1) When and why did you decide you wanted to be a published author?
Shortly after finishing my first story. I
originally wrote it purely for my own pleasure but I decided that, even if only
one other person ever read it, it would be nice to share something that I loved
creating.
2) What is the best and worse thing you have learned from an
editor/agent?
I’ve learnt that I’m not very good with
taking criticism! But the best advice was remembering to show rather than tell.
You don’t need to describe every nuance if you can show it in your characters
reactions. Let the reader take the lead. I don’t think I’ve had any bad advice
yet.
3) Favourite author/s?
Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, Terry
Pratchett and Sue Grafton and numerous unnamed romantic authors. I love so
many!
4) What is your typical day?
I have twin girls who are six, so my day
starts with getting them sorted for school. I don’t write until the afternoon
so if I’m not spending time with friends, then I’ll do some housework and
tackle all my emails. I do the rest of my writing in the evening, when I seem
to be at my most productive.
5) Share your blurb or short excerpt from your latest release with us
As a rebellion sweeps England, Lady Annabel
finds her home overrun by rebels. Much to her relief, a dark knight comes to
her rescue, claiming to have been sent to protect her by her uncle.
But Nicholas holds a secret about the job
he was sent to do and it is a far cry from what Annabel believes it to be. As
the attraction between them grows, Nicholas begins to question the dark life he
has lived. But is it enough to change him and will Annabel ever trust again
after learning the true nature of his sinful duty?
6) Who would you cast to play your hero & heroine in a movie?
I watched a film called Ironclad recently
which was set in Medieval England. It was not a particularly romantic film but
James Purefoy played a beautifully brooding knight and he would be perfect as
Nicholas. As for Annabel, that’s tough. She’s so unaffected, it’s hard to
imagine many actresses that could do her. I enjoyed Scarlett Johansson’s
performance in Girl With a Pearl Earring, so perhaps her.
7) Did you plan this book? Or write it as it came?
I don’t really plan my books properly. I
certainly have a strong idea of where they are to go but I don’t write anything
down and The Angel’s Assassin was the same. I wanted to write an anti-hero but
a lot of it just developed as I went along. About halfway through I had the end
written. I don’t write in order very often so I frequently have the end before
I have the beginning!
8) What surprised you the most when you became a published?
I was surprised by how willing people were
to take a chance on an unknown author. My first novel reached bestseller status
very quickly, at a time when it hardly had any reviews, and I was just blown
away. The support I receive from readers still amazes me.
9) Do you have a dedicated writing space? What does it look like?
I don’t. I ought to but I don’t. I
generally write from my couch which is a gorgeously soft thing and probably
terrible for my back. I also like to write in the bath. One day I’m sure that
will end in disaster!
10)
What’s next for you?
I’m working on my next medieval romance at
the moment. It’s still in the early stages but it deals with communication
issues and features two very sexy brothers. My ‘One Knight’ series is also
being released as a collection this month.
You can follow me
on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/romanticfiction
I frequently host
book some great giveaways on my website http://www.samanthaholt.org.uk.
The
Angel's Assassin
by Samantha Holt
Self-Published
44,000 words
(eBook format)
Erotic Historical
Romance
Contains
Elements of Action
Heat Level:
Steamy
Available at:
Amazon (US) - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00989J3PM
Amazon (UK) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00989J3PM
Blurb:
A medieval story
of love and betrayal.
As a rebellion
sweeps England, Lady Annabel finds her home overrun by rebels. Much to her
relief, a dark knight comes to her rescue, claiming to have been sent to
protect her by her uncle.
But Nicholas
holds a secret about the job he was sent to do and it is a far cry from what
Annabel believes it to be. As the attraction between them grows, Nicholas
begins to question the dark life he has lived. But is it enough to change him
and will Annabel ever trust again after learning the true nature of his sinful
duty?
Excerpt:
“What is your name?”
He stared at her as he paused mid-bite.
Withdrawing the bread, he shifted uncomfortably.
“My name is of no import, my lady.”
“I would know the name of my rescuer.”
He looked to the floor. “I am no rescuer,
just a lowly knight doing his duty.”
“Your modesty becomes you, Sir Knight, but
I would still know your name.”
Annabel awaited his response, the air
between them growing uncomfortably thick.
He heaved a sigh, wondering how it was that
a diminutive woman had got the better of him.
“Nicholas,” he grated out reluctantly.
“Nicholas,” she repeated softly. “And I am
Annabel.”
“I know, my lady.”
“Nay, Annabel. Not ‘my lady’. You have
surely earned the right to address me as such.”
He shook his head, dropping his gaze to the
ground once more. He could not bring himself to utter her name, not when he
knew what was to come. “Nay, my lady, I am your servant and I will address you
as a servant should.”
Annabel must have sensed she was fighting a
losing battle as she protested no more and fell silent. Nicholas risked sideways
glances at her as her as she nibbled delicately on the hardened bread, and he
realised he took far too much pleasure in the sight of her ample lips moving
with each bite.
Brushing the crumbs from her skirts,
Nicholas watched, mesmerised, as she twisted her long braid over her shoulder.
Tugging on the red ribbon that tied the end of the braid, it loosened, sending
the length of her hair shimmering across her shoulders. It brushed the dirt and
Nicholas felt his mouth dry as she touched a finger to his arm. Surrounded by a
halo of hair, she glanced up at him, her mouth curling. Without a word, she
tied the ribbon about his large arm and fussed with it until she was satisfied.
Nicholas touched tentatively at the ribbon
and gave her a perplexed look.
“You saved my life, Nicholas. ‘Tis a favour
from a lady to a knight.” She grinned at his confusion. “You have received
favours before, surely? I would expect a knight of your valour to have
championed many a lady.”
He wondered if she was teasing him but her
expression was completely guileless. He groaned inwardly. This woman probably
believed wholeheartedly in courtly love. From his little experience he had come
to conclude that it did not exist.
“For fear of disappointing you, my lady, I
am sorry to admit that there you are mistaken. I have championed no ladies.”
“Well, ‘tis no matter,” she told him with a
tender smile, “For you have championed me.”
Unable to bare her dazzling eyes any
longer, he stood abruptly. Champion? He laughed inwardly. She had no idea of
the kind of man he was, and he was thoroughly aware that he was far removed
from the heroic knights that minstrels and poets spoke of.
He felt a pang of something, an
uncomfortable sensation settling in his gut. Nicholas couldn’t name it but he
didn’t like its implications. For all her naivety and gentle manners, this
woman was going to be trouble. He felt threatened by her somehow, as if she had
directly challenged him rather than quietly accepting his every word without
question.
“Are you ready to continue on, my lady?”
Annabel sighed and stood, in spite of her
obvious weariness. “I am in your hands, Nicholas. I will do whatever you
command.”
Nicholas tried to tamp down on the desire
stirring in his loins at her words and failed. Instead, he grunted and turned
away, stomping off without checking if she was following. The sooner this job
was over, the better.
Book Trailer:
About the Author:
Samantha Holt resides in Warwickshire,
England, with her twin girls, having followed her soldier husband around the UK
for nearly 10 years. Growing up in Hampshire, she was inspired by the authors
Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell, both of which lived and wrote only miles
from her home town.
Samantha loves the
romance genre and has been devouring romantic literature for as long as she can
remember. History is another passion of hers and she loves to combine her love
for history and romance into exciting and passionate tales.
Rafflecopter Code: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f92c8698/
No comments:
Post a Comment