Eliza Knight is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling indie author of sizzling historical romance and erotic romance. Under the name E. Knight, she pens rip-your-heart-out historical fiction. While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book, she chases after her three children. In her spare time (if there is such a thing…) she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She lives atop a small mountain with her own knight in shining armor, three princesses and one very naughty puppy.
Q: Welcome, Eliza! Please tell us about your latest release. Do you have a review you could share with us?
A: I’m so thrilled for this anthology to be released! I had a blast working with Kris, Vonda and Jennifer, and the link between the stories with the dagger was fun to follow. My story, Taken by the Highlander, follows the journey and Rose and Malcolm. Rose and Malcolm were first introduced to us first in my Stolen Bride series, and their story is 2.5 in my Conquered Bride series. Here’s a little bit about the story:
1306 - A week before Lady Rose Munro is to wed a neighboring laird, she is abducted on the road by a wicked and dangerously handsome stranger. Highland warrior, Malcolm Montgomery has been ordered by King Robert the Bruce to steal Rose and her son from the suspected traitor she is about to marry—gifting him with an ancient and much sought after dagger as payment. Rose shouldn’t trust her captor. Shouldn’t feel her body heat at his simple touch, or allow him to press his fervent lips to hers… Malcolm shouldn’t be seducing the woman he is sworn to protect. Shouldn’t desire her, for she’s not meant to be his… Succumbing to passion threatens them both, and falling in love is absolutely not an option.
Here’s what one reviewer had to say!
“Eliza writes another spectacular tale which never surprises me as I have been reading her since her debut book. You can't help but fall in love with her neck break paced stories, lovable characters, or her descriptive rich beautiful Scottish settings. I love how she weaves famous historical figures in her stories too. Another exceptional story by this multi talented author!” ~Barb
Q: I loved Taken by the Highlander! What inspired this story?
A: When we met Rose a few years ago in The Highlander’s Lady, she was experiencing the worst moment of her life. Her husband had just been murdered and she was nine months pregnant trying to escape her enemies. From that moment, I always thought she deserved her own love story, but as I traveled through the various books in the Stolen Bride series, I never found a hero for her until I met Malcolm. The Conquered Bride series is all about more experienced heroines—they’ve either been married or had lovers before. This was the perfect place for Rose to finally get her happy ending, and why not with a serial bachelor and warrior? I had fun putting these two together.
Q: As you know, I love it when the heroines have experience. What is the story behind the story?
A: There are many. :) Scotland is rife with unrest. The English want to conquer, their military leader William Wallace is dead, there are traitors in their midst. I love to add this sort of angst to my stories, and why not toss in a traitor who just so happens to have engaged himself to my heroine? Enter my hero, sent on a mission to abduct the heroine for her own safety. Within this story, you will also find an ancient dagger. The fun part about this is it travels through each of the stories in the anthology, over centuries. I loved that we all got to portray it in different ways. My hero was given the dagger as payment for his service to the Scottish King, Robert the Bruce. In the end, the dagger is mounted above the hero and heroine’s bed, and you don’t find out what happened to it until you reach the next story.
Q: That's fantastic! Why do you write romance?
A: I write romance because I LOVE love stories. I love watching/experiencing two people falling in love. I enjoy working through their barriers, overcoming obstacles and that sigh of relief and a pleased smile at the end when it all works out. Romance feels good. It leaves us satisfied and happy. I like that feeling and I like sharing it with readers. I always add in some adventure and mystery to my stories, too, because I want my readers on the edge of their seats!
Q: What do you enjoy most about writing?
A: What I enjoy most about writing is seeing everything fall into place. Seeing it flow, and experiencing the character’s stories right along with the reader.
Q: How did your story’s setting impact your plot or characters?
A: Very much! Setting to me is a secondary character. I do a lot of research, and always have a lot of pictures up while I’m writing so I can see where the characters are.
Q: Why did you choose your setting and why was it perfect for your book?
A: Scotland is the setting for most of my series. As far as castles go, they all tie in to each other, and the world I’ve created in both the Stolen and Conquered Bride series. Kildrummy happens to be where Robert the Bruce was during the time period, so it was the rightful ending place for my hero and heroine to travel to.
Q: Which of your characters is most like you? Least like you? And why?
A: Every character of mine has a little piece of me in them. A quirk, a like, a dislike, a talent, a flaw, a strength, a weakness, you get the point!
Q: How do you choose names for your characters?
A: I choose names in a number of ways. All of my names are typically Scottish, and many of them have meanings that represent the characters. But sometimes, the names just come to me and I have to go with it.
