Welcome romance writing team, Carley Bauer & Lynette Willows...




So happy to welcome you here, ladies! I am always fascinated how writing collaborations work - I cannot imagine working with anyone else on a project when half the time I wonder what I'm doing myself, lol! Looking forward to learning more about you and your writing. Let's get started...

1)  Who is your favourite author and why?
Carley: Hands down, John Jakes. I am fascinated by his ability to weave strong characters through historical events.

My dirty little secret is that it is often challenging for me, as well as my co-author Lynette Willows, to keep romance in the fore-front with history as a backdrop. In my case, I'm sure my love of Jakes is one of the culprits.

Lynette: I have several, and discover new authors all the time. I wish I could answer you, but my favorite changes all the time.

2)  When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Carley: No Gentleman Is He is our launch book. The moment it was accepted by Tirgearr Publishing, I knew I was a writer!

Lynette: I knew I was a writer years ago. However, as an acknowledged writer? Probably when my first freelance piece was accepted for publication. As an author, when we were accepted by our publisher for “No Gentleman Is He”.

3)  Describe your writing space?
Carley: I could go into a lengthy description of my office where my husband and I spent numerous hours painting, building shelves, purchasing reference books, hooked up a to-die-for PC with a 24 inch screen or tell you the truth. I never use that room. Instead I curl up on the sofa with my laptop. The creativity is in my head, not the space I occupy.

Lynette: On my couch with my dogs curled up beside me, one on each side. Like Carley, I have an office which is filled with unfolded laundry.

4)  What are you reading now?
Carley: Charlene Raddon's Forever Mine.
Lynette: Pierre Burton’s “The Depression”.

5)  How many books have your written?  Which is your favourite?
Carley: As I mentioned, No Gentleman Is He is our launch book in the Sons of Liberty series. We are in the throes of penning the second in the series, as yet unnamed. I'm also working on a solo project set in Bedford, Pennsylvania during the Whiskey Rebellion.
Lynette: Book 2 of the Sons of Liberty series which take precedence. Also completed and editing a Christmas western romance story set in Canada at the outbreak of WW1, a drama lit, a thriller and a mystery involving the dog sled racing circuit.

6)  What comes first, plot or characters?
Carley: I am a character writer, and I believe my co-author is a plotter. Maybe it's why we mesh.
Lynette: Yes, I’m a plotter.

7)  Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?
Carley: As in a total blank? No. But I have felt I was going in the wrong direction, banged my head on the keyboard a few times before getting an idea that clicks with me.
Lynette: Again, like Carley, not really. I will feel like something isn’t working, go for a long walk or do something else, and invariably the problem will work itself out.

8)  What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Carley: Any time spent with my husband. We travel about on the weekends, sight-seeing, listening to music, taking in the scenery and just generally enjoying the freedom of being empty-nesters. I have three grown children, all married with families of their own. Some of my favorite time is spent with them. Visiting any city. The bigger and busier the better. I love crowds, meeting new people and mulling about. I am not much of a gardener. Never met a plant I couldn't kill.
Lynette: Camping, fishing, gardening, reading, I sometimes foster dogs, and enjoy playing chess with my husband.

9)  Tell us about your latest book?
Carley: No Gentleman Is He is set in 1775 Richmond Virginia, primarily on Varina Farms Plantation where the newly widowed Cassandra Brooks works as a steward for the dark and dark and dangerous owner, Colton Rolfe. As Colton becomes reluctantly drawn into the Sons of Liberty activities, he's convinced Cassandra is a plant. As the story unfolds, the beginning of the war finds the two in the thick of the first battle of the revolution, neither knowing if they can trust each other or their inescapable passion.  

10) What’s next for you?
Carley: Lynette and I are working on the 2nd book in the Sons of Liberty series. As yet unnamed, it will focus on a charming womanizer introduced in the first book, who falls head-over-revolutionary-heels for an unlikely lady.
Lynette: Let’s just say that this particular gentleman had a penchant for practical jokes in “No Gentleman Is He”, but in Book 2, he finds the joke is on him.


