CHRW Meet The Member

Vonda Sinclair

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts?
I joined the year after the chapter formed. So I think I’ve been a member for about 6 or 7 years. I was vice president for two terms and education coordinator for two terms. Celtic Hearts is one of my favorite chapters.

What prompted you to join this chapter?
I love all things Celtic, especially Scottish things. I’d always wanted to write Scottish historicals. At first, the research intimidated me since my degree is in psychology, not history. But once I got into it, I discovered I enjoyed hunting down those specific details that bring a story to life. The workshops and knowledgeable members of Celtic Hearts have helped me in many ways over the years.

What are some of the benefits you favor most about being a member of RWA and/or CHRW?
I love how the members of CHRW are friendly, supportive and encouraging. I truly feel I’m among friends. We all have a love of Celtic things and that means we have a lot in common. We understand and sympathize with each other. There are other great benefits the chapter has to offer too, such as the workshops, the contest, a great website and blog and fun meetings at the national conference.

You’ve recently signed with a publisher. Tell us about your writing journey before and after this point in your life, and the details about your upcoming releases.
I didn’t sign with a publisher, despite years of trying to get my foot in the door, but my publishing dreams have come true anyway. I indie published my two Scottish romances, My Fierce Highlander and My Wild Highlander, and they’ve done well, especially at Amazon where I’ve sold around twenty-five thousand copies of the two books combined. My newest release in this series is My Brave Highlander. I call this series the Highland Adventure series because not only does it have strong romances but also action, suspense and adventure. The first two books are about brothers, Alasdair and Lachlan MacGrath, and the third is about their friend, Dirk MacKay and an interesting woman he meets during his journey home.

Have you ever been to Ireland, Scotland, Wales etc? Tell us about this trip and what you came away with afterwards.
I’ve been to Scotland three times and each visit has given me major inspiration, research information, life experience, happiness, and far more than I can explain. I’m in love with Scotland because it is such an amazing, beautiful and interesting place. When I convinced my husband to come along on that last trip, he instantly fell in love with the country too. We both enjoy the cooler temperatures, the friendliness of the Scottish people, the spectacular scenery, the castles, the Neolithic sites, and the wildlife. We love exploring the towns, villages, windy beaches, hiking up the hills, or slogging through ankle deep water to discover castle ruins. The more I see, the more I want to see. This year we plan to see some new places, such as Glamis Castle and Duart Castle, and revisit some favorites, such as Dunnottar Castle and Kilmartin Glen’s Neolithic monuments. We also want to hike in Glencoe and visit islands we’ve never been to, such as Iona.

If you could be transported back in time for a day, when and where would you want to go?

The Scottish Highlands of the early 1600s. What a fantastic research trip that would be! 

Bio: Vonda Sinclair’s favorite indulgent pastime is exploring Scotland, from Edinburgh to the untamed and windblown north coast. She also enjoys creating hot, Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. She is a past Golden Heart finalist and Laurie award winner. She lives with her amazing and supportive husband in the mountains of North Carolina where she is no doubt creating another Scottish story.

CHRW Meet The Member:

Gerri Bowen

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts?
I believe for six or seven years.

What prompted you to join this chapter?
To learn information a writer would deem necessary and interesting.

In what genre do you prefer to write and why?
I write in the historical fantasy/ paranormal genre. Historical because I love history and love to read historicals. I lean toward writing fantasy and the paranormal because I have so many ideas about how to include those elements in my stories and make them entertaining. I have an entire world worked out, which I call My Wild-Blooded World.

Who are some of your favorite authors?
Too many to list, but Laura Kinsale is one of my favorites. I also read westerns, mystery, contemporary, suspense and horror. I love humor in books. If I read a book and love it, I’ll tweet and share it, and it doesn’t matter the genre. But I’m terrible at reviews, writing them and posting them.

When you are not writing, what are your hobbies, passions, etc?
Genealogy. My maternal haplotype is ‘J’, and I love trying to find and connect with others that share my heritage.

What place inspires you the most?
Southwest England.

Have you ever been to Ireland, Scotland, Wales etc? Tell us about this trip and what you came away with afterwards.
I’ve been to England twice, but never visited the north, something I’d like to do. Haven’t been to Wales or Scotland either, but I also want to visit there. I’ve been to Ireland, loved it, but only managed the south and west. If I visited each of those countries for a year, I don’t think that would be enough time to explore and see all that interested me. Never enough time.

If you could be transported back in time for a day, when and where would you want to go?
I’d love to meet my maternal ancestor, the one that started my ‘J’ haplotype. I’d want to see what she looked like, how she lived and understand what she believed.

Do you have any pets?
Oh yes, my dog, Minnie, and three rescue cats, Sophie, Loupie and Sally.

CHRW Meet The Member:

Babette James at RT book signing

Babette James

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts?

I joined Celtic Hearts in January of 2010.

What prompted you to join this chapter?
I was originally drawn by the workshops the chapter offered and I’ve enjoyed being a member and have learned a great deal ever since. I’ve always been fascinated with fairytales, mythology, Celtic mythology in particular, and the Irish language, and this has inspired a fantasy romance series I’ve been writing about a lost and enchanted fae princess and the warriors questing to restore her and her magic to their war-torn world.

You’ve recently signed with a publisher. Tell us about your writing journey before and after this point in your life, and the details about your recent release.
My road to publication was both long and short. I have been writing all my life, but unfortunately, I let anxiety and doubt divert me from seriously pursuing publication until recently. I realized I had a choice: I could just keep filing the story ideas away, never be published, and live with wishful thinking, or damn the doubts, start the scary process of submission and maybe still never succeed, but at least I wouldn’t have to live with the worse regret of never trying. I have received several rejection letters since that moment on different stories, and each one delivered a different level of pain and frustration, but I determined to use them to make me tell a better story and make me a better writer. My first rejection letter was the best one and I will always remember that kind editor who took the time to write a few encouraging and critical comments in her letter and spurred me on to keeping hope and continue my efforts. Those efforts brought success last August when The Wild Rose Press made the offer for Clear As Day. The joy from that acceptance blew away the pain of every prior rejection. The Wild Rose Press has been great to work with. I have a gorgeous cover and the whole process from acceptance to galleys went incredibly smoothly.