Q: Did you choose the title of your book and if so how did you do it?
A: Yes, I always choose the titles of my books and I try to make them represent what the book is about. Taken by the Highlander is literally what happens. Rose is out for a ride, when Malcolm appears and plucks her from her horse, taking her away.
Q: Where is your favorite place in the world?
A: Besides Scotland, my house!
Q: Please tell us about your favorite character in the book.
A: How can I choose? My favorites are Rose and Malcolm of course! Rose is a mama bear, having protected her child for nine years, she’s angry that Malcolm would dare to put her child in harm’s way (he was in fact trying to save the child, but she doesn’t see it quite that way). But beyond being a mother, she’s a woman, a lover, a friend. She’s strong, intelligent, suspicious, but also soft and warm. Malcolm is fierce warrior, but he’s also got a soft spot. I love heroes with a shell of armor, but a loyal loving heart.
Q: Which element of story creation is your favorite?
A: Characters! All of my stories are character driven. I follow their journeys and see where it leads me. Discovering who they are, what they want out of life, and helping them to achieve those wants, overcoming any obstacles, is a complete joy.
Q: Which element of this story was the hardest for you?
A: The hardest for me was getting Rose to trust Malcolm. Sure, he says he’s come to rescue her, but how can she know for certain? How can she trust him?
Q: What inspires you? What motivates you?
A: I am inspired by history, by current events, by people. I am motivated by the characters inside my head begging to have their stories told.
Q: Please tell us about your other books.
A: Taken by the Highlander is book 2.5 in my Conquered Bride series, a spin-off of my Stolen Bride series.
Q: When did you know you wanted to be an author?
A: When I was in kindergarten and all I did was draw princesses, castles, horses and knights.
Q: What is your writing process or method?
A: First I have to know their names and where they live. I start to think about the characters, but I don’t really get a chance to know them until I write the first three chapters of the book. Then I take a moment to really examine them and their story. How will it unfold? What will happen? Where do I want it to end? I write a rough draft, and then I rewrite the rough draft, filling in all the blank spaces, emotion, description. Once the draft is complete, I read through it two more times—once on my computer and once printed out, then its off to my editor and critique partners.
Q: Please describe your journey to publication.
A: When I was in 3rd grade, I wrote a short story that was published in a book my school put out. After that I continued to write, sending crayon-written query letters to publishers which were ultimately rejected. In 2008, I received my first contract. Since then, I’ve had nearly fifty stories published.
Q: What was the most important thing you learned (the thing that made all the difference) just before you made your first sale?
A: Write what you love. Readers can tell when you aren’t in love with your work.
Q: What do you wish you’d known before becoming published?
A: Being an author isn’t only about writing a good story. There is a lot of business-y type things I have to accomplish each day, and its not as much fun, lol.
Q: Can you share with us “the call” story?
A: I’ve had many “call” stories from various publishers, but I think I’ll share my the call from myself. In 2010, I decided to take a leap of faith in myself and publish some backlist short stories that I received rights back on. They did fairly well, but they weren’t new material. Then, my good friend, Vonda Sinclair, published her own original work. This was very encouraging to me, and because of her courage and savvy, I too decided it was time to open my own publishing company and work for myself. Its been a terrifying, exciting and satisfying journey so far!
Q: Thank you! I'm so glad you found that encouraging! Why did you choose the self-publishing route? Do you love it or what would you do differently?
A: I wanted more control. I wanted to write more and I wanted to write books that I wanted to write. I like having the power to change a cover, put a book on sale, or make any other changes. I like taking a series where I want it to go, and keeping the titles I want for my stories. Its liberating. I do love it! I love that with how quickly the publishing industry changes, I can roll with it.
Q: Do you have any advice for unpublished authors?
A: Don’t give up! Success doesn’t happen overnight. It happens with time, dedication and patience.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: Book 3 in the Conquered Bride series releases next month!
Q: Would you like to ask readers a question?
A: Yes! What makes you fall in love with a hero? What makes you read a story over and over again?
Prize for one commenter: I’ll give away an ebook copy of the first book in the Conquered Bride series, Conquered by the Highlander.
