Vicki Batman said... Hi, Diana. How lovely to have you here.
~It's great to be here. It's Friday and I'm psyched to have fun!
Let's start with the every popular question: Tell us about yourself.
~:) I'm a retired Navy Chief, for those of you familiar with the Navy, AGC(AW). I've moved 32 times in my life, have traveled around the world and am interested in cultures as finding interesting facts.
Who is your favorite author?
~I have SO many. I will share a 'short' story. While I was in the Navy, I used to read Rebecca Sinclair. When I retired and began to write, I e'd Ms. Sinclair to tell her I wanted to write. Vice deterring me, she offered encouragement. To this day we are still friends. How amazing is that? She's such a neat, sweet and incredible inspiration!
What was your journey to being published like?
~After almost a decade of writing, I received the call. I was working on my 11th book, when my 8th book sold. I'd tossed His Captive in a drawer and thought it'd never sell. Yes, I was stunned. Did I scream, no, I cried as it was overwhelming. I e'd my husband who was stationed in Iraq, and he was able to call me later that day from Baghdad. That night I spent the evening with my kids. A very special moment in my life.
Liese said... Diana: Love the cover, and can't wait to read it!
~Hi Liese, thank you very much for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy meeting the MacGruder Brothers! I'm thrilled to share the reviews have been amazing! I'm working on the 4th book in the series now. :)
What do you consider the most important in describing your hero?
~His actions, which are often at odds with his internal thoughts. It's the struggle of the hero doing the right thing against his inner turmoil. :) Take care and have a fabulous weekend!
Hi, Liese! Hope you are having a happy rainy day. Thanks for posting.
Diana, I'm curious... You write historicals, is it because you read historicals? And if that is the case, why did you not write about the Navy? You know, write what you know stuff.
Diana, I'm curious... You write historicals, is it because you read historicals? And if that is the case, why did you not write about the Navy? You know, write what you know stuff.
So why write historicals?
~I've read historicals throughout my life. After I retired from the Navy, when I began writing, it never occured to me to write anything else. I always say I'm in a timeframe that's not technically challenged, but it's truly my love of the era, the political complexity that draw me. I love my characters strong and my plots convoluted. :)
Great interview Diana and Vicki! I love your books, Diana. His Captive introduced the brothers with a wonderful story of a man torn between duty and desire, and the woman determined to follow through with her own responsibilities in spite of being "detained." Love the hero and heroine and the story, a favorite of mine to read. Looking forward to the next one! Great pic by the way. :-) That's one of the photos from the magazine spread, right? Jeanmarie
Pam Phillips said... Good Morning, Diana, congratulations on all the exciting things that have been happening to you this summer!
~Hi Pam, thank you very much for stopping by. And thanks again for the congratulations - it's been an amazing year! His Woman has received numerous accolades, finaled in contests and is a finalist for the Maggies! I'm totally humbled and thank my cp's as friends for making this possible. I hope you have a fabulous weekend!
Vicki Batman said... Pam! Thanks for posting and you are right -- Diana has had lots of wonderful praise for His Woman.
Diana, tell us the good news.
~It's been a blessed year. The highlights so far:
-His Woman is a, 2009 JABBIC Finalist, 2009 Maggie Awards Finalist, 2009 Booksellers Best Finalist and received a 4 star Romantic Times review.
-My name and mention of His Woman is a back cover quote of the February 2010 Aphrodisia release, "Secrets of Sin," by Chole Harris.
-I was on the cover with a feature story for the July/August issue of Texoma Living Magazine. *I have a fun promo with people sending pics of themselves holding it around the world: http://www.dianacosby.com/photos.html
-I've been quoted twice in RWR articles.
-I have two interviews coming up on KXII, which serves NE Texas and SE Oklahoma.
How do you get your ideas?
~Normally while I'm researching another story. At times, I see something during the day or while reading an on-line news article.
What is your writing day like?
~After my son goes off to school, I take care of house stuff, answer a few e's, post a positive quote on Facebook, then I'm ready to begin my writing day. I always edit up from the scene I wrote the day before. My goal, five new pages a day.
