Spotlight &Giveaway: What She Wants by Lynsay Sands

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Lynsay Sands to HJ!

Hi Lynsay Sands and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, What She Wants!

 
Hello Sara… thank you for fitting me in! Hi everyone!
 

Please summarize the book for the readers here:

This book is one of the only stories of mine that involves a “witch”. The witch (or hag as the men like to refer to her), Eada, is like a mother to Willa, a young “peasant” woman who, for reasons unbeknownst to Hugh, has been hidden away in a cottage and taken care of by his uncle most of her life.
Hugh Dulonget (or nodcock as Eada likes to refer to him) just inherited the castle and his earldom from his now deceased uncle. However, he can’t help but refuse the final thing his uncle bequeathed him, the peasant girl’s hand in marriage. It doesn’t take Hugh long to learn though that if he wants the money needed to take care of his new castle, he’ll have to marry the girl because his uncle’s wealth is tied to Willa…
Now Hugh will have to try to change Willa’s mind about him because at this point she thinks Eada was right, the man is a nodcock. Good luck wooing her over now Lord Hugh!
 

Please share the opening lines of this book:

The door flew open, slamming into the cottage with what would have been a crash had it been made of stronger material. Hugh had been about to dismount, but paused to run a wary eye over the old woman now watching him from the open door.
Eada.

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

• Lord Hugh believes Willa is a peasant due to the plain and patched gown she wore when they first meet… he soon finds out that his assumption was embarrassingly far from the mark.
• Eada, the hag, has the uncanny ability of being able to read people, especially Hugh, which maddens him.
• Willa has only a few friends but the friends she does have are fiercely loyal. Hugh has no idea who Fen and Wolfy are initially, but when he finally figures out that they are wolves, he’s a little put off. However, he soon comes to appreciate her unique choice in friends when Fen and Wolfy come to his aid and help save him from an assassin.

Please tell us a little about the characters in your book. As you wrote your protagonist was there anything about them that surprised you?

Earl Hugh Dulonget is a fearless knight who was recently bequeathed his late uncle’s earldom and castle. *But for all the strength, skill, and courage Hugh displayed time and time again on the battle field, he is surprisingly naive and awkward when it comes to the opposite sex. Hugh really would rather be given a sword and sent into the thick of battle then attempt a conversation with a lass he likes, like Willa.

Lucan is Hugh’s friend and a fellow man-at-arm. He’s there to support his friend on his new venture and at times lightens the mood.

Willa is a capable, intelligent, seemingly-happy young woman. *What was surprising was how well-adjusted Willa is considering she’s been hidden away in a cottage with only a handful of people to interact with most of her life. And because of her young age and lack of experience with men, one might think Willa could be easily manipulated or taken advantage of, but not Willa. She can be doggedly determined and willful when she needs to be.

Eada is like a mother to Willa, guiding and protecting her for all these years. She is definitely the wise old witch with a wicked sense of humour. <G>

Baldulf is an older soldier who’s been protecting Willa for decades.

If your book was optioned for a movie, what scene would you use for the audition of the main characters and why?

This hilarious scene shows a range of emotions from both Hugh and Willa, pride, happiness, joy, anxiety, panic, and horror.
To make up for insulting his potential bride-to-be, Hugh wants to do something nice for Willa. But she’s not like most of the women he’s known and won’t be impressed with baubles or expensive jewelry. Hugh decides she’d appreciate his efforts more if he did something for those she cares about, like her wolves.