My debut, Clear As Day, is a sweetly scorching contemporary romance about two friends “with benefits” facing the fears and uncertainties of their changing relationship. I loved writing Clear As Day, it’s been a story of my heart in many ways, so seeing this story bloom and come to life as a full-length published novel has been a dream come true. Receiving the 4 1/2 star scorcher review from Romantic Times and being able to hold my book in my hands have been truly thrilling moments.

In what genre do you prefer to write and why?
I am most comfortable writing fantasy and paranormal romance, and I enjoy the freedom of building fantasy worlds. I’ve always loved writing and making up fantasy stories, beginning back when I used to act out epic tales with my dolls. (My Barbies had swords and knew how to use them.) So, I have to admit my first sale being a contemporary romance came as a surprise, but I’ve been inspired by the group of friends and story world that developed in Clear As Day and I’m currently working on a sequel.

When you are not writing, what are your hobbies, passions, etc?
When not dreaming up stories, I enjoy playing with new bread recipes, dabbling with paints, and I try to keep up with the weeds in the garden beds. I’m a teacher and I love encouraging new readers and writers as they discover their growing abilities. My class cheers when it’s time for their spelling test! I like to travel and I hope to someday go to Ireland.

Share 7 fun facts about you that most people don’t know.
1) I’ve played with a tiger in my front yard.
2) I met Gregory Peck and shook his hand.
3) I don’t like ketchup but love tomatoes.
4) According to family legend, I have an ancestor that sailed on the Bounty.
5) I’ve performed at Disneyland in a marching band.
6) I know how to tat.
7) I’ve never been able to snap my fingers.

CHRW Meet The Member:

Tracy Brogan

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts? I actually joined Celtic Hearts just before Nationals last year (2011) but then got distracted by life and never joined the on-line loop. Finally in February 2012, I managed to re-engage.

In what genre do you prefer to write and why?
I love historicals for their ability to transport me to another time. I don’t do paranormal or fantasy, so historical romance is my way to visit a different world. I love learning about the clothes, food, social restrictions and everything about their lives. And then I remind myself how lucky I am that I don’t have to wear a corset.

Have you ever been to Ireland, Scotland, Wales etc? Tell us about this trip and what you came away with afterwards.
An American friend of mine married a Brit a few years ago. The wedding was held in a 12th century chapel in Somerset so I spent a few days at a ‘country estate’ there. Most amazing house ever, even though it smelled of soot and there were no elevators. Then my husband, two daughters, and I took a week to travel around Scotland and visited as many castles as we could squeeze into the time we had. We spent one night at Dalhousie Castle in Bonnyrig, and took a midnight ghost tour through the darkened halls. And we had a falconry lesson. I’d go back to Scotland in a heartbeat!

If you could be transported back in time for a day, when and where would you want to go?
This may sound odd, but I’d go back to December 7th, 1941. I’m working on a WW2 story, and I’d like to comprehend the emotions of the American population on that day, when their entire world changed. Or, on a more romantic note, I’d go back to the day my parents got married. They passed away when I was fairly young and I’d like to witness their joy as their married life was just beginning.

What historical person would you want to meet and why? What question would you want answered?
So many choices! If I have to pick one, I’d say James V of Scotland (1538) because history offers such contradictory information about him. And he happens to play a central role in my current WIP! If I got to choose another, I’d say Cleopatra. I’d love to see what all that fuss was about.

If you could have any super hero power, what would it be?
When I was little, I longed to be Samantha Stevens from Bewitched. I wanted all her powers, even though they never seemed to work out very well for her! Now I’d have to say I’d like the ability to “know” stuff without going through the struggle of learning it. Like, I wish I instantly understood everything about my computer and its programs, Facebook, Twitter, et cetera because trying to figure out every upgrade and variable wastes time and makes me irritable!

CHRW: Meet The Member

Jean Drew

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts?
I’m not too sure how long I’ve been a member. I think it’s about five years, maybe six.

Do you belong to any other RWA chapters or writing groups?
Yes. After founding Romance Writers of New Zealand, I joined RWA and thereafter joined several chapters apart from this one: From The Heart, Hearts Through History, Scriptscene, and Elements.

Who are some of your favorite authors?
Laura Kinsale is one. In fact Ms Kinsale’s book, Flowers From The Storm, is my favorite book of all time. I also like our own (NZs) Helen Kirkman’s books. Helen writes wonderful romances about Viking Britain.

Have you ever been to Ireland, Scotland, Wales etc? Tell us about this trip and what you came away with afterwards.
Coming originally from the UK, I have been to Cornwall, many times. The last time I was there I visited Tintagel and went to King Arthur’s Castle were they have a regular storyteller. I sat with all the other children, LOL, and listened to the story he told. It was a day to remember. I also came away with the idea for a new book. That idea became BEATS A WILD HEART, published a few years ago now.

If you could be transported back in time for a day, when and where would you want to go?
I would really, really like to go back to ancient Egypt, my passion after writing, and have a good look round. I’d like to see the pyramids, as they originally looked, and be invited to pharaoh’s court. I have written a time travel set in ancient Egypt, and have trilogy in progress, but not time travel.

