Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Q&A: Andrea Matthews, Author of Thunder on the Moor #Q&A #Interview

Andrea Matthews is the pseudonym for Inez Foster, a historian and librarian who loves to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogical speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. She is the author of the Thunder on the Moor series set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Border, and the Cross of Ciaran series, where a fifteen-hundred-year-old Celt finds himself in the twentieth century. Andrea is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Long Island Romance Writers, and the Historical Novel Society.

Her latest book is the historical time travel romance, Thunder on the Moor.

You can visit her website at www.Andrea-Matthews.com or connect with her on TwitterFacebook and Instagram.

Thanks for this interview, Andrea.  Congratulations on your new book! Would you say it’s been a rocky road for you in regards to getting your book written and published or pretty much smooth sailing?  Can you tell us about your journey?

I’m not sure I’d call it a rocky road, but it was certainly a long one. I published Thunder on the Moor two years ago, after working on it on and off for about twenty-five years. I was busy raising my family and working, first as a teacher, and then a librarian, so it wasn’t a priority. Around four years ago, I finally decided to get serious. Now, the third book in the series, Shake Loose the Border, just came out last November.

When not writing, what do you like to do for relaxation and/or fun?

That is what I do to relax. lol About the only part that isn’t relaxing is the latter editing stages where I start seeing double. lol Of course, I we do need a break once in a while, even from things we love, so I work on my genealogy or do some scrapbooking or make holiday cards.

What makes your book stand out from the rest?

I hope the research shows through and highlights a part of Scotland other than the Highlands. The books are set on the Borderlands between Scotland and England and have a rich and colorful history all their own.

Can you give us the very first page of your book so that we can get a glimpse inside? 

 

Scottish Border - 1513 

Robert Armstrong dug his spurs deep into the sides of his chestnut pony. Twilight was coming on fast, and the thickening mist dampened his azure cap as he reached the crest of the moss-covered fell. It had been a hard ride, but victory was at last within his grasp. There below him, heading for the distant marsh grass, rode the mysterious Englishman who’d been tracking his every move for nigh on to a fortnight.

     The hint of a smile crossed Robert’s lips, and he turned sharply, making his way down the hill toward the tree line. The Englishman would soon realize he was no longer the hunter, but the quarry. Skirting a small copse of pine trees, Robert wound his way among the shadows, choosing his position wisely.  

     He’d hunted men before, usually with his kinsmen, but today he rode alone. Until he knew the reason for the Englishman’s sudden interest in him, he saw no need to involve his family. Of course, that didn’t mean he intended on taking any foolish chances either. If the situation was about to come to a head, he wanted to hold the upper hand. Doing that would require all the stealth his father had taught him.

If your book was put in the holiday section of the store, what holiday would that be and why?

I’m not sure since it takes place from Spring to Autumn, but I like Christmas so . . .

Would you consider turning your book into a series or has that already been done?

It’s already been done. Book one Thunder on the Moor (also the name of the series), Book 2 Ride with the Moonlight, and Book 3 Shake Loose the Border, so far.

When you were young, did you ever see writing as a career or full-time profession?

I always loved to write, but I never thought of it as being an actual career, one I could make money at. I lacked the confidence than to think I could do it.

What’s next for you?

Writing and research. Book 3 of my Cross of Ciaran series, The Cave of Rúin Ársa, is available for presale on Amazon now and will go live May 25. And I’m working on a historical mystery under the name I.M. Foster, which I hope to publish toward the end of August. After that, I hope to work on book 4 of the Thunder on the Moor series.

 



Maggie Armstrong grew up enchanted by her father’s tales of blood feuds and border raids. In fact, she could have easily fallen for the man portrayed in one particular image in his portrait collection. Yet when her father reveals he was himself an infamous Border reiver, she finds it a bit far-fetched—to say the least—especially when he announces his plans to return to his sixteenth century Scottish home with her in tow.

Suspecting it’s just his way of getting her to accompany him on yet another archaeological dig, Maggie agrees to the expedition, only to find herself transported four hundred and fifty years into the past. Though a bit disoriented at first, she discovers her father’s world to be every bit as exciting as his stories, particularly when she’s introduced to Ian Rutherford, the charming son of a neighboring laird. However, when her uncle announces her betrothal to Ian, Maggie’s twentieth-century sensibilities are outraged. She hardly even knows the man. But a refusal of his affections could ignite a blood feud.

Maggie’s worlds are colliding. Though she’s found the family she always wanted, the sixteenth century is a dangerous place. Betrayal, treachery, and a tragic murder have her questioning whether she should remain or try to make her way back to her own time.

To make matters worse, tensions escalate when she stumbles across Bonnie Will Foster, the dashing young man in her father’s portrait collection, only to learn he is a dreaded Englishman. But could he be the hero she’s always dreamed him to be? Or will his need for revenge against Ian shatter more than her heart?

Book Information

Release Date: October 30, 2019

Publisher:  Inez M. Foster

Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-1733337557; 432 pages; $19.97; E-Book, FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LZdmYD

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