Saturday, July 30, 2011

Revisiting my historical....I love English settings!

     I know I'm not alone in my love for novels set on English soil whose characters steal a few moments hidden in the castle alcoves, fall in love in a crowded ballroom, get whisked off for an adventure at sea with a handsome pirate or duke! If you also love those romantic settings that take you speeding in a carriage through the dark foggy streets of London at night, let's chat a bit.


     We all know life back then wasn't a bed of roses but those of us who are true romantics don't see the hardships our characters truly had to endure. That stuff isn't romantic though we know it existed. We prefer to see the love that blossomed between two people as they flirted among queen's court or across a crowded room. 



    Those are the things that made me want to bring my characters to life in No Turning Back. If you've not downloaded or purchased a copy yet, I invite you to click on the book on the left side and read Chapter One. I have a page on my website with more info on the characters. If you search the prior postings here on my blog, you'll find character interviews where you'll learn more about my hero and heroine. I hope you fall in love with them the way I did!

     What do you most enjoy when looking for a good romance set in England? Do you have a favorite time period? I love the 1700's in England as well as some of the medieval time periods. I also like those set in Scotland and Ireland. One author comes to mind - Renee Vincent- author of a series of medieval romances set in Ireland. Hop over and check out her Emerald Isle Trilogy. You will fall in love with her characters!


     Thank you all for stopping in to see what's happening or what I'm up to this week. I am working on book three, Whispers at Ghost Point, for which I've had to push the release date back to November 2011. Chapter One can be read on the left sidebar as well. Please note that this is NOT the final cover for the book; I wanted to show you something though. I am bringing back the characters from No Turning Back - the story is a contemporary in present day. I hope you enjoy both books.

CONTEST:      Winner is:    Diane D - Florida

***Diane - pls email me at deanna.jewel at yahoo.com - you didn't leave me your email so I could contact you. Sorry! I need to mail the book to you!


      Winner will receive a signed copy of No Turning Back and a goodie bag filled with author book marks. Leave a comment to be in the drawing and I will pick a winner using random.org on August 7th!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Author Interview - Chloe JonPaul - Author & World Traveler



     Thank you for joining us. Come sit in the garden as we chat with author Chloe Jon Paul. She's been on her book tour to let everyone know about her newest book, This Business of Children and I'm honored to introduce her to all of you.

     Chloe Jon Paul, M.Ed., is a retired educator and writer of several published articles and a previous book entitled "What Happens Next: A Family Guide to Nursing Home Visits" and More...   
     
       Her many achievements since the age of 55 include: 

  • Title of Ms. Maryland Senior America 2003
  • Recipient of the Fulbright Fellowship Seminars Abroad award to South Africa, 1996 
  • Volunteer internship during the 2005 Maryland legislative session as a Legacy Leadership Institute graduate
  • Lead facilitator for the Alternatives to Violence Project in prison and community workshops on conflict resolution for ten years
  • State representative for the National Family Caregivers Association's caregiver community action network 2006-2008
  • Advisory board member: MD, Healthcare Commission and the Inter-agency Commission for Aging Services: Maryland Dept. of Aging
  • Hospice and homeless shelter volunteer
  • Coordinator for the Good Samaritan Project at her church 
  • World traveler - all 7 continents

