Wednesday, October 29, 2014

~ "If Love Isn't Worth Fighting For, What Is?" ~ LOVE'S BATTLE ~








I'm so happy to have author Angela Hayes with us today to talk to us about her romance LOVE'S BATTLE. But before we do that, let's find out a little bit more about Angela herself.

So, Angela, what is something you struggle with when you write?


Right now I'm struggling to write different character personalities. In my first book, Love's Battle, my main character was Love Howard, the youngest of triplets. Book two will focus on the oldest, Faith, and book three on the middle, Hope. I'm finding it difficult to write the sisters' personalities, likes and dislikes without creating carbon copies of Love. Just because they look alike doesn't mean they are the same people- they each have their own issues, so they each need their own personas that while keeping them separate, still keep them united.

I couldn't agree with you more. I have four kids including a set of triplets and they are ALL completely different. I find it hard to believe sometimes that they came from my husband and I. How do you balance the demands of your everyday life and your writing life?

Having a full time job and growing kids, I find it very difficult to balance everyday life and writing life. I continuously plan to spend my weekends writing and dissapoint myself everytime because something comes up here or there. People tell me it will get better when the kids go off to college, I'm not convinced but I am hopeful. If I can jot down an idea here or there, I feel like I've accomplished something. I have tons of ideas simmering just waiting for the right time when I'll put them to written word.


I hear you my sister. Sometimes I feel like I'm constantly doing for someone else. This one wants this. That one needs that. When's it gonna be my turn. But actually, I'm pretty lucky to have a decent amount of time to write. Do you have hobbies that you’d like to share?

I have a ton of hobbies. At the top of my list is Pinteresting. What? It's a thing. Do you realize how many hours a week you spend on that site, it's outrageous! I have a huge soft spot for crocheting. I'm currently making a sweater for a friend. I'm learning to knit and have been working a piece for nearly a year- I hope to finish soon. And I'm currently looking into learning how to spin my own yarn. Like writing, I love the idea of taking something literally from nothing and giving it life.


I've tried knitting. I guess I just didn't get the knitting gene. Where do you live? Where would you love to live?


I live in a small rural town in central Alabama- attesting to it's size,the school my kids attend is still a 1A! A beautiful place full of community spirit and involvement, it's ripe with literary potential. But if I could live anywhere, I would certainly love a homestead in Scotland or Ireland (I've always fantasized about this) or maybe a chic penthouse in the center of Paris, or a Spanish villa in Madrid. Fingers crossed I become a bestseller so I can do it all!!


Sound like a girl after my own heart. At least we sometimes get to go to these places through our reading and writing. Share with us a little about your family. Married? Kids? Pets?

My husband and I just celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary- go us!Together we have two beautiful kids, a boy and a girl- who keep us on the go and then there's our dog- Mercury- he's half pug, half Boston terrier and thinks he's human!

Congratulations! That's wonderful! What is your concept of a fruitful day?

A fruitful day would consist of sitting down at my laptop and tapping away at the keys until Faith's Forever, the sequel to Love's Battle is complete and ready for edits.

It's gonna happen. What are your three favorite smells?

I love the smell of vanilla, the library, and stepping outside to inhale those first few deep breathes of crisp fall air- glorious.

Ahh, yes! Fall is my favorite time of year, too. Now let's hear a little bit more about LOVE'S BATTLE! 


Blurb ~ 

Love Howard has more than a knack for matchmaking. Born from a forbidden passion and a twelve-hundred-year-old promise, she and her sisters can literally see true love. And while Love has no problem bringing other couples together, her own romantic life could use a little help.

Danton DeAngelo has always been well grounded in reality. So it throws him for no small loop when the woman he’s fallen for believes that she’s been reincarnated eleven times and can actually see true love.

Now Danton is faced with the biggest decision of his life. Accept Love for who she really is, or walk away from her forever.



