Caleb by Emma Lang ~ Interview and Review & Giveaway

BETH WILLIAMSON’S  Month of Cowboy lovin’  BLOG TOUR,

February 1 – February 28

Circle Eight: Caleb
by Emma Lang (Beth Williamson)
Release date: Feb. 12!

Lucky me.. Today I get to welcome Beth Williamson (who also writes under the name of Emma Lang). I was honored when she asked me to help promote her latest release in The Circle of Eight _ Caleb.  You are in for a treat today!!

Here's the best part, to keep spreadin' the cowboy lovin' ~ one lucky commenter can get their own ebookcopy of Caleb.  Just leave a comment below along with your  e-mail address or I won't know how to contact you. Giveaway is International along as you can accept e-books and ends March 1, 2013 at 11:59 PM EST.

Thanks for stopping by!!

FBL♥: How did you get interested in writing this particular genre?

I’ve always been a huge fan of westerns from the time I was a little girl watching those awesome Clint Eastwood movies. I’m also a huge history buff, so the first time I read a western romance back in the 70s (one of mom’s Harlequins!), I was totally hooked! I knew that’s what I wanted to write. Cowboys are like modern day knights to me – they have a code of honor, are hard as hell, and handy with a weapon.

FBL♥:What kind of research did you do for this book?

Because I hadn't written anything in the era of the Republic of Texas, I had to do a lot of research. I read books, did a lot of searching online, and made sure every detail was historically accurate. From what they ate to what they wore to the cities and historical events.

FBL♥:What do you think is the greatest creative risk you've taken in this book?

I usually let the book tell itself and the characters to drive the plot forward. I’m a pantster, although I did plot this book, it took its own path, as my books generally do. However, this book and the plot did not lend itself to a lot of heated sex. Yes it’s there, but not like in BRODY, where the passion between the characters was explosive and combustible. Caleb and Aurora had a different story and I listened to them. In the end, the sex was secondary to the action-packed plot and the danger that drove them forward.

FBL♥:What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

I think because it was the hardest, the escape from the Garza hacienda has to be my favorite chapter. It’s intense, bloody, sweaty and it made my stomach clench the entire time. Then in the end, when Caleb kisses Aurora, who professes her sweaty state, it’s so genuine, it made my eyes sting and my heart thump.

FBL♥:Do you write detailed character profiles before writing, or do you find the characters come to life as you write?

Each character comes to life before I start writing. I give them a name, a birthdate, a favorite food, an item that’s their kryptonite, and a backstory. I don’t think it’s detailed but I know who they are before I start. Then I smack them together with their perfect mate and wait for the fireworks. J

FBL♥:You have the sexiest cowboys for your book covers! Can you tell us how the process works in selecting these gorgeous men for your cover?

I wish I could take credit for the beautiful covers, but alas, the cover artists are the geniuses. I do work with my publishers to describe my vision but in the end, they have final say. However the self-pubbed covers are under my control and I love, love, love the way CALEB’s cover came out.

FBL♥:If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?

Ha! Love this question. Hm, probably something like “In Search of the Perfect Moment”. Every book is a quest for me and I put my heart and soul into it.

FBL♥:Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

I think every writer puts something of real life into their books, but not true experiences. More the flavor of what they see and experience. My imagination does tend to take over and drive me, even when I sleep.

FBL♥:How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?

I don’t have a magic eight ball that guides me, but I do the best I can to get the word out. I work with Romantic Times magazine, online blogs, Twitter and Facebook. I also have an amazing personal assistant who has helped me form a fabulous street team who help me both in book stores and libraries as well as online.

FBL♥:Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?

Yes, there is one book I wrote last year that has not yet been picked up for publication. It’s a mash up book – paranormal and western. I’ve got my fingers crossed it’s going to get an offer soon. If not, there is always the self-pub route.

FBL♥:Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

I would like to say thank you to everyone who has taken a chance on me and read one of my books. I write for people to read and enjoy the story as much as I do. So a big thank you for taking my hand and embarking on that journey with me.

Caleb Graham was introduced in the first book in The Circle of Eight: Matthew and then again in  Brody's story. I recommend you reading the series in order.

There were two subplots in this book, first the story of Caleb and Aurora and the second is the continuing family search for their missing brother, Benjy. I could just picture how the author had this laid out in order for the two to intertwine.

The story of Caleb and Aurora was enjoyable and had me chuckle now and then. Poor Caleb finds himself  with toughest assignment he has ever  faced as a Ranger: having to evict a blacksmith from the only home they had known.  Seems simple enough, well until Caleb learns that Rory is actually Aurora, a feisty  hammer swinging, no hold bar woman.  She has a trashy mouth and for some they may find that vulgar, but for some reason it was needed for the character. 

If you haven't read the first two books, I am not going to share too much of Benjy, the missing brother. I will say that with him missing for so long, I think I was expecting more of an outpour of emotion to be displayed. This was a trauma to the entire Graham's family foundation and his discovery was like another day at the farm. Nevertheless, this was an another great edition to The Circle of Eight series, and I can't wait to see what else is in story for the family...

If I didn't say this before, the hunks on the cover of The Circle of Eight series are the sexiest, cowboys!! So if the cover caught your eye, just know that what you find inside the cover is just a yummy!!

Beth Williamson, who also writes as Emma Lang, is an award-winning, bestselling author of both historical and contemporary romances. Her books range from sensual to scorching hot. She is a Career Achievement Award Nominee in Erotic Romance by Romantic Times Magazine, in both 2009 and 2010.

Beth has always been a dreamer, never able to escape her imagination. It led her to the craft of writing romance novels. She’s passionate about purple, books, and her family. She has a weakness for shoes and purses, as well as bookstores. Her path in life has taken several right turns, but she’s been with the man of her dreams for more than 20 years.

Beth works full-time and writes romance novels evening, weekends, early mornings and whenever there is a break in the madness. She is compassionate, funny, a bit reserved at times, tenacious and a little quirky. Her cowboys and western romances speak of a bygone era, bringing her readers to an age where men were honest, hard and packing heat. For a change of pace, she also dives into some smokin’ hot contemporaries, bringing you heat, romance and snappy dialogue.

Life might be chaotic, as life usually is, but Beth always keeps a smile on her face, a song in her heart, and a cowboy on her mind. ;)

BETH’S WEBSITE   BETH’S EMAIL

One winner will get an ebook copy of Caleb.  I will randomly pull one commenter who answers the question below... 

Just leave a comment below along with your  e-mail address or I won't know how to contact you. Giveaway is International along as you can accept e-books and ends March 1, 2013 at 11:59 PM EST.

You must  leave your email address.

For those who love Cowboy Romances, 

Name an author & tiltle of a good Western Romance book....