Katherine Bone Reporting for Duty!
Author Spotlight Wednesday is going rogue. Thar be pirates afoot! Novelist Katherine Bone confesses to a serious infatuation with Captain Jack Sparrow, so you can imagine what that leads to! After seeing Katherine’s name frequently in the two historical RWA groups we both belong to, we finally met in 2012 at the RWA conference in Anaheim. Again in 2013 we connected, and thanks to the ease of Facebook and other social media we have established a friendship. I am delighted to welcome Katherine to my blog. Her warmth and wit comes through in every question’s answer! I loved reading her responses, and know you will to.
Katherine Bone has been passionate about all things historical since she was an Army brat traveling all over the world. Initially, she dreamed of being an artist, but when she met and fell in love with Prince Charming, her own dashing Lieutenant vowing duty, honor, and country, she found herself saying, “I do.” Whisked away to Army bases, castles, battlegrounds, and cathedrals, where tales of swashbuckling adventure filled the lonely gaps when the Army called Charming away, Katherine’s imagination took flight. No longer nomadic, she calls the south home and spends most of her time daydreaming about Charming and heroes of yesteryear.
Visit Katherine at the following places~
Website: www.katherinebone.com
Blog: Rogues, Rebels, & Rakes
Facebook Fan Page
Twitter @katherinelbone
Amazon Author Page
Goodreads
Pinterest
email: [email protected]
Katherine Bone’s latest release is My Lord Rogue, a Nelson’s Tea novella ~
Gillian Chauncey, Baroness Chauncey, is a master of disguise, trained by her expatriated husband, a former French royalist, in the arts of espionage. When a dangerous life or death secret lands in her lap, she’s thrust into a perilous world of ticking clocks and desperation, arrowing her directly into the arms of the man who arranged her marriage.
Lord Simon Danbury is no ordinary nobleman. He’s been tasked by Admiral Nelson to organize an elite group of clandestine first sons willing to sacrifice all to protect England’s shores. When an assassination attempt is made on Nelson, Simon isn’t sure what poses more danger, the enemy or the masterfully seductive Gillian.
Katherine Bone: Thank you so much for allowing me access to your port of call today, Lady Sharon! I’m reporting for duty!
Sharon Lathan: It is my great pleasure to have you here, Katherine! I would try for a nautical or pirate metaphor but know I would flub up so shall leave that to you! For this Guest Author Spotlight I am mixing the serious author-type questions/answers amid the fun ones, and I am beginning with Katherine’s “Off the Cuff” responses for a hint of the woman to be revealed in the interview. Katherine is also offering a $10 Amazon gift card for one lucky commenter!
~ An Interview with Katherine Bone ~
Tea or Coffee
Chick Flick or Mystery
Beach or Mountains
Porsche or Silverado
Dog or Cat
Hobbit or Elf
Sunlight or Rain
Waffles or Pancakes
Optimist or Pessimist
Target or Nordstrom
Star Wars or Star Trek
Wallflower or Life of the Party
Summer or Winter
Christmas or Halloween
Paperback or Kindle
Trivial Pursuit or Charades
Facebook or Twitter
Daisy or Rose
Salad or French Fries
Apartment or House
Survivor or American Idol
Beer or Wine
Edward or Jacob
Forgive or Get Even
Cake or Pie
Leather or Lace
High Maintenance or Easy Breezy
Q – When did you begin writing?
A – I’ve always written poetry, but in 1992 we got our first computer and suddenly access to research was at my fingertips. It was then I decided to write my first romance novel, a post Civil War Western. Because I was raising four children under 8 years old at the time, I wrote sporadically for several years before seriously pursuing writing when my youngest was finally in High School.
Q – Who are your writing inspirations? Which authors influence your story choices or literary style?
