Osiyo~
Welcome one and all! Grab a beverage of choice, something sweet and sinful. No-no, not the men. What’s the matter with you? You know the hands-on rules… The guest gets first pick! 😉 Take a comfy seat for another, or a first, spin in the Round Pen.
I’m thrilled to welcome my wonderfully talented guest today, Lyrical sister Cd Brennan, who is sharing her book, WATERSHED, with us!
Please show Cd some real Ranch love!
Thanks so much to Calisa for having me. A fellow Lyrical author and I can say honestly one of the most supportive and lovely writers out there! I have Risk Factors on my Must Read list, looking forward to it!
Before I get to the nosy 5-3-4 part of this interview, we’d like to know a bit about you, the person wearing the writer’s hat.
Like many romance writers out there, I am juggling writing with bringing up a young family. Some days I ask, “Why do I do this to myself?” If I’m not taking care of kids or the house, I’m working my day job (or night job) or writing books. And squeeze in reading when I can. I never watch the telly. Never. Unless it is changing cartoons for my 4-year old. And I can’t remember the last time I picked up a newspaper. Add to that book promotion coming up…why bother sleeping?
But I love writing, so I fit it in.
Hmm, what else is interesting? I have lived in Scotland for two years, Ireland for seven years where I met my Australian husband, and Australia for over 5 years. Last year I moved my family back to Michigan after having been gone for over 15 years. I can honestly say we are ALL adjusting to the snow. My boys were born in Australia in the outback of Queensland, so you can imagine the huge change everyone is going through.
I was a young thing when I left, but had an adventurous spirit always. I’ve traveled half the world it seems – all through the US and Canada including Alaska, Mexico, Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, all of Europe, Kenya and Tanzania, Malaysia and Japan. I’ve probably forgotten a few.
I have drawn on all of these adventures to write my books. My travels are the inspiration behind my Love Where You Roam series. Jokingly, one of my girlfriends in Ireland said that the past 15 years was mere research for the author I have become today. She’s probably right!
Author Bio
Having traveled and lived all over the world, Cd Brennan now talks with a strange accent, a mix of distant terminology, a blend of culturally cute but confusing euphemisms that leaves everyone looking at her with a blank stare. Luckily, her Australian husband (who she met in Ireland) and her two Aussie/Yankee sons have no problem understanding her – well, except for the word “NO”.
Now settled back “home” in Michigan, she enjoys reliving her glory days by writing about them. She considers the last fifteen years abroad the perfect research for her Love Where You Roam series; matchmaking women and men from different cultures, even different hemispheres, helping them find their true one across oceans of difference.
As destiny plays a hand in all the stories, Cd Brennan truly believes that what is for you, won’t pass you by. She hopes to inspire others to get out there: “Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” [Mark Twain] And of course, fall in love.
Can I just mention how jealous I am right now? LOL
My writing area at the moment is a corner of the couch in my living room. What does your writing space look like?
Originally, it was on the end of the kitchen table. That’s how I wrote the entirety of WATERSHED, but it wasn’t too easy with my two young sons running around, tugging at me for a snack or climbing into my lap. Sometimes I’d only get a couple of sentences done before I was popping back up again. Now, I have a desk in a separate room and I’m a much happier writer. Thank heaven! Not the perfect desk, mind you, I still dream of the big mahogany spread, but at least the noise is dampened by a big solid DOOR.
Oh how I dream of the day I can take over the spare room and have hubby build me a huge desk!
For a lot of writers it’s a life-altering event coming up with titles and character names. Others it comes as naturally as breathing. Which is it for you?
One of the easiest parts of writing for me is the character names and book titles, believe it or not. Along with the setting, I always know where the story will take place first. Not sure how or why, but I have never struggled with naming a character or pinpointing the perfect title for a book. Of course, I have only written two. And now that I’ve said this, I probably have hexed myself!
What advice would you offer aspiring and new writers?
What are you passionate about? Write what you enjoy (in reading, in life, in sport, even about children!), and I believe that this will shine through into your story. For example, if you want to write romance but love downhill skiing, set your characters on the slopes. The more belief and passion there, the more is transferred to your audience, and they will love it.
The constant shift of the industry makes me often scratch my head and ask ‘what next?’ So, what do you think it takes to be a successful author at the moment?
Honestly, being published doesn’t even guarantee success. A book may only sell a handful of copies. That is the scary part of digital publishing these days. Your book versus 250,000 other books online. And self-publishing has come leaps and bounds. There are so many options to get your book out there via a publisher or self-published. I wish I knew the magical formula for success. Sure, if I did, I’d be acting on it! But I do reckon, a lot of it is keeping your book or books out there in the public, that’s number one. Two, don’t necessarily write to the trends, as the current one might not suit your writing style. And by the time a book gets out there, it may have passed. Three –write what you enjoy (in reading, in life, in sport, even about children!), and I believe that this will shine through into your story. For example, if you want to write romance but love downhill skiing, set your characters on the slopes! The more belief and passion there, the more is transferred to your audience, and they will love it!
