April Holthaus: Heart in the Highlands
Please welcome today April Holthaus, whose book Heart of the Highlands: The Wolf will be released January 8 2017.
1.How long have you been writing and what got you started?
I have always loved writing ever since I was in high school. I used to write short stories and poems to express my feelings, but never shared any of them with anyone. It wasn’t until 2012 that I actually began writing my first novel, The Honor of a Highlander. At the time when I started writing, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from it and I certainly did not think I would ever get it published. After writing the book, I had several people critique it for me and encouraged me to get it published.
After befriending many indie authors through Facebook, many of them offered advice and gave me direction as to how to go about the self-publishing process. And on September 22, 2013, The Honor of a Highlander, was live on Amazon for the world to read.
As you can imagine, it was the most terrifying day of my life, but I was a newbie and never thought I’d sell more than 10 copies and maybe get a 3 star review. Then by October, it hit the Top 100 best-selling books on Amazon. I was in shock, but most importantly, it gave me the motivation I needed to keep writing. And now over the past 3 years, I have published 7 books just writing part time!
2. Congratulations! That's a great accomplishment! Many of your books are, like my Blue Bells Chronicles, are set in Scotland. What drew you to Scotland?
All my life, I’ve had an obsession with Ireland, as my great-grandparents came from Ireland to America in the early 1900s. From there I developed a love for anything and everything Celtic which then drew me to Highlanders and Vikings. I have read hundreds of Medieval-era romances and I always found the “Highland Hero” to be the perfect hero. Much different than English Knights, to me, they represented honor in the most sincere and passionate way. They fought for land, king, country, and love. They lived fiercely, loved fiercely, died fiercely, and that is how I wanted my heroes to be in my stories.
3.What eras are your books set in, and what drew you to those particular times?
My books range from 1350’s-1550’s. The Medieval era I like is the most romantic, yet fascinating time period. Think of the lives they must have lived, and the challenges they faced. They struggled, but persevered.
4.Yes! And I think that's a compelling message for us today. Niall, in my book The Water is Wide, makes the comment to Shawn from the modern age, that our lives are easy and we expect them to be easier yet. They knew how to handle tough times in ways many people no longer do.
Your books tend to have paranormal or fantastical elements--a 700 year old ghost, Merlin, a dragon, the fae. What inspired you to write in this genre?
True story…I get, I’d say, about 95% of my book ideas while either in the shower or taking a bath…I don’t know why. I’d like to think that it is because it is the only place in the house where I get 5 minutes of alone time. (I have a 2 ½ year old)
My book, Legend of the Fae, I came up with the idea after seeing an image of a sorcerer someone had posted on Facebook earlier that day. As the Fae are Scottish mythical creatures, I began playing around with ideas about this woman’s back story and came up with an evil fae queen. I was going to write Legends as a dark fantasy, but turned it more into a romance as that is kind of my niche. I have yet to write the second half of that saga, which will end in a fierce battle. Many lives will be lost. I will also be introducing new characters, such as a dragon and other mythical creatures as well.
5.Tell us about the research that goes into each book.
Research…my favorite word. I actually love doing research. I started when I took on the task of researching my family tree, which I now use in my spare time to help others explore their family history as well. As I am a huge history-buff, I have purchased books, googled everything I can find about the eras I write in, and use a ton of sticky notes!
With each book, once I settle on the time frame, characters, and plot, I start researching the events of that year to make sure they coincide with my story. Generally, I want the history to be as factual as possible. I make a time line of events, research the battles, the royals of that time, and even the geography. I have even researched how long it takes a horse to travel from one destination to the other to make it as realistic as possible. As with all historical books, whether fiction or not, you want to generally be as historically accurate as possible.
6. I'm with you on the research, including horse travel time. I wish Google maps would add that to their choices of travel mode! Are your stories set in real or fictional locations/castles?
Both. As I mentioned above, I try to be as historically accurate as possibly when it comes to the clans history, but there have been a few occasions when I have made up a name of a town/castle/clan.
7. Same here. I based Glenmirril, Niall's home on Urquhart. Knowing the history of Urquhart itself too well, I just couldn't bring myself to take it over, so to speak, and write a 'wrong' history of it. What is your favorite, or most interesting thing, you've learned about Scotland in the course of writing your books?