A – I’ve always been inspired by Kathleen Woodiwiss, Julie Garwood, Johanna Lindsey, Rosemary Rogers, Fern Michaels and Elizabeth Lowell. These days I’m inspired by the authors I meet, specifically Shana Galen, Katharine Ashe, and Rachel Van Dyken! I have to note that Shana Galen is my guest author next Wednesday, and she will be talking about bad-boy pirates too!
Q – What was your first published novel?
A – DUKE BY DAY, ROGUE BY NIGHT, Book One in my Nelson’s Tea Series
Q – Are you traditionally published, independent, or a hybrid?
A – I was first published with Crimson Romance but after a parting of ways have relaunched my first book, DUKE BY DAY, ROGUE BY NIGHT with EsKape Press.
Q – What is your most difficult writing challenge on a daily basis?
A – My most difficult challenge these days is getting my word count in and writing every day. My mother lives with us and that offers different challenges. And our oldest daughter moved home with her 17 month old son after going through a terrible divorce. We’re helping her get back on her feet, but having a toddler around will take some adjusting. 😉
Q – What are your favorite books to read?
A – I’m attracted to books with action/adventure romance. I have a soft spot for Historicals, of course, especially pirate romance. When I venture out of my own genre, I’ll read paranormal and contemporary romance.
Q – Do you have any favorite TV shows?
A – I’m a sucker for shows that offer a bit of paranormal plot. Shows like: Sleepy Hollow, Dracula, The Vampire Diaries, Penny Dreadful, Grimm, Downton Abbey, Turn, The Dome, The 100, Revenge, Once Upon a Time, The Originals, Mystery at the Museum, and Ancient Aliens. I am SO totally hooked on Sleepy Hollow and Once Upon a Time! Better check out some of these others. Thanks for the suggestions, Kathy!
Q – Do you have a favorite place you have traveled to?
A – I love to go to Cancun, Mexico, and sit at the beach with the sand between my toes. Or vacation at the Gulf in Alabama and Florida. My ultimate favorite thing to do is visit battlefields!
Q – If you could meet any person living or dead, who would it be and why?
A – I’d want to meet Admiral Horatio Nelson and Lady Emma Hamilton! In a time when scandal meant the end to reputation and a place amongst the ton, these two lovers shrugged their shoulders at public convention and shared a deep passion no one understood.
Q – You are forced to live on a desert island for six months. Food and bare survival equipment will be provided but that is all. You can take one person and five items to relieve the boredom and enhance the experience. Who is the person and what are the items? Why?
A – I would take my rogue with me, of course! Along with him, I’d carry me pirate effects: a genie in a bottle who would grant my every wish, a bottomless barrel of rum, a compass that points to what I want most, a parrot for added amusement, and finally… an endless supply of chocolate! (Pirate!)
Q – Do you have a favorite quote or inspirational saying?
A – Winston Churchill’s “Never, never, never, never, never give up.”
Q – Do you have a favorite character or two amongst the many you have created?
A – Picking a favorite character is hard, but I would have to say that I’m partial to Admiral Horatio Nelson! What a man! He was contrary, but honorable and just to the tars who served under him. His vigor after losing sight in his right eye and losing his right arm is astounding. And yet, he was fallible. Honor, duty, country, never better served than in the example the Immortal Nelson left behind at Trafalgar.
Q – Was the first book you wrote published, or is it still lying in forgotten shame under your bed?
A – The first book I wrote, that post Civil War Western, is under the bed after four attempts to rewrite the entire book. What was once a straight historical became a post Civil War Western Paranormal in its fourth incarnation. Some day… I think you would create a whole new genre with that one. Sounds fabulous!
Q – Have you learned to deal with the negativity, especially in reviews, or does it still bother you greatly?
