Glad to have you back at Duck Chat today!
Elisabeth Naughton is our guest, and if you haven’t started her Stolen trilogy yet, you need to! Terrific action, suspense, and romance in a variety of adventures for her characters. Don’t miss out!
She’s probably one of the very few authors who didn’t grow up with pen to paper all the time or dreaming of being a writer. It wasn’t until she read Scarlet: The Sequel to Gone with the Wind that her dreams started. But it wasn’t until much later when Elisabeth quit her job to stay home with the kids that she actually started writing. She’s had her fair share of hard work and rejections, of course, but now with her new trilogy on the shelves, it’s only the beginning for this newly published author.
Stolen Fury is the first book in the trilogy (be sure to see my review today) and next week Stolen Heat will be released. The third book, Stolen Seduction, is slated for publication in January. So let’s begin chatting with Elisabeth to find out what’s she’s up to now and what books we can look forward to from her in the future!
DUCK CHAT: Elisabeth, let’s jump right into the thick of things and talk about your Stolen series. First of all, how did the series come about? Is it evolving as you originally envisioned?
ELISABETH NAUGHTON: Thanks so much for having me today! I’m thrilled to be here.
The Stolen books really morphed out of the first book, Stolen Fury. Originally, I wrote that as a stand alone, but secondary characters (who are main characters in later books) were so compelling to me during the writing process, it wasn’t long before I realized I couldn’t not write their stories. All three books can stand alone, and you don’t have to read them in order (though it makes it more fun). The books are linked by characters and an antiquities gallery in Miami called The Odyssey Gallery.
DC: If you could retire any question and never, ever have it asked again, what would it be? Feel free to answer it.
EN: “I have an idea for a book. If I give it to you, will you write it for me and mention me in the credits?”
DC: Stolen Fury is the first book in the series where we meet Rafe and Lisa. Would tell us about them and their story?
EN: Rafe is a real rogue and Lisa is a woman who doesn’t put up with a lot of nonsense. Their book is a power struggle back and forth as they deal with the mystery surrounding the three Furies (reluctantly, together) and fight their growing attraction.
Archaeologist Lisa Maxwell has staked her career on collecting the priceless set of ancient Greek reliefs, the three Furies. She finds the first, Alecto, and while lecturing in Italy, meets Rafe Sullivan, a man who briefly distracts her from her goal. After a passionate seduction, Lisa wakes to an empty bed and, worse yet, an empty safe. But she’s not the kind of woman to get mad, she plans to get even…even if she has to partner up with the sexy scoundrel who swindled her. Together they’re on the run to find the last two Furies. But Lisa soon finds Rafe is the least of her worries. Other treasure hunters are hot on their trail–and they’ll kill to get to the prize first.
Excerpt from Stolen Fury:
“That feels so much better.”
Rafe glanced up at the sound of Lisa’s husky voice. Gone were the black jacket and ice-pick heels. Barefoot and wearing only the slim black skirt and tight-fitting camisole that accentuated her curvy figure, she walked back toward him.
“My feet were killing me,” she said.
And she was killing him. His mouth went dry.
She accepted the wine he handed her. “Thank you. What should we drink to?”
A night of mindless sex. His eyes followed the glass as she lifted it to her lips. For a split second he contemplated knocking it out of her hand before reality kicked him in the stomach.
“How about to unexpected encounters?” he responded in a voice that was steadier than he expected.
“To unexpected encounters.” A smile tugged at the corners of her tantalizing mouth as she tapped her glass against his then took a long swallow.
Hell, there went the marathon sex. Hiding his disappointment, he lifted his own wine and sipped.
Her glass lowered. “So, tell me. Do you make a habit out of stalking visiting professors?”
Only when they had something he really wanted. “No.”
“Hmm.” She sent him a disbelieving look before walking into the living area where she sat on the plush couch with her wine. He followed and sank next to her. “Are you married, Mr. Garcia?”
He set his glass on the wrought-iron coffee table. “No. You?”
She shook her head and took another long sip. “Girlfriend?”
“Not at the moment.”
“Hmm,” she said again, her gaze traveling the length of his body before returning to settle on his eyes. She set her half-empty glass next to his. “And how about this? Are one night stands your thing?”
