Wednesday Reviews: A Woman of Choice

A couple weeks ago I had Kris Tualla here as part of her Norway is the new Scotland blog tour. She graciously offered a PDF copy of her book, A Woman of Choice for me to read. Which I did...devoured more like it.

No, it wasn't one of those I stayed up reading until 4 am the night before an important meeting (Catching Fire) but that was an extenuating circumstance. I don't usually do that any more, I tend to pace myself with reading and sleep, sleep usually being the more important of the two.

Sad but true. But I did find myself reading as my eyes drooped, and that's always a good sign.

Now, A Woman of Choice...

This is the blurb and it's tantalizing in and of itself:


A woman is viciously betrayed by her unfaithful husband and left for dead. She is rescued by a widower not interested in love. But he offers her shelter, purpose, and passion. She offers herself. But she never expected his best friend to offer her marriage! One woman, three very different men. Life is about CHOICES.

Norwegian in America. Yummy Norwegian in America. Frankly, Nicolas could have been anywhere and I'd have jumped his bones. But besides all that bone jumping, it was a great story. History of America aside, which I love, it also delved deeply into the history of Norway.

Sydney is strong, trying to overcome her past, trying to deal with, well, quite a bit. But she's not prim & proper which is just as well considering it's 1819 Missouri.

Also, this is but the first leg of Nicolas and Sydney's journey. I don't have yet but will get the next two books ASAP . I like reading about a couple beyond book one, because while I adore the Happily Ever After, I know there's always something after that. A good writer can move beyond trite soap opera cliches to break up the characters and show what really happens in a relationship.

I have every confidence Kris is a writer who can pull that off.

Now, because I feel I need to at least add this is, Kris did self-publish this. At least that's what I get from the publisher site. If I'm wrong, Kris, I apologize. However, my addendum to that caveat is that it's still a damned fine book and definitely worth reading.

Monday Musings: Reading list

I need something to read. Any suggestions? I don't like not having a pile (physical or on the computer) to read. Makes me antsy. Romances, mysteries, foreign books translated into English (it's the only language I read *G*).

I'm pretty much open to anything.

Except biographies. Once in a while yes, but normally, I just don't care-I've enough family drama in my life thanks.

Here's what I'm reading now:
The Texan's Irish Bride by Caroline Clemmons
A Woman of Choice by Kris Tualla (I then plan on reading Kris's Prince of Norway and A Matter of Principle)

Maybe Robyn Carr's newest Virgin River? Hmm possibly yes. I still need more. Five books waiting for me is nothing. I need at least 12+ to make me feel better. Never know what mood I'll be in for bedtime reading!

Friday Guest: Kristin Tualla

It's my pleasure to welcome Kristin Tualla today. She caught my attention with her blog choice of: Why Norway is the new Scotland. How could I not be intrigued? So please read through and learn why I now must read these stories, and have already started A Woman of Choice.

Cause tall hot Norwegien men? All over that...and you may take that statement as you will. :)

So, Norway is the new Scotland, huh? Prove it.

I'm not afraid to admit it.

When I began writing my very first novel for publication, I intentionally chose to write something other than the "kilted warrior." I wanted to be unique; I didn't want to be just another book in the crowd. A foin crouwd, to be surrre… but still. I wanted to create my own niche.

So I thought, who else is sexy? Vikings! Big, blond, buff, and beautiful, with oceanic eyes. But the Viking era was pretty harsh. And limited. And dirty. So Nicolas Hansen, my Norwegian hero, lives in the 1800s Missouri Territory. He (and all my Norse heroes to follow) are some version of big, blond, buff, and beautiful. Strong. Stunning. Smart.

Spectacular.

So, imagine my surprise when this creative streak turned out to be a hindrance! Publishers said, “We don’t do American historicals… no one can sell Scandinavia… write Scotland, BUT Scotland is a very crowded market… publishers LIKE their boxes…” I’ve heard it all.

Nonetheless, I stuck by my men. Especially when Nicolas told me (and his very surprised new wife) that he was a prince! Great-grandson of King Christian VI. Who knew? So in the second book of the trilogy, off we go to Norway in 1820 while Nicolas decides whether or not to be king.

I had been blogging about my heroes and my path to publishing, when the following article, “Common Mistakes by New Authors” by Irene Goodman, appeared in the September 2010 issue of Romance Writer Report (RWR) published by Romance Writers of America:

“It’s always sad when an earnest author spends years working on something that absolutely no one is interested in except a few geeks or hobbyists. Let’s say you want to write historical fiction. You need to understand that unless you are writing something very literary and high quality, you must pick a marquee name. If you fall madly in love with the life story of an obscure Norwegian king, please don’t think that you are going to convince the world to love it, too. Furthermore, learn the market and what it requires. Commercial historical fiction is very female-driven. Even if the Norwegian king had some kind of interesting hook or quality to him, readers are more likely to be interested in the queen.”

Hm. Coincidence? Possibly. Probably. Maybe not.

Make me more determined? Definitely.

It was back in 2007 that I was driving past IKEA when I heard a hyped-up commercial on the radio: H&M was coming soon! "Hmm," I thought. "These are both Scandinavian stores… I guess that's the next big thing."

And then it hit me. My hook. My brand. My big, blond, buff, beautiful heroes with oceanic eyes! Norwegian men are the next big thing.

"Norway is the new Scotland" was born. And it's growing.

So. Is it time you found a new brand of hero? Please allow me to help.

For every 10 people who comment here, I will give away one free e-copy of A Woman of Choice - the beginning of the trilogy. And, yes. Commenter #11 warrants 2 copies! Comment #21? I'll give away three.

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!

In February at the end of my blog tour, I'll give away one SIGNED PAPERBACK SET of the trilogy. Here's how you can get in on that deal:

1. Go to http://www.kristualla.com/ and find the "Secret Word" on my home page.
2. Send an email to ktualla@cox.net with "Signed Trilogy Giveaway" in the subject line. Put the secret word in the body.
3. Comment on any blog at any time in the tour to activate your entry. Each day's blog location is listed at http://kristualla.wordpress.com/blog-tour-dates-locations/

A Woman of Choice, A Prince of Norway, and A Matter of Principle are all available at http://www.goodnightpublishing.com/

A Woman of Choice - Missouri Territory, 1819
A woman is viciously betrayed and abandoned by her unfaithful husband. She is rescued by a widower uninterested in love. In desperation, she becomes engaged to his best friend. One woman, three very different men. Life is about choices.

A Prince of Norway - Christiania, Norway, 1820
American-born Nicolas Hansen has been asked to candidate for his great-grandfather's throne. His new wife Sydney isn't about to let him go to Norway and face that possibility alone. The moment they arrive at Akershus Castle, the political intrigue and maneuvering begin. Can Sydney trust anyone? Will Nicolas resist the seduction of power? Or will he claim the throne for himself? Most importantly: will their young marriage survive the malicious mischief of the ambitious royal family?

A Matter of Principle - St. Louis, State of Missouri, 1821
Nicolas Hansen has returned from Norway determined to change the world. But when he runs for State Legislator in the brand-new state of Missouri, the enemies he made over the past two years aren't about to step quietly aside. Sydney has made enemies of her own, both by marrying Nicolas and by practicing midwifery. When a newspaper reporter makes it his goal to destroy them, Nicolas must rethink his path once again. But this time, it's a matter of principle.