Book Synopsis: This Business of Children

     Set in the fictional town of Blevins, Maine during the mid-1980s, this novel is a blend of ironies: private emotions and public scrutiny; personal desires and professional predicaments.  While the title mentions the word children, this book is definitely not kid stuff!  The title evolves from the Prologue and the Epilogue.
     The four main characters are elementary school teachers whose personal and professional lives become significantly changed in a single academic year.
     Vera is a middle-aged, dowdy but dedicated teacher who is ready for retirement.  She has never been one to question established practices.  She has always faithfully paid her union dues; preferring to let others take the lead in bettering the profession.  What causes Vera to vent her anger during a Board of Education meeting with a speech that brings the audience to its feet?
     Dee is thirty-something – a sophisticated newcomer to the Blevins District school system.  She arrives there with a history of political and union activism she’d sooner leave behind but somehow can’t.  Reluctantly, she becomes a key player in the Blevins Teachers Association’s fight for change in an arena where change was thought to be impossible.
     She is a sexy lover who admits to not knowing how to love with her heart.  She does, however, possess extraordinary compassion for her students and a colleague whose secret she alone shares.
     What makes Dee quit her job with such dramatic flair?  Why does this gifted teacher leave the job she loves to become a corporate trainer down South?
     Next, there’s Mark who feels trapped in a marriage and a job which have lost their luster.  He is the perennial job hunter who scours the Boston Globe’s employment ads week after week, vowing that his resume will eventually land him a position with prestige and more pay.
     Mark becomes easy prey for Dee and succumbs to an illicit relationship he feels powerless to stop.
     What compels Mark to turn down the perfect job offer when it finally comes through?  What makes him decide to stay?
     Stu is easily one of the most popular teachers at school.  Although he is the butt of Mark’s snide remarks at times, Stu is well liked by students, parents, and staff because he is such a caring teacher.
     Stu is a closet homosexual who finally confides in Dee when his lover Jeremy dies of AIDS.
     Devastated by the earlier loss of his mother and now Jeremy, he finds solace in the tiny back room of his house where he keeps a magnificent collection of antique lamps.  That room takes on a special significance toward the end of the story.
     At a time when gay men across America are frantically queuing up to be tested for the virus, Stu is resistant to the idea until Dee convinces him to go “for the sake of the children”.
     What causes Stu’s untimely death if it isn’t AIDS?  What causes near rebellion among the staff against the school superintendent and the Board of Education after
Stu’s death?
     If the questions raised here have sparked a curiosity, then perhaps a full dose of This Business of Children is the next logical step.  Vera Harriss, Dee Fletcher, Mark Pettingill, and Stu Martel are waiting to make your acquaintance.


Deanna: Tell us why you wanted to become a writer. 

Chloe:  Even as a child, I loved to write but I never really thought about doing it seriously.  As an adult, I wrote occasional articles for small magazines and newspapers.  Then back in the late 80’s, early 90’s, I started toying around with writing fiction – short stories, a novel that I trashed completely – and this novel, which I also trashed but a dear friend retrieved it saying “You are NOT throwing this away!”
      I took it back, shelved it, and went on to write 2 non-fiction books that reflect my philosophy of life:  find a need and fill it.  The first book, “What Happens Next? A Family Guide to Nursing Home Visits…and More” was written when I discovered that people who had to place a loved one in a long term care facility didn’t know how to visit well with them, didn’t know how to deal with staff when problems arose, and certainly didn’t know how to deal with “troublesome” residents.
     Since I had “been there –done that” as a caregiver myself, I knew I had some valuable information to share.  That book took me around the U.S. giving workshops to family and professional caregivers.
     The second non-fiction book, “Entering the Age of Elegance: A Rite of Passage & Practical Guide for the Modern Maturing Woman” came about after speaking with women all over the world, discovering how terrified they were of aging.  So to dispel those myths about aging, I wrote the book as a travel guide with a format similar to Fodor’s, Frommer, and Lonely Planet because it is a journey every woman must make and she can do it with style and grace.

Deanna:  Do you write under a pen name?

Chloe:  JonPaul is the anglicized version of Giampaolo which is Italian.  I am very proud of that name but some folks can’t pronounce or spell it and I figured I needed a shorter surname.  Chloe is what everyone has called me for years but my given name is Clotilde which is French.

Deanna:  Is there a certain type of character that is easier for you to write?

Chloe:  In this novel, I think Deidre was easier for me to create and develop because there is a lot of me in her in terms of temperament, attitude, and her union activism, as well as her ability to question the Establishment – something I often did as a teacher.

Deanna:  Do you read in the same genre you write in?

Chloe:  Yes, when I have the time, I like to read in the same genre I’ve written in.

Deanna:  What is a typical writing day like for you?

Chloe:  My day begins spiritually and it sets the tone for the entire day.  I spend 1½ to 2 hours in prayer and meditation.  (I can mention what a wise Indian guru once said about man being a house with 4 rooms).
     I credit myself with being a highly organized person. I don’t spend time chatting on the phone or online.  I develop a weekly and daily schedule and I stick to it unless something unforeseen develops.  I don’t create every day but I keep folders for blog notes, story ideas, even poetry. I actually won a contest for my poem “Gentleman from Khartoum” based on an actual experience I had while traveling abroad many years ago.

Deanna:  You have to be admired to sticking to such a strict schedule. Congratulations! Where did the story idea come from for The Business of Children?

Chloe:  This came about as a result of having experienced the joys and sorrows of being a classroom teacher as well as the union activist I had been in the past… and as Vera says in the Prologue: “ because the story that claws at my brain and keeps me awake nights has to be told.”

