Hello Nancy and Nancy’s readers! It’s great to be here to talk with you about my latest release, Moondrops & Thistles!
Can you tell us a bit about your novel?
I’d love to! Daws, Sgt Fred Dawson, US Army, is a vampire... no, wait. Sorry. He isn’t. My daughter thinks he would make a good one, though.
What he really is: A stalwart soldier entrenched in his work. Strong and steady. Not easily flustered. Determined and capable and highly decorated. He has a subtle sense of humor he doesn’t often show. And he’s really pretty sexy with his large shoulders and cropped hair and Army-fit body.
Deanna is a fiery spirit on a mission. Independent and career-oriented. Prone to sarcasm. Artsy and intelligent and sensitive. She loves music that makes her move and movies that make her laugh. And her natural wavy deep red hair is an attention-getter even if she doesn’t think much about it.
Moondrops & Thistles is a story of the crash and merge of two strong spirits who are fine on their own but can’t help appreciating nightly talks to compare their days. It’s a story of society and relationships and cultural clashes and family history and love and understanding. It’s a story of sacrifice and healing. It’s part literary and fully romantic.
Will there be any sequels to this book?
In a way, Moondrops is a sequel to my 2009 release, Off The Moon. Except it’s set 9 years before even though it was written after, so it’s also a prequel of sorts. I tend to suggest readers start with Off The Moon and then move on (or back) to Moondrops & Thistles, if they want the whole experience. It’s not necessary. They each stand alone, and Off The Moon is the more intense of the two. So start with Moondrops and if the characters pull you enough, move along to Off The Moon! These characters will appear again in another story, although not a sequel exactly.
What sparks the heroine's interest in the hero?
Great question! When Deanna runs into Daws, she’s decided she’s fed up with men. She’s tired of lies and secrets and wants to find real straight-forward honesty. Daws is from NYC but stationed at Fort Drum, NY. When he gets sent home on leave after a couple of major incidents have him on edge, he wants something to make him feel alive again. Deanna sees his need for rescue, his vulnerability behind plenty of strength, his well-taught military bearing, and his humility. It all grabs her. Of course his looks don’t hurt anything.
When you are writing do you have any sort of quirks such as a certain type of music you listen to?
You know it depends on the day. My biggest constant is that in the morning, I always have a cup of coffee at my desk. In the afternoon and evening, I still have coffee, but it’s joined by a glass of ice water. And chocolate. I usually have some kind of dark chocolate on hand. Recently it’s Hershey’s Mint Truffle Kisses.
I often write in silence, but at times I have to put music on in order to help hold my focus. At times, it’s instrumental. I love David Garrett’s rock violin and Celtic music, and soundtracks such as the Pirates CDs, or classical such as Mozart, Tchaikovsky, or Spanish acoustic guitar. At other times, I’ll turn on the radio in another room to a pop station so I have the “company” of it without the lyrics close enough to interfere.
What is your favorite part of this story?
Oh, I’d have to say when they meet. That actually started as a free read short story to go along with Off The Moon, but I enjoyed their interaction enough I started to think there might be more to share. It has to be one of my favorite scenes I’ve written yet.
What do you have planned for the year 2012 in terms of writing?
I’m back to obsessively working on the third, fourth, and fifth book of the Rehearsal series and plan to get at least the 3rd one out in 2012. I’m also already working on the sequel for the series. Along with that, I’ve started a YA based on my main character in Finishing Touches, my first novel, with Jenna as a young girl finding and exploring her passion for art. I hope to have that one out before the end of the year, as well. There are a few other stories in progress and I never know when I’ll jump over to work on those, but my guess is some of them will get some attention through the next year.
Last where can readers find you?
All over the internet by searching LK Hunsaker! They can start here:
Website: http://www.lkhunsaker.com
Blog: http://lkhunsaker.blogspot.com
Moondrops on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MoondropsAndThistles
Facebook Author page: http://www.facebook.com/author.lkhunsaker
I’m also on Goodreads where I do reviews and have a group for reader questions, on Myspace, Library Thing, and a dozen other spots. You can find them listed on my website.
Nancy, thanks so much for having me here! I’d love to give one commenter on this post the shorter, spicier ebook edition of Moondrops & Thistles. And be sure to stop by my blog for a chance to win a personally signed copy of the full version, plus a transforming mug with the wraparound cover, plus a Support Our Troops bracelet!
