Tarnished Gold by Brita Addams Blog Tour

Hello and welcome to the Tarnished Gold Blog Tour. Today, Brita Addams is here for her virtual blog tour, Tarnished Gold.

Hello Brita and welcome to my blog.

To celebrate the release of my old Hollywood era novel, Tarnished Gold, I have embarked on a virtual book tour. 

 Giveaway: 
I'm giving away an ebook at each stop on the tour. A random commenter will be chosen and the winner has choice from my backlist, (Tarnished Gold excluded).
8 x 10 glossies of Jack Abadie
Grand prize: kindle and the winner's choice of 5 ebooks from my backlist, which will be sent
by email.

Rules: 

Easy. Leave a comment at one or all the stops. At each stop, a random commenter will be selected to win their choice of backlist book (Tarnished Gold excluded.) This selection will be made daily throughout the tour, except where blog owners wish to extend the eligibility. Be sure to leave an email address in your comment. 

All names of commenters and their email addresses will be put into the drawing for the Kindle, even if they have won the daily drawing. The more comments you make the more chances you have to win!

Other prizes include five (5) 8x10 glossies of Jack Abadie, signed. The winners will be selected on April 10, from all the commenters at all the stops, and notified by email.

The Grand Prize winner will be selected on April 10th and notified by email. Once I have heard from the winner and obtained a shipping address, I will order the Kindle and have it shipped directly to the winner. They will also be eligible to select five (5) of my backlist titles and I will email them to the winner.

Contest valid in the United States.

Full schedule for the Tarnished Gold Virtual Book Tour.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Well, I was born in Upstate New York, but through a military transfer, ended up in New Orleans, where I lived until five years ago. When my husband retired, we moved closer to our oldest daughter, near Lafayette, Louisiana, where we are now.

I'm the oldest of four siblings—two in North Carolina and one still in New York. I've been a non-professional genealogist for many years, and from those years of research, I have many stories yet unwritten.

My husband and I love to travel, especially long road trips and cruises, of which we've taken nearly twenty. We're right around eighteen or so. Our next one will be next year. We planned one for the fall of 2013, but with visiting my family back in New York, the vacation would have extended to a month, and we can't leave home for that long.

On May 3, we leave for England, and will spend two weeks touring England, Scotland, and Wales. That is our trip of a lifetime and has been on my bucket list forever. Can't wait!

Oh, that sounds like a fantastic trip! I know you'll have a great time and make sure you take lots of pictures.

On average, how long does it take you to write a book?

 There is no pat answer to that question. I've written a first draft in two weeks, but then, Tarnished Gold took me nearly a year. With that book, I knew it would be a long process. I researched for six months before I ever wrote a word. When I wrote it, I had no word count in mind. I was determined to simply write the story, wherever it took me.

        Given the era, early 19teens through the early 1930's, I had 
        to capture the tenor of each decade, and to do that, I had to 

        study the times. Tarnished Gold was in the making long before
        I wrote it. I have volumes of notes, many hours logged 
        watching period-made silent films and the talkies, plus the
        reading. I can honestly say I enjoyed the research as much as
        the writing.

It definitely shows that you put a lot of time researching for this book. Tarnished Gold is a spectacular book, I encourage everyone

to pick up a copy. To read my review please click here.

 Where do you find writing inspiration?  

 I find inspiration everywhere really. It could come from a line on a TV show, or something I see while eating in a restaurant. Something in a book might trigger the seed of a story. I'm always prepared, and carry a pad and pen with me most everywhere I go. I've been known to scribble down ideas while in the movie theater.

It definitely sounds like you are always prepared for when ever inspiration strikes.

Can you tell us about your current book, Tarnished Gold?

                                 First, here's the blurb:

 In 1915, starstruck Jack Abadie strikes out for the gilded streets of the most sinful town in the country—Hollywood. With him, he takes a secret that his country hometown would never understand.

 After years of hard work and a chance invitation to a gay gentlemen's club, Jack is discovered. Soon, his talent, matinee idol good looks, and affable personality propel him to the height of stardom. But fame breeds distrust.

Meeting Wyatt Maitland turns Jack’s life upside down. He wants to be worthy of his good fortune, but old demons haunt him. Only through Wyatt's strength can Jack face that which keeps him from being the man he wants to be. Love without trust is empty.

