Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Highland Faith by Madelyn Hill Interview



Book 2 of the Wild Thistle Trilogy

Historical Romance
Date Published: May 17th, 2017

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Lady Faith MacAlister lives to provide for her clan with a skill she honed while hunting with her father. Since his death and final pledge, “Through Hope, Faith, and Honor, ye can rule” she proclaims herself as clan huntress. She loves the quiet of the woods, the thrill of the hunt and the exhilaration of a perfectly placed arrow. If only she could travel further than MacAlister lands to experience adventure. When an intruder interrupts her hunt and steals her away from MacAlister land and out to the sea—she may just experience the adventure she craves.

Graeme Ross must save the family home his father gambled away and regain the respect of his father and clan. When he stumbles upon a lovely lass in the forest, he secures her for ransom. He knows she was one of the MacAlister sisters, those who pledged to rule the clan. What Graeme didn’t expect was how this beautiful woman would entice him with her strength and determination. Graeme’s attraction to Faith cannot interfere with his quest to save his home, redeem his image in his father’s eyes. Graeme lets her go—worse he betrays their growing affection by feigning she means nothing to him.

Devastated, Faith goes back to her clan with a secret she must keep until Graeme comes back to her. Graeme travels to his father with the ransom money weighting his pocket and heart. Faith is better off without him, his vagabond ways and the loathing of his father and clan.

Can Graeme reconcile with his clan and have Faith as his?

Can Faith keep her secret until Graeme comes to his senses and realizes he loves her?

Separately, they yearn for one another, together their love will take them on an adventure of a lifetime.





About the Author

Madelyn Hill has always loved the written word. From the time she could read and all through her school years, she'd sneak books into her textbooks during school. At the age of 10 she proclaimed she wanted to be a writer. After being a "closet" writer for several years, she sent her manuscripts out and is now published with Soul Mate Publishing. 

A resident of Western New York, she moved from one Rochester to another Rochester to be with the love of her life. They have 3 children and keep busy cooking, movies, and of course reading!


Interview:

What inspired you to write your first book?
I had written silly stories when I was in elementary school and middle school. I loved writing papers in high school and also enjoyed working with my English teacher to edit and perfect my writing. But the inspiration for my first book was reading the first book in the Outlander series. Scotland enthralled me and since I was already an avid romance novel reader, the idea to write a romance was a no-brainer.

Do you have a specific writing style?
I think every writer has a distinct voice. I find that I like to write with impactful fragments (which really bothered my college professors!). They would say, “You write in fragments, but somehow it works.” My writing has a lot of descriptions and I think as a historical writer you have to create descriptions that the reader can truly visualize.

How did you come up with the title?
Hmmm . . . with some of my novels the title comes first. Like a few words pop in my head and a story starts to percolate. With others, such as the Wild Thistle Trilogy, the last words of the heroine’s father helped create the titles: Highland Hope, Highland Faith, and Highland Honor.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
In Highland Faith, one of the conflicts she struggles with is her father’s dying pledge. His words resonate with the heroine and she wants to contribute to the clan and stay true to herself and desire for adventure. I can’t tell you how (I don’t want to spoil the story), but she determines what is best for her and basically the message is to be true to yourself.

How much of the book is realistic?
Great question. Of course writers take liberties, but I am dealing with a real location during a real time period. I had to research about ships and archery in order to make my story seem as realistic as possible. And some may think it is not realistic for a female to lead a clan, but there is historical precedent for this. I also modeled Graeme Ross’ history after a true event of Clan Ross.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Not in this novel, but I do believe a bit of our writer personality finds its way into our characters.

What books have most influenced your life most?
I think the Madeline and Little House On The Prairie series influenced my love for reading. However, I devoured books and so many helped foster creativity and imagination.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Wow! Julia Quinn, Nora Roberts, Adriana Trigiani – writers who have created beautiful settings and characters you remember.

What book are you reading now?
I am currently reading a historical and contemporary novel.The Rejected Writers’ Book Club by Suzanne Kelman and To Tame A Scoundrel’s Heart By Collette Cameron.

What would you like my readers to know?
I love to write. It is something I just can’t turn off and with each book I hope I am becoming a better writer and author. Also, authors love to hear from readers! If you like our book, drop us an email or write a review.



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