Questions and Answers with Lindsey Edwards, Author of Heart's Desire

Today I'm very excited to share another new Secret Cravings Author with you. Lindsey Edwards has this amazing cover and fabulous story--Heart's Desire--a steamy historical romance filled with two people who even when faced with challenges, can't help loving each other enough to take on the world. Aww... isn't that sweet!! I love stories like that!

Hello Lindsey and welcome to my blog.  I’m so excited to have you here today. I know that the readers are looking forward to learning more about you.  Please tell us a little about yourself. 

I have been penning stories since a very young age. In fact, I can't remember a time when I wasn't working through stories in my head. Whether they've appeared to me in dreams, or ala epiphany, I've been hard at work telling the stories of these characters who have long whispered in my ear. In fact, when I was thirteen, I self published a YA novel. Since then, I've moved on to romance and haven't looked back. Ask me and I'll tell you, romance is home.

I live with my husband and son. I'm a full-time mother and author. An avid reader and collector of words, I can often be found in sweats with some kind of caffeinated beverage in hand.

Now onto some fun questions!

If you could change one thing about our world, what would it be and why? Oh wow, that's a loaded question. I would say though that I wish there was more love in the world, romantic and otherwise. Love truly does make the world go round, and if we could show our significant others, our children, our neighbors, and even strangers we meet on the street more love, think of all we could get in return. Not only does sharing love make us feel good, seeing it returned is even better.

If you knew the exact date of your death down to the minute, what would you change about your life starting tomorrow? Can I say first of all that I am glad I don't know the date of my demise? Haha. I don't think there is anything I'd change per se, but I would like to say I'd spend more time with family and forgo sleep to finish a few novels, but the truth is, if I knew when I was going, I'd just have a severe case of anxiety. ;)

When was the last time you felt alive? I mean really alive! I'm not a natural born risk taker, I'm definitely your play-it-safe kind of gal. I'll tell you though, when I worked up the nerve to send my first story, Twice Tempted, to a publisher and received that letter of acceptance, it felt amazing! I  was on cloud nine for weeks. And then seeing it published and receiving feedback? I certainly felt alive.

When was the last time you helped someone that was desperately in need? What did you do? Was this person grateful? The most recent time I helped someone in need was when I saw a woman and her dog on the side of the road. It was cold, and she was asking for gas money to get home. It was payday and I was feeling pretty good. Stepping on the brakes I rolled down the window and passed her some cash. I hope she felt as good as I did in that moment.

What television sitcom is most like your family? Why? I don't know that any of them come super close to hitting the nail on the head. It would be more of a mix of shows. Perhaps part Boy Meets World, How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life), The Middle, Raising Hope, and likely a few cartoons. I painted quite a picture there, didn't I? *lol*

What’s your favorite thing to do to relax? I combine two favorite activities by grabbing a book and running a bubble bath.

---

Let’s find out a little bit about you as an author.

Did you always want to be an author? Yes. Although I had a brief stint where I thought I might work as a veterinarian or nun (yes, you read that right).

What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult? Caroline B. Cooney and R.L. Stine, as well as the many author of the Sweet Valley, Nancy Drew, and Babysitter Club books. 

Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing? My research books. I write historical and I'm always fact-checking myself. 

Do you have a common theme or item that appears in each of your books? Cliche as it sounds, I would say love conquers all.

What have you learned the most from being in the writing business? Persistence pays off!

Tell us about your latest release: 
Blurb for Heart's Desire: 

During the three years Gareth Havelock was away in France fighting the crusade, his only thought was of the bride he left behind. When the turrets of Waverly appear from the mists, heralding his homecoming, he no longer has to live with only the memories of her. But when her warm welcome suddenly turns cold, Gareth can't help but jump to conclusions. 

Katherine Havelock can hardly believe her eyes when her husband returns home after all this time away at war, but love and loss threaten the happiness she feels. Can she find a way to tell him the truth of what happened in his absence? And is their love strong enough to endure it?

Excerpt from Heart's Desire: 

Rising to her feet, Katherine poured the water the fire had warmed into the basin at her husband's side. She dipped her cloth in the water, then gently cleansed the nasty gash atop his thigh. It appeared as if he had worked with it himself, but the injury was a far cry from healed. With the blood rinsed away, she set to the binding of it. 

“You have been quiet,” Gareth said softly. Reaching out, he cupped his hand around hers, bringing it to his mouth. 

The feather-light kiss did dangerous things to her, causing her to yearn for that which could not be. 

“Pray tell why that is,” he beseeched. 

Katherine looked up, finding herself ensnared by the heat of Gareth’s slate green eyes. Her breath hitched, and quickly she looked away, afraid of what would become of her strength of will if she fell prey to his hypnotic depths. 