“I don’t have a thing. Are they yours?”
With a smile, she shook her head and leaned forward, slipping the glasses from his face. She folded the stems and put them on the table. “Now that we have all the nice little lies out of the way, why don’t you kiss me like you did before?”
“Not like before,” he whispered as she drew close.
DC: I’ve heard writers often say their stories take them in surprising directions, or dialogue flows from some unknown place. Is it the same with you? Do your characters surprise you sometimes?
EN: More often than not. I may have an idea how a character behaves when I’m in the planning stages of a book, but I never really “know” them until I start writing. They come alive for me then, and nine times out of ten I’m surprised by things they do or say. Usually, pleasantly surprised.
DC: Do you ever argue with your characters while you’re writing? Who usually wins?
EN: LOL. Very timely question. Yes! I just finished the edits on Stolen Seduction. The hero in that book – Shane Maxwell – was the toughest hero I’ve ever written. He and I went back and forth several times. I love him dearly, but at one point I was ready to feed him to the alligators. My CP cautiously suggested that might ruin the whole Happily Ever After thing I’m targeting by writing romance. Smart woman…she was right.
I am happy to report that by the end of the book Shane had totally redeemed himself (and I did NOT toss him to the gators). And I have to say, to date, he’s probably my favorite hero. He’s definitely the one who sticks out most in my mind, even now when I’m working on new books. Maybe (probably!) because he gave me such angst along the way.
DC: The next book in the series is Stolen Heat, which releases later this month. Can you give our readers a look at what to expect in this story?
Excerpt from Stolen Heat:
The bitter cold woke him.
A shiver ran through Pete, rousing him from sleep. He blinked, opened his eyes and peered into utter darkness. For a moment he didn’t know which way was up. Then he registered the frigid leather beneath his cheek and the dead weight of his arm pinned beneath his body.
He pushed up slowly and immediately regretted the movement. The dull throb he’d felt behind his eyes when he’d been lying down kicked up to the roar of a Dophins game when he moved upright, and he closed his eyes again. He rubbed frozen fingers against his temples to abate the pounding in his skull and cringed as pain sliced through his skin.
What the…
He pulled his hand back, tried to squint to see what the wetness was on his fingers. It felt sticky and cold. Blood?
Okay, drinking himself into oblivion had been a really dumb idea, although he couldn’t remember drinking anything after dropping Maria off at her apartment. He must have fallen somehow and hit his head. Regardless, a thirty-eight-year-old man should know better.
When he felt certain he wasn’t going to black out, he opened his eyes and quickly realized something else wasn’t right.He was still in the limo. He could feel the cold, Italian leather cradling his body, the hard floor at his feet. Around him was a blanket of some kind. He reached a hand out to test his surroundings and met vinyl and wood surrounding the wet bar.
He paused and listened, tried to figure out what was going on. The limo wasn’t moving, the engine wasn’t on, and there were no voices or even sounds for that matter.
Where was he? In an underground garage? If so, then where was the driver? Why had he been left in here all alone? And who had put this blanket on him?
His adrenaline shot up, and he moved closer to the window, cupped a hand against the glass and peered outside. Nothing. A black void met his eyes.
Slowly, and with cautious movements because his stomach was rebelling with every shift, he moved to the other side of the vehicle and did the same. Through the tinted glass, he could just make out what looked like a dim light coming from a distance away. A door? It looked like it, cracked open a few inches. If so, he was definitely in some kind of garage or building.
He pushed toward the Mercedes’ back door, caught the handle and gave it a shove. The exertion sent the pounding in his head up another notch, and he groaned. As he eased out of the vehicle, he wondered if staying inside hadn’t been the smarter choice. It was fucking freezing out here.
He wrapped his arms around himself, pulled the tux jacket tight against his body to conserve heat, and took slow steps toward the door ahead. The light was soft, as if from a lamp, and warmth radiated from the room before he even reached the threshold.
Heat was good. No matter what was on the other side of that door, it was better than staying out here and freezing his nuts off.He placed one hand on the solid wood, more to steady himself than anything else, and pushed.
It was an apartment of some kind. The room stopped churning long enough so he could make out a TV in the far corner. Beat-up furniture filled the space. His wobbly gaze landed on the figure curled up in a ball on the sofa.
