February 14, 2014

Viking Fire by Andrea Cooper / Character Interview + Excerpt



Character Interview with Bram from Viking Fire

Please welcome, Bram. He is a Viking and recently married to Kaireen, a feisty Irish lass, who did not yield to his charms without a fight.

1.    What made you fall in love with Kaireen? It couldn’t have been her sweet words to you since she spent much of the book shoving you away.

Bram: It was seeing her in action before she knew I existed. I watched her playing with her niece. Even saw her concern of a bird, which had flown into one of the keep’s walls and knocked itself out. She had compassion and grace. I knew when she started resisting me (Bram puts hands behind his head and leans back) she was fighting herself in truth.

2.    What flaw (if any) did you have to overcome in yourself to win Kaireen?

Bram: I don’t have any flaws. (Grins). Well, at the advice of Elva, I had to stop trying to force Kaireen and let her make her decision. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I’d rather fight Jörmungandr, the midgard serpent.

3.    Are you and Kaireen better together? Why?

Bram: We are better together, because she is my love, my world. It would be like telling the trees that they can live without the sun – it is impossible.
Why? Because I soften her rough edges. (Laughs) Truly, she is a better person after she admitted her love for me. And her words went from being full of venom to the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard.

4.    What do you like to do for fun?

Bram: Besides, kiss Kaireen? I still tease her. And she gives it right back.

5.    What is a fantasy of yours? Keep it PG please.

Bram: What does this PG mean?

Interviewer: It means keep it clean – no sex.

Bram: But those are my top ten fantasies (winks). My dream would be for a long life with Kaireen by my side and dozens of children.

6.    What is your greatest fear?

Bram: Losing Kaireen. Or her not remembering me and having to woo her all over again. I would, and hopefully easier, but I wouldn’t wish that on my greatest enemy. Give me a sword and a hundred battles, and I’m happy as long as she loves me.

7.    What do you wish there was more of in your book, Viking Fire?

Bram: Me. I’ve heard from the female readers and many of them say they want more of me. I can’t blame them. (He leans forward). Kaireen can’t get enough of me now, so why not others?                                                                                                                                                                                                     But I am a one woman man. Therefore, I wish you ladies good luck in finding a man who makes you swoon. And if you already have a loved one, you are fortunate.


Title: Viking Fire
Author: Andrea Cooper
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Published: July 29th 2013


BLURB:

856 CE, Ireland is a land of myth, magic, and blood. Viking raiders have fought the Irish for over half a century. Rival Irish clans promise only betrayal and carnage.

Kaireen, daughter of Laird Liannon, is suddenly forced into an arranged marriage with her sworn enemy, a Viking. She refuses to submit. With no mention of love, only land and the protection of her clan, she endeavors to get her betrothed banished from her country. Will love find its way around her stubborn heart?

Bram, the Viking, finds himself without future or inheritance as a younger son in his family. A marriage to the Laird’s daughter would grant him land if he swears fidelity and if his men will fight along with the Liannons against any foe—Irish or Viking. However, the Laird’s feisty daughter only holds animosity for him and his kind. Is marriage worth the battle scars of such a relentless opponent?

With the blame for a rival laird’s death treacherously set against the Liannons, Kaireen and Bram must find a way to lay aside their differences as an unforeseen darkness sends death snapping at their heels.


BOOK LINKS:
EXCERPT:

Viking Fire : Chapter One

Ireland 856 CE

“I renounce Father for this.” Kaireen threw the elderberry gown. Dressed only in her leine, she glared at the new gown on the stone floor.

“Shame on you and your children for speaking such.” Her handmaid, Elva, gathered the damask and then dusted off the rushes. “It’s a wonder one of the clim has not scolded you from your hearth for such talk.” She wore her white hair twisted in a chignon, underneath a linen head cloth. Strands of white hair poked out the sides of her covering.

“No, curse Father for a fool.” She plopped on her bed and a goose feather floated away. With a huff, she leaned against the oak headboard. Red curtains puffed like a robin’s chest around oak poles supporting her wooden canopy.

Her bare feet brushed against the stone floor. Why was she not born plain like her two older sisters? Already they had married and expected their second bairns by spring. Well, at least so far she had enjoyed twenty years of freedom. Neither of her sisters had had matrimonial dreams of love matches. Both were arranged marriages.

“You know your da arranged a marriage within a season.” Elva smirked.

Kaireen shook her head. “To another land holder,” and waved a hand in disgust, “not t-this heathen. Twice they raided our land in the last month alone. Many a raid has come from them. Now father wants me as wife to one of them?” She clenched her fists. “No, I will not marry this Viking.”

Elva smiled, reminding Kaireen of the rumors of her handmaid’s uncanny foresight. Whispers of Elva making strange things happen and often blamed as the cause of Kaireen’s stubborn refusal to behave as a laird’s daughter should.

“You’ve not seen him yet.” Elva wiggled her brows.

“So?” Kaireen shrugged. “I would like to never see him.”

“Well then, would you not like to know if you have a handsome husband or not?” She waited for her response, but Kaireen scowled at her. Elva chuckled. “I would rather get a good look at him now than the morning after.”

Kaireen’s ears heated. “I am not marrying.” She shook her head for emphasis. “So there will be no morning, nor night, nor wedding.”

“If he is handsome, I may fight you for him.” Elva smiled, deepening the wrinkles around her eyes.

“Welcome to him either way.” Kaireen laughed.


BIO:

Growing up in Houston, Texas, Andrea has always created characters and stories. But it wasn't until she was in her late twenties that she started writing novels.

What happened that ignited the writing flame in her fingers? Divorced, and disillusioned by love songs and stories. They exaggerate. She thought. Love and Romance are not like that in the real world. Then she met her husband and realized, yes love and romance are exactly like the songs and stories say. She is now a happy wife, and a mom to three kids (two boys and a girl).
Andrea writes paranormal and historical romance. When not writing or reading, one may find Andrea dancing in Zumba.

She believes in the power of change and counting each moment as a blessing. But most importantly, she believes in love.

Viking Fire is her second forthcoming novel with Crimson Romance and is a historical romance. Her debut novel, The Garnet Dagger, is a paranormal romance and is now available.


AUTHOR LINKS:
Twitter: @AndreaRCooper


To watch the Viking book trailer go to: http://youtu.be/m1bPZ3nUyzs


Also by Andrea Cooper:


QUESTION: What did you think of Bram?


Thank you for sharing Bram and Viking Fire with us, Andrea! I am delighted to have you on my blog. Please come again. :)


8 comments:

  1. HA! Great interview as allways. I love Vikings. I also watched the trailer it was very good. Nice to see a fellow Texan.

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    1. Vikings are awesome! ;) Thank you for stopping by for Andrea's character interview.

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  2. David,
    Hi, thank you for coming. I do love Texas and the snow we had recently was unusual, but welcome.

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  3. Chrys,
    Thank you for having me today.

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    1. It was my pleasure, Andrea. I'd love to have you anytime! :)

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  4. Character interviews are always fun. :)

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  5. Kelly,
    I agree. Thank you for coming by.

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