Giveaway and Interview with Brooklyn Rivers and her book The Road to Dark Desire

Happy Sunday CEWTNK!!  I have a stunning line-up for you today!!  And what better way to get it off than with an amazing historical romance author and a great giveaway?  I have Brooklyn Rivers with me today and was able to snag an interview with her.  Let's take a look at what got Brooklyn started:

How old were you when you first realized you wanted to write?

I started writing when I was a teenager.  Teenagers are driven by emotion and what is going on in their lives.  Creativity has no bounds at this age.  Writing is a wonderful outlet.  I like to think of it as more than a hobby.  It's a passion!

Tell us a little bit about the book. 

Ah!  I'm thrilled to release my historical romance novel, The Road to Dark Desire. The story is set in 17th Century England when the country is on the verge of another civil war.  The hero, Quentin Ellesbrooke, has lost everything, resorting to a life of crime.  Every woman loves a bad boy, and our hero is just that—a highwayman. 

His enemy, Alastair Prescott, sets out to destroy him using any means possible—even using his sister's expertise in the Dark Arts.  Prescott and his sister, Katherine, will stop at nothing to ruin the infamous Ellesbrooke Bandit.

Prescott's plan is ruined when Quentin barely escapes with his life and is rescued by a beautiful young woman named Skyler Weston.  She has no idea that this handsome stranger is the most dangerous highwayman in Britain.  To add a twist, Ellesbrooke is under the impression that Skyler is a tavern wench instead of the daughter of one of the most influential men in Great Britain!  The physical attraction grows unbearable between Quentin and Skyler.  The battle between honor and forbidden passion begins.

 Meanwhile, Katherine uses witchcraft to form a diabolical plan.  She can speak to spirits and uses the art of scrying to gain information.  You see, Katherine is an extremely possessive woman and loves Quentin in her own sick way.  Obsessive is more like it.  She's a firm believer in"If I can't have him, then no one will."  Katherine and Alastair plot to draw out the Ellesbrooke Bandit once and for all, using Skyler as the bait.

Things take a turn for the worst when Quentin is captured by Prescott's army.  How far is Skyler willing to go to save her highwayman?

The Road to Dark Desire is a historical romance filled with love, adventure, mystery, and mysticism.  This ebook is classified as "adult" fiction and contains material unsuitable for young readers.

What made you choose this genre?

I've always been drawn to historical romance as well as mysticism.  It's a great way to escape from realities of the world we live in today. 

Most authors have an unusual story or way that they come up with their ideas for books…Do you have one?

I'm a history buff, and I love to travel. I try to weave elements of history and stories of real people in my writing.    

Several years ago, I had a wonderful opportunity to spend two weeks in Ireland, Scotland, and England. 

There's nothing better than an adventure abroad!  I'm a spontaneous person and wanted to experience new territory on my own terms.  What better way to do so than renting a car and following the path less traveled?  If you ever get a chance to explore the United Kingdom, I highly recommend it. 

Every castle I saw told a story.  Every battlefield, filled excitement.  Driving through the countryside, I imagined ancient battles commencing.  You know, there's so much more to history than memorizing dates and locations.  We can't forget the people and their experiences.

Are sex scenes difficult for you to word?

Sex scenes aren't difficult to write if you have an active imagination.  I like for my readers to experience what the characters are experiencing--the passion, the desire.  I want to paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind of what is happening not only physically, but also emotionally.  If a reader feels like she (or he) needs to take a cold shower and have a drink after reading a sex scene that I've written, then I feel I've done my job.

Do you see yourself writing in another genre?

I'm sticking with Historical Romance for now.  I may expand my horizons later on, but I have many stories to tell in this genre.

Has your family been supportive?
My family has been the pillar of my success. I couldn't have done it without their support.  I love 'em!

Are any of your characters reflective of you?
I guess there's a little bit of me in every character I create, but I like to take personality traits from people I know and incorporate them into my characters.  For example, in The Road to Dark Desire, I've immortalized my father through the character, William McAllen.  My father's family immigrated to the U.S. from Scotland.  Anyone who knows my dad can readily identify the strength, demeanor and (of course) the Scottish accent.  He makes me smile..

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I focus on my children and try to be the best mom I can.

What were some of your biggest challenges at the beginning of your career?
The BIGGEST challenge I still face is finding time to sit down and write.  There are not enough hours in the day to transfer my imagination to virtual paper.  :)

How do you feel about reader comments?
Everyone has an opinion and they are entitled to share it.  I appreciate feedback from readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors? 
Keep writing and don't give up!  There will be road blocks ahead but maneuver the best you can to get where you're going.