Share 7 fun facts about you that most people don’t know.
I’ve flown in a hot air balloon. It was magnificent but I’d hesitate to do it again. Spent the day with my favorite Hollywood movie star and his wife and I’ve played “minder” to another favorite TV star at a weekend science fiction convention. When I went to Egypt I rode a camel around the pyramids, and climbed to the top of the great pyramid of Giza. Perhaps one of the scariest (can I call that fun?) things that happened to me was to be kidnapped by Algerians in Paris with three friends. It wasn’t too serious as we later discovered. They were after money and when they realised I spoke French, they let us go, 

CHRW Meet The Member

Dawn Marie Hamilton 

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts?
I joined Celtic Hearts in January of 2007 and Celtic Critters—CHRW's critique group—at its inception in May of 2007 and currently serve as Critique Chair for CHRW.

Do you belong to any other RWA chapters or writing groups?
Since it is too far to drive to meetings for local chapters, I belong to a couple online chapters. In addition to Celtic Hearts, I'm a member of Futuristic, Fantasy and Paranormal RWA (FF&P) and From the Heart Romance Writers (FTHRW), where I serve as VP-Communications.

In what genre do you prefer to write and why?
I write Scottish inspired fantasy and paranormal romance. I've always been fascinated by time travel and all things fantastical and out of the ordinary. Mix that with hot Scottish hunks and I'm there.

When you are not writing, what are your hobbies, passions, etc?
I enjoy cycling and you can often find my husband and me on weekends tooling along the C&O Canal trail in MD on our tandem bicycle. We also like to camp and hike so when not cycling we're hanging out at Shenandoah National Park. I love to garden, both indoors and out. I was a Master Gardener with the Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Sussex, NJ before relocating to Maryland. Now, I garden on my balcony, hoping to have a real cottage garden again soon. I also have a passion for food and cooking, and sometimes contribute recipes to fellow Celtic Hearts member Pat McDermott's Kitchen Excursions blog.

What place inspires you the most?
The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The first time I visited was to attend the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans. I felt like I'd come home. Enchanted by the area, I used it as a backdrop to my Scottish time travel series that I hope someday will find its way onto bookshelves and e-readers. I'm trying to convince my husband we should retire to the beautiful mountains. Maybe I could have a cottage garden there as one of my characters does.

If you could be transported back in time for a day, when and where would you want to go?
One day wouldn't be enough. There are so many places and times I'd like to observe. For starters: Scotland and France during any historical period. Russia pre-revolution. The American west when it was still the frontier. Maybe Jamaica during pirate times.

CHRW: Meet The Member

Sidney Ayers/Arianna Skye

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts?

I have been a member since late 2007. I joined RWA in October and CHRW right after.

What prompted you to join this chapter?

I’ve always had a great interest in Celtic lore and mythology as well as Scottish history. Gotta love those hot highlanders.

You’ve recently signed with a publisher. Tell us about your writing journey before and after this point in your life, and the details about your upcoming releases.
It was January of 2010, so not really recent, but an interesting experience nonetheless. I decided to check my email while at work. I got a customer call right at the same time, so let’s just say it was really awkward. My mom took me to Applebee’s later to celebrate. LOL.

In what genre do you prefer to write and why?
I love all the genres I write, but my fantasy erotic novels as Arianna Skye and my paranormal romances are fun to write. I can make my own rules and worlds and am only bound by my imagination.

When you are not writing, what are your hobbies, passions, etc?
I love arts and crafts. I’ve recently rediscovered shrinky-dinks and have even found ways to incorporate them into my author promo. I even made a video showing how to make printable shrinky-dink nail files. The video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn-zMcxd8Lk

Be warned, it’s rather long (around 15 minutes)

I also love computers and technology. I enjoy web and graphic design and was contemplating finishing up my design degree.

Have you ever been to Ireland, Scotland, Wales etc? Tell us about this trip and what you came away with afterwards.
Only in my dreams. I almost made it to England once for an abroad course in Shakespeare at Stratford upon Avon. However, the class was cancelled due to lack of interest. *sigh*

CHRW: Meet The Member

Alexa Bourne

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts?
Since 2006.

What prompted you to join this chapter?

I love reading Scottish historical romance.

What are some of the benefits you favor most about being a member of RWA and/or CHRW?

With CHRW, I love how our chapter operates like a family, a clan if you will, instead of just a business. I love the extensive amount of knowledge we have within the group and the support we show each other.

When you are not writing, what are your hobbies, passions, etc?

Well, I love to eat. Then I love to exercise when I realize I’ve eaten too much. Seriously, traveling is my passion. I love moving around, exploring new cultures and visiting fascinating places. Two years ago I signed up to spend a month in Mexico to learn Spanish. I lived with a Mexican family, took classes 5 hours a day and went on field trips. It was a life-changing experience. I look for those types of experiences whenever I can.

Have you ever been to Ireland, Scotland, Wales etc? Tell us about this trip and what you came away with afterwards.

I’ve been very fortunate. My mom grew up in northern England so I’ve traveled throughout England, Scotland with family. I’ve also been to Ireland, but only once. I love it all so much I would move tomorrow if I had an opportunity! I love the food, the beer, the people, the communities, the history, and the gorgeous scenery.

CHRW Meet The Member:

Victoria Roberts

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts?
I’ve been a member of CHRW for approximately three years now. This is a great chapter with a wealth of information. I couldn’t ask for a better clan.

You’ve recently signed with a publisher. Tell us about your writing journey before and after this point in your life, and the details about your upcoming releases.
My career has truly been a Cinderella story. My first manuscript took me three years to write. No kidding! During that time, I had experienced the normal growing pains. You know—point of view, discovering my voice, hooks, synopsis hell *clearing throat* writing, and all of that fun stuff. I had finally reached a point where I asked myself, “Are you going to do this or not?” Once I answered that question, I told myself, “Then get off your arse and do it!”

I think one of the biggest obstacles we face as writers is ourselves. Getting over the many phases of self-doubt is indeed the hardest task we must accomplish. Without some shred of self-confidence, we ultimately fail. And failure is not an option. With that thought in mind, I took a risk and sent my first baby off to our own Celtic sister, Eliza Knight. From there, I was able to polish and ultimately complete my manuscript with Eliza’s critique and expert words of advice.

