Barbara Bettis Author of The Lady of the Forest

Give a warm welcome to Barbara Bettis, author of  The Lady of the Forest!

Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, or I have fresh made lemonade on the counter. There are Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie on the plate, and let’s find out a little about Barbara and Lord Henry of Chauvere!

Lord Henry of Chauvere, tells us about the real you—

Well, Lady Tena, my life’s an open book, no pun intended.

What event in your past has left the most indelible impression on you?

Difficult to pick just one, but I believe one of the most vivid recollections I have is being knocked from my horse, then waking to find myself face to face with my captor—the beautiful lady who became my wife, Lady Katherine. She took my breath away, dressed as she was as a lad. That was nothing to what I experienced the first time I saw her dressed in a gown. She set me free of my bindings that first day, but my heart will always be in her keeping.

What do you most value?

That’s an easy one. Honesty, loyalty, love, honor. The measure of a man or a woman, no matter the station in life, is the devotion to those qualities.

What is the type of woman you want to spend the rest of your life with?

Such a woman should have every one of the qualities I mentioned above. In addition, she must be independent, intelligent, with a mind of her own. I want a true mate, not a weak, shallow shadow. She must be able to manage the castle and direct the people if I am away. And she will, of course, be a loving and dedicated mother. I though such a female didn’t exist until I met my Kate.

What do you consider most important in life? 

My loving wife, our children, and our friends. 

What is your biggest secret?

I’ll share this with you, Lady Tena, but I ask that it goes no further. I wept the night before I wed Kate, and when each of my children were born. I wept because I never thought to have such joy in my life. God has blessed me.

Wow, you are a very lucky man.  You know I’ve been called a lot of things, but Lady was never one of them, so thank you Lord Henry of Chauvere.  <giggle>

Barbara, your turn. Tell us a little about writing this story.  Was it fun or difficult?  Do your characters always act as you expect? Are you a plotter, or fly (write) by the seat of your pants?

This story of Henry and his Lady Kate was fated from my first book (which hasn’t been published, but which I’m revising now and hope to see out soon). When it finally materialized, the tale bore little resemblance to its first vision. But I am so pleased with the results. It’s one of my favorite stories.

It was fun to write, but a challenge to bring the two together in the format I wanted, which was a 40,000 words novella.

My characters don’t always act as I expect. Although I have a basic synopsis of the entire story and certain major touch points before I begin, from there on I’m a pantser, so I’m flexible when my characters come up with ideas of their own. Even when other characters unexpectedly pop in from other books. That’s what happened with Sir Bernard. I had such fun with him in a previous book, he just barreled right in!

Oh boy do I know that feeling!

Share a bit about the book?

He must pursue his enemy; she must protect her people. Can their love survive the duties that drive them apart?

When her elderly husband dies, Lady Katherine fakes her own death and disappears into the forest with others escaping the brutish new lord. Determined to protect her people, she knocks the wrong man senseless. But Lord Henry isn’t an enemy, he’s the brother of her childhood friend. Although his tender confidence tempts her, she’s bound by duty.

Henry of Chauvere has found the one lady he wants for his own, never mind she’s tied him hand and foot. When he learns the king has ordered her to wed Stonehill’s ruthless new master, he insists Kate seek haven with his sister. But she won’t desert her friends. Henry vows to solve her problem, provided he catches a traitor before the threat from Kate’s past catches her.

When a daring rescue compels Henry and Kate to join forces, their attraction grows into love. If only duty didn’t drive them apart.

How about a peek between the pages of The Lady of the Forest?

Kate drew the dagger sheathed at her waist and set to the knots at his wrist. “Two days ago, soldiers began searching for strangers. Friends at the castle told us a traitor roamed the forest, and Sir Mortimer gave orders to apprehend or kill him.”

“Then it appears Sir Paxton has reached your lord and recruited help. He has a talent for

spinning tales.”

The ropes gave way and Kate stepped back.

Henry massaged his wrists. “Your men tie a good knot. Have a lot of practice, do they?”

Kate jerked her gaze to his face. He jested at a time like this? Yes, blast the man, a smile lurked at the corners of his lips.

Her glance slid from his mouth to his eyes, and she gasped. “Your poor face. Here,” she handed him the dagger and waved at the binding around his ankles, “you cut while I pour more water. If that wound isn’t cleaned, it may turn bad.”

She’d retrieved the bowl from the floor where she’d dropped it earlier, and turned to fill it with cool water when a pair of strong hands gripped her shoulders. A deep, rough whisper brushed her ears.

“Never give a weapon to the enemy.”

Check out The Lady of the Forest at:  AMAZON  and The Wild Rose Press

Award winning author Barbara Bettis has always loved history and English. As a college freshman, she briefly considered becoming an archeologist until she realized there likely would be bugs and snakes involved. And math. She now lives in Missouri, where she recently retired as an English and journalism professor and plans to spend more time creating heroes to live for.

You can find more about Barbara at  www.barbarabettis.blogspot.com or follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

It was wonderful having you with us today.  Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with The Lady of the Forest.

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