Thank you so much for having me, Cindy!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a southern girl living on top of a mountain in North Georgia, and I’m most happy when surrounded by family and friends. If I am not writing, you can find me hiking with my husband, or fiddling around in my flower and vegetable gardens, feeding the birds and watching black bears and deer. I am blessed to have a wonderful son—my pride and joy, my buddy who, along with my husband, have made my life complete.
What genre(s) do you write in and why?
I like most any kind of romance novel, but my heart has always been drawn to the medieval period, particularly in Scotland, Ireland, and England. That said, I plan to write stories spanning the early Middle Ages through the American Civil War. While my books are fiction, each one is based on historical facts, and you will often see known figures such as William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, or The Red Comyn make guest appearances. All my stories revolve around human struggles, sacrifices survivors are forced to make, and their resilience to live and thrive.
Tell us about your heroes and heroines.
I have always admired strong women who can take care of themselves, fight for what they believe in, and who don’t give a whit about social norms. But women’s femininity and their softer side are equally important. My female heroines have a mixture of both. They are independent, but their hearts are complete with their beloved heroes.
My perfect hero is ruggedly handsome. His presence commands respect, and he is held in utmost esteem by his men. Hardened, he bears scars from battle and…from prior relationships. Although, a touch of danger surrounds him, he cares for his lady and treats her like a queen, lavishing her with his love.
What are your favorite parts and least favorite parts of writing?
Throwing my imagination into years gone by, researching dark periods of strife and violence, justice and quests for freedom, and dreaming of what it might have been like to live and survive during these hostile periods have been the most fascinating aspects of writing historical romance.
My Daughters of Alastair MacDougall series begins in May 1297, a time of unrest between Scotland and England. It has been such fun to research this period and imagine living amongst the clans.
My least favorite part of writing would be editing. Fortunately, I have a wonderful editor!
How much time do you spend promoting your books? What works best for you?
I don’t spend as much time as I should promoting my books. I do enjoy Facebook as I have met some awesome readers and made some wonderful friends through that social media. Every day I post things I think readers will enjoy, and I try to keep them informed on what I’m working on. I love having Facebook parties. It is such fun meeting everyone, and it’s the main way I promote my books.
Do you or have you belonged to a writing organization? Which one? Have they helped you with your writing? How? Do you have critique partners?
Six years ago, I dipped my toe in the writing world with Romance Writers of America. Through that membership, I joined romance writers’ organizations Hearts Through History, Celtic Hearts, and From the Heart. I served as Treasurer of Hearts Through History for a couple years and became actively involved in the chapter. It was during that time when I joined the critique group. I met some amazing authors who have become good friends. They have helped me tremendously! I wouldn’t be writing if it wasn’t for their wonderful support and encouragement.
What do you have planned for the future?
I’m plotting another series that branches off my daughters’ series. I have a number of secondary characters in my books who beg to have a story of their own.
Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?
Without a doubt, the most rewarding thing about writing is receiving readers’ comments. If they like my stories and they let me know, I am dancing a few inches off the ground for days. I also love hearing what readers would like to see in future series.
Tell us a little about your latest book.
My DAUGHTERS OF ALASTAIR MACDOUGALL series begins in May 1297, a time of unrest between Scotland and England. It has been such fun to research this period and imagine living amongst the clans.
ELSBETH is the fourth and youngest of the daughters. I’m really excited her story will be released on October 1st! Here’s a little about her book.
Elsbeth recoils at the violent Scottish rebellion and the bleak plight of orphans. After losing her betrothed in the conflict, she sets her course to become a nun, sheltering innocent victims from the cruelties of war. But when Brandon arrives at the abbey, he shakes her convictions and stirs provoking emotions she buried long ago.
After English soldiers murder his family, Brandon seeks revenge and leads numerous clans in Scotland’s fight for freedom. Bent on the annihilation of English oppression, he is resolved to a life of solitude, vowing never to marry and chance the pain of losing loved ones again. Elsbeth realizes not only children are affected by war, but stalwart warriors are also hurt and abandoned. She longs to heal Brandon’s spirit, help him live again, and prays she can reach him before the damage already done has set in stone.
Here’s an excerpt from Elsbeth.
In this scene, Brandon McLeod and his men have arrived at the abbey after the English soldiers had attacked.
Images of the courtyard swirled through Elsbeth’s head. Had she been daft to preach peace, to hope for an accord with England? McLeod had called her naïve. No doubt he considered her foolish.
The door creaked, and she glanced toward the noise. The commander marched into the room. Damp hair brushed his wide shoulders. His shirt lay open at the neck, and dark curls peeked from the opening. He no longer wore leather bracers. Instead, he had rolled up his shirt sleeves, exposing muscular forearms smattered with black hair.
He strode to her side. “Did ye wish to search the bedchambers now?”
“Aye.” She laid Lena on the mattress alongside Bea and ran her hand over the lass’s soft tresses. The little one curled up, her sleepy eyes heavy.
When Elsbeth stood, Brandon extended his arm toward the door. “After ye.”
She crossed the room, and the two walked down the dim corridor in silence. Sconces’ flames flickered in an evening breeze. They passed stone lattice windows overlooking the courtyard. Little white crosses set before dozens of soil mounds lined the interior. Men moved amongst the freshly dug earth, some carrying draped bundles that she assumed contained bodies, while others shoveled dirt. The somber abbey’s blackened walls stained with innocents’ blood creaked and moaned, seemingly grieving over the tragic loss.
Elsbeth’s throat clogged. She wrapped her arms about herself and hurried to the children’s chamber. She stepped into the room and paused. The rustic table and chairs lay in pieces, the torn mattresses smoldered, and the orphan’s clothes had been strewn about the room. She picked up a soot streaked gown Morgana often wore and shook it out as she reached for a tattered tunic at her feet.
Brandon found a cloth sack, and he stuffed a pair of trews inside. “Place the items in here.”
After stashing the clothes, her foot kicked a hard sharp object. She stooped, and her fingers closed around Alainne’s drawing slate. The cold stone the lass had so proudly adorned had been broken into several large fragments.
Elsbeth’s chest tightened, and her eyes stung. Balanced on the balls of her feet, she hugged the fragment to her and bowed her head. She’d held up, had been strong until this moment. After all she’d experienced—killing a man while trying to protect the children and witnessing the abbey’s demise under the fiends’ brutality—this wee broken picture brought her to tears.
Strong hands clasped her shoulders and coaxed her to stand. The commander’s palms slid down her arms. “Ye need not hold it in, Sister.”
Something about his words gave her the liberty to abandon the emotional restraint she’d latched onto. Before she knew what she was about, she turned into him, and he folded his arms about her, holding her against him.
She closed her eyes, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Brandon placed his head on top of hers and secure warmth flowed through her core. Her arms eased around his waist, his body tensed, and his muscles grew taut. Afraid he’d break the embrace, she stilled and breathed in his comforting scent of pine and smoke.
No words were spoken. None were necessary. Somehow this fierce warrior had reached within her and had given her the comfort she desperately needed.
Where can readers find you?
I love to hear from readers! Here is my email address: mcfarland.lane@gmail.com
Website: http://lanemcfarland.com
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/LaneMcFarlandAuthor
Twitter: @LaneMcFarland
Where can readers find your books? Here is my author page. You’ll find my books listed here.
http://www.amazon.com/Lane-McFarland/e/B00G7UQZNI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1