Please Welcome a fellow Author of Secret Cravings Publishing to my blog Harper A. Brooks with her release His Haven, with an interview and excerpt.
INTERVIEW
Hello Harper, thank you so much for guesting on my blog today, lets learn a little about you,
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
-Well, I'm a paranormal/historical romance author, as well
as a volunteer softball coach, avid crocheter, and recently college graduate
all rolled into one.
What was your ideal career when you were a child?
-When I was a child, I actually wanted to be a doctor. My
grandfather suffered with severe diabetes, and all I wanted to do was cure him.
It wasn't until I was in seventh grade that my plans changed, and I found my
love for writing. My ideal career turned from medical into publications.
What inspired you to become an author?
-I used to HATE to read. It wasn't until the Harry Potter
explosion that I discovered my love for all things reading and writing. I love
the way Rowling created a new world, a new universe, and I wanted to do the
same.
When did you start writing?
-Seventh grade. Actually in school. I would bring a notebook
into class and write whenever I got five seconds.
Do you consider yourself a plotter, or pantser or a hybrid?
-I guess I'm a hybrid (I will admit, I had to google what a
pantser was...). I plan scenes, not really plot, and then I work towards that.
I like to ride the plot roller coaster, too. Let my characters make things
happen and surprise me. So, a little bit of both.
What do you think your career would be if you weren't a
writer?
-I actually went to school to be an high school English
teacher. I guess that's where I would be if I didn't want to go into
writing/publishing.
How long does it take to write sex scenes?
-Oh my goodness. His Haven had my first attempt at
sex scenes in it. I was terrified, but it didn't take me long to complete at
all. Editing...That's another story.
Do you have any writing rituals?
-Rituals, no...but if I'm handwriting, I NEED a purple pen.
Purple isn't even my favorite color! My favorite color is red. Weird, right?
Purple just writes better than other pens, in my opinion.
What’s the best way to get over writer’s block?
-I'm currently in a writer's block actually, but what
usually helps me is talking about my plot with other authors. Bouncing ideas
off friends and just brainstorming.
What scene for you was the hardest to write and how did you
overcome that obstacle?
-In His Haven, the hardest scene, I would say, was
the opening scene. I always struggle with first chapters. They're so important!
But I want to skip them and get to all my other ideas. His Haven's first
chapter was originally one page long! I just wrote something down so that I
could jump into the actually story. Then, I went back and rewrote it.
Please describe the hero and heroines attributes. What is
your hero and heroine like?
-His Haven takes place in the mid 1800s, so think
elaborate gowns, jewelry, parties, and strict manners. My hero, Avrum Brenin,
is not like normal alpha romance heroes. I wanted to create a hero who becomes
a romance hero—he doesn't start out that way. I really wanted to show his
transition. He starts out diligent to his creator, Lord Henri, blinded and
loyal, but by the end of the novel, he is independent, strong, and a true
leader.
My heroine, Haven, is the aristocrat Lord Henri wants her to
be. She was born into poverty and can survive on her own. She has a sharp
tongue, is strong willed, and determined to leave Greystone Manor no matter
what.
Can you tell us about your current book, His Haven, The
Redemption Series: Book One?
-His Haven:
Set
in nineteen century England and is the first novel of a series of three.
After
a deadly fire consumes his family's farm, handsome and diligent Avrum Brenin
should have died along with his mother and older brother. Instead, he is saved
by the powerful and wealthy immortal, Lord Henri. Placed under his care, Avrum
shares in his world of endless splendors. He must do one thing in return--look
after Haven, a human girl.
Ripped
away from her home, Haven is thrust into Lord Henri's lap and under Avrum's
watchful eye. She is forced to play the part of Lord Henri's new charity, but
the truth of her capture lays hidden beneath the bracelets on her wrists and
the high collars of her gowns. She knows that in this world love cannot exist.
There is danger all around, and the only desire she has is to escape.
What made you write ‘this’ story?
-This was my first attempt at paranormal romance. I use to
write historical fiction before this, but I was challenged by a fellow writer
to try paranormal romance. So I did. I just combined historical elements to it.
What can readers expect next from you?
-I am writing His Haven's sequel, Patterns in the
Ivy, which is about Lysander, Avrum's silent and tortured friend. I'm also
working on a new series about the origins of shifters. The first novel is
titled, The Hunt, and features Cara and Kael—giant cat shifters. I
LOVE this story so far. I already have three books planned for the
series.
What does your family and friends think about your writing
paranormal romances?
-I always get that one eyebrow raised look at first—that “uh
huh, that's what you're into” look. But when people read His Haven and
say how much they enjoyed it, even the sexy parts, the look changes to a
slight, satisfied smirk.
What is your favorite all time book?