NO GENTLEMAN IS HE
By
Carley Bauer and Lynette Willows

BLURB:  
Young, adventurous and widowed in a new land, Cassandra Courtney Brooks finds her dream of raising a superior breed of saddle horse slipping away with the death of her husband. Left with four horses, living in a tavern attic, and her scant savings depleting, she resolves to see her vision through to fruition by accepting the scandalous position of steward at Varina Farms.

Born in the image of his native ancestry, Colton Rolfe’s savage blood runs through his veins. Scorned by his father, Colt grew into a man of ill temperament whose only interest is the wild equine beasts on his plantation. His desire to breed his horses with the superior Thoroughbreds of the newly widowed Cassandra Brooks leads him to abandon societal rules. Colt’s growing resentment toward the Crown and his assistance to Sons of Liberty missions is complicated by the discovery that Cassandra’s father is a titled English nobleman.

Cassandra is soon forced to question the wisdom of her decision when she finds herself enamored with her employer. As fiery passion grows between them, Cassandra realizes her own spirit of independence, love of the land, and the savage man who is so much a part of it.
As the threat of war comes ever closer, wills are tested through gunfire, treachery, danger, and kidnapping. Does Colt dare trust Cassandra with Sons of Liberty secrets? More importantly, can he trust her with his heart? And will Colt ever trust Cassandra enough to love her as she longs to be loved?
EXCERPT:  

Colton saw Cassandra approaching on foot, holding up her skirts to her ankles as she strode purposefully across the field. The long, wet brown grass still hid the rich, new grass greening in the spring air. He turned away, studiously ignoring her as he watched the mares, spotting the ones he intended to cut out of the herd. Her appearance made his heart skip a beat. It disturbed him that she was attractive even with soiled, wet skirts and her hair tousled about her rosy face, her full lips pursed in determination.

“We need to talk,” she shouted breathlessly as she neared him. By then he was ready to leave. She increased her pace when she saw Colton mounting his horse.

“What are you doing out here? I thought I told you not to bother me when I am busy.”

“You told me no such thing. You told me not to bother your men when they are working, not you.” She paused to catch her breath. “Fine. Sell your mares, you arrogant sot! When you have the same problem next season, do not ask me why!”

Her deep blue eyes fearlessly looked up at him. “Before you round up more perfectly good mares to sell, ride back to the stable.”

*210 words


AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Lynette Willows
I’m Lynette Willows. I live in rural Alberta, Canada. My debut novel, “No Gentleman Is He”, the first in the Sons of Liberty series, is co-written along with my partner in romance, Carley Bauer. 
Some have mentioned I have a very interesting past. Not only was it unusual, but some would even say reckless. I’ve lived on an Indian reserve in a teepee with my young son for three months in the winter, I’ve chased storms, and worked as a social services aide on one of the most troubled and dangerous reserves in Canada, where I met great friends as well as made a few enemies.
I enjoy camping, movies, especially historical bio dramas, strange dogs, stranger cats, exclamation points, coffee mugs with stupid sayings, friends, the crazier the better, family, as long as they are crazier than I am, and I have a huge collection of shiny, outrageous earrings. Yes, I’m a magpie. I’ll only play chess with my husband because he’ll let me win.
If you’re curious about my favorite reading material, it’s very eclectic and varied. I’m extremely picky about what I read, so check out my “to read” list on Goodreads. You can also follow me and Carley, my talented, patient, and illustrious co-author at our fan page on Facebook at “Lynette Willows & Carley Bauer”. I’m also on Twitter under @LynetteWillows, as well as Pinterest, though I’m still figuring that out. You are welcome to also visit me and chat at “Lynette Willows, Author” at http://lynettewillows.blogspot.ca/.

“I have enormous respect for the reader. They are able to take symbols from a page that an author has invented, and turn them into images in their minds that create an enduring story. If that’s not artistry, I don’t know what is.”-Lynette Willows

Carley Bauer

Carley Bauer enjoys life on the eastern seaboard of the U.S. with her husband and their blue eyed feline, Noelle. After 30 years as a state contractor in a self employed capacity, she decided to try her hand at her first love, writing.
She loves being an empty nester, free to travel with her husband. Still involved with her children and grandchildren, Carley loves big family events. Some of her other hobbies are home decor, fashion, graphic arts, and the occasional bite of the Big Apple where the excitement feeds her natural love of city life. 

