Interview with author Annie Douglass Lima

On May 2, 2015 we hosted Annie Douglass Lima when she revealed the cover of her new novel, The Collar and the Cavvarach. Today she has agreed to an interview and we are delighted to have her here. So let’s get started!

Annie, tell us a little bit about yourself, where you are from, your family, and your Christian background.

I was born in Southern California but raised mostly in Kenya, where my parents were missionaries. I’ve been a Christian since I was a young child and always knew I wanted to serve the Lord overseas somewhere. After college, I spent a year teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in Indonesia with Mission Aviation Fellowship, which was an incredible experience. Shortly after returning to the States, I married my husband Floyd, and the two of us lived in the States for several years while I taught in a Christian school in Southern California. Eventually God put all the pieces into place for us to move overseas, and now we’re serving at Morrison Academy, a missionary school in Taiwan. I’ve been teaching fifth grade here for eight years now, and I love it! Floyd and I feel totally at home in Taiwan.

Which of the places where you lived growing up was your favorite and why? Do you have a special memory of it?

I consider Nakuru, Kenya, to be my hometown, and a big piece of my heart will always be there. It’s a quiet town on the shores of Lake Nakuru, which is rimmed with a ribbon of pink visible from miles away, from the thousands of flamingoes that live there year-round. Nakuru is within walking distance of Menengai Crater, the largest crater of an extinct volcano in the world. I have lots of fun memories of hiking in the crater with my family, as well as camping and watching wildlife at Lake Nakuru National Park. At night from our home we could hear the flap and twitter of flamingoes flying overhead. I love Nakuru!

Nakuru sounds magical. I would love to visit there. How did you end up living in Taiwan?

Well, I’ve traveled to a total of nineteen different countries, and I always wanted to live overseas. My husband and I prayed for God’s timing, and when both our careers showed signs of being close to a good transition point, we started looking into jobs in other countries. I applied to teach at a number of different international schools, and Morrison Academy here in Taiwan was just the one where God opened all the doors. So here we are!

I have enjoyed reading your posts on Facebook, especially the ones where you are sharing a recipe or trading for jam or other interesing items. I made the recipe you shared for Banana Monkey Jam and it is delicious. With so much that is good in your life, what are you most grateful?

I have so many blessings in my life that I hardly know where to start! The best is God’s love and His gift of salvation, but He’s given me so much else: a wonderful husband, a job that I love in a country I love, the gift of writing, opportunities to travel, a supportive family, online friends who have helped me so much in my writing – the list could go on and on!

What led you to work on the Annals of Alasia series and does your newest novel The Collar and the Cavvarach tie in with it?

The inspiration for my first fantasy novel, Prince of Alasia, came from a dream I once had about a prince who was forced to flee from invaders and live in disguise in a poor neighborhood in his kingdom. I wrote the sequels, In the Enemy’s Service and Prince of Malorn, to tell different sides of the same story. The Collar and the Cavvarach is completely unrelated to that series. It takes place in a different world, but one very similar to our own, with a nearly identical culture, level of technology, etc. The biggest difference is that slavery is legal there, and the main character is a slave whose life goal is to protect – and free – his younger sister. Things get more difficult when he is sold away from her, but his martial arts skills and the chance of winning the Krillonian Empire’s biggest tournament give him hope of a different way to save her.

How would you characterize your intended audience of readers and why did you choose that particular audience?

The genre of The Collar and the Cavvarach is young adult action and adventure, and it could also be considered speculative fiction. While this isn’t technically a dystopian story, fans of the dystopian genre would probably enjoy it too. One of my beta readers said it reminded her of The Hunger Games (but she liked my book better!). I didn’t actually choose that audience, at least not deliberately. I just wrote the story that came to me, and that ended up being the audience it fits best.

What kind of major theme or message have you intended to communicate through your writings in The Collar and the Cavvarach, and what motivated the message?

