Tell us about your latest book. What inspired it? Is this a series and if so, how many books are you planning? If not, do you plan to have any spin-off’s from secondary characters in the future?
I would have to say the inspiration for this story came from a friend. We were on the phone one night talking about different ideas and truthfully we were joking about story ideas. This idea was brought up and I mentioned I could call it Scotch on the Rocks and submit it to AMP for their Del Fantasma line. So I thought about it and two weeks later I had my story submitted to AMP.
I don’t think there will be a series. Maybe a spin-off/sequel but that would be the extent of it. Another of my friends wants this to be a series but I don’t see that happening.
What element of writing in your genre is hardest for you? Easiest?
The easiest for me are the action scenes in romantic suspense. I love a well written action scene. I love to have my characters caught in the crossfire. But they have to be able to fight back.
Do you have any pet peeves as a writer? As a reader?
As a reader, over describing things and telling the same thing in every book. I read an author who has a habit of giving too much detail and has each of her several characters describe the same situation in the same chapter. It gets old quick. I ended up throwing the third book in her series across the room and telling my husband, “I can write better than this lady.” He said, “Then do it.” So I started writing.
If you could ask readers in your genre one question, what would it be and why?
What do you think is most important in the relationship between the main characters?
How long does it take for you to create, write and submit to your editor a finished book?
My next book will be from DCL Publications and is titled Stealing the Brides: The McDare Trilogy Book One. That story took me five years simply because I didn’t like a lot of the things about the book. I’m still not too sure about it but I do have edits to complete. The total time so far is eight years. It was two before I submitted it and one more due to circumstances beyond my control. It’s almost my longest book to date, over 80,000 words.
If one of your books was made into a movie, who do you think would capture your characters perfectly?
Jared Leto could easily pull off Beau and Jennifer Garner as Simone. I think that line up is about as close as I can get to perfect for my characters.
Anything in the pipeline for 2009? Can we get a sneak look into upcoming projects?
I’ll gladly give you a sneak peek at the stories.
Stealing the Brides:
“By the love of the fey, Torin, stop your bloody pacing. That rug is going to catch aflame soon. If you really don’t like it that much, just replace the bloody thing. What is your problem anyway?” Conall McDare practically shouted at his older brother. Torin was impatient, and at thirty – three, stood an inch shorter than he did. But still, Torin, well muscled like all McDare men had been through the centuries, usually made men and a lot of women move out of his way. Not because he said or did anything wrong, he was gracious, polite and chivalrous to a fault, but simply from sheer size and presence. He was also the only one of the four siblings who had gotten their mother’s chestnut hair, which for some reason drove almost all females wild. Conall wondered why no woman had captured Torin, he thought maybe Torin scared them off on purpose. Torin’s first priority was to his siblings and what clan they had, but he knew better. Most times, when women did approach him, they seemed all right at first but then it turned out they weren’t interested in actually getting to know Torin but getting to know his good looks, money and of course, the one reason Torin hated the most, his title. He was thankful the only thing he had to worry about was good looks.
No, he wasn’t conceited, but there were enough women constantly throwing themselves at him that he guessed about his looks, as Aidan often said ‘our looks are a bloody curse’.
Torin stopped pacing and turned his storm tossed sea colored eyes on his younger brother. “What do you think little brother of mine? I got a call from the museum two weeks ago saying Ms. Reynolds had been contacted, plus given my contact information and she still hasn’t called me back. I’ve never had anyone not return my call immediately. I’m beginning to think maybe I should look for someone else and by her actions it must be true, Americans are rude.” He ran a hand through his shoulder length hair and walked to the bar. He poured two glasses of scotch and handed one to Conall.
Conall swirled the amber liquid, the same color of his eyes. “Torin, you wanted the best, everyone you’ve spoken with says she’s the best. Do you think that maybe she’s got other work keeping her busy?”
“Yes, I know, I’m the one who would love to have the best. But if she hasn’t the decency to call, then be damned with it. She could have called to at least tell me she’s busy.”
The twins, Aidan and Rose, burst into the study. Rose, for the first time in weeks, was feeling much better, “By all that’s holy Torin! We heard you to the front entrance, what on earth is going on in here?” She turned to Conall and placed her hands on her hips. When she stood like that, she looked just like their mother. “Please tell me you haven’t upset him over something foolish like you always do. You didn’t tell him you thought his interpretation of the Book of Kelts is crap again did you?”
Conall smiled at her. “No my dear, believe it or not this stodgy old professor did nothing so cruel as to say that, though it is true, his interpretation is crap, he is upset because of the American who still refuses to call him back. Before you go off on me or on him, I’ve tried to persuade him to call her but he is leaving this up to her, a woman, and getting more impatient by the second..” He laughed at the look on Aidan’s face.
“Can we go crack some heads or what?” Aidan asked while smacking his fist against his palm.
“No Aidan, did you not hear him? It is a woman that has upset me so, therefore, no cracking heads and anyway, it’s the woman who is supposed to call about coming and repairing the painting.” Torin said as he sat in a wing chair in front of the fire.