:

Excerpt  `


The hand Love pressed to her brow was visibly shaking. “There’s something I need to tell you. I just need you to keep an open mind.”

“What is it? Are you sick?” Danton asked.

“No, I’m not sick.” Her voice trembled on a forced laugh. “It’s something else. Something I‘ve been trying to prepare you for. This would be so much easier if you believed in magic. If you could believe that what I’m about to tell you is the honest truth.”

Turning, Love opened the iron chest, the hinges groaning with the effort as specks of rust littered the floor. From its depths she pulled out a clear plastic bag that she held tight to her chest, eyes closed, before handing it to a confused Danton.

“This is my tartan, my plaid. Before it faded and was dinner for the moths, it was once patterned in checks of green, gray, and brown. The purple and white stripes that ran through the hem identified the wearer as part of the royal family.” Love tapped the plastic, her finger pointing out where each color should be. “It was a gift from my father. The first and only time my sister’s and I met him, he was on his deathbed, we were eighteen. A week later our mother died in the same moment he drew his last breath.” Needing the extra air Love drew a breath of her own. “That day was the thirteenth of February, eight-hundred and fifty-eight AD. My father was Cinaed mac Alpin, crowned king of the Picts and Gaels. He was Scotland’s first king.”

“Eight- hundred and fifty-eight?” That couldn’t be right, she was only twenty-five. “Don’t you mean Nineteen-eighty-seven?”


“No. I was born for the first time in Scotland during the middle of the ninth century.”


You can buy LOVE'S BATTLE here:


http://bit.ly/LovesBattle - Amazon

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=indexHYPERLINK 



33 comments:

MJ Schiller said...

Good morning, Angela, and welcome!

Alicia Dean said...

Wow...fantastic interview! I can totally understand your dilemma with making your other characters different. It's tough, but maybe if you try to focus on each of them as an individual rather than part of the sisterhood, that will help. I agree, it's hard to write with small children. I didn't do a lot of writing until mine were older. With a full-time job, I totally feel your pain. Just hang in there. I LOVE the concept of Love's Battle. How intriguing! Great blurb and excerpt. Wishing you the best!

Maureen said...

Great post! I have twins and yep, look alike- but totally different personalities. The story sounds intriguing. :)

Author Angela Hayes said...

Hi MJ, thanks for having me. Your wonderful question really made me put on my thinking cap. Holy moley- four kids including a set of triplets! How do you get anything accomplished?!

Author Angela Hayes said...

Hey Alicia, that's great advice that I will certainly be trying. Glad you stopped by.

CottonSr said...

Enjoyed the interview and the trailer. I need to do that. We were released on the same days, Angela. Interesting story line. i like such.

J C. McKenzie said...

Great interview, ladies! I totally feel you on trying to balance writing and family.

Barbara Bettis said...

Goodness, what an excerpt--sounds like an exciting read! And congratulations on 13 years of marriage.Defitinely something to be proud of

Wild Women Authors said...

Fascinating interview. I enjoyed meeting Angela very much--and the questions are so unique. Good job, MJ
Veronica Lynch

Leah St. James said...

Terrific concept, Angela! I love the trailer, too. On the whole time issue--my two sons are grown, and I do have more time now that I'm not driving them to/from football and band practice, but the full-time job is still the major time-suck for me. Worse than that, it saps most of my energy. I also try to dedicate Saturdays to writing, but it takes me at least half a day before my brain unfreezes from the week. :-) I now get up at 4:30 a.m. to write. Having some success, although I'm asleep on the couch by 9! Wishing you much success finding the perfect balance for you.

Author Angela Hayes said...

Hi Maureen, thanks for stopping by. Twins and triplets, you and MJ have got it going on!

Author Angela Hayes said...

Cotton Sr, I had a great time making the trailer- I found free pictures online and put them together with my Windows Movie Maker.

Author Angela Hayes said...

Thanks JC. It's the ultimate working in process.

