Please help me welcome Alexa Bourne as my first guest blogger.
Hello Alexa. A very warm welcome to you. Before we begin, could you please give us a brief introduction to your latest release Her Highland Champion?
Sure! Heather Winchester is an American graduate student studying in Scotland. While on a 3-day tour of the Highlands, she is attacked and left for dead. When she wakes, she can’t remember anything about her life. Malcolm Fraser is a professional bodyguard who has just resigned due to what he believes are his failings. He wants nothing more than to disappear to his Highland bed & breakfast, but he finds Heather during his morning run, and the hero deep within his soul won’t allow him to leave her unprotected. This leads them both on an amazing journey of discovery.
I love the cover for the book. How much input do you have in the art work for your stories?
Thanks! I’m THRILLED with the cover! Decadent gives its authors a questionnaire to fill out to help the artists design the covers. I was able to describe the characters, setting, to give suggestions for the cover and even tell them what I didn’t want. They took my comments and suggestions and made the best cover I could have asked for.
What future projects are you currently working on?
At the moment, I’m revising a 3rd novella for Decadent’s Honor Guard series. I’m hoping this one will round out my UK trilogy. It’s set in Edinburgh during Hogmanay with an American woman who witnesses a murder than no one believes actually happened.
Which of your books was the easiest to write? And the hardest?
The current WIP is always the hardest to write! The easiest was actually my next novella, Fractured Paradise. It was written as a way to deal with my grandmother’s death and to honor her and my British heritage.
Which of your books is your favourite?
Oh, I can’t possibly say! It’s like trying to pick your favorite child. There’s something special, some connection, with each story.
Which of your characters is your favourite?
In Her Highland Champion, my favorite character is actually Jamie MacDougall, the pub owner. He’s a giant of a man, with a heart of gold even if he sometimes drives me (and the other characters) insane! I hope someday I’ll get the opportunity to write his story as well.
What strengths do you like to give your hero and heroine?
I like to make my heroines brave enough to ask for what they need…eventually. Often they start out not even really knowing what they need and certainly not able to voice what they need. I like my characters to be survivors, people who trudge on even when things get difficult. Sometimes it’s both characters, sometimes it’s only one and the other finds that strength during the book. For my heroes, I like them to be strong enough to protect the innocent, whether that’s the heroine or someone else in the story, even when they don’t want to get involved. I like my heroes to have the courage to do what is right even when it will affect them and their plans.
Thank you for talking with me today, Alexa.
Thank you for having me!
Please visit Alexa at http://www.alexabourne.com/ and help her celebrate her release.
Hi Alexa! This sounds like such a fantastic book! I am so going to to amazon right now to order it! Congratulations on what looks like an exciting new release!!
Wonderful interview, ladies! Alexa, your books sound awesome! Definitely going to read!
Fantastic post. Love stories that take place in the Highlands – sounds liek a great one.
Great interview!
D’Ann, thank you.
Lovely interview, ladies. The book sounds wonderful.
Congratulations on the book Alexa. It sounds wonderful. Nothing like a sexy highlander to spend an hour or two with. Nice post, Ella!
Sounds like a very interesting read… Great interview!
I love the description of heroines being “brave enough to ask for what they need.” Sounds fascinating…can’t wait to read more!
Super congratulations on your release, Alexa.
I’m going to hop over and check out your site.
Just had to stop back and say I love your cover!
Oh, Highlanders–sigh. That book sounds great!
Alexa, your book sounds fantastic! Looks like I found something new for the TBR pile! :o)
I’m a sucker for Highlander stories. Thanks for an outstanding interview. I just have to read this one for sure!!
Wonderful interview! I love anything to do with Scotland, and a Scottish hero for sure. Sounds like a fantastic book. Best of luck to you!
Great interview, Ladies. Congratulations on your release. Her Highlander Champions sounds wonderful. I wish you the best of sales.
Jenn!
Love the interview, ladies. Good luck with the book, Alexa. It sounds super.
WOW! I just got in from work and came on to see if anyone had commented! Thank you all for taking the time to read the interview and comment! You’ve made my evening!!! And now you’re all in the running for the blog tour prize that I’ll be giving at the end of the month. For those of you reading Champion, I hope you like Malcolm & Heather’s story.
And thanks to Ella for having me!
Great interview. Can’t go wrong with a Scottish romance.
I love Scottish romance! Great interview, ladies. Have to check out the book now. 🙂
Maggie, isn’t that the truth?
Melissa, there’s just something about a Scottish romance!
Everyone, this isn’t your typical Scottish romance because this is set in the 21st century! I figured Scottish heroes didn’t all have to be in historical romances, right?
Very nice interview. The book sounds good.
Great interview, ladies! And you can’t go wrong with a Scottish romance no matter what the time period. This one sounds like a real winner, Alexa!
Thanks so much, 19thcenturylady! And you’re right. You can’t go wrong with a hot Scotsman no matter when it takes place!
Hi Alexa, I was at the Spring Fling this weekend and just saw this. It was my pleasure to host you. Congratultions on your new book.