Deanna: Chloe, thank you so much for spending the day with us, Chloe. Where can our readers find your books and learn more about what you write?

Chloe: Thank you for having me today. I have more information on my website at http://chloejonpaul.com/  and I love hearing from readers. There is a contact page on my site for those who may have questions.

Deanna:  Readers, I hope you've enjoyed meeting Chloe as much as I have. Please visit her website and check out all of her books and the work she does!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Author Interview - Robyn Bradley - Contemporary Author



    Thank you for joining us as we sit at an outdoor restaurant on the pier. The warm ocean breeze welcomes us today so we're glad to share this with you. With  me is a wonderful author who is no stranger to readers and listeners. It was a joy to interview her and I know you'll love meeting her, too! Help me welcome Robyn Bradley!
     Robyn Bradley is a Short Story Seductress and Novelist Ninja with an MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University. Her work has appeared in FictionWeekly.com, Metal Scratches, The Breakwater Review, Writer's Digest, and The MetroWest Daily News, among other places. In 2007, she won a short story award for “A Touch of Charlotte.” Forgotten April is her first novel and is available on Kindle, Nook, iPad, and in paperback. When she's not writing or sleeping, Robyn enjoys watching Law & Order marathons, drinking margaritas, and determining how many degrees really separate her from George Clooney. Learn more at www.robynbradley.com.


Deanna:  Robyn, thank you for having us here in Provincetown MA! It's gorgeous! Tell us a bit about YOU that our readers might not know.



Robyn:  Random facts about me: I'm the youngest of six (I have five brothers). I worked full time in morning radio for almost seven years -- my days started at 3:00 a.m. I love cats. I'd gone sky diving, hot air ballooning, and rock rappelling by the age of 21. (Life has gotten considerably boring since then.) I did stand-up comedy in my late teens and early 20s and was one of the first comics doing Lorena Bobbitt jokes. (Remember her?) I have a big crush on George Clooney.


Deanna:  What made you want to become a writer?


Robyn: It all began when Mrs. Shea gave me four red stars on a short story I wrote in the fourth grade. The whole experience -- drafting the story (in pencil), finalizing the story (in pen), and sharing it with an "audience" of fellow fourth graders -- was magical from start to finish. I knew I wanted to do that for the rest of my life, although it took some time to get where I am today (and I took a few detours as well).



Deanna:  Do you write under a pen name?


Robyn: I used to early on, and I have some publication credits under my nom de plume, E.T. Robbins. Here's the story behind the name: I'm actually closer in age to my oldest niece and nephew than I am to my brothers (see the first question above). So when I was nine or so, my niece and nephew were learning how to talk. They had trouble wrapping their tongues around "Aunty Robyn" -- it came out as "E.T. Robbins," and in my wisdom at age nine, I said that E.T. Robbins would be my pen name when I grew up. I abandoned it back in 2007 after I won a short story award and the story was published under my real name. I took it as a sign.


Deanna: As authors, we love all of our characters. Is there a certain type of character that is easier to write than another?


Robyn: I love getting in the heads of all my characters. For me, I wouldn't say that there's one type that's harder to write than others. My goal is to make all of them -- protagonists and antagonists alike -- as three-dimensional as possible. Some of my characters probably wouldn't be considered "good" people but that doesn't make them any less human or complex. Even evil people have tender moments. I feel it's important to show all sides.



Deanna:  Do you read in the same genre that you write in?



Robyn: I do, but I also read outside my genre. I think it's important to read widely.



Deanna:  Tell us about a typical day in your life as a writer.


Robyn:  I'm quite fortunate, and I thank my lucky stars every day for the time I have to devote to my writing. I'm a self-employed copywriter by day -- have been for almost a decade -- so my days (and much of my nights and weekends) consist of writing, whether it's copy for clients or my creative work.



Deanna:  At least your day job keeps you in the writing loop! Most of us have pretty vivid imaginations when it comes to story lines. Where do your story ideas come from?



Robyn:  I'm one of those writers who feels there are stories everywhere. I'm never at a loss for something to write about. Some of my favorite places to get inspired include Post Secret, movies, crime shows (I'm a huge Law & Order and Criminal Minds fan), well-written television shows (The Good Wife, Lost), The Week (a magazine that culls news from a ton of sources -- there's always some gem within those pages), people watching anywhere, long drives.



Deanna:  Not many of us can have such vivid imaginations. How long did it take you to complete your debut novel, Forgotten April?