Author Angela Hayes said...

Thanks Barbara, I am certainly proud of it in this day, when not many can relate. I guess that's why I enjoy writing romances that end with a happily ever after you know is going to last.

Author Angela Hayes said...

Thanks for stopping by Veronica, it's nice to meet you.

Author Angela Hayes said...

Leah, I'm not sure I will ever be dedicated enough to get up at 4:30. I have to start my days at 5:15 anyway and am usually asleep by 9 as well. I'd love to be able to write full time and kick working to the curb! Maybe one day!

Judy Ann Davis said...

Great post, Angela! Everyone seems to understand the way "life, jobs and family" bite into writing time; and yet, we seem to get it done. I enjoyed the interview. And I, too, love your smells--especially fall--where up here in Central PA, we are up to our neck in leaves. Write on!. :-)

Susan Coryell said...

Like you, I struggled with the clock, trying to find time to write. Retirement was my only solution! Good luck with all your goals and you will never regret time spent with family.

Jana Richards said...

There's never enough hours in the day for a writer. Even now that my girls are grown and I'm semi-retired from the day job, I still feel pressed for time. Now promotion and marketing take up a lot of my time.

I'm always in awe of people who are creative in more than one area. I tried crocheting once with my mother-in-law's help. The result was a very holely afghan! And knitting? I couldn't knit if my life depended on it. So congrats Angela on all your talents!

Author Angela Hayes said...

Thanks for stopping by Judy. I bet the leaves in PA are gorgeous.

Author Angela Hayes said...

Retirement is a long way off Susan, but you're one hundred percent right, I will never regret time spent with my kids and hubby.

Author Angela Hayes said...

Thank you Jana. Marketing certainly takes up a good portion of time and it's not something I'm very good at. I hoping it becomes a talent one day!

MJ Schiller said...

Clearly, I don't! It's been a pleasure having you!

MJ Schiller said...

Yes, it can be frustrating knowing that if you had more time, you could do a better job with all aspects of the writing world, but you have to find peace with what you can accomplish. Thanks for joining us, Alicia and for your words of wisdom!

MJ Schiller said...

I have been around enough to know that it doesn't matter how many children you have, one or twenty, they will demand every ounce of your time, energy, and patience, and it will be a delight to give it to them. I appreciate you stopping in, Maureen!

MJ Schiller said...

I've been lucky enough to have my kids create mine and do a good job of listening to me when I made adjustments. Loved having you here today, Cotton Sr!

MJ Schiller said...

It's nice to hear that others struggle with that, too. And if you have to add any wrenches in there--weekends away from home, illness, what have you--you get so far behind it feels like you'll never make it back. At least we're in the same boat together! Thanks for adding to the discussion, J.C.!

MJ Schiller said...

Angela, I think you're well on your way to that day. And Jana, I have a one inch by six inch swatch that represents my knitting expertise. Easier to just buy one! I'm so glad you decided to join us! Have a great rest of your weekend and start to a new week!

MJ Schiller said...

Susan, I'm looking forward to the day when I can spend more time reading, and taking courses that will make me a better writer. What joy! Thank you for adding to our discussion today and have a fabulous week!

MJ Schiller said...

Thank you for joining us!

MJ Schiller said...

Thank you, Veronica. It's so much fun having guests on!

MJ Schiller said...

I'm guessing since that is my goal, too, it's pretty common for writers. My kids at home are eighteen, but it still seems like I don't have a load of time. Life just goes by too quickly! I think we're all about to feel the crunch even worse with the holidays coming up. I just need to work on being satisfied with the time I do have. Have a great week, ladies!

MJ Schiller said...

Judy- I wonder if your acorns are as out of control as ours are this year. I think I could skate on a layer of nuts from my front door to my neighbors'! And I've raked already, too! Enjoy the sights and smells of Fall and soon we'll be moving on to pine, cranberry, and pine! Have a great week!