Conall smiled at the twins “Now, both of you sit, I’ll get the drinks and Torin will explain what he has in mind and what is bothering him.”
Aidan moved towards Torin. “Do you think she won’t come? Rose has some strange stuff going on with her you know and she is certain this woman will come. But if you can’t wait any longer, then maybe Conall should call her.”
“Why should Conall be the one to call her? Do you think I would be rude to her?”
Rose leaned forward and shook her head. “No, it’s just that Conall could charm her and have her in Scotland within forty eight hours, begging for entrance into our home or rather his bed.”
Torin tipped his head back and sighed. “If that is the case, maybe Con should make a trip to America and do as our ancestors once did. Just throw her over his shoulder and bring her here.”
Conall laughed “Now that’s an idea that I would be willing to consider.”
Ranger’s Romance:
She’d heard from some of the Rangers in Fort Worth who had worked with her new boss before that Captain Rawlins was a hard man to get along with on his good days. She wondered if he were having a good day or a bad day. As they neared a closed door at the end of the hall she figured he was having a bad day.
She heard a muffled voice that sounded angry as she stared at the door with the words Cpt. Rawlins in gold letters. She looked over at Beau who cringed when there was a loud boom behind that door.
“Don’t worry,” He said with a smile. “He’ll perk up once he meets you.”
Beau opened the door and poked his head around just as Max’s voice rose in volume.
Max had his back to the door. “Damn it Sim, I mean it. I don’t care that you can handle a gun. You’re pregnant and Beau and I both want Ty out there with you and by God, that’s where he’ll be. He doesn’t mind. He’s been looking forward to this since I told him yesterday.”
He spun around in the chair and saw Beau standing there with an ‘I told you she wouldn’t go for this’ look on his face. He flipped him the bird. “Sim, I need to go. I have a meeting.” He put his head in his hand. “No, you can’t talk to Beau. I’m having the meeting with him and our new sergeant.” He sighed and clenched his hand into a fist. “Yes that one. I have to go. Give my two favorite godchildren a hug and kiss from their Uncle Max. I’ll be over tonight after work.”
He hung up the phone and looked at Beau. “I’m so glad you married that shrew instead of me.”
“Sorry sweetheart, you’re so not my type.” Beau fluttered his eyes at Max. “She’s not a shrew to me. Remember, I know how to handle a woman going through a pregnancy. Even when Sim isn’t pregnant I know how to appease her.”
“Yeah you do. The proof of that is the fact y’all are working on your third kid.” Max shook his head. “I think I’d have shot myself by now.”
“I’ve considered it a time or two, especially when she was pregnant with Callie. That’s why I think this is another boy. She’s not as whacked as she was with Callie.” Beau smiled.
For the first time Max saw the woman standing behind Beau. “Are you going to introduce me Beau?” Max asked as he stood.
He was hoping this wasn’t the new Ranger. By God the woman was gorgeous. She stood around five foot seven and had big sky blue eyes. She had a fair complexion and chestnut brown hair. Completely different from his ex-wife, which was a good thing in his book.
Beau smiled at Max. Obviously noticing the way Max couldn’t take his eyes off Brooke. “Captain Max Rawlins, this is Sergeant Brooke Stern. Sergeant Brooke Stern, this is our ever loving boss man, Captain Maxwell Rawlins.”
Neither of them moved and Brooke knew she was in serious trouble here. She’d seen handsome men before but these two put all others to shame. Captain Rawlins stood a good six foot five, had blond hair and startling green eyes. What was it with these two having eyes that could cause heart failure with a simple look?
Beau cleared his throat, trying to keep the laughter from boiling over. Max had the look of a deer caught in headlights. Oh yeah, he couldn’t wait to talk to Sim. He had an idea. “Brooke, my wife Simone would love to meet you. We’d like you to join us at our house for dinner this evening.”
Brooke stared at him with a look of shock. “You would?” When he nodded she smiled. “Of course. I’d love to meet your wife and children.” Without thinking she turned to Max. “Will you be there as well?”
“Yes, I’ll be there. Usually when my son Tyler goes over there after school, I go over after work and end up staying for dinner.” For some reason he didn’t understand he felt it necessary to let her know he was single. “I’m a single parent. Ty’s mother and I divorced when he was eight. He’s fifteen now.”
He shot Beau a nasty look when Beau coughed. “Is there a problem Beauregard?” He knew Beau didn’t like being called that except by Simone or his mom or dad.
“No Maxwell, no problem. Shall we get down to business or would you like to trade life histories with Brooke?” Beau said as he sat down.
“Point taken.” Max motioned to the other chair and watched as Brooke sat down. God, she moved like a flower dancing in the wind, as though she’d snap in half in a heartbeat. But he knew better. Beneath that exterior she was a tough as nails law enforcement officer.
