Interview with Marcie Kremer, Author of Torch In The Forest

Nicole, thank you so much for inviting me to respond to your questions.  They were fun to answer!

What inspired you to write Torch in the Forest?

Most important to my inspiration for TORCH's premise is that I've always had a love for alpha males who have a hidden, soft side (you can't begin to imagine why, right? J) and I was really taken by the idea of an equally-strong female character who would be able to convince him that not only was she right, she was the "real deal," and that she is willing to challenge him, to love him, and that she wants to be passionately loved by him. I thoroughly enjoyed writing the scenes where Eleanor was tempted and tried to stifle her growing passion for Hugh, just as Hugh tried to fight his strong desire for Eleanor, because he's so sure she's not right for him.  I loved the idea of a challenge – and the idea of an exceptionally-intelligent young woman defying an alpha male on his own turf, but in her own unique way, and then winning that conflict because of her special individual qualities really appealed to me, just as I hoped it would appeal to readers who also appreciate, enjoy, and understand alpha males, those rascals who can drive us crazy!  I have a friend who also loves alpha males because "You can tame them," she says, with a wink! Blush!  Sigh!  Pulses race!

How did you come up with the title? I love it!

Because the main plot involves poaching in a forest and the complexity of the rules of the Law of the Forest and what they meant to power-hungry nobles, I knew that "forest" would have to be in the title.  The idea that Eleanor and Hugh are on fire for each other, and that a conflagration will rage in their hearts when they finally get together, brought the image of a torch to mind!

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I'm writing a young adult romance about a girl on a soccer team, her friendships, and the complications of knowing a terrible secret about a forbidden relationship that threaten to spiral out of control and force her to make a decision.  It's not exactly medieval romance, but there are bits of Eleanor in the main character, and there are aspects of Hugh in the baseball catcher.

Sounds great! What did you want to be when you were 10 years old?

I wanted to be an archaeologist.  Yes, I was/am that geeky!  Now, I indulge my passion for the past in my writing, and digging into my characters' feelings, instead of into an archeological site.

What makes you laugh?

Quirky, unexpected, whimsical events and wordplay make me laugh.  I am an unrepentant punner, much to my dear husband's and family's chagrin.

What makes you angry?

            What makes me angry is injustice and people taking advantage of others, which is why I wrote the character of William of Litchfield, Eleanor's liege lord, in such an unfavorable light.  My editor said, "He is despicable!"  In fiction, it is rewarding to have the last word with that kind of a character.  If only real life were like that, right? J  That's just one of the many really fun things about being an author.  There's a t-shirt that reads, "Be careful, or you'll find yourself in my next novel!" *giggles*

Thank you so much, Nicole, for having me on your blog! *curtseys*

Historical Romance

"How long can sworn enemies Eleanor and Hugh fight their powerful attraction to each other?" 

Blurb:

Eighteen-year-old widow Eleanor of Strathcombe is stunned to realize she has a powerful attraction to Hugh of Wykeham, the arrogant, neighboring lord returned from the Crusade, who not only asks for the hand of her younger sister in marriage – but feuds with her over the control of their forest boundaries, because poachers are running rampant.  

As she struggles to keep control of her forests and find the poachers, unsettling feelings confront her when she deals with Hugh, feelings she never felt in her brief, loveless marriage -- feelings she tries to fight, because she knows Hugh to be a cold, harsh man who may have murdered his faithless wife in revenge -- and who trusts no woman.  When she finds herself in the midst of a net of intrigue and lies, how can she find the conspirators, save herself and her sister, and battle her feelings for Hugh?

About the Author:

Growing up in Europe and seeing castles on a daily basis made me sure I wanted to live back in the Middle Ages. Since that wasn’t likely to happen, being a child of the 20th century, the next best thing I could try to do was to write about this enthralling period in history. Having studied medieval history in college, I loved doing the research about how people really lived and spoke and dreamed and loved, and so TORCH IN THE FOREST came to be, thanks to my dear husband, who encouraged me to write about Eleanor and Hugh.

When I’m not writing, I’m reading, or traveling. I love hearing from readers and am happy to do book club conference calls!