Alex walks a difficult line, trying to balance her growing attraction to Prince Holden with her dedication to duty and her responsibility to keep him safe from robbers, Danes...and even himself. But when they are drawn into the struggle to defend East Anglia from occupation, both the prince and his captain must grow. Can spoiled Prince Holden evolve into a good man who could lead the kingdom--one Alex can trust with her heart?
Having an active and interesting hobby life can be one of the keys of becoming a good author, because it lets you make various events in your books more realistic. In the case of Her Heart’s Liege, that meant being a girl who knows how to fight and defeat big burly men!
When I was younger, I took classes in self-defense from a particularly masochistic Native American sensei who liked to put on a foam suit and let the class fight him as he tried to grab us and put us on the ground, a realistic situation which is really the best way to learn to overcome panic and work with your adrenaline to become competent at thinking and reacting fast enough to defend yourself.
He taught a combination of dirty street fighting and Jeet Kune Do, a martial art designed to enable small, physically weak combatants to defeat large, violent aggressors. It focuses on joint manipulation, which demands speed and quick wits, but doesn’t require much power. Alex’s sensei, Li, is an affectionate homage to Bruce Lee, who created Jeet Kune Do.
Since I wanted Alexandra to be a competent fighter in a man’s world of combat, I knew she needed to use techniques like those to hold her own against more powerful male opponents. When she grabs Prince Holden’s hand and winds up putting him on his ear in the dirt in about two seconds flat, unable to move without dislocating his arm, that’s no exaggeration.
Sword-fighting in a melee is quite different, but I’ve done some of that, too, while I was in the Society for Creative Anachronism. A small person has the advantage of speed and mobility, and Alex has learned to be sly, taking any advantage that presents itself.
They say all’s fair in love and war. As the novel demonstrates, a fighter who forgets winning is the ultimate goal and tries to battle with straightforward tactics and honorable behavior as his first objective is less likely to survive a melee or stop a devious opponent. (Any Klingons out there should take note!)
When I was younger, I took classes in self-defense from a particularly masochistic Native American sensei who liked to put on a foam suit and let the class fight him as he tried to grab us and put us on the ground, a realistic situation which is really the best way to learn to overcome panic and work with your adrenaline to become competent at thinking and reacting fast enough to defend yourself.
He taught a combination of dirty street fighting and Jeet Kune Do, a martial art designed to enable small, physically weak combatants to defeat large, violent aggressors. It focuses on joint manipulation, which demands speed and quick wits, but doesn’t require much power. Alex’s sensei, Li, is an affectionate homage to Bruce Lee, who created Jeet Kune Do.
Since I wanted Alexandra to be a competent fighter in a man’s world of combat, I knew she needed to use techniques like those to hold her own against more powerful male opponents. When she grabs Prince Holden’s hand and winds up putting him on his ear in the dirt in about two seconds flat, unable to move without dislocating his arm, that’s no exaggeration.
Sword-fighting in a melee is quite different, but I’ve done some of that, too, while I was in the Society for Creative Anachronism. A small person has the advantage of speed and mobility, and Alex has learned to be sly, taking any advantage that presents itself.
They say all’s fair in love and war. As the novel demonstrates, a fighter who forgets winning is the ultimate goal and tries to battle with straightforward tactics and honorable behavior as his first objective is less likely to survive a melee or stop a devious opponent. (Any Klingons out there should take note!)
"I make you nervous." The corner of Prince Holden’s mouth quirked up, self-deprecating.
Alexandra didn't try to deny the truth. "You do. Any time someone treats me like prey, I get uneasy."
He didn't attempt denial. "I don't usually pursue women."
"No, they jump into your bed all by themselves." She gave him a wry stare.
He shrugged, equally off-hand. "Near enough."
"Then all you have to do is find a bed and wait. I want no part of it."
"I'm tired of prey that doesn't put up a struggle." She could see something almost weary in the set of his shoulders.
She raised a brow at him. She'd believe him on a cold day in Hell.
He shrugged and shifted uncomfortably. "Serving girls and barmaids are all very well and good for a night's pleasure, but they have nothing to offer afterward. All the ladies at court are shallow and dull." He pulled a wry face. "I'd rather court a girl with something to her. Like you."
Alex resisted the desire to squirm uncomfortably under his warm regard. "The problem with me," his brow furrowed, "is that everything has always been too easy." He leaned toward her, intent. She could sense how important this was to him.
He reached out and touched her cheek lightly with his fingertips. "But you aren't easy at all, and I find I quite like it."
Alexandra didn't try to deny the truth. "You do. Any time someone treats me like prey, I get uneasy."
He didn't attempt denial. "I don't usually pursue women."
"No, they jump into your bed all by themselves." She gave him a wry stare.
He shrugged, equally off-hand. "Near enough."
"Then all you have to do is find a bed and wait. I want no part of it."
"I'm tired of prey that doesn't put up a struggle." She could see something almost weary in the set of his shoulders.
She raised a brow at him. She'd believe him on a cold day in Hell.
He shrugged and shifted uncomfortably. "Serving girls and barmaids are all very well and good for a night's pleasure, but they have nothing to offer afterward. All the ladies at court are shallow and dull." He pulled a wry face. "I'd rather court a girl with something to her. Like you."
Alex resisted the desire to squirm uncomfortably under his warm regard. "The problem with me," his brow furrowed, "is that everything has always been too easy." He leaned toward her, intent. She could sense how important this was to him.
He reached out and touched her cheek lightly with his fingertips. "But you aren't easy at all, and I find I quite like it."
When not at her keyboard, Olivia enjoys nature hikes, photography, and the constant companionship of several rather irregularly trimmed Shih Tzu dogs. Olivia’s first published novel, Her Heart’s Liege, will be released in March 2015 by Rogue Phoenix Press.
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ReplyDeleteHave you written any other novels in collaboration with other writers?
ReplyDeleteMai, I'm still new to publishing novels professionally, so I haven't published any collaborations yet. I do believe collaboration can be highly beneficial and produce excellent results when the collaborators are sympatico. I would certainly not reject the idea automatically if a friend suggested a collaboration that sounded like it was up my alley. ;-) That said, I know it requires being on a "wavelength" with a good working relationship and a lot of communication and cooperation, so I'd be cautious of accepting a stranger's offer right off the bat. I wouldn't want to waste either collaborator's time!
ReplyDeleteI like feisty heroines
ReplyDeleteMe, too, DJ! Alexandra should be right down your alley. :D Thanks for leaving a comment!
DeleteGreat post - I loved reading the fun facts and excerpt :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Victoria! I hope you'll enjoy the book. Good luck in the drawing. :-)
DeleteLove the fun facts! I enjoyed the excerpt! Your book sounds terrific! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Betty! I appreciate the compliment. Best of luck in the giveaway!
DeleteAlex sounds like a badass character! It's so cool that you know how to fight and is able to use that knowledge in the book.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I had a lot of fun writing it. :-) I hope you'll enjoy reading!
DeleteI have enjoyed learning about the book. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading the excerpt and the fun facts. Looking forward to reading this book!
ReplyDeleteGreat excerp! Thank you for the post and the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThx for sharing, it sounds good. Thx for the giveaway too.
ReplyDeleteenjoyed the fun facts
ReplyDeleteenjoyed this blog post
ReplyDeletebook sounds great
great giveaway, too!
great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAbigail
Sounds like an awesome book! Love female characters who can take care of themselves
ReplyDelete