Thursday, August 11, 2011

Guest post and giveaway with Abbey MacInnis!

Today I'm happy and excited to host my good friend and critique partner, Abbey MacInnis. She's generously allowed me to pick her brain about her latest book and gain a little insight into her writer world. Plus she's even shown up bearing pressies! Not for me, alas. :( Oh well, I still love her. But before we get into the interview portion, how about a peek at the gorgeous cover for Abbey's latest release, His Fifth Avenue Thief?

Two years prior, Irishman Aaron O’Connel took his life from rags to riches. Chance and wits have kept him alive in 1850’S New York City. But no amount of money or success can bring his love Cathlene back from
the dead. When a thief sneaks her way into his mansion, the last woman he expects to find absconding with his belongings is his long lost wife. Abandoned on New York’s shores, a widowed, penniless, and ruined
Cathlene O'Connel was left to fend for herself in an unfamiliar world. Fear and circumstance drove her to a life of thieving in order to survive, but her heart risks the biggest danger of all when Aaron hands
her a scandalous proposition: A son in exchange for her freedom. Now that he has her back, Aaron doesn't intend to let Cathlene slip between his fingers. He'll do whatever it takes to regain her trust and love. But when an enemy from Cathlene's past resurfaces, Aaron not only faces battling for Cathlene's heart, but also her life.

Buy it at: Amazon   Smashwords  All Romance Ebooks
Visit Abbey at her author website  Facebook  Twitter  Goodreads and follow her on her Blog

Abbey MacInnis is a published author of Contemporary Western romance. Along with Contemporary, she writes Historical, Paranormal and erotic romance. Whether she’s being swept off her feet by a Medieval knight, regency rake, or cowboy or cop, her heroes are always strong men who’ll love their women unconditionally. On most days, Abbey can be found at her computer, penning her latest tale. A tale where love, respect, and passion combine to create a satisfying and happy ending. She invites you to step in to the pages of her romances, to leave your worries behind and get swept up in her world.


Thanks again for being here today Abbey. How about we start off with some official-like author questions. What was your favorite/ least favorite part of writing His Fifth Avenue Thief? Is there a scene that particularly resonates with you?
There wasn't really any particular scene that I didn't enjoy writing. I think my favorite scene was the theater scene, since it's so emotional. I think what's difficult for me when I'm writing an historical is
figuring out what little detail to include and what to leave out. I learned so many cool things while doing the research for this book. But ultimately, I had to ask whether the information will help move the
story forward or not. :)

How much research did you have to do prior to writing this book?
Quite a bit, actually. :) i love that part of the writing process, so to me, it wasn't work.

Is there any routine or writing rituals that you use either while writing or in the plotting process? Any particular things that inspire you?
I'm inspired by many things: music, song lyrics, finding a little factoid while I'm researching that I have to set aside for another project. Before I start a book, I try to have the characters goals, motivations and conflicts established. Othere than that, I let the story go where it will. It can be frustrating, but it's also fun.

Any upcoming projects you'd like to braggity mcbrag on?
Sure. :) Love to. :) My next book I'm aiming to release in late October is a Time Travel Regency called The Soldier's Savior. I always put myself in the  position where I need to find out the oddest little things. I'm
researching now when chest tubes were first used and when doctors first inflated lungs. :) I know, I know. Abbey, why so complicated? LOL



Ooh, an Abbey book with a paranormal element? Now you're talking my language. ;) And yay, I even have a sneak peek blurb to show off too! You really know how to make a gal feel special.
Forced to take administrative leave after the sudden death of her fiancĂ©, E.R. resident, Gemma Taylor heads to England where she finds an old diary. Thrust back to 1814, she realizes that the man who discovered her is Lord Alexander Hayworth. His tragic future’s found within the diary’s pages. He’s  about to be convicted of murder. Only she holds the key that can save him, but first she must convince Lord Alex to trust her before it’s too late. Alex trusts no one, He has enemies who’d stop at nothing to ruin him, even send a woman to ease their way. When Gemma warns him of his fate, and that of his brother, he doesn’t want to believe her. But he has no choice. Then her predictions come true, and his brother is shot, Alex knows he must rely on Gemma to save both his life and his brother’s. Gemma too, must confront her own demons and find the faith she once had in medicine and save the earl, opening her heart to Alex in the process. With their enemies even more determined to slight them, they have no choice but to remain close and work together. Can Alex and Gemma tempt fate and reverse the events of the past? Or will fate tear them apart forever?

Your upcoming release sounds terrific, Abbey. So inquiring minds want to know. Exactly how awesome is your CP, Jodi Redford? What? That's a totally legit and serious question.
LOL Okay, confession time. :) She's more awesome than I could ever express here. Really, I sometimes don't know what I'd do without her and my other cp, Jane. :) You ladies keep me sane and calm. :) <~~~ Aw, likewise. Though the sane part might be debatable in my case.

Now for some fun stuff that I may or may not blackmail you with later on:
Oh God. :) What have I gotten myself into?

What was the first romance novel that you ever read?
I think it was The Ring by Danielle Steele.

Who's your favorite author?
That's not really a fair question. :) I have so many authors I adore and respect. I started out reading
Danielle Steele, Johanna Lindsey, Irish Johansen, Kay Hooper, Elizabeth
Lowell, Nora Roberts, Karen Moning...too many to name. :)

If you could be stranded on a deserted island with any fictional romance hero, who would it be?
Roarke, the hot hero from the Eve Dallas books without question!!!! He's Irish, and smart, and rich, and Irish, and yummy! :) He's a survivor too, so I'd be alright. :)

If you could meet any famous person(s), from present time or history, who would it be?
Jane Austen, and Colin Firth.

Thanks to Jodi for having me here today. :) I had alot of fun, and if any of you readers want to ask me a question, well, shoot, go for it! :) The next stop on my blog tour is Let's Talk Romance coming up this Sunday. :) http://letstalkromance.wordpress.com/
I'd love to see you there! :)

You're very welcome, Abbey! And come back any time. I'm not just saying that to weasel more compliments out of you, either.

Hey everyone, Abbey is generously offering a $10 Amazon gift card to one lucky reader, so put your fingers to the keys and leave her a question in the comments area. We'll keep the contest open until midnight Sunday to give everyone a chance to enter. Good luck!