“Where are Wolfy and Fen?”
Willa blinked. That question was the last one she’d expected of him and it took her a moment to find the correct response.
“Well, they… er… they were here a minute ago. No doubt they are still around.” She glanced toward the woods rather vaguely, then turned back to eye him suspiciously. “Why?”
He grinned. “Because I brought them a gift.”
“A gift?” Curiosity drew Willa forward to peer into the sack he opened for her. At first, all she could make out was a bundle of soft looking gray brown fur. Then, as her eyes adjusted to the dim interior of the sack, she could distinguish features such as long ears and whiskers. “A rabbit?”
“Aye.”
She glanced up to see his pleased grin and then, unexpectedly touched at his thoughtfulness, looked down into the sack again. “That was very kind of you, my lord. I—‘Tis alive!”
He nodded eagerly. “Aye. And I cannot tell you what a difficult feat that was. I have hunted before, but never with the object of bringing the animal back alive.”
“But—” She stared at him in horror. “Why alive?”
He seemed surprised at the question. “Why, because Wolfy and Fen will enjoy the hunt. It was seeing the meat you had set out for them that gave me the idea. No doubt they have missed the thrill of the hunt.”
Willa shook her head. “Pray, excuse me, my lord. Are you saying that you intend for them to hunt this poor animal?”
Finally appearing to recognize that she was not pleased with this gift, Hugh frowned. “Tis what wolves do. They hunt. They chase and hunt and bring their prey to ground.”
“When necessary, aye,” Willa agreed. “But I feed them. I—”
“Aye. But this is their nature.” He shook the bag slightly and it began to move as the rabbit kicked about inside. “They are probably missing the thrill of the chase.”
She frowned at that and did wonder briefly if she was not somehow hampering Wolfy and Fen by removing their need to hunt. She’d begun feeding them out of necessity, but had continued because… well, she supposed she’d been treating them as pets when she knew they were not. Which had caused a bit of a problem now that she would be moving to the castle and, in effect, abandoning them. Then the rabbit began kicking desperately inside the sack and her gaze was drawn down to it. The animal’s nose was twitching frantically, its eyes almost rolled in its head as it kicked futilely against the cloth around it.
Hampering Wolfy and Fen or not, Willa could not watch them rend this poor little creature to pieces. Bringing them raw meat that Baldulf had butchered somewhere out behind the stable was one thing. Watching them tear apart a living rabbit was quite another.
“Call Wolfy and Fen,” Hugh suggested and Willa sucked in a breath of air.
“Nay!” she cried. Then Willa impulsively snatched the sack from a startled Hugh and made a run for the woods.

What do you want people to take away from reading this book?

First, I want them to have fun. Second, I want my readers to get so completely caught up in the story that any stress or worries that may be plaguing them just fade away.

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have planned?

As for what I’m working on…

I recently handed in the next Highland Brides story (book #11) after the Highland Wolf. This story is about Claray MacFarlane’s sister, Allisaid. The MacFarlanes are under threat from their neighbor, Maldouen MacNaughton, who will do just about anything to get his hands on MacFarlane land. Although the sisters were all told to stay within the keep’s walls for protection, Allissaid ventures out and is taken by the MacNaughton men. While still unconscious, Maldouen has a priest marry them but luckily Allissaid finds a way to escape before he can consummate the marriage…
The Campbells have had nothing but grief from the MacNaughtons. This business of Maldouen trying to force the eldest MacFarlane daughter into marriage and the frequent thieving raids from Campbell land under the pretense of looking for his “lost bride” are just a couple of examples of what the man had got up to. Calan, Laird of the Campbells, knew there’d be more raids but he never thought the MacNaughtons would stoop so low as to actually steal the clothes off his back, until they did. Calan actually saw the naked lad who ran up and made off with his kilt… Only the lad turns out to be a naked lass. And she’s married. And now Calan can’t stop thinking about her.

And right now I’m working on the next Argeneau, book #34. I’m still in the middle of writing so I can’t say too much about it other than it’s about two popular characters in the series that readers have been asking after for quite some time.

As for upcoming releases…

The next book will be another Argeneau called Mile High With A Vampire, which will come out on September 28th. This story is about Abigail’s friend Jet Lassiter (who you met in Immortal Nights) and Pet’s sister, Quinn Peters, who you met in The Trouble With Vampires.
This is Argeneau Book #33 and starts with a deadly plane crash that leaves Jet, Quinn and five seriously injured immortals stranded, miles from anywhere.
Anyone want to guess what happens when an entourage of immortals wake up after being severely injured, and you’re the only blood source within miles? Good luck, Jet!

And the next book coming out January is the 10th story in the Highland Brides series called Highland Wolf. The Highland Wolf is about Ross and Annabel’s nephew, Bryson MacDonald, whom everyone thought was dead. In this story Lady Claray MacFarlane is just a pawn in a plan to get a hold of her family’s land and title. Her greedy uncle intended to force her to marry her awful neighbor, Maldouen MacNaughton. Luckily, she’s snatched away before the nightmarish nuptials could take place. She has no idea why her kidnapper, the infamous Highland Wolf, came for her. The mercenary’s courage and prowess in battle are known throughout the Highlands, and with his handsome face and black-as-sin hair, he’s as intelligent and deadly as the wolf he was named for…
 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: Two signed paperback editions of What She Wants!

