Friday, December 27, 2013

Nancy Lee Badger Interviews Elizabeth McKenna

Elizabeth McKenna stopped by in the midst of a busy holiday season to talk about her latest book. Venice in the Moonlight is a Historical Romance and was released October 2nd.
Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.  
The short description is a young widow discovers her father’s murderer is related to the man she’s falling in love with and she must decide between vengeance, forgiveness and love. It’s set in 1753 in Venice, a city I find so romantic and beautiful. I’m hoping it will appeal to readers who would like a break from stories set in London.
Venice...the land of romantic gondola rides! When did you start writing toward publication?  
I have been a technical writer and editor most of my adult life, but I didn’t try my hand at fiction until 2008 when I started writing my first novel, Cera’s Place. I published it in September of 2011. I then wrote a short story, The Gypsy Casts a Spell, which was published in the February 2012 issue of eFiction Magazine. Then I started on Venice in the Moonlight. I’ve learned so much about fiction writing and marketing since 2008 and I’m glad I’ve pursued this dream, but I admit it can be extremely frustrating.
I can relate to that, but I am glad you kept at it. I am sure my readers are glad, too. Why have you become a published author?
Back in college, I started as an English major, but switched to Journalism. My writing is on the concise side and the other English majors who could write a paragraph-long sentence intimidated me. Journalism was a better fit, but I still had a dream of being a fiction author. One day, my girls had been discussing careers at school and they asked me what I had wanted to be when I was their age. I said an author. They said why aren’t you? So I started writing Cera’s Place. I wanted to show them that you shouldn’t give up on your dreams.
Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?  
The most rewarding thing has been connecting with people all around the world. Sometimes reading my email is like Christmas morning. I am a shy person, but the internet has allowed me to make numerous friends over the years and I’m truly grateful for that.
Maybe we can drum up a little more mail, and get our readers interested with your answers to this: please Share three fun facts about you that most people don’t know.
1) My house has to be clean and organized at all times, but my home office is a total disaster area. I only clean it when the dust starts clogging my lungs.
2) I can kill a plant or flower just by looking at it. I wish I could have a beautiful landscaped yard, but it will never happen.
3) My ancestors came from Ireland, but when I visited Germany, I realized the Germans were my true soul mates. Everything was so clean, and they all followed the rules. I was in heaven!
What’s next for you?
I’m thinking about writing a contemporary romance. 
BOOK BLURB
Considered useless by his cold-hearted father, Nico Foscari, eldest son of one of the founding families in Venice, hides his pain behind gambling, drinking and womanizing.
After her husband’s untimely demise, Marietta Gatti returns to her hometown of Venice in hopes of starting a new life and finding the happiness that was missing in her forced marriage.
When Fate throws them together, friendship begins to grow into love until Marietta learns a Foscari family secret that may have cost her father his life. Now, she must choose between vengeance, forgiveness, and love.
Elizabeth McKenna’s latest novel takes you back to eighteenth century Carnival, where lovers meet discreetly, and masks make everyone equal.
Excerpt – Venice in the Moonlight by Elizabeth McKenna – Copyright 2013
Nico shrugged in the French wingback chair they had placed by the fireplace for his portrait. He looked regal in a black silk suit trimmed in gold and a waistcoat of burgundy and gold leaf-patterned brocade. It seemed Raul had excellent taste in men’s fashions.
Marietta rolled her eyes before she settled in a chair behind the easel. “Please keep still while I draw.”
“May I talk?”
“I’d rather you didn’t.” Looking at him was going to be enough distraction. She didn’t need to listen to him also.
He ignored her request. “I have to ask—why Palladino?”
Marietta blew out an exasperated breath. “I can’t sketch you properly if you talk.”
“You could have chosen any man at the Consul’s villa. Casanova himself expressed interest in you, yet you leave with that pig.”
“It’s not what you think.” She compared her drawing to Nico and frowned. His shoulders were no longer in the same position.
“You didn’t have to suffer the man’s dismal lovemaking. What were you thinking?”
“We did not make love,” she replied through clenched teeth.
He continued as if not hearing her. “You’re the first woman in years that he didn’t have to pay, though he would never admit to his need for courtesans. I just don’t understand how you could find him appealing.”
“We did not make love.” She practically shouted it this time. “I’m not attracted to Palladino or any other man for that matter.”
This silenced him, gratefully, but only for a few moments. “Well, in that case, I know of a few courtesans that can accommodate you. I am told they are quite beautiful and skilled.”
Marietta threw down her charcoal and marched over to him. She grabbed his shoulders and repositioned him. “That is not what I meant and you know it.”
He smiled up at her innocently. “I didn’t mean to offend you, but you have refused my charms, so what should I think?”
She glared at him for her own benefit, knowing it would have no effect on the man. “You need to stop talking and moving.”
When he didn’t respond, she said, “That’s better.”
He lasted almost fifteen minutes. “So, what kind of man are you attracted to? Perhaps, I could suggest a few potential lovers.”
“How about one who has fewer conquests than fingers and toes? Or one that values honesty and fidelity over all else? Do you know any like that?”
From the thoughtful look on his face, he took this as an earnest question. “I’m afraid a man like that will be hard to find in Venice, especially this time of year.”
“Well, then, I guess I’ll have to go without.”
“How depressing. What will you do for amusement if you don’t take a lover?”
Marietta rubbed at her temples and decided she deserved more than the coins she’d already been paid. “There’s more to life than pleasuring oneself.”
“Really?”
“Yes, Signore, really.” She placed her stub of charcoal on the easel’s tray and rolled the stiffness from her neck and shoulders. “That is all for today. I have another appointment.” It was a lie, but she felt the need to rest and the bed in the corner was tempting her tired body.
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elizabeth McKenna works as a full-time technical writer/editor for a large software company. Though her love of books reaches back to her childhood, she had never read romance novels until one Christmas when her sister gave her the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits it was the first love scene). She had always wanted to write fiction, so she combined her love of history, romance

Author Elizabeth McKenna
and a happy ending to write her debut novel Cera's Place. Her short story, The Gypsy Casts a Spell, is available for free on her website http://elizabethmckenna.com/. She hopes you will enjoy her latest novel, Venice in the Moonlight, as much as others have enjoyed her previous works.

Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and a sassy Labrador. When she isn't writing, working, or being a mom, she's sleeping.
How can my readers buy your book?  
Readers can go to the publisher’s home page at http://elizabethmckenna.com/buy/ where you will find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other major retailers.
You can find more information about
Elizabeth McKenna and her book
Venice in the Moonlight
by visiting:
WEBSITE    TWITTER    FACEBOOK


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