Feeling just a wee bit overzealous, I entered a contest with the publisher of my dreams. And it turned into a nightmare. Although the publisher did not question my story content, I was pummeled on my hook—or lack thereof. What separates me from the other authors? What makes this story different? Why would I buy this? I bombed. For three days, my family avoided me like the plague. My CP (critique partner) wanted to kill me. And I was literally hanging on by a thread. It came down to one question. “Am I a quitter?” Refer to paragraph two.

Low and behold, one month later, the same publisher had another contest. Some may say I’m a glutton for punishment. I did not think twice and jumped in—head first. I entered. I won. And I will never forget the publisher’s words, “Victoria, I love your voice! Send me a full!”

After several months of checking my e-mails about ten times a day, the moment I had waited for finally arrived. My jaw dropped and I believe for a brief time my heart even stopped. Not only was the publisher interested in my manuscript, but I was asked to pitch the series!

Hold onto your hats. On a Friday, I e-mailed seven agents. Within fifteen minutes, one of them e-mailed and asked me to submit a full. On Monday, I received a call from the same agent and she offered to represent me. Last April, I signed with Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Two weeks later, Jill landed a three book deal with Sourcebooks. Whew! *wiping brow*

How did I manage to accomplish that? Determination. Perseverance. And several shots of Crown Royal.

Temptation in a Kilt, the first book of the Bad Boys of the Highlands series will be available from Sourcebooks Casablanca in September 2012. The second book of the series is scheduled for release in spring 2013.

In what genre do you prefer to write and why?
I love to write Scottish historical romance. Who doesn’t love a man in a kilt wielding a broadsword? Except maybe our Celtic brothers!

In all honesty, strong alpha-males fighting for a cause, finding a single chance to love… With such brutality in that day and age, love is the light at the end of the tunnel. Between the Vikings, English and clan wars, Scottish history provides a fine backdrop for a steamy romance. Don’t you think?

Who are some of your favorite authors?
This question always gets me into trouble because there are so many wonderful authors out there, some of them here in CHRW. There is no easy answer and since I’m afraid I’ll forget someone, how about I tell you which authors inspired me to start writing?

In no particular order: Lynn Kurland, Karen Marie Moning, Hannah Howell, Janet Chapman, James Patterson, Brenda Joyce, Sabrina Jeffries, Nora Roberts, Celeste Bradley, Steven King—just to name a few!

When you are not writing, what are your hobbies, passions, etc?
LOL. When I’m not working full-time at the day job or running the kids around, I enjoy strolling around antique stores and seeing what catches my eye. I’ve always favored historical oddities. Sometimes when you find something of interest, you can’t help but wonder what the story is behind the item. It can be somewhat magical if you think about it.

Share 7 fun facts about you that most people don’t know.
1. I met Freddie Prinz Jr. and could not utter a single word. And I’m not even a fan!
2. I chatted with Star Jones while waiting in line for the bathroom at a restaurant.
3. I managed to tick off Holly Robinson Peete. True story! Ask my Mom!
4. I am a huge KISS fan.
5. I own a custom Ace Frehley Les Paul guitar with Marshall amp that KICKS ARSE! Derek knows! *grunting like Tim, The Tool Man, Taylor*
6. I have a Scottish fetish and I’m not even Scottish. (Although, I am not ruling out past lives!)
7. My bedroom is adorned with four swords, four daggers, an iron Celtic cross, a golden-bejeweled crown and many other items to inspire me. Oh, yes. And my husband. ;-)

Thank you so much for having me. Happy Friday everyone!

CHRW Meet The Member:

Sophie Moss

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts?
Since January 2012

Have you ever been to Ireland, Scotland, Wales etc? Tell us about this trip and what you came away with afterwards.I studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, but it was a chance trip to the magical, windswept island of Inishbofin that inspired my first novel. The moment I stepped off the ferry, I felt like I was home. It was the strangest feeling: being so far from home and yet sensing I belonged. I wrote an essay about the quirky villagers and the haunting beauty of the island and won the top writing honor awarded to a single graduating senior at the University of Vermont because of it. The summer after graduating, I discovered the movie, The Secret of Roan Inish, and first learned of the selkie legends. Intrigued by the thought of seals who can transform into beautiful women on land, I decided to weave my love of romance novels, Ireland, and fairy tales into one delicious novel!

What area did you grow up in?
I grew up in a sleepy, seaside town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I spent my summers swimming in the Chesapeake Bay and chasing my dogs through soybean fields. Since there wasn’t much else to do, I also spent a lot of time reading. I discovered my first romance novel when I was nineteen and devoured the entire story (Nora Roberts, Sea Swept) in a single afternoon curled up on a blanket by the water. I’ve been hooked on love stories ever since!

When you are not writing, what are your hobbies, passions, etc?
I love to garden and spend time outside. I think biking is the secret to happiness and I competed in my first Olympic-distance triathlon last summer. I’m toying with the idea of doing another one. J I have a strange knack for finding four-leaf clovers and admit to regularly indulging in a mid-day pint of Guinness.

If you could have any super hero power, what would it be?
I have a recurring dream since childhood that I can breathe underwater. It’s such an incredible feeling of freedom and weightlessness. I've heard others dream of flying, but I only dream of water and of being surrounded by it. The ocean is so magical and mysterious. I wish I had the power to breathe underwater in real life!

CHRW Meet The Member:

Cynthia Owens

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts?
I joined CHRW in July of 2004, as soon as I heard about the chapter.

What prompted you to join this chapter?
Ireland has always inspired me, so when I decided to writes historical romantic fiction, Ireland just seemed the place to set my stories. CHRW just seemed the best place to interact with others who had similar interests. I’ve made so many friends thought this chapter and, although I’ve never met any of them in person (yet!), they’re very dear to me.

