This week, only a teensy bit late, we welcome long-time contributor Anne Whitfield to discuss her novel HER SHADOWED HEART, a hardback from Enspiren Press.
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Set in Yorkshire England 1864, HER SHADOWED HEART is a historical saga of family secrets, betrayals, love, and of new beginnings.
Anna Thornton leads a privileged life, but she's not content. When the dashing Matt Cowan sweeps her off her feet, she thinks her boring existence has changed for the better, only all is not as it seems. Betrayed and faced with family secrets, Anna flees her home. Taking her trusted maid with her, she begins a new life, which is filled with events that will test her strength and self belief.
However, fate sends a man to heal her heart, but will she trust herself to another again? Will the past recede enough for her to see a brighter future?
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Describe a typical writing day for you...
A typical day is checking emails for an hour or so first and then I'll write until the children come home from school at 3:30. I might not be writing all that time on a WIP; I could be editing older work or making notes about a new manuscript.
Do you outline? If so, describe the process. If not, why not?
I don't outline in great detail and I don't do it for every manuscript. It's merely notes scribble din a notepad about the main characters and where they might live, etc.
How do you create your characters?
My character usually create themselves and take me by surprise.
Where is the best place to do research? Can you recommend a few sources?
It depends on the research. For historical research the library is obviously a good place, but I will also use other sources like the local historical society in the area you've set your book and local councils for older town maps. I also like to use diaries written by people of the era I set my books in. Visiting the place in person is a great help too.
What motivates you to keep writing?
What motivates me is when someone says they enjoyed reading my work. It is the best feeling.
How do you create your "story world"? Is there a special "method" newbie writers might be interested in knowing?
I don't have a special method really. I try to immerse myself in that world by reading research material that is relevant to that story. If you 'feel' the story, the place and the characters, your world soon falls into place.
Who or what inspired you to become a writer, and what made you choose this genre?
Catherine Cookson--an English author of historicals and, at her time, contemporaries--started my love of reading historicals and, over time, I realised that I had characters and stories in my head that I needed to write down.
How do you start a story? What's the best way?
I don't know if there is a 'best way' to begin. A lot of writers like to start with something dramatic happening, but each writer has to feel comfortable in what they are doing with their own story. Sometime, after the story is completed a writer may have to go back to the beginning and change a few things.
How do you get through the middle of a story?
Persistence. Every time I open up a WIP to begin writing I re-read the previous day's work and sometimes I find the story will take a different arc to where I was originally going, or sometimes I will change character POV to get a different take on the story. There is no one correct way of doing it. Every writer needs to work out what works for them.
Can characters names turn a reader away from a story? Are they really that important?
I'm big on character names. They have to fit. Nothing annoys me more than reading a historical book that has a modern name in it like Kylie. I'm not keen on names that are hard to pronounce, anything like that draws me away from the story to focus on the name. You never want a reader to leave the story.
And here's an excerpt:
Twin rays of sun streamed through the tall sash windows of Anna's bedroom when she awoke the following morning. In her large, soft bed, she lay thinking of the night before and of the man whose face swam in front of her eyes. Today, she would see him again. She bit her lip to stop a smile from spreading.
Something had happened to her last night. For the first time ever a man had grabbed her attention and held it, no mean feat for anyone. Yet, Matt Cowan had done it with ease and she was glad. Perhaps it was time for her to spread her wings and feel the giddiness of being the centre of attention. Arabella did it all the time and kept a string of beaus hanging on her every word.
Anna frowned. Could she do it? Could she keep Mr. Cowan's interest? She'd had no practise, having spent her adult life shying away from entering the marriage market. Did she have the skills to capture a husband? Did she want one?
Slowly she sat up, deep in thought. A husband? The idea wasn't new, but neither had it been a pressing concern. Secretly she had assumed she'd be content becoming a spinster, riding her horse and being a lovable aunt to her siblings' offspring. She hadn't expected to be swept away by the idea of some romantic hero coming into her life. That was until Mr. Cowan looked at her with his smoky eyes. Mr. Cowan as a husband? The thought gave her a thrill, made her heart thump. Would he be the kind to let her remain herself?
Maisie breezed into the room carrying fresh towels and a jug of warm water. "Good morning, Miss. Did yer enjoy yer evenin'? I didn't want to ask last night with the Mistress feeling so poorly. I hope she's better this mornin'."
Anna threw back the bedcovers and then went into the dressing room. She stripped as Maisie poured warm water into the basin. "It was interesting." She lathered the scented soap on her arms. The aroma of lavender filled the room.
"That's grand." Maisie pulled open the doors of the double wardrobe. "What do yer wish to wear today, Miss?"
Donning a clean chemise, Anna observed her clothes. "My blue riding habit. I met a gentleman last night. He is calling today and we're going riding." Maisie's mouth gaped. "There is no need to look like that, Maisie."
"Eh, I'm sorry, Miss," Maisie mumbled, helping her with the dress. "I'm surprised, that's all."
"Well, to be honest, I am surprised too." Anna grinned. Anticipation bubbled up inside her. If this was the feeling when one went courting, then she could kick herself for waiting so long to begin.
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Thanks for talking with me, Anne. HER SHADOWED HEART is available from Amazon and available to order from all bookstores. Anne is having a giveaway to celebrate this great new release, so leave a comment or question to be entered into a drawing for an ebook copy of Kitty McKenzie, her adored historical fiction saga.
