In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams by Karen Ranney (interview, excerpt and GIVEAWAY) Tasty Book Tours

It is my very great pleasure to have a 'self-interview' from the delightful Karen Ranney.  She has a great blog that I follow regularly, and I have enjoyed many of her titles over the years.

Here's Karen...

Five Questions I’ve Never Been Asked 


What are my biggest fears as a writer?

That the words will dry up. Since I have an opinion about everything, and my imagination is still going strong, that doesn’t seem likely. 


What’s my greatest triumph as a writer?

When someone tells me their book got them through hard times. Seriously, isn’t that the greatest compliment?


Have you ever had trouble getting out of the way as a writer?

I think writing must be like what an actor feels. When I’m “in character” I’m not me. I’m the character. I think like the character. I respond like the character. I don’t have a problem pushing Karen Ranney aside. She lives beneath (which sounds like a great premise for a horror novel, doesn’t it?).


Has a character ever refused to do what you want him to do?

See the above question and answer. If I’m truly “in character”, Karen Ranney has no part in the process. Whatever the character wants to do is fine. And I’ve “been” some strange characters in the past.

A character is not a reflection of the author’s secret self. If authors only write about “nice” people, it would make for very boring books. I remember when I wrote about a truly vile character and was excoriated for years. Again, a character is not a reflection of the author’s secret self.


Why don’t you have a favorite book?

Here’s a confession: because I don’t remember a book the minute it’s in print form. I never read it in print form. I don’t remember the characters. I don’t recall much of the plot, and I certainly don’t remember names and places. I’ve had some darling readers ask me about a character from a book I wrote ten years ago. I have no clue who they’re talking about.

The only difference is when I’m writing a series, and the only series I’m interested in lately are trilogies. I truly think most series go on too long, and I like things that happen in threes. In a series, I write a “bible” of who’s what, where, when, and other important things I need to remember. Otherwise, I’m sure it would disappear just like every other book.

I guess my favorite book is the one I’m writing now. At least I remember that book.



                                      


In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams

The MacIain Trilogy #1
By: Karen Ranney
Releasing January 27th, 2015
Avon Romance


Blurb

New York Times bestselling author Karen Ranney's first novel in a brand-new series spins the intriguing story of a beautiful widow and a devilishly handsome shipbuilder...

Seven years have passed since Glynis MacIain made the foolish mistake of declaring her love to Lennox Cameron, only to have him stare at her dumbfounded. Heartbroken, she accepted the proposal of a diplomat and moved to America, where she played the role of a dutiful wife among Washington's elite. Now a widow, Glynis is back in Scotland. Though Lennox can still unravel her with just one glance, Glynis is no longer the naïve girl Lennox knew and vows to resist him.

With the American Civil War raging, shipbuilder Lennox Cameron must complete a sleek new blockade runner for the Confederate Navy. He cannot afford any distractions, especially the one woman he's always loved. Glynis's cool demeanor tempts him to prove to her what a terrible mistake she made seven years ago.

As the war casts its long shadow across the ocean, will a secret from Glynis's past destroy any chance for a future between the two star-crossed lovers?



Excerpt:

“Are you very experienced, Lennox?”

He smiled but didn’t answer her. She wanted to press him but it didn’t seem at all proper to ask how many women he’d loved right at the moment.

“I should hire you out to the Americans. They could use you as a weapon in their war. All you have to do is look at the women of America and they’d fall swooning at your feet."

His laugh made her smile.

She took his hand and pressed it against her breast where he could feel the pounding beat of her heart.

The pleasure had splintered her, making her moan aloud.

More than I have ever felt. More than I ever imagined. Until tonight I hadn’t known it was possible to feel this way. I had not even dreamed my soul could go spinning among the stars and I would be left here, to be reborn again by the sight of your smile.

How did she say that?

She was so filled with emotion she could barely speak. Why hadn't she seduced him seven years ago?

He was so kissable she had to cup his face with one hand and move her mouth to his.

The world slid away like a silk chemise.

He tasted wonderful, his tongue moving deep. She opened her mouth wider, welcoming and willing.

Long moments later she pulled back to find Lennox smiling at her.


Buy Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo


Goodreads Link


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Author Info

Karen Ranney began writing when she was five. Her first published work was The Maple Leaf, read over the school intercom when she was in the first grade. In addition to wanting to be a violinist (her parents had a special violin crafted for her when she was seven), she wanted to be a lawyer, a teacher, and, most of all, a writer. Though the violin was discarded early, she still admits to a fascination with the law, and she volunteers as a teacher whenever needed. Writing, however, has remained the overwhelming love of her life.

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads


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GIVEAWAY
($50.00 eGift Card to Choice of Retailers)



a Rafflecopter giveaway


Link to Follow Tour