Who would you like to meet in the publishing industry- dead or alive- and why?
My answer to this could be totally different next week. Sometimes, I get truly inspired by an author, so much that I want to read everything of theirs. Right now, I am reading a couple romances, but the author I’m hyped about at the moment is Eudora Welty. I’m reading her, One Writer’s Beginnings. It’s a memoir, but a brilliant one. She sounds like the kinda gal I’d love to sit down with a cuppa tea and have a chat about books, writing, life.
It’s time for 3 in 1! I’ll ask the questions and you answer them in one word. 😆
Favorite animal?Horse
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? Summer
Favorite food? Coffee (it’s substance!)
Well done! 🙂
Okay, Flash four. Ready?
What are you working on now?
I just finished the second book in the Love Where You Roam series called A STONE’S THROW, set in Bridge of Allan, Scotland where I lived for two years. Starring Aussie Jillaroo Lizzy (Elizabet) Jensen and hunky Scottish architect Hamish Skene. So now, I have about two weeks of editing in front of me – yikes!
What are you sharing today?
Love Where You Roam – Contemporary Romance Series
Debut Release – Book 1: Watershed – March 4, 2013
She left home to find herself…and found love along the way.
Blurb
Maggie isn’t looking for love on her backpacking trip through Australia. She’s got enough man troubles back in Ireland. Australia is her escape, a place of adventure where she can create memories to last a lifetime.
But some memories won’t be left behind.
Gray is ready to quit hiring backpackers to help with the work on his remote Queensland cattle station when Maggie turns up. She’s just passing through, but the connection they forge during the long nights herding cattle won’t be so easily cast aside.
CONTENT WARNING: A strong-willed Irish heroine, a stubborn Australian hero, and oceans of difference to bridge for love.
A Lyrical Press Contemporary Romance
***
Excerpt – Short
“In Ireland we have the Banshee.” Maggie broke Gray’s daydreaming with a start. “She is the omen of death and the messenger from the Otherworld.”
She continued in a whisper. “Often she appears an old hag. Folklore says she may also appear as a stunningly beautiful woman.” Maggie raised her brow at him, her eyes twinkling with fun.
Gray threw his head back and laughed, and she joined him. There was no shaking her. He decided he wasn’t going to best Maggie, and for the first time in a long time he was content with that.
He shifted so she had to settle against him. He heard her sigh as he wrapped his arm around her. They sat watching the fire, listening to the sounds of the bush settle for the night. It was peaceful and, Gray had to admit, romantic. He smiled, fulfilled after a long day’s hard work, some good bush tucker and a beautiful woman by his side. He had almost worked up enough courage to kiss her when she shivered, wrapping her arms around herself.
“I’m going to sleep.” Pulling off her trainers, she climbed into her swag. “Goodnight.”
***
Where can we find you and your books?
Amazon ~
B&N ~
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/watershed-cd-brennan/1114744167?ean=2940016262345
iTunes ~
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/wayershed/id593848163?mt=11
Lyrical ~
http://lyricalpress.com/watershed/
Kobo ~
www.twitter.com/CdBrennanauthor
www.pinterest.com/CdBrennan2012
Where will you be next?
Tomorrow, Wednesday March 6th, I’ll be at All Things Writing with Mary Ann Loesch. Please stop by! http://www.allthingswriting.blogspot.com
I’d love to know from any visitor where they next plan on traveling to, and why. Holiday? Vacation? Visiting rellies? I’m always on the lookout for the next big adventure for the series! 🙂
Thank you so much for playing along Cd! Wishing you much luck with your book and writing. I hope you’ll come visit again one day.
Dodadagohvi~
I write contemporary and paranormal romance, with sensuality as the key ingredient and spice for kick.
Pen of The Dreamer 
I’m quite jealous of all your travels. Right now I’d like to be in the cover of your book. It’s gorgeous!
LikeLike
The cover is gorgeous! But Queensland only looks like this after a good rain. Most of the year it is desert, but the rain is significant in the story, so I thought the cover expressed it well!
LikeLike
Ooh- is that a photo you took, CD? How awesome that would be.
LikeLike
Unfortunately not! Photography is one of those things that I am really bad at. Everything comes out blurry. Whenever I try to take a picture, my husband yanks the camera out of my hands, especially if it is one that is important! I do have a few photos of my travels, but nothing that does it justice, I envied other travelers that came back with photos that were worthy of a frame on the wall. Most of the images are just in my head!!
LikeLike
Well now, this was a fun interview, ladies. I felt as if I got a bit of traveling in myself, vicariously of course. I love traveling but I’m too much of a weenie to go too far from my comfort zone. The thought of finding myself on the other side of the world where nothing is familiar, gives me the hives. 😉 I’ll stick to this hemisphere. I have made it to England, and Ireland and Scotland are on the bucket list. But then, that’s the beauty of books. I’ll get to visit Oz when I read Watershed – which is now on the TBR list.
LikeLike
Thank you Mackenzie! And you’re not a weenie for not wanting to travel. It’s one of those things where people feel they should do it, but there is so much right now, right here too. Some people have the itch, others don’t. It’s all good! I hope you enjoy Watershed!
LikeLike
LOL Mac will be reading well into heaven as big as her TBR is! 😆 The angels will be laughing at…er, with her.
LikeLike
I enjoyed the interview and, like many of the others, envy all that adventurous travelling you did, Cd. I can’t imagine the stories you collected along the way! Watershed sounds like an enjoyable read, and I’ve added it to my TBR list. Congrats, Cd!
LikeLike
Thanks so much Mae! You have always been so supportive, you are a gem. I hope you get your travels in one day 😉
LikeLike
Enjoyed the interview.
Thank you
LikeLike
Thank you Ann for stopping by, glad you enjoyed my blathering on 🙂
LikeLike
For some odd reason I can’t ‘like’ any posts today. But I do like this interview. I want to travel before I’m too old to enjoy it. What a life you’ve had. Thanks for sharing an excerpt. Love a strong willed gal.
And coffee. I love that too. Best success!
LikeLike
Thank you Sandy! I hope you get to your travels some day soon. For me, I started out in the English-speaking countries, more familiar in culture that I could brave on my own, and then worked my courage and confidence up to tackle the more “adventuresome” countries like in Africa and Asia. I swear it is a practiced discipline like anything else – you refine your traveling skills until you are a seasoned traveler!
LikeLike
Enjoyed the interview ladies! CD, I’m so jealous of all the places you’ve been and I think your friend is right about all your travels being research for the writer in you.
And I’m sure after all the places you’ve lived coming home to Michigan is an adjustment. I’m a Michigander too…and the snow this year has been beautiful, but torture at the same time! lol
Congrats on your book and good luck with all your future projects!
LikeLike
The closest I’ve been to Michigan was when I was 17 and went to northern Illinois to visit friends for a few weeks. They invited me to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving, but I chose to spend that day on a bus headed for OK. To this day I call that my best Thanksgiving ever! lol
LikeLike
Hey, fellow Michigander! Yes, the snow is beautiful I agree, and we get plenty of it where I am up in the snow belt. My boys have adjusted to it, though, playing in it with the shovels and pails like it was the Australian sand. 🙂 Thanks for the good wishes! xo
LikeLike
Hi Charlotte, so glad you stopped by! It’s a long story that has lead me from one place to another. When I was younger, I always had an adventuresome streak, my provincial life in a suburb of Michigan wasn’t enough. I needed, more I was compelled, to get out there and have a taste of what the world had to offer. So, initially, it was a burning desire to move my feet. Then, the more I traveled, the more I wanted to see. This is the addictive aspect of travel. From there, I moved TWICE for men. Ha ha! I’m such a romantic. The first time, from Scotland to Ireland, the relationship with the Irish lad didn’t work, but I fell in love with Ireland. The second time was with my husband from Ireland to Australia. He wasn’t exactly “legal” in Ireland and we moved to settle down and start a family. The latest move, where I shifted my entire family from Oz back to Michigan (it was a massive move and we are still adjusting, especially to our first winter!) was to be nearer my family. Once I had kids of my own, that nesting instinct kicked in, the one where you want to stay put, set some roots down for your children, show them everything that you knew and loved when growing up. And to be near my family. I have 4 sisters with lots of cousins for my boys. 🙂 That’s the short of it – ha ha!
LikeLike
Thank you, Cd. I always wished I had that adventurous streak, but I was always too cautios/boring/practical/whatever, which is why I read a lot I guess. Congratulations on the release of your book and best wishes for its success.
LikeLike
Thanks Charlotte, I’m sure you have that adventure in you somewhere. It doesn’t necessarily have to be travel! Thanks for the well wishes, I hope you enjoy the book if you choose to read it. xo
LikeLike
I’m glad you asked that, Charlotte. I was curious too. I had wanderlust growing up with a truck driver father, but not the funds to support it more than a few trips within the US. 😀
LikeLike
I’m very curious as to WHY Cd did all the travelling, especially the return back to Michigan? It sounds like a wonderful life experience, and of course one that would greatly enhance her portfolio of writing knowledge. But what was behind the moves?
LikeLike