There is a strong theme of social justice, as well as family loyalty and courage. I hope this story will make readers think about the value of human life and perhaps take a second look at some of the practices we accept or choose to turn a blind eye to in our own culture. Legalized slavery sounds so impossibly evil that it’s easy to think we could never let it happen in this day and age, but how many other wrongs do we overlook just because it isn’t convenient to do anything about them?

What are your current activities and future plans in your writing career?

I’m working on two more novels at the moment. King of Malorn will be the next one in the Annals of Alasia, and I’m hoping to have that published sometime this summer. The other one is The Gladiator and the Guard, which takes place four years after the events of The Collar and the Cavvarach. I drafted it last November (it was a NaNoWriMo project just like The Collar and the Cavvarach), but it still needs a LOT of work. I hope to have it ready for publication by about this time next year, but we’ll see.

Where can readers purchase your new release?

The Collar and the Cavvarach on Amazon

The Collar and the Cavvarach on Smashwords

The Collar and the Cavvarach on Kobo

The Collar and the Cavvarach on Barnes & Noble

The Collar and the Cavvarach on Google Play

The Collar and the Cavvarach on Apple iBooks

And if readers would like to connect with you online, where will they find you?

Email: AnnieDouglassLima@gmail.com

Blog: http://anniedouglasslima.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnieDouglassLimaAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/princeofalasia

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/ADLimaOnGoodreads

Google+: http://bit.ly/ADLimaOnGooglePlus

Amazon Author Page: http://bit.ly/AnnieDouglassLimaOnAmazon

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/AnnieDouglassLima

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/ADLimaOnLinkedIn

Thank you for the interview, Annie, it was a pleasure having you here. I wish you much success with your new novel.

Welcome to the Petticoat Ball!

Welcome to the

Blog Tour!

A celebration of two new sweet historical romances by Shanna Hatfield

Meet Thane and Jemma Jordan of Baker City Brides

Two key characters from Shanna Hatfield’s historical series, Baker City Brides, visit us today. Set in the western town of Baker City, Oregon, this series of sweet romances highlights determined women and the men who fall for them in the 1890s.

Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Jordan. Tell us a little about how you met.

Thane: Jemma’s sister, Jane, was married to my brother, Henry. Upon Henry’s death, I traveled to England to settle his estate and discovered I had a niece and nephew. They lived with Jemma. She’d taken care of them both, even before Jane passed away giving birth to Lily.

Jemma: Little did I know when this cowboy showed up on my doorstep that he’d turn my world all topsy-turvy. In order to travel back to his ranch together, we wed a few weeks after his arrival.

So you married a complete stranger?

Jemma: Not willingly. (Grins at Thane) He inherited the children and I couldn’t bear to be separated from them. The only way for me to stay with them and not create a scandal was to wed this scoundrel.

Thane: (Kisses Jemma’s cheek) She was the most annoying, irritating, stubborn, opinionated female I’d ever met. She also happened to be the most beautiful.

Jemma: (Blushes and squeezes Thane’s hand) Despite his ability to infuriate me beyond reason, he really does say the nicest things.

Tell us what it’s like living on the ranch.

Thane: It’s a little slice of heaven. We’re about an hour from Baker City, to the south. We have rolling hills full of fat cattle and a good crew that keeps everything running smoothly. I also raise and train horses.

Jemma: He forgot to mention we live in a tiny little cabin barely big enough for our dog much less two adults and two lively children. There isn’t a drop of running water. The worst thing is the abominable shack we must use that serves our personal needs. (Jemma shudders) It’s positively detestable.

Thane: (Smirks) What my lady refers to as an abomination is our outhouse. It’s just a part of life where we live.

What’s the most exciting thing happening right now?

Jemma: (Glances at Thane and smiles) Thane is building our new home with running water and honest-to-goodness bathrooms. I can hardly wait until it’s finished.

Thane: I caught her crying over the bathtub we installed the other day. She was sobbing about how pretty it was and how much she loved it. I’m pretty sure she holds a greater affection for the bathtub than me.