Where are your books available?
My books are available in several different formats including Kindle, Nook, HTML, EPUB, PDF, RTF, LRF, PDB, and plain text.

You can find them on:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Road-Dark-Desire-ebook/dp/B007R5LPPU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336009424&sr=8-1

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Road-Dark-Desire-ebook/dp/B007R5LPPU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336009876&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-road-to-dark-desire-brooklynn-rivers/1109863717?ean=9781105608605

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/142371

LuLu:  http://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?type=&keyWords=The+Road+to+Dark+Desire&x=10&y=8&sitesearch=lulu.com&q=

Other sites are:                                 

Diesel

Sony

Kobo

Apple

Baker-Taylor

All Romance eBooks

What can we expect from you in the future?

I am releasing a short story entitled Secret Passions within the next week.  It's set in the Middle Ages (a time period that I LOVE!).  A young woman is betrothed to a man that she completely detests.  She falls for a knight who has to escort her to his castle.  The title gives the readers a taste of what the story is about.  You might need to get that cold shower ready!

 My next historical romance is Conquered Shores.  It takes place during the Viking Age (950 A.D.).  A warrior named Gunnar Ravenshield raids a village just off the coast of Ireland where he kidnaps a young woman who has visions that tell the future.  After the Norse goddess, Freya, visits Ravenshield and tells him that he must protect her at any cost.  He must make Shannon fall in love with him in order for the prophecy to come true.  How can this happen when she wants nothing to do with Ravenshield and his barbaric beliefs.  Her plan is to escape Dublin and find her way back to her beloved clan.  Things get complicated when another Viking wants Shannon for his own—he knows how valuable she is and will stop at nothing to possess her.  This story has plenty of romance, adventure, mystery and magic.  Once again, it is geared for adults due to content.

I'm excited to finish this project and have thoroughly enjoyed researching key elements such as Viking life and Norse mythology.  Conquered Shores should be released in June 2012.  Please check my author website for further details.

Where can we reach you and become informed of updates?

Everyone is welcome to stop by and visit my author page.  Feel free to leave a comment.  I'd love to hear from you!  http://sites.google.com/site/brooklynnrivers/home

Author Bio

Ms. Rivers is a native of Virginia and is currently living near the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.  In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, photography, cooking, and (of course) watching the History Channel.  Long summer days and slow walks on the beach are just a few of her favorite things.

She has traveled abroad visiting castles and monuments which have inspired her writing career.  Brooklynn is an avid history buff that loves to incorporate elements of real life events in her stories.

Guest Post

Hi Everyone!  I would like for everyone to meet Quentin Ellesbrooke, the hero of my new historical romance novel, THE ROAD TO DARK DESIRE.  Ellesbrooke, a 17th Century British Nobleman, has lost everything—his land, riches and his family's reputation to his enemy Alastair Prescott.  He is propelled into a life of crime as a highwayman, robbing anyone who travels through the lonely road of Shooter's Pass.
At the beginning of the story, I want the reader to see the Ellesbrooke Bandit as a rogue—a thief out for his own gain.  He lives life on the edge, so to speak.  After all, he has nothing to lose.
            When you first "meet" him, the Ellesbrooke Bandit portrays himself as charming opportunist viewing life as a highwayman as a game filled with adventure.  Later on, he begins to have a change of heart after a young maiden saves his life.  There is just something about this mysterious lady that intrigues him.  He is attracted to her physically but vows to remain a gentlemen.  The sexual tension steadily grows until it consumes both of them in the flames of passion.
            Quentin doesn't completely undergo a final metamorphosis until he falls in love with the beautiful and high-strung Skyler Weston.  He is determined to tell her of his true feelings but both of them are being hunted down by Alastair.  Quentin and Skyler flee across England trying to evade capture.  The love he feels for her transforms him into the hero he truly is inside.

An injured highwayman with a bounty on his head. A lady determined to save his life. Who will sacrifice the most in the name of love?

Quentin Ellesbrooke has it all until he is betrayed by his lover, Katherine Prescott and her evil stepbrother. With danger nipping at his heels, the Ellesbrooke Bandit gets more than he bargains for when a beautiful lady saves his life. Soon the battle between honor and forbidden lust will begin.

Skyler Weston is about to embark on an adventure wilder than she could ever imagine. After rescuing a stalwart highwayman from the brink of death, she becomes entangled in a web of hidden pleasures, danger and intrigue. Can this highwayman be trusted or is he a gentleman rogue out for his own gain? Seduced by his mysterious past, she is torn between protecting her virginity and succumbing to the dark desires that lie dormant within her soul.

A Big Thank you to Brooklyn for stopping by today!!  She is giving away a paper-back and a e-copy!!  So two winners!!  Just fill out the rafflecoptor!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway