Welcome, Margaret Tanner

Welcome, Margaret! Yours is the first interview here at From the Pages. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit with us. I have read Stolen Birthright--and loved it!--so I am especially excited to hear more about the author behind such a wonderful story. So, if it's all right with you, I'd like to get right to the questions.

First, I've got to know. Where do you write?

Anywhere that is quiet and comfortable and I can rest my writing pad. I always write my first draft in long hand.

In long hand, how interesting! Can you tell me anything about what you're working on now?

Yes, I am revising an historical romance set in 1870's Australia.

Where do you see yourself in the future? Will you still be writing, or do you have a new adventure on the horizon?

I will still be writing, but hopefully collecting big Royalty checks in the future.

Any advice for an author just starting out on the writer's journey?

Yes, Perseverence is the key. Keep on writing and keep on submitting and you will eventually succeed. In other words, don't let yourself fall at the first hurdle.

Excellent advice, Margaret. Very wise. So, how many books have you written? Do you have a favorite?

Eight. No, I like them all.

What kind of food do you like best?

Anything sweet. I fear I am a chocoholic.

We share that trait. I'm also a chocoholic, but let's just keep that between us, all right?

What are your hobbies?

Writing.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

Australia, where I now live.

How did you meet your significant other?

On a "blind date" set up by a friend.

Do you speak a foreign language?

Unfortunately, no.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

I would just like to say that writing can be a lonely occupation, which is why you need support from your fellow writers. They understand what you are going through, the highs, the lows and all the in betweens. My friends from the Melbourne Romance Writers Guild (MRWG) have ben a source of inspiration and support over several years and without their help and enthusiasm I would never have been published.

I've loved chatting with you today! Thank you so much for visiting with us, Margaret. I sincerely hope you'll come back in the future and talk to us about another of your books.

Readers, Margaret has graciously offered a copy of Stolen Birthright to one lucky commenter. Believe me, it's a great story. I know the winner will enjoy it. Just leave a comment to have your name in the drawing. A winner will be chosen at random and announced tomorrow morning. Check back to see if your name has been drawn!

Now, a blurb and excerpt from Margaret Tanner's Stolen Birthright...





HOW TO PURCHASE STOLEN BIRTHRIGHT:

Print and e-books can be purchased from Whiskey Creek Press.
http://whiskeycreekpress.com/authors/Margaret_Tanner.shtml


Blurb:

Can an English aristocrat ever hope to marry the daughter of convicts?

Georgina, a wild colonial girl, is brought up by O’Rourke, a rough and ready Irishman who she believes is her uncle. While helping the bushranger Johnny Dawson escape from prison she meets and falls in love with a dashing young English aristocrat, the Honourable Marcus Lindquist.

When Johnny Dawson is ambushed and killed, Marcus finally learns the secret of what has bound the young outlaw to Georgina. Johnny is her brother, not her lover as he had jealously supposed, but even darker secrets from the past overshadow their love.

Meanwhile, twelve thousand miles across the sea, Marcus’ Godfather, is plotting Georgina’s death to keep his dark secrets from ever seeing the light of day.

And an excerpt:

The Honourable Marcus Lindquist cursed inwardly as another bump almost unseated him. What did this idiot of a driver think he was doing? Bloody half-witted colonial. He had been forced to leave England to save the Lindquist name from being dragged further into disrepute, now he was exiled in this Godforsaken penal colony. Australia was only fit for convicts and destitute immigrants.

Sylvia had ruined his life. She had betrayed him. Cast him aside to marry the heir to a Dukedom. He was just starting to think about marriage and settling down to produce heirs, when he had met and become infatuated with Lady Sylvia Hayworth. Just the thought of her full lips and lush, ripe body being given to another man almost destroyed him.

“Youse have to stay the night here.” Their uncouth looking driver poked his head through the coach window. “Too late to travel on the road now.”

“Road!” Marcus bit off an oath. Is that what they called it? Rutted track seemed more appropriate. He felt bruised and battered as he stepped stiffly from the coach and waited for the other occupants to alight.

He stamped his feet to get his circulation moving again after eight hours in the cramped coach. They had stopped only to eat and change the horses; now he was forced to spend the night in some revolting, bug-infested tavern, undoubtedly run by villainous riff raff.

Automatically, he offered his hand to help a middle-aged lady alight. A good night’s sleep would help. The voyage out from England had been nothing short of a bloody nightmare. Still, it did have a few lighter moments, including a troupe of eight painted, but pretty chorus girls who had kept him entertained.

“This way.” The driver took charge of the lady’s bag, leaving Marcus to pick up his own.

The roadside tavern looked anything but impressive, although the light spilling out on to the verandah offered some reassurance. A large, fat fellow in grubby pants met them at the door, and Marcus shuddered with distaste. Fastidious in his own habits, if this oaf’s appearance was anything to go by, he teetered on the brink of a hideous nightmare. Their driver, having dumped them like pieces of flotsam, disappeared without a word. Not even bothering to hide his disdain, Marcus stepped across the threshold.