 As the 1920s roar, scandals rock the movie industry. Public tolerance of Hollywood's decadence has reached its limit. Under pressure to clean up its act, Jack’s studio issues an ultimatum. Either forsake the man he loves and remain a box office darling, or follow his heart and let his shining star fade to tarnished gold.

 Read an excerpt and purchase the Tarnished Gold ebook or print, signed by the author (if one of the first twenty sold.)

Tarnished Gold is a story that I have longed to tell for some time. It involves a young man who goes to Hollywood to seek his fortune. All too soon, times change and being gay in Hollywood is looked upon favorably. 
    

Times in the early days of Hollywood changed drastically as the 1920s waned. Attitudes toward the many scandals involving stars and directors caused studios to take drastic measures. Jack, though not one of the culprits, is wrapped up in the frenzy to clean up Hollywood.This is really a story about a man who knows who he is and is uncompromising in his beliefs. With Wyatt, he is the face of those who hid from the censure that the 1930s brought to Hollywood. Jack is probably the strongest character I've ever written, but he has a poignant vulnerability to him as well. I like to think of him and Wyatt as an unfinished puzzle—there are only two pieces needed for completion and they only fit one way. 

What do you think makes a good story?

 For me, a good story has to be believable, with characters that I would want as friends. Fantasy, for me, only goes so far on my believability scale. I read and write with the hero in mind—always. I want him to be strong, intelligent, sure of himself yet vulnerable. If there are more than one hero, the same applies. Alphas all the way, with a touch of beta with each other.

 The circumstances of a story must have enough twists and turns to keep me wanting to turn the page. I don't mind slow parts, as long as they don't drag on. Sometimes it's nice to take a breath and enjoy the scenery.

 Understanding that there are only a limited number of tropes, I don't mind that, because each author brings their own unique take. I don't, however, like a rehash of fairy tales, where the predictability is high. I just read a romance, configured like Cinderella's story, and it was rather disconcerting that I knew the story well ahead of the conclusion. This wasn't a fantasy, but we had the step-sisters, the guy who was her prince, the castle, etc. 

What’s the hardest thing about writing and how do you handle it?

 I suppose the hardest thing for me is the wait between the time I send a manuscript in to the publisher and when I hear back from them. That is usually three months and it is tough waiting. However, I move on and write something else or research, which takes an extraordinary amount of time. You can't hurry the process, so acceptance is the best way to handle it.

If you could have dinner with 5 people, who would you choose and why?

The first guest would have to be my husband. We are attached at the hip and never do anything without the other, and we love it that way. Since we are both history buffs, our guests would have to be from the past. Abraham Lincoln is a must. My grandmother would be another. I adored her and got so very few years with her. And then both her parents, whom I never knew (they died a quarter century before I was born,) but as a genealogist, I have learned much about. However, I would love to know more. They were simple, but fascinating people, who died much too young, both of lobar pneumonia, two and a half years apart.

My great-grandmother, Clara, died at 34, two months after the birth of her 10^th child. Can you imagine? She left behind eight children and a husband who adored her. He vowed to keep the family together, but he died at the age of 42 only two and half years later. The oldest girl was twenty and on her own, the next son was indentured to a local farmer, my grandmother was 16 when she married my grandfather, the next two girls went to live with friends, and the rest went to an orphanage. One came out shortly after, but the other two were adopted out. It was twenty years before the siblings were reunited. A fascinating story really.

Genealogy is a fascinating hobby. You never know what you're going to find, or how long it's going to take. It's an on going task.

If you could travel in a time machine, would go back to the past or to the future?

Definitely the past, back to the early 1800's, in England. So many of my romances are set there and I find that period in history fascinating. Well, I actually find all history fascinating. I would love to experience the life lived then, from all angles, but alas, I am a spoiled creature who must have her air conditioning. I won't be volunteering for the time machine any time soon.

It would be hard to decide to go back to the past or

forward to the future. I think I'm with you, though.

How wonderful would it be to meet our relatives?

What does your family and friends think about your writing erotic romances?

My family is grown, and they are thrilled that I am finally fulfilling my lifelong dream. They cheer me on and celebrate each new contract. I also sustain a great deal of teasing, especially from one of our sons-in-law, who loves to tell people that I write "naughty books." Yeah, I've cuffed him up side his head a few times for that.

How important is reader feedback, good or bad, to you?

