Cecilia Dominic, Author of The Art of Piracy – Interview

Tags

anthology, Cecilia Dominic, interview, mystery, romance, Steampunk

Followers of this blog may recognize the name Cecilia Dominic. I have read and reviewed many of her books, the steampunk stories being my favorites. As luck would have it, she has a new steampunk novel due out next week – The Art of Piracy! Today she is a guest on Whiskey With My Book, answering my general, personal and possibly impertinent questions. Welcome Cecilia!

Cecilia: Thank you so much for having me, Riley! I always enjoy talking to you, whether online or in person. 😊

Riley: Let’s start with the new book. First, I will say, it is my favorite of your steampunk stories. I can’t wait to share my review tomorrow. But before that, can you tell us a little about The Art of Piracy?

Cecilia: I feel like this story is my best so far, so I’m very glad you like it. The main character Veronica is an art historian who left Terminus (the city that later became Atlanta) in disgrace. She wants to return in triumph to show her family she’s made it in the world. All she has to do is escort a small collection of art back to Terminus on a luxury airship, and she’ll become the curator of the new art museum there. What should be an easy vacation quickly turns complicated, and then deadly. There’s mystery, romance, automatons, and an ancient force that’s been awakened and is not happy.

I got to bring back two of my favorite characters from the Aether Psychics, Inspector Henry Davidson and the Marquis de Monceau, in this story, and they both surprised me, especially the Marquis. He has some interesting characteristics that he finally revealed the reason for in this book.

Riley: The Art of Piracy is part of an anthology of science fiction and fantasy. What can a reader expect if they one-click on Rogue Skies?

Cecilia: I polled the other authors to see what mix we had of science fiction and fantasy, and the mix is about 50/50. The authors are a very creative bunch, and there should be something for everyone. There’s space, Earth-bound fiction, stories with romance, stories without romance, and all kinds of aliens and creatures. Of course with the title, I had to have an airship story.

Riley: What is it like to work with a large group of authors as are connected with Rogue Skies?

Cecilia: The best comparison I can make is that it’s like being in a competitive musical ensemble. I played alto saxophone in concert band and marching band in high school, and then jazz band in college. I also sang in two choirs in college and one in graduate school, so I definitely loved the ensemble life. We all want the same thing, and we all have to do certain tasks toward accomplishing it, but we all have different talents. I’ve been impressed at how energetic our set leaders are and how determined everyone is. Some are quieter than others, but everyone has been working hard.

Riley: Let’s change directions and talk about you. Will you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Cecilia: I’m a redhead, a Pisces, and I love long walks on the beach, cats, cooking, and nontraditional nail polish colors. Since none of those things pay the bills right now, I’m also a clinical psychologist and behavioral sleep medicine specialist with my own private practice. In other words, I’m self-employed, and I help people sleep without drugs. I also hope my books will keep people up all night because they can’t stop reading them, which creates a slight conflict of interest, so that’s why I have a pen name.

Riley: How does your day job affect your books?

Cecilia: I feel very fortunate in that being a psychologist helps me to vicariously experience many different lives. I’m kind of like that guy from Quantum Leap, where I get to dip into other peoples’ realities, and I learn something from each of my clients. It’s also given me a great ear for dialogue.

One thing that many people don’t realize is how my writing life benefits my psychology practice. My clients are similar to my characters in that they want to accomplish a goal, but something – whether it’s them or their circumstances or both – is getting in the way. Being a writer has helped me to be a more creative psychotherapist.

Riley: How was Dragon Con? (And why are all the good Cons so far away from SW Iowa?)

Cecilia: It was so much fun! I was on seven panels and sold books through Bard’s Tower in the vendor hall. The highlight was being on a Pern for Beginners panel with Jody Lynn Nye, who wrote with Anne McCaffrey. I got her to sign my Dragonlovers Guide to Pern book.

As for location, Atlanta in the summer is not the ideal place for a convention where people wear hot, heavy costumes, but we make the best of it. I didn’t cosplay this year since I didn’t have anything new, but I’ll get back to it next year.