A – Negativity always goes against the grain, doesn’t it? My writing journey has been long and hard. I had to learn the ins and outs of writing romance by myself for ten years. How did I do that? I read how-to writing books, subscribed to writing magazines, and read, read, read. It wasn’t until I joined my first writing chapter that everything began to click. That’s when I started submitting again to agents/editors/contests and that’s when the rejections started to pour in. On the one hand, I can look back and say that those times helped me develop a thicker skin. On the other, much of what I was told or shown only served to hold me back. The greatest advice I can give any aspiring author is to follow your gut. Sometimes your book is ahead of its time. “Never, never, never, never, never give up!” ~ Winston Churchill. “Believe to receive!” ~ me (It’s not the other way around, “Receive to believe”. Believe in yourself and your books will succeed!)
Q – Do you have a strict writing schedule and process, or does it vary all the time? Are there certain “must haves” to get the muse properly inspired?
A – It’s best to get into the habit of writing every day. Stephen King writes in “One Writing” that if it takes you longer than 90 days to write a novel, you lose the passion for it. I’m not sure I agree with SK completely but what he says makes a lot of sense. When you don’t write every day, you lose the feel for the story and therefore have to go back and read through it in order to move forward. As for a “must have”? I must either have quiet in order to get myself back into the past or I listen to Baroque music, which really helps motivate my muse.
Q – Do you plot your stories carefully, let the story flow organically as the characters speak to you, or something in between?
A – In the beginning, my brainstorming partner, M.V. Freeman, and I muddle through plot ideas. Then as I’m writing, we’ll meet for tea and discuss where we are, if we’re meeting our goals, and whether or not we need to get the muse going again. Having a brainstorming partner I trust has made all the difference in my writing career.
Q – Do you have any phobias?
A – A constant fear that undead monkeys will take over the world. 😉 Do psychologists have a name for this phobia? LOL!
Q – Do you have any particular talents?
A – Aye, matey. I speak pirate! I can verify that this is true! To the right is Katherine in pirate wench garb at the 2013 RWA. I completely did not recognize her!
Q – What is your writing environment like?
A – I write in my study, surrounded by bookcases filled with research books, stacks of research paperwork, pirate paraphernalia, while listening to Baroque music. Woot!!!
Q – If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
A – I’ve always said, if I could have one superpower I’d have the power of healing. I’m all about bringing on the positive. What bigger bang can you get for your buck if you are the catalyst for healing someone and helping someone live a better life? That’s what I hope my stories bring to those who read them: escape, adventure, and happiness. I love this, Katherine! A hearty AMEN!
Q – Who was your first celebrity crush? Did you have posters of him all over your bedroom walls?
A – I admit to having posters of Donny Osmond and Michael Jackson all over my room. And there might have been a bit of Bobby Sherman and Davy Jones thrown in for good measure. 😉
Q – If you had a time machine, where would you go? Would you live there or just visit for a while?
A – This is just too hard to narrow down. There are so many things I wish I could see, and then I think of the blood, guts, and lack of sanitation, and change my mind. But if I could, I’d want to hear the sounds of war at Trafalgar. I’d attend a play or opera at Drury Lane, or sit in the House of Lords and listen to a debate of local politics. I’d want to witness the reading of Collingwood’s dispatch about Nelson’s death, and Andrew Jackson’s and Jean Laffite’s agreement to join forces to save New Orleans. And oh! so many, many more…
Q – If you could bring one of your characters to life to hang out with and be your BFF, which one would it be and why?
A – Love this question! If I wasn’t married, I’d want Lord Simon Danbury to be my very close to me. He’s a man capable of doing anything, but his honor is what melts my heart. If I had to choose someone else, I’d choose Lady Adele Seaton, aka Captain Belle, from book two in my Nelson’s Tea Series, THE ROGUE’S PRIZE. Adele isn’t afraid of going after what she wants and like me, tends to get into trouble sometimes. It would be great fun going on an adventure with her!
Q – Do you feel your novels have a “message” or particular point within them? Or do you write more for entertaining fun?