Jemma: I did no such thing and you know it. (Swats Thane’s arm) Why, that’s utter nonsense. I merely stated how wonderful it would be to soak in a real tub with water that didn’t have to be heated and hauled. My gracious, Thane Jordan!

Thane: (Leans toward interviewer and speaks in a whisper) See why it’s so much fun to ruffle her bloomers? (Sits back up and winks at Jemma) The other exciting tidbit is that our lumber supplier has gone daffy for one of our good friends, but Maggie’s running away faster than he can catch her.

Jemma: Maggie isn’t nearly as opposed to Ian as she tries to convince everyone. I think secretly she likes him.

Thank you for joining us. Any parting words for our readers?

Thane: Thank you for hosting us today. If you enjoy sweet romances set in the past, I hope you’ll consider reading our stories in Crumpets and Cowpies and Thistles and Thimbles.

Discover more about the Jordan Ranch and life in 1890 Baker City in Crumpets and Cowpies, the first book in the Baker City Brides series.

In the story, rancher Thane Jordan reluctantly travels to England to settle his brother’s estate. He quickly discovers he’s inherited much more than he could possibly have imagined, including a niece and nephew he didn’t know existed. The children’s aunt, Lady Jemma Bryan has no desire to spend a single minute in Thane Jordan’s insufferable presence much less live under the same roof with the handsome, arrogant American. Forced to choose between poverty or marriage to the man, she travels across an ocean and America to reach his ranch in Oregon.

The second book in the Baker City Brides series releases Thursday, April 9!

Thimbles and Thistles takes readers back to Baker City as spring arrives and love is in the air. You can reserve your Kindle copy here: http://amzn.com/B00TCV6BFG

Maggie Dalton has no need for a man in her life. Widowed more than ten years, she’s built a successful business and managed quite well on her own in the bustling town of Baker City, Oregon. Aggravated by her inability to block thoughts of the handsome lumber mill owner from her mind, she renews her determination to resist his attempts at friendship.

Full of Scottish charm and mischief, Ian MacGregor could claim any available woman in Baker City as his own, except the enchanting dress shop owner who continues to ignore him. Not one to give up on what he wants, Ian vows to win Maggie’s heart or leave the town he’s come to love.

Lacy, Book 5 in the Pendleton Petticoats series, will be available for pre-orders April 9.

Be among the first to order the long-awaited story of Grant Hill. Talk about losing at love… eligible banker bachelor Grant needs to find the right girl.

Those attending the party will also get a first look at the cover!

“Will the bonds of love be stronger than the bonds of tradition…”

It just wouldn’t be a party if there wasn’t a book available for free! Aundy, Book 1 in the Pendleton Petticoats series, will be available for free Kindle downloads April 9. Make sure you grab your copy! If you’ve already read it, tell your friends to download it. If you haven’t met the characters from Pendleton Petticoats, here’s a brief intro:

Aundy (Book 1) – One stubborn mail-order bride finds the courage to carry on when she’s widowed before ever truly becoming a wife, but opening her heart to love again may be more than she can bear.

Caterina (Book 2) – Frantic to escape a man intent on marrying her, Caterina starts a new life in Pendleton, completely unprepared for the passionate feelings stirred by the town’s deputy sheriff.

Ilsa (Book 3) – Tired of relying on others to guide and protect her, Ilsa finally finds the strength and courage to take control of her life. Unfortunately, her independence drives a wedge between her and the man she’s come to love.

Marnie (Book 4) – After giving up on her dreams for a future, Marnie finds her hope rekindled by one caring, compassionate man and the orphans who need her.

Dust off your dancing shoes and choose your formal attire for the Petticoat Ball Party on Facebook April 9, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Giveaways and games will make for a splendid event as we celebrate the release of Thimbles and Thistles and the debut of Lacy!

