A Hundred Breaths by Jean M. Grant

Posted: March 11, 2019/By: achristay@aol.com

Please welcome Jean M. Grant author of A Hundred Breaths

Jean M. Grant will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

A Hundred Breaths

by Jean M. Grant

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GENRE: historical romance

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INTERVIEW:

What or who inspired you to start writing?

Early books by Judy Garwood, then Diana Gabaldon (Outlander fame) lured me into historical romances. I fell in love with Scotland twenty years ago. And I just can’t seem to leave! Even if it’s just by creating the worlds and reading books, I find myself in love with the rugged mountains and sweeping moors, the hardships of the middle ages, the romanticism of a happy ever-after…

What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

Hmm…well I love coffee, blue cheese, and binge watching some of my old favorite shows, like The Office, LOST, and The X-files, to name a few. My favorite pick-me-up movie is The Princess Bride. I am an avid flower-gardener, and I talk to my gardens. My favorite flowers include lilies, lupine, and hibiscus. I’m afraid of heights but love mountains and hiking (no heavy-duty climbing though). I’m not keen on technology but relented and got my first smart phone a few years ago.

As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

My first books are historical romances, but over the past few years I’ve ventured into contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Once I wrap up the “hundred” trilogy (currently writing the last book), I hope to write a few more contemporary romances and women fiction novels. My voice comes naturally in a contemporary setting, and I find myself inspired by real life when it comes to these sorts of books.

Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?

I belong to one writing group, but also have a range of critique partners and an author network who’ve helped me along the way. I know who will sugarcoat their feedback and who will give it straight between the eyes. As much as it stings, I prefer the later, because we need partners that are not afraid to point out where your work needs improvement. Feedback helps us grow.

5. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

There are so many rules to writing. I’ve read them all. Or at least I think I have. With it, I’ve created my own files on “The Rules.” However, like most rules in the artistic realm, they were meant to be broken or bent. Authors need to find a balance between strict adherence to the golden rules and breaking them when it is artistically relevant. One example: kill all adverbs. Well…even the greats like JK Rowling and Diana Gabaldon don’t listen to that one.

Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I am an outliner! However, I’ve evolved and sometimes let my story or characters take the lead. I create detailed character charts and a rough outline (always written in pencil) before writing. Then, I see where it takes me. Sometimes I bounce around and write later scenes that strike me at the most random of moments (driving, showering, sleeping…). There is definitely an order to the madness though.

Do you have any hobbies and does the knowledge you’ve gained from these carry over into your characters or the plot of your books?

I like to take my own life experiences (good and bad) and incorporate those into my characters and stories. I also use my knowledge and education…science, nature, travel, parenting…anywhere I can. I’m no stranger to research, be it historical or contemporary. I love the tidbits of knowledge I find.

Do you have an all time favorite book?

Outlander (the entire series, but especially the first one), by Diana Gabaldon. She is still writing, and I’ve read all the books in the series so far (8), along with many of her novellas/short stories. I can’t wait to see where this series ends.

Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book?

I’m writing the third book for the “hundred” trilogy. In the first, A Hundred Breaths, we encounter Gwyn who is a Healer and uses the gift of Water for her ability. She is descended from a powerful mystical group of Ancients from the Scottish isles. In book two, A Hundred Kisses (already published; yes, I wrote them out of order!), I tell the story of Deirdre, her daughter, with the ability of Feeler, harnessing the element of Fire; she can sense peoples’ auras or lifebloods…their emotions and their intents. To wrap up the series, I’m writing about Domhnall, Deirdre’s son, who is a Seer, using the conduit of Wind. The title is a secret as is the rest of the plot, but I’m having a fun time as I paint the theme of these mystical people across three books…and of course the people they fall in love with along the way. It’s all chock-full of villains, secrets, curses, and political strife.

Can you tell us a little bit about what it was like to write a series.

My first book, A Hundred Kisses, was intended to be a standalone book. However, I fell in love with the storyline and was eager to explore the parents of the heroine. From that, A Hundred Breaths was born. Some readers asked about a sequel to A Hundred Kisses, and so I’m writing the third book to make it a trilogy. I’ve enjoyed overlapping characters, plot lines, and events, as well as carrying the mystical “Ancients” thread through all three books. With each, I’ve explored these magical people and their impact on the world around them.

BLURB:

1263, Scotland

Simon MacCoinneach’s vengeance runs deep. The blade is the only way to end the blood-thirsty Nordmen’s reign upon Scottish soil. His soul might be lost, but the mystical Healer he kidnaps from the isles could be the answer for his ailing mother…and his heart.

Isles-born Gwyn reluctantly agrees to a marriage alliance with this heathen Scot in return for the sanctuary of her younger brother from her abusive Norse father. Her brother’s condition is beyond the scope of her Ancient power, for larger healings steal breaths of life from her own body.

As Simon and Gwyn fight to outwit her madman father and a resentful Norse betrothed, Gwyn softens Simon’s heart with each merciful touch. Gwyn’s Seer sister foresees a bloody battle—and an end to the Nordmen—but Simon will also die. Will Gwyn save Simon on the battlefield even if it means losing her last breath?

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EXCERPT:

“I’m your wife, and still I am guarded?”

Simon shrugged though she couldn’t see. He’d given up on excuses. “What must I do to prove I won’t flee? I signed your marriage contract. I said my vows.” Her voice broke on those words.

Was she crying? He laid the tray of food on her table and approached. He didn’t touch her, as much as he wanted to link his arm within hers as they’d done during their walks. He reached inside his ganache and withdrew her small, simple dagger. Unadorned with jewels or carvings, it possessed a bone hilt and a blade worn from use. Likely from tree limbs, flowers, and household use. His smith had sharpened it and cleaned the hilt.

“Here,” he said, placing it in her lap. Gildy had retrieved the sheath from Gwyn’s laundered gown.

Gwyn stared at it, her fingertips dancing butterfly wings hovering over the hilt. After a moment, she drew her hand around it and pulled it from its leather sheath. She rose and whirled on him, the dagger pointed out before her, barely pressing into his chest.

He didn’t retreat as he met her fiery, misty gaze.

She made no move to remove the dagger’s tip.

“A smidge to the center, Gwyn, and you’ll be square over my blackened heart.” He held her glower. The heat blazed in her entrancing blue eyes like the devil. He fought a smile.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Jean’s background is in science and she draws from her interests in history, nature, and her family for inspiration. She writes historical and contemporary romances and women’s fiction. She also writes articles for family-oriented travel magazines. When she’s not writing or chasing children, she enjoys tending to her flower gardens, hiking, and doing just about anything in the outdoors.

Social Media links:

Website https://www.jeanmgrant.com/

Twitter https://twitter.com/JeanGrant05

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jeanmgrantauthor/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16582543.Jean_M_Grant

Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jean-m-grant

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Jean-M.-Grant/e/B0728KFXP9/

Buy links:

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Breaths-Jean-M-Grant-ebook/dp/B07MHWKVKL

The Wild Rose Press

https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/paperback-books/6541-a-hundred-breaths-paperback.html