A: I’m so thrilled for this anthology to be released! I had a blast working with Kris, Vonda and Jennifer, and the link between the stories with the dagger was fun to follow. My story, Taken by the Highlander, follows the journey and Rose and Malcolm. Rose and Malcolm were first introduced to us first in my Stolen Bride series, and their story is 2.5 in my Conquered Bride series. Here’s a little bit about the story:
1306 - A week before Lady Rose Munro is to wed a neighboring laird, she is abducted on the road by a wicked and dangerously handsome stranger. Highland warrior, Malcolm Montgomery has been ordered by King Robert the Bruce to steal Rose and her son from the suspected traitor she is about to marry—gifting him with an ancient and much sought after dagger as payment. Rose shouldn’t trust her captor. Shouldn’t feel her body heat at his simple touch, or allow him to press his fervent lips to hers… Malcolm shouldn’t be seducing the woman he is sworn to protect. Shouldn’t desire her, for she’s not meant to be his… Succumbing to passion threatens them both, and falling in love is absolutely not an option.
Here’s what one reviewer had to say!
“Eliza writes another spectacular tale which never surprises me as I have been reading her since her debut book. You can't help but fall in love with her neck break paced stories, lovable characters, or her descriptive rich beautiful Scottish settings. I love how she weaves famous historical figures in her stories too. Another exceptional story by this multi talented author!” ~Barb
Q: I loved Taken by the Highlander! What inspired this story?
A: When we met Rose a few years ago in The Highlander’s Lady, she was experiencing the worst moment of her life. Her husband had just been murdered and she was nine months pregnant trying to escape her enemies. From that moment, I always thought she deserved her own love story, but as I traveled through the various books in the Stolen Bride series, I never found a hero for her until I met Malcolm. The Conquered Bride series is all about more experienced heroines—they’ve either been married or had lovers before. This was the perfect place for Rose to finally get her happy ending, and why not with a serial bachelor and warrior? I had fun putting these two together.
Q: As you know, I love it when the heroines have experience. What is the story behind the story?
A: There are many. :) Scotland is rife with unrest. The English want to conquer, their military leader William Wallace is dead, there are traitors in their midst. I love to add this sort of angst to my stories, and why not toss in a traitor who just so happens to have engaged himself to my heroine? Enter my hero, sent on a mission to abduct the heroine for her own safety. Within this story, you will also find an ancient dagger. The fun part about this is it travels through each of the stories in the anthology, over centuries. I loved that we all got to portray it in different ways. My hero was given the dagger as payment for his service to the Scottish King, Robert the Bruce. In the end, the dagger is mounted above the hero and heroine’s bed, and you don’t find out what happened to it until you reach the next story.
Q: That's fantastic! Why do you write romance?
A: I write romance because I LOVE love stories. I love watching/experiencing two people falling in love. I enjoy working through their barriers, overcoming obstacles and that sigh of relief and a pleased smile at the end when it all works out. Romance feels good. It leaves us satisfied and happy. I like that feeling and I like sharing it with readers. I always add in some adventure and mystery to my stories, too, because I want my readers on the edge of their seats!
Q: What do you enjoy most about writing?
A: What I enjoy most about writing is seeing everything fall into place. Seeing it flow, and experiencing the character’s stories right along with the reader.
Q: How did your story’s setting impact your plot or characters?
A: Very much! Setting to me is a secondary character. I do a lot of research, and always have a lot of pictures up while I’m writing so I can see where the characters are.
Q: Why did you choose your setting and why was it perfect for your book?
A: Scotland is the setting for most of my series. As far as castles go, they all tie in to each other, and the world I’ve created in both the Stolen and Conquered Bride series. Kildrummy happens to be where Robert the Bruce was during the time period, so it was the rightful ending place for my hero and heroine to travel to.
Q: Which of your characters is most like you? Least like you? And why?
A: Every character of mine has a little piece of me in them. A quirk, a like, a dislike, a talent, a flaw, a strength, a weakness, you get the point!
Q: How do you choose names for your characters?
A: I choose names in a number of ways. All of my names are typically Scottish, and many of them have meanings that represent the characters. But sometimes, the names just come to me and I have to go with it.
Q: Did you choose the title of your book and if so how did you do it?
A: Yes, I always choose the titles of my books and I try to make them represent what the book is about. Taken by the Highlander is literally what happens. Rose is out for a ride, when Malcolm appears and plucks her from her horse, taking her away.
Q: Where is your favorite place in the world?
A: Besides Scotland, my house!
Q: Please tell us about your favorite character in the book.
A: How can I choose? My favorites are Rose and Malcolm of course! Rose is a mama bear, having protected her child for nine years, she’s angry that Malcolm would dare to put her child in harm’s way (he was in fact trying to save the child, but she doesn’t see it quite that way). But beyond being a mother, she’s a woman, a lover, a friend. She’s strong, intelligent, suspicious, but also soft and warm. Malcolm is fierce warrior, but he’s also got a soft spot. I love heroes with a shell of armor, but a loyal loving heart.
