Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Welcome guest author Barbara Donlon Bradley to my blog today

I'd like to welcome author Barbara Donlon Bradley to my blog.  Let's make learn more about her and her book "Stolen Desire."


1-How long have you been writing?

It seems like forever – I’ve been writing since I was a kid – I think since I found THAT book. The one that makes you want to read everything in sight to see if they are as good? For me it was The Faraway Lurs. But professionally it was 1993. That’s when I joined RWA and my local chapter CRW.

2- What is your favorite genre to write?

I love SF Romance/Erotic – most of my titles are under this – eleven out of the fourteen titles I have out are SF/Futuristic Erotic Romance. Well the very first one, A Quest for Love (the publisher is Mundania Press/Hard Shell Word Factory) isn’t that erotic but is the SF/futuristic category and has explicit scenes. I had so much fun writing it and the readers loved it so I stayed in that genre. I also write funny short stories (this is through Melange Books/Satin Romance/) in the fantasy category. Then there are the first two books - one time travel and a straight historical.

3-What are you working on now?

 I’m working on a series called the Vespian Way. Seven books have been published with the newest being Stolen Desire, which just came out. I’m polishing book eight titled Hidden Desire and am in the process of writing book nine and ten. Yes, I’m crazy enough to be working on three books at the same time.

4-When you begin a story do you start with character or plot?

I start with the characters, they actually start talking to me, driving me to words on the page, the plot comes to me as I write.

5-Tell us about your latest/upcoming release. What inspired it?

Stolen Desire is the seventh book in my Vespian Way series. I do try to write each book to be free standing so if someone starts with book seven they won’t be totally lost. The easiest way to explain what the book is about is to share my blurb so here you go – When Heather is confronted with her time traveling self she fears the worse. The woman came to warn them of a terrible accident but something isn’t right. The visitors her future self says are there to help only wants to kidnap her and kill her mate. Using her mind she tries to protect her friends and family. Yet she wakes up as a prisoner after seeing the ship Storm is in blow up. She is now alone, and trapped. Somehow she has to figure out a way home and hopefully reverse all the horrible things that have taken her family from her.
As far as what inspired it the first book came to me in a dream, at least the opening scene did. The rest of the books just keep flowing out of me and I’ll keep writing them until the stop.

Thanks so much for having me Lily. I had fun answering your questions. I hope everyone enjoyed my answers.

Will be available at Phaze July 29th, 2014


When Heather is confronted with her time traveling self she fears the worse. The woman came to warn them of a terrible accident but something isn’t right. The visitors her future self says are there to help only wants to kidnap her and kill her mate. Using her mind she tries to protect her friends and family. Yet she wakes up as a prisoner after seeing the ship Storm is in blow up. She is now alone, and trapped. Somehow she has to figure out a way home and hopefully reverse all the horrible things that have taken her family from her.

