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, Hywela Lyn, who is sharing her book, Beloved Enemy with us (also featured in this month’s issue of UnCover Monday)!
Please show Lyn some real Ranch love!

Before we get to the interview, tell us a bit about you.

Well, since my marriage I’ve lived in a small village in England, with my long suffering husband Dave, although my heart remains in my native rural Wales, which inspired much of my writing.
Although most of my stories tend to be futuristic, the worlds I create are usually untainted by crowded cities and technology, embracing the beauty and wildness of nature. My characters often have to fight the elements and the terrain itself. My heroes are strong, courageous and, of course, handsome and hunky. My heroines are also strong and courageous. They’re not content to sit by and let the hero face the dangers without them, they’re there, fighting alongside, but at the same time they never lose their sensitivity or femininity.
One thing remains constant. However difficult the journey, love will always win in the end.
My first novel, a futuristic romance, ‘Starquest’ released by the Wild Rose Press, was followed by a sequel ‘Children Of The Mist’. A third novel ‘Beloved Enemy’, released on 11th March 2016 continues what has now become a series known as ‘The Destiny Trilogy’.
I am a member of The Romance Novelists’ Association (UK) and Chiltern Writers, my local writing group. I love all animals and have two horses, a ‘feral’ stable cat, and a rescued terrier, who manages to twist me round his little paw. When I’m not writing, I can usually be found enjoying the outdoors with the horses and dog – or just reading and eating chocolate!

Okay, on to the interview!
When I’m not working in my lovely new office upstairs, my writing area is my cozy recliner in the living room. What does your writing space look like?

Well, if I’m truthful, it’s a bit cluttered at the moment. I’m lucky enough to have an ‘office’ which I share with my husband. It’s actually our one and only spare bedroom, but it’s more like a broom cupboard really, long and narrow, but we have two desks side by side (mine is considerably larger it has to be admitted.) We have a desktop computer each and a shared printer (My laptop is in the living room.) There are several bookshelves above the desks on the walls facing us, with my horse books, Binders of WRP Contracts and other documents, Text books on writing (including ‘On Writing’ by Stephen King, among others), my own print books (Yay!) and many of my author friends’ books, as well as favourite classics and novels. Dave’s side is mainly binders and folders, and catalogues from when we used to run our small Western Tack business. Some small soft toys decorate the shelves, as well as some pictures of our horses and dog. On the left side of my desk I have a range of more writers’ reference books, my desk diary, and various notebooks etc. It looks lovely when it’s tidy but my side does, I have to admit, tend to get covered in sheets of paper – !

Oh, mine isn’t at all tidy most days, either. I’ve begun to think I must work better with clutter, whether in my recliner or the office! Lol
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?

Usually my main characters’ names come to my mind at the same time the characters do, and they’re usually very real to me and the names are obvious (to me, anyway). I don’t feel nearly as confident about my titles I usually start with a ‘working title’ which I fully intend to change, but which always seems to end up being the published title, and just seems to fit somehow.
What advice would you offer aspiring and new writers?
Write what you enjoy writing, not what the current trend is, read as much as you can, get several good crit partners who will be honest without shattering your confidence, but will tell you when something is not working – and most important, never give up!

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?

Oh gosh, how long is a piece of string? To be honest, I have no idea. Promo obviously has a lot to do with it, it doesn’t matter how good your book is, if no-one knows about it, how can they read it. Trends come and go, and I think one of the secrets has to be writing a story that truly inspires and excites you – then there is a good chance it will also inspire and excite the reader.

Who would you like to meet in the publishing industry- dead or alive- and why?

Anne McCaffrey. I wrote to her as a young writer, asking what advice she had and she sent me back a personal handwritten note advising me to ‘write what you would like to read.’ I’ve followed that advice and never forgotten it. I really regret that I never got to meet her in person. She was my inspiration.

It’s time for 3 in 1! I’ll ask the questions and you answer them in one word. 😆

Favorite animal? Horse

Favorite season: Spring

Favorite food: Chocolate

Well done! 🙂 So let’s share a bit.

What are you working on now?

A ghost story which I’m hoping to submit to The Wild Rose Press. It features a horse breeder and takes place in my beloved Wales. It’s a change in direction from my usual Science Fiction romances, but I enjoy writing fantasy too.

Ooh, I love horses! I’m also working on a ghost story for that series. Can’t wait to read them.

What are you sharing today?

BELOVED ENEMY

(This is the third in what has become the Destiny Trilogy and although each of the three books features some of the characters in the other two, they are all ‘standalones’, although of course I’d love it if the reader reads all three, preferably in order!
Cat Kincaid is obsessed with killing the man she believes is responsible for the torture and death of her sister, but when she eventually catches up with him, survival becomes a greater priority than revenge.
Kerry Marchant, haunted by memories, regret, and self-blame, shields himself from the pain of the past by committing himself totally to the starship, Destiny, of which he is part owner. However, the beautiful, red-haired woman who reminds him of his lost love, and who he suspects is working for a corrupt regime, represents a possible threat not only to the ship, but to his heart.
Marooned on an inhospitable planet, they need to work together to stay alive, fighting not only unknown assailants, but their growing attraction. But how can they learn to trust each other when he has vowed never to get close to a woman again, and she made a solemn pledge to destroy him?

Where can we find you and your books?

My Author Page at The Wild Rose Press:
http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=138
My Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B002BMBXH4
My Website: http://www.hywelalyn.co.uk
My Blog: http://www.hywelalyn.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hywela_Lyn
Facebook (social): https://www.facebook.com/HywelaLyn
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/HywelaLynAuthor
Purchase a copy of Beloved Enemy at

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Beloved-Enemy-Destiny-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B01BBCBYCS

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BBCBYCS

Publisher Paperback PURCHASE LINK

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191&products_id=6714

Publisher EBook PURCHASE LINK

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=6682

Hywela has this gorgeous ‘Galaxy Pendant’ up for grabs. Have you ever fancied traveling in space? If so, would it be to any particular planet or star system (real or imaginary)?

Leave your answer with a contact email in comments for a chance to own this amazing pendent!

My zodiac planet is Saturn, so beautiful. I would love to see it up close, but not too close. 🙂

Thank you so much for playing along , Lyn! Wishing you much luck with your book and writing. I hope you’ll come visit again one day.

Dodadagohvi~