We're here today with Anita Clenney and her book Embrace the Highland Warrior. Next to cowboys, Highlanders are my favorite group of characters to write and read about. So let's welcome Anita!
Did you plan to be
a writer or did it just happen?
Writing sneaked up
on me. I wasn’t one of those writers who always knew she wanted to write. I’ve
always loved reading, and one day the thought hit me out of the blue…”I can
write a book.” Ha! I had no idea what I was getting involved in, but by the
time I realized how little chance I had of getting published, I was already
hooked. I’m thrilled for that lightning bolt idea, because now I know I was
born to be a writer. It just took me a long time to figure it out.
What has been your
greatest challenge as a writer? Have you been able to overcome it?
Juggling writing
with my family obligations has been the greatest challenge. Specifically,
staying on top of housework. And no, I have not yet overcome the obstacle.
Still working on it. J
Is writing a
full-time career for you? If not, how else do you spend your work day?
Yes, writing is
full time, but I don’t write every day. I should, but some days I am so busy
with family and errands that I don’t make time to write. Other days, I will
write nonstop.
Do you have a
favorite character in Embrace the Highland Warrior? Who and why?
I’ve had so much
fun with Ronan. He’s in both Awaken and Embrace, and of all my characters, his
story seems to be the most anticipated. Ronan is sexy, gorgeous, and yet there’s
a lot he’s hiding beneath the surface.
Without giving it
all away, please tell us a little something about how Shay Logan
is going to get through their biggest challenge.
In Embrace the
Highland Warrior, Shay is forced to face a hurtful past if she wants to survive
the present. She has to put aside past hurts and take the present as it is.
Which character in Embrace the Highland Warrior will be
the most difficult to part with?
My stories are a little unusual in that all the characters
return. They’re a strong part of each book in the series. Their actions and
antics play a large role in the new hero and heroine’s tale. My readers tell me
they love that they can continue to see the characters as the series evolves.
Do you have to be
alone or have quiet to write?
Alone and quiet is
best. I get distracted easily. Occasionally, there are times when I can sit in
a crowd and write.
What has been your
greatest pleasure in writing this book?
It’s
the most amazing feeling to know that I’ve created something that others have
enjoyed. That’s what it’s all about for me.
Embrace the Highland Warrior is part of a series that I plan to continue
for as long as the readers want it.
What do
you have in store next for your readers?
I also
have a new paranormal relic series coming out this year. Guardians of Stone
will be released in December. It’s sort of Indiana
Jones ~meets~ Stephanie Plum. A feisty heroine with a sixth sense and two
sexy heroes, a mercenary, and a dark, eccentric billionaire are on a hunt for powerful
relics. The story has secret curses, wicked villains, catacombs, and the
heroine will have to figure out which hero she truly loves. I think readers who
like my warriors will also enjoy the Relic Seekers novels.
What type of
heroine do you like best?
I like strong,
independent heroines, but not nasty, man-haters. I want a heroine who
recognizes her strengths as well as the hero’s.
Who or what has
most influenced your writing?
I’ve never
considered that a particular author influenced my writing, but in hindsight, the
Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters had a great impact on me earlier in
life. I think she may have influenced me more than I realize.
What appeals to you
most about your chosen genre?
I’ve always loved
mystery and romance. Anything I write will have both. The paranormal element
just slipped into my writing. I can’t seem to keep it out. I suppose that’s
because I’m fascinated by mysterious, unexplained things.
Do you have a
favorite author? Who and why?
I love Diana
Gabaldon and Janet Evanovich to name two. Very different writers, but I just
adore both.
Are there certain characters you would like to go
back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?
I plan to eventually tell the story of each warrior
in the Connor Clan. They have so much happening under the surface. It’s going
to be fun uncovering the mysteries.
Laptop, desktop or notebook and pen for writing? Desktop and
laptop.
I prefer desktop. I can write faster, but sometime I need to
move around, either to my kids’ sports practices or just to the back deck for a
change of scenery.
Have you ever literally deleted or thrown away a book you’ve
written?
No. I was lucky. Every full manuscript I’ve written has been
published so I don’t have anything hiding in the drawer. Well, maybe a couple
of partials.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers
today?
A big thank you to all my readers who’ve enjoyed my highland
warriors. I hope you’ll enjoy my new Relic Seekers novels, beginning with
Guardians of Stone in December.