-Sense and Sensibility. I am a HUGE Jane Austen fan.
I even took my final English college seminar on all her books and loved every
minute of it. I wrote a doctorate-esqe paper on her for the hell of it. So
maybe “huge” fan doesn't cover my obsession. When people talk about Austen,
they usually mention Pride and Prejudice as their favorite book, but I
liked Sense and Sensibility more. I just connected with Elinor Dashwood
right away.
Other than writing, what are some of your passions in life?
-As I mentioned before, I crochet. I taught myself during my
last year in school to calm myself during finals. I love creating things and
giving them as gifts. I also am passionate about softball. I played for
thirteen years and coached for five. I think the sport will always be a part of
me.
BLURB:
Ignorance isn’t always bliss…
Handsome
and diligent Avrum Brenin should have died in the fire with his mother and
older brother. Instead, he is saved by the powerful and wealthy immortal, Lord
Henri. Placed under his care, Avrum shares in his world of endless splendors.
He must do one thing in return—look after Haven, a human and Lord Henri’s
newest rescue.
The
simple task proves to be more complicated than it seems. Haven is disobedient,
ungrateful, and hostile, yet she is beautiful and mystifying at the same time.
One night, when Avrum stumbles across Haven barely clothed and bound at the
wrists, the world he has trusted in unravels before his eyes. He soon discovers
that no one—from Lord Henri and Haven to his closest friend, Lysander—are who
they seem to be.
Now
faced with the truth, will Avrum choose to surrender to the man who rescued
him, or will he have the courage to save the woman who captivated him?
EXCERPT:
Avrum
stared at her for a long while, saying nothing. Slowly, his eyes returned to
their normal soft brown color. He released her wrists, and his attention
dropped to her parted lips. Haven remained still as his hand slid down her arm
and entangled in her hair. His mouth pressed against hers with such desperation
that it stole her breath away. She could feel his body soften against hers, the
anger gone. His tongue ran along the seam of her lips, and she opened for him,
enjoying the little explosions of heat that spread throughout her body in every
place his skin touched.
He
took his time kissing her, his movements never rough, but tender and full of
need. Then, he released her lips and pressed his forehead against hers. Her
breath came in short, quick gasps as he looked down at her. “I would never do
any of those terrible things to you,” Avrum whispered to her, “because I am not
like him.”
“I
know,” she said softly. “I should have never said it.”
“I
would never do anything to hurt you. I need you here, Haven. I need you here
with me.”
Haven’s
heart clenched. He wasn’t like Henri at all. His touches were gentle and slow.
She wondered how she could ever compare the two. There was no fear, no pain
with him. Haven tilted her chin and captured his mouth with hers again. He
kissed her with just as much fervor as before, which made her knees weak and
her head swim. A pleasant hum coursed through her, and the desire to feel him
closer to her became overwhelming. She wanted him. She wanted him more than
anything else.
Avrum’s
hand ran up her back, causing her to arch forward and press more into his hard
chest. His lips traveled along her jaw. A small whimper escaped her. She could
feel his fingers grasping the strings at the nape of her neck. He pulled them
until the knot gave way. His hand moved along her shoulder, taking the thin
cotton material of the nightgown with it.
Haven
twisted her hips, heat pooling at her center. Her nightgown slid down her arms,
settling around her hips. The cool attic air kissed her newly exposed flesh,
and it wasn’t long before Avrum’s hands were on her again, cupping her breasts
and running up and down her flat belly. Haven almost cried out from the sheer
pleasure of it.
She knotted her hands in his shoulder-length hair,
the tie falling away. She had never felt anything like this before. It felt
like her skin was crawling with electricity and simplest touch could send her
over the edge.
BUY LINKS
Praise for His Haven:
“His Haven is a fantastic mix of historical and paranormal romance… Action.
Romance. A touch of horror. You can’t put this book down.”–Cynthia Carole, author of
the Cedarville Novella Series
“Exciting and suspenseful… sweet and hot all at the
same time. I recommend that anyone that loves books about vampires read this
and you won’t regret it.”–Crystal
N., Reviewer from SSYL
“Ms. Brooks has started a story of
other-worldly magnitude where adventure and secrecy filled the pages. Twist and
turns ran amok as the author delivered angst, love, friendship and intrigue.”–Evelise,
Reviewer from S.E.X. Reviews
His Haven is NOW available in ebook AND paperback!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Harper A. Brooks lives in a small town on the
New Jersey shore. Even as a young child, she has surrounded herself with good
literature, so it is no surprise that her love for reading and writing has
expanded into all parts of her life. She is a dedicated softball coach,
student, teacher, and friend who enjoys writing about fantastical worlds when
she believes real life gets too mundane.
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