Please Welcome Lilia Birney author of To Catch a Thief-Taker

Lila Birney is here today. The Angels welcome her and hope she has a fantastic day on our site as well as a great tour.

Lilia will be awarding a $50 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. So make sure you leave a comment. I'm sure she likes to hear from all of you.

Learn More About Lila and her novel To Catch a Thief-Taker

Interview 

1. If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why? 

There's a lot of me in Jane's character--Penelope's best friend. She's a writer, and a bit wry in her sense of humor. She's also much less beautiful and blonde than Penelope, and so I find her much easier to relate to.

2. Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing? 

I do belong to a critique group, and I find their help to be invaluable. When I first started writing fiction, I had no idea what I was supposed to do, and my writing was very passive. My crit group helped me strengthen my skills as a writer so that I feel confident enough to keep writing fiction.

3. When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step? 

I am in a crit group with writers Ava Stone, Jerrica Knight-Catania, and Catherine Gayle. They are the ones who encouraged me to try self-publishing on Amazon. In fact, my first novella, From Air to Eternity, was published as part of a series with Jerrica.

4. Do you outline your books or just start writing? 

I'm a plotter. I can't help it. I need to know where my characters are going before I get started. Sometimes I may veer off slightly from what I planned, but I like having a road map.

5. Do you have an all time favorite book? 

I could read Jane Eyre over and over again. Same with Gone With the Wind. 

6. Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book? 

The next story in the Liberated Ladies series will focus on Jane's romance with a Bow Street Runner. When a copycat thief starts taking Jane's mysteries a bit too literally, she is called in to provide assistance on the case. It's really a lot of fun. 

7. Your interview will be posted May 2nd. Mother's Day is coming. Is there a family tradition or recipe for this wonderful day you would like to share? 

My favorite Mother's Day was a year or so ago. My husband and daughter took me to the Ava Gardner museum in Smithfield, NC. It's an amazing place--they have so many of her costumes. I am an old movie buff, so it's like seeing the Holy Grail.

8. What is your favorite reality show? 

I love Dancing with the Stars. It has everything. Music, dance, hot guys in skimpy costumes--what's not to like?

9. If you were a casting director for the film version of your book, who would play your lead roles? Well, I can't think of any modern actors. Penelope has a lot of Fay Wray in her. Pierce is akin to Joel McRae.

10. Anything else you might want to add? When I was writing, I listened to "Lonely Boy" by the Black Keys to get into Pierce's character, and "I Touch Myself" by the Divinyls to get into Penelope's character.

Thanks Christine

Blurb

 

 

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EXCERPT 

She gathered her skirts and took a step, only to be caught around the waist from behind. Unable to breathe from the pressure of the arm around her middle, she kicked backward, connecting with her assailant's right knee.

"Damnation!" A familiar voice swore, and her captor released her. Rubbing her ribs, she turned to see Pierce kneeling in the dirt.

"Pierce, are you terribly hurt?" She knelt beside him, tucking her skirt to pad her knees. "I'm so sorry. You frightened me. I didn't know it was you."

"I was worried when I returned to the carriage and you weren't there," he gasped, rubbing his kneecap. "I should know now, I need never worry for your safety again. Who knew a lady's boot heel could be quite so painful?"

"You shouldn't have grabbed me so," she replied tartly. "How was I supposed to react? Here we are in the yard of a most notorious brothel—any man with a grain of sense would have approached me differently."

"Believe me, madam, I am regretting my mistake most heartily at the moment." He gingerly flexed his leg, grimacing slightly. "What the devil are you doing out of the carriage anyway?"

"I saw a servant passing by, and thought it would be wise to question her." She took his leg in both of her hands, pressing it gently. Heavens, what a strong, muscled leg he had. She was thankful for the darkness, which hopefully covered her blush. "Does this hurt?"

"I'll survive." He leaned back on his elbows in the grass, staring at her from under lowered brows. "I was concerned for your safety, Lady Annand."

"Thank you, but I can defend myself. As you now know." She withdrew her hands from his leg, keeping her eyes lowered. If he read her thoughts at that moment, how he would laugh at her—how everyone would laugh. The Ice Goddess, reduced to nothing but a bowl of porridge after touching a man's knee.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lilia is a reader and writer of historical romance. While the Regency is her favorite era, she loves anything from the Revolution to the 1940s, with a special interest in American history. Her first novella, From Air to Eternity, was published by Night Shift Publishing in 2011. Her newest series, The Liberated Ladies, explores the lives of four very independent women in Georgian England. Lilia lives in New Bern, North Carolina.

Twitter: liliabirney

Email: liliabirney@hotmail.com

Blog: http://www.canyonlandpress.com/

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PRIZE INFORMATION

The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Now that you have finished reading don't forget to leave a comment.