Author Interview with Nancy Lee Badger

Welcome to our Author Interview Day with our Featured Author Nancy Lee Badger!

Nancy is back to tell us more about herself and her latest book.

TBB: Nancy, do you have a message to your readers that you'd like to share?

NLB: I am excited to be here! Dragon's Curse is my first paranormal novella so I am riding a whirlwind of joy mixed with a spoonful of stress. I love it! I have entwined my love for all things Scottish with a bit of folklore and historical fact to being my characters to life.

TBB: I think you've got a hit on your hands with this one. Paranormal and Scottish romance are both very hot right now! Can you share a little more about yourself with us?

NLB: I was born and raised in Huntington, New York on Long Island, in the shadow of New York City. I attended college in New Hampshire, married, bought a house, and raised two sons. We sold our home to live closer to my family and now call Raleigh, NC home.

TBB: When and why did you begin writing?

NLB: This is a story I tell often, mostly because I am so proud. In October of 2006 my son, Eric, returned safely from a tour of duty in Iraq with his U. S. Army battalion based in Darmsdadt, Germany. Hubby and I drove down from New Hampshire and picked him up at the Raleigh, NC Airport where my extended family waited with hugs. Then we three drove to our home in New Hampshire. We also spent a day visiting Eric’s older brother, Rob, in Vermont. The whole time I sat in the back seat, scribbling. I finished the book in a month. It was like the floodgates of stress opened wide and all this pent-up creative energy escaped.

TBB: What does your family think of your writing?

NLB: My immediate family, which consists of my darling husband, quietly agreed to sell our NH home and move 900 miles south. Doing so let us pocket a few bucks and buy a small house for cash. Hubby continues to ‘play’ at a job for forty hours a week while I write from home. My sons will pass judgment, soon, once they get around to down-loading my stories. My two younger sisters are always asking questions and offering story ideas. One teaches college computer science and the other is a veterinarian so they are brilliant. My parents have been behind me from the start. Even long-distance, they ask how I am doing, edit my work, help with ideas, push me to take writer courses, and are busy telling all their friends to buy my books.

TBB: What authors have inspired your writing and in what way?

NLB: I have read Harlequin series titles since high school and was surprised to find authors such as Emilie Rose (Desire), Abby Gaines (NASCAR), and Deb Marlowe (Historical) in my local RWA chapter here in Raleigh, NC. I listen every time Sabrina Jeffries speaks to our group, and have learned so much sharing dinner out with Claudia Dain, Jenna Black, and many other talented men and women. Our chapter is very active and I look forward to each monthly meeting. Each meeting gets me recharged and ready to write and write. I currently serve as Vice President, in charge of membership, which has helped me remember names!

TBB: That sounds like an amazing group of support. What is your latest news?

NLB: This has been a very busy time in my life. My first two books have just been released under two different names by two different publishers! I recently sold another novel to the other publisher. I plan to attend the annual Romance Writers of America conference in July in my continuous search for an agent, so I’m polishing up a wonderful Scottish paranormal filled with present day witches, a little bit of time travel, bad guys, and lots of men in plaids.

TBB: Wonderful! I'll see you in Orlando then! How about a blurb and excerpt for your book Dragon's Curse?

Blurb:

Sometimes a special gift and an unwanted curse cannot keep destined lovers apart.

Brianna Macleod has accompanied a shipload of her guardian’s friends to a remote island off the coast of Scotland. She eludes these Highland hunters to keep her innocence…and her gift of sight. Her attitude against falling for womanly desires changes when she nearly drowns. Saved by the talons of a terrifying winged beast, she awakens—naked—in a cave, beside an unusual man.

Cursed by a vengeful witch to transform into a dragon at inopportune times, Draco MacDonald hides on this deserted island to live alone: until he plucks a servant girl from certain death. Fueled by jealousy, and tempered by fear for her safety, he succumbs to an unfamiliar desire to mate. Her kisses propel him to dare to make her his own.

Set in 1592 Scotland on the Scottish island of Staffa, the cursed hero battles a ghostly witch, a hunter set on rape, and his own growing desire for a young woman with premonitions of his death.

Excerpt:

Pleasure mingled with a sudden sense of cautious clarity. “Please, sir. Do no’ dishonor me in such a way.”

His quiet murmurs soothed her as she gazed deep into his eyes. Brianna inhaled a sharp breath at the flames dancing in their centers. Fear threatened to undo her, yet curiosity enticed her to press her fingers against his lips, forcing them apart. He growled.

“Ah, I see. Ye are a beast.” The calm strength behind her words must have taken him aback, for he loosened his grip on her.

“I am more, I am less. I am cursed, yet I feel blessed at this moment. Lay with me and soothe my pain, and I shall do my best to pleasure ye.”

Brianna nodded. The realization she possessed no control over her actions proved the man had cast a spell. He bent lower and kissed her with a tenderness she never hoped to share with a man. Any man.

Certainly no’ Ranald.

“Who is this Ranald? I plan to kill him, so tell me where to find him or I shall feel compelled to remove the head of every man on this island to make sure I have laid him low.

She laughed. “Ranald is a pig, though I doubt he tastes as fine. Gregor, Cook, and Nia pledged to look out for me. He shall no’ be a problem.

Her words seemed to sway him because he returned his lovely mouth to hers and continued his satisfying assault with fingers, lips, and tongue.

TBB: Thanks so much for joining us today, Nancy. We hope to have you back soon!

Want More Nancy?

Visit her website here: www.nancyleebadger.com
Visit her blog here: www.RescuingRomance.nancyleebadger.com
Pick up your copy of her book today! Click here!