Monday, August 23, 2010

Today's Special -- Donna Fletcher

USA Today bestselling author Donna Fletcher has loved to read since a young age. She says her mother fed her passion by signing her up for a Young Adult book club, and from then on she was never without a book. Her passion for reading naturally led her to try her hand at writing, but not before she studied every book on writing the library stocked. She started writing short stories and placed second in a magazine contest, which encouraged her to continue and then join the New Jersey Romance Writers. Shortly after, she sold her first book and has since written for three publishers, including her current one, Avon. Her latest book, Bound to a Warrior, is the first in her new Warrior King series and releases August 31st. Please help us welcome Donna Fletcher back to The Romance Dish!



Characters fascinate me, not only in books but in reality.

I can’t go anyplace without being caught up in people watching. Standing on lines (e.g. bank, supermarket, department store) is a good place to watch people and how they interact with each other. I always smile when I see young people in love. They’re holding hands, leaning against each other, whispering, laughing; their faces aglow with the magic of first love. The older couples are just as interesting, some stand patiently together talking and smiling. Others argue though I’ve noticed they still help each other (carrying packages, opening a door, assisting to walk down steps) even though they’ve had a spat. The looks they exchange are more ones of concern and though-I’m-annoyed-at-you-I-still-love-you. Then there are the couples with the kids who barely get to talk or hold hands since they’re too busy watching the kids and getting the shopping done. Their looks say, later, if I’m not too tired or rather let’s get some sleep while we can.

It amazing how, in so many different ways, love binds people together. Perhaps it’s like glue that fastens firm and hard and keeps hold through the years so that even during the difficult times it keeps love solidly bound.

Naturally, the characters in my books go on loving forever and I wonder sometimes that if we recall that magic of first love, does it help renew old love, does it help the glue to stay strong?

Of course all that got me wondering about first love and how it binds and that’s when two characters suddenly popped into my head and introduced themselves and insisted that their story had to be told. I didn’t expect, though I was certainly intrigued when I realized they were shackled together by a chain. Now that’s truly a binding first love.

I did wonder how the heck I would work with a couple who never met, but were tethered by a chain. I was eager to get to know them while they got to know each other, a challenging prospect. After all, they were never more than a step away from each other.

This was my introduction to Duncan MacAlpin and Mercy in my book Bound To A Warrior and the first in my new Warrior King series. No soon as the book opens the two are already shackled together and running for their lives from the King’s soldiers. To make matters worse the pair winds up going over the edge of a cliff and into a raging river.

After nearly drowning you would expect things to get better, but think about it. Wet clothes, chilled air, gooseflesh and the next thing you know... of course, the pair is naked.

Duncan and Mercy have quite an adventure; especially since they remain bound together longer then they had anticipated. When the chain is finally removed, they discover that love binds them far more permanently than a chain ever could. Though their love remains strong, there are other troubling issues that could force the pair apart.

Having enjoyed spending time with Duncan, I became curious about the other three Highlanders in the series, Reeve, Bryce and Trey. The four, close as brothers, are on a mission to seat the true King of Scotland to the throne, the true King being one of them. Each has pledged their loyalty to the task and thought, foolishly, that there was no time for love. It would simply have to wait... of course they were wrong.

But as we all know... love waits for no one.

So what do you think is a good binding substance for love?

If you’d like to take a chance to win an autographed copy of Bound To a Warrior leave a comment and you’ll be entered. And do stop by and visit me at http://www.donnafletcher.com/.


Thanks all for having me here at The Romance Dish again!

41 comments:

  1. Good morning, Donna! Thanks so much for joining us today and congrats on your upcoming release! I really like this concept of two strangers bound together on the run and having to get along. Very interesting and super sexy. ;-)

    I love this blog. Especially the part where you said: Then there are the couples with the kids who barely get to talk or hold hands since they’re too busy watching the kids and getting the shopping done. Their looks say, later, if I’m not too tired or rather let’s get some sleep while we can. This is definitely my husband and me! LOL

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  2. Hi Andrea,

    Glad to be visiting again.

    I'm so looking forward to the release of this book. It was such fun to write.

    And the part of the blog you liked was written from much experience!

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  3. I'm cracking up at the nonchalant way you said their situation got worse. "After nearly drowning..."--and then they end up naked! Definitely the sign you're a great storyteller.

    Hilarious.

    Congrats on your new release.

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  4. Hello,

    I have to say that I think trust is a good binding substance for love. It certainly a key ingredient in my opinion. I did enjoy reading your post, especially your comments about 'people watching'. I have to admit I enjoy this myself. I usually create a story in my head about the people I see & what is happening with them. Congrats on the new release.

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  5. Congrats on the new release, Donna.

    I think trust and genuine liking, besides loving, are vital ingredients in a relationship.

    Sometimes it blows me away that my husband thinks I'm sexy no matter how much weight I gain, etc. He likes to remind me about Trace Adkins' video "One Hot Mama". A man can be turned on by his woman even if she is harried and running around or has gained a few pounds. :)

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  6. Yes, bound by a chain concept does sound good ... looking forward to the book.

    d53a @ aol.com

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  7. MsHellion said: Definitely the sign you're a great storyteller.

    I couldn't agree more!

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  8. Jennifer said: I have to say that I think trust is a good binding substance for love.

    So true, Jennifer! Without trust, there isn't much of a relationship. Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. Deb said: He likes to remind me about Trace Adkins' video "One Hot Mama". A man can be turned on by his woman even if she is harried and running around or has gained a few pounds.

    I love this, Deb!!!

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  10. Donna -- Have read a number of your books and have utterly enjoyed them :) Looking forward to the new series. Looks like it will be filled with your usual mix of fun, humor, action and (of course) love. Can't wait and would love a signed copy.

