Society Novel Spotlight
In Her Bed - Deborah MacGillivray

In Her Bed is the Summer Spotlight on The Mystic Castle

Read the interview, answer the trivia question below and you could win a copy of Deborah's novels A Restless Knight and In Her Bed along with a prize pack consisting of bookmarks and coverflats from our Society Author's.

1. Tell us about In Her Bed?

This is the second book in the Dragons of Challon series for Kensington books. Set in 1296 Scotland, it's not actually a sequel to A Restless Knight, since it starts dead in the middle of that book; some later parts are a reflection of the first book, but are now seen from a different view. Damian St. Giles, cousin to Julian Challon, went missing at the Beltane festival. Last seen drinking with three men who looked alike and a massive Viking, no one knew what happened to him. Not even Damian! He showed up less than a week later, with no idea where he had been or what he'd been up to.

Now we can find out.

2. What is your favorite scene in the novel?

Ah, I struggled with this book in some ways. I started it in 1995 and finished in 1996, but the tone was more sombre. It just didn't feel "right". So I went back in 2001 and began layering in the humour. Though very much a part of the Dragon of Challon series, it's still it's own book, able to stand alone. Only, Julian Challon was such a great hero, so torn with his inner torment. Damian St. Giles didn't have that sanity-threatening hunger for something more. His needs were as deep, but they came from never feeling wanted. He was a wonderful character, but just had a hard time stepping out of Julian's shadow. I was struggling with the scene where he's come back to Lyonglen and knows things seem too familiar. When Aithinne Ogilvie finds him in her in tower room, in her bed, and she tells him to get out, and he so arrogantly just tells her to take her clothes off, THEN Damian eclipsed Challon! It was one of those scenes where you could hear him, see him, and he just came alive and took control. After that it was hard to keep up with him.

3. Can you briefly describe what your hero is like and why will we love him?

Damian is not the tormented soul like Challon. His needs for a home, for love, comes from a quieter point. He was the son of a mighty Scottish baron, but his mother was disinherited when she wed Damian's father, a Norman lord. In many ways, it made Damian always feel much like a bastard, rather than the legit heir of Ravenhawke. His return to Scotland is poignant. He is coming back to his mother's land, hoping to find peace and a home for him and his son. He is an honourable man, one willing to die for those he loves. He is just that perfect hero we would like to walk through our front door!

4. How does your heroine evolve in this storyline without giving too much away?

Aithinne is in between a rock and a hard place. She's in temporary control of Lyonglen, and had sworn to the old baron she would save it and it's people from the Comyns and Campbells. Now she is also contending with Edward I, an English king, wanting to marry her off. Aithinne is one who likes to fix things with the quickest means possible. So often, she doesn't see the full effect of her actions. Not selfish, just focused on a goal and determined to see it done. She is a bit insecure. She strongly resembles her beautiful cousin Tamlyn, now wife to Julian Challon. Only she's a bit taller, her hair has a reddish cast and she has freckles on her nose that make her feel like they are warts. I based that feeling on my own personal experience, as I had seven freckles on my nose when I was twelve, and was sure no man would ever love me. She cares deeply about everyone, want to protect the people of Glen Eallack, but she's used to everything falling on her shoulders. She has to open her heart and give her trust to achieve those aims. I think her feelings of desperation, of sometimes lacking too little control in a man's world, and insecurities about one's appearance, are ones the readers will identify with.

5. Can you tell us what your working on next and when will it (they) be released?

I am working on five historicals in the Dragons of Challon series for Kensington, and five more stories in the Sisters of Colford Hall series for Dorchester. No set date on the releases yet, but if they keep the pattern with my previous titles, the next historical will be in the summer of 2008 and the next sister in the autumn 2008. I am hoping to step up the pace a bit.

6. What is the greatest reward of being a Published Author?

There is a reward? Lol. So far it's a LOT of work. No one warns a new author just how much time is eaten up on PR and matters not actually writing. Seriously, the biggest reward would be holding my book. Until you read you own stories in book form, it's hard to really understand the difference from reading it on a computer or printed out. Seeing your book in print is like Cinderella after the faery godmother changes her into a princess.

7. In this tough publishing market what advice can you give inspiring authors as they make the journey into the publishing world?

Learn all you can about the business. Expect that it is a TOUGH business. Leave jealousy and school room pettiness at the door or you will destroy yourself.

8. How much time do you spend researching an era before you start writing a novel and what is your favorite time in history and does that influence your writing?

I really don't spend too much time researching. This historical period is something I have dealt with for years, so I just write. I will pause to double check my facts are correct, makes sure there is not something glaring in the history. I love the medieval era. I enjoy others, but something calls to me to write about this period.

 

Spotlight Trivia

Answer the following question below to be eligiable to win a copies of A Restless Knight and In Her Bed by Deborah MacGillivray. Trivia contest ends August 31st. One entry per person. Good Luck

Question:

How many historicals is Deborah working in her Dragon of Challon series?