Gareth’s hand enveloped hers, so much larger than her own. The heat of his breath fanned the back of her hand as he brushed his lips across her skin, awakening a flush of color that rushed across her entire body, warming her to distracting heights. 

“I—” Katherine stammered, not entirely sure what he’d even just asked. She was too mesmerized by the way her husband’s mouth moved over her skin. 

Lowering their joined hands, he pressed her palm against his chest, where she felt the steady beat of his heart. 

He took the wet cloth from her other hand, dropping it back in the basin before taking that hand and joining it with the other. 

Nerves fluttered in her chest like butterfly wings. She glanced down at his injury, grasping for excuses. “I fear you need a salve. I will call for a physician,” she said. 

“Are you anxious, love?” he asked. “I admit, it has been awhile, and in all that time, you have been the one thought keeping me going. You have haunted my every dream. Now that I am returned, here before you, I find my imagination is lacking.” 

Katherine’s lashes fell over her cheeks, a rush of crimson burning her face. “No. 'Tis not nerves,” she replied softly, her eyes still averted. “I have missed you overmuch.” 

Gareth gently brushed the hair back from her forehead, then his touch dropped to trace the line of her jaw with one finger. Running the pad of his thumb across the curve of her lower lip, he stared, transfixed at her mouth. 

“And I you,” he murmured. “I’ve missed the sound of your voice, the touch of your hand, the taste of you…” 

The sweet pull of desire lulled her, reminded her of all they once had, while veiling all they could not. 

The pallet moved beneath her as Gareth shifted, throwing her off balance enough to slide into his embrace. He was all heat and hard lines, giving her a sense of protection she’d missed so dearly. With the palms of his hands, he made languid, swirling strokes up and down her back. For a moment she abandoned herself to the whirl of sensations the gentle motion created, closing her eyes to fully enjoy the sensation of Gareth touching her, holding her, saying such intimate things. She’d waited so long for this. 

“You are a vision Katherine Havelock.” His voice turned to a raspy burr. Everything about him in that moment seemed to change. 

Katherine’s lashes fluttered up, and she was immediately aware of what that change was. Her back stiffened, but he tightened his hold. She knew all too well where this was headed, and what he wanted of her. But she wasn’t ready--they weren’t ready. 

She lay her hands against his chest—a gesture meant to stop him—and felt the way his muscles rippled under her touch. 

“We can’t—” 

“My dear wife, you did an exceptional job of wrapping my wound,” he replied, voice deep and sinfully rich. “So if that be your only worry, you need not concern yourself.” 

He leaned toward her, and she felt the breath of his kiss against her lips. 

“It’s not that,” she argued on a sigh. “We—” 

But then his lips were against hers, firm and persuasive, and just like that, the last of her resolve was shattered. 
                                                             ~~~~

How did you decide on your story plot? For Heart's Desire that's a tough question because there wasn't a dream or a burst of brilliance in the shower like how many of my stories are born. There was  just the thought of how a man and wife would deal with premature labor and the loss of a child in the medieval ages when causes and cures were unknown. When that thought popped into my head, I knew I had a story and it was one I had to write. Even though I have not personally dealt with such losses, the tale seemed wrenched from me and I felt keenly the pain and confusion of both my characters. Thus how Heart's Desire came to be.

How did you choose your characters names and location for your story? I keep a running tab of names for my characters and choose them based on which seems to best fit said characters personality. Location is another story. I generally prefer to both read and write in the Georgian and Regency eras, but some stories just speak to you and let you know right off the bat where and when their stories need told.

Do you have a favorite scene? Why? There is a particular favorite in Heart's Desire which I cannot share without giving a large part of the story away. I will say only that it is the scene in the chapel. Those who have read it or who plan on reading the book will or will soon know what I mean. The scene is just powerful. It's packed with a lot of emotion that really spoke to me.

Do you have a character that you identify with? Who and why? I think there is a little of myself in every chracter I write. Perhaps some reflect me more than others. That's what makes it fun though. I get attached to and often become these characters and that's when the story turns a corner for me and gets real.


Let our readers know how they can get a hold of you…

Website: www.LindseyEdwards.vpweb.com

Blog: www.LindseyAEdwards.blogspot.com

Fan page: www.facebook.com/AuthorLindseyEdwards

Twitter: @ThoughtfulPen


Is there anything else that you want to share… feel free!!

Purchase links for Heart's Desire: 

Secret Cravings Publishing: http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=4&products_id=452&zenid=7cbc00adf502b049cc26125bc3a8a6d0 

Amazon: viewBook.at/B00A8SDF24

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twice-tempted-lindsey-edwards/1113807010?ean=2940015852530 

Other books avail by the author: Twice Tempted (contemporary romance)

---