Start your week with Kate Hamilton

Linda Kage: Today we're here with Kate Hamilton. Hi, Kate. Why don't you tell us a little about your background?

Kate: I am at present living in Edinburgh, Scotland. I have lived in may different parts of the world, including the Far East. I studied American Literature as part of an M.A. at the University of Aberdeen.

Kage: Who are your favourite authors?

Kate: I am widely read as part of my ambition as a writer. I think you do have to read a great many books to learn the craft of writing. So it is hard to come up with just a few. But if pushed to say then Edith Wharton would come near the top.

I love to laugh so P.G.Wodehouse is the man to reach for. Jerome K. Jerome makes me laugh too. The funniest book I ever read was "Cold Comfort Farm" Barbara Cartland always reduces me to tears - there's some poignancy to her stories that touches my heart. The greatest is Tolstoy, followed closely by Thomas Mann and Charles Dickens. But this list is not comprehensive.

Kage:What about your writing?

Kate:My first book was a serious melodrama where the heroine spent most of the time screaming. This was an easy dialogue. I was 8 or 9. During my teens I had work in the school magazine/read out in class. I have kept a diary for a long time. I decided to become serious 5 years ago. Blood Line is my 6th novel.

Blood Line is a classic Gothic comedy romance. Much as the heroine in Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey" suffers from teen angst and a seriously overactive imagination so the spunky Lauren MacBreach avoids dire danger on the way to the altar. Her guardian angel, Cidriel, is fortunately there to help her on the way. She is his first case and he comes very close to falling for her himself. However he bravely susses out the right(eous) course of action and all ends well, if rather unexpectedly. You are kept guessing right up to the end of the book.

Kage: Here are some reviews for BLOOD LINE

'Kate Hamilton keeps you guessing on this one up till the final paragraphs. I don't want to give anything away, but I think you'll find the ending quite satisfying. I know I did. Until you reach it you'll be kept turning pages by Hamilton's excellent storytelling skills and her ability to continually draw you deeper into the story. I read the story through in two evenings as I did not want to put it down. When it was over I enjoyed the glow that comes from experiencing a tale well told and a romance that was exactly that, something that made your heart pound with excitement and joy. It was a wonderful experience.' Tracy Riva.


'BLOOD LINE is a clever premise. Although it's intended as a young adult novel, it is also interesting to adults. Certainly I enjoyed it. This is by far the most unusual romance since "Sleepless in Seattle." BLOOD LINE held my interest and kept me turning the pages until I reached the end.'
Carolyn Smith


'This book has some interesting twists and turns, definitely taking the reader to unexpected places! I also loved the use of humor throughout....not in-your-face humor, but subtle humor.'

'The characters are one of the strongest points of the book. Hamilton has an incredible sense of character voice and behavior that allows Lauren and Cid to jump off the page. I adored Cidriel and often found myself eagerly awaiting his next appearance. In addition to that, the book is rich with Scottish culture and custom, bringing the setting to life. As Lauren explores the castle of Tomindoul and the surrounding villages and islands, the reader feels as though they are following every winding staircase and corridor along with her.' Jennifer Rainey

Kage:Kate, Thank you so much for stopping by today and gracing us with your presence. Before we go, is there anything else you’d like to say to wrap things up?

Kate: I would like to thank Linda for having me today and hope you will all enjoy reading BLOOD LINE which is available at Amazon. KATE HAMILTON

Friday Forwards - #25

After all the devastating stories I've seen and heard about this week, I say it's time for some super good news....

So first, I'm sending a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the lovely, wonderful, totally sweet MARIE ROSE DUFOUR, who is one of the best blogging buddies a person can have and is about to be a--wait for it--published author. SQUEAL!!!!! She just sold her first book this week to Secret Cravings Publishing. There's nothing better than the euphoria of that first sale. I'm so very happy Marie Rose is tasting that joy!

To keep the smiles coming, here's a new Friday Forwards:


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MISUNDERSTOOD SUNDAY SCHOOL STORIES

LOT 'S WIFE
The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot 's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, 'My Mommy looked back once while she was driving,' he announced triumphantly, 'and she turned into a telephone pole!'

GOOD SAMARITAN
A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan. She asked the class, 'If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?'

A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, 'I think I'd throw up.'

DID NOAH FISH?
A Sunday school teacher asked, 'Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark ?

''No,' replied Johnny. 'How could he, with just two worms.'


HIGHER POWER:
A Sunday school teacher said to her children, "We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a higher power. Can anybody tell me what it is?"

One child blurted out, "Aces!"

MOSES & THE RED SEA:
Nine-year-old Joey, was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday school. "Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his army build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then, he radioed headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved."

"Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?" his mother asked.

"Well, no, Mom. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!"

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD:
A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible; Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the verse. Little Rick was excited about the task, but, he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.

On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know."

UNANSWERED PRAYER
The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head, for a moment, before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why. "Well, Honey," he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages, "I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon."

"How come He doesn't do it?" she asked.

BEING THANKFUL
A rabbi said to a precocious six-year-old boy, "So your mother says your prayers for you each night? Very commendable. What does she say?"

The little boy replied, "Thank God he's in bed!"

UNTIMELY ANSWERED PRAYER
During the minister's prayer, one Sunday, there was a loud whistle from one of the back pews. Gary's mother was horrified. She pinched him into silence and, after church, asked, "Gary, whatever made you do such a thing?"

Gary answered, soberly, "I asked God to teach me to whistle, And He just then did!"

TIME TO PRAY:
A pastor asked a little boy if he said his prayers every night. "Yes sir," the boy replied.

"And, do you always say them in the morning, too?" the pastor asked.

"No sir," the boy replied. "I ain't scared in the daytime."

BEWARE OF TRASH:
One particular four-year old prayed, "And forgive us our 'trash baskets' as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."

ALL MEN / ALL GIRLS?
When my daughter, Kelli, was 3, she and my son, Cody, would say their nightly prayers, together.

As most children do, we have to bless every family member, every friend, and every animal (current and past). For several weeks, after we had finished the nightly prayer, Kelli would say, "And all girls."

As this soon became part of her nightly routine, to include this at the end, my curiosity got the best of me and I asked her, "Kelli, why do you always add the part about all girls?"

Her response, "Because we always finish our prayers by saying 'All Men'!"

SAY A PRAYER:
Little Johnny and his family were having Sunday dinner at his Grandmother's house. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served. When little Johnny received his plate, he started eating right away.

"Johnny wait until we say our prayer."

"I don't have to," The boy replied.

"Of course, you do," his mother insisted. "We say a prayer, before eating, at our house."

"That's our house," Johnny explained. "But this is Grandma's house and she knows how to cook.

Prayers for Joplin

Today, all my thoughts and prayers are going across the state line and 30 miles away from my home to Joplin, Missouri. I can't help but feel the impact of this disaster every time I turn on the local news and watch unfolding and unreal events of tragedy and heroism. While driving to and from work, the radio station is full of worried citizens calling in, giving names of loved ones they're looking for. And co-workers continually fill me with stories of family and friends who've lost their homes.

I still can't believe the single deadliest tornado since the 1940's hit my neighbors just Sunday ago. It's hard to think of all the places I shopped and ate (the little pizza parlor where my husband and I went on our first sit-down date) as being gone. I ache for every person involved.

More information about Joplin here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43132174/ns/weather/t/twister-search-finds-survivors-more-dead/from/toolbar