Meet the Newbies is hosted by Rachel from A Perfection Called Books and is a way to get to know the latest debut authors and get a glimpse of their books. Check out all the authors and blog on the tour here.
I’m featuring the wonderful Nicole Castroman, author of Blackhearts, today. I’ve read Blackhearts and let me tell you- it’s awesome. AND there’s going to be a sequel.
Author Most Likely to Wear a Corset to the Grocery Store
Nickname: Nicole (I’ve never been a nickname kind of person.)
First Day of School: February 9, 2016
Homeroom: Simon Pulse (S&S)
Grade: Historical (Romance)
Extracurricular Activities: Talking on the phone to Becky Wallace, Admiring Aidan Turner pics online, Reading, Visiting as many tropical beaches as humanly possible
Favorite Class: History
Favorite Quote/Motto: These change constantly. It really depends on my mood. Right now, it’s “To thine own self be true.”
Author: Nicole Castroman
About the Author
Nicole was lucky enough to come with her very own best friend…she has a twin sister who can read her mind and finish her sentences for her.
At the age of 13, she went to Europe for the first time and it changed her life. She loves learning about different people, languages and cultures and speaks fluent German. She knows enough Spanish to get herself into trouble and can still read the Cyrillic alphabet from when she studied Russian.
She received her B.A. from Brigham Young University and has lived in Germany, Austria and two different places called Georgia. One is located on the Black Sea. The other is the state of Georgia where she now lives with her handsome husband and two beautiful children who continue to amaze her.
Social Media Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Pinterest
The Book
Blackbeard the pirate was known for striking fear in the hearts of the bravest of sailors. But once he was just a young man who dreamed of leaving his rigid life behind to chase adventure in faraway lands. Nothing could stop him—until he met the one girl who would change everything.
Edward “Teach” Drummond, son of one of Bristol’s richest merchants, has just returned from a year-long journey on the high seas to find his life in shambles. Betrothed to a girl he doesn’t love and sick of the high society he was born into, Teach dreams only of returning to the vast ocean he’d begun to call home. There’s just one problem: convincing his father to let him leave and never come back.
Following her parents’ deaths, Anne Barrett is left penniless and soon to be homeless. Though she’s barely worked a day in her life, Anne is forced to take a job as a maid in the home of Master Drummond. Lonely days stretch into weeks, and Anne longs for escape. How will she ever realize her dream of sailing to Curaçao—where her mother was born—when she’s stuck in England?
From the moment Teach and Anne meet, they set the world ablaze. Drawn to each other, they’re trapped by society and their own circumstances. Faced with an impossible choice, they must decide to chase their dreams and go, or follow their hearts and stay.
Book Buy Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
The Interview
In your debut, Blackhearts, you venture into the backstory of a nearly mythological pirate, Blackbeard. You take a look at what his life might have been like prior to his pirating days and what would lead the son of a wealthy merchant to venture into the unsavory life of a pirate. What first drew you to Blackbeard?
Just the fact that there isn’t anything known about his earlier life. It was a blank slate of one of the most notorious pirates to sail the seas. What compelled him to leave everything he knew behind to live such a rough life?
It is obvious from your writing and the inclusion of historical details that you did a good amount of research about the time period, etc. Could you tell us some of the most interesting things you stumbled upon in your researching?
I found all of it fascinating. From the way they dressed to what they ate. I read several books about what life was like in the 17th century. It’s no surprise that women didn’t have many opportunities at the time, but there were always women who refused to be limited. That’s why I wrote Anne like I did.
You have created some incredibly developed and well-rounded characters. Was there one you related to the most?
What I love about Anne is her indomitable spirit. She simply refuses to give up. What I love most about Teach is his ability to accept people for who they are. He doesn’t see color or race. It’s people’s actions that determine whether he wants them in his life or not.
I always imagine that when writing a book your characters at times surprise you and decide they want to take their story somewhere a bit different than you had planned. Did you find this to be true?
Somewhat. I always had the ending in mind, but it was a windy road to get there. And of course, working with an editor helped make the story tighter. I’ve learned to love the revision process because that is where the story truly comes to life.
Sort of related to the above question- what is your writing process? Do you plan things out or let the story take you where it wants to go (or a mix)?
I usually like to have an idea of the ending. It’s important for me to know where I ultimately need to go, but the characters can take a different route than the one I have planned for them.
The Giveaway
1 Pre-Order or Finished Copy of Any Debut Novel Featured on Meet the Newbies
International (as long as The Book Depository ships to your country)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Extras
- Blog Tour– Guest Post with Nicole Castroman
- Reasons to Read/Buy Blackhearts
