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Author Interview, award winning author, Judith Sterling, Linda Nightingale, new release, Night of the Owl, Sinners' Opera, The Wild Rose Press, vampire fiction, vampire romance
I’m thrilled to have another sister Rose (published by The Wild Rose Press) here today. Please welcome Linda Nightingale! Her latest book, Sinners’ Opera, was released on October 7. Let’s get to know her…
At what age did you write your first story?
I always told my friends stories from the age of about 8 and thought of scenarios that we could play, like raking leaves to form a house, then being princesses or housewives. Big jump, right? Not for us. The first story I remember writing was in 9th grade in place of a book report. It was sci-fi about an alien discovered on Earth and his flight from his captors. He had silver-pink hair. (Hey, he’d be right in style today.)
Which genre was the first to hook you?
Romance and sci-fi.
What was your first published book?
My first book was Gemini Rising, which deals with a very sensitive, taboo for the most part subject. I wrote it because the characters woke me up one Sunday after a night on Miami Beach, and I wrote the first pages in purple on a legal pad. (Oh, no, purple prose!) A Canadian publisher picked it up, and it did fairly well considering the subject.
Sounds intriguing. What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Brainstorming? Research? Outlining? Writing? Editing?
Easy. Writing. I’m not keen on research or editing but I love the white hot stream of creativity that flows from your fingers when the words are coming faster than you can type.
What are you working on now?
A companion story to Sinners’ Opera. In The Piano Man, Morgan is playing in a smoky piano bar, and in walks a love from his WWII days as a dashing RAF pilot flying night raids over Germany. Of course, our vampire hero hasn’t changed a bit. It goes back to the WWII story, then finishes in early 2005.
Cool! Of all the settings you’ve used (or created!) for your books, which is your favorite?
Charleston, SC. Charleston is my favorite city in the US. It was founded during the reign of Charles II and also ties to Morgan. A trip down the beautiful Battery takes you back to the Civil War with the cannons at White Point Gardens, and the gorgeous Antebellum mansions.
My great-grandmother lived in Charleston, so I went there as a little girl. A beautiful place! If you could have a conversation with anyone—dead or alive—who would it be?
Charles II of England. He was banished when his father was executed by Oliver Cromwell, but in 1660, he was restored to the throne by invitation. His court was known for being rowdy and a bit lascivious.
If you could step inside any book or series and live there for a week, which would you choose?
Probably either Game of Thrones or Outlander.
If a fairy godmother appeared and offered you one thing—anything at all—what would you request?
Enough money to live very comfortably for the rest of my life and have more left to will to my sons.
That’s a wish I share! Now, it’s time to learn some of your favorites…
Sound: The purr of Jaguar E-type exhausts.
Eye color: Blue
Foreign language (whether or not you speak it!): French
Song: “Phantom of the Opera”
Book: Fever Dream by George R.R. Martin
Movie: The Libertine with Johnny Depp
TV show: Game of Thrones
Cuisine: Indian
Cookie: Macadamia
US location: Charleston, SC
Foreign location: Yorkshire, UK, where my son lives.
I love that area of England and long to go back one day. Most of my upcoming release, Night of the Owl, takes place there! Okay…last but not least, list your preference from the following choices:
Tea or coffee? Coffee
Cake or pie? Cake
Halloween or Christmas? Hard choice.
I know; I love them both. Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes? Neither.
Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters? Jane Austen
A mortal, vampire, ghost, or fae for a lover? mortal
English gent, Scottish highlander, European count, or all-American guy? English lord
Thanks so much for joining me today, Linda. Best of luck with Sinners’ Opera! Now, here’s the scoop on the book:
Morgan D’Arcy is an English lord, a classical pianist, and a vampire. He has everything except what he desires most—Isabeau. As the Angel Gabriel he’s steered her life and career choice, preparing her to become Lady D’Arcy. Many forces oppose Morgan’s daring plan—not the least of which is Vampyre law.
Isabeau Gervase is a brilliant geneticist Though she no longer believes in angels, she sees a ticket to a Nobel Prize in Gabriel’s secrets—secrets that have led her to a startling conclusion. Gabriel isn’t human, and she fully intends to identify the species she named the Angel Genome. Morgan is ready to come back into Isabeau’s life, but this time as a man not an angel. Will he outsmart his enemies, protect his beloved and escape death himself? For the first time in eternity, the clock is ticking.
A peek between the pages:
“Run, Mary,” I panted, shoving her. “For God’s sake, run.”
Her hands branded my shoulders. Need coursed through me.
Her brow puckered. “How did you know my name?”
“You look like a Mary,” I gasped, trying to crawl away. “Bloody hell, run, woman.”
Saliva broke beneath my tongue. My heart thundered like a cavalry charge. Fever stung my veins. Instinct twisted me around to face my salvation and my damnation. My lips parted to reveal the one unmistakable characteristic of my kind.
“Fangs.” She recoiled, clutching her cross. “Lord Jesus, save me from this demon.”
I knelt in front of my savior, bowed my head over her heaving breasts to touch the cross to my lips. “Too late to run, too late to hide, and Mary dearest, your cross won’t save you.”
I held her gaze, a slow smile parting my lips. Her eyes clouded, jaw slackening. Too weak to command my more esoteric powers, I could still mesmerize my prey. It was just too bloody easy. Vampires are the perfect predators. But I had a choice. Didn’t I?
“What’s your name?” She inhaled a long, slow breath, toying with my hair. “You’re as beautiful as an angel.”
Another wave of misery broke over me. She wasn’t the only one who thought I looked like an angel.
Once, the woman I love—the woman who didn’t love me—believed I was an angel.
“My name is Morgan.” I couldn’t bring myself to say my second name, an angel’s name.
Mary ran her finger down my cheek. “Pretty name, Morgan.”
So simply, the seductive dance that would end in death began.
Buy the book:
More about Linda:
After 14 years in Texas, Linda just returned home to her roots in South Carolina. She has seven published novels, five of which are available from Audible.com in audio. Breeding and showing Andalusians, she’s seen a lot of this country from the windshield of a truck pulling a horse trailer. She has won several writing awards, including the Georgia Romance Writers’ Magnolia Award and the SARA Merritt. She retired from a career as a legal assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center to write full time.
She has 2 wonderful sons—one in Texas; one in England—and 4 equally marvelous grandchildren.
She enjoys dressing up and hosting formal dinner parties!
Where to find her:
Web Site – Visit and look around. There’s a free continuing vampire story.
Blog – Lots of interesting guests & prizes.
Vampire Morgan D’Arcy has everything except what he most desires…a woman he has loved since the day she was born…Isabeau.
Judith Sterling 
Thank you for the fun interview, Judith, and for hosting me today on your blog.
Anytime, Linda! It’s lovely to have you here. 🙂
The next story sounds as good as this one. I think you could write a hundred stories about Morgan’s life. Good luck, Linda.
Thanks for stopping by, Sandra! 🙂
Thank you, Sandra! I think I could. He is a powerful character and tries to take over the hero in other stories!
So nice getting to know you better!
Thanks so much for joining us, Jennifer! 🙂
Thank you, Jennifer. I appreciate your visit!
Great interview, ladies!! Linda I had to smile at your ‘purple prose’ comment. I can recall one of my professors once “mentioned” that on one of my stories. 🙂 Good luck with Sinner’s Opera 🙂
Thanks so much for joining us, Barb! 🙂
I’ve been accused or purple prose–have to fight it. I’m glad to know I have company. Thank you for dropping by.