[Sun rising, the sky full of pinks and oranges; the ship is silent, being the crew is asleep—since when has any of the crew seen the sun rise? Please—and there at the front of the ship walks a dark haired lady, her skirts blowing behind her, her face turned to the wind. From the shadows emerges the one and only Captain Jack Sparrow]

 

Jack: Ms. Brighton, you came. I am honored. [sketching a small bow]

 

Ms. Brighton: Does one curtsey to a pirate? I have not seen that covered in the etiquette books.

 

Jack: An egregious oversight I am sure. Hellion usually conducts these interviews, but she’s not a morning person. Actually she’s not much of an afternoon or evening person either. She’s most personable in bed…or asleep, and to tell the truth—

 

Ms. Brighton: You’ve been known to tell the truth?

 

Jack: All the time. It’s not my fault no one believes me. Anyway, I purposely set up this little meeting because I knew Hellie could not spirit you away and ask those frou-frou writer questions of hers.

 

Ms. Brighton: What sort of writer questions?

 

Jack: Oh, you know, the ones like “What’s your book about?” and “Tell us more about your hero.” As if anyone cares about those things. Readers want to know when you plan to write about pirates.

 

Ms. Brighton: [making a small noise in the back of her throat] You are so right, Captain Sparrow. [batting her eyes at him] But do you think we might answer those questions first? Just for the sake of conventionality?

 

Jack: [sighing] You’re like the rest of them. Fine, fine. [draws a piece of paper from his jacket] Hellie wrote something out earlier. [unfolds sheet and clears throat] This has been an exciting year. Debut book coming out. No pressure, of course, I’m sure. What is your book, Wild Heart, about?

 

Ms. Brighton: No, no pressure at all.

 

Wild Heart is really two books. On one hand, you have your typical romance set in Victorian, England with a hero, Leo, out for vengeance. Leo’s parents were murdered and he will do whatever it takes to find the people responsible. On the other hand, you have a more suspenseful plot. Ella, the heroine, is hired to tutor a lad. It’s only after she arrives that she finds out Leo is anything but a boy. On the outside Ella is your typical sweet heroine, but she has a secret…Ella has a special ability she’s kept hidden from the world. As Ella and Leo grow closer, they realize their pasts are entwined, and only together can they unlock the mystery of their lives. In the end, both most learn to trust each other or risk losing everything they hold so dear.

 

 

Here’s a brief blurb:

 

“Leo is next in line for an earldom, but he is uncultured, unrefined– and completely untamed…until governess Ella arrives, determined to set him on the right path. But Ella has a secret, and if Leo finds out what she is truly capable of, she may lose everything she holds dear.” 

 

Jack: That does sound rather interesting, even if you insist on being conventional. Strange, considering how unconventional your novel is. It’s not just a historical, nor a paranormal. It’s both. Are you a fan of both genres? How did this story come about?

 

Ms. Brighton: Yes, I’m definitely a fan of both historicals and paranormals. My son was watching the Disney Tarzan movie and around the same time I saw a documentary on feral children. I love those alpha males and you can’t get more alpha than a man left in the wild to fend for himself. I’d come up with the basic concept, but it didn’t seem unique enough. That’s when I realized I could add the paranormal element. If Ella had an ability to control and sense the emotions of animals, since Leo is more animalistic than most, it would connect them on a deeper level. There were a few people who told me I didn’t need the paranormal element. My instincts told me to leave it in. Thankfully I did, since that was what Kensington really liked about the book. 

 

 Jack: [looks back at his sheet] Hellie read the excerpt on your website. She says Leo certainly makes an impression. (Hellie’s a little boy crazy.) You ladies certainly seem to have a fascination for a man who is not quite civilized. [tilting his head to smolder at her] What exactly is it you think will make all the lassies swoon for Leo?

 

Ms. Brighton: If your readers like an alpha male, and I’m assuming they do, they’ll love Leo. I tried to keep him true to life; what a real person would be like if they’d experienced what he has. On a trip to India, his parents are murdered. Leo is only a lad, but he’s forced to stay in hiding in a country he knows nothing about. Much like The Count of Monte Cristo (one of my favorite books), vengeance has kept him going. He’s very determined and blunt, but he’s also very honest and loyal. He doesn’t let people push him around. He’s a man who takes what he wants, and he definitely wants Ella. Here’s a short excerpt:

 

 

Leo sat beside her and removed one of his boots. Her gaze darted from his foot to his face, back to his foot again. A bug buzzed near her ear, and she brushed aside the annoying pest as Leo removed the other boot. Without hesitation, he pulled off his stockings. Large, sinewy feet were bared before her. Her face heated, and she jerked her gaze away. What in the world was he doing? She couldn’t look…It’d be improper. Yet, she couldn’t stop herself from watching him out of the corner of her eye.

            Leo stood and drew her attention to his tall form. When his hands reached for the buttons on his shirt, she jumped to her feet. “Wh…what are you doing?”

            His gaze locked on hers, but he offered no response. Slowly, his fingers traveled down his chest until the shirt hung open. With a quirk of his brow, he tossed the garment aside and stood before her bare-chested. Heat raced to her face. Had it warmed outside? Really, it was uncomfortably hot today. She slid her finger between her neck and collar, pulling the material from her damp skin. 

            “Leo, this is not very proper,” she said in a breathless whisper. “You really should-” Her voice caught as his hands went to the waistband of his trousers.

Blimey, no.

He couldn’t….He wouldn’t.

He did.

 

Jack: Typical. Women. [looks back at sheet] Oh, yes, they’d keelhaul me if I didn’t ask this. What’s your call story?

 

Ms. Brighton: It’s a sad, long tale, but with a happily ever after, of course. When I wrote Wild Heart I had this feeling it would sell. Then I sent it out into the world of agents and it was rejected, over and over. Not one to give up easily, I decided to enter it in some writing contests. It came in first place in the Golden Acorn Contest and Hilary Sares, an editor at Kensington, requested the full. I sent it off hoping this was the break I’d been wanting for six years. Then a month went by, then two, then three. I chalked it up to another rejection and started thinking about which book I’d start writing next. Then one day I got a call. The I.D. said New York, but since I didn’t know anyone, I didn’t answer. When I checked my messages later, it was from Hilary saying she was interested in my book. I was so shocked, I could barely breathe, let alone call her back. It took me about 30 mins to get up the nerve to return her call.

 

Jack: Shot of rum is always good for the nerves. And lastly, what’s coming up next?

 

Ms. Brighton: My Kensington contract was for two books. The second book is a spinoff of the first. It takes place in India and has minor characters from book one. Colin, the hero, is a charming rogue, much like you, Jack. He’s an adventurer and Bea, his heroine, is a prim and proper lady. They’re thrown together in India, forced to travel the country while fighting for their lives. It’s quite the thrilling adventure and I really enjoyed writing it. Unfortunately it won’t be out for at least a year. I’m hoping to put up an excerpt on my website soon.

 

Jack: Most excellent. Did you have any questions for me?

 

Ms. Brighton: Not a question exactly. [glancing longingly at the prow of the ship] I would wonder if you would do be a small favor.

 

Jack: Ah, you want the Titanic thing. I get that a lot. I would be delighted, Ms. Brighton, if you’ll just step this way…anything else?

 

Ms. Brighton: I’m honored to be spending my release day with you all! It’s been a blast. In fact, you’ve been so wonderful that I think I’ll give away a few copies of my book. Leave a comment and 3 people will win a copy of Wild Heart!