Eilean Donan Castle by DRW Photography

Monday, September 14, 2015

Dawn Marie Hamilton Interview & GIVEAWAY

 


Dawn happens to be one of my Favorite Authors. I just love her books. So when I get a chance to interview one of my fav's I get a little Fan Girly. I so wanted to answer some things in this interview. I so wish I lived on the East Coast :(

Appearances

2015
Oct. 3-4: Virginia is for Romance (Richmond, VA)

 Me: Tell us about yourself


Dawn: The official bio: Dawn Marie Hamilton dares you to dream. She is a 2013 RWA® Golden Heart® Finalist who pens Scottish-inspired fantasy and paranormal romance. Some of her tales are rife with mischief-making faeries, brownies, and other fae creatures. More tormented souls—shape shifters, vampires, and maybe a zombie or two—stalk across the pages of other stories. When not writing, she’s cooking, gardening, or paddling the local creeks of Southern Maryland with her husband.


Unofficially: My favorite color is peridot. I love coffee, chocolate, and red wine. I’m an introvert. I would much rather hide in my office writing romance, or bury my head in a romance novel, than attend a loud party.


Me: Tell us about your new book?


Dawn: I would love to announce that JUST WAIT FOR ME, the next book in the Highland Gardens series, is ready for release, but I’m afraid the book is delayed. I apologize to all the readers who are patiently waiting. I had to set it aside to work on a secret project with a couple of other authors. I hope we will announce the specifics of the new project soon. Keep an eye out on Facebook, twitter, my blog, etc.


JUST WAIT FOR ME is Stephen and Jillian’s story, which mostly takes place just after the Battle of Flodden. Romance and adventure and lots of fun and mayhem courtesy of the fae. There might even be a unicorn sighting.


Short synopsis:

The third match in the Fae Queen's challenge is in play. Will fae magic change Stephen and Jillian's destiny? In the chaotic aftermath of the Battle of Flodden, an injured Highland warrior makes a vow to a twenty-first century lass cast back in time by a meddling, matchmaking faerie. Stephen MacEwen promises to find a way to send her forward to her own time. But is that an oath he'll want to keep after finding love in Jillian O'Donnell's arms? And after saving Stephen's life, will Jillian want to go? No matter what the lover's decide, Stephen's wife—a woman who acquired the title through deceit—and an old enemy attempt to destroy the couple's chance for happiness. Only with the help of fae allies can Stephen and Jillian overcome and earn their reward—everlasting love.


Me: When you write, does your real life spill over into your book at any time?


Dawn: When writing, I combine the wanderings of my imagination with a myriad of life experiences. The result is pure fantasy and sometimes a wee bit wacky.

The Highland Gardens series is fantasy time travel, which I’ve never done. The current time part of the stories revolve around the fictitious town of Anderson Creek at the base of Grandfather Mountain and its somewhat unique residents. I’ve attended the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games numerous times and some of those memories have appeared in the stories. In JUST ONCE IN A VERRA BLUE MOON, the ghost piper scene where Finn returns from the past with Elspeth is based on one of my experiences at the games.


Me: Do you think about a book of yours, being made into a movie, or not when writing?


Dawn: I don’t think about my books becoming movies. I’m very happy to be writing and sharing my crazy, romantic tales with others through my books. I often find the movies made from books to be let downs and not as good as the books. As much as I like movies, I love books more.


Me: When naming your characters, do you give any thought to the actual meaning?


Dawn: Sometimes. In JUST WAIT FOR ME you will meet a young girl named Keita who lives with other children in the woods. The Celtic name Keita means of the woods or an enclosed place. With my current unnamed work in process, a Scottish Christmas tale, I named the hero Caelan or Cael derived from Nicholas. Good ole St. Nick. With most of the historical portions of my books, I try to use historically appropriate names for the particular family and/or region.


Me: What made you want to write and also what made you want to write the genre you are writing?