The Book
Embrace the Highland Warrior
Cody MacBain let
the woman of his destiny slip away. A member of an ancient clan of Scottish
warriors, he grew up beside Shay Logan as her secret protector, but his heart
compelled him to become more. Until Shay’s true identity was revealed, and the
fated pair’s chance was gone…
But danger will drive them back into each
other’s arms…
Shay fell for the
boy next door, suspecting nothing of the ancient secrets he guarded. After a
stinging betrayal, she’s determined to banish the memories of her first love
forever. But the past can’t let go, and the boy she once loved has returned to
her a warrior determined to protect her from the unspeakable evil fate has
planned…
The Giveaway
Simple to enter! Just leave a comment with your choice of either Awaken the Highland Warrior or Embrace the Highland Warrior. The winner drawn will receive the eBook of their choice. Drawing will take place July 27th! 
Where can
your readers find you?
My
website: http://www.anitaclenney.com
My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/anitaclenney
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/anitaclenney
An Excerpt
Cody sighed. Might as well get it over
with. He removed the shackles, returned them, and bent over her. “Shay, wake
up.”
Her eyes flew open. She planted both
hands against his chest and shoved, knocking him on his back, then sprang on
top of him. “How dare you handcuff me to a bed?” she yelled, punctuating each
word with a shake that rattled his brain. He didn’t fight back. She had to get
it out of her system, and he didn’t blame her. He’d be more than pissed if
someone shackled him.
She landed a fist into his stomach,
and the breath rushed out of him. Okay, enough was enough. He captured her
hands and rolled, trapping her under him.
“Get off me, you oaf.”
“I’ll get off when you stop beating
the snot out of me.”
She let out a war cry and lunged for
his throat, teeth bared. Intrigued, he hesitated a second too long, and she
sank her teeth into his neck. A jolt of desire shot straight to his groin. He’d
never been one for the rough stuff, but damn! He pulled back before she could
do more than leave a bruise. He trapped her legs with his and held her hands
above her head, letting his full weight press her into the soft mattress. She
still struggled but could move only enough to get him excited.
“I’m sorry, Shay. I had to do it. It
was too dangerous to let you go traipsing through the woods. I had to keep you
safe.”
“What if he was hiding in one of the
other bedrooms and sneaked in here while I was handcuffed to the bed? You left
me so I couldn’t even protect myself.”
“Lach heard him out in the woods, but
that’s why I locked the door, just in case. If this guy had broken it down to
get to you, you would’ve screamed, and I would’ve come running. I was never far
from the house.” He’d heard every name she called him.
Her eyes still flashed fire, but her
breath was steadier, and she kept glancing at his mouth. He thought that was a
good thing. He wondered if she’d calmed enough not to hit him, because he
should move. She had to notice the effect all the wiggling around was having on
him. He felt her hips push against his, and he groaned. He relaxed his grip and
lowered his head, letting his lips touch her chin. He kissed his way to her mouth,
and she head butted him in the nose.
While the stars exploded in his head,
she shoved him aside and bolted out the door. He jumped up and went after her
as she pounded down the stairs. He caught up with her outside. She was swinging
her purse like a whip, headed for the car.
“Where are you going?” he demanded.
“Get away from me.”
“You can’t leave.”
“Watch me.” She opened the door. “I’m
tired of people hiding things from me. I thought you were going to stop. Now
you’re handcuffing me to the bed.”
“I explained it to you.”
“Don’t touch me,” she said, jerking
away when he grabbed her arm.
“You’re not leaving.”
Shay straightened her shoulders. “You
can’t stop me.”
He grabbed her, tossed her over his
shoulder, kicked the car door shut, and stomped up the steps.
“Put me down!” Shay kicked and
twisted, cursing at him. He dumped her on her feet inside the door.
She blew her hair out of her face, and
as soon as she could see, she threw a punch at his chin. He deflected it and
grabbed her arm. “Stop hitting me.”
“How dare you throw me over your
shoulder like some kind of caveman,” she spat, trying to wrench her arm free.
It didn’t work, so she used her knee.
“Ah, not there.” Cody trapped her
knee. “I made the mistake of letting you leave here nine years ago without
listening to me. By God, I won’t do it again. You’ll listen if I have to sit on
you,” he growled.
She drew back her other arm, and before
she could throw the punch, he had her on the floor and was sitting astride her,
pinning her wrists to the floor. She bucked and twisted, but he held her down.
“We can do this all night if you want, but you’re going to listen to me this
time.”
“Listen to more lies? You’re still
hiding things from me. Like the fact that you have Nina’s entire house under
surveillance. Like the fact that you’ve got a Bat Cave in your basement. Like
the fact that you were in Scotland when the stalking started.”
“You think I’m your stalker?” he
yelled. “Me! I’m trying to keep you alive. We’re all trying to keep you alive.
That’s what the clan’s been doing your whole damned life, trying to keep you
alive! And just like always, you’re making it hard as hell. Your father wasn’t
a bloody spy, and that thing in your living room wasn’t a man!”
