Welcome to Ciara Gold's guestblog

Welcome Ms. Ciara Gold to Love Romances and More, thank you for joining us.

Thank you so much for having me here today. These questions were thought provoking so hopefully I did them all justice.


Did you always want to become a writer?

Nope, but I think deep down, my muse knew I wanted to be a writer. I would always draft beginning chapters, and I did finish a novel once. 400 pages of pure dribble when I was 20. I didn’t start writing again seriously until I was about 44.



What is the most, and the least interesting fact about writing?

Fact? I think the most interesting fact is how e-publishing is growing and new technology is coming that makes it more affordable for readers to indulge in e-books. The least interesting fact is the amount of time a writer devotes to promotion.



How did you celebrate your first release? What was it like to see your book in a bookstore? Do you have a special ritual for celebrating a book release?

I think I celebrated my first contract more than the actual release. My friend Kim Lenox and I used to go out and celebrate our writing successes with mojitos and dinner. She has since moved so our celebrations don’t happen as often. Seeing my book in a bookstore was – thrilling.


Have your family read your books?

My mom and a few of my sister-in-laws have, but not my husband or children. Eventually, I think my kids will read them but they’re not into romance – yet. My mom is my most avid fan and she has given my books as gifts to all her friends.



Most authors are also avid readers. Is this the case with you? If so, who are some of your favorites? Have any influenced your writing?

I used to be an avid reader until I started writng. I still read, but nearly the amount of books I used to. Before writing, I would average about 4 – 5 books a week. The list of favorites is long, but Kathleen Woodiwiss’ Shannah was my very first romance and instrumental in making me a romance junky.


Do you prefer stand-alone books or series?

Both. How is that for a politically correct answer? I prefer the book to be a stand-alone but I love when it is tied to other books. In fact, most of my books weave together in that manner. All can be read out of sequence and as a stand-alone but most tie together. I have a historical western series where the characters from one make appearances in the others. Sarah’s Brass Token, Julia’s Golden Eagle, and Eliza’s Copper Penny are closely linked, but Kaitlin’s Silver Lining brings in a secondary character from Julia’s Golden Eagle. Celestial Dragon and my Eppie winning, A Noble Sacrifice tells the story of two brothers. Once Jilted is part of the Orphan Train series in which 5 other Champagne authors penned the books in the rest of the series. My newest, On the Silver Edge of Time is a Viking Time travel and my muse desperately wants me to link it to my sci-fi futuristics.



Your characters come to life in your books. Do you feel each of your characters live with you as you write? Do their lives sometimes take over a part of your life? Can you name an example? Do you have living role models for your characters?

Oooo, lots of questions. Yes, when I’m writing a new book, I tend to obsess about the characters to the point of tuning out other distractions. My family knows to get my attention before asking me a question or I won’t hear them. Some of my characters were fashioned after people I know. Though I wasn’t thinking about it at the time, my mom says that Tabor from Sarah’s Brass Token reminds her the most of my father. The visual appearance of the hero from Eliza’s Copper Penny is based on my first crush. He had red hair and freckles and a wicked sense of humor, but otherwise, the hero, Jake, is a lot like my husband in the way he acts.



Where do you get the inspirations for your books?

I get asked that all the time and I really don’t know. I’m a woolgatherer and I’m always daydreaming, so I reckon, these ideas are born from those daydreams.


Do you find it difficult at times to write love scenes?

Always. I think the hardest is making it personal for each and every character so the love scenes don’t all read alike.


What is your favorite book from the books that you have written so far? Who are your favorite hero and heroine, and why?

My favorite is usually the one I’m working on at the time because those characters are more alive for me, but looking back, I would have to say, Tabor Nolan from Sarah’s Brass Token because he was my first hero and he stole my heart. Fen Dane from Celestial Dragon is a close second. My favorite heroine is Eliza from Eliza’s Copper Penny because I based her character on my grandmother. In so doing, she became very close to my heart.


Which book was the hardest to write and which the easiest?

The hardest to write was A Noble Sacrifice because it was a sequel and there was a lot of world building involved. I wanted it to be linked to Celestial Dragon without sounding like an imitation of Celestial Dragon. The second hardest has yet to be finished and that’s the sequel to On the Silver Edge of Time. I’ve started the beginning a total of 9 times now. The easiest to write has yet to be published, because I want to write two more of the 5 books that will be in this fantasy series before getting it contracted.


If you could change places with one character from your books, who would it be and why?

I’d either be Chelian from Celestial Dragon because I think it would be a hoot to shape shift or I’d be Keelin from On the Silver Edge of Time because I love the idea of going back in time.


If you could travel through time to visit a special time period or famous person, what or who would it be and why?

My favorite time period would be the old west circa 1870, and I’d love to live on a ranch, but my favorite location would have to be Scotland or Ireland.


Do you listen to music while you are writing and if so what music is it?

All the time. I listen to folk like the Kingston Trio or Peter,Paul and Mary when I’m writing my westerns but I listen to Evenescence, MatchBox 20 or Godsmack when I’m writing my futuristics. I also listen to Blackmore Nights when I’m working on my fantasies.


If you could choose one of your books for a movie, which one would it be and who would you choose for the cast?

Oh that’s hard. I’d love to see them all in a movie, but the Rock would make a great Fen Dane from Celestial Dragon. I have a hard time thinking of actresses to play my heroines but I can always come up with an actor for my heroes. Wonder why that is?



Are you working on anything right now, and can you tell us a teaser about these projects?

I’m working on two right now and I have two more on the backburner. The one I’m hitting hard and heavy at present is the sequel to Celestial Dragon/A Noble Sacrifice. For those that have read these sci-fi futuristics, this will be Cari’s story. An earthling will be the hero and he goes to her planet in search of dragons. It’s a complicated plot but full of action and fantasy. I’m also 40,000 words into the sequel to On the Silver Edge of Time. For this time-travel, the heroine travels back in time to 920AD, meets the hero and then they both travel to her future. Projects on the backburner include another historical western and my fantasy series.


Big congrats to your latest release, can you please tell us something about it: Sure. On the Silver Edge of Time is a Viking Time Travel. Here’s a blurb:


An eclipse yields a powerful force, an energy harnessed by those with magic in their souls. On such a day when moon slips between the Earth and the sun, a mighty wizard evokes the elements of nature. With ancient, Celtic incantations, he sends a mighty Viking jarl soaring through time to bring home his destiny.


Erik Lotharsson is sent forward in time to bring back the mate that his people have chosen for him. He has no idea the journey he travels will be one of heart and soul. Nor can he imagine the trials he must face in taming a modern woman to his point of view.


Keelin Haverland has experienced dreams of a Viking lover for the past few years and has fixated her attention on an acquaintance with a striking resemblance to her dream lover. She soon finds out that her dreams are of another, of a man who claims to be from the past. During the eclipse of a full moon, she finds herself transported to another time where modern conveniences are a thing of the past and love is but a heartbeat away.


Feel free to visit my website and read a first chapter.