Does humor fit into your books?
~At times, but I tend to be more of a suspense writer with suprise twists. :) Great questions!
Diana, you made this comment, "At times, I see something during the day or while reading an on-line news article."
I know! I think many of us do know this moment, which I call Click! in my next DARA column. I tell the story of walking through my closet, glancing over at my husband's ties arrayed by color on top of the dresser, and click! the idea hit. I love it when that moment happens for I feel it is real creativity working within me.
Hey Diana! As you know I LOVE the McGruders. :) How did you initially come up with the idea of these brothers? Did you write Duncan and have the others evolve from his story, or did you think of them as one family unit/series right off?
Mary J. Forbes said... Hey Diana! As you know I LOVE the McGruders. :)
~Hi Mary, thank you so much for stopping by!
How did you initially come up with the idea of these brothers? Did you write Duncan and have the others evolve from his story, or did you think of them as one family unit/series right off?
~The thought for the first book, His Captive, came to me when I was sitting on the lawn talking with a neighbor. I said, "Wouldn't it be funny if a knight goes to abduct a rich noble and he's away, so believing they're rich and the siblings close, he abducts his sister instead? Thus, the MacGruders were born. I'd just finished a four book Scottish/English series prior as well as a Viking trilogy. In addition, I've created and written the first of a police suspense series. So, for me, writing a series is natural. Have a super weekend!
Vicki Batman said... So Diana, tell us about His Woman and all the MacGruders.
Hi Vicki, my favorite topic! :) Set in the late 1290's, Scotland, the MacGruder brothers are all strong-willed, independent men whose strengths are loyalty, determination to do what's right and belief in family.
Seathan, the eldest, became guardians over his brothers upon their father's death. A man used to complete control, in his story the very essence of this is stripped away. Alexander, the middle brother is a man torn. His father died taking an arrow meant for him, a haunting fact that Alexander must face and move past in His Captive.
Duncan, the youngest brother uses his charm as a shield against the pain of losing the woman he loved - a fate he's forced to face in His Woman.
Patrik, the adopted brother whose youth was marred by a horrific event. His crime, protecting Alexander, an adopted brother he loved. Will he ever find redemption?
Gabrien, code name Wulfe, is the heroine's brother in His Captive and resurfaces in other stories. If my editor picks up this story, Gabrien, a man whose known for his ability to figure out the complex, a man who loves to solve a mystery, is caught in a convoluted circumstance that leaves him wed to a woman he's never met. [*Actually, and I don't write alot of humor, is so funny!] - Yes, the synopsis is written
Vicki Batman said... These men sound luscious, Diana. Spoon them up with a side of chocolate and I'm set for the weekend.
~ROFLOL! Well, actually, they are luscious!
I find the names interesting. Not the usual spellings. How did you come by this?
~I'm glad you asked. All names used I found from medieval records for the timeframe my story is set. So, all names are indeed accurate. Also, I'm proud to say that any historical event you read in my books is true. I do a ton of research before I being my stories and make a micro time-line, which I use throughout. I triple check my facts as much as possible. So, without giving away what it is, the historical detail that occurs in His Captive is true!
Vicki Batman said... Your research and time line are interesting and got me to thinking.
You said you've always read historicals, but what promoted you to write a book?
~I've read all my life. Before I joined the Navy, I'd read two catagory books a day. One of my dreams was, when I retired, I would write. When I retired, I started writing and absolutely loved it! So, here I am. :)
Jeanmarie Hamilton said... Great interview Diana and Vicki!
~Hi Jeanmarie, thanks for stopping by! Yes, this is definitley a fun interview, neat format. :)
I love your books, Diana.
~Thank you, I'm humbled!
His Captive introduced the brothers with a wonderful story of a man torn between duty and desire, and the woman determined to follow through with her own responsibilities in spite of being "detained." Love the hero and heroine and the story, a favorite of mine to read.