Riley: Have you ever had to outwit a pirate on an airship? And how did that turn out?

Cecilia: Luckily for me, the pirate, like many people I encounter in social situations, tried to score free advice about how to sleep better. And, like many people, he turned and ran when I told him to turn off screens two hours before bedtime and get up at the same time every day, even weekends. Apparently airship pirates like to stay up all night on Instagram and sleep in when they can.

Riley: What are some of your favorite books you have read in the last 12 months? Which upcoming books that are on your radar?

Cecilia: I’ve been enjoying the Reliquary series by Sarah Fine. It’s an urban fantasy series with a fascinating magic system. Of course I have to give a shoutout to the talented writer and my good friend Anise Rae. She writes a great alternate history/paranormal romance mashup series called the Mayflower Mages. You’d probably love it. As you know from being in my Bookshelf Challenge group, I’m mostly focused on getting through my backlog of books, but I’m always on the lookout for a good read. (If you would like to join Cecilia’s Bookshelf Challenge group, check it out here on Facebook.)

Riley: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?

Cecilia: I’ll be releasing Mission: Nutcracker, the second book in the Inspector Davidson Mysteries, in November. I’ve been working on it on and off for a few years now, and I’m currently in the process of wrangling it into some sort of shape to send to my editor. After that, I’m switching back to urban fantasy, specifically urban fantasy thrillers, in a spinoff series from my Lycanthropy Files. I’m still brainstorming it and hope to have the first book out next spring.

Riley: Is there anything else you would like us to know about you or your books?

Cecilia: My author tagline is “Smart Fiction with a Twist” since I blend genres, and my scientific background and interests tend to come through. Pretty much everything I write has a mystery at its heart, no matter what the genre, so if you love books with intriguing puzzles and the compelling characters who have to solve them, you’ll probably like mine.

Readers can find me in the following places:

Web page: www.ceciliadominic.com – info about me and my books; I also have a blog and have been writing behind-the-scenes pieces for my books so readers can get a sneak peek at my process
Instagram: www.instagram.com/randomoenophile – pictures of random stuff, food, and Timothy Mouse, the world’s cutest kitty
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CeciliaDominicAuthor – stuff from me, deals from other authors
Twitter: www.twitter.com/CeciliaDominic – random thoughts from me including funny things I overhear

Finally, I would like to assure everyone that I sleep great, although I may not always follow my own rules. 😊

Thanks again for having me, Riley! This was fun.

**********************

About The Art of Piracy

The inaugural flight of a luxury airship turns deadly as pirates, a rogue nobleman, and a disgraced historian race to find a priceless- and powerful – piece of art that’s been hidden on board.

Veronica Devine is determined to return home in triumph and show the family who disowned her that she’s made it as one of the world’s premier art historians. Her one chance – escort art rescued from an abandoned chateau to the new art museum in Terminus. A simple airship trip over the Atlantic aboard a luxury liner promises to be a much-needed break and a chance to get her head on straight before facing the disgrace of her past.

Luc, the Marquis de Monceau, abandoned his chateau in the face of the Prussian invasion and is determined to recover one of the pieces. The problem – he can’t reveal who he truly is, or he’ll be arrested for aiding pirates. The other problem – he’s not sure which of the paintings he’s searching for since the information he needs is hidden in the art itself. Perhaps the beautiful art historian who’s escorting the collection can help him.

As clouds gather above, the ocean surges below, and air pirates pursue the ship. Veronica and Luc – locked in a dance of hidden identity, secret passions, and past betrayals – need to figure out which piece of art holds the key to unlock a metaphysical mystery, or else the pirates will be the least of their problems. Sometimes the clearest skies hide the deadliest secrets.

**********************

The Art of Piracy is one of 25 stories in the collection Rogue Skies.

About Rogue Skies

The skies have gone rogue. Space can’t be tamed. And magic is a law unto itself.

Transport yourself to new worlds where dark magic clashes with witty witches, diabolic demons, feisty fae, and sexy shifters. Or travel through time and space with cosmic spies, space thieves, and telepathic pirates. Add in a dash of Victorian heroes and inhuman soldiers, and you have a one-of-a-kind science fiction and fantasy collection of intoxicating proportions.