Q: Which element of story creation is your favorite?
A: Characters! All of my stories are character driven. I follow their journeys and see where it leads me. Discovering who they are, what they want out of life, and helping them to achieve those wants, overcoming any obstacles, is a complete joy.
Q: Which element of this story was the hardest for you?
A: The hardest for me was getting Rose to trust Malcolm. Sure, he says he’s come to rescue her, but how can she know for certain? How can she trust him?
Q: What inspires you? What motivates you?
A: I am inspired by history, by current events, by people. I am motivated by the characters inside my head begging to have their stories told.
Q: Please tell us about your other books.
A: Taken by the Highlander is book 2.5 in my Conquered Bride series, a spin-off of my Stolen Bride series.
Q: When did you know you wanted to be an author?
A: When I was in kindergarten and all I did was draw princesses, castles, horses and knights.
Q: What is your writing process or method?
A: First I have to know their names and where they live. I start to think about the characters, but I don’t really get a chance to know them until I write the first three chapters of the book. Then I take a moment to really examine them and their story. How will it unfold? What will happen? Where do I want it to end? I write a rough draft, and then I rewrite the rough draft, filling in all the blank spaces, emotion, description. Once the draft is complete, I read through it two more times—once on my computer and once printed out, then its off to my editor and critique partners.
Q: Please describe your journey to publication.
A: When I was in 3rd grade, I wrote a short story that was published in a book my school put out. After that I continued to write, sending crayon-written query letters to publishers which were ultimately rejected. In 2008, I received my first contract. Since then, I’ve had nearly fifty stories published.
Q: What was the most important thing you learned (the thing that made all the difference) just before you made your first sale?
A: Write what you love. Readers can tell when you aren’t in love with your work.
Q: What do you wish you’d known before becoming published?
A: Being an author isn’t only about writing a good story. There is a lot of business-y type things I have to accomplish each day, and its not as much fun, lol.
Q: Can you share with us “the call” story?
A: I’ve had many “call” stories from various publishers, but I think I’ll share my the call from myself. In 2010, I decided to take a leap of faith in myself and publish some backlist short stories that I received rights back on. They did fairly well, but they weren’t new material. Then, my good friend, Vonda Sinclair, published her own original work. This was very encouraging to me, and because of her courage and savvy, I too decided it was time to open my own publishing company and work for myself. Its been a terrifying, exciting and satisfying journey so far!
Q: Thank you! I'm so glad you found that encouraging! Why did you choose the self-publishing route? Do you love it or what would you do differently?
A: I wanted more control. I wanted to write more and I wanted to write books that I wanted to write. I like having the power to change a cover, put a book on sale, or make any other changes. I like taking a series where I want it to go, and keeping the titles I want for my stories. Its liberating. I do love it! I love that with how quickly the publishing industry changes, I can roll with it.
Q: Do you have any advice for unpublished authors?
A: Don’t give up! Success doesn’t happen overnight. It happens with time, dedication and patience.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: Book 3 in the Conquered Bride series releases next month!
Q: Would you like to ask readers a question?
A: Yes! What makes you fall in love with a hero? What makes you read a story over and over again?
Thank you so much for being our special guest today, Eliza!!
Visit Eliza at http://www.elizaknight.com or her historical blog History Undressed: www.historyundressed.com. Visit her on Facebook, or Twitter: @ElizaKnight. If you’d like to receive news about releases and sales, visit Eliza’s website to subscribe to her occasional newsletter.
4 comments:
I have Captured by a Celtic Warrior on my kindle having pre-ordered it as soon as I heard that it was coming... Congrats on the release of the box set which I can't wait to start (my kindle is in the process of being replaced by Amazon...) I'd love to read Conquered by the Highlander, too. Thanks for the giveaway!
I found my copy of Captured by a Celtic Warrior on my kindle yesterday. Looking forward to read the four stories in this boxed set. Congrats for the new release. And, of course, I would love to win Conquered by the Highlander. Thanks for this giveaway and this great interview.
I love when a hero has a great sense of humor and is loyal. I love reading a story over again when it makes me feel good or I feel like I can relate or I want to relate to the characters within the story :)
I agree about the sense of humor. I do like an intelligent, witty hero. The books I like to re-read all have memorable characters and a story line that just grabs hold of me and doesn't let go.
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