Interview–Tracy Farrell

Note : Be sure to scroll back and read Tracy’s post earlier today!

CTR: Today we are pleased to have Tracy Farrell with us as we talk about all things romantic! We’re featuring the most romantic novels we can find and talking about romance in general, not just the kind on pages! After all, Valentine’s Day is almost here and it is “the day” for love and romance!

First, please tell us a bit about your book. A blurb, buy link, ISBN, and heat level are especially good to know!

TF: Thanks so much for having me. I’d love to tell you about my upcoming release. The Uprising: Mated Hearts is a Sci-Fi romance with a medium heat level.

Five thousand years have passed since the Destroyer and his Disciples escaped a dying planet known as Earth. Humanity has become a force to be feared. One woman is all that stands between intergalactic war and peace.

Liandra never asked to be a leader. Unfortunately, the Mother and Father of All have plans for her””plans that include uniting Liandra with two very different men who will help her defeat the Destroyer.

Everything changes for Starke the day he feels the other half of his soul. When Liandra is kidnapped, nothing will stop the hardheaded warrior from freeing her, even if it means war.

Terral has lived as the Dark One for more than four decades, but a vision calls him to a new path. Determined to right the wrongs of his past, Terral raises an army to bring down the Destroyer-an army dedicated to serving one woman.

Liandra.

It will be out in April. You can find it at amazon, B&N, or straight from the publisher Crescent Moon Press
http://www.crescentmoonpress.com/

CTR: How do you define romance and romantic? Do you think these concepts are different today than they were say 25 or 50 or even more years ago? Is our parents’ or grandparents’ version of romance now passé?

TF: I would define romance and romantic a little different than the dictionary definition. For me romance particularly a romantic act would be something done out of and with love. This could be the same as what our grandparents and parents considered romantic a fancy dinner, flowers, poetry, shiny baubles. Who doesn’t want to be treated like a princess? Those things will never go out of style but today’s roles are no longer defined as they used to be. We women are way more independent and so much busier than our grandmothers and because of that the idea of romance has had to evolve. So while I might enjoy a dinner out the most romantic thing my husband can do for me is pick up the kids from school, or perhaps vacuum the house and do the dishes. I know mundane chores but with my hubby’s busy travel schedule (he’s gone almost 6 days a week) he’s made special arrangements or gotten up extra early to make my life better. And really anyone can make a reservation but how much more loving and romantic is for someone to sacrifice so your life is a little better.

CTR: What is the most romantic gesture or moment you ever witnessed or were involved in? Please share as much as you feel you can””no private secrets required if it is embarrassing but you are welcome to dish at least to the PG-13 level !

TF: This question made me smile since as you saw by my previous answer vacuuming is my idea of romance. I was born on the 4th of July, sounds exciting right, not so much holidays always make for tough birthdays, especially for kids. Knowing this my hubby went out a bought three romance novels, he spied on my to be read list, packed a picnic lunch and took me off to the beach where he proceeded to read to me and feed me. That night we headed out to one of my favorite restaurants.

CTR: Do you think “romance” is dying out, and by this I mean the traditional “hearts and flowers” kind of romance? Even the chivalric sorts of romantic connections featured in some ““particularly older””novels? It sometimes seems like young people now are more interested in “hooking up’ fast and easy via the social networks and high tech devices and that “romance” does not play a big role in the changing pattern of today’s relationships. Do you agree or not? If so, is this a good thing or maybe not so good?

TF: I’ve a degree in Literature with a concentration on medieval studies so I know the old chivalric ideas of romance very well. I think the ideal of a man being a gentleman and giving his girl flowers will always be around. I know it’s been ingrained in my son’s head and he holds the door open for women and the elderly and carries all things heavy. But I’d happy to see demise of the idea of woman being the “weaker’ sex. Women don’t need to be cared for any more and this has changed the dynamic of relationships for the better, at least in my opinion. Social networking and online hook ups are the new bar scene in many ways and they open up opportunities for people to connect that might never meet each other. My mother in law met her husband through a social networking site and would never have met otherwise as they lived in different parts of the country. They are an amazing couple and have a wonderful and loving relationship, true soul mates. So for me there not a bad thing just a different thing.

CTR: What is your favorite romantic book, movie and/or song and why?

TF: Just one ““ sigh ““ I’d have to go with Pretty Woman because Richard Geer’s character treats Julia Roberts character like a person not a hooker. I like that he makes no class distinctions plus it was a fun movie.

CTR: Is Valentine’s Day one of your fave holidays? Do you have a happy memory to share or a funny story? Some of us have one about our school days, a gesture by a special someone we once dated, etc. How do you plan to celebrate this year with your SO, spouse or partner or are you on your own?

TF: Valentine’s Day is a favorite of mine. My dad has always taken care of his girls on Valentine’s Day. Even today he buys all of us including his grandchildren a special card and a box of candy, my mom’s being the biggest. As kids he’d take us out for a special breakfast and he and my mom would go out for a meal. Our husbands had a lot to live up to. My dad is a stanch old fashioned male chauvinist and will gladly tell you that. Poor guy managed to raise independent gals. This year, as he does every year, my hubby will make sure the kids make cards and do something special. They are very original in their ideas of special. One year I got a small pink eyed pet mouse named Peanut. The kids and I will make a fancy cake or chocolate or some other treat.

CTR: Do you consider yourself a sentimental (romantic) person? (i.e.) Do you save all sorts of little souvenirs and use them to bring happy times to mind? Do you have the corsage from you big prom pressed in an old book? Still remember “your song’ with your first serious love? Do you moon over chick flicks with sweet and happy endings? Do you think happily ever after is really possible? Or is it maybe better to be more cool-headed and practical instead? Does the kind of Victorian ruffle and flourishes attitude really fit in our modern world?

TF: I’d like to say I’m a romantic, shouldn’t a romance writer be romantic, but alas I’m not the least bit sentimental. I’m more apt to throw it out than keep it. We tend to move a lot because of my husband’s job so keeping the clutter down has been a big mantra of mine.

CTR: Thanks so much for sharing with us today and I hope our reader visitors will be inspired to visit your blog, web site, social networks and other connections to learn more about your and your books. Please give us some ways to contact you!

TF: Thank you so much for having me, it was great fun. I love to hear from my readers and they can contact me through my website www.tracyfarrell.com.