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  11. Ms. Hellion,

    Love the name! I've loved storytelling since I've been little and swapping ghost stories on hot summer nights on the front porch. Ghost stories turned romantic after I stopped wanting to frighten boys!

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  12. Hi Jennifer,

    I agree, trust certainly can bind and is one issue that is often tested.

    You're a storyteller yourself being you're a people watcher!

    Start writing!

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  13. Hi Deb,

    Trust, an issue that many look for in a binding love.

    I've had husbands come up to me at signings and tell me how gorgeous their wives are and you can see in their eyes and their wide smile just how much they mean it.

    Too bad more people can't see love for what it's truly worth!

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  14. Thanks, Dawn.

    Now I just have to think how I can top that... but I already have something in mind!

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  15. Hi dknybitnuva,

    Glad to hear you enjoy my books. And yes, you'll definitely find humor, adventure and love in Bound To A Warrior!

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  16. I would have to say trust and sharing

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  17. Hi Peggy,

    Sharing! Couldn't agree more.

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  18. Hi Donna!

    I have to agree with earlier posters and say trust. That and friendship. If you trust a person and were good friends before lovers than love will last. ^^

    Melissa

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  19. I just ordered this book from B&N. I can't wait to read it!

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  20. HI Donna! Congrats on your new release. :)

    I have to agree with Andrea! I love the idea of the H/H being shackled together and on the lamb. Would definitely makes for some fun times. *wink wink*

    I cracked up when I read your post. It's so my hubs and I at times, too. Chasing toddlers all day and being preggo w/#3 leaves me wrung out like a dish rag by night fall! Poor guy! I'm dozing in my chair by 8:30. Doh!

    Thanks for making me smile! :) What a great way to start a 'Moan'day!

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  21. Sounds like a must read, Donna! I would love a free copy, but will put this on my TBB list otherwise.

    I love stories were the H/H are thrown together against their will. =)

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  22. Hi, Donna! We're so glad to have you with us at The Dish today. I can't wait to read your book. Two strangers bound together, ending up naked...now, that will definitely make for some interesting scenes! *g*

    Trust and friendship are key elements in binding love. Lucky for me my hubby and I have both!

    I love people watching, too. Amusement parks, especially Disney, are prime people watching venues.

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  23. Hi Melissa,

    Friendship, yes! Definitely does bind.

    Where would we be without friends?

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  24. Hi Cheryl,

    Thanks for the order. Glad to hear you're looking forward to reading it.

    I was sad when I had to write the end! Loved writing about the pair!

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  25. Hi Sarah,

    Wishing you a happy & healthy #3 and wishing you time to sleep, though I wouldn't much count on that for the next 18 years or so!

    Glad I could make you laugh. It's always a good way to start the week.

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  26. Hi Jessica,

    Thrown together against a couple's will makes for great conflict and even more interesting resolution!

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  27. Hi Gannon,

    Amusement parks! I haven't been to one in years, but, yes, a great people watching place.

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  28. Karyn,

    You can drool. I did. I couldn't stop staring at the cover when it arrived.

    'A little spark of lust.' Definitely agree, it makes that glue even stronger!

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  29. Melissa said: If you trust a person and were good friends before lovers than love will last.

    Very well said, Melissa, and I am proud to say that my hubby and I are an example of that! :)

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  30. Oh, congratulations, Sarah!! I hope all is going well with your pregnancy! :)

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  31. Hey, welcome back, Karyn!! Hope you had a great vacation! And it comes as no surprise that you'd like that cover. You have good taste. ;-)

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  32. Hello, Donna! I'm so happy you are with us!!!

    First I have to say that I have LOVED reading your books for a while now. I am really looking forward to getting into this new series. And this particular story sounds fascinating to me.

    I love that your mother signed you up for YA book club! My oldest son is in 7th grade this year and has to read 25 books outside of school for a part of his Language Arts requirement. I have a feeling I'm going to know a whole lot about YA books (especially for boys) by the end of this year and I am hoping he will become addicted to reading like his mother ;-)

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  33. Congrats on the upcoming release! :) I'm sure I'm gonna love it just as I have others of yours I've read. I've seen a couple excerpts including where they jump into the river. Jumping off a cliff and then getting naked -- sounds like a heck of metaphore for falling in love :D

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  34. Hi Buffie,

    So nice to be back here.

    There are some great YA novels out there I'm sure your son will enjoy.
    I heard The Book of Nonsense and The Book of Knowledge by David Michael Slater are great reads for that age. They're on the style of The Spiderwick Chronicles.

    It brings a BIG smile to my face to know you love my books.

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  35. Thanks, gamistress66,

    'Sounds like a heck of a metaphor for falling in love.'

    And isn't it nice that they take the plunge together right from the start!

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  36. Hi Donna! Thanks for being our special guest today. Sorry I'm so late chiming in. It's been one of those days!

    What a wonderful blog. The late dh and I were friends before romance entered the picture and, after we fell in love, were still each other's best friend. It was upon that solid core of friendship that we built our love and it kept us together through good times and bad for 26 years.

    Your story sounds great! I can't wait to pick up a copy and get lost in the adventure!

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  37. Hi PJ,

    Love & friendship... I agree, a perfect combination for a binding love!

    It's great being here again. I always have a wonderful time when visiting with you all!

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  38. I read the excerpt of their jump into the river and struggle to survive the raging waters. Very good. Nothing like starting your book with a great piece of action. This will be a series I can't wait to read. The elements of what I like are all there and you put them together very nicely.

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  39. Forgot to answer your question. Best binding substance for love: mutual respect and caring. Without those, no relationship has a chance.

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  40. Hi! Congrats on your new release!

    To me trust and a sense of humor are good binding substances for love. Humor will help the bad times go a bit less hard.

    cories119[at]yahoo.com

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