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Excerpt from What She Wants:

Baldulf?”
“Whom have I the pleasure of speaking to?”
Hugh didn’t miss the fact that the man had neatly avoided answering his query. It didn’t really matter; there had been a flash of surprise in his eyes before he covered it. It was enough to tell Hugh he’d guessed correctly.
“Hugh Dulonget, lord of Claymorgan and earl of Hillcrest.” Despite his cramped and complaining muscles, Hugh managed to sit a little straighter in the saddle as he made that announcement. It was the first time he’d used his new titles and he almost winced at the pride evident in his own voice as he claimed them.
The other man let his hand slide away from the sack. He gave a nod in lieu of a bow as he rode forward until they were side by side. “Aye. I am Baldulf. ‘Tis on honor to meet you, my lord. Has there been trouble?”
“You could say that,” Hugh said dryly.
Panic promptly entered the soldier’s expression and he cursed volubly. “I knew I should not have left, but Willa insisted she needed black cloth for proper mourning. Of course, there was not any in the village so I had to—was she harmed?” he interrupted himself to ask. “Your presence here tells me she still lives, but—”
“She is fine,” Hugh assured him, realizing that his self-depreciating comment had alarmed the man unnecessarily. “I did not mean that any physical harm had befallen the girl.”
Baldulf’s eyebrows flew up at this news. “Then what harm has she come to?”
Hugh was reluctant to admit that he had insulted the chit by calling her a bastard and refusing to marry her. However, he had no doubt the man would eventually hear the news from Eada, if not Willa herself. He decided it was best to get that matter over with himself.
“I fear when I first arrived, I was less than pleased to find myself willed a wife.”
The man nodded sympathetically at this news. “I am sure that came as something of a surprise.”
“Aye,” He grimaced. “In my…er…surprise, I was perhaps less than diplomatic on first meeting Lady Willa.” Hugh winced inwardly at his own understatement.
Baldulf was a sharp man. After eyeing him consideringly, he asked, “How much is less than diplomatic?”
“I called her a bastard and refused to marry her.” The words tumbled out of his mouth like those of a boy at confession. Recognizing the ire rising in the other man’s eyes, Hugh felt resignation fill him. Really, war was so much easier than this marriage and relationship business. “I have since apologized, of course.”
“Well, I should hope so!” Baldulf’s tone was rather disrespectful, not at all the proper manner for a knight to take with his new lord, but Hugh felt it behooved him to let the matter slide for the time being. He even allowed the man to glare at him for several moments before straightening and glaring back. Recalled to their positions, Baldulf let his eyes drop and glanced towards the cottage before clearing his throat and saying in much milder tones, “You appear to be soaked through, my lord. Have you been out here long?”
“Since yester morn.”
“Ah.” He nodded slowly. “If, as you claim, there has been no attack, might I ask why you have stood guard out here so long?”
That was something Hugh had asked himself several times through the long rainy day and night. “I am attempting to persuade Lady Willa to marry me.”
Baldulf nodded, then asked in extremely respectful tones, “By sitting outside that cottage on your horse?”
“I am guarding her to show her my devotion,” Hugh said stiffly. He felt foolish even saying the words. Seeing amusement fill the other man’s face, he added, “’Twas not my idea. My cousin and a friend of mine thought it might soften Willa’s anger if I vowed to stand guard over her beauty until she accepted my—are you laughing?”
Baldulf covered his mouth with his hand and made coughing sounds, then thumped his chest as he shook his head. “Nay, my lord. I have a…er…something caught in my throat.” He turned his head away, alternately coughing and snuffling.
Hugh harrumphed irritably and waited for the fit to pass. The moment the man regained control of himself and turned a solemn face back, he speared him with a glance. “Knowing her as well as you do, perhaps you could suggest a more useful approach?”
Humor promptly returned to the soldier’s face, deepening the lines that time had etched on his harsh features. Hugh noticed that it wasn’t very sympathetic amusement.
“Well now, that would be difficult to say, my lord. She is not like most ladies.” His gaze shifted past Hugh, his voice becoming distracted. “You might try gifts. Little trinkets and such. My wife always enjoyed those. By your leave, my lord.”
Much to Hugh’s amazement, Baldulf urged his mount forward and was away around the side of the cottage without awaiting the leave he’d requested. Hugh glared after him in frustration, wondering if he perhaps did not have a commanding enough demeanor. First, the hag treated him as though she were the queen and he a common peasant. Now, one of his own new soldiers rode off ere he’d finished talking to him.
He’d had several questions for the man besides how to please Willa. Hugh had spent a good hour that first night after Wynekyn had explained things questioning the former guard, Howel. Unfortunately, the man who now served as a seneschal at Hillcrest appeared to know no more than Wynekyn himself. Regarding some things, he knew even less. It was doubtful that Baldulf would know any more than Howel, but still—