What place inspires you the most?
The sea. It’s so timeless. Walking by the sea and feeling the spray of the waves against your face, tasting the salt on your lips, hearing the scream of the gulls overhead, has always been one of my favorite experiences. I spent most of my summer holidays as a child on the Gaspé coast, visiting my grandparents on my dad’s side, and I spent as much time by the sea as I could. I’d take a notebook and pen and just sit on the rocks, watching the tides come in and go out, and scribbling down my dreams. Those were the halcyon days of my childhood. One day, I’d love to have a small cottage on a wind-swept cliff on the west coast of Ireland. A girl can dream, right?

Have you ever been to Ireland, Scotland, Wales etc? Tell us about this trip and what you came away with afterwards.
I’d dreamed of Ireland for so long, and finally I was able to visit the summer of 2009. It was an amazing trip, but the highlight had to be the day I visited Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara, Galway. The cover of my first novel, In Sunshine or in Shadow, features a lovely castle on a brooding autumn day. The minute I saw that picture, I loved it, but all I knew was that it had been taken “somewhere in Galway.” But shortly after reading the book, an Irish friend of mine identified it as Dunguaire, so naturally it had to be one of my must-sees.

How can I describe my reaction to finally seeing the castle I’d begun to think of as “mine?” A thrill, of course, but more than that. It was joy and sadness and excitement and something very close to tenderness. I “knew” this castle. It was part of me, as no other place had ever been, or ever could be. It was me, somehow, and in some strange way, it was the people of Ballycashel. And as we toured the castle, all the way up to the towering battlements, I found myself imagining the battles that had been fought for this beautiful land, and the lives and loves of the people of this place. And I wished I could stay forever.

Share 7 fun facts about you that most people don’t know.

1. I collect music boxes. But not just any music boxes. The music boxes I collect have to speak to me, to mean something special. Some of my favorites are a limited edition sleigh that plays “White Christmas,” because I love Christmas and Bing Crosby; a glass unicorn that plays “The Impossible Dream,” because the first musical my husband and I saw together was Man of La Mancha; and a bird cage that plays “O, What a Beautiful Morning,” because my mom used to wake me up singing that song.

2. I once fancied myself a female Andrew Lloyd Weber. When I was 18, I wrote a musical set in World War II Paris, using some of my favorite songs from the Big Band era.

3. I took a fencing class once, figuring it would let me get in touch with my Medieval side. I wasn’t very good, but it was fun.

4. I hated history in school – rather ironic, since I now write historical romances. It wasn’t until I learned about my ancestors that I began to enjoy history. One of my ancestors, Thomas Aubert, is reputed to have been the first to discover Canada, and another was a 17th Century “King’s Girl,” a young woman sent to New France (now Quebec) to marry the habitants (settlers) here.

5. I love watching the rodeo, especially bull riding – totally out of character for this girlygirl. I watch the Calgary Stampede on TV every year.

6. I drink Coca-Cola like other people drink coffee. At 5:30 a.m., when most people are plugging in their coffee makers to start their day, I’m popping the top off a can of Coke.

7. Unlike a lot of my fellow Celtic Hearts, I haven’t a drop of Irish blood in my veins. I “discovered” Ireland the summer I was 15, when on a boring, rainy day I flipped on the television (I was alone in the house) and discovered a soap opera called “Ryan’s Hope,” about a working-class Irish family in New York City. I developed an immediate crush on one of the actors on the show (I particularly liked his Irish accent), and from there I started studying Irish history, mythology, politics, etc. That crush developed into a lifelong love for Ireland. Years later, I was able to contact that actor, and he helped me immensely with research for a character who is also an actor.

CHRW Meet The Member:

Beth Trissel

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts?
What prompted you to join this chapter?
Love of all things Celtic combined with my Scot’s heritage.

What are some of the benefits you favor most about being a member of RWA and/or CHRW?
I’ve learned a LOT about honing my writing from RWA, and CHRW is an invaluable resource of Celtic info. If I have a question I know some member will supply the answer.

Do you belong to any other RWA chapters or writing groups?
The Golden Network for Golden Heart finalists and Virginia Romance Writers.

You’ve recently signed with a publisher. Tell us about your writing journey before and after this point in your life, and the details about your upcoming releases.
After 12 plus years of writing, querying agents (had several along the way) and editors, and entering contests with growing success, I signed with The Wild Rose Press in 2008. I now have eight titles out in both historical and light paranormal romance and two more historicals due out later this year.

When you are not writing, what are your hobbies, passions, etc?

Gardening. Herbal lore. Family. I spend a lot of time with small people to whom I’m devoted and related (five grandbabies and three young nieces) and love my cats and dogs…adore Netflix and Hulu Plus. I love my long suffering husband who has always supported me in all my endeavors especially my writing.

What place inspires you the most?
The rich history and beauty of my beloved Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley where I live. My Scots-Irish ancestors were among the earliest settlers here. Those who have gone before me are an enormous influence.

What historical person would you want to meet and why? What question would you want answered?
Thomas Jefferson, John and Abigail Adams, some of the founding fathers and mothers who would roll over in their graves at the state America’s in now. I’d ask them to clarify their intent as it appears lost on so many in government these days.

Do you have any pets?
YES. A lot.

What area did you grow up in?
Spent my early childhood in Taiwan where my parents taught English. Rather ‘Indian Jones’ Temple of Doom with the primitive folk up in the mountains there. At age five, I visited my missionary grandparents in the Philippines, which I preferred. Back to the states at age six and Bristol, Tennessee where my dad taught English at King’s College. After four years we journeyed to Knoxville where he got his doctorate. I was entering the seventh grade when we moved to the Shenandoah Valley—home base—where he taught at Bridgewater College. I married my farmer hubby—we were high school sweethearts— and I’ve not budged since. Felt like I’d died and gone to heaven when we moved to the valley.