~Wow, I'm taking notes. When I explain His Captive at a booksigning, I say, "It's an abduction story gone wrong." :)
Looking forward to the next one!
~I hope you enjoy Seathan and Linet's story. I've received two amazing quotes so far!
Great pic by the way. :-) That's one of the photos from the magazine spread, right?
~It's one taken during the photo shoot, but the magazine didn't select it. I really liked it, so I bought it for my business use. My sincere thanks for stopping by. Sorry about my other reply not making it up! Enjoy your weekend!
Ganache: .1/2 cup heavy cream .1 lb. semisweet dark chocolate *In a heavy saucepan, bring heavy cream to a boil. Remove from heat, mix in chocolate, stir until melted. Chill ganache until consistency you need.
Directions: Bake two 9” layer cakes according to directions. Once cooled, set first layer on a cake plate. Add coat of ganache. Layer with Cool Whip. Next, add second layer of cake. Coat with ganache. Frost side of cake. Layer top with Cool Whip. Sprinkle on top with chocolate shavings. Chill until served.
Vicki Batman said... Golly. I'm hungry. I'm thinking you can bake for me any time. LOL.
~*Chuckle* Thanks. Seriously, if you're ever down this way, the door's open. I totally love baking/cooking and I could easily be someone's personal cook. Cooking to me is amazing.
My sincere thanks for having me on Handbags, Books . . . Whatever. I've had a sincere blast. If I receive any more posts, I'll come back and reply. Take care and I'd love to come back when Seathan's book is released. Take care and God bless!
Diana, Sorry I'm a day late, but I wanted to post and let you know I love the depth of research you've done for your books. Although you don't "dump" historical details on your readers, I think knowing all that you do comes through in strong writing and characters. Continued good luck for you! Carolyn
Caroline Clemmons said... Diana, Sorry I'm a day late,
~Hi Carolyn, thank you so much for stopping by. Sorry I'm so tardy in my reply!
but I wanted to post and let you know I love the depth of research you've done for your books. Although you don't "dump" historical details on your readers, I think knowing all that you do comes through in strong writing and characters.
~Thank you very much for your kind comments. I love the research and find the political unrest of the era fascinating.
Continued good luck for you!
~My sincere thanks, and I wish you continued success as well! *Hugs*
37 comments:
Good morning, Vicki, thank you for having me on Handbags, Books . . . Whatever! I look forward to today's interview. :)
Diana
Romance Edged With Danger
Hi, Diana. How loverly to have you here.
Let's start with the every popular question: Tell us about yourself.
Who is your favorite author?
What was your journey to being published like?
Vicki Batman said...
Hi, Diana. How lovely to have you here.
~It's great to be here. It's Friday and I'm psyched to have fun!
Let's start with the every popular question: Tell us about yourself.
~:) I'm a retired Navy Chief, for those of you familiar with the Navy, AGC(AW). I've moved 32 times in my life, have traveled around the world and am interested in cultures as finding interesting facts.
Who is your favorite author?
~I have SO many. I will share a 'short' story. While I was in the Navy, I used to read Rebecca Sinclair. When I retired and began to write, I e'd Ms. Sinclair to tell her I wanted to write. Vice deterring me, she offered encouragement. To this day we are still friends. How amazing is that? She's such a neat, sweet and incredible inspiration!
What was your journey to being published like?
~After almost a decade of writing, I received the call. I was working on my 11th book, when my 8th book sold. I'd tossed His Captive in a drawer and thought it'd never sell. Yes, I was stunned. Did I scream, no, I cried as it was overwhelming. I e'd my husband who was stationed in Iraq, and he was able to call me later that day from Baghdad. That night I spent the evening with my kids. A very special moment in my life.
Diana Cosby
Romance Edged With Danger
Diana:
Love the cover, and can't wait to read it!
What do you consider the most important in describing your hero?
Liese said...
Diana:
Love the cover, and can't wait to read it!
~Hi Liese, thank you very much for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy meeting the MacGruder Brothers! I'm thrilled to share the reviews have been amazing! I'm working on the 4th book in the series now. :)
What do you consider the most important in describing your hero?
