Fellow Wild Rose Press author, Isabella Macotte, is visiting here today to share a little about her current release, THE HEART GEM.
The Heart Gem has a striking cover. Tell us about your story.
In 1885, a proper Victorian woman’s place was in the home. Convention never appealed to Hallie Pinefoy.
But plans for financial independence through a successful doll-making venture have one impediment. She’s inherited a curiosity shop and a handsome business partner who’s proving to be a delicious distraction.
When Bremen Tyler inherits a shop in coastal England, he breaks from the mystical Ancestral clan to live a normal life. The only way to guarantee a permanent break is to marry his Heart Match, a perfect soul mate. Bremen recognizes the captivating Hallie as his true love, but she isn’t cooperating with his courtship.
If he can retrieve the stolen Heart Gem, an Artifact of Love, he can use it to prove their match. The surface of the Gem reflects the essence of a couple’s future life, but the risks are great. More importantly, will Hallie realize true love doesn’t need proof?
What inspired this story?
How can a couple know they’re perfect for each other? As a big-time romance reader over the years, I thought how intriguing it would be to know, really know, if someone is meant for you as a soul mate. How many of us have wished we could be assured the person we choose for life is the right one? In Hallie and Bremen’s world, the Heart Gem can.
What are you working on now? Do you have any releases scheduled for this year?
I’m keeping very busy writing Book 2 of The Artifacts of Love series, The Heart Compass. I’ve also completed a young adult novel, The Monster.
Where do you start when writing? Research, plotting, character, or…?
I start with an idea and a great character. From there I expand to a rough draft. During this time, scenes play though my head, and I get them down. For my writing style, I’ve learned to allow myself to flow with a rough draft from beginning to end. Once I have a fairly complete rough draft, I polish. And polish. And polish.
What is the concept behind your story?
My story, The Heart Gem, presents The Artifacts of Love, a group of mystical objects which can lead a person to their true love. The Heart Gem stone allows the holder to see a vision of the future. But of course, no magic is perfect. Do Hallie Pinefoy and Bremen Tyler need proof of their love? Will they risk it all to take a view into the elusive Heart Gem?
The tale incorporates paranormal elements, a heroine who plans to be a businesswoman, and a hunky hero who needs to wed to leave the Fae world behind. Hallie, raised in Victorian England, defies the conventions of the era and interns as a doll maker with her suffragette aunt in Boston. Hallie is independent, feisty, and believes marriage holds no place in her life. Her plans are set. Until she meets charming Bremen Tyler who has plans of his own.
A few of my favorite things:
Chocolate chip ice cream
Cheese fries
Classic romance novels (Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, and Shanna)
Here’s an excerpt from The Heart Gem:
Hallie stepped over to the small desk. “Please wait. I’ll get the monies owed from the payment made at the Dockhouse.”
“No.” Bremen answered.
“No?”
“Partake of a glass of wine with me instead.”
Surprised, she looked to the man’s face and paused. Those dark eyes seemed almost hypnotic, and a sudden vision came to mind of looking into those eyes right before his lips moved in closer and closer, toward her mouth. She forced herself to look away.
He held out a hand. “Just a glass of wine? Perhaps we can pretend to have just been introduced under less dramatic circumstances?”
“I think not. However I’m grateful for your assistance.” She held out the coin.
“I never accept money from a lady.”
“Do you make a lady feel obligated then? That’s your preference?”
“I’d hope the lady would forgive me for my churlish behavior by allowing a contrite man to make amends.”
Was he mocking her?
“One glass of wine. Please.” He seemed to notice the hesitation. “On the Wrightsville Inn’s front porch in full view of all.” His face softened. “With a repentant gentleman.” He held out a hand. “I’m Bremen Tyler. The apologetic Bremen Tyler who wishes to make restitution to a lady offended with loutish behavior.”
“Again, I must decline the offer.
He paused for a moment. “Are you afraid?”
“Afraid? Of you? I most certainly am not.”
“Sit with me then. You can berate me for my temper, comment on my lack of good manners, and insult me for my lack of wholesome attributes. I put myself in your hands for as long as you wish to partake of my poor company.”
Being the one in control was intriguing. After having spent the past hour feeling foolish and taking directions, she found these pleas for forgiveness and companionship quite appealing.
Bio: Reader, writer, believer, advice giver. Author of: The Heart Gem available from The Wild Rose Press, Amazon, and other outlets. Romance Writers of America member.
Isabella Macotte grew up in Chicago and now lives in the Midwest. Ever since she can remember, she was reading. Not just fiction but everything she could get her hands on. Science, romance, history and paranormal. Especially paranormal…anything scary, creepy, or gory, she loves it. From light paranormal elements to terrifying monsters, she’ll make up a story to amaze or scare you.
Isabella Macotte writes the kind of romance she loves to read: a story with delicious dialogue, seductive encounters, a dash of the paranormal, and an irresistible hero you will never forget.
Passionate about books, Isabella keeps busy reading, writing and working in a library. But if a few moments remain at the end of the day, she spends them with a wonderful family and sweet bichon pup named Daisy.
You can find Isabella around the internet at:
Website: IsabellaMacotte.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/IsabellaMacotte
Like me on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Isabella-Macotte/160318097368777
Friend me on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/isabella.macotte
Buy The Heart Gem in eBook and Paperback at:
babettejames.com 
Thanks for letting me stop by, Babette!
You’re welcome!
What a great post. The Heart Gem sounds like a fabulous read, Isabella. Ooo, and I LOVE Shanna. I read it out loud to my husband once. LOL
Thanks Amy!
Lovely excerpt, Isabella. As odd as it may sound, I sometimes wake up with the first paragraph of a Jane Austin novel playing and replaying in my mind like a video loop. My dreaming mind must love the lady. Wishing your luck with sales and your current WIP.
Thanks Vonnie!
I just finished The Heart Gem, and it reminds me a lot of Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer. I loved it!
Thank you Anne! So happy you loved it.