Saturday, December 7, 2013

Interview w/ Sue-Ellen Welfonder--what Christmas decoration freaks her out?! + giveaway!

Woot! We've got Sue-Ellen Welfonder joining us today. She writes awesome highlander romances. We've reviewed Once Upon a Highland Christmas and Seduction of a Highland Warrior. Both were awesome. Feel free to pop over and check those out :) Today we're having a little chat with Sue-Ellen. Check it out and leave her some comment love :)  ~Anna

Reviews:
Once Upon a Highland Christmas
Seduction of a Highland Warrior
Warrior Grim Mackintosh understands why his friend Archibald MacNab has decreed there be no trace of Christmas in his castle. After a devastating attack destroyed everything-and everyone-in Archie's life, he prefers to stew in his own misery until the holiday passes. But Duncreag has seen enough tragedy. Grim decides to throw a grand Yuletide feast, one that the bards will sing about for years to come, one that will remind his laird how beloved he is. He can't do it alone, though. Grim needs an accomplice . . .

There's nothing Breena O'Doherty won't do for Archie, so she's thrilled to help Grim with his plan. Yet she has a Christmas wish all her own-to win Grim's heart-and this might be her only chance to make it come true. As Breena and Grim work together to bring the joy of the season to the cold, gloomy castle and to the heart of the cantankerous chieftain, an undeniable passion ignites between them. But when a shocking secret about Breena's past comes to light, threatening everything she holds dear, will it ruin Christmas in Duncreag forevermore?

Amazon Goodreads

Morning Sue-Ellen! Welcome to herding cats & burning soup! Come on in. It's so cold out I thought a fire and warm cookies would be nice while we chat about your newest release (which I loved by the way).
Thank you so much for inviting me here today, Anna.  I’m so glad you enjoyed Once Upon A Highland Christmas.  I’m happy to chat about the story.  As I love cold, wintry weather, a fire and oven-warm cookies sound perfect.  I’m settling in now, reaching for not one, but two cookies…
LOL I like the way you think. Alright, now, if you had 20 seconds to hook someone on Once Upon a Highland Christmas what would you tell them?
Kilts, beards, and mistletoe, tartan-wrapped and full of Highland magic.
*nods* that would do it! I was so excited to see Once Upon a Highland Christmas kick starts a new series! Can you tell us 3 fun behind the scenes facts about the Scandalous Scots series?

  • There’s a scene in book one, To Love A Highlander, taken from an experience of my own at Edinburgh’s Greyfriar’s Abbey.  It was Beltane and I was walking around the ancient burial yard when I happened upon two ‘revelers’ celebrating in old pagan tradition.  (you can guess what they were doing!)
  • These are bold and roguish heroes, dangerous to love.  They seduce, ravish, and leave the ladies, swaggering away before a mussed bed can be straightened.  Of course, such men fall hard, and I have just the fiery, tempestuous heroines to topple them. *gah love watching heroes like that fall hard *
  • A certain innkeeper in the series stole my heart, much as Grim did in my Highland Warriors trilogy.  He’s a giant of a man who enjoys laughter and song, bonnie lasses.  He has a shock of auburn hair that he wears tied back at his nape.  His beard is just as wild, and he has light blue eyes that always smile.  His patrons also smile because he employs a few saucy wenches who serve more than bread and ale.  (when necessary, he also throws a mean long spear)
LOL Nice. Now, Grim was pretty swoon-worthy. What was it about him that just made you completely fall for him? What about Breena?
Grim is my favorite hero type.  He’s a rough-hewn man, forged of strength, steel, and rock-hard muscle. He’d tear down mountains for the woman he loves and when he has her in his arms (naked, of course), he knows how to please her.  And he loves doing so.  He’s the type of man that appeals to me.  Not a pretty boy, not ‘elegant,’ but a rugged pillar of manhood.  A good example is Alan Rickman.  To me, he’s one of the sexiest men on the planet.
Breena is strong and resilient.  She has a rough past, has never had an easy path in life.  But she stands tall, not letting hardship break her.  She’s also compassionate, which I see as so important.  I have to like heroines and try to write them as women the reader would want as a friend.  I believe Breena is such a heroine. 
Definitely. I saw that, like Grim, you've got a bit of a soft spot for animals too. We'd love to hear about your herd baby! Does he love this time of year?
I am laughing.  ‘A bit of?’  I was raised in a menagerie and have loved animals all my life.  Before writing, I worked in international rescue, using my free flying privileges (I was a stewardess) to fly into areas of the world where distressed animals needed help.  We’d find and befriend the neediest, see they received vet care, and then fly them to a better place where they received loving, forever homes.  I miss this work and will resume active field rescue when deadlines no longer rule my days.
My ‘herd baby’ is Em, a senior Jack Russell terrier and I love him more than any pet I’ve ever had.  He loves winter.  When the summer heat lets up, he wants more and longer walks.  He’s always on my chair when I write and he sleeps against the backs of my knees.  He goes nuts if I spend too much time on the phone.  He once tore up a feather duster when I was on the phone with my agent.  He doesn’t like when I am focused on anything but him.  He’s creative in getting my attention.  If crazy antics fail, he’ll sit and stare at me, unblinking.  Works every time.
LOL yep the unblinking stare. Our Jones does that to me. Just a couple silly ones before you head out...

Favorite Christmas tradition/custom?
Making my own plum pudding.  I have an old English recipe, ripped from a British women’s magazine many moons ago.
Best highlander insult (I just love the ones you come up with. Ring-tailed, fork-tongued weasel totally made me snort)
I love these, too, thanks!  Here’s a good one: cloven-footed cliff-climbers.  The insult was directed at Clan Mackintosh (Grim’s clan) because their stronghold is high atop a cliff.

Favorite Man Candy treat?
How about these rough-and-ready kilties?  Aside from Alan Rickman, I adore Jeffrey Dean Morgan. *Oh. That's real nice*
I'm totally freaked out by this Christmas decoration...?
Giant snowmen.  I think they look silly in southwest Florida where everyone is wearing shorts and t-shirts.
Favorite Christmas/holiday food you can't wait to eat?
German Lebkucken and Berliner Brot (both similar to gingerbread).  I lived in Germany for many years and really love these Christmas treats.  I make them with my late mother-in-law’s recipes. *Yum!*
Thanks so much for hanging out with us today Sue-Ellen! It was great having you hear. Hope yall have a great holiday season :)
I loved being here.  Thank you so much for having me.
Happy Holidays!Sue-Ellen
Find Sue-Ellen Online!


We've got an amazing month long giveaway going! 
Just check out our chat with Sue-Ellen and leave her some comment love. 

Then fill out the giveaway widget over there ---->
One of Sue-Ellen's books is in the giveaway!

No comments:

Post a Comment

I always enjoy hearing what YOU think so come on and leave a comment. Everyone's welcome :) And feel free to leave comments on old posts. I'll check in on you there too :)

Bloggers don't forget to leave your links!
~Anna

The Herd Archives