I have the pleasure of having author Nancy Fraser today on the blog talking about their latest book, Eye of the Pharaoh. Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of the post where the author will be giving away a $20 Amazon/BN Gift Card to one lucky person. This tour is sponsored by Goddess Fish Promotions.
Now let's chat with Nancy.....
Thanks for stopping by to talk a little about your
writing! Let's jump right in.
When
did you begin writing and why?
What an absolutely perfect first question! I sold
my first book, a contemporary romance titled Courting Trouble, in 1996. As a matter of fact, TODAY, is my twentieth anniversary as a
published author. Woot! (There’s virtual celebratory cake over on my blog
being served by scantily clad men!)
Why did I begin writing? Now that’s a funny story.
It was on a dare. A co-worker was an avid romance reader. One day at work, she
offered me one of her books for lunch break. I thanked her but said, “No, I
don’t read romance.” Then, stupidly said, “Anyone can write one of those.” She
dared me to try.
That weekend I wrote 2 chapters (having never read
a romance novel) and delivered them to her on Monday. She accused me of copying
them from a book. So, on lunch break, I wrote another half-chapter. She
covertly mailed them off to Harlequin. Two months later (yes, the turnaround
time was shorter then), they asked to see the entire manuscript. I finished the
book and it was rejected. However, at that point, I was hooked and haven’t
looked back since.
Do you have a favorite genre? Is it the
same genre you prefer to write?
I love reading just about any type of romance. I’m
also partial to reference books about unusual time periods/events. I often
spend as much time researching as I do writing.
As for which I prefer to write, like my reading my
writing is what you might call “eclectic”. I write across five different
genres. I’m partial to what’s termed the “vintage” historical (post WWII up to
the beginning of the twenty-first century). I’ve set a number of my books in
the time period, especially my holiday-themed stories. Earlier this month I
released a Halloween-themed novella, Bewitched, set in the
mid-1960s. However, if a story or theme strikes me, as happened with Eye of the Pharaoh, I’m willing to dig
in and create the best story I can.
Do certain themes and ideas tend to
capture your writer’s imagination and fascinate you?
I’m often held hostage by my hero and heroine’s
desires. I usually have a very clear idea of what I want to do but it gets
muddled by one or both of them screaming at me to go in an opposite direction.
Real life situations, be they romantic or not, usually spur me to action. I
once met a woman who’d served as a surrogate for her older sister against her
brother-in-law’s wishes. Less than five years after the baby was born, the
older sister died of cancer. Now the surrogate and the brother-in-law share
custody of the little boy. There was no romance involved since the father was
already remarried, but I figured … what the heck … let’s turn this into a
romance. Their story (twisted by me) became my 2015 award-winning contemporary,
Home is Where the Hunk is.
Do you have a favorite author who
introduced you to the genre?
Oh yes. Elizabeth Lowell. At one point, I owned
every single one of her Silhouette/Harlequin romances. I even talked my hubby
(at the time) into taking a road trip to track down two of the books I was
missing from my set. Talk about a non-stalking, stalker! My absolutely favorite
all time romance is Chain Lightning,
by Elizabeth of course. It is the ultimate perfection in romantic fiction!
What advantages or challenges does a
writer in your genre face in today’s fiction market?
Too many quality authors for not enough market.
Readers (bless their hearts) are usually open minded and willing to try a new
author if the author writes in a genre they enjoy. However, as with all of us,
they have their favorites. In today’s tight economy, if there’s only $20 to
spend and your favorite author has a new book, another author is out of luck.
The advantage is the readers (again, bless their
hearts) are loyal. Once they’ve found you and been entertained by you, they’re
yours for life. I have a core group of readers I fondly refer to as “Grandma
Nancy’s Girls”. They’re not officially a street team, but I can count on them
to share my posts, buy my books and post reviews.
Tell me a little about the characters in
Eye of the Pharaoh.
As an
author and a woman I am attracted to all sorts of romantic heroes. Sure, they
should be drop-dead gorgeous and sexy as sin but, more importantly, they should
be compassionate, witty and intelligent. And possess an imperfection or two.
That was my goal in creating Dr. Joshua Cain, Professor of Archaeology and Art
History. In Eye of the Pharaoh, Dr.
Cain spouts ancient history with the ease of a confident educator. With the
exception of the fictitious Anukehaten, guardian of the Queen-Pharaoh
Hatshepsut’s tomb, and the ancient curse of the pink stone and statue, all
historical references shared by Dr. Cain are accurate depictions of Egyptian
culture and history.
My goal
for my heroine, Teri Hunter, was to create an attractive, equally intelligent
professional with some quirky habits. Teri is a walking motivational quote,
often dredging up one of those commonplace office posters when she needs a bit
of emotional reinforcement. She’s even taken her personal mantra from one of
her favorites: Wake Up. Kick Ass. Repeat.
She’s
often heard quoting the likes of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, author/clothing
designer Donna Karan, comedian Louis C.K., and even Albert Einstein. My
personal favorite comes from author Mason Cooley: Romance is tempestuous. Love is calm. It’s a mantra I strive for
when creating every happily-ever-after.
