Spotlight On... Liz Arnold

Today I have fellow The Wild Rose Press author Liz Arnold with me at the keyboard. Welcome, Liz, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Hi, Sarah, and thanks for hosting me today. You have a great blog. I love visiting and I’m honored to be your guest.

I live a busy life as a writer, freelance editor, and teacher in the mid-west. I teach in a small liberal arts college.

Tell us about MESSAGE TO LOVE and where we can find it.

Audra Wakely’s father has been seized by Spanish authorities and imprisoned for sympathizing with Cuban rebels. Raising the money to bribe officials if necessary, she sets off for Cuba to rescue her father. She doesn’t bargain on the interference of any U.S. officials—that is until she meets Rollins McBride.

Lt. Rollins McBride of the newly designated U.S. Naval Intelligence service is assigned to track Audra on her journey. He’s to arrest Greg Wakely, a U.S. citizen, for treason and gun smuggling. His mission and his heart are taken by surprise by the feisty beauty who sets a stubborn path toward finding her father and proving he isn’t a traitor—no matter what or who gets in her way.

Sizzle, spice, and intrigue heats up the Spanish American War in MESSAGE TO LOVE.

Available in eBook or Print at The Wild Rose Press, Amazon

Excerpt:

“It was a dream, just a very bad dream.”

She stepped back out of his hold. Clammy spots of moist heat lingered on her arms where his hands had been.

“I’m all right now.” Audra reached for the door and noticed the sickly sweet odor of liquor on his breath. “You can leave now. I want to go back to bed.” She pulled open the door and gestured into the hall.

“Sorry, but this time you’re going, too.” Rollins strode over to the dresser and pulled out a drawer. “Better pack. We have just under two hours.”

“I’m not in the mood for comedy, Rollins,” she sighed. “I’m really very, very tired. I’ve got to get some rest. Now—”

“Let me make myself clear.” He sounded gruff. “I said we’re leaving, and unless you want to get on a ship bound for Santiago with your shirttails hanging out, better change and get ready.” He made to leave the room. “I hope you have a shawl or something. It’s gotten cooler out, and we have half an hour in a wagon to get to port.” Then he vanished into his own room next door, leaving Audra gape-mouthed in the hallway.

“Who does he think he is?” She growled as she stamped her foot against the cold hard floor. “Infuriating! He is absolutely infuriating!” Audra heaved the door shut with gusto. “These are not my shirttails, either!


Describe your writing in three words.

Compulsive, driven, and passionate.


What are you currently working on?

The current WIP is another historical romance set in Marietta, Ohio in 1790 during the Indian wars and smallpox outbreak there after the colony was established. It’s about a young woman searching for her family and who wants to be doctor but isn’t allowed to practice in Baltimore. She hires a guide in Pittsburgh to take her to Marietta to find her relatives and ends up saving many lives during the epidemic. But the Indians have taken ill as well. Her guide spent ten years as a Shawnee captive and doesn’t want to rescue her when she is taken captive because there is a price on his head, but his affections for her are too strong to leave her with the natives.


Sounds wonderful!  What is it about the romance genre that appeals to you?

The romance genre has always appealed to me because it sends a message of hope. We’ve all faced adversity and in the end of every problem, if you will stop and notice you will see that love is what got you through it.


What writers have influenced you the most?

I’ve been a Connie Mason fan for twenty years. Her stories and her research and her heroes are worth every minute of every book she ever wrote.


What books are currently on your nightstand?

I’m crazy about the television series “Castle” starring Nathan Fillion. I’m currently reading the Nikki Heat novel series the television show is about.


What is something readers would be surprised you do?

I adore football on every level from peewee to pro. Adore it.


What questions are you never asked in interviews but wish you were?

I wish someone would ask me if I think romance fiction is addictive and why. I believe it is possible to become addicted to the heavy emotions and the descriptive scenes and the happy-ever-afters that are important to the genre. Is the addiction healthy? Does it promote a distorted impression of love in real life? Honestly, I think it contributes to a distortion of sorts but it also creates an understanding that love takes work and effort and honesty. Those things are always in a true romance novel and should be part of a true love in real life.


I love that answer! So true.  Where can we find you on the web?

My blog is the most active place:   http://www.lizarnoldbooks.wordpress.com/


Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?

I would like to ask readers a couple of things.
1. Why don’t they try to connect with writers more often?
2. Will they please send me a SASE so I can send them a free bookmark? P.O. Box 1322, Parkersburg, WV 26102


Liz, thanks for visiting with me today.