Robyn:  The idea started in 2001. I worked on it off and on -- and during some of those "on" phases, I was working on it full time -- for nine years. I went through no fewer than six drafts, and I'd consider four of those to be complete rewrites. I'd buried the book twice, only to resurrect it. It wasn't until the fall of 2010 that I finally figured out how to fix the opening three chapters, which had been dogging me since the beginning.



Deanna:  Well congratulations on completing your novel. Is it your first novel, or do you have a "bottom drawer dweller" like so many writers claim to have?



Robyn: Oh, I definitely have a bottom drawer dweller. It's called Lilly's Legs. I think Lilly is a thinly veiled version of my 23-year-old self, and I'm still not entirely sure why her legs are so important that I needed to mention them in the title.



Deanna:  Sometimes titles just stick in our heads and we need to run with it. No plans on resurrecting that one?



Robyn:  No. If I tried, it would be scary, kinda like the scenes in Pet Sematary. Some things are better left dead.



Deanna:  Not many can use their first work and that’s not a bad thing. Who are some of your favorite writers?



Robyn: Lionel Shriver, Jodi Picoult, Chris Bohjalian, Susan Orlean, Anne Lamott, David Sedaris, Jo Ann Beard, Cormac McCarthy (though I've only read The Road), Jack London (there are too many to name, really).



Deanna:  Some writers listen to certain genres of music while they're writing, and sometimes the genres change from book to book. Does this describe you?



Robyn: With Forgotten April, I wasn't obsessed with music as much as I was obsessed with Terry O'Quinn, who played John Locke on Lost. I didn't start watching Lost until the second season, and it was because I saw a promo with Locke and I thought, "That's Hugh!" Hugh is one of my characters in Forgotten April, and I kinda developed a crush on him as I was writing the book. I can remember spending one summer watching archived clips of Lost, over and over, just to get a better sense of Locke's physical presence, which enabled me to describe Hugh better.



With my forthcoming novel, What Happened in Granite Creek, which is coming out this October, I did have a musical playlist of sorts. I don't own an iPod, but what I've been known to do is watch a bunch of videos on YouTube, always the same ones. These included "Say" by John Mayer, "Possum Kingdom" by The Toadies, "Far Away" by Nickelback, "Already Gone" by Kelly Clarkson, "Give You Hell" by The All-American Rejects, "Hands Clean" by Alanis Morissette, and "Just Breathe" by Pearl Jam. There were others, too, but these come to mind.



Deanna:  Keyboard or longhand?



Robyn:  Keyboard. My handwriting is atrocious. I'm a self-taught typist, and sometimes my fingers can't keep up with my mind, but it's still better than my handwriting.



Deanna:  I have to agree on that one! My handwriting is sometime hard for even me to read! E-books or physical books?



Robyn:  I love stories. The medium isn't important to me per se, but I'm now more of an eBook purchaser than print books, mainly because of speed, space, and cost. I own a Nook.



Deanna:  Fill in the blank. The hardest part about writing is ____________________.


Robyn:  Waiting. There's a lot of waiting in writing, which requires patience. Putting a draft aside and waiting (for however long…a few weeks, a few months, etc.) before going back to it is necessary, I think, but still hard. Then there's waiting for responses from lit journals and agents. Waiting for publication (my wait time isn't as long as authors who are going the traditional route, but there's still some wait time, if you do it right).



Deanna:  Coffee or tea?



Robyn:  Coffee, coffee, oh, and more coffee. (I do like a nice iced peppermint tea every now and then.)



Deanna:  Adding Bailey’s isn’t a bad thing! *laughing* Are you in a critique group? If yes, how's that working out?



Robyn:  I am. I've been with the Nobscot Niblets, a group I co-founded, for 6.5 years. It's been great: from a productivity standpoint, a support standpoint, and a friendship standpoint. Last month, we devoted a whole meeting to workshopping the draft of What Happened in Granite Creek.



Deanna:  I learn quite a bit in my critique group that I will always carry with me. I noticed you have an MFA in Creative Writing. How important is an MFA?



Robyn:  It's not. You don't need an MFA to be a writer. Here's what an MFA can help you with: being in a program might give you the permission you need to devote one or two years to your writing. It provides accountability and deadlines. It's also a "terminal" degree, so if you want to teach writing at the college level, you need it. You'll also meet like-minded folks, which is helpful in developing a support network of fellow writers. But you can do all of this (minus the terminal degree part) with a good critique group. I don't regret having gone for my MFA, but you don't need one to be a writer.