A – If I narrowed down the feel for “message” in my books it would be “empowerment”. I’m mesmerized by societal limitations for women during the Regency. There is beauty in tradition, don’t get me wrong, but what I like to do is take a heroine who’s been raised in that confined society, throw her into turmoil, and see her gain a sense of empowerment as she accepts the adventure she’s forced to take, while straddling social mores. Woot!!! Fabulous! Indeed I believe this is what makes all romance amazing as a genre.
Q – Describe your author brand.
A – Rogues, Rebels & Rakes in Romance
Q – Do you have beta readers and/or critique partners? Or are you a lone wolf writer?
A – Earlier, I mentioned my brainstorming partner M.V. Freeman. As an Urban Fantasy/Paranormal author, M.V. loves to read historical romance, but she brings to the table a more active action/adventure plethora of ideas that really spur my imagination. LOVE working with her! Our ideas really play off of each other in very cool ways.
Q – What is the weirdest food you have ever eaten?
A – Brussel Sprouts! I swear they are pods from Invasion of the Body Snatchers!!! I beg to differ, my dear: egg plant are the pods from Invasion of the Body Snatchers. *gag!
Q – Give us five words that best describe who you are.
A – Simple. Practical. Visionary. Integrity. Honest.
Q – What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A – Being surrounded by my loved ones on vacation at the beach without concern for safety, time, or getting dehydrated and sun burnt! 😉
Q – Who are your three favorite fictional heroes?
A – Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre, Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice, and Rhett Butler from Gone With The Wind. All of these men embody the alpha male in need of the one woman who can heal them! Ditto 🙂
Q – How greatly do your life experiences and the people you have known influence your novels? Do you write characters based on people you have known? Have you ever killed off a character based on a real person?
A – This is a very cool question! I’d have to say that the people we know show us a collective character base. While that resonates within us, we can take this montage of emotion/action/behavior to the next level, but more importantly show the consequences of a character’s actions better than real life often does. Authors can make the weak strong, the strong weak, etc… I love that I get to play around with characters! I LOVE this answer!!
Q – Tell us what is next on your writer’s agenda.
A – I’ve got a full year ahead, m’lady! Plans to relaunch THE ROGUE’S PRIZE, Book Two in my Nelson’s Tea Series, are underway. MY LADY ROGUE, the sequel to MY LORD ROGUE, A Nelson’s Tea Novella, will be out late this summer. And I’ve got a new Paranormal Regency novella series set to release later this year. THE ROGUE’S SURRENDER, Book Three in my Nelson’s Tea Series, will be an early 2015 release. AND I’m relaunching my contemporary book too, with a new title and branding. Huzzah!!!
Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Lady Sharon!!! It’s been a pleasure! Wishing you calm seas and fair winds!!!
I shall accept those wishes, Captain Katherine! Thank you for being here, and for graciously offering a prize to one lucky commenter. Ask Katherine anything, or share your favorite pirate novel or character. A $10 Amazon gift card is up for grabs!
Excellent interview ladies! I do love a great pirate story. (Add me in with those who still want full length novels over novellas.)
Excellent news, Lady Glenda! I’m always eager to hear what readers want.
Here be a few questions for ye: Tall or level? Blonde or brunette? Sexy or sweet? 😉
What a fun interview! Great comments too.
Katherine, two weeks ago my husband and I were in San Diego, California and happened to stop at Balboa Park Museum of Natural History. They have an actual pirate treasure on display. The last humans to see and handle the bounty were pirates in 1717. Pirate Captain Sam Bellamy was at the helm. It is a traveling exhibition hosted by the National Geographic Society. You would enjoy the ambiance, the artifacts, and the story. Hardy har har!
So, my question is, why pirates?
Sharon, you seemed to get much enjoyment from the questions and answers. What is it about pirates that intrigues you too?
Thanks for the comments and the giveaway.