Tell us something special or fun about the area you live in now.
It’s absolutely gorgeous! And the history is amazing. You can reach out and touch it.

If you could have any super hero power, what would it be?
Fly I have several grandbabies who want to fly. One claims she can.

Share 7 fun facts about you that most people don’t know.
1. I wish I did have superhuman powers.
2. I long for a blue and orange kitten.
3. Want to plant my entire yard in herbs and flowers. No grass. Just paths.
4. Would like to write YA paranormal but hated high school and suspect unless I have a good excuse my teen characters would have to attend one.
5. I’d like to know if Big Foot is real.
6. I’m currently addicted to Grimm.
7. Keenly awaiting the release of the Hobbit. Big Rings fan.

Thanks for having me on this lovely blog.

CHRW Meet The Member:

Marilyn & Joe Nichols

Marilyn Wigglesworth

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts?

I've been a member since October 2010.

In what genre do you prefer to write and why?
I prefer to write Paranormal Romance, Celtic and American Indian historical romance. I feel very connected to these genres for several reasons. One reason why I prefer these genres is because I believe in reincarnation and past lives which are great story inspirations. My second reason is my love for learning about all things metaphysical and paranormal.

Paranormal Romances become my metaphysical playground where all things impossible, not only become possible, they become probable too.

I follow an American Indian spiritual path which is the inspiration for my American Indian historical romance WIP’s.

I have Celtic ancestors from Scotland and Ireland. I’ve never had the privilege to meet. Writing Celtic historical romances I feel connected to these ancestors. I’d like to think some of my ancestors many have been heroes and/or heroines of their time period.

Who are some of your favorite authors?
Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan, Anya Bast, Karen M. Moning, Donna Grant, Karen Kay/Gen Bailey, several of my CHRW clan family and the list goes on and on.

Do you have any pets?
I have a beautiful 10 year old Golden Retriever named Nala. Yes, after Nala in the Lion King. Also, we have a 4 year old bichon named Tim McGraw. Actually, Tim belongs to my daughter, Jenni and yes, she named him after her favorite country music artist, Tim McGraw. Although, he acts more like a Blake Shelton more than a Tim McGraw… LOL

House breaking Tim was quite interesting. I never thought I’d say the sentence “Jenni, Tim McGraw just lifted his leg and peed on the kitchen floor!” LOL

If you could have any super hero power, what would it be?
The super hero power I’d like to possess is to manipulate my matter. LOL…aka teleportation. I would love to be able to “pop in” on family and friends that live far away when they need me or for a visit, or just for a hug. We’ve all had those days. Then I could “pop out” at my leisure when the visit is complete or the crisis has been resolved.

Bi-location would be cool too. But I’m going to stick with teleportation. My life gets crazy busy enough that I feel like I meet myself coming and going. Having the super power to bi-locate could literally make that possible. Haha

CHRW Meet The Member:

Clancy Metzger and Sherrilyn Kenyon

Clancy Metzger

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts?

I have been a member since early or mid 2010. I became Secretary for the chapter in 2011 and continue to be this year and next year.

Do you belong to any other RWA chapters or writing groups?

I am also a member of Utah Chapter of RWA. I really love both groups for the support and friendship they provide.

When you are not writing, what are your hobbies, passions, etc?

I love movies. This is really more an addiction than a hobby. I love romantic-comedies. I'm fairly shallow in some ways and I have no problem admitting I will watch something just for the hottie starring in it. Examples are Ryan Gosling, Hugh Jackman and Vin Diesel, but the list is long. I also love action flicks like The A-Team, The Expendables, and any comic book hero movie. And finally – I love disaster movies. They don’t actually have to be great movies for me to like them. The Sci-Fi channel rules for cheesy disaster movies. Some people think disaster movies are downers, but for me they're very uplifting. No matter what is happening or how many people die or how close earth is to complete annihilation – man prevails and saves the day! I love that.

I read like a fiend too – mostly romance

Have you ever been to Ireland, Scotland, Wales etc? Tell us about this trip and what you came away with afterwards. 

I've been to Ireland twice. This is an amazingly beautiful country. I visited Blarney Castle both times but never kissed the Blarney Stone – a little too eww even for my non-germ-phobic self. I stayed in a converted Castle-Hotel – very cool. They had a disco in the hotel that I went to and I flabbergasted when they had a disco-remix version of John Denver's 'Country Boy' playing and the Irish were completely bonkers for it. Very surreal. I came away with a husband (not a good plan). It lasted barely long enough for the ink to dry. Really – I do not advise doing this on vacation! 

What area did you grow up in?

I grew up in Portland Oregon until I was ten and then Fairbanks, Alaska from there on. If you ever get to visit Alaska – do it, it's incredible up there. I could easily live there again despite the cold (my public school didn’t close officially until it hit 60 degrees below zero – although it was parents' option at 50 below), the extreme light or dark (in the winter – you better go outside for lunch or you'd miss the single hour of twilight-like light there was for the day. In the summer – foil on the windows unless you can sleep with 23 hours of daylight), and weird accidents (like when my wet hair froze and I broke off a six inch hair popcicle racing to the school bus… yes – it was that cold). But, no where smells as good as Alaska, the beauty of it is breathtaking, the Northern Lights are all they're hyped up to be, and people are never boring.

Share 7 fun facts about you that most people don’t know.
1. I posed nude for a university art class when I was 18. My mom didn’t speak to me for a month.
2. I graduated from high school a year early and was a college freshman when I should have been a high school senior.
3. All my dogs and cats are named after stones (Malachite, Topaz… you get the idea).
4. I love Spongebob Squarepants and my personal bathroom is completely decorated with Spongebob.
5. I have a leg lamp and yes it is Fra-gee-lay.
6. I have twice married men I knew less than a month. Bad idea. I don’t recommend it, but apparently I am a slow learner.
7. I'm a popcorn junkie.

