Author interview - Nicola Beaumont

Today we have author Nicola Beaumont with us. Nicola has written several books including The Lighthouse which I am spotlighting today.

BLURB:

DANGEROUS LIAISON...

Rachel is in love with her best friend, but when Malachi doesn't seem interested, she turns to an international stranger whom she meets on the internet. At first, conversation is just a pastime, but soon, romantic fantasies form in her mind. Why not consider a man who travels across an ocean to meet her-a man who makes her feel wanted? After all, Malachi might as well be a world away-even if his concern does seem genuine when he warns her about the intriguing Frenchman.

RESCUE ON THE WAY... Malachi has sworn not to interfere in Rachel's relationship, but he's in love with the head-strong woman who is determined to continue her budding romance...Yet, Malachi senses something isn't right about the playboy who has suddenly consumed Rachel's time, so he vows to save her from the stranger-and herself-even if it means losing her forever.

My Review:

5 stars

A thrilling read from cover to cover, the story of unrequited love between Malachi and Rachel is told in a wonderful mix of flashbacks and real time. The characters are so real and vivid I found myself wanting to bash their heads together on more than one occasion.

There is enough tension and emotion in this story to keep the reader riveted to the pages. A wonderful story to curl up with on a dark evening.

Buy link

On to the interview…

Are there any fun tid-bits about this story you can share with us?

This story came to me when I was looking at stock photos. I found a very cool picture of a lighthouse and I wanted to use it on a cover, so I decided I needed to write a story to go with it. Ironically, I did not end up using that photo. By the time the story was finished, the photo didn’t fit it.

How did you decide on the setting?

Since I knew ahead of time that I wanted to involve a lighthouse, I knew the setting had to be coastal. Although, I never name the setting in the story, I did use Oregon as a guideline. . .thank you Google Earth.

Where were you born?

In Chiswick. (London, England)

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Not sure where I’d actually live permanently. I wouldn’t mind spending a bit of time in Scotland just looking at scenery and listening to people speak. I do love a Scottish brogue.

What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you or you witnessed that made you laugh so hard you couldn’t catch your breath? I have an odd sense of humour (many often don’t get it), so really anything can set me to laughing that hard. Sometimes, it’s just the way someone looks at me.

That’s just the English sense of humour. No one gets mine either

What hidden talent do you possess outside of writing... something you do for fun, but are good at?

I’m really good at irritating people. If I could figure out a way to generate income from it, I’d be a millionaire. I do it all the time without even trying, and I can even do it in my sleep. It’s a gift.

Something else we have in common lol

What music groups/artists blast from your CD player while you write?

While I’m writing initially, if there’s music on at all, it’s probably Mozart or Beethoven. If I’m reworking scenes, it’s probably Kutless or Kutless…unless it’s Kutless.

What are you most passionate about, other than writing?

Truth and justice. And my most beloved Jesus.

Name some of your most favourite things.

Raindrops on roses. Whiskers on kittens. :) I actually do like those things, but music and books are neck-and-neck in the absolute favourite department. I also love Colorado in autumn when the leaves are changing. It’s just a beautiful display of God’s awesome creation.

What got you interested in writing?

I read a category romance novel and thought, “I could write one of these easy.” I was wrong, by the way. Not as easy as it appears, and I have plenty of those first and embarrassing manuscripts to prove it. Sometimes I think about having submitted the absolute drivel I wrote in the beginning, and I still cringe with embarrassment. But, learning to write is a process.

What advice would you give a new writer just starting out?

Don’t give up, but don’t be impatient, either. It takes a lot of hard work and time to hone writing skills. Learn to understand plotting, characterization, how to pull emotion out of a reader. It’s not about throwing together a string of sentences and “telling” a story. It’s about weaving an alternate reality that makes a reader want to be there. Being able to do that takes inherent talent, learned skill, and then some Providence.

What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

Conflict and characterization. It’s almost terrible to say it, but if a book is rife with believable conflict and is alive with memorable, emotive characters, the rest of the plot won’t matter much. Readers will flock to that book.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Actually sitting down to write. Ideas flow like mad, but actually taking the time to formulate a viable piece of fiction is sometimes the hardest thing. –There’s a tid-bit of advice for aspiring writers: Actually write, even if it’s not good and polished. Start a manuscript and finish it.

What do you do in your spare time? (Assuming you have any ;-) )

Ha-ha-ha. I sleep in my spare time.

Do you hate how you look in pictures?

I wouldn’t say “hate,” but there are very few pics of me for a reason.

You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be?

I wouldn’t erase anything. Even the horrible experiences helped to make me the person I am today. I may not be the best person, but who knows what I would be without everything that’s come before. “Worse” is always a possibility.

When you looked in the mirror this morning, what was the first thing you thought?

I didn’t think anything. I just ran away screaming.

What were you doing at midnight last night?

You have to ask? I was reading. :) And I probably had some music on, too.

Have you ever eaten a crayon?

I don’t think so, but I’ve eaten some food that made me wonder if I’d eaten a crayon, and yes, I was the cook.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?

Rattlesnake. Made me wish I’d eaten a crayon.

What is your heritage?

Heinz 57 Variety

Have you ever cried during a movie?

Of course not…except for those times when I did.

Do you sleep with the light on?

Only when I forget to turn it off.

If you could see anyone tomorrow (dead or alive), who would it be?

There are so many. I’d like to have a long conversation with St. John, the beloved apostle. Tomorrow, though, I’d like to see my kids and grandkids. They live very far away.

Nicola’s bio:

Nicola is first and foremost, a Christian. Without Christ, she would be nothing else. Secondly, she is a wife and mother. Finally, she is a lover of books and music, and so had no choice but to create both. Born in England to an English mother and an American father, Nicola spent much of her childhood outside of the United States. Now she resides in the Southwest, in a 100 year-old house that provides great ambiance for writing and composing.

Visit Nicola

Check out her other titles http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/.

Right now her book Hyacinths in Winter is on sale.