Ahoy, Lady Joy Dawn!!! I am so envious of you seeing true pirate treasure, m’lady. Wowzer! I would so love to be close to that piece of eight. Woot!!! Cap’n Bellamny was a well-dressed buck. Hard on the tars though. 😉
So ye ask why pirates, eh? Well, the magnificent thing about pirates is they are free from societal conventions, free to choose what they want and don’t want to do. They are free to rove, to follow any dream. They take what they want and leave the rest. Yeeaauuss! Love the sense of justice some pirates had and morality other men lacked. They were a melting pot of nationalities living in close confines. You carried your weight or you were done. Love. Love. Love! Add Regency morales and traditions, simmer on low, and go!
Didn’t think I could hold in my enthusiasm. Buahahahaha!
Captain’s Lady Bone,
What a hoot and a half you be! I had t’move me eyepatch t’wipe me tears. Ye be funnin’ w’ the ol’ salts me thinks!
Joy, Second Mate – Queen Anne’s Revenge
(In actual fact my husband was a sea captain for 21 years, sailing from the top of Alaska to Central America, the east coast of Russia to the South Pacific islands. I love the sea.)
Ahoy Second Matey Joy! Ye speak good pirate, wench!!! And ye be kin to a true tar. Aye, ye be worth your salt in a pinch. You’re welcome aboard ship any time!!! 🙂
Aye, aye, ma’am.
I apologize for taking so long to respond here, Lady Sharon! I’d like to announce that random.org selected J “Joy” Dawn King as the winner of my $10 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway. Sharon, if you’ll send me J’s email addy, I’ll get her giftie to her right away. Thanks again for inviting me and Jack to play!!! 😉
Why shiver me timbers, Capt’n Bone. I’ll just be fillin’ me jug w’the demon rum and join the scurvy lot at the next port-a-call. Garrrrrrrrrrr….. A tipp’n me hat to ya Capt’n. Thank ye!
Huzzah , Huzzah and Hoorah!!! Swashbuckling interview!
Pass the rum!
Great questions and fascinating answers.
Could have used a song or chant.
As a young child I was introduced to Treasure Island, along with Capt’n Hook
(in that great DOG book with that Peter Pan character) and a lifelong fascination took root.
Yer own books look a bit on the scandouls side – I loves that in a good read.
Like the wondrous movie Cutthroat Island.
Lady Sharon – me best to you as well, taking on two pirate wenches in a row!
YO hO Ho!
Aye, Lady Sharon is a strong seaworthy wench to be sure. She can handle us!!!
Ahoy, DogsMom!!! Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. Love Treasure Island! I’m also partial to Jake And the Neverland Pirates on Nickelodian right now, or is the Disney Channel? LOL!!! I’m training up me littliest pirate grandson to rove. Heehee!
As for Cutthroat Island… Well now, just so happens that’s part of the High Concept for book two in my Nelson’s Tea Series: Captain Horatio Hornblower meets Cutthroad Island. Yeeaauuss!!!
I enjoyed the interview with their questions. Ms. Bone I haven’t read any of your work. I’m not particularly into novellas, I prefer the longer-length novel. Your books sound wonderful. Thanks for sharing and I’m glad I stopped in today Sharon Lathan. Very unexpected the pairing of you two!
Ahoy, Lady Eileen!!! Thanks for dropping by today. I love hearing what readers prefer, especially about characters and genres! MY LORD ROGUE is my first novella. Novellas seem to be the rage these days due to people having limited time to read, I guess. But what I really loved about writing a novella was being afforded the opportunity to delve into secondary characters who normally wouldn’t get their stories told otherwise. 😉
Unexpected pairing? Aye, who wouldn’t want to be paired up with the lovely Lady Sharon, eh? I’d love to see to Sharon on board ship dressed in her Regency finest. I’m green with envy, truth be told. She cuts a very fine Regency heroine!!!!
Now stop! I’m blushing!!
Huzzah and Hoorah!!! It’s great to sail into such a welcoming port, Lady Sharon!!! Thank you again for having me and for making me look great today! Woot!
