Welcome to my Reading
Comfortable? Wonderful. Now
let’s get started.
To get us started can you tell
us a little about what you are working on or have coming out?
Earlier this month Secret
Cravings Publishing released Don’t Cross the Countess. It’s the first book in
the series, Countess for the Crown. You can read the blurb and excerpt below.
I’m also working on three other
regencies, a prequel to Book One and Book Three in the series. The last one is
the first book in a new series. I also have a free weekly serialized regency on
Sweet Cravings Publishing.
If we asked your muse to describe you using five words, what do you think they would say?
Annoying, determined, faithful,
creative and fun.
Name one thing readers would be surprised to know about you.
If you don’t already know, even
many mistake me for a woman because of my name, I’m really a guy. And yes
Lindsay Downs is my legal name.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
My first choice is where I’m
living now in Texas. It gives me the opportunity to write without disruption to
my life. My second choice would be England.
If someone hasn't read any of your work, what book would you recommend that they start with and why?
If the person likes contemporary
romantic suspense then I’d suggest Ice Queen. That’s the first in A Jessica
Sales Novel series. For regency romance either Spy Catcher or Don’t Cross the
Countess.
Where
do you find the inspirations for your stories?
If it’s
the first in a series I’ve got no idea but the sequels I get inspired by the
previous book(s).
Are
your characters able to love or do they need to be taught?
It
depends on the book. In the Jessica Sales books they are able to love. In the
regencies the characters don’t so much have to be taught as the men have to
admit the fact they love the heroine.
Do you have a book that was
easiest to write or one that was the hardest?
It’s
more, some days I find it easier to write than others. Each book does at times
present challenges to me.
If you could collaborate
with one author who would it be?
There is one person who I might
consider. We’ve briefly discussed it but with our current writing schedules
finding the time is somewhat impossible.
Coffee, tea or other drink to
get you moving in the morning?
Coffee
What is coming up from you in
2013? Anything you want to tease us with?
I’ve got Book Three in the A
Jessica Sales Novel series releasing toward the end of the year. Next year,
2014, I’ve got the final, maybe, three coming out along with several regencies,
Anything else you want to add?
Where
you can find me-
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/lindsay.downs.7
Twitter- @ldowns2966
LinkedIn- http://www.linkedin.com/home
Lindsay Downs-Romance Author- http://lindsaydowns-romanceauthor.weebly.com/
Don't Cross the Countess by Lindsay Downs
Countess for the Crown Series, Book One
Secret Cravings Publishing
Historical
Links to my books
Blurb-
When someone tries to kill Lady Sophia Gardner, Countess of Modbury, James becomes her appointed protector. Little does she realize he’s not who he says he is.
After they find evidence of something sinister they realize the answer can only be found in London. Once there, events became even more complicated as James’ true identity is made known.
When several more attempts to kill Sophia fail they return to Modbury, later to slip back into London. Hidden but in plain sight they ferret out who and why someone wants her dead. What they learn and the individuals involved turns out to be more than expected.
Once the information is uncover they realize it could shake the foundation of the Crown to its core. First though, it has to be put into the proper hands.
Risking everything Sophia rescues James while bringing the persons involved to justice.
Excerpt from Don’t Cross the Countess
In there were several rounds of venison, beef and even two pheasants of which she took one off the hook. That along with some fresh vegetables from the garden, which she’d collect next, and baked potatoes would make a marvelous and simple meal for them.
Stepping out she noticed he cocked his head to the side, raised brows telling her he wondered about the bird she had.
“Oh good. You get to clean the bird then I can finish preparing it for dinner,” she said, handing over the fowl to him.
“What? You don’t have someone cook for you?”
“Heaven’s no. Why should I? I’m perfectly capable of preparing a meal or two. Now, I’d suggest you do it outside in the backyard while I heat water for tea, which I’ll bring out when it’s ready along with some shortbreads.”
“Sophia, you continue to amaze and astound me,” he said before exiting to the rear of the house with the bird in hand.
Twenty minutes later she stepped out, tea tray in hand, and set it on the wrought iron table. Glancing around she saw James sitting cross-legged on the ground resting against an oak. On his lap was a plucked pheasant.
“Ready for tea?” she called out.
“Yes. Perfect timing as I only finished defeathering the fowl,” he answered as she watched him rise easily to his feet, pinfeathers fluttering everywhere.
“Good, would you put it in the sink so I can finish preparing it for dinner?”
A minute later he returned to a cup of tea and several biscuits.
“What else will we be dining on this evening? I did notice a nice little kitchen garden with several different vegetables along with tomatoes and lettuce.”
“Yes, thank you. When I’m not in town Mrs. Sullivan maintains it for me. In return she gets to keep what she wants for herself and the staff. Anyway, I thought baked potatoes and then I’ll see what looks best. I’m hoping there are enough green beans? One thing I like to do is barely cook them then make a simple dressing to go over them.”
“And the pheasant? I’m guessing you’ll roast it.”
“Yes but first I’ll stuff it with lemons and oranges to give a sweet and savory flavor to the meat. I’ll then slide some rosemary under the skin to act as a balance.”
“Again I must say, you amaze and astound me. I wonder what the ladies of the ton would say if they knew you cooked a meal for a Marquess.”
“Kind sir, if I was to hazard a guess, to a lady they’d faint and for your information I’m doing it for the man I love, who with me will defeat the traitors to the Crown.”
“Then, shall we finish our tea so I can assist you in preparing dinner as the hour is getting late. I also look forward to beating you in a game of chess.”
“Never,” she said, collecting the cups and with the tray in hand returned inside.
Together they worked in harmony on the preparation of the meal and cleaning up. Later they tied two games apiece in chess before fatigue overtook them and they retired to bed. This time sleep was somewhat foremost on both their minds as the morrow would and could set unexpected dangers on them.
About the author -
What does it take to be a bestselling author? Determination, skill, talent, luck or taking a risk with a venture into a totally new genre. For me it was a little of some and a lot of the others.
In 2008 when I got two books published I thought it was due to skill; little did I know it was more luck than anything. Over the next three years I wrote, submitted, got rejected. I then did what I tell everyone who asks; I wrote some more. I didn’t give up.
More on a dare than anything I tried my hand at a regency, one of the most difficult genres because of the rules, which I might add I broke almost every one. Within two days of its release the book was on a best seller list and stayed there for two months.
Turns out it is all of the aforementioned.
After two failed marriages, one from divorce while with the other died unexpectedly I decided upon retirement to move. That opportunity came in September 2012 when I migrated to Texas.
For me, as a multipublished author, it was one of the best things I’ve done to date. Now, every day I can write, creating stories to take my readers to places they can only dream about.
I’m also a member of the Published Authors Network (PAN) by the Romance Writers of America (RWA).
2 comments:
Thanks for having me on your blog today
I enjoyed today's interview with Lindsay. Sounds like he's a busy and prolific writer! I'm looking forward to reading the Countess for the Crown series.
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