Meghan’s Thunder:
The club, Stilettos & Leather, was a hot spot for the paranormal. No wonder. The owner was a vamp. Meg should have known the second she walked through the doors. It had taken three weeks before she figured out the truth. Now, six months later and she was still waiting for the owner to walk in the door. She didn’t have luck on her side. Though she had no clue, her life was about to change.
Thor opened the door and walked up to the bouncer. He showed his I.D, paid his cover charge and entered the club. Police work had been great. Being part of the paranormal agency for the government was even better. He saw strange things all the time.
His life had been pretty much boring. That is, until he’d learned about this club. The place where one of his closest friends had been murdered. Now he was here on official business. He knew the owner was due any day. He and his partner had been given this assignment because of their skills. He smiled. Skills. Yeah okay. His partner was Loki’s son and he of course was Odin’s. He’d never known. Not until he’d come of age and all hell had broken loose.
His mother had done her best to help him understand. But still, he had a hard time coming to terms with who he was and what it meant. No matter now though. He’d found his calling. As long as the government needed this agency anyway. He tapped his partner Nick on the shoulder. “Come on, lets find a table.”
“Sure thing T. I’m ready to watch some hot babes.”
He shook his head. “That is so not right. Don’t talk about women like that. Even if they are hot. But I’m with you. Plus, I’d like a beer.”
Once they were seated a skimpily dressed waitress approached their table. “What can I get for you fellas?”
“Two glasses and a pitcher of beer.” Thor didn’t want her over at the table any longer than was necessary. She smelled of vampire. When she walked away he shuddered. “Damn, I hate fang freaks. The more they ‘donate’ the more they smell like their masters. Only she has three masters. I doubt she even realizes it.”
“Well, sooner or later it’s going to catch up with her. I hate to say this but, she deserves whatever the three of them do to her.”
Thor’s attention was drawn to the stage as the lights lowered and the DJ announced Lily was about to take the stage. A roar went up from the crowd as all heads turned. Thor had heard about this dancer. Seemed like everyone on the squad had wanted this assignment simply for the chance to see her dance. He had wondered what was so great about her.
As the curtains parted, all he could make out was the silhouette of a slender woman. His heart skipped a beat, then started beating faster. There was only one woman who could do that to him and it had been years since he’d seen her. Seven in fact. Maybe he was finally over Meghan Millnos.
The music began to play and he recognized Silverchair’s Slave. It was one of the songs Meghan had listened to several times he’d been over to visit with Brady. It brought back the fantasies he’d had of her in her uniform dancing just for him. How he wished he knew where she was now. All he had to do was ask his father but that was the easy way out. He wanted to ‘bump’ into her completely by accident.
~*~
Meghan began to move to the music, careful to keep her face in the shadows until the chorus. As soon as she stepped into the light, the yells and whistles from the audience overwhelmed her as always. Like usual, she looked for one face in the crowd to focus on. But the eyes that met hers were not ones she’d expected to see in a place like this. For a moment she paused in her routine but quickly regained her focus and continued her dance. Just what the hell was Thor doing here?
What the hell did she think she was doing? Thor half rose from his seat before Nick pushed him back down.
“Easy there big boy. She’s a firecracker. She never gives lap dances or private ones. All our intel says she’ll chew you up and spit you out and you won’t ever make it to first base with her.”
“Like hell.” He slammed his fist on the table. “If her brother knew what she was doing, he’d give her a lot more than she bargained for. Since he isn’t here, I’m going to tan her hide. I swear to the gods, she’ll regret this.”
“Wait a minute. You know Lily? Oh, this is good. Just wait till the guys at the agency hear about this.”
Thor turned his head and growled at Nick. “No one at the agency gets anywhere near her. You hear me. No one.”
For fun: If the world was going to end, what comic book hero would like to rescue you: Iron Man or Batman?
*****************
They moved as fast as they could down the hallway. The panther veered to the left down another hallway and Matt stopped. She motioned for him to continue and then whispered that her son was in one of the rooms off the hall. Matt nodded in understanding and continued to the room where Brae and Elizabeth waited.
They were a few doors away when they were spotted. The panther who saw them was far enough down the hall he wouldn’t see which room Paul went to so Matt knelt and set him on his feet. “Go to the third door on the left. Knock once, pause, then knock three times, like this.” He demonstrated on the wall. “Now go. Braeden and El will protect you. Tell them I love them.”
He stood and stretched to his full six foot one height and turned in the direction of the panther that had seen them. He’d been itching to tear into someone since he’d seen what they’d done to Paul. The panther obviously didn’t have a clue who he was facing and Matt smiled. This was going to be fun.
The panther lunged at Matt, who moved out of his path easily. Matt turned sideways, always keeping his back to the wall. The panther grinned. “You won’t leave here alive, wolf.”
http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/more-hot-reads/del-fantasma-scotch-on-the-rocks/prod_159.html
Comments
No Responses to “Author Spotlight: Liadan Brodie”
Leave a Reply
Hi there Liadon,
Thanks for coming and being inthe spotlight. I love the premise of the Thor story. It sounds really good.
What do y ou do when not writing?
Raine D.