Reader feedback is very important. I write for my readers and if they don't enjoy my efforts, I want to know. Of course, if I don't please them with a story, I am disappointed, but their comments help me to remember why I spend so much time creating characters and their stories.

What’s the best advice you can give to an inspiring author?

 Study your craft. If you love writing, you should be open to learning more about it. I learn something new with each edit and I try very hard to apply that knowledge to the next manuscript.

 Be open to criticism and learn from it. What might have seemed like a great idea in theory, might not pan out so well in practice. 

 Read about the genre you favor and read in the genre you favor. See what others are writing, how they are writing.

 Don't sign a contract in haste. I presently have several contracts, 7 years in length, that I wish I'd never signed.

 Do your research—both for your story and where you submit it. I can't stress that enough. Don't be afraid to contact authors at a publishing company you are considering. Ask them about their experience.

Excellent advice, Brita.

How do you relax?

 I read or watch TV with my honey. We also have date day every Friday, which gets us out of the house. We are huge movie fans and it is never a question of what movie we'll see. More, it's "Okay, what haven't we seen."

Date day every Friday, how fun.

What is your favorite all time book?

 I have to say that I have two—Lisa Kleypas's It Happened One Autumn and Mary Balogh's Simply Love. Unforgettable stories and characters.

Fun Questions:

 Pepsi or Coke?

 Peach tea

Chips or pretzels?

Chips, though I do like unsalted pretzels.

Mountains or beach?

 Mountains. HATE the beach with a passion. HATE! The thought of sand gives me the heebie-jeebies. HATE!!

Favorite color?

 Mauve

Favorite ice cream?

Almond Chocolate

Casual or dress up?

Casual all the way. I'm a t-shirt and jeans gal from way back. However, my mother taught me how to dress and I can dress up when it is required.

Cook outs or restaurant dinners?

Definitely restaurant. My husband has never enjoyed cooking out and I can honestly say, it does nothing for me either. We have so many wonderful restaurants where we live, that we have our choice anytime we want.

Another recent release is For Men Like Us, which takes place during the Regency in England. You can find it at Dreamspinner Press. Just click the title to be magically transported.

Blurb for For Men Like Us: 

 After Preston Meacham’s lover dies trying to lend him aid at Salamanca, hopelessness becomes his only way of life. Despite his best efforts at starting again, he has no pride left, which leads him to sell himself for a pittance at a molly house. The mindless sex affords him his only respite from the horrors he witnessed. 

The Napoleonic War left Benedict Wilmot haunted by the acts he was forced to commit and the torture he endured at the hands of a superior, a man who used the threat of a gruesome death to force Ben to do his bidding. Even sleep gives Ben no reprieve, for he can’t escape the destruction he caused.

When their paths cross, Ben feels an overwhelming need to protect Preston from his dangerous profession. As he explains, “The streets are dangerous for men like us.”

About Brita Addams:

 Born in Upstate New York, Brita Addams has made her home in the sultry south for many years. Brita's home is a happy place, where she lives with her real-life hero, her husband, and a fat cat named Stormee.

She writes, for the most part, erotic historical romance, both het and m/m, which is an ideal fit, given her love of British and American history. Setting the tone for each historical is important. Research plays an indispensible part in the writing of any historical work, romance or otherwise. A great deal of reading and study goes into each work, to give the story the authenticity it deserves.

 As a reader, Brita prefers historical works, romances and otherwise. She believes herself born in the wrong century, though she says she would find it difficult to live without air conditioning.

Brita and her husband love to travel, particularly cruises and long road trips. They completed a Civil War battlefield tour a couple of years ago, and have visited many places involved in the American Revolutionary War. 

 In May, 2013, they are going to England for two weeks, to visit the places Brita writes about in her books, including the estate that inspired the setting for her Sapphire Club series. Not the activities, just the floor plan. 

A bit of trivia – Brita pronounces her name, Bree-ta, like the woman's name, and oddly, not like the famous water filter.

Please visit me at any of these online locations:

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Fan Page

Goodreads

Bookshelf

Amazon Author Page

Pinterest

Thanks for stopping by today, Brita. I enjoyed our interview.

How do you enter this wonderful contest you ask? Well, it's easy as pie:

1. Follow For Whom The Books Toll by email or gfc.

2. Have you read any of Brita's books? Which one is your    favorite?

You MUST answer the question in the comments and

tell me how you follow. Make sure you also put your

email in the comment.  Have fun following along on the rest of the stops and good luck!