Saturday, May 14, 2011

Busy Author Virtual Book Tour Character Interview with Calen


Hello everyone. I'm author Rie McGaha, and I'll be your host for today. I want to thank Donna and Kelly for handing over the reins today and allowing me to chat with one of my favorite
people. I have with me today, the hunky star of Calen, book 1 in the My Soul To Keep
Trilogy, Calen MacLean.

Rie: Welcome Calen. I'm so happy to have you here today.

Calen: Thank you for having me. It's a pleasure to be with you as well.

Rie: I love your brogue, but I imagine you hear that a lot, don't you?

Calen: (chuckling) Aye, when I'm in your time it seems to be something of an attraction.

Rie: You said, "in (my) time." What do you mean by that?

Calen: I am from sixteenth century Scotland. Time travel is but one benefit of having
witch blood in me veins.

Rie: So time travel is something you've done before?

Calen: That I have, although it isn't something I particularly like to do. It causes quite an
upset to my body. Pounding headache, queasy stomach, blurred vision and the like.

Rie: I didn't realize that. Of course, I have never traveled through time, either. Now, tell
me about yourself.

Calen: I'm from Scotland, the eldest son of William MacLean, of the Clan MacLean. One
day I will be laird, and my son will follow after me.

Rie: You're married?

Calen: (He smiles and winks) Yes, I am married to a wonderful woman. Her name is
Arianna. She's a witch, as was my mother, and her sister, Margaret, who raised my
brother, Caleb and me after our mother passed away. Margaret is now married to our Da.

Rie: Sounds complicated.

Calen: I s'pose it does. Sometimes it gets very chaotic since we all live in the same keep,
with our wives and children.

Rie: I can identify with that. I have twelve children and thirty-four grandchildren. I've
been flipping through your story in My Soul To Keep, which sounds very interesting and
takes you and your brother on quite an adventure. Tell my readers about the story.

Calen: Adventure would be one way to describe it. Our wives would probably tell you we
are pains in the arse. (chuckles) Caleb and I knew nothing about the witch blood running
through our veins until we were grown men, and then found out by accident. Not sure of
our powers or abilities, we got into a bit of trouble along the way. There was one time
we accidentally went through a portal in time and wound up in the middle of an Iroquois
tribe and nearly wound up dead. Instead, Caleb had the bright idea to show them our
broadswords and how to use them. Ah, but I do believe that is in Caleb's story.

Rie: Yes, I think it is. I do believe Caleb's contribution is coming up in July. Now, what
can you tell us about the witches and The Fortress?

Calen: The Fortress is where my Arianna lived with all the Sisters of The Fortress, which
is protected by a magical hedge undetectable by the human eye. The first time I saw the
place, I couldn't believe it. Lush valleys, flowers of unbelievable beauty, a waterfall with
rainbow colors, unicorns, deer, birds and other wildlife all live there. Until Caleb, Arion
and I came along, there were no males in The Fortress. There were only beautiful women,
each more beautiful than the next, but none moreso than my Arianna.

Rie: You sound like you really love her.

Calen: Yes, I do. She is the single most important person in my life. Not only is she my
wife, she is my best friend, my lover and confidant. I can't remember my life before her,
nor can I imagine what it would be like without her.

Rie: Awww, that is the sweetest thing I've ever heard a man say. On the note, I will end
the interview. Thank you so much for being here, Calen and do say hello to your family
for me.

Calen: It's been my pleasure, Rie. (He reaches for Rie's hand and kisses it politely.)

Rie: That sent shivers through my body. (giggles nervously)


Blurb:

When Calen MacLeod begins having dreams of an ethereal beauty who beckons
to him, he passes it off as just having an itch he hasn't scratched in a long
time. But when he leaves on a journey to find her, following the directions
she's given him in his dreams, he begins to doubt his sanity. And when he finds
himself high in the Mackinaw Mountains in a secret fortress with unicorns and a
pink and white castle, surrounded by women, each one more beautiful than the
next, it's a fantasy no man would want to wake up from. But Arianna is the only
woman for Calen.

