Nancy
Lee Badger loves
chocolate-chip shortbread, wool plaids wrapped around the trim waist of a
Scottish Highlander, the clang of dirks and broadswords, and the sound of
bagpipes in the air. After growing up in Huntington, New York, and raising two
handsome sons in New Hampshire, Nancy moved to North Carolina where she writes
full-time. Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina
Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, and the
Celtic Heart Romance Writers and also writes as Nancy Lennea.
Q: Welcome, Nancy! Please
tell us about your latest release.
A: My latest release is My Banished Highlander (Sept. 1, 2012) and is Book #2 in the
Highland Games Through Time series. Kilts, castles, Highlanders, time travel,
and romance.
Q: What is
the story behind the story?
A: My family and I have volunteered for many years at
the New Hampshire Highland Games. In fact, we recently returned from this
year’s festival with photos, ideas, and great memories that I will use in
upcoming books in the series.
Q: I love Highland Games! How did
your story’s setting impact your plot or characters?
A: In this book
and its predecessor, My Honorable
Highlander, I set the present-day portions at the fictitious New England
Games. I use ideas I have picked up from visiting several games from Maine to
Georgia, and added portions of each into my story line. I chose the time period
around 1600 in ancient Scotland for my stories as many things threatened the
Highland clans around that time. Politics are a b*tch no matter where or when
you live, I guess.
Q: How do
you choose names for your characters?
A: Most of the time, names pop into my head. I make
sure to search their origins on internet ‘names’ sites, and I also have a book
on baby names. Attending Scottish Games means that I have met thousands of
people with interesting Scottish first names as well as their clan names. My first and second books dwell mainly on the
Gunn, Mackenzie, and Keith clans. My husband is a descendant of the Gunn Clan,
who once fought the other two clans. Research has given me great ideas.
Q: Did you
choose the title of your book and if so how did you do it?
A: The first book changed names four times. I knew I
wanted ‘Highlander’ as part of the name. I feel this gives a reader an instant
idea of the book’s setting. My first book’s hero was an honorable man who planned
to give up his freedom by marrying the niece of an enemy in the name of peace. When
he met my heroine, his honorable thoughts were tested again and again! The hero
in Book #2 is less than honorable. Cameron is accused of treason, kidnapping,
and causing the death of a clansman. Forced to make his way in a future world,
Iona literally stumbles into his arms.
Q: Which
element of this story was the hardest for you?
A: The hardest part was knowing my hero was destined
to feel pain…physical and emotional. Sorry, but it was the only way to get
through to Cameron that he was lusting over the wrong woman. Too bad he almost
died in the process. Thankfully, my heroine, Iona, knows how to use a spell
book.
Q: Please
tell us about your other books.
A: I started out selling two very different books to
different publishers who released them at the same time! Secret Love Match (Red Rose Publishing June 2010) is a contemporary
romance set in New York City and Baltimore. Dragon’s Curse (Whispers Publishing June 2010) is a Scottish
historical paranormal set mainly on an island off the west coast of Scotland.
Each was fun to write and were written simply because an idea popped into my
head, and off I went. Since then, I have released 9 books, 4 of which I have
self-published.
Q: Please
describe your journey to publication.
A: Exciting, scary, hopeful, stressful-but a good
stress, more like “Am I doing everything I can to release the best book possible?”
As an older woman, whose children have left the nest, I was able to plan my
‘retirement’ from the workforce and write full time. It has not been easy, but
my family is very supportive. It is much easier to keep reaching for your goal
with cheerleaders on the sidelines!
Q: What do
you wish you’d known before becoming published?
A I soon realized
that the money does not fall into your lap. Time is the culprit. Editors,
covers, promotions all take time. Time is a reoccurring theme when it comes to
royalties and, after 4 years of striving to be a published author (and two
years since that first book showed up on a publisher’s website) I am seeing
some money trickle in. Luckily, I have a wonderful husband who agreed I should
quit my stressful job as a 911 Dispatcher to do what I love.
Q: What’s
next for you?
A: Funny you
should ask. I recently volunteered at the huge New Hampshire Highland Games and
attended the Georgia RWA Moonlight & Magnolias Writers Conference in
Atlanta. Next week I am heading to the Stone Mountain Highland Games in
Georgia. Using research, photos, and ideas from the games and from spending
time with other authors, I am well on my way to writing my next book in the
series, My Reluctant Highlander.
Q: Would you
like to ask readers a question?
A: Yes, and I would like to offer a prize to a reader
who leaves a comment with an answer to this question: “What Scottish first name do
you recommend for a hero who is of Scottish descent, lives in present day New
England, is very wealthy in the business world, but spends weekends competing as
an athlete at Highland Games?”
The winner will have a choice of an e-book of either My Honorable Highlander or My Banished Highlander. (Please remember to leave your email address so we can contact you if you win.) One of the
names may show up in the next book!
EXCERPT
Cameron smiled, and
everyone clapped. He and Iona walked hand in hand to the grand table on the
dais. Food and drink appeared as if by magic and a bagpiper played a gay tune.
Haven and Kirk disappeared up the stairs, while Fia sat on Marcus’ lap. Her
color was still too pale until Marcus dropped a gentle kiss on her lips. Her
cheeks pinked, and she looked one-hundred percent better.
