Friday Guest: Jeanmarie Hamilton

Welcome Jeanmarie! Another fellow author from Northern Roses and Southern Belles, she's got a lot of wonderful family history, and it's been a treat to learn about this country through her stories about themHer story, Are you Going to the Dance?, is the third in the anthology.

What draws you to the Civil War/post-Civil War era?
Although I've read Civil War romance, I haven't attempted to write one. I'm drawn more to writing about life before and well after the Civil War. I wrote Are You Going to the Dance? because it portrays people in a small Texas community of Alsatian farmers who didn't want to see the country they came to, in order to have a better life, torn apart by war. So they were allowed to form local militia units to protect their town instead of sending men to fight in the war.
What else are you working on?
Right now I'm finishing a contemporary werewolf story that I started writing and put aside while I wrote some novellas. This story, previously titled Moonlight Guardian, takes place in a remote part of the desert, on the border of Mexico near my hometown. It has placed in the finals of contests, and it's dear to my heart because it deals with the preservation of historic land.

What’s your dream story? The one that becomes a New York Times runaway bestseller, the one you hope to one day write?
I don't know what will be the most important story to me after the one I'm writing now. I've written synopses for a regency and a fantasy, and have a contemporary and a couple of western historicals I'm working on. As far as having a dream story, every story I write is important to me, and I hope my readers will enjoy each story and lose themselves in it.

Anything else you’d like to share?


Jeanmarie

Wednesday Review: Northern Roses and Southern Belles

OK, I admit it! Sheesh, quit with the arm twisting! I'm posting reviews of this anthoogy one at a time because no matter how I say I'm going to read more, things crop up and I'm busier than I expected. So while yes, it may take me a while to do these reviews, at least I'm reviewing stuff I've read! That's gotta count for something. :)

This week is Are You Going to the Dance by Jeanmarie Hamilton.

I really enjoyed this, not only for the history aspect, which I consider the hallmark of a great historical--when I learn something new about an era I thought I knew all about. I mean BS in American History! This story had that in spades and more. But history aside, the plot was great.

Clay is great, very sexy in addition to being slightly conflicted. It's a hard job he has. Lexi, well Lexi Im not so sure about. I liked her, I didn't skip over or skim her scenes or anything, but I thought there was something off about her. Could be me, could be the mood I was in, I've been so busy lately and despite my enjoyment of this anthology my eyes just couldn't stay open. Could have taken away from my enjooyment.

All in all, Jeanmarie's story is sexy, fun, and very enjoyable. Having read her Seduction (which I'll review later) I know I'll enjoy all her future stories.