Giveaway and interview - Marie Laval - 12 Nov

My guest today is the talented Marie Laval, the lovely lady who tagged me (below) and author of the wonderful historical novel 'Angel Heart' which I've just started reading - and loving it!

M: Thank you so much Hywela for welcoming me on your blog today. I look forward to telling you and your readers a little more about me and ‘Angel Heart’, my debut historical romance which is now available at MuseitUp Publishing.

HL: Can you tell us about your writing environment?

I wish I had a large study tucked away in a tower overlooking a park, with mist curling around tree branches and rolling hills covered with dark, mysterious forests in the distance. I would be happy even with a tiny basement room, as long as it was my own space. The truth is that my desk is in my daughter’s playroom. I write – or try to - among dolls, teddy bears, jigsaw puzzles and plastic toys spread all over the carpet and to the sound of children singing, shouting or arguing (more often than not, arguing).

  

HL: Mmm, I suspect a lot of people would like a tower, LOL! You write historical fiction. How much research do you carry out for your books?

I enjoy research, sometimes a little too much. It is such an exciting part of the writing process. You never quite know what gems you’re going to find and how much they will alter your characters and storyline. I enjoy reading articles and books, finding out facts and anecdotes, which often send me in a completely new and unexpected direction. The internet is a wonderful research tool, although you do have to be careful and sift through information carefully. Without it, it would have been impossible for me to travel to France, Algeria or Malta to find the information I needed for ‘Angel Heart’ and ‘The Lion’s Embrace.’

In ‘Angel Heart’ I have interwoven facts and fiction. For example most of what I wrote about the ‘Société Angélique’ which existed in Lyon from the Middle Ages onwards is based on facts, incredible as they may seem. Its members, who over the centuries included well-known figures such as artist Poussin and writers Rabelais and George Sand, really did believe they could communicate with angels. I loved researching the legendary Count Saint-Germain, a central figure in the novel even he only puts in an appearance at the end. I also read about Napoleon and his return from exile in Elba, about key political figures of the time such as Joseph Fouché, and the cuirassiers of course!

All the locations, including the village of Malleval and the stories about bandits who lived there, and the chateau of Arginy in the Beaujolais region, have been thoroughly researched. I had a great time writing ‘Angel Heart’ and I hope readers enjoy it too!

HL: Oh yes, research can be so much fun, and adds so much to the realism of thye story.  So tell us a bit about your writing process.

I am definitely a ‘pantser’. I usually start with an idea about a character, with an image, the line of a poem or even a song, and the story develops – or not – from there. I was very fortunate with both ‘Angel Heart’ and my second historical fiction, ‘The Lion’s Embrace’ (to be published by MuseitUp Publishing in February 2013) because I always felt so connected with the characters that I was happy for them to take the lead and decide the direction the story would take.

  

HL: What is the best advice you ever received?

It has to be something that my mother used to say. She was a very inspiring, loving and incredibly brave woman, and I miss her terribly. The best advice she ever told me and my sisters was ‘To get what you want you have to stop moaning and take the bull by the horns’!

At times, it seemed that I would never get published. Many people around me advised me to give up and consider my writing purely ‘as a hobby’ to avoid the constant disappointment of rejection letters. It took me two years between the day when I first submitted ‘Angel Heart’ to publishers and agents, and its publication by MuseitUp Publishing.

Imagine what I would have missed if I had given up!

HL: Absolutely - and your readers would have missed so much too!  Thank you so much for being my special guest today, it's been wonderful learning more about you.  Now before I beam you back to Earth, have some refreshments while the ship's computer tells the visitors about you and 'Angel Heart'!

M: Thank you very much Hywela for your kind welcome on your blog. I look forward to reading comments and answering any questions readers might have. I will forward a free pdf copy of ‘Angel Heart’ to a visitor selected at random (so please leave an email address!).

About Marie Laval

Originally from Lyon in France, Marie Laval studied French History and Law at university there. Marie now lives in Lancashire, in Northern England, where she tries to balance her busy family life with her passion for writing and her occupation as a teacher.

ANGEL HEART is Marie Laval’s first novel.