Dawn: During a corporate career I traveled a lot. Alone. As much as it sounds glamorous. It can get lonely. Eating alone, etc. I spent many evenings in book stores in whatever town. While on a trip to Brussels I saw a billboard with a hunky, kilted, bare chested Highlander advertising whisky. I’d been reading a lot of Scottish romances and time travel stories. The idea for the Highland Gardens series was born at that moment, although I didn’t start writing until many years later


Me: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?


Dawn: Terry Spear. I first met Terry through online writing groups and workshops and then later in person at Romance Writers of America’s National Conference. She is great. Very generous with her time, sharing her experience with new writers.


Me: Do you have to travel much concerning your books?


Dawn: I traveled often with my corporate career. All over the US, to parts of Europe, to Singapore, Malaysia, and Beijing. I draw upon those experiences, from online research, and from the multitude of books I buy or get from the library. I hope to take a trip soon to Scotland, Ireland, and France. I’m sure some of those new experiences will find their way into future books.


Me: What was the hardest part of writing your book?


Dawn: Writing is work for me. Sometimes it’s the opening line I find the hardest. Sometimes a sex scene. I’m what they call a panster. I fly by the seat of my pants with minimal plotting. Sometimes I’m not sure what comes next until it pops into my head. Sometimes the words flow. Sometimes they trickle. All that stress and pain goes away once I write the words, ‘the end.’ Very rewarding.


Me: When you start writing your book, do your H/H ever talk to you?


Dawn: Oh, they talk to me all the time. At the start of a book, during the middle, and as we approach the end together. Sometimes they take me in totally unexpected directions, and I need to go back and revise previous chapters. Other times, they tell the story out of sequence, and I have to go back and fill in the missing parts. My characters direct the story. I’m just along for the ride.


Me: Do you ever experience writer’s block?


Dawn: Occasionally, yes. That’s when I need to do something non-writing to recharge like go camping or hiking or canoeing.


Me: Do you have any tips for our readers that might dream of writing?


Dawn: Join writing groups. Talk with other writers. Take workshops. Dare to dream!

Places to keep up to date and get her Books



One person will win one E-Book of Dawn Marie Hamilton's back list. All you have to do is tell me which book you want and why you like Paranormal Romances?

Contest open till Friday the  18th at 11:50 pm PST. I will announce Winner Saturday at 12 pm PST

32 comments:

  1. I enjoy reading paranormal romance because it can be really exciting (if the author does it right). It is the thrill of the unknown for me, and the mystical elements also. I am not a big fan of vampire books. If the book contains other paranormal events, and not just vampires I will read them. Historical & paranormal together makes the book that much more enjoyable for me.

    Thanks for the interview and the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You for stopping by, I agree Angela. Not a huge fan of the Vamp. They moved away from what it was like when I was young. I do however love historical and with a mix of paranormal.

      Delete
    2. Hi, Angela and Kimi! Sorry I'm late popping in. I was in an internet dead zone for a long weekend. :) All my books to date have a touch of time travel in them, mixing a bit of contemporary life with historical life with paranormal/fantasy. SEA PANTHER is a Vampire-Shifter story with about 20% time travel to Jamaica while it was governed by Archibald Hamilton for the Brittish and just before the first Jacobite rising. :) ~dawn

      Delete
    3. By the way, Angela, thanks for visiting Kimi's blog. :)

      Delete
  2. Hi Dawn! I really enjoyed your interview. I really enjoy learning about the different authors that I follow or new ones like you. I hope that someday I can also travel to Scotland and Ireland, since my heritage comes from both countries. Your books sound intriguing, and I have added them to my tbr list. I like paranormal romances because they take us out of the normal daily possibilities of life. So much more can happen when you add shapeshifters, magic, wee folk, other universes, etc. What child hasn't dream't of meeting a superhero? I don't think we ever really lost that. Just look at Comic Con. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Starfire! Thanks for dropping by Kimi's blog. I love paranormal romances too. Great entertainment. It is so much fun to get lost in a fantasy world. And if it includes Celtic symbolism, all the better. :)

      Delete
    2. Starfire259, you won. Please contact me for your ebook. AshleyE8395@comcast.net

      Delete
  3. Oops! I forgot to tell you what book I wanted if I win! Since you are new to me, I would love to have the first book in your Highland Gardens Series--Just Beyond The Garden Gate. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You for stopping by, You will love that book. It's what got me hooked on her books.

