Interview with Lynda Bailey + Battle Born Love Review

Welcome to Wednesday! Today, I'm pleased to bring to you an interview with Lynda Bailey. I am also posting my review on Battle Born Love. Please help me in welcoming Lynda to the blog today.  We'd love to hear from you!

Hi Lynda! Welcome to Storm Goddess Book Reviews! We are so glad to have you today.

Tell me about yourself.

I live in Reno, Nevada with my husband of nearly thirty years and our two pampered pooches. I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a Liberal Arts’ degree in technical theatre about a billion years ago. I moved to Reno and was hired (as one of only a handful of women) to work on the stage of the biggest floor show in the world, Don Arden’s Hello, Hollywood, Hello. It’s where I met my future husband. J I left the show after about six years to be a stay-home mom/house-spouse. I worked a series of part time jobs before becoming a substitute teacher and fitness instructor as well as romance writer. I’ve since giving up subbing and now work solely as a fitness instructor and author.

Growing up in Iowa, I loved to make up plots to my favorite TV shows. It was usually how I fell asleep at night. I’d play the “what if” game until all the kinks were out of the story. It’s a pastime that’s kinda stuck with me only now I put it all on paper—um, computer screen. 

How long have you been writing? How many published books do you have, and what genres?

I’ve been writing for about twenty years, ever since our son was three. It all started with a plot line for Star Trek, Deep Space Nine, that would NOT leave my head. When DH had to leave town on business, I’d put our kiddo to bed then sit at the computer and bang out the story. After DH came home, it took me maybe a month to show him what I’d written. He was an instant fan. J

To date, I have two short stories, two novellas and two novels available through Amazon. All my stories are romance, with my preferred sub-genre being contemporary. I did, however, pen a western historical romance which was a finalist in Romance Writers of America® 2010 Golden Heart® contest. It’s also available on Amazon.

Do you write in multiple genres or just one? If just one, do you ever consider straying outside your genre?

I mostly write contemporary romance, with the occasional foray into historical romance. A couple of years ago, I also wrote a young adult romance. It was well received in several contests and I have hopes of getting it published next year.

Are you a plotter or do you write from the seat of your pants?

I think of myself as a plotter, but I’m probably a mix of both. I have to know my characters pretty well before jumping in and I also obsess about plots points—those lovely “what ifs”—until everything reads smooth, at least to me. But I’m not nearly as organized as a true plotter. L

What is a typical writing day like for you?

Get up, coffee, feed and walk the dogs. Then it’s email/social media hell and then writing until lunchtime. After lunch, I run errands, if any exist which they typically do. I try to grab at least one more hour of writing before DH comes home. If I wait until after dinner, writing is usually a futile effort. 

Who do you love to read? Favorite authors, favorite books?

Without a doubt my most favorite author is Lorraine Heath. She is a master of her characters’ emotions. Most than once, (okay, all the time) she’s brought me to tears of both sorrow and joy.

What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?

Next year is the year I plan expand my market base. Right now, I’m pretty much just available on Amazon. (I’ve got a few things on ARe, but haven’t much.) I intend to learn the ins and outs of formatting/uploading for Smashwords, I-Tunes, Mobi, etc. I’ll also get my story into print using CreateSpace, or something similar. 2012 was the year I published. 2013 is the year I get serious about being published.

If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?

Tele-porting. You know, the ability to blink your eyes or twitch your nose and be somewhere else. I HATE to travel. Love to see new places, just hate the whole having-to-get-there thing.

If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?

Ohhh. I think a dragon, or maybe a unicorn. A dragon because no one would ever mess with me and a unicorn because I’ve always wanted a horse. J And a unicorn would be helpful with my traveling dilemma—if I could only get over my deathly fear of heights, that is.

Tell us a little about your release.

Battle-Born Love is a total ugly duckling story and is the first in my Battle for Love trilogy.

The heroine, Rory Dawson, is a no-nonsense owner of a repo business whose father is an alcoholic. Rory might be tough-as-steel when it comes to business, but she’s soggy marshmallow when it comes to her old man. Pop lands in jail, again, and she doesn’t have his bail money. Enter, Kane Williams.

Kane has demons of his own to deal with, namely his over-bearing, maternal grandfather. Ever since his father died, Kane has been pushed hard, by Gramps, to succeed, to climb that corporate ladder. To be better than his father. Up for a promotion at his ultra-conservative bank, Kane wants to seal the deal by appearing “settled.” He offers Rory her father’s bail money in exchange for her pretending to be his girlfriend.

As in any good romance book, events go…awry. But Rory and Kane battle through their challenges to have the love of a lifetime.