Deanna:  Congratulations on obtaining the MFA anyway! Anything else?



Robyn:  I love connecting with readers and fellow writers. I'm active on Facebook and Twitter and would be honored if you checked my profiles out and considered following me. Let's talk writing and books!



Contest Info:  TWO Winners will be drawn on Friday. I’d like to do a giveaway: I'd love to give away a signed paperback copy of Forgotten April (person needs to be in the US), and an eBook copy (choice of Mobi or ePub file). The drawing will be done Friday from those who leave a comment.



Thanks so much for having me, Deanna. This has been fun!

Deanna:  It's been a pleasure getting to know you, Robyn. I know our readers here today will be visiting your sites and adding your work to their reading lists. Readers, I'm pleased to share with you the synopsis from Forgotten April: 


     For April Sullivan-LaMonica, the last ten years have been hell: her husband and young son were killed in a car accident, and soon after, her mom descended into the darkness of Alzheimer’s. So when broadcast journalist Maggie Prescott shows up claiming to be April’s half sister and tries to capture their reunion on film, April outwardly regards Maggie with much suspicion. In reality, she’s simply afraid to grow close to someone again, only to have that person leave — or worse.

     Maggie, meanwhile, is battling her own demons: figuring out why her biological mother gave her up, facing a secret she’s kept from the one man she’s loved all her life, and giving herself permission to follow the dream she’s had since she was a child.

     Separated by nearly two decades and radically different life paths, April and Maggie must decide if pursuing their sisterhood is worth it…or even possible.

     A story of loss, love, survival, and redemption, Forgotten April will speak to anyone who’s experienced the pains — and riches — of an unexpected friendship that emerges from family ties.




Purchase Links for Forgotten April:















Robyn's website - Learn more at www.robynbradley.com.






Thursday, July 14, 2011

Characters Dana and Sarah from Whispers at Ghost Point



      Welcome to Wilmington NC where I'm chatting with two of the characters from my upcoming release, Whispers at Ghost Point. We're at The Pilot House, an outdoor cafe along the boardwalk on the shores of the Cape Fear River, enjoying the warm breeze and a beautiful sunny day! With me are Dana and Sarah, to tell us a bit about this restoration project involving the abandoned lighthouse.

Deanna:  Ladies, thank you for visiting with me today. I share your love of lighthouses, as do many of my readers. They're anxious to get a bit of the inside story from you so they can get a feel for what is coming up. Dana, I'd like to start with you. I love your enthusiasm for this project. I understand you come from Michigan where lighthouses line the shores of that state.

Dana:  I'm glad you joined us today, Deanna. Michigan has so many beautiful lighthouses and I've been to almost every single one. Up there, residents can own a lighthouse and live in it or have a bed and breakfast in it so guests can enjoy the serenity of the building and it's history. Here in North Carolina, residents aren't allowed to own the lighthouses and there are special circumstances surrounding this abandoned one.
      I can't wait to get started on the project but we seem to be hitting roadblocks. The owner is a bit evasive and we have to deal with his attorney right now. I'm frustrated at not being able to get into the building.

Deanna:  Sarah, you work at the Historical Society with Dana. Has she been a help with projects you've been working on?

Sarah:  Dana is like a breath of fresh air for us. She does the research in addition to coordinating the remodels because she has an eye for recreating the look of the original projects. I think she'll be a wonderful asset to the renovation of the abandoned lighthouse. We just have to get past a few bumps in the road and get inside to look around. We've not met the owner yet. He sends his attorney to talk with us, but he says the owner is open to listening to our ideas.

Deanna:  I would think in an abandoned lighthouse there could be several ghosts who could live there. Dana, do you believe in ghosts and are you afraid to go inside?

Dana:  *she glances at Sarah before answering my questions* I DO believe in ghosts...is that bad? *she laughs*  From my deck at home, I can see the lighthouse tower and at night, lights flicker there, which make me curious as to what or who might be inside.


Sarah:  I've seen the lights flicker there also...it gives me an eerie feeling and I sense a bit of evil with whatever might be over there so I want Dana to take it slow once we get inside the building. Spirits aren't always friendly when intruders show up to make changes to their home. I just hope we can control the situation and not stir up too many spirits but there is one who is stronger than the others and so far, he isn't playing nice where my senses are concerned.