My tremendous pleasure, my dear. I forecast a fun day ahead. We shall be raining handsome rogues if nothing else!
Oooh! Raining handsome rogues sounds like welcome golden treasure, to be sure!!! 😉
Lovely interview, Katherine! My favorite pirate (at least today) is Errol Flynn. Love his pirate movies!
Woohoo!!! Lady Shana in da house!!! 😉 (Such a fantastic pirate author! I wanna be like you when I grow up, Shana!)
I adore Errol Flynn and Tyrone Power… THE BEST pirates evah!!! I can watch Captain Blood and The Black Swan all day long!
Thanks for a fabulous interview Lady Sharon and Captain Katherine! I enjoyed reading your answers and enjoyed learning more about who you Katherine. You certainly have a big heart!
I love Sleepy Hollow too and in particular the gorgeous Tom Mison, he exudes so much old world charm 🙂
You have obviously thought a great deal about being marooned on a desert island, your choices are perfect! (I guess being a pirate you must be prepared)
I’m fascinated to know how you discovered Baroque music Katherine? That’s an unusual choice. I remember taking music elective in High school and first learning about the different periods of music.
I simply adore Mr Rochester!! Have either of you watched the adaptation of Jane Eyre with Timothy Dalton. He is Mr Rochester IMO. I have watched it so many times and I think I’m due to watch it again soon now that I mention it 😉 You have very good taste in men Katherine 😉 Mr Darcy a given and Rhett Butler swoon.
I am so naughty, I have three of your books on kindle and have yet to read one, however after hearing about why you love your characters, I am keen to start one of your novels very soon 🙂 As a matter of fact I wish I could give up work and read all of my books instead 🙂
Lady Vee!!! So good to see you here! Ye be making me blush. 😉
Shall I admit to a very strong affectation for Tom Mison? Aye, he’s so inspiring that he’s the basis for Lord Garrick Seaton, aka Captain Blade in book three of my pirate series. Le sigh…. (Channeling that cartoon where the woman yells, “A maannnn!!”
As to your question about Baroque music, I think my interest dates back to spending my early teen years in Germany and visiting so many cathedrals. In college, I took a great Humanities course as part of my Art Degree studies that really opened my eyes about the Medieval/Enlightenment period and encouraged my fascination with monks, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Rubins, and so forth. Soul stirring music!!!
As for Mr. Rochester, I have to admit my favorites are Toby Stephens and Michael Fassbender, the more updated versions. Isn’t the tortured hero so mesmerizing? I adore tortured heroes striving to do the right thing. Woot!
Woohoo I look forward to envisioning Tom as Lord Seaton!
Thanks for the amazing details about your teen adventures. I am interested in hearing some Baroque music,will put that on my to do list 🙂
Toby Stephens Is great as Mr Rochester, he is a wonderful actor. The main reason he’s not my favourite Mr Rochester is the sloppy kisses he gives Jane in the bedroom eww. Sorry I just can’t get past it 😉
Michael Fassbender is my modern favourite, he does the job very nicely as does our very own Aussie actress Mia Wasikowski. The version with William Hurt does not exist in my mind 😉
Looking forward to reading all of your books ( I actually have four of them on kindle) must read them soon 🙂
Thanks for the fun Capt’n xx
Hi Vee!! I have now introduced you to another Must-Read author! Cool 😉
I’m afraid I must cast my Mr. Rochester vote the same direction as Katherine. Tobey Stephens first (because I LOVE that version of Jane Eyre) and then Michael Fassbender who, lets be honest, is divine in anything! Now if Tom Mison took on the job of being Mr. Rochester in a new version, we would never need to watch anything else. LOL!
Haha I love finding more authors to follow and books to read! So much fun! Now I just need to retire to enjoy them all!
Jane Eyre with Toby is wonderfully done and both leads are fab, however as I mentioned above about that kissing scene. It just turns me off for some reason, too sloppy, too aggressive, not quite sure, it’s just weird!