The talented and fabulous guest authors joining in the shenanigans include:

10 a.m. – Julie Lence

10:30 – Kathleen Ball

11 – Rachel Rossano

11:30 – Christina Cole

Noon – Peggy Henderson

12:30 – Kristin Holt

1 p.m. – Karen Witemeyer

1:30 – Kayla Thomas

Invite your friends to the party, and you could win a $25 Amazon Gift card. Go to the Facebook Party Page, click on the “invite” button, invite your friends, then post how many you invited. One randomly drawn person will win, but you get additional entries for every 25 people you invite! Also, ask your friends when they join the party to share that you invited them on the party wall. Each friend who mentions your name, earns you another entry in the contest! The winner will be announced prior to the start of the party April 9! http://tinyurl.com/petticoatball

To enter the drawing for a $50 American Express gift card, autographed books, digital books, chocolates, and original western artwork, fill out this form. http://tinyurl.com/petticoatballprizes

A hopeless romantic with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure, Shanna Hatfield is a bestselling author of sweet romantic fiction written with a healthy dose of humor. In addition to blogging and eating too much chocolate, she is completely smitten with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.

Shanna creates character-driven romances with realistic heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”

She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America.

Find Shanna’s books at:

Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Apple

Shanna loves to hear from readers! Follow her online:

A Merritt Island Beach Palace | The Florida Memory Blog

This article has some interesting history of North Merritt Island, where Jessie’s story begins. I hope you enjoy reading it.

A Merritt Island Beach Palace | The Florida Memory Blog.

Clean Indie Reads March Madness Blog Hop

It’s been a little more than three years since I hit the publish button on my first book, Summer Storms. Since then I’ve met an amazing cover designer, an editor who understands exactly what I’m trying to say even when I have buried it under layers, and a number of supportive individuals who have provided encouragement when I’ve hit a brick wall. Now, with my fifth book going through revisions and two more books brewing I have a few minutes to contemplate what I would do should I be approached by a publishing house with a contract offer.

There are some good things a publishing contract could bring. Maybe they’d offer me enough money up front so that I could quit my day job or find something that’s only part time and closer to home so I’d have more time to dedicate to writing. Maybe my sales would take off and I could afford to give my parents a trip to Alaska for their anniversary. Maybe I could afford a trip to Italy to do research for a book I’ve been wanting to finish for years.

But what would I have to give up for that contract? How much of my independence, how much of my voice would I lose? If my books don’t fit into the mold of what’s hot now, will I be dropped like a hot potato? What if I don’t mesh with the editor they assign me like I do with my current editor?

As a little girl I pictured myself as a writer. I assume I was successful because I envisioned owning a ranch and several horses. While I don’t have the ranch or the horses, yet, I do feel fulfilled as a writer. I love having the chance to interact with my readers and asking them for input on my work. I love sharing my experiences and encouraging others who have thought about writing, but have been afraid to try.

For now, I’m happy right where I am. Who knows, in another ten years there may not be any big publishing houses and I may be on the cutting edge of the new industry. I kind of like the sound of that.

I am currently editing Spring Dawn, the third book in my Seasons of Faith series. It should be available late April or Early May. To thank you for stopping by my website, I am offering you a chance to win a signed copy of the first novel in the series, Summer Storms and some other swag! Simply leave a comment below in the comments section. If you have read any of my books, that would be a fabulous comment!

The Clean Indie Reads authors have teamed up to give away a huge assortment of books! In order to win one book from EACH author in the blog hop, simply fill out the secure Google form below. It’s that easy. To increase your chances, visit more of the blogs on this hop (see all their links below) and fill out the form on each of their blog sites. One random visitor will be selected at the end of the blog hop! Some of these authors have their own giveaways, so be sure to check them out. I’d also like to encourage you to visit the Clean Indie Reads Book Sale beginning at midnight March 15, 2015! Lots of great clean reading is offered there, and most of them are at discount prices.

Want to take a look before you decide to enter to be the

GRAND PRIZE WINNER?

CLICK HERE

Loading…

To visit the other blogs for more entries, catch the Leprerachaun!

PS: DON’T FORGET TO VISIT THE CLEAN INDIE READS MEGA SALE!

CLICK HERE