Alexis:
Today we historical romance author, Jo Grafford who has a rafflecopter
for for three gifts cards to Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com (winner’s choice)
for $50, $25, and $15!
Welcome, Jo.What are you working on now?
Jo: Book Two of the Lost Colony Series, of course! This one
will feature Jane Mannering, the huntress. An Amazon of a woman, she is fond of
adventure and blunt honesty and is prone to striding around in her late
father’s leather hat and boots. She can shoot as well as any man and is not
above puffing an occasional pipe. Keep in mind that back in her day, the use of
tobacco was believed to have medicinal value.
Alexis:Why did you choose this sub-genre of romance?
Jo: I passionately love everything about Elizabethan,
Colonial and Native American history. It was as natural as breathing to write a
novel within this sub-genre.
Alexis: What has been the most memorable fan comment you
ever had?
Jo: Just received a text from a neighbor earlier today. “Oh
my gosh, Jo. I have laundry to do and errands to run, but nothing’s getting
done till I finishs Breaking Ties. I can’t put it down.” That’s the ultimate
compliment – a reading experience that pulls you in so deep, that nothing else
matters besides turning the page to see what happens next.
Alexis: I agree. Can you tell us your story of getting the call to
be a writer?
Jo: I think I was born a writer. LOL Every writer out
there knows what I’m talking about. Images of characters and scenes as well as
entire conversations form in my head, and they don’t go away until I write them
down. Sometimes these visions continue on my dreams, and voila! I awake with
the concept of the next scene or chapter or book already developed. Believe me,
it’s both a gift and a curse at times.
Alexis: What was your first writer’s conference?
Jo: The RT Booklovers Convention in Kansas City, MO in
May, 2013. It’s a magical meeting place for both readers and writers. I still
have stars dripping from my eyes over all the free and signed books I received
- including a pre-release copy of Brandon Sanderson’s newest series. Topping
the list, however, was the Pitch-A-Palooza Event where I was able to give
three-minute pitches to real agents and editors. This turned into my first book
contract several weeks later with Astraea Press. I highly recommend the RT
Convention!
Alexis: Check out these excerpts from BREAKING TIES
PREFACE
Sometimes murder isn’t as messy, up-close, and personal as many people imagine
it to be. Sometimes it is distant and impersonal – as simple as crossing a line
through a name on a sheet of paper. Or one hundred and fifteen names in our
case.
CHAPTER ONE
Portsmouth, England,
April 26, 1587
“Yer bum’s hanging out the window!” My brother banged his empty mug on
the inn table. He ran both hands through his hair, as red as my own, standing
each flaming lock on end.
My lips turned up despite the heaviness in my chest. It felt good to hear
him lapse into the Gaelic brogue of our childhood. “Och, Donnen!” I reached
across the table to clasp his large hands and grimaced at the stench of salmon
and sweat hanging in the air. “I dinna bring ye here to quarrel. ‘Tis my first
job offer in weeks.”
I
dared not share my other reason for leaving.
“Nay,
ye can stay with me till ye find a different job. Crossing the Atlantic unwed
is bad enough, but these—” He shook my upraised palms, “are ink stains. Blast
it all! Ye’re a clerk, not a sailor.”
“Indeed?”
Saints alive, he acted as if I was still twelve instead of nineteen. “Well,
good news. I shall be accompanied by other women – whole families of people,
for that matter – and ‘tis a clerk they need.”
“Only
because—“ Donnen glanced around the room and lowered his voice. “The last
one left in a frightful hurry along with half the crew all in the
same night.” His glare was fierce. “Rumor has it the entire fleet is bound
straight for Jonah’s watery vault. I don’t suppose that came up during the
bloomin’ interview?”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
"You want my help." 'Twas an accusation.
"Aye."
His
eyes darkened. "I save your life. I give gifts. I offer marriage." He
closed the remaining distance between us, his eyes burning into mine.
I
stumbled back.
"You
give nothing in return," he snarled. "You only ask for more."
"I
would had I something to offer," I whispered. "But I have nothing. I
am nothing."
"Then
what use are you to me?" He wheeled away.
I
sagged against the door, eyes stinging. I blinked rapidly and pressed a hand to
my stomach. Nausea rolled at the thought of informing the others of my failure.
