In the Author Spotlight
 CIARA GOLD

AL: Hi Ciara Thanks for being in the “Author Spotlight” this week.

Ciara: Hi Ann! Thank so much for having me.

AL: So, tell us what’s happening with you.

Ciara: OMG, my life is a roller coaster right now. This is the week we close the magazine that I work for which means a ton of work, but fun work. When this interview posts, I’ll be taking students on a field trip to a college workshop, and at the moment I’m writing this, I’m in a hotel room waiting for a wedding to begin. The weekend prior to this post, we’ll be hosting about 60 folks in our backyard for Orphan’s Thanksgiving. Yeah, my life is crazy fun.

AL: What are you currently working on?

Ciara: I just finished work on the sequel to On the Silver Edge of Time, a Viking time travel and I just dived into another fantasy that will be a sequel to the book I have coming out in December; The Keeper of Moon Haven.

AL: Who inspired you to follow your dream of writing?

Ciara: Many hold this honor, but the one writer who pushed me into writing more than just first chapters was Kim Lenox who has the Shadow Guard series. Not only is she a wonderful writer, but she’s true inspiration for other writers and a good friend.

AL: Out of all your stories do you have one that is more near and dear your heart?

Ciara: Each holds a special place, but I think Sarah’s Brass Token is by far one of my favorites. It’s my mom’s fave, too. Mom thinks I fashioned the hero after my father. I just know Tabor has a heart of gold. This was my first completed book though I didn’t contract it until after my first came out, Celestial Dragon.

AL: What do you like best about writing? What is your least favorite thing?

Ciara: I love the freedom of creating my own world. For me, writing is all about the creative process and allowing my imagination a chance to run wild. My least favorite thing about writing is working on the ending. I tend to have to rewrite endings at least five times before I’m comfortable with what’s happening. Maybe, it’s because I don’t want to say goodbye to the characters.

AL: It’s time to get personal! I love the fun fact about the cover of, On the Silver Edge of Time. When you opened the jpeg did you see the resemblance of the hero to your brother right away, or did you have to blink several times, cock your head and figure out where you’ve seen that face before?

Ciara: Oh, no. The moment I saw that cover, my jaw dropped and I groaned. I actually went – ew, cuz who wants to think of their brother as a sexy, to-die-for Viking? Once I got over the “ew” factor, I decided this was the neatest thing ever. Oh and my SIL was really excited. Of course, her first reaction was “wow, I want one of those – oh, wait, I have one of those,” meaning the sexy bod the model had. My brother blushed a pretty shade of red and has been a great sport about it all.

AL: What is this romance writer's idea of the "perfect romantic evening"?

Ciara: A moonlight sail under a full moon. There’s nothing more relaxing that being surrounded by nothing but miles of rippling water, an endless blanket of stars and your hunky man sitting next to you. I am married to my soul mate and I’m very lucky. He brings me flowers just because.

AL: Where would you like to travel if you had the chance?

Ciara: Ireland. We both have Irish roots so I guess it just calls to me. And – I love traipsing though old buildings so yep, I’d be sure to tour a castle or two.

AL: Did you dress up for Halloween and if so, what has been your most outrageous costume?

Ciara: ROFL. My DH and I used to go all out for Halloween and we’ve kept every costume we’ve ever done. Our favorite was Popeye and Olive Oil. We won several awards for that one. This year we went as recycled teenagers.

AL: If you could meet someone famous in either history, or present day…who would you like to meet and why?

Ciara: I’ve actually met several famous folks and what I’ve learned is that they’re just regular folks like you and me, so hmmm. Okay, you’ll laugh, but I’d like to meet David Cassidy just because he was my idol when I was a teen and I’d like to thank him for all those years of fantasies. Too funny.

AL: Please share a favorite quote(s) with us.

Ciara: I’ve got a horrid memory for things like this and I don’t know if I heard it somewhere or what, but I’m always telling my students, “don’t sweat the little things.”

AL: Thanks so much for joining us, Ciara

Ciara: Ann, thank big time for letting me come and hang out.

AL: If you’d like to find out more about Ciara please visit:

http://www.ciaragold.com/

FEATURED TITLE: THE KEEPER OF MOON HAVEN

Blurb:

On the southern fringes of the Mendip Hills sits the Castle Hamingjur, an abandoned structure most fear haunted. Yet, on the rare occasions when the Hunter’s Blue Moon occurs, the Keeper occupies this mysterious castle where he guards the bridge to Alfheim Haven.

Noreen Willshire discovers more than fairytales hidden between the pages of Beletania’s diary. She opens the ancient book and finds a bridge to a Faery Realm where all manner of mythical creatures reside. In her naïveté, she summons the Keeper before his scheduled time in the human realm. In that brief moment, the mysterious wizard touches her soul with more than magick. She promises to return the diary during Mefylleth, a time when the barriers between the two realms melt away, but danger stalks her path. Torn between her desire to make a new life for herself in America and her growing love for the Keeper, she must bridge the gap between magick and time to follow her heart.

Excerpt:

He turned away from the cluster of faeries. He’d learned many things since becoming the Keeper, one of which was to use a firm hand when dealing with the Beings of Alfheim Haven. As a result, he rarely bowed to another’s will. He glanced down at the translucent quality of his hand and bit off an oath.

The blasted woman continued to read. Her throat must be hoarse by now. Time flowed differently in Alfheim Haven. A minute in the human realm equated to nineteen minutes here. She must have read that story for almost three hours. If anything, she was tenacious.

He walked slowly. Her voice pulled at him. He resisted. Doesn’t she have anything better to do with her time?

By the time he reached the keep, his skin was completely transparent. He swung his cape over his shoulder and yanked the front door open with more force than he intended. He must reign in his temper and not give into the human emotion. In Alfheim Haven, he was an elf, a wizard. His humanity had no place in the Faery Realm.

I won’t go. She can read until she has no voice and still, I won’t go.

“Vin?”

His mother’s gentle voice broke through his thoughts. His eyes met hers. A flitting worry etched her features before it fled from view. “She calls to you again, doesn’t she?”

He frowned. He should have never told his mother of his visit to the human realm.

“Just because she calls, doesn’t mean I must go to her. I won’t be manipulated.”

His mother turned her head away, but not before he caught her gentle smile. She studied the flowing fabric of her gown with more interest than it deserved. “Vin, when you saw the woman, did you think to ask her name?”

His mouth gaped. He clamped it shut. Awiergan! What had he been thinking? How would he find her when he bridged to the human realm if he didn’t know her name. Mefylleth drew near, and he wouldn’t have much time to locate the girl or the book. “Aye, but she managed to avoid telling me. It’s an oversight I intend to correct. Have no fear, Mother, this situation will resolve itself soon. I give you my word.”

Before he could change his mind, he disappeared from her sight and into the timeless void that would take him to the human realm -- and the nameless woman who summoned him.