LINKS:

Email: carleybauer210@gmail.com

No Gentleman Is He available for purchase at:
Tirgearr to Author Carley Bauer
www.tirpub.com/cbauer
Tirgearr Publishing:
http://www.tirpub.com/NGIH


There will be two winners drawn at the end of the tour. Winner 1 will receive a lovely pair of colonial era  earrings (U.S. only please due to shipping constraints); Winner 2 will receive a $100 Amazon GC.
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/04/virtual-book-tour-no-gentleman-is-he-by.html
Comments?? 


19 comments

  1. I enjoyed the interview thank you. It's like two sides to the one coin. You complement each other.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  2. Rachel, Thank you for hosting. It's very much appreciated.
    Mary, we do! I love working with Lynette. As different as we seem, we have a strong creative bond, and I appreciate her creativity.

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  3. I'm always learning something new about you gals! Awesome book. Can't wait to see the next one ;-)

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    1. Thanks for stopping in, Kem! Always good to see you.

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  4. An office filled with unfolded laundry, Lynette? That sounds like almost every room in my home! I am lucky in that my hubby doesn't mind folding laundry. I find if I wait long enough, he'll fold it. LOL.

    I love learning more about you ladies at each stop and reading excerpts of No Gentleman Is He.
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

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    1. Hi Catherine! Nice to hear from you.
      It's odd how we're asked about writing space. All writers long for that perfect space that we rarely use.

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  5. Great interview. I especially like the description of your writing spaces. Carley, I love John Jakes too. My favorite was North and South. Lynette, you spent 3 months living in a teepee in the winter? Holy buckets! What an adventurous soul you are. Best wishes, Annette.

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  6. Hi Annette. Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to leave your email address in case you win the colonial earrings or $100. gc!

    North and South was probably the most well-written. I suppose the Kent Chronicles are close to my heart because they were my introduction to Jakes writing.

    Lynette DOES have an adventurous spirit! The closest I've come to a teepee in the winter is camping out in a hotel room LOL.

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  8. I can not imagine co-writing with anyone. However, I have not met anyone that would fit the bill. You seem to be lucky and have found a perfect fit.

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    1. MomJane, I cannot imagine writing with anyone other than Lynette. During our interactive writing exercises, we both had a chance to write with others. It's a great experience in writing, but no one popped up that I could imagine writing a book with. With Lyn, what started as a healthy competitive spirit turned into a dynamic duo.
      Truly, she inspires me.

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  9. I loved the interview and excerpt, thank you.

    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

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  10. **Sorry, under the wrong ID on my other comment Reposting under the proper ID...my apologies for the confusion. Second time I've done that...*sigh**
    Mary, I think Carley is the yang to my ying, creatively speaking. We're always tossing out ideas together; we don't really have a chance to have much of writers block, the other won't allow it.
    I also want to thank our host. It's much appreciated.
    Catherine, no one has ever accused me of being an obsessive housekeeper...actually, they've never accused me of being a housekeeper, period. On a good note, the husband, who I call Himself, is a ready and able cook, especially on the barbeque!
    Annette, yes, I did that. Some say adventurous, some stay stupid. LOL But I really needed to learn the culture so I could be an effective counselor on the reserve, so I decided to immerse myself in it...it's a long story! LOL

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  11. It's fun to see your interactions in the interview!

    vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

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  12. I love how you answered the character or plot question, Carley! As a result, your book has to a balanced mix of well-developed characters and a well-developed plot. Perfect!

    falses1gns(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. I'm excited to read you guy's work now! After all these interviews I feel like you're my neighbors or something!

    andralynn7 AT gmail DOT com

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  14. Sorry for the late post. I’m playing catch-up here so I’m just popping in to say HI and sorry I missed visiting with you on party day! Hope you all had a good time!
    kareninnc at gmail dot com

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  15. Sounds good, looking forward to reading it. Thanks.
    magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

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