He was still glaring at the spot where man and horse has disappeared when he heard Lucan and Jollivet approaching. Their words and laughter were audible several minutes before they actually broke into the clearing. They were obviously making no effort at stealth as they rode through the woods. Ignoring his stiff and sore bones, Hugh slicked back his still damp hair and sat up straight in the saddle. Grim-faced, he awaited their arrival. At that moment, he was torn between wanting to take his sword to the pair, and wanting to take his lance to them. Then again, taking his fists to them sounded attractive, too. They were, after all, the source of the misery he’d withstood all night and was still suffering.
“Good morn!” Lucan called as he broke from the trees on horseback.
He looked well-rested and damned cheerful, Hugh thought with disgust as his friend rode toward him. When he growled something in the way of a greeting, Lucan raised an eyebrow and quickly unfastened a bag from his saddle pommel.
“We brought you something with which to break your fast.” He offered the bag with a winning smile.
Hugh’s response was to grunt and snatch the bag like a hungry dog snapping up a bone. Even as he began to tug the bag open, he caught the glance his friend exchanged with Jollivet, who had urged his own horse to Hugh’s other side. The two men flanked him.
“Actually, we did not expect you to still be here. It rained last night.” Jollivet made the announcement as if that fact might have slipped Hugh’s notice. Fortunately for his cousin, Hugh was too hungry to waste time knocking the idiot off his horse as instinct urged him to do. He satisfied himself with stinging look and a dry, “I noticed,” then continued rooting inside the bag.
Lucan winced. “Surely you did not stay out here in the rain? All night?”
“What else was I to do?” he snarled, pulling out a hunk of bread and a skin of ale. “You wrote in that damned letter of yours that I would remain here until she accepted my suit…or some such nonsense. I signed the damned thing. I am a man of my word.”
Lucan grimaced at that. “Er…aye. Perhaps that was not the brightest of ideas. My apologies, Hugh. I take it she has yet to accept your suit?”
Hugh’s baleful expression was answer enough as he chewed on the dry bread.
“Well, perhaps she shall relent after seeing that you have spent the entire night in the rain guarding her.”
“She was not moved to relent after I spent all of yesterday in the rain. Why should a little darkness make a difference?” he growled, then took the aleskin Lucan handed him and lifted it to his mouth.
“Perhaps Jollivet and I can come up with something to convince her.” He paused as Hugh nearly choked on the ale he was downing. Pulling the aleskin away from his mouth, he turned hot eyes on his friend.
“I shall thank you and Jollivet not to help me anymore.”
Lucan bit his lip and glanced away. “Well, did you come up with anything on your own whilst sitting here last night?”
Hugh’s expression was answer enough, but he said, “Nay. She has done no more than peek out the door at me. I assume she is still angry about my calling her a bastard. I suppose saying she was beneath me did not help either.” He sighed. “If I could but figure out how best to apologize…what she would accept.”
“Did you try flowers?” Jollivet piped up. “I did tell you that women are partial to them. They—”
“Perhaps,” Lucan interrupted when Hugh started to growl deep in his throat at his cousin’s suggestion, “perhaps someone who knew her better would know best how to please her.”
Hugh gave up glaring at the younger man to nod his agreement with that suggestion. “I did consider that. In fact, I asked Baldulf for suggestions.”
“Baldulf?” Lucan straightened with interest. “Has the missing guard returned then?”
“Aye. But moments ago. He left just before your ode up.”
“Did he say where he had been?” Lucan asked as Hugh took another gulp of ale.
“I gather he was seeking black cloth for Willa to make a mourning gown.”
“What did Baldulf suggest?” Jollivet asked curiously.
“He said she was unlike other women,” he answered glumly. “He did say his own wife liked gifts and trinkets.”
A small silence reigned as Hugh ate; then Lucan shifted, his gaze sliding to the cottage. “It occurs to me that perhaps the hag would have a suggestion or two that may be of more use.”
Hugh’s stomach roiled at the suggestion, but he considered the idea and found he could not argue it. The old woman did know Willa better than any of them. Which was unfortunate, really. He wasn’t pleased at the idea of having to ask the witch for anything. She’d not seemed to think much of him from the beginning and would hardly feel any more charitable toward him now that he had dared insult her baby chick.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

It’s all about…What She Wants

A formidable Scottish knight used to getting his way, Earl Hugh Dulonget of Hillcrest has gotten himself into a bind. His uncle’s will clearly states that Hugh must marry–yet he just insulted his would-be bride by calling her a peasant! Now he must do whatever it takes to win back the fair Willa…

Everyone has advice, it seems. His comrades-in-arms believe gifts and baubles will earn her love. The old witch who was her guardian wants Hugh to crawl back to Willa on his belly. And his castle priest suggests he read De Secretis Mulierum, a book on the secrets of women. But Hugh knows only one sure way to overcome her reluctance, he must convince Willa that his passion and devotion are not only what she needs, but what she wants more than anything else in the world.

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Meet the Author:

My name is Lynsay Sands and I’m the author of the Argeneau series and many hysterical historicals (as my readers tend to call them). I have written over sixty books and twelve anthologies, which probably tells you I really enjoy writing. I consider myself very lucky to have been able to make a career out of it.
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