December 12, 2014

Author Interview with Barbara Bettis + GIVEAWAY

Please help me to welcome my fellow Rose, Barbara Bettis, to Write with Fey. She is sharing details about her newest release, The Heart of the Phoenix. Plus she as a little Christmas present for one lucky person! Keep reading for details. 

Hi Chrys. I so happy to visit you today. I can’t believe we’re so close to Christmas! Goodness. I’d like to award a $10 Amazon GC to one commenter, to celebrate the upcoming holiday!

That is wonderful, Barbara!

THE WINNER  IS SANDRA DAILEY!

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Please tell us about your current release, Barbara.

The Heart of the Phoenix is Sir Stephen and Lady Evie’s story. Let me share the blurb, because once I get started talking about it, I’ll just go on and on…

Some call him a ruthless mercenary; she calls him the knight of her heart.

Memories         

Lady Evelynn’s childhood hero is home—bitter, hard, tempting as sin. And haunted by secrets. A now-grown Evie offers friendship, but Sir Stephen's cruel rejection crushes her, and she resolves to forget him. Yet when an unexpected war throws them together, she finds love isn’t so easy to dismiss. If only the king hadn’t betrothed her to another.

Can be cruel  

Sir Stephen lives a double life while he seeks the treacherous outlaws who murdered his friends. Driven by revenge, he thinks his heart is closed to love. His childhood shadow, Lady Evie, unexpectedly challenges that belief. He rebuffs her, but he can’t forget her, although he knows she’s to wed the king’s favorite.

And deadly

When his drive for vengeance leads to Evie’s kidnapping, Stephen must choose between retribution and the love he’s denied too long. Surely King John will see reason.  Convict the murderers; convince the king. Simple. Until a startling revelation threatens everything.


Title: The Heart of the Phoenix
Author: Barbara Bettis
Series: Brotherhood of the Phoenix (Book One)
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Print and eBook
Length: 287 Pages
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press     
Published: September 3rd, 2014

BOOK LINKS:



1.    What inspired you to write this book?

I’ve always been fascinated (if that’s the right word) by the battle at Acre during the Third Crusade and the massacre of prisoners that followed. I wondered—what would a young man recently knighted on the field of battle and devout in his devotion to God and King Richard think of such an action?

That formed the basis or backstory for Stephen, but the book is about his life after that—his determination to right wrongs before he allows himself a chance at happiness.

2.    You gotta love a knight! Is this book part of a series?

It is the first of a potential series, Brotherhood of the Phoenix, involving members of the band of mercenaries who serve with Stephen.

3.    The title is quite poetic. How did you pick it?

The phoenix is a mythical bird of Eastern lore that, basically, rises from its ashes, reborn. The title of the book and the series is a reference to the knights who have suffered a variety of tragedies who remake themselves, who learn to live again, by banding together to fight a group of murderous renegades. This book is about healing Stephen’s heart so he can love once more.

4.    I've always been fascinated by phoenixes. How did you come up with the names for your hero and heroine?

I was rather locked in to my hero’s name, because although he was a ‘walk on’ in a previous book, he was an important one. I couldn’t change his identity. However, I do like the name Stephen and it was in use at that time, although not widely. (King Stephen was William the Conqueror’s grandson, and he fought his cousin, Mathilda, for the crown of England. Matilda was Richard the Lionheart’s grandmother.)

Evelynn (Evie) was another matter. Also a character from two other stories, I’d searched several lists of medieval women’s names before deciding to go with it. I combined two to come up with Evelynn and called her Evie. (Yes, the name Evelyn was a man’s name at one time.) I seem to be drawn to similar sounding names.J My other heroines are Alyss and Emelin. Katherine, Henry’s wife, is my attempt to break from that tendency.  (She’s in an upcoming novella.)

5.    Do you listen to music while you write?

I don’t always listen to music in general while I write, because I have a tendency to get caught up in it. However, I have discovered a couple of pieces that do trigger my imagination, provided the volume is low. David Cook’s first album helps when I need to be reflective (I have no idea why, but it works for me J) And when I need to feel “up,” I love Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol. I always smile when I hear that piece.




About the Author:

Award winning author Barbara Bettis has always loved history and English. As a college freshman, she briefly considered becoming an archaeologist until she realized there likely would be bugs and snakes involved. And math.

