Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Guest Post w/ Laurie Hunsaker + Giveaway (INT)!


It's Historical week here at TBQ's Book Palace as part of my 4 year blogoversary celebration!

Please welcome to the blog Laurie Hunsaker, who writes Highlander historical romances with a time travel theme. I've not yet had the pleasure of reading her books, but they are high on my list--I'm all for Highlanders and time travel. Yum!

Yes, I know, time travel is, technically, more of a paranormal/fantasy thing. But I think if it's set in historical times, rather than in the future, it can fit just as easily under this genre! :)

Plus, you know, my word counts most here. :P Hehe


I am a writer who loves the idea of a hunky Highlander sweeping me off my feet.  So I wrote about what I like. And luckily someone else liked it enough to publish it.  Now I am working on the next in what I hope to be a fantastic series, and I’ll post updates and excerpts here, so keep reading, and tell me what you think.  I love to hear from readers.

Those of you who know me from  www.demonloversbooksandmore.com know me as the Highland Hussy.  Don’t you worry-my work at demonlover’s is one of my favorite things in the world, and I have no plans to ever stop. At least not until the Demon Lover herself kicks me off. :) So feel free to catch up with me over there too.  And the Highland Hussy will keep writing about those hunky Highlanders as long as you guys keep reading.  Well, I’m not gonna lie to you, I’d probably write them anyways, I mean who doesn’t love a hot Scot?
 

Where to Find Laurie:



 "Time travel, is it the future? Or a thing of the past?"


I was going through books the other day and I found a very old Nora Roberts that I stole from my mom back in the 90s (I may have just dated myself-lol).  It’s a 2-in-1 set of books called Time And Again.  It’s these two time travel books about two brothers from the future and two sisters from the present (which would be like 1986 in these books). It got me to thinking, why is it that I wanted to write time travel romances that went backwards in time, rather than forwards?
For me, the reason is that I wanted a Scottish Romance but at the same time, I really wanted a sassy heroine who wasn’t limited by her upbringing. I sometimes read Historical Romances and just think “Oh she’d never behave like that. She’s way too sarcastic.” Having a heroine from the 21st century opens up a different dynamic between the hero and heroine.
In my novella Highland Games, which is up next (no firm date, sorry), my hero actually travels to the future to find his woman, then takes her back with him. I thought this might be a fun change from the typical heroine finding a relic and being sucked back through time.

Several authors have done amazing jobs with Time Travel Scottish Romances. Karen Marie Moning has the meddling Fae, druid magic, and cursed relics.  Brenda Joyce has magic, and men called Masters who can jump to different times. I think I prefer magic to a scientific time machine approach. Maybe that’s another reason I don’t write futuristic time travels?

What would you prefer to read? A time travel that takes place in the past, or one that takes place in the future? Or would you mix it all up and have the characters travel between times?
Thanks so much for having me today!



~Laurie Hunsaker
 

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Highland Destiny by Laurie Hunsaker
Publisher:
New Concepts Publishing (November 1, 2010)
Genre: Historical Romance/Time Travel

Mackenzie Stewart’s in Scotland for a much-needed vacation. During the castle tour, Mackenzie becomes completely enamored with a painting of one of the previous lairds. Two gentlemen come up behind her and, begging her pardon, they kidnap her, dragging her through time.

The men are sorcerers attempting to end a feud that has plagued their lands for years. Their patron has begun to dabble in the black arts, and between his irrational thirst for power, and his dark secret, the sorcerers are frightened. They believe Mackenzie can break the Stewart curse. They try to convince her to play along with their crazy scheme: marriage to the evil John Campbell.

Before Mackenzie can protest, her carriage is halted and the door thrown open. For a split-second she is arrested by the same beautiful piercing blue eyes that belonged in an oil painting.

Mackenzie then finds herself the victim of a second kidnapping!

Her new captor, however, does nothing but tempt her body and her temper. Believing her to in fact be the betrothed of his mortal enemy the Campbell, Connor originally sets out to capture his enemy’s betrothed. He never thought he would be so attracted to her that he’d want to keep her.