Excerpt:
Chapter One

Heather sighed as she opened her eyes and stretched. Before she could move she felt a warm hand on her breast.
“I see you’re awake.” Storm’s breath brushed against her cheek.
She looked up at her mate, who had a knowing smile on his face. “And I see you are awake too.” She was referring to the erection pressed against her hip.
“True, but I can’t help it when I have such a wonderful partner lying beside me.” Storm nibbled against her throat. “We still have time before we need to be anywhere.”
“Why didn’t you wake me earlier?” She smiled as he settled himself between her thighs. “You could have had all the time you want if you had.”
“Because the twins aren’t allowing you to get sleep enough yet. I don’t mind watching you sleep when I know you need it. It gives me time to appreciate having you in my life.” He dipped his head to her mark. “And waking you up this way is an anticipation I look forward to. I don’t mind stretching that out a little.”
“Because you know what will happen when I wake.”
“That is the best part.”
She felt him smile against her neck as he pulled the soft tissue of her mark into his mouth before he worked his way down her body.
“You are incorrigible.”
“And that is why I’m your heart.” His tongue lathed her nipple before drawing the tip into his mouth. She arched up against him and he slipped his hands under her.
A growl escaped him when they were interrupted by the computer system. “Heather, you have a communiqué from Admiral Barrister.”
She sighed again. This time in frustration. What did he want now?
“The last time he contacted us you ended up being whipped.” Storm blew against the tip before he climbed back up her body. “I’m inclined to not let you answer him.”
“Storm, I’m still part of Earth’s security.” She looked up at him, his face only inches above hers. “I can’t ignore him.”
“Fine, but you’re not getting out of this bed until I say so.” He rolled off her and helped her sit up and settle herself against him. “Put him on, Cim.”
“Sir.” She adjusted the cover to make sure she didn’t expose herself.
“Commander, sorry if I interrupted something, but we need to talk, in person.”
“Sir?” What was so important that he wanted them to make a trip to Earth. “You know it’s not that easy for me to step away from my duties here.”
“I know, but I have something to show you that you need to see.” Bear pressed a key and changed the image they were looking at. The new picture was a holding cell. Inside was a woman who looked a whole lot like Heather. “Before you ask I ran DNA tests against the data you gave me. She is you.”
“That isn’t possible.” She suddenly felt cold.
“Tell that to her.” Bear switched the image back to him. “Needless to say this was something I didn’t want Earth security to investigate too deeply so I pretended she was you. I’m on my way to Vespia and will need clearance in about fifteen minutes.”
“We’ll meet you at the landing port.” Storm closed the communiqué and was the first one up. “I don’t like this at all.”
“We need to contact Bert as well. Perhaps he could shed a little light on what is going on.” Heather stood as well. With a thought they were both dressed. Heather stepped into the twins’ bedroom to find them still asleep. She touched their heads softly before she walked back into the main room where Storm waited. “They’re sound asleep.”
“Then let’s go.” He placed his hand against the small of her back as they headed out the doors. “I have given Bear clearance to land and contacted Bert to join us. Your brother has been made aware as well so he’ll be here when the twins wake up.”
“Thank you.” She kept her thoughts to herself.
“You okay?”
“Yes, my heart.” Heather wrapped an arm around his waist and gave him a quick hug. “Just want to know what is going on.”
“So do I, my heart.”
They walked onto the tarmac and waited as Bear’s ship touched down.
Storm looked down at her upturned face as he pulled her close. She knew he picked up on the fact that she was tense and far too quiet. “I know this bothers you. Your silence tells me more than any words. I want to know why there is a woman in Bear’s ship who looks like you, too. Together we will get to the truth.”
“I wish Bear had told us more. Why is she, me here? What happened to force me to travel back in time?”
“My question as well.” They had come to the same conclusion. The woman in question was probably from the future which didn’t bode well. She knew he could smell her fear and wrapped his arms around her in support. “I’m sure he will explain everything he knows and your brother and Bert will explain the rest.”
****
“I don’t know what to tell you,” said Bear. They stood outside the room where Heather’s look-a-like paced the floor. “She came to me, claiming to be you, but from our near future with a message. Then she refused to speak after that.”
“Who is the message for?” asked Storm.
“You.” He looked at Heather. “Look, I tried to get her to talk to me, but she refused. She promised to explain everything once she saw Heather, which is why I brought her here. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“You did the right thing, Bear. I’ll talk to her and see what is going on.”
“I don’t think so.” Storm shook his head. After all they had been through he didn’t trust anyone and that included an exact copy of his mate.
“Then how are we to know why she is here?” Heather looked at him.
“Storm, that woman has been quite adamant about talking to your mate. Heather number two has also promised to go through any tests you might want her to go through as long as you allow her to speak to herself.” Bear shook his head. “It’s all a little strange to me.”
Kuarto walked into the medlab. “Really wish you would stay put when you call me. I went to the landing area as you requested and was told you had come here. This is where I was in the first place.”
“Sorry,” said Heather. “We needed to move indoors rather quickly.”
“What is so important that you…” He spotted the other Heather. “Never mind. I’m assuming you want me to check out your guest?”
“Please?” Heather rubbed her hands on her skirt, her nerves taking control. “We need to get to the bottom of this.”
Kuarto walked into the room where his sister’s look-a-like waited. Heather watched as he ran his tests. Where did this woman come from? Why was she here? He was frowning when he came back out.
“She is you. The DNA proves it, but she is also older than you. About six weeks.” He kept looking at his readings. “I don’t know how this is possible.”
“Thank you.” Heather knew. This version of her had time-traveled. She didn’t like the rock that was forming in the pit of her stomach. Something must have gone terribly wrong for her to come back in time. “Let’s find out what I have to say.”
Storm wrapped his arm around her waist to keep her at his side. “Wait for Bert. If that really is you then you know the consequences of getting too close to yourself.”

Writing for Barbara Donlon Bradley started innocently enough, like most she kept diaries, journals, and wrote an occasional letter but she also had a vivid imagination and wrote scenes and short stories adding characters to her favorite shows and comic books. As time went on she found the passion for writing to be a strong drive for her. Humor is also very strong in her life. No matter how hard she tries to write something deep and dark, it will never happen. That humor bleeds into her writing. Since she can’t beat it she has learned to use it to her advantage. Now she lives in Tidewater Virginia with two cats, one mother in law – whose 87 now, her husband and son.
Barbara Donlon Bradley’s writing started innocently enough, she kept diaries, journals, and wrote an occasional letter but her vivid imagination had her writing scenes and short stories, adding characters to her favorite shows and comic books. As time went on the passion for writing became too strong to ignore. Humor dominates her life. Write something deep and dark, will never happen. That humor bleeds into her writing. Since she can’t beat it she’s learned to use it to her advantage. Now she lives in Tidewater Virginia with two cats, one mother in law – whose 87 now, her husband and son.

Author Sites:

3 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for having me Lily - I an excited to say the book is now available - http://www.phaze.com/book.php?title=Stolen+Desire - doing the happy dance!

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  2. That was an interesting interview Barbara. The newest book sounds like another great read. Good luck with all you do.

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