She now lives in Missouri, where by day she’s a mild-mannered English teacher, and by night she’s an intrepid plotter of tales featuring heroines to die for—and heroes to live for. 

 AUTHOR LINKS:


Thank you so much for taking time to answer my questions, Barbara, and for offering my readers a generous giveaway!

The giveaway is over. Sorry!


81 comments:

  1. Congrats on the release, Barbara! The book sounds great.

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    1. Thank you Sarah.I grew quite fond of Stephen and Evie--I miss them :) I think that's why we authors write books based on characters from other books. They become like friends. I appreciate your dropping by.

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  2. Thanks for hosting me today, Chrys! I have finals all day, but I'll drop in when I can.

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    1. You're so very welcome, Barbara! And stop in whenever you can. :)

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  3. Ooh, love the cover and the blurb! Congrats on the new release!

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    1. Thanks, Katie! Debbie does a great job with covers, doesn't she? Thanks, Katie! Debbie does a great job with covers, doesn't she?

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  4. Great interview! I love the name of the book.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed Barbara's interview, Louise! :)

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    2. Glad you stopped by, Louise. The books wasn't always titled that. In its first incarnation, it was The Black Dagger. But then I discovered a well-known author had a whole series of the black daggers *not medieval* so I had to change the title and drop the references to the special daggers they all carried. Ah, me, the strange things we run into, right ?

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  5. This sounds fabulous, Barbara! I have always wondered about the repercussions of the crusades for the men involved.

    I am also a fan of Rimsky-Korsakov.

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    1. YAY, a fellow R-K fan!! No matter how down I am, Capriccio Espagnol perks me up! Appreciate the visit!

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  6. I love the town of Acre. i've visited a few times. and on the Mediterranean. it has a huge history, perhaps the most famous is the crusades. great setting indeed for a novel. enjoyed interview.

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    1. Oh, how fortunate to have visited Acre. As you say, what history surrounds it! That area is fascinating. The story of the Assassins is intriguing, too! Thanks so much for being here.

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    1. Wanda! Thanks so much for stopping by. Thanks for the good words on the coverl

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  8. Wonderful interview, Barbara. I love your "inspirational" pieces of music. For me, I need music to keep my muse happy. I'm really looking forward to reading your book.

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    1. I hope you like it Mary! As for music, I do have to be careful, or I'll get so wrapped up in it, it distracts me from writing :)

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  9. Let's try this again!
    Love the inspiration! Congrats on the release:-)

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    1. This comment definitely came through just fine, Alanna. :)

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    2. So glad you tried again, Alanna. Thanks for the good words!

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  10. Nice to meet you Barbara! I just love Chrys' author interviews :) This music piece is so perfect. I admire the historical research that you do to write your stories. I definitely am adding this to my 'to read' shelf on goodreads. I've asked Santa for a tablet so I can buy e-books galore! Thanks for another fun author interview, Chrys.

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    1. I'm so happy that you enjoy my author interviews, Lisa. Next year, I'll be bringing more interviews to my blog and not just for authors. ;) And yay for adding Barbara's book to your TBR list. :)

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    2. I am so thrilled you're adding this to your list on Goodreads. And you're so right about Chrys and her ability to add the music to go along with the author interviews. I always love listening to them along with reading her interviews.

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  11. Loving the research behind this book. Interesting.

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    1. Thanks, Vanessa. Research is tough but so rewarding. Also distracting--I get so wrapped up in all the things going on the in era, I have to make myself stop reading and start writing! All the ideas just start lining up for potential stories!

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  12. Your hero seems very intense. I love that in a hero. Good luck and great sales, Barbara.

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    1. He is a bit intense Sandra, but occasionally he lightens up. :) Appreciate your good wishes!

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    2. Sandra, you're the winner of the giveaway! Congrats!!! :D

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  13. Always fascinated to hear how another author goes about creating a book, thanks for that, Barbara.

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    1. Carole Anne, I never think my process is at all interesting. Sometimes I wish I were more of a plotter--but if I outline everything, it's as if I've already written the book!

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  14. Sounds very interesting. The Crusades were such a brutal time in mankind's history that I can see a lot of emotionally damaged people emerging from that. My favorite kinds of heroes.

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    1. Oh, Susan, I so agree. I can't imagine what they must have gone through. The knights must have felt such after effects that we just have never heard of. The men like Stephen had to be stoic and determined.

