Author Interview & Book Giveaway: Elisabeth Hobbes on THE BLACKSMITH'S WIFE

This week, we're pleased to welcome author ELISABETH HOBBES with her latest release,  THE BLACKSMITH'S WIFE. One lucky visitor will get a digital only copy of The Blacksmith's Wife - this giveaway is open internationally. Be sure to leave your email address in the comments of today's author interview for a chance to win. Winner(s) are contacted privately by email. Here's the blurb.

A passion forged from fire

Rejected by her favoured knight, Joanna Sollers knows she will never love again. Especially when the man she’s now forced to marry is none other than her beloved’s half brother!

For blacksmith Hal Danby, marrying Joanna makes his lifelong dream of entering the Smiths’ Guild possible, even if the secrets in his past mean he’ll forever keep his distance. But everything changes with one stolen night, and in the arms of his new bride, Hal wonders if this loveless arrangement could transform into something real...

Praise for The Blacksmith’s Wife

‘A passionate story that unfolds with a great plot and well defined characters. It is one that you will remember and a little out of the ordinary for its content.’

‘I loved the historical accuracy and detail, and the plot gives you great characters (some you'll love, some you'll enjoy hating!), excellent settings, and the desire to bang heads together as two people don't let on what they really think.’

‘The attention to setting and period details mean that you quickly become immersed in the tale - and this tale has everything you need: tensions and misunderstandings, a growing passion between two very engaging protagonists, and a dog called Simon. It's brilliant.’

**Q&A with Elisabeth Hobbes**

Can you summarise your latest book for us?

Joanna is in love with Sir Roger, a knight who has no intention of in marrying her.  When Roger’s brother, illegitimate blacksmith Hal discovers this, he insists Roger ends the assignation.  The unforeseen consequence of this is that Joanna now needs a husband.  Her uncle, the master of the guild Hal has ambitions to join, decides Hal would be the perfect candidate to take his unwanted niece off his hands in return for possible entry into the guild.

Despite neither Hal nor Joanna wishing to marry, and both knowing Joanna is in love with Roger, they feel they have little choice but to agree.  They move to Hal’s village on the North York Moors to try build a life together.  As they begin to grow closer, secrets and misunderstandings threaten to destroy their prospective happiness.

Are your books linked in any way?

None of them are linked in a series, though the idea for the plot of The Blacksmith’s Wife came out of the fact that in my second book, A Wager for the Widow, the heroine was faced with a choice of two men: the hero who she loved but who had hurt her and a knight who she did not love but who would have presented a better opportunity.  Eleanor made the right choice but it made me wonder what might happen to a heroine who chose to marry the ‘other’ man in that situation and how the unwanted husband could turn out to be the right choice in the end.

I am currently editing my fourth book and after that I am considering whether to tell Sir Roger’s story and see if he can be redeemed enough to earn a happily ever after.

How do you go about researching for a new story?

Once I have an idea I research dates to find out if there are any particular events that the story would fit into. For A Wager for the Widow I chose the 1290s because of the opportunity for Will to make his fortune in the wine business.  For The Blacksmith’s Wife I wanted a time when my heroine Joanna would meet the knights that were travelling round the country taking part in tournaments and close enough to the Black Death (or Great Pestilence as it was known at the time) to have orphaned her.

Once I’ve chosen my period I like to use visual images as inspiration for clothing, hairstyles, buildings and so on.  Because I set The Blacksmith’s Wife in my hometown of York I spent a lot of time visiting the many buildings from the medieval period that still stand and taking photographs, walking the snickelways (lovely word) and alleys that Joanna and Hal would have walked, and (very happily) visiting a couple of the pubs that would have been there at the time.  My sister works at the Jorvik Viking Centre and has friends and colleagues who spend their lives surrounded by artefacts and documents so I was very lucky to have ready access to ask any questions I needed answering.

Do you draw on any personal experiences when writing?

In this book more than my others I drew on my love of York and the North York Moors to create the setting.  Joanna is unwilling to move to Hal’s village but once she’s there she can’t help fall in love with the landscape.  I don’t get back as often as I would like and share Hal’s emotional response on seeing the rolling vastness of the moors after a long absence.  Especially when they’re covered in purple heather they are breathtaking.