Scotland is rich in legends and traditions. One in particular is Clan MacLeod. They have heirlooms that have been passed down for centuries, such as the Fairy Flag, the Dunvegan Cup and Sir Rory Mor’s horn. These are items that had been “inherited” by either a great battle or a gift that was crafted just for them and the clan had created new traditions for each one. They hold their traditions with very high value.
8. I went to Dunvegan on my first trip to Scotland. The story of the Fairy Flag is truly amazing! Now, because one of your series is set in the time of Robert the Bruce, I have to set all seriousness aside here and get to the vitally important question: the Bruce or James Douglas?
The Bruce of course!
9. Oh thank goodness we won't have to fight over James! Have you been to Scotland? If so, what was your favorite experience there? If not, what is the place you most hope to visit?
I have not, but am planning a trip as soon as my son is a little older. He is only 2 ½ and this momma has a hard time leaving him for 2-3 days. If and when I go to Scotland, I would like to spend a good week or so there to be able to really take in all the sights and leaving him so young for so long would be extremely hard on both me and him!
Thank you, April, for being here today! Where can readers find you?
April is offering a free e-copy to one lucky reader! Please leave a comment to be entered.
Rylan has spent most of his life keeping his identity secret, even from those he loves. But in order to secure his future, he has to face his past. On the run as an outlaw, trying to clear his name, Ryland comes across a woman whom he discovers has dark secrets of her own.
Living a simple life with her young son, nothing seemed as if it could go wrong, until a Highland drifter shows up on her doorstep, dragging her into his world of chaos and deception. Fallon finds herself at a crossroads that may impact both of their lives.
As secrets become exposed, will Fallon choose the right path to change her life, and will it be enough to save Ryland from the noose?
Heart of the Highlands: The Wolf is the second installment of the Protectors of the Crown series. For hundreds of years, Scotland has battled the English for their freedom. Now, they face a new enemy. In a divided world between politics and religion, the young King James V faces the threat of his own people rebelling against him. As civil war breaks out among the Highland clans, James recruits a secret group of warriors for protection. He calls them the Protectors of the Crown.
This series follows a group of five warriors who live their lives protecting king and country. The historical setting is Scotland 1537-1538 during the reign of James V of Scotland.
The third book, Heart of the Highlands: The Dragon will be released summer 2017.
Currently, the first book, Heart of the Highlands The Beast is ON SALE for only $.99! It was a 2015 RONE award nominee.
1.How long have you been writing and what got you started?
I have always loved writing ever since I was in high school. I used to write short stories and poems to express my feelings, but never shared any of them with anyone. It wasn’t until 2012 that I actually began writing my first novel, The Honor of a Highlander. At the time when I started writing, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from it and I certainly did not think I would ever get it published. After writing the book, I had several people critique it for me and encouraged me to get it published.
After befriending many indie authors through Facebook, many of them offered advice and gave me direction as to how to go about the self-publishing process. And on September 22, 2013, The Honor of a Highlander, was live on Amazon for the world to read.
As you can imagine, it was the most terrifying day of my life, but I was a newbie and never thought I’d sell more than 10 copies and maybe get a 3 star review. Then by October, it hit the Top 100 best-selling books on Amazon. I was in shock, but most importantly, it gave me the motivation I needed to keep writing. And now over the past 3 years, I have published 7 books just writing part time!
2. Congratulations! That's a great accomplishment! Many of your books are, like my Blue Bells Chronicles, are set in Scotland. What drew you to Scotland?
All my life, I’ve had an obsession with Ireland, as my great-grandparents came from Ireland to America in the early 1900s. From there I developed a love for anything and everything Celtic which then drew me to Highlanders and Vikings. I have read hundreds of Medieval-era romances and I always found the “Highland Hero” to be the perfect hero. Much different than English Knights, to me, they represented honor in the most sincere and passionate way. They fought for land, king, country, and love. They lived fiercely, loved fiercely, died fiercely, and that is how I wanted my heroes to be in my stories.
3.What eras are your books set in, and what drew you to those particular times?
My books range from 1350’s-1550’s. The Medieval era I like is the most romantic, yet fascinating time period. Think of the lives they must have lived, and the challenges they faced. They struggled, but persevered.