“Hey,” he said in a raspy voice he barely recognized. He cleared his throat as the figure stirred. He’d tear off someone’s head if he didn’t get the hell out of here and back to his suite at the Waldorf pronto. There was an Alka-Seltzer there with his name on it. “What the hell is going—”
The figure sat bolt upright, blinked several times and stared at him with big, brown, stunned eyes. And suddenly he couldn’t remember just what he’d wanted to know in the first place.
“Oh, shit,” he whispered.
The blood rushed from his head and went due south, leaving him lightheaded and shaky. No way this was happening. He was still drunk. That was the only explanation. He was tripped out on some seriously bad champagne and hallucinating because this wasn’t real. He wasn’t staring at Katherine Meyer alive and in the flesh because she was dead.
She rose slowly from the couch.
Stunned into silence, all he could do was stare as she rubbed her hands against her thighs and took a cautious step toward him.
It looked like Kat. A variation anyway. This woman’s hair was nearly black and cut short as a boy’s. But the face—holy hell—the face was the same. The same wide doe eyes, the same pouty lips, the same dark mole on the upper right side of her mouth.
“Pete. You startled me. I…are you okay?”
It sounded like her, too. His eyes widened in disbelief.
Her gaze darted over his face. “You look a little better. How do you feel?”
How did he feel? Like he’d just been hit by a bulldozer, head-on.
He barely managed to catch the door handle for support before his legs gave out. His mouth dropped open, a thousand questions fired off in his brain, and though he tried to form words, he couldn’t get his lips to work.
Hallucinating. You’re hallucinating, man. That’s the only explanation.
“I tried to move you, but you were like dead weight, and I, well, I’m a little tired after everything else. So I got you a blanket and left the door open. I know it was cold out there…”
Her words trailed off. And she closed her mouth quickly at what he knew had to be his stunned expression. Then sank her top teeth into her bottom lip the way Kat always had when she’d been shy or uncertain about something. “I guess you’re ready to chat. I think it’s safe to say you look a little surprised.”
Surprised?
No fucking way.
DC: What is sure to distract you from sitting down and working/writing?
EN: Kids. I have three, ages ten, seven and four. Writing when they’re around is very difficult. And since it’s now summer…you see my dilemma.
DC: Is there a genre you haven’t tackled but would like to try?
EN: I’d love to write a romantic comedy, ala Susan Elizabeth Phillips. But for some strange reason I can’t. Dead bodies keep popping up in all my books!
DC: The third book in the series is Stolen Seduction, Hailey and Shane’s story, and is slated for release in January 2010. May we get a sneak peek into this book?
EN: Sure.
Stolen Seduction is a love on the run treasure hunt. Readers met Shane in Stolen Fury and got a glimpse of Hailey in both Stolen Fury and Stolen Heat.
From the back cover of Stolen Seduction:
The individual who collects all six statues and deciphers the code locked within will be awarded controlling interest in Roarke Resorts.
YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS ENDEAVOR IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.
Hailey Roarke was never interested in her family’s fortune. That’s why she became a cop. But with her father and now her cousin dead, she’s suddenly on the wrong side of a police interrogation. The only way to clear her name is to solve the riddle before the real killer. Without getting killed herself.
Detective Shane Maxwell can’t deny the spark of lust he feels every time Hailey is near. But the woman is clearly hiding something. Trusting his gut—and the heat in her eyes—he joins her on an elaborate global treasure hunt staged by her late father. Caught between a sizzling seduction and a maniacal murderer, for Hailey and Shane the biggest reward of all will be making it out alive.
Excerpt from Stolen Seduction:
As the music shifted from nice days to life on the docks and Hailey lifted her fists again to jab at the bag, Shane pulled the gym’s main door open and stepped inside. Sweet female sweat and just a hint of the lilac scent he always associated with her drifted toward his nose.
She didn’t stop punching. Left hook, left, right again. And his blood warmed the closer he got. It wasn’t until he reached the stereo and flicked the power button that she stopped abruptly and whipped his way.
Surprise registered in her sapphire eyes first. Then distrust. And finally, disgust.