Where’s the story set? How much
influence did the setting have on the atmosphere/characters/development of the
story?
The story begins at Princeton University where Josh
teaches. However, we quickly move to New Orleans (one of my favorite cities) to
add some flavor to the story. I wanted to set a somewhat ominous mood, so I put
them up in a rather unique B&B (instead of Teri’s preferred Marriott), and
made sure Josh had his usual room overlooking the cemetery.
Once the characters “left” their own place and
time, it was important to set a scene that truly spoke to 1920’s Egypt with
numerous archaeological digs, tomb raiders, questionable collectors, and
out-right thieves.
The setting was instrumental in showing both the
main characters’ strengths and weaknesses. While Josh is commanding and in
complete control of their surroundings (based on his intellectual knowledge),
he’s still vulnerable when it comes to his two daughters and not knowing how
this time travel is affecting them back in their own place and time.
If you had to write your memoir in five
words, what would you write?
Road her broom with panache!
How often does your muse distract you
from day to day minutiae?
Probably 13 hours out of 16. Even when I’m doing
dishes, I’m plotting the next scene. I’m one of those who has a notebook beside
my bed and on the end table next to the couch. I can’t tell you the number of times
I’ve written thoughts or dialogue during commercials. The only person that can
distract me completely is my three-year-old grandson William…and only because
if I don’t keep my eye on the ball all hell is going to break loose.
What do readers have to look forward to
in the future from you?
Fall and
winter seem to be my busiest times. I have a contemporary erotic romance titled
Kilty Pleasures coming out in
December. It’s part of the “Men Who Wear Kilts” series from The Wild Rose
Press. Then, in January, I have another vintage Valentine-themed novella, Paging Dr. Cupid, on tap. I’m currently
working on a new story, Waking Up in Oz,
and it will be part of a new historical series based on situations where the
hero and heroine find themselves “stranded”. It’s set in the mid-1970s and is a
humorous re-working of the Wizard of Oz theme.
GENRE: Time Travel/Paranormal
Publicist Teri Hunter
has her hands full promoting Professor Joshua Cain and his new non-fiction
book, The Pharaoh’s Mummy. She’s not even sure it’s possible to turn this
absent-minded, modern-day, Indiana Jones into a best-selling author.
Dr. Cain’s PhDs in archeology and art history have
prepared him for almost anything on the lecture circuit and among ancient
ruins. He’s just not sure about a book tour...or the sexy publicist sent to
monitor his every professional move.
When an odd request falls in their laps while in
New Orleans, Josh and Teri find themselves transported to 1920’s Egypt where
they must resolve an ancient curse in order to be sent home. Will the dangers
facing them hinder their success and threaten their very lives? Or will help
from an other-worldly guardian keep them on-track and safe?
Excerpt:
Wake
up. Kick ass. Repeat.
Teri
Hunter mouthed the motivational phrase she’d chosen for her personal mantra as
she stepped across the threshold into the dark and musty storeroom.
A
dim light shone from a glass-enclosed workroom in the far corner. Taking a tentative
step forward, she faltered when the floorboards creaked beneath her feet.
Something fast and furry brushed against her ankle. A shiver ran down her back,
yet she fought the urge to retreat.
Do
one thing every day that scares you.
This
was obviously today’s obstacle. Were it not for her professional commitments
and intricately organized schedule, she’d have no doubt bolted for the door and
returned to the safety and illumination of the main building.
‘Sorry,
but the storage area doesn’t have overhead lighting. Preservation of the
antiquities. You understand.’ The dean’s words echoed in her head. What little
outside light there was had become nearly non-existent due to an impending
thunderstorm.
Drawing
a deep breath, she took a second step and then a third, winding her way past a
half-dozen crates, some open, some not. To her left she heard a rustling of
paper; to her right the distinct sound of footsteps.
Her
apprehension grew, the hair on her forearms stood at attention. She’d barely
made it halfway across the room before bumping into something large and solid.
Reaching out, she laid her hand against the oversized object. Slowly, she
raised her head and came face to face with the painted mask of an Egyptian
noble. The chipped finish gave the death mask a deranged look.
“You
come here often, big boy?” A nervous giggle followed her softly-worded, albeit
silly, question and she pressed her fingertips to her lips to stifle an
outright laugh before lowering her hand to her side.
Go
big! Home is boring.
Silently
she cursed her habit of dredging up poster-worthy quotes to mask her fears.
Author Bio and Links
Like most authors, Nancy Fraser
began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven
forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English
teacher’s pet, which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it
was worth it.
Published in multiple genres,
Nancy currently writes for four publishers. She has published twenty-two books
in both full-length and novella format. Nancy will release her 25th book in
early 2017. She is currently working on a Valentine’s Day novella, her next
Rock and Roll novella, and a story about a racy Scot titled “Kilty Pleasures”.
When not writing (which is
almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks
forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic
Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.
Media:
Giveaway
Nancy Fraser
will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner
via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
