Nan Arnold, Garnet Gale Gets Her Man

AUTHOR NAN D ARNOLD

BOOK TITLE: GARNET GALE GETS HER MAN

PUBLISHER: MuseItUp Publishing

BUY LINK: www.nandarnold.com  and Amazon Kindle

Please tell us about yourself?   What does a woman do post career w/retired husband and 2 pesky cats underfoot? Well, as I love reading, I dabbled in writing. Joined writer’s groups, finaled in a few contests and took the plunge toward publication. “Hitting The High Notes” was published in 2010 as well as the sequel, “Pesto Packing Mama”, website details excerpts, sales venues, and awards.

Tell us your latest news? Tried my hand at a historical romance, GARNET GALE GETS HER MAN, released in early March 2012 by MuseItUp Publishing

When and why did you begin writing? Originally? After producing an office procedures manual for the insurance agency where I worked, the agency head was impressed enough that he submitted the work to the home office. They in turn issued it to all their agencies and I received a bonus, as well as a major chomp from “the writing bug”. But. Maybe it was that fateful trip motoring Mom to yet another doctor’s appointment when I discovered an old, frayed romance paperback. It beat Gun & Garden or a holiday issue of a women’s mag, dated Christmas 1991 (this was actually summer, 2000). The receptionist said I could take the book home which I did. I read it and thought (stupidly) ‘Hey, I could write something like this’. Yeah? Many revisions, queries, and dreams of becoming an agented writer later…see Hitting The High Notes above.  I’ve yet to be taken on by an agent (sigh) though some encouraging words have come my way. . However, I know writer pals who never sold through an agent. Agents aren’t the “magic wand” we writers think.

When did you first consider yourself a writer? 

When I received my first contract.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Love and forgiveness are major ingredients in any relationship, esp., a romance where H/H have been hurt in the past.

What books have most influenced your life most? 

Most influenced? I love so many. I adore Carl Hiaasen’s Skinny Dip, and Tim Dorsey’s The Stingray Shuffle, but not all are among the quirky set. For instance, gothic writers like Daphne Du Maurier’ Rebecca or Mary Stewart’s The Chrystal Cave, and all chick lit. How’s that for variety?

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? 

Cheryl B Dale, another MIU author. Her romantic suspense came out in mid-March, “The Man In The Boat”.

What book are you reading now? 

Shot of Tequila by J A Konrath (and Blake Crouch).  What do you like, or not, about it? Back on a quirky trend I guess. Funny original and odd ball.

What are your current projects? 

None currently. Was working on mystery, Tall, Dark & Handy, but it never quite came together as I’d like. Started chick lity, turned dark, very dark--but cozies probably sell better. So, we’re trying a trial separation.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? 

Laughing, what writer wouldn’t???

What do you do when you’re not writing/editing or thinking about writing/editing? 

Easy one--Reading another writer’s hard work! Not many people know I’d love to be a lion tamer. Those boots, those king-sized kitties, chairs flaming hoops, and whips, too. So different from my real life.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Enjoy Garnet Gale!!

Who is your publisher and how did you connect with them?

MuseItUp Publishing, via the ol’ query. Love Lea, MIU’s publisher, a real pro with a huge heart.

How can we find you?

Website, Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc. - please share your public links. www.nandarnold.com

BLURB

GARNET GALE GETS HER MAN

Historical Romance 

Think, a girl, a guy, and random interference from a ghost, circa 19^th Century New England

SYNOP

19th Century New England. 

Shipwrecks, emotional flotsam from past wrecked relationships, jilts, deceits, lost fortunes, and building passion swirl around Abigale Hawthorne and Randolph Blessing. Can the pair overcome the negatives to win each other’s trust and hearts?

Excerpt:

New England, 1839-Lost Mast Harbor

The Sea Nymph and Sea Crest were overdue. The first within reason, the latter with disturbing tardiness. Captain Nathaniel Blaine, master of the latter vessel, plagued Abigale Hawthorne’s thoughts anew because the man waiting downstairs, knowingly or not, presented her with a vexing reminder of Nathaniel’s jilt.

“You must go down, Manzè.” Seychelles gave her mistress a sympathetic look. “If that thorn, Captain Blaine, gets a mention, smile wide,” she said softly. “Pretend you don’t care ‘cause he took for himself another wife.”

“Inform Mr. Randolph Blessing I am indisposed.”

“Hiding’s not your way.” Seychelles went to an ornately carved dressing table where she rummaged through a jewel box of ebony wood, electing a circlet of opals. This she exchanged for garnets and fastened the clasp at Gale’s slender nape.

“I prefer the opals.”

“This one holds a message but not sure what.”

“Pfft.” Gale fussed with bows on her blue striped frock. 

“Very well, the garnets stay… I’m late enough already.”

“Lean-time news coming. Could be a limping ship, or worse.”

The gazes of a daughter of privilege and a free woman, who was named for her mother’s island birthplace, locked inside the looking glass.

“Which ship is in peril?”

“Don’t know, but recall Cap’n Blaine’s not your worry, not anymore.”

Gale drummed her lace-gloved fingers on the table. “True. Let Philippa, I mean to say Mrs. Blaine, pace the widow’s walk. If the sea claims Nathaniel, I shan’t shed a tear. ”

“That so?”

“Anyway, your predictions aren’t always accurate.”

Seychelles bristled. “More right than wrong, ain’t it so?”

She quizzed her maid. “You’ve seen Mr. Blessing?” Widow Forsythe, a consummate troublemaker, goaded Gale into inviting the Englishman to call. Too late, Gale learned of his relation to the captain’s wife. She could only hope he was unaware of her former attachment to Nathaniel, improbable as that was.

“Yes. Nothing forming on that mister. First, I need something personal from him, some hair or such.”

“Easily remedied. Fetch that old tomahawk from the attic trunk and we’ll scalp a few from his head.” She left her sanctuary to play hostess to one man as another deviled her thoughts.