Okay, after their run-in earlier, he had that coming. But she’d purposely left him hanging, and he wanted answers.She didn’t say anything, but her chest rose and fell as she drew deep breaths. A bead of sweat rolled down her bruised temple, over her jaw, down the long, slender column of neck, heading straight for her breasts. Like an idiot, he watched the droplet, his body temperature growing hotter by the minute as it slid downward.
And that’s when he saw the yellowing bruises. Faint traces of what she’d been through before. On her ribs, on her thighs, on the soft skin of her arms. Near a bandage by her shoulder.
“How’d you get in here?” she asked in a breathless tone before he got two steps closer to her on the blue mats that matched her eyes.
He forced his gaze away from her fading injuries, told himself she was fine, healthy, that whatever she’d endured, she’d survived. But the urge to cold-cock whoever had done this to her was hard to overcome. And Kauffman was seriously dead meat.
“Janitor.”“Did you come to arrest me or are you just having trouble sleeping, Maxwell?”
Her voice pulled his brain away from extracting revenge, and he focused on her face. He wasn’t about to tell her didn’t sleep, not much anyway. And the look in her eye warned him her little work-out session hadn’t done much to cool-out her temper. “Should I arrest you?”
She glanced past him to the windows, then looked at his face again. “Who’s playing good cop tonight?”
“No one. I’m here alone.”
One elegant brow lifted. “Inspector Clouseau know you’re going renegade?”
The muscles around his eyes tightened with humor. “No, he doesn’t. He’d tear into me if he did.”
“Then why are you here?”
“’Cause I’m not done with you yet.”
Her eyes never left his as she lifted her hand to mop up the sweat on her forehead. “I already told you I’m not answering any more questions without my lawyer.”
“I’m not here officially, Hailey.” When she opened her mouth to protest, he added, “I saw the surveillance tapes. Trust me when I say, you need a friend right now. And I may be all you’ve got.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”
“Answers. Unofficially,” he added before she could spout off anything else about her lawyer. “But mostly to help you.”
Those blue eyes of hers searched his face, and he could practically see the wheels turning in her mind. Along with a great big dose of I-don’t-think-so.
“You want answers?” she said. “Unofficial?”
He nodded slowly, thinking she was capitulating way too quickly, but thankful he wasn’t going to have to pry it out of her.
“Fine. I’ll answer whatever question you’ve got. But you’ve got to take me down first. I take you down, I get to ask the questions.”
She wanted to spar? With him? Here? Now? He glanced around the mats, back at her, slicked with sweat, bruises not yet healed from her last run-in and juiced up on endorphins. Yeah, he wanted answers, but he wouldn’t hurt her to get them. “I don’t think that’s such a good—”
“Scared?”
The look of utter confidence across her face stopped him. “No, I just—”
She took a step back and held out her hands. “How bad do you want your answers, Maxwell? Gimme your best shot.”
He wasn’t going to actually do this, was he?
DC: Will there be more books in the Stolen series?
EN: I’ll never say never, but at this point I don’t have any other Stolen books planned. I am working on a new adventure series, however, that may include a few secondary characters from the Stolen books.
DC: What advice would you give to your younger self?
EN: Don’t be afraid to go after what you want. Life is too short to be held back by fear.
DC: You have a new series, Eternal Guardians, and the first book, Marked, will be released in May 2010. Would tell us a little about the series itself, how many books are expected, and then something about Marked?
NE: I’m very excited about the Eternal Guardians Series. This is a slight shift for me, as all the books in this series are paranormals. I’ll still be writing my romantic suspense/adventure books, but these paranormals are just plain fun.
The series follows a band of warriors called the Argonauts – seven warriors descended from the greatest heroes in Greek mythology – Heracles, Achilles, Odysseus, Jason, Bellerophon, Theseus and Perseus – each blessed with long lives and supernatural powers who protect their race from evil factions in the underworld out to destroy them.
The first book in the series, Marked, follows the leader of the Argonauts – Theron, the strongest Argonaut and descendant of Heracles. In order to stave off a war with the demons of the Underworld and protect his people from extinction, he has to find the woman who unknowingly fulfills an ancient prophesy, only to fall for her even knowing she is marked for sacrifice.