What is something that you absolutely can't live without? (Other than family members)

I’d say wine, but that’s the smart-ass response. I’d hafta say sunshine. Though I love rainy and snowy days, nothing beats a clear sky and sunshine—providing it’s not too hot. J

Could you ever co author a book with someone? If so, who would you choose, and what would you write?

As a matter of fact, I am co-authoring a book right now with another Reno writer. He brought me on to interject “romance” into his urban fantasy. Talk about outta your comfort zone. But he and I are working together pretty well. So far, he’s done most of the heavy lifting with regard to hammering out pages. I then put my two cents in, especially concerning the relationship between the heroine and hero. We’re less than 15K words into the project, but so far, so good.

If you could spend a day with anyone from history, dead or alive, who would it be, and what would you do? What would you ask them?

Oh, gosh. That’s a toughie. Since I’m such a political junkie, I’d love to meet either FDR or President Kennedy. I’d ask FDR how sure was he that the New Deal would help our country recover from the Great Depression. For President Kennedy, I’d ask about his thought process during the Cuban missile crisis. Was he really prepared to go to war with the Soviet Union or did he have some inside information which assured him the Soviets would back down?

What are some of your other hobbies outside of writing?

I love to dig in the dirt. We’ve never really had a garden, but we bought a new house this year with a gi-normous yard. I’m looking forward to testing my green thumb.

If you were on the staff to have a book adapted to movie, what would you pick?

Anything by Lorraine Heath. J But if I was to pick one, I’d pick her Love with a Scandalous Lord. OMG. It’s by far my favorite story of hers.

What is a talent you wish you had, but don't?

Hmm. As a huge fan of Dancing with the Stars, I sure wish I could move like that.

Favorite color?

I’ve got two. (Is that allowed?) Red and any shade of blue.

Weather: Hot or cold?

Cold. If it’s cold you can pile on blankets and get warm. If you’re hot, you can be naked and still be hot. (Though the whole naked thing, with the right companion, ain’t such a bad thing. )

Favorite place to read?

On the step mill at the gym. (I only read while exercising. Keeps me at the gym!)

Favorite meal

Super thin crust pizza slathered with veggies.

Favorite non-alcoholic drink.

Water. Boring, I know.

If you could travel anywhere and do anything, no limits or money holding you back, where would you go?

Well, given that I just love to travel… …I hafta say Labrador Island in eastern Canada. The rough beauty is absolutely stunning. Plus, I think it’s the only place on earth where black and polar bears live together. Amazing.

BLURB: Love Born from Battle

Spirited repo owner, Rory Dawson, agrees to be what she isn’t in order to save her father from a prison sentence. Now Pop is safe, but is her heart?

Handsome banker, Kane Williams, has made a deal with a most provocative devil in hopes of securing a coveted promotion. All his life Kane has endeavored to be the best, to erase the failure of his father. Will years of work be forfeited for a woman, albeit the sexiest one he’s ever known?

From opposite sides of the tracks, Rory and Kane forge an unlikely friendship. Soon, that friendship becomes a steamy relationship. Through trial and pain, they battle to have the love of a lifetime.

Review Rating: 5 LIGHTNING BOLTS

Review:  You know those stories, about two people finding an unlikely relationship despite t heir history, their backgrounds, their past? Usually with those stories, there's an abundance of sparks and tension. Battle Born Love is no exception. This is a wonderful, emotionally charged, sizzling romance that i could NOT put down for the life of me. From the very start, Ms. Bailey grabbed my attention with Rory and Kane, and didn't stop until the last page was read. 

Rory is a spitfire. She's one of the best female leads I've read in a long time. Despite everything that seems to crumble down and fall on her, she holds her own quite well. She's done very well for herself, considering how much she's had to deal with her father ever since she was younger. And in walks Kane, a man with money, power and a family that has high demands. 

A mishap brings them together- sizzling sexual tension keeps them that way. Chance encounters happen that end up putting these two together for false reasons, but one thing we know isn't false- the way they feel about each other. 

This is a great story. The plot, the pace, the characters- done just right. It's one of those sit and read in one sitting kind of books. I've got my eye on you, Lynda Bailey. I want more stories like these! Battle Born Love is a recommended read for those contemporary romance lovers out there.

 Author Bio:  

I’ve always loved stories, especially romances. For me the only thing better than reading a romance is writing one. That and drinking red wine while eating dark chocolate. My manuscripts have been finalists in major writing contests, including the 2010 RWA Golden Heart®.

I live in Reno with my husband of thirty years and our two pampered pooches. Please visit me at www.lyndabailey.net. Or drop me an email Lynda@lyndabailey.net.

Happy Reading!

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