For This Knight Only by Barb Bettis Plus Researching
Give a warm welcome to Barbara Bettis, author of For This Knight Only.
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Barb and For This Knight Only. Barb give us a little insight into your research technique.
Researching—It’s All to the Point
Thanks for hosting me today, Tena. I love visiting you.
Always a pleasure to have you. Researching is the first step is starting any novel but especially a historical novel. Right?
I’m taking a bit of a break from finding information for my current historical. Researching is one of my favorite things. If I’m not careful, I can spend way too much time gathering facts and data—fascinating pieces of information and specific incidents that can lead into long digressions and many ideas for new stories. Discovering something unusual is just wonderful.
I know there is always discussion on where one can or should do research—online or in hard copy books. Both are very important, of course.
I must admit, my preferred sources are books. Undoubtedly because in my college days, that’s how we did research. I still like my desk (or the floor) stacked with volumes which resemble porcupines sprouting colorful sticky notes marking important passages. I’ve driven many miles to consult library collections, particularly when researching medieval topics.
In spite of that, I’m coming around to online searching, especially now that so many very old documents, papers, collections, and the like have made their way to the Internet. And more and more, ancient documents are appearing online courtesy of various institutions—universities and public libraries. It’s exciting to see copies of original tax rolls or religious writings. Or the Magna Carta—even if I can make out only every third letter J
Another important place to check—bibliographies. They are present in the backs of books certainly, but many secondary online sources have lists of sources consulted. All of these titles can give a researcher lots of tips.
Being accurate in very old historical material, as in Middle Ages, often is difficult but to me, important. I find myself using rules learned from my journalism experience—verify sources. That is, find the same information in two different, reliable sources before I use it. (Journalism says three, but I’ve settled for two.)
Still, no matter how hard I try, dates of things that happened 800 or so years ago can be hard to pin down unless they’re very well known historical events. We all know 1066 for William the Conqueror’s invasion of England.
Well we all know now. LOL
Click on the cover to read more or purchase!
Now tell a little about For This Knight Only. I love the title!
He’ll do anything for land, even marry her; she’ll do anything for her people, except marry him. If only either had a choice. It’s a marriage only love can save.
Sir Roark will do anything to gain land, even beguile an unwilling lady into marriage. He knows she’s much better off with a man to take control of her besieged castle, to say nothing of her desirable person. But it isn’t long before he discovers that, although her eyes sparkle like sunlight on sea waves, her stubbornness alone could have defeated Saladin.
Lady Alyss is determined to hold her family’s castle, protect her people, and preserve her freedom— until her brother’s dying wish binds her to a stranger. Still, she’ll allow no rugged, over-confident, appealing knight to usurp her authority, even if she must wed him. Especially since he thinks a lady’s duties begin and end with directing servants. Alyss has a few surprises for her new all-too-tempting lord.
But when a common enemy threatens everything, Roark and Alyss face a startling revelation. Without love, neither land nor freedom matters.
Buy links:
A sneak peek between the pages of For This Knight Only.
What would it take to persuade her to marry him? A sudden pain burst between his legs, and he gasped, eyes blurry. The little hell-cat kneed him. Even though chain mail deflected some of the impact, he used every bit of his willpower to remain standing.
Apparently persuasion took more than a kiss.
He drew a steadying breath. “You don’t understand, my lady. You will be my wife before the sun sets. It was your brother’s dying wish. It was my pledge to a comrade.”
By God, he’d begun to believe it himself. Alyss met him toe to toe. “This morning I had never seen you, and by tonight, you think I will marry you?”
Her head tilted back and she glared into his eyes. “Were you, perhaps, wounded in the head during a fight? Have you lost your senses as well as your hearing? How do you propose to force me to the altar?
With your army?”
With an exaggerated look around, she nodded at Alain. “Ah, yes. There it is. Impressive to be sure.”
Turning from Roark, she said, “Sir Baldwin, see that these two knights are outside
the gates by sundown. Call every man in the garrison to help, if need be. I want them gone.”
Head high as if confident her word would be enforced immediately, she strode to the
stairway.
Frowning, Sir Baldwin started forward. Roark lifted a hand to halt him. He glanced at
Alain, then back to Alyss. “One moment, my lady. Hear me out.”
She continued to walk, but everyone in the hall had no trouble hearing her. “Unless you
intend to apologize, you can say nothing that will interest me.”
Roark had known this would not be easy, but he had expected the female to at least listen to reason.
An obedient, well-behaved lady is how Sir Godfrey described her. An excellent housekeeper, but
helpless to defend herself if her menfolk were all dead. Obedient, well-behaved. Helpless.
That Lady Alyss wasn’t this Lady Alyss.
About the Author:
Award-winning author Barbara Bettis has always loved history and English. As a college freshman, she considered becoming an archeologist until she realized there likely would be bugs and snakes involved. And math. Through careers as a newspaper reporter and editor, then a college journalism and English professor, she’s retained her fascination with history. Give her a research book and a pot of tea, and she’s happy for hours. But what really makes her smile is working on a new story. Now retired, she lives in Missouri where she edits for others and spins tales of heroines to die for—and heroes to live for.