Manteo
circled the cabin like a hawk stalking its prey. 'Twas a fine room with
ornately carved shelves lining one wall. Bunks were built into the next wall. A
generous desk jutted from the third, overflowing with maps and navigational devices.
I recognized the compass and hourglass but could not identify the other
instruments. I jerked in surprise when Manteo swooped down upon me.
"I
know our location." His arms shot out and slapped the wall on either side
of me, hemming me to the door. "I could swim ashore from here."
"Then
why do ye stay if ye can leave and save yourself?"
"Governor
White gave his word to deliver me home."
"We
are going to starve, Manteo. 'Tis only a matter of days now."
"Nay.
You alone starve. The others eat."
"I
have no appetite."
"You
act as one already dead."
I
straightened my back. "I accept what I cannot change."
"And
I change what I cannot accept." He shifted his weight to the wall, one arm
propped over my head. He drew his fingertips down the side of my face in a
feather-light caress.
I
closed my eyes against the rush of unbearable sweetness. He made me long for
things forbidden. "'Tis within your power to help us. I am begging
you."
"Very
well."
My
eyes flew open. "Ye will do this for us."
"For
you." His voice was silken, his features as hard as granite.
I
smiled tremulously. "I thank thee, Manteo. Chief Manteo, that is."
The new title felt strange on my lips. I beheld him with a mixture of awe and
pride.
"I
have yet to name my price."
I
stared, confused.
He
grunted in disgust. "You refuse me as both husband and lover, so you are
left with the hiring of my services."
I
worried my lower lip between my teeth. At least he was willing to negotiate.
His eyes flashed with lust as he followed my movements.
"I
will entreat the Dares for payment."
"Nay.
You are the one in my debt."
I
raised and dropped my hands helplessly.
"You
serve this company, no? You can serve my people, too."
"Ye
would hire me as clerk?" Hope leaped in my chest at the possibilities. I
would not have to part from him so soon.
"My
people have no clerks." His eyes narrowed. "We have slaves."
My
breath hitched. "Ye wish to punish me, humiliate me?"
"Nay,
I only wish to marry you."
I
briefly closed my eyes against the pain. He already knew the reason for my
refusal.
"Rose."
"Say
no more. I will do it. 'Twill be punishment enough to see you so often and—“ I
clamped my lips.
Exultation
flickered briefly across his face. "You would give up your freedom to save
your friends?"
"Without
question."
"Swear
it," he said grimly.
"I
swear it."
His
eyes flared with emotion. He bent slowly 'til his breath stirred my lips. My
eyelids fluttered closed. Heaven help me, for I had no will left to resist him.
"Now
you will eat," Manteo commanded hoarsely. He stepped back, surveying me
from head to feet.
"Eat?"
"I
have no slaves so thin and weak. Go. Collect your rations." He turned
from me and bent to pore over a map on the table.
I
reached for the door handle, disbelieving at the curt dismissal.
"And
send for Anthony. I have need of him."
I
glared at his back. Faith, should I press my face to the floor as well?
"Aye, master." I bit the words out and fled.
(To be continued...)
Buy Links:
About Jo Grafford:
Jo Grafford is from St. Louis, Missouri. An award-winning
author at Astraea Press, Jo writes historical fiction to spotlight unsung heroes
and unsolved mysteries. She published her first poem in junior
high, edited her high school newspaper while typesetting for a local news
journal, and has been writing ever since. She holds an M.B.A. and has
served as a banker, a junior college finance instructor, and a high school
business teacher. She is a PRO member of Romance Writers of America and From
the Heart Romance Writers RWA Chapter. The mother of three children and
the wife of a soldier, she serves as a literacy volunteer for elementary school
students.
Jo Grafford, is pleased to announce “A Thanksgiving Wish”
campaign. Each copy of Breaking Ties sold in November will help fund an
archeological dig of what is hoped to be the Lost Colony fort site at Scotch
Hall Preserve in Windsor, NC. Jo is also hosting a Rafflecopter contest to
reward her guests and readers with the opportunity to win $50, $25, and $15
gift cards to Amazon.com
or BarnesandNoble.com.
All winners will be announced Thanksgiving Day at www.JoGrafford.com.
