Book Tour for Borderland Bride by Samantha Holt (Interview & GIVEAWAY)

Samantha Holt is visiting today to discuss her new steamy historical, Borderland Bride.  So keep reading to learn more about Ms. Holt through our Q&A and by visiting the other blogs hosting this tour. Make sure to fill out the form below for your chance to win a great prize.....

TSP:  Knowing what you do now about the publishing business, would you have done anything different career-wise?

SH:  I’m not sure I would have done anything different. I perhaps would have spent less time going down certain marketing roads but I can’t really regret much because I’m very happy with the way things are heading.
TSP:  What does your writing space look like and do you surround yourself with any particularly inspirational items?
SH:  My writing space is terrible. I sit on one end of the sofa and it’s not even that comfortable! I am trying to persuade my children I need half of their playroom but they’re having none of it at the moment.
TSP:  Do you have a particularly favorite genre or a genre that you haven't yet written in but would like to?
SH:  Historical romance will always be my first love. I just finished a fantasy romance and that was fun, but I missed my medieval stuff. I may explore writing contemporary romance one day but I don’t think I will ever go beyond the romance sub-genres.
TSP:  Beyond its synopsis, what do you want us to know about Borderland Bride?
SH:  I really tried to inject a feeling of what it was like in the borderlands at the time. Of course, the romance is the most important part but I love to suck people back in time. It’s set shortly after the plague and the borderlands were particularly dangerous then. I think the sense of danger makes the romance that much stronger.

TSP:  Which of your books would you like to see made into a movie and who would play the main couple?

SH:  Well, of course I’d be thrilled for any of them to be turned into a movie but my most dramatic and interesting tale is probably A Summer Siege. It was based on the siege of Dover Castle which is an amazing moment in history. I love Chris Hemsworth so I’d like him to play the hero. As for the heroine, that’s tougher - maybe Scarlett Johansson. She can kick a bit of butt!

TSP:  Of all the heroes you've written, who's the most heroic in your opinion?

SH:  Dominic from Borderland Beauty, which will be coming out at the end of May, actually ended up being one of my most heroic I think. He helps Lucy, my heroine, love herself which is pretty heroic in my mind, and he has a few heroic moments too.

TSP:  How has the digital revolution affected your career and how you market yourself?  Do you have an eReader yourself?

SH:  I read ebooks but actually I just read them on my netbook. I haven’t seen the need to fork out for an ereader yet as I’m happy reading on my computer. As for how it’s affected my career, well I don’t think I would have achieved nearly so much without it. Although there’s a large amount ofebooks out there, it’s still easier to get yourself out there, particularly if people like your stuff.

TSP:  My site's all about favorite things, so what are your favorite things/the things you can't live without?

SH:  My pillow comes everywhere. I’m a terrible sleeper and I even take it on holiday! I need coffee to survive but it has to be frothy coffee and a cheeky pastry every now and then. I couldn’t live without my daughters’ cuddles though. Nothing like a big squeeze to make everything right.

These are the borderlands, lass. We make our own rules here.

In the wilderness of 14th century Northumbria, Lady Isabel discovers just how dangerous the borderlands can be. With the loss of her voice and her hearing, there is little hope left for her. But when a brooding knight rescues her, she vows never to become a victim again and buries the secrets of her past in the hope that those hunting her will never find her in the borderlands.

Jake is astonished to come across the beautiful Isabel, near to death, on his brother’s lands. Bringing her back to his brother’s home, he finds himself longing for something more from the courageous woman, something that he thought he would never want again. Isabel works her way into his scarred heart and opens Jake up to loving once more. But will Isabel’s secrets destroy their bond? And with his charismatic brother, Dominic, charming her, does he even stand a chance?

EXCERPT:

“Isabel, what in God’s name are you doing?”

“I am returning to my father,” she told him breathlessly.

“You would see yourself in that monster’s hands? Why?”

“I cannot see Thornewall suffer for my sakes. And I cannot see you or Dominic harmed. Not for me.”

“We are grown men; will you not let us make these decisions ourselves? Thornewall is strong, we have endured worse.”

Isabel shook her head. “Nay, I will not see war brought to your door. If my father fails here, then he will turn his attention to your lands. They have not the strength of Thornewall, you have said as much yourself.”

Jake squeezed her arm until he saw her wince. Damn his brutish manners. He could not let her throw herself into the arms of a murderer for their sakes. “I can defend my lands, lass. I’ve done it before and I’ll gladly do it again.”

But she was right, Greycroft was ill prepared for a full-scale war and his own castle would not hold out long against a siege. It was likely he would die defending it.

“That is what I fear,” she said softly and Jake wondered if he had spoken aloud.

Her voice took on a desperate quality and she pulled against his grip. “Let me go, Jake, for I cannot allow you to place yourself in danger for me. Not for a woman that hurt you so.”

He considered her and saw the fear in her eyes - a fear that was not for herself, but for him, his brother, and all their people. How he could ever have thought her as wicked as his wife, he knew not. There was nothing in this lass but kindness. He gulped, fighting the words he would have to say. There was no other way.

“Isabel, you do not have to return.”

“I do, Jake!” She struggled again.

“Listen…” He grabbed at her other arm and pinned her still. “Listen, there is another way. Marry…”

She ceased her struggles and stared at him.

“Marry Dominic.”

Isabel blinked at him. “What?” she whispered.

“Marry Dominic. Your father would be a fool to say nay to such an allegiance. He is one of the richest men in England. There will be no war and you will be safe.”

Safe. He clung to the word, trying to ignore the ache in his heart. It didn’t matter, as long as she was safe. In spite of himself, he urged her to say nay, to confess her love for him, but he knew it could come to nothing. He had nothing to offer Lord Henry in return for her hand.

Isabel gaped at him. “Marry Dominic? But…did he decide this?”

“Nay.” He sighed. “‘Twas my idea.”

She gulped and her eyes misted with tears as she took a deep breath. Her composure regained, she shook her head in disbelief. “Why would you suggest such an idea?”

BUY LINKS:   AMAZON   |   BN   |   JUPITER GARDENS PRESS

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AUTHOR INFO:

Samantha resides in Warwickshire, England with her twin girls and occasionally her husband, who works abroad. She admits that his long absences often help get the creative juices flowing. She's a romance addict and has been devouring all kinds of romance for as long as she can remember.
A huge history buff, Samantha likes to blend her love of the past with her love of romance and create thrilling and passionate tales set to medieval backdrops. She thinks there's nothing sexier than a rugged warrior and a feisty maiden falling head over heels for each other.

Website: http://www.samanthaholt.org.uk/
Blog: http://samanthaholtauthor.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/romanticfiction

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