CHRW Meet The Member:

Derek Dodson

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts?
Joined in 2011

What prompted you to join this chapter?
Since I am writing Scottish Historical Romance, it seemed a natural place to come. I have certainly been proven right.

What are some of the benefits you favor most about being a member of RWA and/or CHRW?
I'd not been in a writer's group prior to joining RWA, and didn't know much about craft. RWA opened up a world of groups and workshops available. CH has been great due to the knowledge and support found within the group. I have been very active with the online critique group also.

Do you belong to any other RWA chapters or writing groups?
Yes, I joined Hearts Through History, another online RWA group, and am active with two local chapters, Heart of America Romance Writers, and MidAmerica Romace Writers.

In what genre do you prefer to write and why?
I currently write Medieval Scotland and Contemporary. I have always dug Medieval history, going back to when I was a kid. I have some Scots in my ancestry, so that is part of the motivation.

Who are some of your favorite authors?
Yikes! I'll stick to just romance, otherwise the list would get unwieldy. Terri Brisbin, Mary Wine, Grace Burrowes, Kacey Michaels and Nicola Cornick would be a few.

When you are not writing, what are your hobbies, passions, etc?
I am a long time musician, playing bass and guitar. I play in a band and do some solo jazz guitar in restaurants. I am also a long time martial artist. I train in traditional, Japanese, Okinawan and Chinese styles.

What place inspires you the most?
Scotland. It doesn't just inspire me, it calls to me.

Have you ever been to Ireland, Scotland, Wales etc? Tell us about this trip and what you came away with afterwards.
Haven't been...yet. Will make it over there several times before I'm done.

If you could be transported back in time for a day, when and where would you want to go?

Hmm. If I said High Middle Ages, I would probably get myself killed, but what the heck, I'd take the risk

Do you have any pets?
A blue merle Australian Shepherd named...umm...Blue.

What area did you grow up in?
Southern Oklahoma, close to the Texas border where they breed rednecks.

Tell us something special or fun about the area you live in now.
Kansas City is a great place. It is one of the perennial hotbeds for jazz. Great barbeque!

If you could have any super hero power, what would it be?
Easy. Power to heal.

Share 7 fun facts about you that most people don’t know.
1.  Not sure how fun they are, but I can count to ten in 6 different languages
2.  Can juggle
3.  Average reading a novel per day
4.  Teach online Psychology classes for a community college
5.  Fly fisherman
6.  A sailor
7.  Was a masseuse while in grad school

CHRW Meet The Member:

Eliza Knight

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts?
I believe it is going on five years or so.

What prompted you to join this chapter?
I was writing Scottish romance, and I wanted to join a chapter where other authors were also writing in that genre. (I’m also Irish, so partial to all things Celtic!)

What are some of the benefits you favor most about being a member of RWA and/or CHRW?
I have found the best part of being a member is the camaraderie, the friendships, the networking, the support. Without it, I would be lost. I have met some of my best friends through RWA, and I’ve had some of my best times at conferences.

You’ve recently signed with a publisher. Tell us about your writing journey before and after this point in your life, and the details about your upcoming releases.
I am published with Ellora’s Cave, Carina Press and self-published. The writing journey is going to be different for everyone. It all hinges on so many factors. Genre, length, timing, voice, skill, networking. When I first started writing, I knew only what my heart told me. I bought a few books, joined RWA. My writing has drastically changed over the years. Not necessarily from classes, because I’ve never had a lot of time to take too many workshops, but from the art of writing—the actual doing. The advice from critique partners, my editors and agents has helped me to grow. My writing journey is constantly changing, depending on what I’m writing, who I’m writing it for (house), and what the genre is. I write in multiple genres.

I think one day down the road I might have to choose one genre over the other, but for now, I’m writing what I like and what my readers like—and if my editor/agent asks for something.

Writing before I was published was more of whim. I didn’t have demands or deadlines, I could spend weeks doing research and daydreaming before my fingers touched the keyboard. Even in my early publishing days (2008), I didn’t see too many deadlines or demands. But now, with 17 books either released or soon to be released, 4 projects I’m currently working on to be submitted—and three children—I can’t write when the fancy strikes. I have only a certain amount of time a day, and if I’m going to finish my projects on time, I have to write daily. I can’t have writer’s block either—there’s no time. Fortunately, I love writing and the creative juices never seem to ebb.

Wow, that was long-winded, and I’m not even sure I really answered the question… Details about upcoming releases! Okay, I have a short—quickie (15K), titled HIGHLAND STEAM, that will be releasing with Ellora’s Cave in the next month! Yay! It’s another time-travel Highlander erotic romance, not humorous like the others, more of an emotional, romantic journey, but definitely hot. Additionally, under the name Annabelle Weston, two more books in the Desert Heat series will released with Ellora’s Cave later this year. Expect another medieval novel, Regency novella and three more short time-travels this year or early next year.

If you could be transported back in time for a day, when and where would you want to go?
This is a hard question!!! I have three favorite eras—Tudor England, Regency England and medieval Scotland… Can I have three days? No? Just one? Hmm… Okay, medieval Scotland, but only if I’m the lady and I’m with the HAWT Highland chief dressed only in a plaide, with sizzling muscles and he’s taking me for a ride—on his horse of course, lol.

If you could have any super hero power, what would it be?
I would want the ability to freeze time. I need more time during the day. I feel like with each passing year, the moments are shorter. Like 1 minute is 30 seconds, one hour is 30 minutes, 1 week is 1 day… It makes me sad. I want to spend more time with my family. I want more time to write. I want more time to read, and do fun things.

Share 7 fun facts about you that most people don’t know.
1. I love to dance to club music. 

