Thursday, March 14, 2013

Interview with Sweet Romance Author Danielle Thorne


Danielle Thorne is the author of sweet romantic adventure books, both historical and contemporary. She currently writes from south of Atlanta, Georgia. Danielle is a former editor for Solstice and Desert Breeze Publishing, but freelance writing and blogging at The Balanced Writer (www.thebalancedwriter.blogspot.com) is now her day job when life isn't calling. She has four sons with her wonderful husband. Together they enjoy travel and the outdoors.

Welcome back to my blog, Danielle. Please tell us about your book, BY HEART AND COMPASS.

BY HEART AND COMPASS is about having the courage to follow your heart even when it seems crazy. It's about chasing dreams and having them come true. It was nominated for a Whitney Award when it was released, and I'm very proud of its great sales and reviews.

This story is about genealogist Lacey Whitman, who buys a restored Victorian home, but never dreams discovering an antique diary will lead her back to sea and into the arms of the dive bum she’d rather forget. Her habit of living in the past (like so many of us do) comes to a screeching halt as diver, Max Bertrand, and the diary of his ancestor take Lacey on the quest of a lifetime: to discover and raise the privateer ship, Specter, and bring the treasure and legacy of a true hero home again.

I love sweet romantic adventure stories. Where did you get your inspiration for this novel?

Believe it or not, I always wanted to write an adult version of my favorite childhood movie, Goonies. My historical novel, THE PRIVATEER, was a great springboard for going forward in time and unraveling a great treasure ship adventure

What kind of research did you do for this book?

I had a great time researching the Caribbean islands on a few cruise vacations. Luckily, I'm an Age of Sail nut so I had plenty of resources for refreshing my memory of the sailing world, and my scuba certification comes in handy, too.

You love to write sweet romances. What intrigues you most about writing love stories?

I've always been a closet romantic even though I sometimes take myself too seriously. Writing romances has given me the opportunity to make people smile and believe in fairytales. It's also a chance to share sweet love stories full of exciting adventure that takes the reader somewhere far away for a spell. I love to give someone that "awww" moment and make them want to give a hug to the one they love.

Thank you, Danielle, for this wonderful interview. It was fun talking to you. For those interested, Danielle’s book is available in print and as an ebook at: Desert Breeze Publishing, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo.

26 comments:

Library Lady said...

I would love to win the book, "By Heart and Compass" to give to my Church Library.
Thanks for the opportunity to do so.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

Charissa said...

I love stories that use an old diary to springboard adventure. This one sounds really intriguing with the dive aspect to it. Here's my email: charstastny(at)gmail(dot)com

Nancy said...

Oh this is so intriguing. I have 5 family trees going and I love finding old things that add to that. That's how I found out my mom had a fiancie that died and went missing at Pearl Harbor. Thanks for this giveaway.

laurie said...

thanks for the wonderful give away. the book looks really intresting

parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

Mary Preston said...

BY HEART AND COMPASS doers sound like a very interesting read. Yes please!!

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Unknown said...

Ah the Goonies. My husband's favorite movie! This sounds like a good story. Thanks for the giveaway!

reviewkidsbooks(at)gmail(dot)com

charychild said...

I loved the Goonies when I was growing up!

tickmenot said...

I would enjoy winning this book. It sounds like lots of fun!

Debbie Curto said...

This book sounds great I would love to win it and it wants to have a place on my bookshelf

Unknown said...

A book that I would surely like because you made it a giveaway!
My librarian loves Romance books.
Might as well get it for her. :D
Thank you for the opportunity!
Alenette B.
balenette(@)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I love doing genealogy research. It brings history to life. I'm lucky that one of great grandmothers wrote out a several page letter explaining her life as a German living in Russia and her families trip to America. It made me feel so much closer to her.
Love to read books with intrigue and this one sounds fantastic. Would love to read it.
grandmabkr at yahoo dot com

Cheryl said...

Wow! I've noticed this book on goodreads, but never had an opportunity to get my hands on it. Now that I know a little more, I am very intrigued. I LOVE sweet romances. The Caribbean is an amazing place that I wish I could spend more time in. I have always wanted to be dive certified. What small scuba experience I have had was wonderful. I hope I win. I would like to live vicariously though these characters!!!!

cheryl(dot)larson(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

Katherine said...

Sounds like a great premise! I'd love to read it! Thanks

katsaddress AT gmail. DOT com

LAWonder said...

This sounds like a wonderful story and I am really into genealogy. Thank you for using your talents to write clean romance. It is much needed. Thank you for the giveaway.
worley.la@gmail.com

sweety said...

Thanks for the international giveaway!!
sweety225(at)rocketmail(dot)com

Leanne said...

Neat! My friend has a scuba certification and loves scuba diving!

Thanks for the giveaway!

leanniegehrke at hotmail dot com

Denise Z said...

A sweet romance should always be written by a romantic and it sounds to me like you have that in spades. Thank you for sharing with us and for the awesome giveaway opportunity.
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

Meghan said...

Thanks for the giveaway! This sounds like a really good book!

mestith at gmail dot com

Darlene said...

I loved the Goonies!! I relived my youth recently when I watched that movie with my kids. Still enjoyed it!

Thanks for the giveaway!

darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com

bn100 said...

Fun inspiration for the book

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

RILEKAT said...

An adult version of the Goonies???? how could I not want to win this contest? The books sounds like a great read.
rilekat2 at gmail dot com

Tarissa said...

I love ship adventures! Would love to read this book.
inmybookcase@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Linda and Danielle,
I really enjoyed the interview. The book sounds fascinating! I'm also a sweet romance author and I don't usually comment for free books, but I couldn't pass up this opportunity. Thank you and best of luck on sales.

Why Not? Because I Said So! said...

I love to read a good romance. Thanks for the chance to win.

Sheila

ssdawn2002(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Cindi said...

I love Danielle!! A fellow Goonie follower, romantic, and believer in fairytales:)) Sounds like me! I'll definitely have to add this to my TBR shelf. Sounds interesting!

cc_clubbs[at]yahoo[dot]com

DanielleThorne said...

Congratulations to Cheryl at cheryl(dot)larson(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

You've won a copy of BY HEART AND COMPASS.

Thanks so much for visiting and playing at Linda's fun blog!