Although I don’t have a dog, I do think giving dogs human names is very amusing.  Naming Joanna’s dog Simon came about accidentally (the uncle was named before the dog even existed in the story) but coincidentally it’s the name a friend and I agree is the best name for a dog so it was great to be able to give Hal and Joanna our in-joke.

Do you believe in love at first sight?

No.  I believe in attraction at first sight and that lightning bolt feeling of ‘wow!’ when you meet someone new.  Just like Joanna and Hal discover, love takes longer to develop and comes when you really get to know and understand someone.

Are you doing anything special to celebrate the book's release?

I’ve recently joined Knutsford Literary Society and in the week The Blacksmith’s Wife is released I will be hosting an author Q&A session and reading excerpts.  I love meeting readers so I’m really looking forward to the event.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blacksmiths-Wife-Mills-Boon-Historical-ebook/dp/B01B16JQ10/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1460925809&sr=1-3 

http://www.amazon.com/Blacksmiths-Wife-Harlequin-Historical/dp/037329882X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461003740&sr=8-1&keywords=elisabeth+hobbes

Learn more about author Elisabeth Hobbes

https://twitter.com/ElisabethHobbes

https://www.facebook.com/ElisabethHobbes?ref=hl

http://elisabethhobbes.co.uk

Excerpt Thursday: THE BLACKSMITH'S WIFE by Elisabeth Hobbes

This week, we're pleased to welcome author ELISABETH HOBBES with her latest release,  THE BLACKSMITH'S WIFE. Join us again on Sunday for an author interview, with more details about the story behind the story. One lucky visitor will get a digital only copy of The Blacksmith's Wife - this giveaway is open internationally. Be sure to leave your email address in the comments of today's post or Sunday's author interview for a chance to win. Winner(s) are contacted privately by email. Here's the blurb.

A passion forged from fire

Rejected by her favoured knight, Joanna Sollers knows she will never love again. Especially when the man she’s now forced to marry is none other than her beloved’s half brother!

For blacksmith Hal Danby, marrying Joanna makes his lifelong dream of entering the Smiths’ Guild possible, even if the secrets in his past mean he’ll forever keep his distance. But everything changes with one stolen night, and in the arms of his new bride, Hal wonders if this loveless arrangement could transform into something real...

Praise for The Blacksmith’s Wife

‘A passionate story that unfolds with a great plot and well defined characters. It is one that you will remember and a little out of the ordinary for its content.’

‘I loved the historical accuracy and detail, and the plot gives you great characters (some you'll love, some you'll enjoy hating!), excellent settings, and the desire to bang heads together as two people don't let on what they really think.’

‘The attention to setting and period details mean that you quickly become immersed in the tale - and this tale has everything you need: tensions and misunderstandings, a growing passion between two very engaging protagonists, and a dog called Simon. It's brilliant.’

**An Excerpt from The Blacksmith’s Wife**

Having both been rejected- Joanna by Sir Roger, the man she loves, and Hal by the Smiths Guild he had hoped to join – Joanna’s uncle, Simon Vernon, Master of the Guild proposes that if Hal marries Joanna he will help ease Hal’s way into the guild.  Having made his decision Hal goes in search of Simon.

Hal retraced his steps to the Guild Hall along the alleys Joanna had taken him through the previous night. He suppressed a smile as he remembered her wide eyes full of innocence as she had led him in circles throughout the streets.

Even without instruction he could not have missed his destination. St Andrewgate was home to all York’s metalworkers. The narrow street was lined on both sides with open-fronted workshops making and selling all manner of wares and the heat from the furnaces and heady stench of smoke meeting the drizzle greeted Hal like an old friend.

Master Vernon’s foundry was located in an excellent position on the corner with two sides open to the street. Hal paused outside, aware of a clamminess creeping around his back. It was not too late; he could turn and walk away and no one would know. Except for him. He contemplated Simon Vernon’s establishment, larger and grander by far than his own forge in Ravenscrag. One day he would be master of such a place and today, for all his reservations, he was setting his foot most decisively on that path.

