering my outline as I go.

What is required for a character to be believable? How do you create yours?

I ask my character what s/he wants the most. What drives him? Or what do does he want to hide so badly that he'd do anything to cover it up? A character is not the puppet of the writer, he needs to be his own person with needs, wants, fears, and flaws. Each need utilized, some more than others. My job is to flesh out these elements pertinent to the story the character needs to tell, and then pack a bag and head on the journey, side by side with my protagonists.

What well known writers do you admire most?

I am a big Jane Austen fan for the obvious reasons. I'm not sure there is a historical author out there who hasn't read her works numerable times for inspiration even if their own works isn't set in the same time period. Now, there are three authors who I admire greatly, whose books assure me a good read. Those three authors are Shana Abe, Teresa Medeiros, and Shana Galen. Of course, many other authors grace my faves list, but there is no time to list them all here.

Blurb for Heart's Desire:

During the three years Gareth Havelock was away in France fighting the crusade, his only thought was of the bride he left behind. When the turrets of Waverly appear from the mists, heralding his homecoming, he no longer has to live with only the memories of her. But when her warm welcome suddenly turns cold, Gareth can't help but jump to conclusions.

Katherine Havelock can hardly believe her eyes when her husband returns home after all this time away at war, but love and loss threaten the happiness she feels. Can she find a way to tell him the truth of what happened in his absence? And is their love strong enough to endure it?

Excerpt from Heart's Desire:

Rising to her feet, Katherine poured the water the fire had warmed into the basin at her husband's side. She dipped her cloth in the water, then gently cleansed the nasty gash atop his thigh. It appeared as if he had worked with it himself, but the injury was a far cry from healed. With the blood rinsed away, she set to the binding of it.

“You have been quiet,” Gareth said softly. Reaching out, he cupped his hand around hers, bringing it to his mouth.

The feather-light kiss did dangerous things to her, causing her to yearn for that which could not be.

“Pray tell why that is,” he beseeched.

Katherine looked up, finding herself ensnared by the heat of Gareth’s slate green eyes. Her breath hitched, and quickly she looked away, afraid of what would become of her strength of will if she fell prey to his hypnotic depths.

Gareth’s hand enveloped hers, so much larger than her own. The heat of his breath fanned the back of her hand as he brushed his lips across her skin, awakening a flush of color that rushed across her entire body, warming her to distracting heights.

“I—” Katherine stammered, not entirely sure what he’d even just asked. She was too mesmerized by the way her husband’s mouth moved over her skin.

Lowering their joined hands, he pressed her palm against his chest, where she felt the steady beat of his heart.

He took the wet cloth from her other hand, dropping it back in the basin before taking that hand and joining it with the other.

Nerves fluttered in her chest like butterfly wings. She glanced down at his injury, grasping for excuses. “I fear you need a salve. I will call for a physician,” she said.

“Are you anxious, love?” he asked. “I admit, it has been awhile, and in all that time, you have been the one thought keeping me going. You have haunted my every dream. Now that I am returned, here before you, I find my imagination is lacking.”

Katherine’s lashes fell over her cheeks, a rush of crimson burning her face. “No. 'Tis not nerves,” she replied softly, her eyes still averted. “I have missed you overmuch.”

Gareth gently brushed the hair back from her forehead, then his touch dropped to trace the line of her jaw with one finger. Running the pad of his thumb across the curve of her lower lip, he stared, transfixed at her mouth.

“And I you,” he murmured. “I’ve missed the sound of your voice, the touch of your hand, the taste of you…”

The sweet pull of desire lulled her, reminded her of all they once had, while veiling all they could not.

The pallet moved beneath her as Gareth shifted, throwing her off balance enough to slide into his embrace. He was all heat and hard lines, giving her a sense of protection she’d missed so dearly. With the palms of his hands, he made languid, swirling strokes up and down her back. For a moment she abandoned herself to the whirl of sensations the gentle motion created, closing her eyes to fully enjoy the sensation of Gareth touching her, holding her, saying such intimate things. She’d waited so long for this.

“You are a vision Katherine Havelock.” His voice turned to a raspy burr. Everything about him in that moment seemed to change.

Katherine’s lashes fluttered up, and she was immediately aware of what that change was. Her back stiffened, but he tightened his hold. She knew all too well where this was headed, and what he wanted of her. But she wasn’t ready—they weren’t ready.

She lay her hands against his chest—a gesture meant to stop him—and felt the way his muscles rippled under her touch.

“We can’t—”

“My dear wife, you did an exceptional job of wrapping my wound,” he replied, voice deep and sinfully rich. “So if that be your only worry, you need not concern yourself.”

He leaned toward her, and she felt the breath of his kiss against her lips.

“It’s not that,” she argued on a sigh. “We—”

But then his lips were against hers, firm and persuasive, and just like that, the last of her resolve was shattered.

About  the Author:

Lindsey Edwards has been penning stories since a very young age. She can't remember a time when she wasn't working through the stories in her head. Whether they've appeared to her in dreams, or appeared like an epiphany, she's been hard at work telling the stories of these characters who have long came to her to see their stories told. In fact, when Lindsey was thirteen, she self published a YA novel. Since then, she's moved on to romance and hasn't looked back. Ask her and she'll tell you, romance is home.

Lindsey Edwards lives with her husband and son. She is a full-time mother and

author. An avid reader and collector of words, she can often be found in sweats with some kind of caffeinated beverage in hand.

YOU’LL FIND ME HERE:

MY WEBSITE: www.LindseyEdwards.vpweb.com

FACEBOOKwww.FB.com/AuthorLindseyEdwards

MY BLOG wwwLindseyAEdwards.blogspot.com

BUY LINK FOR HEART’S DESIRE

http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=33&products_id=564

DO YOU WANT AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY? I'M ON AUTHORGRAPH

http://www.authorgraph.com/authors/ThoughtfulPen

Other books avail by the author: Twice Tempted (contemporary romance)

Thank you for having me! :)