The women of the Fortress have lived in peace, hidden away from the humans
who tried to annihilate them all. But now a 500-year-old demon is out to
destroy the women's matriarch, Ariella, and he'll stop at nothing to complete

his mission. When Calen MacLeod shows up, he throws a wrench into Damon's
plans. Never let it be said Damon isn't ready for anything, but when he kidnaps
Arianna and takes her to modern day San Francisco, is he ready to meet Calen,
who will stop at nothing to save his ladylove?

Excerpt:
Calen dipped under the water to rinse and came up with a splash, and almost
choked when he saw her standing at the water's edge, staring at him. Afraid to move a
muscle, he feared she'd disappear if went toward her. He watched, mesmerized as she
raised her hands and slipped the thin gown off her shoulders, letting it pool on the ground
at her feet. He made a strangled sound as he drank in the sight of her nude body. Never
had he seen anyone so beautiful. She took one slow, careful step at a time until she stood
less than arm's length from him. Silent and still, he held his breath.

She reached out to him, placed her hand on his bare chest, and let her fingers
slide beneath the water over his stomach. He placed his hand over hers and stepped into
her. Reaching for her, he touched her silky hair, and let his fingers fall to her shoulders.
She was so small, he thought as he looked down at her, the water that barely reached
his ribcage rose to her chest, causing her breasts to float and making hard peaks of her
nipples.
He grasped her around the waist and lifted her to him. Her hands laced around his
neck, weaving through his hair as his mouth met hers and he drank. She opened to him
with a sigh and wrapped her legs around his waist. His hands fisted in her hair, pulling
her head back as he took the kiss deeper. The air sizzled and popped, the earth tilted, and
the wind whipped the branches of the trees. Desire ripped through him, and he pressed
her, demanded more from her, and she gave willingly.

His mouth bruised hers as their tongues mated, and his hands slid down her back,
over her bottom, and he lifted her. The tip of his hardness pressed against her; with
one movement he could be buried deep inside of her. A growl rose from his chest as he
fought the urge to slam into her. He would not take her like this, not the first time. So he
forced himself to break the kiss, to pull back, and sucked in a lung-full of air. She tilted
her head as he looked into her eyes.

About the Author:

Rie McGaha was born and raised in northern California along the shores of Humboldt County
where her grandmother often took her to dig for clams and watch the whales migrate. Being
raised with the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other, gave Rie a deep love
for nature. She has resided in the Kiamichi Mountains of SE Oklahoma where she rescues
animals. She is the mother of 12 and Nana of 33 (and counting).


Rie is giving away a commenter a choice of books on her backlist, so be sure to follow the whole tour the more you comment the better chance of you winning.

Click HERE for the list of blogs on this tour schedule

8 comments:

June M. said...

OMG...12 kids? I would be in a mental institution by now. But my grandparents had 11 (surprisingling all single births). Never could understand why they did not go for 1 more to make an even dozen. The book sounds great. I will definately be checking into it. Love highlanders and paranormals.

GFC follower: June M.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

Marie McGaha said...

Thank you for stopping by June. No, I didn't wind up in a mental institution - they have pills for that now! lol And I see I need to update my bio because I now have 35 grandchildren! Don't forget to stop by Blog Blast 2011! for more chances to win! http://blogblast2011.blogspot.com

Rie

JoAnna said...

I agree with June I would be in an institution. :)
Calen sounds like a great book! Congrats on your release!

beckerjo at verizon dot net

booklover0226 said...

I love character interviews. This one with Calen was great.

The excerpt was great!

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

SiNn said...

theres no secret I heartyour books and your an awesome person loved the interview and congrats on the new book!


and im impressed 12 eh my grandmad had10 that lived and her mom had like 17 too is crazy how some kept their sanity

mortalsinn@yahoo.com

Jeanette J said...

I like the name Calen. Is there a story behind it or maybe you just liked the name?

Historical Writer/Editor said...

Calen sounds wonderful! Also, I love time travel books, and Scotland. Sounds like a great deal here. -Laura

loves to dive said...

Loved the interview, this sounds like a must have book. Can't imagine have so many younguns, I'm one of 6 and that seemed way too many growing up.

Post a Comment