~His actions, which are often at odds with his internal thoughts. It's the struggle of the hero doing the right thing against his inner turmoil. :)
Take care and have a fabulous weekend!
Diana Cosby
Romance Edged With Danger
Hi, Liese! Hope you are having a happy rainy day. Thanks for posting.
Diana, I'm curious... You write historicals, is it because you read historicals? And if that is the case, why did you not write about the Navy? You know, write what you know stuff.
So why write historicals?
Vicki Batman said...
Diana, I'm curious... You write historicals, is it because you read historicals? And if that is the case, why did you not write about the Navy? You know, write what you know stuff.
So why write historicals?
~I've read historicals throughout my life. After I retired from the Navy, when I began writing, it never occured to me to write anything else. I always say I'm in a timeframe that's not technically challenged, but it's truly my love of the era, the political complexity that draw me. I love my characters strong and my plots convoluted. :)
Diana
Romance Edged With Danger
Great interview Diana and Vicki!
I love your books, Diana. His Captive introduced the brothers with a wonderful story of a man torn between duty and desire, and the woman determined to follow through with her own responsibilities in spite of being "detained." Love the hero and heroine and the story, a favorite of mine to read. Looking forward to the next one! Great pic by the way. :-) That's one of the photos from the magazine spread, right?
Jeanmarie
Thank you so much, Jeanmarie, for coming by. The cover is fabulous and I love Diana's photo, too.
Good Morning, Diana, congratulations on all the exciting things that have been happening to you this summer!
Pam! Thanks for posting and you are right -- Diana has had lots of wonderful praise for His Woman.
Diana, tell us the good news.
How do you get your idas? What is your writing day like?
Does humor fit into your books?
Pam Phillips said...
Good Morning, Diana, congratulations on all the exciting things that have been happening to you this summer!
~Hi Pam, thank you very much for stopping by. And thanks again for the congratulations - it's been an amazing year! His Woman has received numerous accolades, finaled in contests and is a finalist for the Maggies! I'm totally humbled and thank my cp's as friends for making this possible.
I hope you have a fabulous weekend!
Diana
Romance Edged With Danger
Vicki Batman said...
Pam! Thanks for posting and you are right -- Diana has had lots of wonderful praise for His Woman.
Diana, tell us the good news.
~It's been a blessed year. The highlights so far:
-His Woman is a, 2009 JABBIC Finalist, 2009 Maggie Awards Finalist, 2009 Booksellers Best Finalist and received a 4 star Romantic Times review.
-My name and mention of His Woman is a back cover quote of the February 2010 Aphrodisia release, "Secrets of Sin," by Chole Harris.
-I was on the cover with a feature story for the July/August issue of Texoma Living Magazine.
*I have a fun promo with people sending pics of themselves holding it around the world:
http://www.dianacosby.com/photos.html
-I've been quoted twice in RWR articles.
-I have two interviews coming up on KXII, which serves NE Texas and SE Oklahoma.
How do you get your ideas?
~Normally while I'm researching another story. At times, I see something during the day or while reading an on-line news article.
What is your writing day like?
~After my son goes off to school, I take care of house stuff, answer a few e's, post a positive quote on Facebook, then I'm ready to begin my writing day. I always edit up from the scene I wrote the day before. My goal, five new pages a day.
Does humor fit into your books?
~At times, but I tend to be more of a suspense writer with suprise twists. :) Great questions!
Diana
Romance Edged With Danger
Diana, you made this comment, "At times, I see something during the day or while reading an on-line news article."
I know! I think many of us do know this moment, which I call Click! in my next DARA column. I tell the story of walking through my closet, glancing over at my husband's ties arrayed by color on top of the dresser, and click! the idea hit. I love it when that moment happens for I feel it is real creativity working within me.
Hey Diana! As you know I LOVE the McGruders. :) How did you initially come up with the idea of these brothers? Did you write Duncan and have the others evolve from his story, or did you think of them as one family unit/series right off?
Mary JF.
www.MaryJForbes.com
What kind of writing turns you off?