**********************

Links

Add Rogue Skies to your Goodreads shelf:

Pre-order Rogue Skies (Releases September 17):

 

**********************

Advertisements

Wedding Season by ROSA Authors – Feature

Tags

anthology, feature, romance, weddings

This summer, ROSA vows to have you falling in love all over again with Wedding Season, a collection of romance reads from the Romance writers Organisation of South Africa.

All proceeds go to the Athol Williams Read to Rise literacy charity and the ROSA Scholarship Fund.

Don’t forget to say ‘I do’, and order your copy.

The Fire Inside – Romy Sommer

Firefighter Sam Redfern is quite happy being ‘just one of the boys’. Until TV talent scout and celebrity, Ryan Morgan, shows up for a wedding in her sleepy Lake District village, making her feel very much like a woman—a woman with needs.

​A Love Lost – Alissa Baxter

Cruel circumstances separated young sweethearts, Jane and Miles. Now, a decade later, they unexpectedly meet again, and the devastating memories come rushing back. Will they rediscover their lost love, or will the bridge back to one another be impossible to traverse?

Picture Perfect – Sophia Karlson

Professional photographer, Hayley, has a lot on her plate at a celebrity wedding, so having one of the groomsmen mess with her focus is really the last thing she needs…or is it?

Priest – Suzanne Jefferies

Billy Jorge has to face his demons before they destroy him. He’s set to marry Max, the woman of his dreams, but his past still haunts him. How can he renounce one promise to make another?

Promises of Forever – Natasha Anders

June and Lincoln Taylor’s marriage is buckling—June wants a divorce and Linc wants another chance. Will the magic of her sister’s wedding pave the way for a fresh start? Or is it the beginning of the end for them?

​Under the Highland Sky – Tanya Wilde

Spirited, beautiful and entirely convinced she is being dangled on a string, Dianna O’Donnell arrives at Murray Castle for one purpose and one alone—to break off her engagement with Alasdair Murray, rude, imperious, and the fourth Duke of Castleworth. But things are seldom what they seem and rarely ever do they go according to plan. Will her resolve stay steadfast? Or will this Scottish lass fall for the rugged Highlander all over again?

​Houdini’s Hack – Sharonlee Holder

Melissa St. John has her life together and a job she loves managing the new branch of her family bakery. Until a pockmarked Pitbull with one ear and half a tail destroys her frosted bachelorette cupcake delivery—and brings Wade ‘Hack’ Laubscher back into her life, offering them both a second chance.

Melisende and the Star Warrior – Marie Dry

In medieval France, Melisende, a noble woman, is kidnapped from her wedding by a strange being who claims to be a warrior from the stars. But after this sexy warrior shows her wondrous things like computers and synthesisers, Melisende’s not so sure she wants to escape her alien captor.​

Cut The Cake – Ashleigh Giannoccaro

Occupied! – Jo Watson

There are a few things you need to know about Amantha: 1. She hates weddings. 2. She never wears dresses and 3-5. She hates Jack Emory. Unfortunately for her, she now finds herself locked in a bathroom with him at her sister’s wedding, all thanks to that stupid dress she was forced to wear.

Add Wedding Season to your Goodreads shelf:

Purchase Wedding Season:

Everything Scottish – Guest Post from Nancy Lee Badger, author of Heaven-sent Highlander

Tags

book feature, guest post, Nancy Lee Badger, romance, series, time travel

There are many time-travel stories about a modern day heroine or hero ending up in the past.   I call these historical romances, and while I enjoy the romantic and historical elements, I always think: Ew, who would want to give up modern conveniences for drafty old castles, food of questionable quality, and, most of all, lack of reasonable plumbing.

How about when the heroine or hero comes from the past to end up in contemporary times?  Now that is the time travel story I can get into.  The Warriors in Bronze series, presents just those types of stories.

Nancy Lee Badger is back at Whiskey With My Book to talk about her newest Warriors in Bronze release, Heaven-sent Highlander.