You can find Marie Laval at http://marielaval.blogspot.co.uk/

‘Angel Heart’ is available at https://museituppublishing.com/ and Amazon Kindle Store at http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B009YJT194/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link

Blurb

Devonshire, January 1815.

Marie-Ange, the young widow of an English officer, accepts an inheritance in France only to find that everything in Beauregard is not as it seems. Why is the sinister Malleval so obsessed with her family? And could her darling Christopher still be alive? Marie-Ange finds herself trapped in a dangerous web of lies, intrigue, and mystical possession, and the only person to whom she can turn for help is Capitaine Hugo Saintclair. Yet the enigmatic Hugo represents a danger of a different kind …

Angel Heart is a lavish mix of romance, adventure, and a hint of the supernatural, largely set in France against the turbulent background of Napoleon’s return from Elba.

Mini-excerpt

The cutter was sailing too close to the cliffs, heading straight for the Devil's Tooth. Marie-Ange's cloak billowed in the blustery wind, the hood blew back and her hair swirled like a golden veil around her. From the cliff top, she watched the small French ship dancing wildly on the waves, its tricolour and white ensigns flapping at the top of the mast.  If it carried on its course the ship would be ripped open by the reef… She unfastened her cloak, pulled her black shawl from her shoulders, and waved it above her head in the direction of the Devil's Tooth.

Damn this ship. Damn this weather. And damn Malleval. Hugo Saintclair clapped his hands together a few times and blew on them to keep them warm. Around him, the crew shouted orders and heaved on ropes in order to switch sails and change course before they hit the rocks.  The Angel warned them, the sailors said, heaven was on their side. Shaking his head with impatience, he listened to their nonsensical chatter. Angels didn't exist, but the woman who waved at them from the cliff top had saved them from a certain death.

  

'STARQUEST'    'CHILDREN OF THE MIST'  (The sequel to Starquest)  Dancing With Fate      'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH

                  Also available on Kindle

Valkyrie' Vengeance - Book feature and Giveaway

I'm delighted to be one of the hosts taking part in CBLS Promotions 'Book Barage tour for Suzie Grants thrilling novel 'Valkerie's Vengeance.'  

Who doesn't like a Viking?  

She's also offering an e-copy of her book, so please leave a comment to be in with a chance to win.

Here's the blurb and an excerpt to whet your appetite

BLURB

Stranded on foreign soil. Rescued and raised by the enemy. Tyra Svensdottir declares war on her own people after witnessing the death of the very woman who’d saved her life. Kidnapping the man who wields the sword of the underworld — Hel’s Hammer — Tyra forces him to repair her shipwrecked vessel. Her quest to kill the swordsman’s king takes them across frigid waters on a myriad of adventures and a voyage of sensual discovery.

Rorik Thorlicksson uncovers treachery within his clan but in order to return home to warn of the impending attack, he must yield to the woman holding him captive. Along their voyage he unravels the mystery behind his captor. He discovers she is the woman promised to him in wedlock at birth though her disappearance years ago released him from his betrothal. Dissuading the little heathen from her purpose and into his bed becomes a more appealing prospect with every passing day.

Blood vengeance brings them together even as desire binds their hearts. Amongst the secrets and obscurities of their destinies, they find a love that spans a lifetime as well as an end to A Valkyrie’s Vengeance.

 

EXCERPT 

Three sets of eyes turned in her direction.

Tyra sprinted forward, wielding her dagger. The second man removed his sword by kicking Enid’s body to the ground. A raging bellow spilled from her mouth that would shock even the fiercest Valkyrie.

The huge, brooding bulk of a Viking swaggered toward her. Determination and a blood rage she’d never felt before pulsed through her veins. Tyra tucked into a roll and sprang to her feet before him, her dagger piercing his side just below his looted armor and above his hip. A felling blow. He staggered.

Tyra regained her footing and whirled. The warrior’s indigo gaze widened and then focused on the dagger embedded in his side. She seized her weapon and removed it. Blood gushed from the wound. He grunted and swung a meaty arm at her. She ducked, circling her opponent.

Sweat beaded across her brow. “Come now, to be bested so easily by a mere maid,” she taunted.

He hefted his sword and wobbled on weakened knees. He swung the weapon and she scampered to the left. His movements slowed. The blade swished by her mid-section, missing her by mere inches. He stumbled from the loss of blood. Leaping onto his back, she forced him to his knees with her weight in his weakened conditioned.