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  15. Ooh, I do love a historical. A must check out!

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    1. WooHoo, Elizabeth--another historical fan!! So glad to meet you. Hope you love Stephen and Evelynn as much as I dol.

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  16. Congrats Barbara on a super book. sure it will be a success.

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    1. From your mouth to-- :) Thanks for the vote of encouragement.

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    2. Hmm. I didn't think the first one posted, so I wrote a second! Just goes to show when we rewrite something--it's never the same LOL

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  17. love it! Sounds great, Barbara. I too get way too caught up in music when I write!

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    1. Me, too, Beth! If I listen to any but just a very few kinds of pieces, I'm too distracted. My favorite kind of music is the Broadway musical. There's absolutely no way I can listen to a soundtrack and write. I just get absorbed in the musical's story!

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  18. Yay for historical fiction. I learn so much about history reading it, and I not only enjoy the stories, I love how much I remember about the period. Congrats to Barbara.

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    1. I feel the same way about reading historical fiction. That's why I try to be as accurate as possible--. Thanks for stopping by.

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  19. I haven't read many books set in Medieval times, but you could make me a fan. Your book sounds wonderful!

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    1. Hi Jana--well, I'd like to try :) Do let me know what you think!

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  20. Congrats on the release, sounds like a great jaunt through the past

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  21. I loved The Heart of the Phoenix and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romance. Great interview, Barbara

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    1. That's great! Her book sounds fabulous! Thanks for your comment, Marlow. :)

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    2. Oh, Marlow, mega thanks!! That means a lot to me.

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  22. Wonderful interview! I can't wait to read this!

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  23. Great blog and interview, Barbara and Chrys. Posted the link to my Facebook page.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Hebby, and for helping to spread the word on Barbara's interview. :)

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    2. Thank you for sharing the info on your FB page, Hebby, and thanks for being here :)

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  24. Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres. This looks like an enjoyable book to spend time reading.
    Good interview, by the way. :)

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  25. I love the premise and cover of this book. And the title is so close to my own manuscript's title! Although the story is completely different, thank God!
    Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and The Heart of the Phoenix is right up my alley. The characters seem strong and I am interested to learn how they wind up together, especially under such impossible circumstances.
    Best of luck Barbara and thanks for sharing Chrys!

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    1. I'm not sure if you told me before what the title for your manuscript is, Gina, but since I can't remember I'm trying to figure it out now. ;)

      Thanks for leaving Barbara a great comment!

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    2. Gina, I'd love to know what your book is all about--and the title. I checked your blog, but I couldn't find it. I appreciate your stopping be and commenting.

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  26. Your book sounds fascinating and lately I've rediscovered my love for this genre so I'm definitely looking for your book.

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    1. Yay, Sharla, so glad you've rediscovered medieval. Hope you enjoy Stephen and Evie's story. thanks for being here.

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  27. Chrys, you've been such a fantastic host. I'm sorry I got home so late--but--finals are over and grades entered!! Yay. I'm going to rest tomorrow. But later tomorrow, I'll submit names to the automatic name generator and announce the winner of the Gift Card. Have a great weekend. And thanks to everyone who commented.

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    1. That's okay! This post will be up until Tuesday so you had plenty of time to come by. :) I can't wait to hear who the winner is of your giveaway. Thanks for being so generous.

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  28. Beautiful cover. I find characters with double lives fascinating. It's wonderful to get to know Barbara.

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  29. Late to this party (per my usual) but I'm so glad to read about this new book and the meet/greet with Barbara!

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  30. Yeah, I'm late, too...nothing new. Great interview!

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    1. I think you still might be in time for the giveaway, Liz. :)

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  31. Sounds great, Barbara! Love the cover, too!

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  32. Coincidentally, I was thinking earlier today about what a great word "phoenix" is. A friend's last name is Phoenix, and I live not far from an apt complex with the name too. May your Phoenix soar to success, Barbara.
    Thank you, Chrys and Barbara.

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    1. The last name of "Phoenix?" I love that! I've always liked the word "phoenix" too. :)

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  33. The giveaway is OVER! And the winner is...SANDRA DAILEY!!! Congrats, Sandra!

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  34. Congrats to Sandra! The book sounds awesome!

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  35. I like the cover of the book! It sounds like a fascinating time period, too.

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