Bonnie Vanak's THE SCORPION AND THE SEDUCER is on Barbara Vey's Publisher's Weekly blog, Beyond Her book.
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Would we like to discuss how many UH contributors and readers will be attending RWA Nationals in San Francisco? I know some of us have already talked about the possibility of meeting up, for coffee if nothing else. Please leave your ideas/itineraries in the comments.
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Join us Sunday when Anne Whitfield will be discussing and giving away a copy of HER SHADOWED HEART, set in Victorian Yorkshire.
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We'll also draw the winner of a copy of Jannine Corti Petska's KNIGHT'S DESIRE. Leave a comment for your shot at winning.
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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...
Jennifer Mueller just signed a contract with Robert Hale Ltd. for her first print novel. More details to come. Congratulations!
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Bonnie Vanak's latest Nocturne, ENEMY LOVER, is now available for pre-order. Go reserve your copy!
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Anne Whitfield's latest novel HER SHADOWED HEART, set in 1864 Yorkshire, was just released. You can purchase it at Amazon. 
Anna Thornton leads a privileged life, but she's not content. When the dashing Matt Cowan sweeps her off her feet, she thinks her boring existence has changed for the better--only all is not as it seems. Although Matt loves her, he lies and leaves her. Once he has gone she finds she is pregnant. Heartbroken Anna flees her home with her trusted maid.
She buys a run-down farm in Yorkshire and is determined to make a new life and be independent. She begins again, but events occur that will test her strength and self belief. An Irishman comes along looking for work. Anna reluctantly hires him, but she's wary of men, of love, and hates to find herself attracted to him, a penniless labourer, so she fights her feelings. Then, just when Anna believes she is getting on with her new life, the past returns to confront her.
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Carrie Lofty feels like a proper author this week, after having received her cover flats for her December release WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS, available for pre-order. Come, fall in love with the unusual green and purple!
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Michelle Styles' blog and website are now being archived by the British Library as part of their web preservation programme. She also received a really good review for VIKING WARRIOR, UNWILLING WIFE from Realms on Our Bookshelves: 
The part I like best is Michelle Styles wields her talent once more to spin a Viking tale of long ago, filled with strong willed personalities, compelling love and secrets to uncover. VIKING WARRIOR, UNWILLING WIFE will give the reader a few enjoyable reading hours in the time of the VIken!
Michelle also received the cover of her upcoming release, AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE. It's also available for pre-order ahead of its September UK release.
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Join us Sunday when Blythe Gifford will be discussing her latest release INNOCENCE UNVEILED, set in 14th century Flanders, and giving away a free copy!
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We'll also draw the winner of a copy of Victoria Trout and Penelope West's ETHAN'S FLIGHT. Leave a comment for your shot at winning.
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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...
Lisa Yarde's medieval romance LOVE REMEMBER ME has been accepted for publication by Enspiren Press. In the years before the Norman conquest, a Saxon lord's son and a Norman falconer's daughter meet and share a timeless bond, forged by their love of falconry. After years of separation, they reunite and discover their love remains strong, but the Norman conquest of Saxon England threatens their future happiness. Congratulations, Lisa!
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Carrie Lofty's short story "Sundial" was released as an ebook by The Wild Rose Press on Wednesday. It's now #7 on TWRP's bestsellers list! The award-winning time travel set in 1958 Italy also garnered high praise from Margaret Marr of the online entertainment magazine Nights & Weekends:It's a clever, spicy-sweet, and heart-breaking love story... With its heated love scenes and a shattering, unexpected parting, "Sundial" will have you holding your breath, wondering how Amber and Mark can ever be together in their respective futures. If you're a lover of romances and believe in the impossible made possible, you'll enjoy "Sundial" as much as I did.
You can read the complete review here.
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Sandra Schwab has managed to survive revision hell for Bewitched, coming in April 2008. She would like to offer a big THANK YOU to everybody who visited her blog to cheer her on, offer advice on scenes, and help her with tricky research. It was very much appreciated!
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Just in time for Christmas, Jennifer Mueller is giving away a free e-cookbook filled with all the recipes from her various stories--which means food from dozens of times and places! Go to her cookbook page to download your copy!
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Bonnie Vanak's first Egyptian historical The Falcon & the Dove will be reprinted by Dorchester in February of 2008.
What lies beneath the sands of Akhetaten, Egypt? A secret... A secret guarded by an ancient tribe for three thousand years... A secret a courageous sheikh vows to protect from archaeologists... A secret a desperate woman will risk her life to find...A secret that will forever change the lives of a man and woman destined for each other...
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Anne Whitfield has the cover for her newest Victorian historical, Her Shadowed Heart.
Anna Thornton leads a privileged life, but she’s not content. When the dashing Matt Cowan sweeps her off her feet, she thinks her boring existence has changed for the better, only all is not as it seems. Betrayed and faced with family secrets, Anna flees her home. Taking her trusted maid with her, she begins a new life, which is filled with events that will test her strength and self belief.
However, fate sends a man to heal her heart, but will she trust herself to another again? Will the past recede enough for her to see a brighter future?
Her Shadowed Heart will be released by Enspiren Press in 2008 as an ebook and in trade paperback.
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Join us on Sunday when author Annie Burrows will stop by to review A Christmas Wedding Wager by Michelle Styles, which she won several weeks ago. Don't miss it!
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Have a good weekend and a fantastic holiday season. We'll be here all week with more posts on Holidays & Celebrations! If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie! See you next week...
