Ladies, thank you so much for having me as your guest today. I appreciate the opportunity to talk with your readers and introduce them to two characters close to my heart. I live in the Pacific Northwest and have been writing for many years, but only recently decided to publish my own books instead of wait for someone else to decide that. For those who love reading time travel romance, I hope I’m able to spark enough interest that you’ll want your own copy! The ‘new cover’ is available online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
We're lucky enough to be on location in Dubois, Wyoming with both heroes from Never Surrender - Brandon Wakiza and Taima. If you've read the first two chapters of my novel at Bookbuzzr, you'll know both of them. Taima’s people lived in a valley between the Absaroka and Wind River mountain ranges and were free to roam wherever they wished, before Dubois was developed as a town in the late 1800s. Brandon is half Shoshone and lives in Dubois in the present time and Taima is half Shoshone and half white and lives in 1835.
Click Dubois to see it as it looks pretty much today. I've been there and can attest to that as I've walked those wooden sidewalks. I also eaten at the Cowboy Cafe, roamed the Mercantile Store and had a latte from the Pony Espresso back in 1997 before I ventured out to explore the mysterious Whiskey Basin. One can't explain how peaceful this city is with the surrounding snow-capped Rockies, watching as the children giggle when the stage coach pulls up to take them for a ride or to smell the fresh air scented with sagebrush. Dubois takes you back in time and if you've not there, I certainly suggest a visit. That would allow you to also take a trip to Whiskey Basin where the petroglyphs are and my story starts.
Deanna: Brandon, thank you for being with us today. Forgive me for saying so but your eyes are so blue. A woman could easily be speechless trying to gaze into your soul. OK, on with the interview. Can you tell us about the day you first saw Kate in the gift shop?
Brandon: It started with an inner pull I felt the instant I looked up at her in the store that day...a sense of familiarity yet I knew I'd never met her. We said a few words then she moved past me to look at something. I made my way to the door but couldn't step outside. I leaned against the door frame and listened as she talked with the old Indian; he's a good friend of mine. I knew I wanted to get to know her better and find out why I felt I knew her. She's a beautiful woman and she looked at ease in her tight jeans and sweatshirt that day. *he gives me a huge smile and a wink* She also had on a nice pair of snakeskin boots.
Deanna: Do you believe in fate?
Brandon: I believe in a higher spirit that makes things happen that we're not aware of. One might dream of things in their future yet not understand them when the dream happens. I certainly felt that with Kate. Her emerald eyes pulled at something deep inside me and to this day, I still don't understand how we came to be in the same spot at the same time. I can only assume the Great Spirit was at work to bring us together.
Deanna: What surprised you most about Kate?
Brandon: Her interest in the petroglyphs. Somehow she knew about Whiskey Basin and I didn't want her exploring out there alone. I was surprised when she allowed me to go with her. She did insist on driving that day, too; her way of controlling her surroundings as best she could.
Deanna: Taima, you're half white and I know you're proud of that. Can you tell us a bit about your parents?
Taima: My father, Sakima, captured my mother when they were young from a situation similar to how Kate came into my 'possession' if you will. My parents eventually fell in love and as I grew up, my mother taught me English as well as many of my people. She knew one day I would need to know English. My father doted on her and I'd always hoped I would find a woman to love me the same way. I learned to respect a woman's mind and her intuition because my mother was a smart woman. She taught us many things.
Deanna: I know it's hard to talk about, but your mother and wife were killed at the same time, correct?
Taima: They were and yes, it is still hard to talk about. White men invaded our camp while many of our warriors were on a hunting trip. The cruelty inflicted on both of them that day is unspeakable and started my hatred toward the white man. My wife, Witashnah, was a beautiful woman, slender, long black hair; she loved everyone and her eyes could melt a man's heart. Our love would have lasted an eternity.
Deanna: Tell us a bit about Taima, the leader of his people.
Taima: My parents taught me that there is one, maybe two, true loves on one life. I'd already lost the one true love in my life and didn't want to replace her. My father was a one-woman man and I guess I followed in his footsteps in that respect. When I lost Witashnah, I knew there would be no replacing her. No one else could fulfill the need in my heart that she filled, nor replace her as my soul mate. I refused to even look at other women as a replacement for her.
Deanna: Taima, from the moment you rescued Kate from the Blackfoot warrior that day, neither of you got along. Can you explain any of that to us?
Taima: *he laughed out loud* Kate is an emotionally strong woman with a passion for life; one who thinks she can control her surroundings and the people in it. She's opinionated and doesn't hide that; she spoke her mind right from the beginning, unaware that I understood every word she said. But she had no idea of the dangers lurking in the untamed wild of the mountains. She insisted I release her and that was not an option...and the fact that I wasn't about to release a beautiful woman even though I didn't want her for myself.
Deanna: One last thing...the emerald stone ring you wear on the leather strip around your neck. I have to ask about it?
Taima: *his long fingers caress the ring at his throat* I can't say a word about this, I'm sorry. Your readers will have to finish the story to understand the meaning behind this ring. *wink*
Deanna: I don't want to spoil the story for our readers so we'll stop there. Thank you both for being here, for letting our readers see into my two main characters. I know after they read your story, they will fall in love with both of you the same way I did.
I'd love to read your comments if you enjoyed this interview. I’ll be here to chat with you today so comment away! Thank you for stopping in to read, even if you don't leave a comment.
*CONTEST*
Deanna will be picking TWO winners ON FRIDAY to receive a copy of Never Surrender. Cover is different then the one pictured above, but the story is the same. So make sure you leave a comment today!!!!!!!