Marked releases May 2010, and the second book in the series (working title is Deceived) is set to release in November, 2010.
DC: If you were a book, what would your blurb be?
EN: Ooh, now that’s a toughie.
Keeper of her own castle (though rarely in charge), one woman battles the voices in her head by pounding out words on her keyboard day after day. Toss in a husband who travels, three kids who can’t seem to catch the concept of ‘quiet’ and one rambunctious Dalmatian and you have a recipe for…Elisabeth’s Life.
DC: What would be your “voice’s” tagline?
EN: Sexy, sassy and spurred on by deadly intrigue.
DC: You’re a former science teacher. Have you found your education in that field has come in handy in your writing yet?
EN: Absolutely. I tend to weave scientific elements into all my books. Archaeology, geology, chemistry…I’m fascinated by the questions science creates. When I read about new discoveries or technologies in the field, I’m always asking myself, “How could I use that in a book?”
DC: If you had never become an author, what do you think you would be doing right now?
EN: No clue. I might still be teaching. Before I went to grad school I thought about med school. All those years of schooling though…
DC: Who’s your favorite author?
EN: I don’t have just one. I love Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Judith McNaught, Alice Sharpe, L.M. Montgomery and J.R. Tolkein. My tastes tend to change from day to day, but these authors are like comfort food. When I need something familiar to make me feel good, I know I can pick up one of their books – new or old – and find peace all over again.
DC: What’s on the horizon for Elisabeth Naughton?
EN: Well, right now I’m in serious promo mode for Stolen Heat. It’s getting great reviews and I couldn’t be happier. I’m also working on the second book in my Eternal Guardians Series, which is due to my pub in December. After that, I’m hoping to delve back into a new adventure idea I sent my agent recently.
I’m excited about the future… about writing in both genres I enjoy – adventure/suspense and paranormal. Not everyone gets the chance to work in a career they love. I’m blessed that I have this opportunity.
Lightning Round:
– dark or milk chocolate? – Dark. Especially dark chocolate macadamia nuts. Mmmm…
– smooth or chunky peanut butter? – Smooth. I’m not a huge fan of peanuts, but I do like peanut butter and honey on toast.
– heels or flats? – Heels. I love the way they elongate a woman’s legs. Sexy!
– coffee or tea? – Oooh. Tough question! Usually I’d say coffee, but I was recently in the hospital (2 wks) for a strep-a blood infection and lo and behold, those two weeks weaned me off my coffee addiction. These days I’m drinking way more tea.
– summer or winter? – Summer. I live in the Pacific Northwest and we have beautiful, mild summers. Not to hot, not too cold, and very little rain. It’s the best season.
– mountains or beach? – Beach! Every time. I’m a beach bum on vacation.
– mustard or mayonnaise? – Mayo. But not the light stuff. Ick! Give me the full-fat variety any day.
– flowers or candy? – Flowers.
– pockets or purse? – Purse. But a small one. After years of carrying everything under the sun for my kids in a big bag, I’m loving the fact I can take a clutch with me and I’m good to go.
– Pepsi or Coke? – Diet Coke. Mmm…I think I need one now..
– ebook or print? – Print. I spend all day on the computer. When I sit down to read for pleasure I don’t want any technology. I want a book in my hand, a glass of wine within my reach, and preferably a nice long bubble bath to wash away all my worries.
And because we love’em still:
1. What is your favorite word? – Serendipity. It just sounds fun, doesn’t it? And every time I say it I think of John Cusack.
2. What is your least favorite word? – Poop. (I’m sorry…I have three kids. I’ve seen and heard enough of this to last me a lifetime…)
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? – Music. A clean house. Bubble baths. (Not necessarily in that order.)
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally? – Chaos. I can’t think in chaotic environments. (Which begs the question…why on earth do I have three children?!)
5. What sound or noise do you love? – The rain pattering against the roof on a warm summer’s night. The sound of my kids’ laughing. Waves breaking on a tropical beach. Kenny Chesney’s voice. (I already told my husband if he had Kenny Chesney’s voice, he wouldn’t be allowed to talk to me – EVER. He’d have to sing everything.)
