Rae: Good Morning Barb! First, if we were meeting at a coffee shop I’d be drinking a Latte 🙂 What would you order?

Barbara: My drink of choice is always the same. I love a venti soy hazelnut latte. My husband says he needs a chair and a whip to get anywhere near me before I’ve had my morning java.

Rae: Thanks so much for taking the time to answer a few questions.  I absolutely love The Brethren Series!!! I must ask, how many delicious books do you anticipate for this yummy series?  Super excited that book 5 is almost here!

Barbara: Thank you, so much, for hosting my naughty Nautionnier Knights and I. To answer your question, the BOC series will have 10 books, total. However, since you’ve read the books, you’ve come to know the 5 original knights from the prologues. In 2015, I’m kicking off a new series, by reader demand. Brethren Origins will tell the stories of the fabulous virgin 5: Arucard, Demetrius, Aristide, Morgan, and Geoffrey. 2015 will also see the debut of The Lucky One, which is Dalton Randolph’s story, and I know so many of my readers will be thrilled to hear that my hotheaded Blake Elliott will find his mate, in Love With An Improper Stranger, when he least expects it—and he’s not happy about it.

8 Tantalizing Tidbits!

1. A Must read book and why?

The 19th Century American Gothic Hope Leslie, by Catharine Maria Sedgwick, is my must read book. On the surface, it is an unapologetic examination of 17th Century New England and the dispossession and extermination of  American Indians. But at its core is a beautifully composed historical romance between the Indian Oneco and his “white bird” Faith, and their subsequent inter-racial marriage, which was quite controversial, given the book was first published in 1827.  I love rebellious reads.

2. What is one place that I should see if I visit your hometown?

In light of the local investment in downtown Fort Worth, TX, I’d tell anyone visiting my hometown to spend an afternoon or evening in Sundance Square. There’s so much life and vitality to the area, and Fort Worthers are friendly folks. It’s full of great shops, restaurants, and bars, and the atmosphere is relaxed. It’s the perfect place to unwind during the hectic pace that often accompanies travel.

3.  Castles or Beaches?

As much as I love exploring archaeological sites, I have to pick beaches. My husband and I were married on South Maluaka Beach on Maui. There’s nothing like the sand between your toes, the smell of the ocean, and the sound of waves crashing ashore. Reminds me how insignificant we are, in the grand scheme of  life.

4. What is one thing readers would be surprised to know about you?

I think most people would be surprised to know that I’m a disabled, retired police officer. Given the  state of banking in the late 80s, I had to adapt to the changing job market, and it just so happened my department was hiring when the last bank I worked at folded. Is there anything more stressful than unemployment?

5.  When you are traveling do you prefer to road trip if or fly it?

See my answer to what I’m afraid of, for an additional explanation. When it comes to travel, I love road trips. Lately, hubby and I have flown to either coast, rented a car, and driven vast expanses of our great nation. A few years back, we flew to Seattle, rented a car, and drove the Pacific Coast highway. Just last month, we flew to Boston and drove New England. We started in Maine, then cruised to New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and then back to Boston. It was amazing. I love car trips, because you can take your time, go at your own pace, and often mingle with locals. We also make a concerted attempt to patronize locally owned businesses.

6. What are you afraid of?

It might surprise readers to know that I harbor a deep-seated fear of flying. Seriously, just driving to the airport gives me sweaty palms. It stems from a very rough landing at Washington National Airport, when I was a child, and I still refuse to fly into that airport. And my fear was reinforced and intensified, after a missed landing at La Guardia, during a vicious storm, on a surprise wedding anniversary trip. I felt so bad for my husband, because it took hours for me to stop puking, and he had all sorts of romantic endeavors planned.

7. What’s your favorite TV show and why?

Well it was Boardwalk Empire, because I adore the baddie gangsters, but it ended. A close second is Game of Thrones, because it’s pure fantasy. I love the various character arcs, and Martin excels at
character development. Now if he would just stop killing off all my favorites. Conversely, I avoid reality shows like the plague, because I’m quite familiar with life, in all its intricacies.

8. Would you rather see a movie in the theatre or at home on DVD and why?

The short answer is both. Now, let me expound. There is nothing that compares to watching an epic drama, a sweeping romance, a sci-fi or horror, or an action-adventure film in the movie theatre, with their big screens and surround-sound systems contributing another layer to the mise-en-scène. In the mega-movie-plexes, the viewer is literally enshrouded in the visual and audial experience. I’ve seen Gone With The Wind in the theatre, and it’s breathtaking. Think of the Marvel masterpieces. Can you imagine the Avengers limited to the flat screen in your living room? That said, I own copies of my favorite movies on DVD, because so many features contain subtle nuances that require numerous viewings to identify. One of my favorite movies is Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. It’s an amazing work of art, and every time I watch it, I discover something new that I’d missed in previous viewings.

Rae: THANK YOU SO MUCH for your time.  It was a pleasure “chatting” with you, and I look forward to posting about Captain of Her Heart (Book 5 of The Brethren Series) tomorrow!

In addition your readers will be thrilled to hear that from Nov. 14-18, Enter the Brethren and My Lady, the Spy will be FREE for download. What a super way to celebrate the release of your latest book!