2. I am afraid of deer (attacked once at a petting zoo, no joke!). 

3. I used to be a model and actress. 

4. I like to put lines my friends/family have said in my books and see if they notice. 

5. I am a list freak. My lists have lists. 

6. I hate fast-food. 

7. I am currently addicted to the Oregon Trail app my daughter put on my phone.

CHRW Meet The Member:

Paisley Kirkpatrick

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts?
I joined Celtic Hearts 2/1/09

Share 7 fun facts about you that most people don’t know.
#1  I have had up to 41 foreign penpals since 1989. I joined an organization where I could make contract with English speaking people who wanted to correspond. It opened a very wide window to the world for me and I made a lot of dear friends. I still correspond with sixteen of them. Cristache from Romania and Erich with his wife Dagmar from Germany have been here to visit with us. While we visited in Scotland we visited with penpal Sue and her husband for three days.

#2  For thirteen years I was president of country singing artist Kevin Sharp's fan club. I put together fifty newsletters (one every three months), we ran meet and greets when Kevin and his band were in our area, ran a booth at Fan Fair in Nashville for five years, and one of the most wonderful experiences was standing on the stage of the Grand Old Opry (next to the orange barn) to watch Kevin entertain the audience with three songs. The next day we had so many people come by our booth and tell us he was the best. He was!

#3  I was a Camp Fire Girls leader for thirteen years. All the little girls in my group remembered I promised to make their wedding cake when they got married. It seems very few of them forgot my promise. I made many wedding cakes and gave them as gifts, including the one for my younger daughter. I have many of the cake pans of Disney characters that delighted lots of children. I was a stay-at-home mom when my kids were little so this is how I added to our income and satisfied my creative genes.

#4  My great-great grandmother Mary Kirk is supposedly the first woman to have had stories published in a magazine. Original copies are kept in the archives of the Sacramento State Library. In my third story I had a scene very similar to one of hers and two sentences that were worded almost word for word to hers. It makes me wonder if we can inherit our ancestors' dreams.

#5  When our older daughter was a junior in high school we had an exchange student from Sweden live with us for ten months. Magdalena is still a daughter in our hearts. We were lucky enough to spend two weeks with her in her parents' home in Malmo, Sweden, and were treated to a guided tour through her beautiful country.

#6  We also have our Dutch kids - we met Bert on a camping trip 30 years ago and he and his family are considered our children as well. We were in his wedding in a castle that had two moats and owned by the Fairchild family. It was quite an interesting day, especially when I embarrassed myself during the ceremony sliding across the hardwood floor in my new leather-soled shoes.

#7  I make quilts and give them away in honor of my daughter. Some are colorful flannel crib size quilts, book cover quilts, family photo quilts, and, of course, one Gerard Butler quilt for my daughter-of-my-heart who introduced me to the gorgeous Scot.

Have you ever been to Ireland, Scotland, Wales etc? Tell us about this trip and what you came away with afterwards.
Four years ago my husband and I spent 23 days driving in Scotland. It was magical and something I plan on doing again. Ken was worried at first about driving on the left and sitting on the right side of the car, but he only almost killed us once. I am sure the truck driver recovered after a few shots of whisky after he got home. I have never been to a more beautiful area before. When we were on a boat entering Loch Ness, I cried. I felt like I'd come home. My mother was almost a full Scot so I have plenty of genes who were happy to be there. The people were wonderful, the drivers were patient, and the people we met in the B&Bs were great hosts. In one sentence how would I describe our trip: We were so close to heaven we could almost hear the flutter of angel wings.

Do you belong to any other RWA chapters or writing groups?
My land chapter is Sacramento Valley Rose. My online chapters and groups are From the Heart, Hearts Through History, Writers Playground, Music City, Scandalous Victorians and Sweethearts of the West.

You’ve recently signed with a publisher. Tell us about your writing journey before and after this point in your life, and the details about your upcoming releases.
My writing journey started twenty-two years ago and finally on Christmas Eve reached its destination. I know, I've been accused of being stubborn but I would rather call it being persistent. I lived in a mountain community and it took me a half hour to drive to the property management office where I worked. Every day on the commute I ran my first ideas of a story though my mind, and then one weekend sat at my computer and typed for ten hours and had the skeleton of the entire story written. What did I know about writing a story -- absolutely nothing. I just knew I needed to write.

In November, 1999, I joined RWA and Sacramento Valley Rose and that is actually where my writing career started. I handed my manuscript to a friend with high hopes that it was so good...well, you know the scenario. She read a couple of pages and handed it back. "Don't you know what POV is?" Actually, I'd never heard of POV. From that point on I listened to writers, attended every workshop I could, started attending RWA National, taking online classes, etc. Fortunately for me, Carla Capshaw entered my life and with the patience of a saint and the skill of a great writer (she won two GH awards) I started to become a writer. I would suppose you can say that I am a writer because of the friends I have met in RWA. They never gave up on me. I listened and took constructive criticism well. I wanted to learn to write a good story. Low contest scores discouraged me, but I never gave up. Rejection was a big part of my years, but I finally started taking what I could learn and forgot the rest.

I had heard Desert Breeze Publishing was accepting submissions. Like with the others, I sent my best story to them without thinking anything would come of it. So, on Christmas Eve when I received an email at 10:30 pm with an offer for my series of five stories, I couldn't breathe. I sucked all the air out of the room saying, "WOW" for a long time. It was too late to wake the sleeping bear upstairs, way too late to call my critique partners in Florida and Texas. I had to crawl into bed without telling a soul - and, considering how much I like to talk, you can imagine how difficult that was for me.

I have five stories centered around or on the way to my imaginary town of Paradise Pines in the Sierra Mountains of California. The first three are centered around the Benjamin sisters and the other two are the MacGregor brothers during the gold rush era. Four of my stories are finished and I've started on the fifth. Night Angel will be epublished August 21st and the rest, Marriage Bargain, Forever After, Broken Promise and One-eyed Charly are to be released at six month intervals after the first.