Dana:  Sarah doesn't discuss it often, but she has psychic abilities when it comes to these things. She says the ghost has a connection to my past, but we don't know more than that at this point. I need to do a bit more digging on the history of ship wrecks in the area. I'd love to find something that would connect the current owner...we'll see.

Deanna:  Have you been able to find anything out about the owner yet?

Dana:  Not yet. His attorney says he's owned the lighthouse for a while and that it's been in the family for over a hundred years. No one has wanted to renovate it though. I think it will turn out to be a beautiful place if we can ever get started. I was a contractor in Michigan; hopefully I can get my license here in North Carolina and do my own work without having to contract through someone else. We'll see.

Sarah: One of Dana's dreams is to open her own interior decorating shop where she can have more exposure to remodeling other locations; she'd be great at it because it's in her blood. I'd hate to lose her at the Historical Society though.

Deanna:  Ladies, thank you for having me here. The area is beautiful and I can see why you love the Wilmington area. Dana, congrats on your move from Michigan and good luck in your business venture. I hope you're able to open that store of your dreams and remodel til your heart's content!
      Readers, thank you for stopping in to meet two of my characters. Please feel free to leave questions for these two ladies or a comment. I can't wait to get this complete story finished for you. In the meantime, you can click on the BookBuzzr link on the left and read Chapter One! Don't forget to tell your friends to stop in, too!


Thursday, July 7, 2011

Historical Romance - England - 1778




Have you met my hero yet?


       I'm pretty excited today about having Captain Nathaniel Clairmont here to chat with us for a bit. I've pulled him from the pages and know he can't stay long. He's my handsome hero from No Turning Back, a respected ship captain, friend and breeder of horses, he loves to ride but loves the ocean just as much.

DJ: Nathan, your home in Scarborough, England sounds like a wonderful place, overlooking the ocean. How long has the castle been in your family?

NC: The fortress has been in my family for over one hundred years. A castle's structure is cold and damp so I do what I can to keep it warm and comfortable inside. I've done some reconstruction inside and out due to the age so it won't crumble down around me. I've collected tapestries from around the world and those hang on the walls to help keep the heat inside. I enjoy walking out on the parapets that look out onto the water, to listen to the crashing waves on warm summer evening.

DJ: With all your travels and time at court with the King, I envision all types of women wanting to get to know you better. Tell us what you look for in a woman who might interest you.

NC: *Nathan rubs his chin as he thinks about an answer* I would have to start with height. I like tall women, with a nice smile but doesn't constantly giggle and chatter. Is that a good start? I want to be able to read her eyes, the windows to a woman's soul. I'm a fairly good judge of character. I like a smart woman who is able to hold a conversation; beauty is nice but there is more to a female than good looks.

DJ: Well that gives us a list of attributes to start with. My readers place themselves in the heroine's character you know; they all want to be in my story with YOU! Are you the type of man who doesn't like getting tied down to one relationship, play the field, so to speak?

NC: *he has a deep laugh* I don't have time to play the field, Deanna. The King keeps me pretty busy at court or traveling on his behalf and when I'm not doing that, I'm at my home where I breed beautiful horses. The woman of my dreams will share that love with me. I like to think of myself as a one-woman man and our love will last a lifetime, if I'm lucky enough to find that.

DJ: So, have you found the woman of your dreams, Nathan?

NC: I can't answer that without giving things away, now can I. *he gives me a sexy wink*  I've had my share of women in my life but I want to settle down one day, to have children, someone to leave my home to.

DJ: When you're on the ocean...sailing...are you at home there?Do you feel in control of something larger than life?

NC: I was raised aboard ships. My father took me with him when he sailed and I learned how to read the water, to know when I don't have control because the sea takes orders from no one. A captain depends on a good crew to help keep the ship safe and I have that in my crew. I trust them with my life.

DJ: We all have enemies. Care to enlighten us about a few of yours?

NC: Hmmm.....Langely has been a thorn in my side since childhood. We didn't necessarily run in the same circles of London society, but he did attend some of the same entertainment and events such as a local ball or two. He was jealous of the ease at which I could talk with women and there were a few females I guess one could say I turned in my direction. His jealous nature is also part of the reason he can't keep a woman; that and he's bloody greedy.

DJ: Nathan, thank you for taking the time to be here with us.

NC: I look forward to sharing a few more hours with you. It sounds like fun. I can't wait to hear what questions they might have for me.

DJ: Readers, feel free to ask a few questions or leave Nathan a comment. Nathan, again, thank you!

NC: My pleasure!