Hello everyone. Please help me welcome Cynthia Clement to my blog today. Cynthia will be giving away and ecopy of one of her books to a lucky reader, so be sure and leave her a comment to be entered into the drawing.
Tell us about yourself
I live in Northern Ontario with my husband of thirty years and our teenaged son. I’m a lifelong learner and love researching strange and bizarre topics. The more unusual, the better. I enjoy ghost hunting, the paranormal, travel, sewing, and quilting.
Have you had other careers before becoming a writer?
I’ve been writing since my teens, but it hasn’t always been the main focus of my life. After university, I worked for the telephone company for several years as an operator and service representative. Then I married my husband. We owned a Christmas Tree Farm north of Toronto, lived in northwestern British Columbia for several years, and then settled in Northern Ontario. I’ve planted and pruned trees, taught office skills and writing, worked in retail, been an office administrator, tourist information officer, and most recently, a nurse.
How did you get started writing?
I can still remember the first short story I wrote in high school. It was called My Irish Castle. My English teacher loved it and thought I had talent. That gave me the incentive and confidence I needed. I haven’t stopped writing since then.
What genres do you write in and why?
I write historical and science fiction romance, although I am working on a Women’s Fiction series right now. I love history and grew up reading Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, and the Brontes. I have a degree in Biology, and hence my love of Science Fiction. I write romance, because I believe in love and second chances.
How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite?
I’ve written nine books and published seven. Three science fiction romances and four historical romances. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be The Seduction of Sarah, because it was the first book I sold. It took almost ten years of writing courses and hard work before I was able to sell a book to a publisher. I’ll always remember the excitement of finally achieving my dream.
How does your family feel about your writing career?
My family is very supportive, especially my husband. In the early years I think they thought of it as a hobby, but once I started to write on a daily basis and publish, they realized I was serious about pursuing it as a career.
What advice can you offer to anyone deciding to self-publish?
My advice is to write the best book you can, and to find readers who like what you write. After you’ve written your book, write another. Self-publishing is not easy. There are some aspects that are fun, like choosing your cover, but for the most part it is hard work. I spend a good portion of each day working on the business of writing.
Do you have critique partners?
Yes. I don’t know what I would do without my critique partner. She is tough and I love it. When my plot or characters are inconsistent I know she’ll tell me like it is.
What’s next for you?
I’m busy with edits for the next book in my Science Fiction series aHunter4Hire. It’s set to be released at the end of January and titled aHunter4Ever.
The Seduction of Madalyn by Cynthia A Clement
On Sale from January 17, 2015 – January 23, 2017 $0.99
Available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Seduction-Madalyn-Cynthia-Clement-ebook/dp/B00GRLZDZS
‘A man, elegant in black, stood separate. Madalyn’s heart skipped a beat as she recognized Mr. Carter. He had entered the galley just as the auction began. He was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed. His eyes were indifferent as he stared at her. A shiver of dread ran up her spine. This was the man who had bought her.’
Madalyn stows away on The Folly to follow her kidnapped brother to the new world. When she is discovered, she is auctioned off, and forced to wed the highest bidder, Nathan Carter. She is determined to find her brother and return to England, but when passion flares between her and Nathan, all she desires is his touch.
Nathan’s plan to set Madalyn free is thwarted, and he finds himself compelled to wed at gunpoint. He agrees to help Madalyn find her brother, but the marriage is to be annulled at the earliest opportunity. Despite the growing attraction he feels towards Madalyn, he has loved and lost. He may want and need her, but he is determined never to love again.
Excerpt from The Seduction of Madalyn
She bit her lip as she tried to imagine what kind of woman could break Nathan Carter’s heart. Before last night she would have sworn that he didn’t have a heart, but his kisses gave her pause.
“A penny for your thoughts.”
Madalyn jumped at the sound of Nathan’s voice. She turned away from the mirror to see him standing at her bedroom door.
Nathan grinned. “I hope your reaction means that you’re happy to see me.”
“You startled me.” Madalyn took a deep breath. “I wasn’t expecting you to come in without knocking.”
“I thought we had already settled that last night.” Nathan shut the door.
“I might have been dressing.”
“Annie assured me that you were ready.” Nathan leaned against the door. “You look stunning.”
Madalyn flushed. There was warmth in his voice and a gleam in his eye that she recognized as admiration. Never had a man looked at her in such a way before. A rush of heat spread through her body.
“Annie insisted on dressing my hair up.”
“She knew I had a surprise for you.” Nathan reached inside his jacket and pulled out a long thin black velvet box. He walked over to the dressing table.
Madalyn gasped when Nathan opened the box. Inside were a ruby necklace and two matching hair combs. Nathan lifted the necklace and fastened it around her neck. Vibrant stones sparkled within a circlet of gold that surrounded her neck. From this, a spray of larger rubies dropped onto her chest. It was stunning and complimented her gown beautifully.
Madalyn fingers flitted across the necklace. “It’s magnificent.”
Nathan removed the two combs and placed one on each side of her upturned hair. “They reminded me of you.”
“Me?” Her voice was little more than a squeak.
“You’re all fire and warmth.” Nathan leaned close to her ear. “Passion flickers just below your surface, ready to burst into flames at the slightest provocation.”
A shiver of excitement shot through her body. Nathan nibbled at her ear and she quivered in his arms. He tilted her head and captured her lips in a searing kiss. Madalyn lost all sense of time as her body burned with need.
Desire came to life within her, reaching the very depths of her soul. Passion was ignited. A hunger for more sent her into Nathan’s arms. She melted against him, the hardness of his body sending tremors to her lower body. A curl of pleasure wrapped itself around Madalyn until she pulsed with need.
“Should we forget the ball?” Nathan’s hand held Madalyn against his body, letting her feel the extent of his arousal.
“Would that be wise?”
Nathan sighed. “We’re already causing enough speculation. It wouldn’t do to feed the gossip mills with more.”
Madalyn wet her lips, shivering at the lingering sensation of pleasure that remained from Nathan’s kiss. “You’re right of course.”
Nathan touched her lips, caressing them lightly with his fingers. “Now you look like a properly loved bride.”
Author Bio
Cynthia spent most of her childhood with her nose in a book. She began writing stories in her teens, but it wasn’t until her forties that she took her writing seriously. She enjoys reading and collecting books, quilting, sewing, gardening and great conversation. She has a BSc in Biology and a BA in anthropology and recently graduated from nursing. Cynthia enjoys writing the type of books she reads. She writes historical, and science fiction romances where time and space meet love and honor. She lives in Northern Ontario with her husband of thirty years, her teenage son, and their two dogs.
Author Links
Website: www.cynthiaclement.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cynthia-A-Clement-Author/124053354459215?sk=manager
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CynthiaAClement:
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/CynthiaClement