Welcome historical romance writer, M K McClintock...

1)  Who is your favourite author and why?

Kathleen Woodiwiss and Edward Rutherford have always topped my list of favorite authors. I enjoy their writing styles, their characters, and their ability to bring the story and locations to life.

2)  When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I don’t know if a lightbulb went off and I suddenly thought “I am writer!” I’ve always been writing, and the progression was a natural one, but it became real when I published my first book.

3)  Describe your writing space?

My writing space varies depending upon where I choose to write, but my “official” desk area is spacious (I like a lot of room), flowers on the desk, calendars on the wall, lots of computer gadgets, a framed edition of “Invictus”, and two overflowing bookshelves.

4)  What are you reading now?

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton, though I haven’t read much yet due to my current writing schedule. I have five or six other books on my night stand waiting their turn.

5)  How many books have your written?  Which is your favourite?

Alaina Claiborne is my third book, and I can honestly say I don’t have a favorite. Nora Roberts once said that her favorite book is the one she’s currently writing, and I’d have to agree.

6)  What comes first, plot or characters?

It’s not always one or the other, or they come together so quickly that I’m unaware as to which came first. More often than not I have the character first, and then the story emerges.

7)  Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

I’m of the firm belief that every author does, but I don’t like to think of it as writer’s block. I think of it as the character’s way of telling me they don’t want to do what I want them to do. Other times I need a little extra inspiration to push me past the “block”, but for me it all begins and ends with the characters. If I know them, the rest comes somewhat easier.

8)  What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

What don’t I like to do! I love spending time outdoors, no matter the season. I enjoy baking up delicious delights in the kitchen, camping, traveling, taking photographs, or working in the garden. I read (of course) and when I have the time I make soaps and lotions.

9)  Tell us about your latest book?

Romance, mystery, and adventure in nineteenth-century England. A young woman set on avenging the events of a tragic past, and a British agent with a deeper connection to Alaina than she realizes. On their hunt for a man driven by greed, Tristan and Alaina find that love is the greatest weapon against evil, and they'll stop at nothing to survive.

10) What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on Gallagher’s Choice, the third book in my Montana Gallagher series, which are historical western romances. It’s taking some fun twists and I really enjoy the opportunity to continue working with characters I love. I have another Gallagher book planned for the end of 2013. I’m also working with another romance author on a possible collaboration, and then of course I have the other two British agent novels to write. Let’s just say I have the next ten years planned. The idea “cookie jar” is never empty.

Thank you for hosting! - MK

Alaina Claiborne -

Book One of the British Agent Novels

by MK McClintock

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

How far would you go to avenge your family and save the one you love?

In nineteenth-century England, Alaina Claiborne had a loving family, a cherished friend, and devoted servants. She spent her days riding across the grassy hills of the English countryside, joyful and at peace.

Then tragedy strikes and her world is forever changed. Searching for those responsible is her only focus . . . until she meets Tristan.

Tristan Sheffield, a man of many talents, searches out those who don’t want to be found. His past is filled with secrets and deeds he would rather leave deeply buried. However, when his life unexpectedly entwines with Alaina's, he soon discovers they share more than a mutual desire to catch a murderer.

On their hunt for a man driven by greed, Tristan and Alaina find that love is the greatest weapon against evil, and they'll stop at nothing to survive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

Across the acres, darkness enveloped another, her surroundings illuminated by the flickering flame of a lamp. Alaina moved around in the attic, searching through trunks of the items that had come from her mother’s cottage in Ireland. It was difficult to see so many memories that reminded her of her parents, but she also found it calmed her. She had avoided these things since they had been delivered years ago, but now her fears became secondary. She hoped that something from her parents’ past would shed light on what was happening in the present.            

Alaina rummaged through a trunk of some of her mother’s clothes, pulling them out and smelling them, hoping for a faint whiff of the soft rose scent her mother used to wear. There was something lingering around the old clothes, and it took Alaina back to a time when she was a little girl. Nevertheless, the memory ended there. She paused for a moment, as if the scent reminded her of something else besides her mother. She subsequently released the memory when she saw the bottom of the trunk was not as deep as it should have been. She pulled out the remaining dress and ran her fingers along the bottom and edges. She next looked on the outside of the trunk. Nearly six inches of extra space remained near the bottom on the inside.

Alaina felt along the inside edges and became excited when she found a gap. Slowly reaching her fingers into the hole, she simultaneously pushed down on the other edge for leverage and surprised herself when the bottom tilted to reveal the extra space beneath. Removing the thin board, she set it aside and gasped when she turned back to the trunk.

