I am happy to feature Soul Mate author Madelyn Hill and her latest release For the Love of a Gypsy.

Here’s Madelyn!

I’ve always had a love of reading and writing, as I suspect all writers do. But in my opinion, those who actually sit down and write their story have something else. Writing is a need, an instinct in which we have to share our story or else we may go mad. I’m sure this is where the term “muse” came from, that inner voice that whispers our stories and encourages us to get them on paper.

I started writing at a young age, short stories of teenage angst. But my serious writing started after the birth of my children when I needed something just for myself, something that was mine. I’d gained inspiration in many ways, but the book Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon inspired me to start writing Scottish historicals. Historicals are truly my favorite genre to read and write. I love research and digging and digging for information and tidbits that can enhance and direct a story. Also, there is just something so romantic about Highlanders and those rogues of historical novels.

As many writers do, we seek out others like us. Almost like we are a herd that is stronger together. A local romance writers group was where I felt as if I could talk about my stories and everyone understood. It was invigorating and in a way liberating. I became actively involved and made so many great friends, friends I would have never encountered outside the group. We had a great time and traveled to conferences, held conferences, facilitated workshops, and ran contests.

I can’t tell you how much I learned during this time period. When I first started, I had no idea about POV, agents, publishing houses, and submitting. But through critique groups, workshops, and conferences, the writing process and world came to light.

When I went back to school after my youngest entered kindergarten, my writing time became limited, but no less sacred. I cut out any unnecessary time sucks and expenses. I didn’t write in a silo, I still had an awesome critique partner and with social networking, writing friends are a few clicks away.

During this time, I didn’t send to publishers, holding back for some reason and then due to the encouragement of my critique partner I sent to Soul Mate Publishing. I have loved working with SMP and I hope to continue publishing with them far into the future.

Blurb

Can she betray the Gypsy clan who saved her for the love of a stranger?

Martine Petrulengo is stifled by the traditions of her adopted Gypsy clan. They gave her new life when she was left all alone. And now she is expected to marry in order to forge clan allegiances. When she nurses handsome and charming Lord Declan Forrester back to health, she is lured by the seductive idea of life outside of the clan—and the prospect of love with the Irishman.

Can he prove his innocence in order to claim his Gypsy?

Lord Declan Forrester trades prison bars for a loveless marriage in order to save his soul. And now he’s trying to prove his innocence not only as a traitor, but that of his wife’s murder. When the lovely and beguiling Martine saves him, he falls in love for the first time. Yet, the obstacles of his past seem insurmountable.

Martine and Declan must fight tradition, prejudice and the haunting ghosts of their past in order to fight for their love and ensure their future.

Excerpt

A rider urged his horse forward. He wore a leather doublet of a quality she’d never seen. The black hide was pierced with metal and thick stitching formed elaborate Celtic designs. Regal and rich. His breeches hugged his thighs so closely ’twas indecent, but that didn’t stop her gaze from venturing along the hard expanse of his legs. Heat crept up her neck and flushed her face like a flame.

He tipped his head in her brother’s direction. Martine gasped.

The stranger from the glen.

“We’ve business,” was all he said.

Rafe nodded, but didn’t twitch a muscle. Martine wanted to run from the confrontation, hide in her grandmother’s berth safe from the bewitching blue eyes of the intruder. But her feet stayed rooted to the ground.

Och, this man was handsome. Strong jaw, brilliant eyes, and a broad mouth composed a man so striking. His face was a composite of hard planes of granite that matched the intense glare of his eyes.

The man sighed and his comrades inched closer to his side. They dressed as he did, except their clothing lacked the obvious quality she could see stitched in the leather of his.

“The villagers are concerned with your presence, Gypsy.”

She could feel the tension in the tight line of her brother’s shoulders, taste the anger in the air that hummed about him and the stranger. His jaw clenched and he remained silent.

“I’ve come to ask you to leave.”

Bio

Madelyn Hill has always loved the written word. From the time she could read and all through her school years, she’d sneak books into her textbooks during school. And she devoured books daily. At the age of 10 she proclaimed she wanted to be a writer. After being a “closet” writer for several years, she sent her manuscripts out there and is now published with Soul Mate Publishing. And she couldn’t be happier! A resident of Western New York, she moved from one Rochester to another Rochester to be with the love of her life. They now have 3 children and keep busy cooking, watching their children’s sporting events, and of course reading!

Where to find Madelyn…

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads