Vijaya Schartz was the first person to greet me and welcome me to my first Valley of the Sun Romance Writers Association meeting many years ago. That she went on to become our president is no surprise to anyone who knows her. She is charming, prolific, and passionate about romance writing. Welcome to Romance Righter, Vijaya!
My Curse of the Lost Isle medieval fantasy romance series, required
extensive research in early medieval legends and history. I discovered that
many things have changed over the centuries... including the way we find mates.
Arranged marriages, rituals, customs differ greatly, as well as the many
external conflicts and ideologies two lovers must overcome in realizing their
dream of finding their Happily Ever After. But the matters of the heart haven’t
changed a bit. Romeo and Juliet remind us that teenagers did harbor burning
passions even then. And the legends of the round table abound with instances of
forbidden love and dire consequences. Watching “The Dove Keepers” and “Bible”
episodes on the History Channel last week, I realized ancient history and the
Old Testament are full of forbidden love stories as well.
While the Curse of the Lost Isle series is largely based upon authentic
legends and known history, the crucial romantic element drives these stories.
They involve a family of immortal ladies, related to Morgane the Fae, and
oppressed by a curse. Torn between love and duty to their Pagan Goddess, they
struggle in a world that is quickly becoming Christian. The stakes are piled
high... and ready to burn.
Although these are romances, I refuse to sugarcoat the middle ages. The
shrewd warriors of the time fought to kill, often savagely. The Viking raids in
Scotland were bloody, and I do not shy away from such scenes. Some reviewers
remarked upon it, and I often give a warning as well. Some scenes are not for
the faint of heart. Yet, I owe it to myself and to my readers to give an honest
description of the place and time, according to what I know to be true from
extensive research. I do not apologize, not for my love scenes, and certainly
not for my battle scenes.
I also enjoy the challenge of writing immortal women with Fae gifts. In
this case, a mother and her three daughters. Immortality gives them a different
outlook on life and love. How does a two-hundred year old gorgeous virgin
approach her first lover? She is not young and certainly not innocent, yet she has never been in
love, and never known a man. What a thrilling challenge.
As for an immortal falling in love with a mortal, that’s another
challenge. How are they ever going to find their Happily Ever After? That’s
where imagination comes to play. As a romance writer, I absolutely insist on a
HEA. Even when the odds are against them, and the outcome is grim, I will find
a way. Maybe it comes from my own will to find a happy resolution, no matter
what. I believe our intents, our decisions, our dreams shape our lives, and we
can make a difference. So can my heroines.
Did I mention I write strong women? They carve their destiny at the
point of a magic sword in this series (and with blasters in my futuristic
stories). They choose, they fight, they make mistakes, they pay for them, they
fall, but they always get back up and earn the right to their happiness.
Also, their extraordinary gifts come with a warning never to use them
for selfish purposes... or else. Hence the curse, which results from abuse of
power against mortals, usually in their late childhood, when their powers
awaken.
There are five books in the Curse of the Lost Isle so far, with Book 6
scheduled for later this month. The Boxed set http://amzn.com/B00VGMYSCM includes the
first four novels for only $5.00 in eBook. Some of these titles are already
available in paperback, and the rest will be soon. Also available from ARE,
B&N, etc.
Book 1 - PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE - The early story of Pressine
Book 2 - PAGAN QUEEN - The resolution of Pressine’s story
Book 3 - SEDUCING SIGEFROI - The story of Melusine
Book 4 - LADY OF LUXEMBOURG - The later story of Melusine
Book 5 - CHATELAINE OF FOREZ - Another story of Melusine (standalone)
Book 6 - BELOVED CRUSADER - The story of Palatina (standalone)
Blurb for
the boxed set:
From history shrouded in myths, emerges a family of immortal Celtic
Ladies, who roam the medieval world in search of salvation from a curse. For
centuries, imbued with hereditary gifts, they hide their deadly secret,
stirring passions in their wake as they fight the Viking hordes, send the first
knights to the Holy Land, give birth to kings and emperors... but if the Church
ever suspects what they really are, they will be hunted, tortured, and burned
at the stake. 5 stars on Amazon "Edgy Medieval, yay!"
Find all these books and many more at:
Vijaya Schartz
Swords, Blasters, Romance with a Kick
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/vijayaschartz
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/vijaya-schartz
FB: https://www.facebook.com/vijaya.schartz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vijayaschartz
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/vijaya-schartz
FB: https://www.facebook.com/vijaya.schartz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vijayaschartz
About Vijaya Schartz:
Born in France, award-winning author Vijaya Schartz never conformed to
anything and could never refuse a challenge. She likes action, adventure, and exotic
settings, in life and on the page. A world traveler, with over 24 titles
published, she writes medieval and futuristic romance and often claims to
travel through time. Find more at http://www.vijayaschartz.com
Thank you so much for having me today, Sharon. I enjoy meeting you at our monthly meetings. Writers are wonderful people, and you are no exception.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure for certain, Vijaya.
ReplyDeleteI think something happened with the link, Angelica. The link on FB and twitter and everywhere shows the right pictures, but when I tried it I only found a blank page from the blog.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I didn't catch it right away. Not sure what happened. The link was fine when I first posted it.
Hmm! I am not very techno, but I'll check it out, too, and fix it if I can. I've been tweeting it, so I'm glad it's showing there okay.
DeleteEvery time and place I tried the link, it was fine, Vijaya. I don't know what to say or to check since I can't get the problem to manifest for me. Sorry. I hope the other links will continue to bring in folks for you.
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