Chesterfield couch, in royal purple – just perfect for our distinguished guest on tonight’s show.
Welcome to Christina Phillips! She joins me today on the couch for Tuesday Book Club!
What were you like at school?
Shy, introverted, loved making up stories. Not changed much in all these years!
What inspired you to write?
I know it’s a writer’s cliché but I’ve always loved writing. I still have notebooks from when I was eleven where I’d write stories about girls at boarding school (the romance came later!). When I was a teen I wrote epic tragic poems. Interestingly, I discovered recently that when I was 14 I wrote a time travel romance for one of my English essays that involved a Roman centurion! However, he was a baddie and to escape him I ended up trapped in the time machine (which apparently wanted to eat my soul J )
Christine Phillips – author of The Druid Chronicles
Which writers inspire you?
When I was 18 I read Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M Auel, and that book completely blew me away. Even now I find it hard to convince myself that it’s FICTION, CHRISTINA!
What inspired you to write this story?
Although I’ve always loved reading historical romance it never occurred to me to write one with the aim of publication. I actually started off aiming at Mills & Boon with short category romance, but although I got close with revisions a few times I never quite made it over that magical line. Another of my fave genres ever since I was a child was paranormal (even though when I was kid I didn’t realise that’s what it was!) so I wrote a couple of short PNR/futuristic fantasy erotic romances and they were published by The Wild Rose Press. One night while doing admin, this tough Roman warrior stormed into my mind searching for his Druid princess. I was hooked! What was a Roman doing looking for a Druid, unless he was planning on slaughtering her? So of course I had to drop everything and find out!
The first book in the series.
How much research do you do?
I did a huge amount of research for The Druid Chronicles, but although there’s plenty of information about the Romans, there’s hardly anything about the Druids. This is mainly because they passed their knowledge down through oral teachings, and the only contemporary writings regarding them are from the Roman viewpoint. Prejudiced, much? So when it came to the Druids in my books, my imagination took flight :)
Can you give us a blurb to let us know what the story is about?
He was a master of seduction – but no match for the magical allure of the woman he wanted most
Carys knew from the moment she first spied on Maximus in his naked barbarian glory that he was a dangerous Roman centurion – his taut, battle-scarred flesh marking him as a fearless warrior. But her desire for him was as undeniable as it was illicit.
Charged by his emperor to eliminate a clan of powerful Druids in Britain, Maximus never expects his mission to be thwarted by the clan’s ethereal princess, Carys, his daring voyeur. Falling under her spell, he doesn’t realize her true heritage – until he captures her heart as well as her body.
As Carys’ loyalties are twisted, and freedom is no longer her single-minded obsession, an avenging former lover threatens to crush Maximus’ people into oblivion. Now Carys and Maximus must overcome the devastation of war and face the ultimate sacrifice if their forbidden love is to survive.
Previously published by Penguin US in 2010
Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
Maximus is a patrician and a tough Roman warrior. He’s used to being obeyed without question, especially by the women in his life. When he meets Carys his entire world is turned inside out. Not only does she defy him at every turn, she appears to think there’s nothing unusual for women to be equal to their man. The thing I love about Maximus is he’s willing to open his mind to a culture so different from his own, and accept Carys for who she is, despite the edict from his Emperor.
Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?
Henry Cavill. Of course!
What book/s are you reading at present?
I’ve just finished Erica Hayes’ Sapphire City superhero books, Scorched and Scarred. Loved them.
What writing project are you working on next?
Besides doing the final read throughs for the other books in The Druid Chronicles (all will be released this year) I’m writing the second book in my Viking Bastards MC club series, a contemporary romance for Entangled Publishing’s Scorched line.
What is your favourite positive saying?
Don’t let the bastards get you down.
What is your favourite book and why?
I’m fickle, and this changes with my mood!
What is your favourite quote?
Never give up! Never surrender! (Galaxy Quest)
What is your favourite movie and why?
One of my fave movies is Love, Actually. We watch it every year in December (and sometimes mid way through the year as well). I adore Emma Thompson and the scene in the bedroom brings me to tears every time. I also love Alan Rickman in anything, but one of the things that kills me every time is how the PM stands up to the American President. Hilarious!
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
- Website: http://christinaphillips.com/?page_id=2075
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinaphillips.author/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristinaPh_
- Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Christina-Phillips/e/B003G299V0/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
- Sign up for my New Release Newsletter
- Book Links: (* American, UK, etc.) iBooks | Amazon | B&N | Kobo
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30753313-forbidden
Would you like to share an excerpt from your book?
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