Today’s Spotlight is on Andrea R. Cooper, author of Viking Fire:
Why do you write?
I write fantasy, paranormal and historical romance.
What’s your favorite genre?
Fantasy and Romance! (I can’t just pick one; I love the magic of both)
Do you have a favorite author (if so, please tell us the name)?
I have many favorite authors, but I’ll try to limit it to six. Terry Goodkind, Anne Bishop, PC Cast, Yasmine Galenorn, Kim Harrison, and Julie Garwood.
To be successful as an author, what do you see as the main goal?
To continue writing and to finish the half dozen novels I’ve started which are in various stages of completion.
What inspires you and how do you channel it when you need inspiration?
Lots of things can inspire me. A movie, a song, a dream, the way an old oak twists to look like a bench. When I need inspiration, I just let my mind wonder—usually when I’m doing mundane tasks like cleaning.
What advice can you give to aspiring authors?
Join a writers’ critique group as soon as you can—or the least, a writing class. Find your strengths and weaknesses. Learn from your weaknesses and make them stronger. Write. Even if you hate what you write, you’ll get better. Don’t give up.
What advice would you give to the youth of today (not just authors)?
Everyone is different; celebrate the differences. Have more empathy, put yourself in someone else’s place. Smile—it’s magical, not only can it brighten your life, but others as well.
What’s on your bucket list?
To see the world. I would love to touch the old (and new) stone walls of The McLaughlin castles in Scotland (where my ancestry on one side of my family is from). Since I love history, I’d like to visit all of the UK, France, Greece, Australia, everywhere. Even Nashville, Tennessee. Why? You ask. Because they have a full scale replica of the Parthenon and even though it’s not as old as the original, it would be so amazing to see it like the ancients did. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenon_(Nashville) And it’s a lot close in distance and probability to me getting there J
Tell us about your book:
In 856 CE, Ireland is a land of myth, magic, and blood. Viking raiders have fought the Irish for over half a century. Rival Irish clans promise only betrayal and carnage.
Kaireen, daughter of Laird Liannon, is suddenly forced into an arranged marriage with her sworn enemy, a Viking. She refuses to submit. With no mention of love, only land and the protection of her clan, she endeavors to get her betrothed banished from her country. Will love find its way around her stubborn heart?
Bram, the Viking, finds himself without future or inheritance as a younger son in his family. A marriage to the Laird’s daughter would grant him land if he swears fidelity and if his men will fight along with the Liannons against any foe—Irish or Viking. However, the Laird’s feisty daughter only holds animosity for him and his kind. Is marriage worth the battle scars of such a relentless opponent?
With the blame for a rival laird’s death treacherously set against the Liannons, Kaireen and Bram must find a way to lay aside their differences as an unforeseen darkness sends death snapping at their heels
What would you like people to know about you:
I have always enjoyed creating characters and stories. But it wasn’t until I was in my late twenties that I started writing novels.
What happened that ignited the writing flame in my fingers? Divorced, and disillusioned by love songs and stories. They exaggerate. I thought. Love and Romance are not like that in the real world. Then I met her husband and realized, yes love and romance are exactly like the songs and stories say.
Once I heard about a writer who never let her characters deviate from the script. If they did, she just killed them. How sad. For me one of the best parts of being a writer is letting the characters have a mind of their own and seeing where the story takes us.
A quote from Robert Frost sums up my opinion on allowing the characters their freedom: “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.”
I love reading and writing fantasy, paranormal and historical romance. And I hope you will enjoy the stories as much as I did writing them.
The Garnet Dagger Book Trailer http://youtu.be/ISi0u9LoseM
Viking Fire Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/m1bPZ3nUyzs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndreaRCooper.author
Twitter: @AndreaRCooper
Author Website: www.AndreaRCooper.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6934877.Andrea_R_Cooper
Buy Links:
The Garnet Dagger Amazon: http://goo.gl/rMEJ59
The Garnet Dagger B & N: http://goo.gl/Qp5i6A
The Garnet Dagger iTunes: http://goo.gl/s1Cugp
Hi Andrea, we have Julie Garwood in common as a favorite author…but I’m sure she’s on a lot of lists. 🙂 Your book sounds like a fun escape from reality. I love historicals so this is right up my alley. I’ve done a LOT of traveling and if you get the chance, go! You’ll have those memories forever. Best of luck with your writing!
Jaye,
Yes, I’m sure Julie Garwood is on a lot of favorite author lists. I lucked out finding her book at a garage sale and after reading it , I was hooked.
Thank you for stopping by.
Shelley,
Thank you for having me today.
Hi Andrea,
Glad I stopped by. I’ve been looking at your title for awhile and kept thinking Vikings are so not my thing. But after reading this post, I’ve changed my mind. It’s a love story, regardless of the setting, and I think I’ll be adventurous and give it a go.
Thank you. I hope after reading it, you will love it 🙂
Hi Andrea. Congrats on your upcoming release. The cover is beautiful. I loved your advice to today’s youth. Empathy makes things so much better!
Thank you!
Andrea, thanks so much for participating! i hope it was fun!
Shelley,
Thank you so much for having me. 🙂