 

Where to Buy*:
More Info:


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Laurie has been nice enough to offer up a great prize for one lucky winner! :)

One commenter (open INT!) will win:
An e-copy of Highland Destiny!


Wow--thanks Laurie, I'm a bit jealous of whoever wins! :)


How to Enter:
Mandatory: You must leave a comment on this post (with your email addy^)--Please answer Laurie's Question: What would you prefer to read? A time travel that takes place in the past, or one that takes place in the future? Or would you mix it all up and have the characters travel between times?



^A note on email addresses: Your email address must be visible to be entered into this contest. Why? This makes it easy for me to contact the winner and therefore get the prize out! Visible means: a) Email is left in your comment (ninja style is perfectly fine); b) Email is visible on your Blogger profile (or other such website--Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc); or c) Email is used to log-in and fill out the Rafflecopter.



Laurie's Question:
What would you prefer to read? A time travel that takes place in the past, or one that takes place in the future? Or would you mix it all up and have the characters travel between times?



Giveaway open June 6th through June 13th! I will pick and announce the winner Thursday morning (June 14th). Good Luck!

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Thanks again for stopping by, Laurie! :) I loved your post, and I cannot wait to read your books! Go Highlanders! :) lol

And by the way, I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who reads Nora--love her books. Think I've got Time and Again around her somewhere... Hmm, maybe it's time for a reread!




See what else is going on for Historical Week!







Enjoy!




Until Next Time,

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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

11 comments :

Julie said...

Hey Laurie & TBQ - nice post. I totally enjoy time travel books. I prefer going back in time. I don't know, there's just something about hunky men, with kilts and/or armor, swords & horses. Add magic, faes and sorcerers and I'm in heaven.
I already have Highland Destiny, but wanted to comment anyway - just love Mackenzie & Connor!

Melody May said...

I honestly, prefer going to the past. The idea of reading something that takes me to the future is just not my thing.

Melody May said...

I forgot my email. countessofmar@yahoo.com

Sassy said...

I haven't read many time travel books but I think I like starting in the present and then traveling back in time. The fish-out-of-water syndrome moving into the future often just annoys me so that I can't enjoy the characters.

Unknown said...

I have read a few time travel books and have enjoyed them. My first was Diana Gabladon's. I couldn't get enough. I do prefer to travel to the past. I love the history that can be found there. The only exception is the Back to the Future movies and Planet of the Apes. Love those travel to the future movies. (I hope this doesn't date me too bad.)

Mel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Barbara said...

I LOVE time travel books...it's interesting that another commenter mentions that her first was Diana Gabladon...as she was mine too...a gift from my sister-in-law. I love ALL time travel...past, future...and between times/dimensions/worlds. Thx for this AWESOME giveaway op! :)

barbbattaglia @ yahoo.com

Laura Hunsaker said...

Hi Julie! Thanks so much :)

Melody and Sassy, I'm with you. I've tried, and I just can't get into the futuristic-y stuff.

Mel and Barbara-I think a lot of readers began with Gabaldon.

Bonnie, Right? I feel the same way! The Nora one I mentioned up there were very "1980s version" of the future. It was weird.

Marie R. said...

Hi Laurie - I'm into the time travel into the past.
Believe me when I tell you, there have been numerous times
that I wish it could happen to me. Just as long as I have some
hunky Highlander to take care of me! Will definitely pick up
a copy of your book. Looking forward to reading it.
As others have mentioned above, I thoroughly enjoy Diana Gabaldon's works. Boy . . . that Jamie! :-)

Marie R.

mimiranger(at)aol.com

April Alvey said...

I Love Time Travel Book's I Hope I See One The Way I Picture A Story Should Be About Time Travel. butterfli262002@yahoo.com

mslvoe said...

Hai Laura and TBQ,

Thank you for sharing a great book. As for the answer I would love time travel to the past in Scotland. Scotland is the best place for time travel story.

Laura, please publish your book faster coz I'm hunger for your Highland story.

mslvoe@gmail.com