Iona inhaled the scent of
tallow candles, roast venison, and the sweetness of cider. Her stomach was in
knots, so she nibbled off their shared trencher
while Cameron spoke to old Dorcas. Skye sat alone in the corner and Iona
thought she probably missed sparring with Jake.
A feeling of dread
hovered, a feeling she wanted to ignore. Cameron picked at his food, then
rubbed his abdomen. Was he revisiting the horror when the sorcerer stabbed him?
Perspiration beaded on his forehead, and his skin paled.
“Cammie, are you sick?”
“Aye, something is not
right and…” His voice trailed away, and he slumped over the table. His tankard
went flying and Iona jumped to her feet.
“Cammie!”
Wow what a cliffhanger, Nancy! Great excerpt!
Everyone, please visit Nancy online at her
You will find My
Banished Highlander at:
Amazon http://amzn.to/PAYBbX
NOOK http://bit.ly/OREYO7
AllRomanceEBooks http://bit.ly/Qgdymm
Smashwords http://bit.ly/OIbim4
KOBO http://bit.ly/TWCxty
Thanks so much, Nancy, for being our guest today!
28 comments:
Lovely interview, ladies!
Thanks, Gerii. The questions were fun. Back to writing the next book in the series...
Hey, Nancy, You and your hubby look great! Sounds like you're having so much fun with the games. :)
How long does it take for you to write a book?
Congrats on the release. This book sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it to see what happened to Cameron. Thanks for the great interview and excerpt.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
I smiled through your interview, Nancy, because I can see so similarities in my life. I treasure my Scottish heritage and wear it as a badge of honor.
I think Magnus that means great would be a good name for your hero.
That was a great interview ladies. I am almost finish with "My Honorable Highlander"! I love it !and I can't wait to start with your new addition. Banished Highlalnder hummm wonder what they get into...
It was so good to see you and the family again up here in NH. Best Wishes to you and your hubby for a great snuggling warmer winter.
Sue Campbell B.
wonderful excerpt...looks like a must read!
ivegotmail8889@yahoo.com
Thanks so much for being our guest here today, Nancy! I enjoyed interviewing you!
I love a man in a kilt, and the bagpipes swell my heart. I always said that I wanted to marry a man in a kilt. It did not happen, so, i have to read about them. FINLAY meaning White Warrior would be a good name for your character.
I have been going to Scottish Games in CA for awhile. Love them, especially the people you meet. I actually found my Clan and became a member of our association. Would love to win the first book in this series. I have added both to my tbr list.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Patricia
panthers.ravens@yahoo dot com
Fun interview. I love Scottish games.
What wonderful comments. Thanks! In answer to Terry about how long it takes to write a book, I say "It depends". Book #2 was 1/3 written when I stopped and concentrated on getting Book #1 polished and up. once that was up (last May) I finished Book #2 and posted in in September. If I finish Book #3 by March, I'll be thrilled.
I really enjoyed this interview - a good biography of the author, and some good points about getting published.
As for Celtic/Scottish names:
Luthias means Famous Warrior.
I found a good site of Celtic male names and their meanings and origins. You might find this useful. Let's see if I am allowed to post it!
< http://www.amethyst-night.com/names/scotmale.html >
Lynn Erla
i love te book and your kilts and then i love to read and blog on the book hopt the next one wil do good and win awards
I enjoyed reading My Honorable Highlander now to be followed by My Banished Highlander. Your guest spots always contain such good information about Scotland.
I think the name Logan would be perfect in one of your novels.
Interesting comments and information, thank-you Nancy!! I like Logan or Hamish. When I hear them, I think of men that are certainly charming, but a little mischevious...
What wonderful comments...and name ideas. I need more choices (name suggestions or lack there of will not affect who wins my ebook...my kilted hubby will pull a name our of his sporran!)
Great post. Loved the excerpt. I think either Duncan, Mac, or Ethan. You are a new author for me and will be checking out your books. Thaanks for the giveaway.
Christinebails@yahoo.com
Nice interview! I love that you are able to combine your real-life interests with time travel fantasy. Thanks for sharing!
Congratulations on your new release and thank you for the interview/intro and insight on the story behind the story (loved this!)! It's wonderful your personal passion has inspired your stories!
I rather like the name Finnean.
ivegotmail8889@yahoo.com
Thanks, Bon Sue, for pointing out that my real life interests spurred this book. Many writers 'write what we know' and I took it farther using my imagination. Lots of good name ideas, too. Keep them coming! I will be drawing a winner in a few days.
My husband and I go to the Queen Mary and Costa Mesa Highland Games. They're a lot of fun. My husbands from the McNaughton clan. My side is Irish, but there are Colemans that are with the Buchanan clan.
Names...How about:
Ian MacCallen or Jack Sloan
Thanks for the interview! It is a great opportunity to get to know you as a writer a little bit more!
taina1959@yahoo.com
Hi, this is my first visit in a bit and I enjoyed reading the interview.
debby236 at gmail dot com
ilike the blurp and then i love your pic and costumes wow
You had me at "chocolate-chip shortbread." What, no recipe link? Best of luck with all your kilted hunks!
Carol, I know I should have posted it but I usually BUY chocolate chip shortbread. Once in a while I see that walkers has it, but it is usually only at Highland Games. If I see any this weekend at Stone Mtn, I will share!
Ellaquinnauthor is the winner of Nancy's book! Congratulations, Ella!
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