4.Yes! And I think that's a compelling message for us today. Niall, in my book The Water is Wide, makes the comment to Shawn from the modern age, that our lives are easy and we expect them to be easier yet. They knew how to handle tough times in ways many people no longer do.
Your books tend to have paranormal or fantastical elements--a 700 year old ghost, Merlin, a dragon, the fae. What inspired you to write in this genre?
True story…I get, I’d say, about 95% of my book ideas while either in the shower or taking a bath…I don’t know why. I’d like to think that it is because it is the only place in the house where I get 5 minutes of alone time. (I have a 2 ½ year old)
My book, Legend of the Fae, I came up with the idea after seeing an image of a sorcerer someone had posted on Facebook earlier that day. As the Fae are Scottish mythical creatures, I began playing around with ideas about this woman’s back story and came up with an evil fae queen. I was going to write Legends as a dark fantasy, but turned it more into a romance as that is kind of my niche. I have yet to write the second half of that saga, which will end in a fierce battle. Many lives will be lost. I will also be introducing new characters, such as a dragon and other mythical creatures as well.
5.Tell us about the research that goes into each book.
Research…my favorite word. I actually love doing research. I started when I took on the task of researching my family tree, which I now use in my spare time to help others explore their family history as well. As I am a huge history-buff, I have purchased books, googled everything I can find about the eras I write in, and use a ton of sticky notes!
With each book, once I settle on the time frame, characters, and plot, I start researching the events of that year to make sure they coincide with my story. Generally, I want the history to be as factual as possible. I make a time line of events, research the battles, the royals of that time, and even the geography. I have even researched how long it takes a horse to travel from one destination to the other to make it as realistic as possible. As with all historical books, whether fiction or not, you want to generally be as historically accurate as possible.
6. I'm with you on the research, including horse travel time. I wish Google maps would add that to their choices of travel mode! Are your stories set in real or fictional locations/castles?
Both. As I mentioned above, I try to be as historically accurate as possibly when it comes to the clans history, but there have been a few occasions when I have made up a name of a town/castle/clan.
7. Same here. I based Glenmirril, Niall's home on Urquhart. Knowing the history of Urquhart itself too well, I just couldn't bring myself to take it over, so to speak, and write a 'wrong' history of it. What is your favorite, or most interesting thing, you've learned about Scotland in the course of writing your books?
Scotland is rich in legends and traditions. One in particular is Clan MacLeod. They have heirlooms that have been passed down for centuries, such as the Fairy Flag, the Dunvegan Cup and Sir Rory Mor’s horn. These are items that had been “inherited” by either a great battle or a gift that was crafted just for them and the clan had created new traditions for each one. They hold their traditions with very high value.
8. I went to Dunvegan on my first trip to Scotland. The story of the Fairy Flag is truly amazing! Now, because one of your series is set in the time of Robert the Bruce, I have to set all seriousness aside here and get to the vitally important question: the Bruce or James Douglas?
The Bruce of course!
9. Oh thank goodness we won't have to fight over James! Have you been to Scotland? If so, what was your favorite experience there? If not, what is the place you most hope to visit?
I have not, but am planning a trip as soon as my son is a little older. He is only 2 ½ and this momma has a hard time leaving him for 2-3 days. If and when I go to Scotland, I would like to spend a good week or so there to be able to really take in all the sights and leaving him so young for so long would be extremely hard on both me and him!
Thank you, April, for being here today! Where can readers find you?
COMING SOON:
- January 28: I will co-host Food Freedom on AM 950 with Laura Hedlund and Karen Olson Johnson. Watch for details.
- I'll be reading and signing books February 10, 2017 at Magers and Quinn with Genny Kieley
CURRENTLY:
- There is currently a giveaway going on at my facebook page for a 252 piece puzzle of misty Glenmirril (aka Grant Tower at Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness.)
To learn more about my books, click on the images below.
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Kingdom without Castles by JR Tomlin, Braveheart: William Wallace by Eliza Knight or
other posts under the AUTHOR INTERVIEWS label
Kingdom without Castles by JR Tomlin, Braveheart: William Wallace by Eliza Knight or
other posts under the AUTHOR INTERVIEWS label
Thank you Laura for hosting my interview on your blog page!
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