Tyra grasped his hair. With a final slice across his neck from ear to ear, the Viking gurgled his last breath. She held him before her for several seconds as her heart slowed. Her eyes fastened onto the red Viking and narrowed.

She wiped blood from her brow and pointed her dagger at the giant to let him know, he was next.

The red haired giant they had called Sven stepped forward hefting his mighty battle axe. But another blocked his way. A dark Viking. By far the most handsome man she’d ever seen.

“Nay, it is my fight,” Sven said. “I killed the old woman.”

“You are our King. I will go. Besides, your old age would never allow you to keep pace with such young passion.”

“Do not kill her, Rorik!”

“Keep the men back and I will show you how to properly subdue a woman.” The dark one named Rorik strode forward with slow, calculated steps. He was in no hurry to slay her she imagined. Good, let him believe she would be an easy kill.

A mysterious grin flickered on his face. “Nay, I could never fell something so beautiful,” Rorik said as he reached her. Sea-foam colored eyes studied her. “Will you fight us all, my little Valkyrie?”

Tyra braced her stance, her sword lifted in a defensive position. Her mouth as dry as parched wheat she swallowed. “Aye, in order to kill the red giant, I will.”

“One by one?”

“Until my death or his. It matters not which.”

He laughed and gave mock applause, pulling free a gleaming, black-iron sword from its sheath. The ruby red eyes from the black wolf’s head sparkled under the light and glowed with life. Another swift, fierce smile swept across his features and then vanished without a trace, sending a shiver of awareness through her. He did not sport a heavy, wiry beard; instead a thin line of hair edged his jaw and mouth.

He was devastatingly handsome. As tall, if not taller, than the other Vikings and so broad of shoulder he near blocked out the sun. 

Straining with virility he crowded the area and seemed to fill her entire vision. Awareness of his every move cascaded over Tyra and sent a tiny tremor through her. He wore no tunic just a fur vest over fitted trousers. His only ornamentation was a single gold arm band. Her gaze traveled the length of his form as all that male flesh and muscle rippled before her eyes. This man needed no embellishments.

Heat crept into her cheeks as he caught her gaze. This time his smile lingered.

“She meant so much to you? The old woman?” He nodded toward the gathering group of Vikings and Enid’s limp body.

Tyra reached for the dead man’s sword and clasped the hilt in firm hands. She moistened her lips and fought to keep her voice steady.

 “Does it matter?”

“Aye. I am curious why a Viking maid would risk her life for a Saxon woman.”

Tyra lifted her chin in challenge. “She was the only mother I have ever known.”

He hesitated. “I am sorry,” he said and seemed to really mean it.

She lifted her chin. “No apology will bring her back, Viking.”

“Revenge will not either.”

“Nay but it will bring me satisfaction knowing the men who killed her are now gone from this earth.”

They circled each other like wary animals waiting on the other to strike. “Then so be it.” He opened his fingers on the sword handle one by one, and then closed them once more. Here stood a true warrior.

He studied her and waited for her to make the first move. Tyra attempted to slow her breathing and adjusted the weight of the unfamiliar weapon in her hands. 

“You are tiring,” he pointed out.

“Find out for yourself, Viking, how tired I am.”

BUY LINKS:

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Valkyries-Vengeance-Maidens-Shield-ebook/dp/B007K1GO8Y/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_5

Smashwords

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/141650 

BOOK TRAILER:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Suzie still believes in happily-ever-after and after growing up reading classic adventure literature like Treasure Isle, Robinson Crusoe, and The Swiss Family Robinson tales, as well as epic novels like Gone with the wind, Suzie would dream up adventures of her own.With her love of history she brings the action of thrillers to historical romance with steamy, love scenes and a pace that will leave you breathless!

She lives happily ever after with her new beau, three boys and one little Shih tzu named Peppy Le’Pew in NC. One day she plans to retire and sail along the east coast an adventurer to the end.

Website link: www.suziegrantauthor.com

Blog link: www.adventureunleashed.blogspot.com


You can find the other links in Suzie's tour HERE

GIVEAWAY

To win a copy of Suzanne's book, just leave a comment on this post