“Oh, Mother. What did you do?”

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

McClintock is an over-worked entrepreneur, baker of decadent desserts and all things chocolate, photographer of beautiful places, and most importantly, a writer.

She dreams of a time when life was simpler, the land rougher, and the journey more rewarding. With her heart deeply rooted in the past and her mind always on adventure, McClintock will always call Montana home.

McClintock is a member of Romance Writers of America, Montana Romance Writers, Hearts Through History Romance Writers, and Women Writing the West.

MK McClintock Website: http://www.mkmcclintock.com/

Official Blog: http://mkmcclintock.blogspot.com 

Goodreads Profile: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5438837.M_K_McClintock 

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/mkmcclintock/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MKMcClintockBooks

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MKMcClintockMT

YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe6kJdOe1cNxDAGoUpA8NLg?feature=mhee

Book Links

Amazon Print: http://www.amazon.com/Alaina-Claiborne-British-Novels-Volume/dp/0615742505/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364457201&sr=8-1&keywords=alaina+claiborne 

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Alaina-Claiborne-British-Novels-ebook/dp/B00AYOT648/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1358790363&sr=8-2&keywords=alaina+claiborne

Reviews for Alaina Claiborne

Readers of historical fiction and romance will absolutely eat up this first book in the Alaina Claiborne British Agent novels!  It is beautifully written, intriguing, romantic and heat wrenching.  The historical content is worked in well, but it's the conversational content that makes it a magical and rewarding read.  MK McClintock is one to really be watching on the historical romance scene!

This one is a winner. 

It broke my heart several times, the poignant moments she describes are so real.

The primary protagonists, Alaina and Tristan are gorgeous, strong and brilliant characters.  Each has well-developed personalities and psychological make ups.  They blend and work together beautifully as they are bent on their single goal in espionage and revenge.  Their love story is so moving in McClintock's hands...not mushy but ringing so true and honest it pierces the heart.

I particularly love the strength of Alaina that MK gives her.  No matter what the circumstances she encounters, she is brave and noble.  It's wonderful to have a heroine of this caliber in historical romance novels.  I'm looking forward to reading more about her and I hope she inspires others to continue to bring such capable women to the forefront in romance and mystery.

This is an engaging and fast-moving book to read.  One you'll finish before you know it.  The action is steady and swift, and the characters are beguiling and beautiful.

I highly recommend the book and look forward to the series!

5 stars for this historical romance

-Deborah/TheBookishDame

(http://abookishlibraria.blogspot.com/2013/01/giveaway-alaina-claiborne-by-mk.html)

*****

Mystery isn’t my favorite genre but everyone once in a while I come across one that sounds intriguing. This one definitely is!

Being a mystery it did take me a little longer to read. I really wanted to get in every word, it’s a good book but really because I wanted to see if I could figure out the culprit! And I must say, just as I thought I had it in the bag, and then MK McClintock would pull a fast one! But even though I didn’t figure it out there are small clues so it’s not something that comes completely out of left field. Really great job!

As for the characters, they are great. I really got involved with each one. Alaina is a force to be reckoned with even with her past issues. She doesn’t want to face the night her parents died but it has haunted her very existence from the second it happened. Plus the boy that was also murdered just happened to be the boy she planned and dreamt of marrying. All of that for one child, she just hid. This is not only a mystery but a finding of one’s self after such a tragic incident.

Tristan was, hmmm… as a fictional character, let me just say, he is YUMMY! I love how Alaina and Tristan meet and how she doesn’t bow down to him and with this being in the 1800′s when women still had their “place” it just made the story all that much more interesting! But Tristan really does live up to Alaina’s fiestyness which makes him such a fun character.

The other characters are great and although this is a romance, they don’t fall head of heals in love at first sight. And thank MK McClintock for that!!! I mean seriously! I love it when an author can make the relationship seem reasonable, and this one completely is! There’s also some hot scenes in there, so definitely keep that fire extinguisher nearby!

All in all, if you’re a mystery fan, especially if you like settings in the 1800′s, you’ll go gaga for this one! I cannot wait to read more from M.K. McClintock!

-Nova Reylin/My Seryniti Blog

http://myseryniti.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/book-review-alaina-claiborne-by-mk-mcclintock/)

MK will be awarding a $10 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Follow the tour and comment; the more they comment, the better their chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: 

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/01/virtual-review-tour-alaina-claiborne-by.html

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