6. What sound or noise do you hate? – My kids’ screaming, “But, Moooooom!”
7. What is your favorite curse word? – LOLOLOL. Oh, I’m gonna get in trouble on this one. Anyone who knows me would say my curse word(s) of choice are “Holy Shit”. Funny story about this one…
My son was in first grade last year, and around Christmas time the teacher had the kids all sitting in a circle on the carpet and she was talking about different religious holidays. Somehow, in the discussion, she said the word “Holy” and then paused before explaining the definition to the class. Well, yes, you can probably see where this is going. My lovely 1st grader immediately piped up from the back of the carpet to finish the phrase he’s heard his mother utter way too often…”Shit!” And, yep, as you can already guess, we got a phone call about that one. I tried to blame it on my husband, but everyone in the family knows that phrase is all my doing. *sigh*
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? – For a while I wanted to be an interior decorator. Then I finished decorating my house and lost interest. I think I’d also enjoy party planning. I love throwing a great party.
9. What profession would you not like to do? – Nurse. After spending 2 wks in the hospital I have nothing but respect for those nurses. They have a tough job, and they’re amazing at what they do, but I don’t think I could do their job and stay sane.
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? -“You made people happy and gave them hope, all within the pages of a book. Nicely done.”
DC: Thank you, Elisabeth, for being here with us today!
Great interview! Thanks Sandy and Elizabeth! I love your “blurb!” The series sounds great! Best wishes! Martha
I teach kindergarten. I loved the Holy Shit story!!!
Awesome interview Sandy and Elisabeth! Oh no @ your sons bad word blurt out! That sounds like something mine would do!
Your series sounds so good. Thank you for sharing the blurbs/excerpts.
I love to read romantic suspense, but my violence/gore thresholds are pretty low. It seems to me a lot of RS is getting pretty bad that way and I am evidently a weenie. Can you give a violence rating on your books? Your excerpts are fabulous and I’d love to read them!
Thanks,
Jane A
Thanks for the comments, Martha, MJ and Pam!
Jane, I totally understand. I consider my books to be lighter-variety romantic suspense. Heavier on the adventure (I’d say) than the traditional, gritty RS that you see now. When I sat down to write STOLEN FURY, I wanted to write what I love to read – the old throw back RS’s that included adventure and danger and romance. Yes, there’s some murder and mayhem in my books, but no detailed crime/forensic scenes, no grotesque violence, nothing that would turn your stomach.
If I had to give the book a “rating” I’d say R, but only for the sexual tension, definitely not for violence. My kids all know the concept of the book – and my 10 yr old is dying to read it. But she’s not getting her hands on it until she’s 30 (okay, maybe 40…) *grin*
I hope that helps!
Great interview, Elisabeth!
Hi Elisabeth,
Oh I love the excerpts from your Stolen series. Looking forward to reading them. Also the Eternal Guardian series. 2010 seems so far away but I can’t wait. Loved your post here today. Thanks for sharing.
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
congrats on teh books
look too young to be a mom lol
Great interview, Elisabeth. Reminding me I need to go grab your first book out of my TBR pile. While I wouldn’t say I was the best in those scientific subjects in school (except math, and I did like the chem lab), I do seem to like stories with characters in those fields, science is interesting. The paranormal series is sounding good, too, I loved reading those mythology stories as a kid–Jason and the Argonauts was a favorite.
Congrats on your news release and great interview.
I haven’t read anything from you yet but you did “open” my appetite !!
Loved the “I’d love to write romantic comedies a la SEP but dead bodies keep coming up”… very funny !
Hi Elizabeth. Great interview. Your series sounds good. Loved the excerpts.
Hi Elisabeth,
Congrats on the upcoming release. Your Stolen trilogy sounds intriguing. I can’t wait to read your books.
What a great interview, it was so nice to get to know you Elizabeth. I haven’t started the Stolen series yet, but after reading the great review that posted, I will definitely be tracking down the first book.
Hello, Ms Naughton!
I am very glad to hear that you are feeling better, though I was a tad bummed not to see you at RWA.
Best of luck with the books!
Hey Elisabeth –
Great interview!! I learned even more about you which is funny since I know you so well….or at least I thought I did. LOL. I can not believe you interview on DUCK site. Too Funny. Go Beavs! Connie
Great Interview and Congrats !!