What stops you from writing?
Mary J. Forbes said...
Hey Diana! As you know I LOVE the McGruders. :)
~Hi Mary, thank you so much for stopping by!
How did you initially come up with the idea of these brothers? Did you write Duncan and have the others evolve from his story, or did you think of them as one family unit/series right off?
~The thought for the first book, His Captive, came to me when I was sitting on the lawn talking with a neighbor. I said, "Wouldn't it be funny if a knight goes to abduct a rich noble and he's away, so believing they're rich and the siblings close, he abducts his sister instead? Thus, the MacGruders were born.
I'd just finished a four book Scottish/English series prior as well as a Viking trilogy. In addition, I've created and written the first of a police suspense series. So, for me, writing a series is natural. Have a super weekend!
Diana
Romance Edged With Danger
Vicki Batman said...
What kind of writing turns you off?
~Poor writing.
What stops you from writing?
~Aside from family emergencies, when I go out of character. So, I stop, go back to where the writing was flowing and edit up. :)
Diana
Romance Edged With Danger
Hi, Mary. Thank you for commenting. I, too, love the MacGruders, even the name. It sounds soooo manly.
So Diana, tell us about His Woman and all the MacGruders.
Vicki Batman said...
So Diana, tell us about His Woman and all the MacGruders.
Hi Vicki, my favorite topic! :)
Set in the late 1290's, Scotland, the MacGruder brothers are all strong-willed, independent men whose strengths are loyalty, determination to do what's right and belief in family.
Seathan, the eldest, became guardians over his brothers upon their father's death. A man used to complete control, in his story the very essence of this is stripped away.
Alexander, the middle brother is a man torn. His father died taking an arrow meant for him, a haunting fact that Alexander must face and move past in His Captive.
Duncan, the youngest brother uses his charm as a shield against the pain of losing the woman he loved - a fate he's forced to face in His Woman.
Patrik, the adopted brother whose youth was marred by a horrific event. His crime, protecting Alexander, an adopted brother he loved. Will he ever find redemption?
Gabrien, code name Wulfe, is the heroine's brother in His Captive and resurfaces in other stories. If my editor picks up this story, Gabrien, a man whose known for his ability to figure out the complex, a man who loves to solve a mystery, is caught in a convoluted circumstance that leaves him wed to a woman he's never met. [*Actually, and I don't write alot of humor, is so funny!] - Yes, the synopsis is written
*Did that answer your question? Thanks, very fun!
Diana
Romance Edged With Danger
These men sound lucious, Diana. Spoon them up with a side of chocolate and I'm set for the weekend.
I find the names interesting. Not the usual spellings. How did you come by this?
Vicki Batman said...
These men sound luscious, Diana. Spoon them up with a side of chocolate and I'm set for the weekend.
~ROFLOL! Well, actually, they are luscious!
I find the names interesting. Not the usual spellings. How did you come by this?
~I'm glad you asked. All names used I found from medieval records for the timeframe my story is set. So, all names are indeed accurate.
Also, I'm proud to say that any historical event you read in my books is true. I do a ton of research before I being my stories and make a micro time-line, which I use throughout. I triple check my facts as much as possible. So, without giving away what it is, the historical detail that occurs in His Captive is true!
Diana
Romance Edged With Danger
Your research and time line are interesting and got me to thinking.
You said you've always read historicals, but what promoted you to write a book?
Vicki Batman said...
Your research and time line are interesting and got me to thinking.
You said you've always read historicals, but what promoted you to write a book?
~I've read all my life. Before I joined the Navy, I'd read two catagory books a day. One of my dreams was, when I retired, I would write. When I retired, I started writing and absolutely loved it! So, here I am. :)
Diana
Romance Edged With Danger
Jeanmarie Hamilton said...
Great interview Diana and Vicki!
~Hi Jeanmarie, thanks for stopping by! Yes, this is definitley a fun interview, neat format. :)
I love your books, Diana.
~Thank you, I'm humbled!