Find Barb Here:
Bookbub Facebook Twitter Blog/Website
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with For This Knight Only!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Barbara Bettis, Historical Romance, Research', This Knight Only by Tena Stetler with 14 comments.
Barbara Bettis Author of From This Knight Only
Give a warm welcome to Barbara Bettis, author of From This Knight Only. Love the title. Pssst… the ebook is on sale for only 99 cents. Be sure and grab your copy today! Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Barbara and From This Knight Only.
Hi Tena, I’m so glad to be here with you today. Thanks so much for hosting me. I’ve brought a bit of information on my latest medieval, FOR THIS KNIGHT ONLY. And—
It’s currently on sale for 99 cents!!
Not only is my book on sale for 99 cents, I’m offering the book and a $5 gift card for one commenter on this blog.
FTKO features my very first hero and heroine, Roark and Alyss. The two of them–and their story—have had a special place in my heart for a long time. But it wasn’t until this year I could finally get that story together and out. Granted, they’re both stubborn to begin with, but they grow over time and come to realize they are meant for each other. Alyss’s sister, Evie; brother, Henry; and friend, Emelin star in my other three medievals. And watch for other of Roark’s friends to have their own stories.
Second Speed Round <Only two words allowed>
1.What is your favorite book of all time? Impossible choice
- Where do you relax to read? Anywhere/Everywhere
- What sound drives you right up a wall? Whining
- What sound relaxes you? Favorite music
- Favorite drink? Tea/Coffee
- Walking in the sand, shoes or barefoot? Shoes
- Favorite pet Dog-Boomer
- Snow? Love or hate? Love (ice-hate)
- Doing ________ is like nailing Jello to the wall. Dieting
- Rock and Roll, Country, Jazz or Classical? Broadway
- What can’t you leave the house without? A Book
- Calender or not; Paper or electronic? Yes/Paper
- Favorite place to write. My office
- What is your decadent indulgent? Andee’s Ozark Sundae
- You’ve just won $1,000.00, you have only 24 hours to spend it, so what will you buy? Grandchildren gifts
- Plotter or panster? Plotser
- Introvert or extrovert? Introvert
- Flight or fight? Depends on Issue
- Favorite Monster? Beauty’s Beast
- Magic or Not? Not
Tell us a little about From This Knight Only.
The first knight to come along could capture the lady and her castle. Sir Roark plans to be that knight. But Lady Alyss has other plans. It’s a marriage only love can save.
Give us a sneak peek between the page of From This Knight Only.
(Set up: Sir Roark has been injured in an attack against King Richard in which Roark’s lord proved to be a traitor. With his lord gone, so is Roark’s hope of his own land and home, something he’s worked toward all his adult life. But then the feverish Roark meets an old solider sent from England to bring back a young knight who Roark learns has died in the attack. No one is left at the castle in England but the young knight’s sister, holding out against all comers.)
“Don’t know how I’ll tell Lord Ulrich his boy’s dead. If the lord’s still alive, himself.”
The man downed a good bit of the fresh cup of ale. “There’s trouble at home. Maybe more since I left.”
He stared at the cup’s remaining contents, sighed, and his elbow slipped off the edge of the table. Ale sloshed on the floor. He carefully placed his elbow back onto the plank top. “Sir Henry’s needed ’t home. And the men. If there’s no help, the next siege’ll end us.”
Roark shook his head to clear the ringing in his ears. It didn’t. “Your lord is under a siege?”
“Not last I knew, but that’ll change. Devil’s spawn Jasper of Windom—went away, but he wants our land and our lady. He’ll be back.”
The old man slammed down his cup. “If he learns Lord Ulrich’s bad off again, he’ll come like before, and this time he won’t leave.
“Jasper of Windom plans a siege against your lord?” Roark couldn’t seem to get the story straight.
The knight nodded and leaned in, his voice becoming softer. “That Satan’s backside thinks he’ll take the castle and Lady Alyss. And her all worried about little Lady Evie.”
The old one’s voice sounded distant, but Roark was too tired to move closer. A little sword nick shouldn’t wear him out like this. The pain seemed less now. Another drink might help. Roark waved at the serving maid as the old man continued to mutter.
“What about your lord?” Roark managed.
“Healer says he won’t recover. Now our boy’s dead, Lady Alyss’ll be defenseless. The first knight to come along could marry her and take all. She deserves better.”
The ringing in Roark’s ears receded. A lady alone. A castle undefended. “Who is your lord?”
Buy links.
About the author;
I’m a former college prof and before that, journalist for small town dailies. Small towns are microcosms of the world, so I covered murders, bank robberies, drug raids, political conventions, and the biggest tomatoes of the season. And hot air balloon rallies. I’m afraid of heights, so it figures that my one attempt at a balloon flight ended in a crash into a Green Hill of North Missouri. Le Sigh!
Please visit me here:
Bookbub Facebook Twitter Blog/Website
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with your 99 cent sale on From This Knight Only
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Barbara Bettis, From This Knight Only, Historical Romance by Tena Stetler with 30 comments.
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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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Barbara Bettis, Historical Romance, The Lady of the Forest by Tena Stetler with 18 comments.