Simon Vernon was standing with his back to Hal, barking orders at a pair of young apprentices. A figure was seated at a table in the corner. Hal stared in surprise as he recognised Joanna, head bent over a wax tablet with a stylus in her hand. No one had noticed his arrival so for a moment he stood drinking in the sight of her. She wore a dark-blue dress, high necked and tight sleeved beneath a sombre grey surcoat, belted tight beneath her breasts. Her hair was braided and held back from her face with a linen band. In such a setting she appeared as delicate and out of place as a wren in a nest of crows. The impression was such a contrast to the gaily dressed, flighty girl he had encountered at the camp that Hal was transfixed.

She was not beautiful, at least not in the way he preferred his women to be, but engrossed in her task Joanna’s face was alight with enthusiasm, lending her cheeks a blush of rose. Her figure he already knew from having examined her the previous night. A slight stirring of excitement made him grin. Whatever other reservations he might have about marriage to Joanna, the physical aspects were not among them. He would enjoy getting to know his wife once they were wed.

Joanna muttered to herself, made a swift stroke with a quill and looked up. Too late to glance away her eyes trapped Hal’s. She frowned, a small furrow appearing between her eyes before she broke into a wide smile. She jumped from her chair and crossed the room to him.

‘Master Danby, what brings you here?’ she asked warmly. ‘Do you have a message for me?’ Her voice was hopeful, leaving Hal in no doubt whose word she craved.

He ignored the faint stab of jealousy that pricked his chest, deciding that whatever else occurred, Joanna would never discover Roger’s indifference from him.

‘I’m here to see your uncle.’

Simon Vernon finally noticed him. He strode to Hal, an eager expression on his face. ‘You again. Should I assume you are here because of our conversation last night?’

Hal bowed. ‘Good morning, Master Vernon. I am indeed here to discuss your proposal.’ He glanced at Joanna who was still standing beside her uncle, her eyes bright with suspicion. Master Vernon followed his gaze.

‘Joanna, go fetch ale for us. Make haste, girl!’ he exclaimed, pushing her shoulder.

Hal’s teeth gritted. If he had needed confirmation that he was making the right choice, the man’s manner towards his niece was enough.

Joanna left the building.  Simon Vernon watched her go then turned to Hal.

‘You’re here to ask for her hand?’

Hal took a deep breath. ‘I am.’

Now the words were out the weight of anxiety lifted from his shoulders.

‘Last night I was certain you would refuse,’ Simon said. ‘What changed your mind? Was the promise of my good favour too much to resist?’

Hal smiled politely. ‘Naturally.’

Simon Vernon held out a hand. ‘Then the matter is settled. Now let’s discuss terms.’

Joanna tapped her foot impatiently as the serving girl filled an earthenware jug with maddening slowness, all the while wondering what her uncle and Hal had been discussing. When she first saw him her heart had leapt, believing for one blissful moment that Sir Roger had changed his mind and sent his brother as messenger. Of course that had been foolish. From what she was learning of Hal he was too proud to consent to carry out such a task. This was not merely a visit for courtesy, however. From the way her uncle had dismissed her she knew there was more to Hal’s appearance and she was determined to find out what it was.

She arrived back at the foundry with heels skidding in the mud. The two men were facing each other, arms folded and legs set wide, consciously or unconsciously mirroring each other’s stance. They were both talking and smiling, but when Joanna entered Hal’s face became serious.

‘Bring the ale quickly, Joanna,’ her uncle instructed. ‘We have something to drink to.’

Obediently Joanna walked to the table at the back of the room and filled two cups. She picked them up and turned to find Hal standing close behind her.

‘Let me help,’ he said, taking the cups from her hand. He stared down at Joanna with an intensity that sent warm shivers running across her scalp.

‘Come here, girl!’ Simon called. As she joined them his jowly face split into a smile. ‘I said last night I would find you a husband if you could not find your own. Master Danby here has asked for your hand and I have agreed.’

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blacksmiths-Wife-Mills-Boon-Historical-ebook/dp/B01B16JQ10/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1460925809&sr=1-3 

http://www.amazon.com/Blacksmiths-Wife-Harlequin-Historical/dp/037329882X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461003740&sr=8-1&keywords=elisabeth+hobbes

Learn more about author Elisabeth Hobbes

https://twitter.com/ElisabethHobbes

https://www.facebook.com/ElisabethHobbes?ref=hl

http://elisabethhobbes.co.uk