Blog Swap! - Author Interview - Haley Whitehall

Haley and I are double pub buddies at both Liquid Silver Books and Decadent Publishing. We're swapping blogs for the day to promote our new releases. I'm over at her place chatting about one of my favorite authors, and I'm peppering her with questions about her new book.Midnight Heat is Book 2 in Haley's Moonlight Romance series, and it's preceded by Midnight Caller. You can find the most current buy links on her website or check her author page at Liquid Silver Books and Amazon. 

1. Okay, since you live in Washington State, the Twilight fan in me (do not judge, dear reader) has to ask: Is it as beautiful as described in the book? Also, is it actually always cloudy/rainy--so much so that a vampire can live there undetected?

I think Washington State is very beautiful. I enjoy all four seasons and find beauty in each. I do not live on the coast which is where Twilight took place. Here is isn’t as cloudy and rainy although we do seem to be having a foggy winter.

2. Now that we've got that decidedly fangirl-ly question out of the way, let's move on to your gorgeous cover art. Who are the lovely couple I see locked in an intimate embrace? (Can you tell I'm a romance junkie?) How do they come to be together in a snowed-in cabin?

I know isn’t the cover art lovely? This book is about George and Allison. George is the younger brother of Frederick from book 1 Midnight Caller. The villain Mr. Coswell is pursing Allison and they flee the steamboat where both of them are working and head to George’s brother’s farm in St. Louis. That is the snowy cabin. In order to get some privacy George sleeps in the barn loft and Allison meets him there in the middle of the night with one thing on her mind…

3. Tell me more about George--and by this I mean his physical attributes. He works as a roustabout which is hard manual labor. I bet he is ripped.

George is an African American hunk! He works on the steamboat the Queen Bee hauling cargo on and off at each port. He is eighteen years old, but all man. I will always have a soft spot for him. He is six-foot one of solid muscle with broad shoulders and strong arms perfect for holding Allison. He has dark brown eyes and short cropped black hair. But the best part about him is not a physical attribute. He is an imposing man with a heart of gold. He is caring and thoughtful and protective—really, any woman’s dream.

4. *cough* May I ask for more details about Allison and George's first kiss? Please don't spare any details...

George has been wanting to kiss Allison for a long time now. Except with the abuse in Allison’s past he knew she wasn’t ready. She has been relaxing around him and he finally feels it is the right time for their first kiss. After a long day of work they are lying together on the deck of the steamboat hidden from prying eyes behinds stacks of crates and other cargo. Here is the excerpt of their first kiss:

“George was flavored by his restrained power and overwhelming care. Equal parts sweetness and spice, he was delicious. She moaned into his mouth, her senses never before stirred so much. Her skin seared where his lips touched. If the kiss lasted any longer she’d develop a fever.”

5. I always end my interviews with this question--How did you get your start as an author? Why did you choose to write historical romance?

I didn’t actually start my writing career writing historical romance. I started by writing straight historical fiction set during the Civil War era which has always been my favorite. I’ve been drawn to the Civil War era ever since I was a child. Perhaps I had a past life then? Who knows. Anyway, the women in my writers group encouraged me to try to write historical romance since they said everyone reads romance. At first I struggled with writing love scenes and now I can’t imagine my historical stories without a lot of heat!

I'm a huge fan of heat in romance--can't seem to get enough of it. Since Haley's a very busy lady this week, I won't keep her. For more information about the book an author, just scroll down. Comments are always much appreciated.

Midnight Heat

Living in St. Louis, Missouri is a nightmare for Allison. It is 1868, but for her slavery never ended. After enduring years of abuse, she reaches her breaking point. She sees a fiery death as her only escape. She did not expect to live through the night, but George came to her rescue and changed her plans. Now she has a chance to fulfill her dream of falling in love and having a normal relationship with a handsome black man. But will he accept her with her baggage and the dark secrets from her past?

At eighteen, George is ready to make his own way in the world. He leaves his brother’s farm and gets a job as a roustabout. Working on the Mississippi River gives him the freedom he craves. Going ashore one night he sees a shack along the waterfront on fire. He never expected to find a beautiful colored woman trapped inside. Protective instincts kicking in, he instantly wants to be her man and take care of her.

Will he be able to gain her trust and love or will the memories of Allison’s painful past burn their relationship to cinders before it has begun?

About Haley

Haley Whitehall lives in Washington State where she enjoys all four seasons and the surrounding wildlife. She writes historicals set in the 19th century U.S. When she is not researching or writing, she plays with her cats, watches the Western and History Channels, and goes antiquing. She is hoping to build a time machine so she can go in search of her prince charming. A good book, a cup of coffee, and a view of the mountains make her happy. 

Haley loves to connect with readers. You can find her here:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/HaleyWhitehall
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LightonHistory
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5752677.Haley_Whitehall
Blog: http://haleywhitehall.com/blog/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Haley-Whitehall/e/B0078EO6CE/