***************

Guest Post

Years ago, when I moved from snowbound New Hampshire to sunny North Carolina, I wrote lots of books. In fact, Heaven-sent Highlander is my 26th published novel and I am so glad to share the news with y’all today.

Last year, after Soul Mate Publishing said ‘yes’ to my manuscript for Heaven-sent Warrior, I kept writing. Heaven-sent Highlander has a Scottish Highlander out of his time and a heroine who is a full Fae from the Isle of Skye. My Warriors in Bronze series will include a third book, which is nearly ready to send to my publisher. A love for everything Scottish gets me writing. More ideas come from touring the nearby North Carolina Museum of Art. I also love animals and have included two horses and a Samoyed dog as secondary characters. Why not? This is the second book in the series and will soon be followed by Heaven-sent Flame.

About Heaven-sent Highlander

At an American museum, surrounded by Auguste Rodin’s bronze statues, a Scottish Fae beauty is at a crossroads. Now that Gwendolyn’s friends are engaged, and the demon they fought vanquished, should she return home? After committing a terrible act, she could not explain to her cousin why she had appeared on his doorstep.

Alexander awoke in darkness inside a bronze statue, remembering how the green of Scotland’s Culloden field had turned red with blood that day in 1746. Had he died before awakening nude and sightless in front of strangers in present-day Raleigh, North Carolina? The mystery of how was overshadowed by why. Told that another warrior awoke when a demon threatened to take over the world, had a second demon escaped Hell? When the demon appears and demands Gwen join him, Alex must use all his new skills, weapons, and Heaven-sent powers to keep her and the world safe.

***************

Excerpt from Heaven-sent Highlander

A tap on the outside of his tomb sent a blast of energy tearing through the Highlander. From the sudden screams of the females, he assumed the Frenchman felt it as well. It was very painful, and his limbs convulsed.

The next moment, air was plentiful, the stone beneath his back gritty, and the scent of something both delicious and sensual forced his nostrils to flare. When he snapped open his eyes, to see the people who had freed him from his dark home, he saw nothing.

“Be this nightfall?” he whispered, finding his throat in desperate need of ale, or whisky. He pushed to sit up with nearly useless limbs. Several large hands grasped him beneath his shoulders and helped him to his feet. He stood as still as his numb legs could manage and blinked. Still nothing. He rubbed his hands over his chest and sides. Recalling a brief memory of a cannon blast, he said, louder, “Do ye see any wounds?”

Still nothing, until a whisper of air and a delicious scent told him at least one of the strangers had stepped closer.

“Sam,” a female voice said, “he is naked.”

Really? They can see all of me, yet I see nothing? Did they know he was as helpless as a newborn bairn? Should he share his feebleness, or would that give them cause to dispatch him without a second thought?

He straightened his shoulders, and their hands fell away. He staggered but kept upright and spread his feet, angling for more control of his limbs. A deep breath was invigorating, but where did the scent originate? Whatever or whoever it was, it filled his lungs with hope and sustenance.

His stomach growled, and the female closest to him laughed. “We should have saved some chicken wings for the lad.”

When delicate fingers stroked his arm, he gasped.

***************

Links

Add Heaven-sent Highlander to your Goodreads shelf:

Purchase Heaven-sent Highlander:

***************

About the Author

Nancy Lee Badger grew up in Huntington on New York’s Long Island, where school field trips to lofty museums were the norm. After attending Plymouth State, in New Hampshire, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education and met and married her college sweetheart. They raised two handsome sons in Rumney, New Hampshire, where Nancy volunteered as an EMT and firefighter while working full-time. When the children had left the nest, and shoveling show became a chore, she retired from her satisfying job as a 9-1-1 Emergency Medical Dispatcher and moved with her husband to North Carolina, where she writes full-time.

Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, and the Triangle Association of Freelancers. She loves to travel and attend Scottish Highland Games and is never far from her laptop. She finds story ideas in the most unusual places. Connect with her here:

Website          Twitter          Facebook         Amazon Author Page

Blog          BookBub          Goodreads