      Delete
    2. Starfire259 You won, Please send me an email with email addy you use for e-books.
      AshleyE8395@comcast.net Congratz and I am sure you will love Dawns Book

      Delete
  4. I love paranormal romances because they take me away from every day stress and let me dream. You are new to me , so any of your books would be great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You for stopping by, You will want to start with book number one then. It will lead you to the rest.

      Delete
    2. Hi, Linda! Thanks so much for popping in. Getting lost in a romance novel is such a great way to reduce stress. As Kimi, mentioned, the fist book in the Highland Gardens series, JUST BEYOND THE GARDEN GATE, is a good place to start with my books, especially if you like magic and faeries. If you are more into vamps and shifters, then SEA PANTHER is the one. :).

      Delete
  5. Oh wanted to tell I liked your poems. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need to replace those with new ones, Thank You

      Delete
  6. Hi Kimi, What a beautiful page/blog/etc. you have here. You did an excellent job, love it. While I haven't read any of Dawn's books, I would love to start. My 2 favorite things are the Paranormal and reading Historical Romance Books. I Have been an avid reader for yrs. and I love the two Genres together, it's all so mysterious and thrilling. Starting with book 1 would be perfect. Thank you for your time and have a beautiful day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You for stopping by and Thank you for the complement. You will love her work, as I do.

      Delete
    2. Hi, Cindy! Thanks for visiting Kimi's blog. I have so much fun playing with paranormal elements and history when writing my stories. :)

      Delete
    3. Hi Dawn, Wow thanks for replying I appreciate it. I just bought your 3 books and can't wait to read them. So ( Kimi ) please give the free book to another lucky avid reader. Enjoy your Evenings Ladies, I know I will. Cindy...

      Delete
  7. Hi Dawn and Kimi,
    Very enjoyable interview. I'm a huge fan of historical novels but I also love paranormal/fantasy, particularly when there's some historical elements to it. If I win, I'd love to get the 2nd book in Dawn's Highland Gardens series (I won the anthology - Highland Charm First Fantasies - and Book 1 is part of it - still on my TBR list).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by. I love her books and am sure you will also.

      Delete
    2. Hi, Liette. Thanks for stopping by. Congrats on winning a copy of HIGHLAND CHARM. I was honored to be asked to join the other authors for that project and have been tickled pink by its popularity. :)

      Delete
  8. I would love to have Just Beyond the Garden Gate (Highland Gardens Book 1). It's been a while since I read the book, and I would love to read it again. Thanks so much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by. That's one reason why I like buying books e-books. I don't have to worry about returning them (meaning KU)

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. Hi, Kathy! Thanks for dropping by. I'm so pleased that you would like to read JUST BEYOND THE GARDEN GATE again. That will always be the book of my heart. :)

      Delete
  9. This is a new author for me so I would have to say her first book so I can start at the beginning and go from there. But if there is one that would be better to start with please let me know.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by. I think the first book is the best. But all her books rock.

      Delete
    2. Hi, Tina! Thanks for visiting Kimi's blog. I love reading series because I like to meet characters from early books in later books. Although I've met some readers that like to jump into a series in the middle, I prefer to start with the first book. JUST BEYOND THE GARDEN GATE is a good place to begin with my books. :)

      Delete
  10. Hey, Kimi! Thanks for having me on your blog!!! <3

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have your books on my wish list but never read any yet, so Beyond the Garden Gate would be ideal, I like it when medieval or highlanders are touched with a bit of magic

    ReplyDelete
  12. Starfire259 You won, Please send me an email with email addy you use for e-books.
    AshleyE8395@comcast.net Congratz and I am sure you will love Dawns Book

    ReplyDelete