His Captive introduced the brothers with a wonderful story of a man torn between duty and desire, and the woman determined to follow through with her own responsibilities in spite of being "detained." Love the hero and heroine and the story, a favorite of mine to read.
~Wow, I'm taking notes. When I explain His Captive at a booksigning, I say, "It's an abduction story gone wrong." :)
Looking forward to the next one!
~I hope you enjoy Seathan and Linet's story. I've received two amazing quotes so far!
Great pic by the way. :-) That's one of the photos from the magazine spread, right?
~It's one taken during the photo shoot, but the magazine didn't select it. I really liked it, so I bought it for my business use. My sincere thanks for stopping by. Sorry about my other reply not making it up! Enjoy your weekend!
Diana
Romance Edged With Danger
Diana
Romance Edged With Danger
Diana, what is next for you after the MacGruders?
Vicki Batman said...
Diana, what is next for you after the MacGruders?
~Hi Vicki, after the MacGruders, I'll be working with my agent on a four book medieval series on the Scottish border set in the Braveheart time frame.
Diana
This sounds cool.
Final questions:
Fill in the blank: Your ideal fictional hero would think you gorgeous if you______________.
How much do you love cake?
Vicki Batman said...
This sounds cool.
Final questions:
Fill in the blank: Your ideal fictional hero would think you gorgeous if you______________.
~made him laugh.
How much do you love cake?
~Alot! I'm a huge baker, and I actually have a recipe that I created:
Awesome Texas Chocolate Cake
by Diana Cosby
Devil’s Food Cake mix
Ganache
Cool Whip
Chocolate shavings
Chocolate frosting
Ganache:
.1/2 cup heavy cream
.1 lb. semisweet dark chocolate
*In a heavy saucepan, bring heavy cream to a boil. Remove from heat, mix in chocolate, stir until melted. Chill ganache until consistency you need.
Directions:
Bake two 9” layer cakes according to directions. Once cooled, set first layer on a cake plate. Add coat of ganache. Layer with Cool Whip. Next, add second layer of cake. Coat with ganache. Frost side of cake. Layer top with Cool Whip. Sprinkle on top with chocolate shavings. Chill until served.
*Enjoy!
Diana
Romance Edged With Danger
Golly. I'm hungry. I'm thinking you can bake for me any time. LOL.
Vicki Batman said...
Golly. I'm hungry. I'm thinking you can bake for me any time. LOL.
~*Chuckle* Thanks. Seriously, if you're ever down this way, the door's open. I totally love baking/cooking and I could easily be someone's personal cook. Cooking to me is amazing.
My sincere thanks for having me on Handbags, Books . . . Whatever. I've had a sincere blast. If I receive any more posts, I'll come back and reply. Take care and I'd love to come back when Seathan's book is released. Take care and God bless!
Diana
Romance Edged With Danger
And I'd love you have you, Diana. Let me know when you're available!
Vicki Batman said...
And I'd love you have you, Diana. Let me know when you're available!
:) I will. Have a fabulous weekend! *Hugs*
Diana
Romance Edged With Danger
Diana, Sorry I'm a day late, but I wanted to post and let you know I love the depth of research you've done for your books. Although you don't "dump" historical details on your readers, I think knowing all that you do comes through in strong writing and characters. Continued good luck for you!
Carolyn
It'sso nice you came by,Caroline.
And I can express my gratitude to you for when I met you so long ago and told you I was working on something, you said, "You need to join this group."
I did. And I've been blessed.
Thanks, Caroline.
Caroline Clemmons said...
Diana, Sorry I'm a day late,
~Hi Carolyn, thank you so much for stopping by. Sorry I'm so tardy in my reply!
but I wanted to post and let you know I love the depth of research you've done for your books. Although you don't "dump" historical details on your readers, I think knowing all that you do comes through in strong writing and characters.
~Thank you very much for your kind comments. I love the research and find the political unrest of the era fascinating.
Continued good luck for you!
~My sincere thanks, and I wish you continued success as well! *Hugs*
Diana
Romance Edged With Danger
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