The Beast of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood Release Day Author Interview & Scottish Giveaway

Welcome and thank you Lily Blackwood for stopping by today and visiting “Celtic Barb’s Kilted Tartan Book Review Blog”! First of all rolling out the red carpet (drum rolls, bells and whistles!) Happy Book Release Day for “The Beast of Clan Kincaid” in book one of your wonderful brand new (Clan Kincaid Series)! Published by St. Martin's Press.Wishing you tons of success and sure it will be a big hit, as this book is so spectacular as I have read it two times already! Yes I absolutely loved it filled with a riveting plot lines, amazing dialogues, beautiful Scottish setting and characters that come to life. I loved it! 

The Beast of Clan Kincaid Book Excerpt by Lily Blackwood.

A Highland warrior battles to reclaim his birthright in the first of a new series filled with seduction, revenge, and soul-stirring passion…

They call him the Beast—a hardened mercenary whose heart seems as cold as his icy blue gaze. They do not know his true name: Niall Braewick, son of the Laird of Kincaid. It has been years since he escaped into the forest the night his father was murdered. Now he has returned, ablaze with a vengeful hunger. He will gain the MacClaren chief’s trust, gather his clan, and take back his lands. And take the MacClaren’s daughter as well…

Though he pulled her from the river, saving her life, Elspeth has been warned to keep her distance from her father’s hired warrior. He is a barbarian—a shame, as he is far more compelling than the lechers and fools competing for her dowry. Little does she know that, like the castle itself, she is a prize Niall intends to claim…but will he extract blood for blood and possess what is his, or will his enemy’s beautiful, innocent daughter tempt him to forsake his dream of conquest?

   

The Beast of Clan Kincaid Blurb

Just Released Today! 

Coming out December 6, 2016

CB: As many might not know Lily Blackwood is also regency author Lily Dalton. What made cross over from Regency romance to write about Scottish historical romance?

LB: It’s no exaggeration to say I’m fascinated by history. All time periods and locations! When I was in college, I was fortunate enough to be a student of Professor Zoltan J.  Kosztolnyik, who brought the treachery and dangerous passions of Medieval Europe to life. Just as I am intrigued by the social strictures and strict manners of the Regency period, the wildness of 14th century Scotland fills my mind with exciting story ideas.

CB: Niall in The Beast of Clan Kincaid is one sexy hot braw Scottish warrior! Some authors have an image or muse of someone famous like an actor or musician as the lead character. Did you have someone in your mind of who Niall might be?

LB:  My characters are always distinctly of my own mind, but yes! I do have inspirations. Remember that old 80s movie, Weird Science, where the teenage boys put in photographs of models into a scanner and out popped their fantasy girl, Kelly Le Brock? If I had that scanner, I would have put in 

photographs of Jason Momoa in Game of Thrones, and Ben Robson and Clive Standen from Vikings. Zap! Out would pop Niall!

*CB Comment: Love yours picks! I saw Niall as Kit Harington aka Hottie Jon Snow from Game of Thrones and Henry Cavill who played Charles Brandon on The Tudors. 

CB: Did you have a specific person mind to play the feisty heroine Elspeth in The Beast of Clan Kincaid?

LB: Elspeth is so very distinct in my mind. If I had to define her, I’d provide actress Kaya Scodelario as a close comparison.

CB: Do you have a playlist you listen to when you’re are inspired and writing? If so who were you listening to? Even if you weren't listening to music what would be the theme song for The Beast of Clan Kincaid be? How about a love song for Niall and Elspeth?

LB: I did have a playlist! I listen to the same playlist over and over while writing a book--and then I 

can’t listen to that music for the next book I write! It really becomes part of the fabric of the story. I can’t listen to music that has words, or it distracts me, so I search and search for the right instrumentals. For BEAST, I listened to Invincible, by Two Steps From Hell. Their song, Moving Mountains, would have to be Niall’s theme song. I also listened to the Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings soundtracks. Very sweeping and epic!  

CB: How much time do you spend in your "writing cave" per week?

LB: I work full time, so I am an early morning writer. I get up between 4:30 and 5:00, and get a few hours in before taking off into the city. Then I will usually expand and polish those pages at night for an hour or two. Weekends are my paradise. There’s no sleeping in! I get up early and enjoy a quiet 

house before my family wakes up, and then also write around weekend activities. Secret: My favorite place to write is in my car. I’ve been known to go park in the Target parking lot, just me and my Alphasmart and a Starbucks, and knock out pages. That’s a seasonal thing though—I live in Texas, and certain times of the year are just too hot for sitting in the car.

CB: How long does it typically take to write and finish a novel before sending off to proofreaders, editors, and publishers etc.?

LB: Usually it takes me four months of intense immersion to write a book. I obsess over the first five or six chapters until they are “right” and then the rest usually comes easily. BEAST took a little longer for me. It was written while someone I loved was very ill. There’s a little grief in these pages, 

and some very real, deep love inspired by what was going on in my real life at the time. Those emotions inspire the most authentic stories, I think.  

CB: Last historical romance novel you read and loved? 

( Only answer if your previous answer was not a Scottish romance) Last Scottish romance book you read and loved.

LB:The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor by the fabulous Paula Quinn. Daniel…be still my beating heart. I love all of Paula’s books. 

*CB Comment: Oh I love Paula Quinn too! My last read by Paula was "The Taming of Malcolm Grant" which was fabulous too I too love all her books! 

CB:What made you choose your profession to become an author? Also why did you choose the historical romance genre with so many other genres in romance?

LB: I’ve been writing sweeping historical “stories” since I was about nine or ten, on notebook paper. (I would also illustrate the heroines’ beautiful dresses!) For me, I was emulating the work of my 

idols! Writers I loved. Even so, it didn’t occur to me until after college, that I could be a writer as well as a reader. I held writers in such high regard! It’s been a challenge, balancing life and writing, but I love it. Making readers happy is **the very best thing**. 

CB: Do you have a mentor or another author friend that gave you advice when you decided to become a writer and write your first novel? 

LB: I have several, but authors Colleen Thompson and Kerrelyn Sparks have always given me my very best advice, time and time again. I love those ladies!!

CB: What advice would you give to aspiring writers today?

LB: Read. Read. Read. And write a lot. Those two things go hand in hand. 

Lily Blackwood has honored us with such a beautiful giveaway contest. Generously gifting us with this gorgeous embroidered thistle jewelry keeper! Just comment on this this blog post from today May 31st  through June 7th and the winner will be picked randomly and announced on June 8th 2016. GOOD LUCK! ☘☘☘ Thanks you again Lily for this lovely Giveaway!

ANN ALBA CONGRATULATIONS!

                          Just message Lily Blackwood through facebook messages. 

Lily Blackwood lives in Texas, with her husband, their two teenagers, a devoted red golden retriever and two rascally cats. She enjoys flea markets, cooking, eating and not cleaning her house! She recently taught herself to knit and has been making a mess with yarn ever since. She loves all things historical, and finds it thrilling to imagine a time period where each day held very real dangers, and true love stories and happily-ever-afters were precious and rare. Lily loves to hear from readers! She invites you to visit her website at www.lilyblackwood.com

***Lily is also the RITA Nominated author of Regency romances, Lily Dalton


My 5 Kilt book review of The Beast of Clan Kincaid is posted on this blog if you would like to take a peek just scroll down this blog.

5 Kilts on Celtic Barb's Kilted Tartan Book Review Blog rating is the same as Amazon's 5 star reviews. It is the highest rating which means I loved The Beast of Clan Kincaid which I really really did. Honestly I hate that it had to end!


Thanks again author Lily Blackwood for stopping by and giving us a closer look to the life as an author and chatting about your brand new release The Beast of Clan Kincaid! Which is a magnificent and exhilarating read! Wishing you big congratulations and a very happy release day! Thank you so much for the gorgeous giveaway too! Wishing you best of luck always and lots of success in your wonderful writing career! - Celtic Barb's Kilted Tartan Book Review Blog

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