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Spotlight on Gina Conkle, Norse Jewel and $50 Amazon GC Giveaway!

Under the Spotlight today is author Gina Conkle and there's a chance to win $50. Amazon GC!


Gina’s a lover of history, books and romance, which makes the perfect recipe for historical romance writer.  Her passion for castles and old places (the older and moldier the better!) means interesting family vacations.  Good thing her husband and two sons share similar passions, except for romance…that’s where she gets the eye roll.  When not visiting fascinating places, she can be found in southern California delving into the latest adventures of organic gardening and serving as chief taxi driver.


Connect with Gina on the web:


 Let's read Gina's answers to our spotlight questions!


What do you love most about writing?

I love the escape…take me away to another time and place.  Crafting your own stories is as good as reading, only there’s work involved.  It’s ideal when the characters take over and tell the story. That’s the best part.


What do you think makes a good story?

 For romance, a good story pulls you in from page one.  I think a sense of urgency makes the difference as well as a great first line.  Next, the reader needs to love those characters. You want to stick with them, and you remember them long after you’re done. Another important story aspect, put the characters in such difficult situations that you think “they’ll never get together.”  Yet, the impossible is accomplished in a totally believable way.

I also like it when I learn something new. 

 You write about exotic places – what is your ideal holiday destination?

 I’d like to return to Colmar, France and show my boys the amazing history there.  And my other dream spot is a hike along Hadrian’s Wall. I guess I’m not really a “tropical resort” person, but my family out-votes me on that.

Anywhere you haven’t travelled you would like to go?

 I’d love to go to Iceland in the summer (never been).  My husband and I are in complete agreement about Iceland, but other things keep getting in the way.

 What one item do you always pack when you travel?

I bring a blank journal or notebook with me. Lots of lag time in airports and the funny thing about “down time” is that’s when ideas flow.

 Tell us a little about your current release …..

 Norse Jewel tells the tale of Helena, a slave woman who wants her freedom and Hakan, a Viking chieftain who wants to lay down his sword for a peaceful farmer’s life.  Old loyalties and betrayal change everything amidst a clash of cultures.


Before summer ends, Hakan and Helena question what they want, asking: How much would you pay for love?

 Thanks so much for having me on your blog! I appreciate you and your readers for sharing part of your day with me.
About Norse Jewel





A stolen woman of rare qualities...
 Seized by marauders and taken to the icy northlands by the wolf-eyed Viking warrior, Helena will do whatever it takes to earn her freedom and return to France.

A mighty Viking Chieftain…
Betrayal has turned Hakan’s heart to ice, but the spirited Frankish maid warms him in a way he’s never known. The spell she weaves leaves them both breathless, but can he keep his promise to return her home even if it means he’ll lose his precious jewel forever?
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36 comments:

  1. Good interview. And what a great cover!

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    1. Hi Sandra,
      Thank you! Nothing like hard abs to attract the eye.
      Gina

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  2. Nice to meet you, Gina. I write for escape too. Too bad I don't write romance or the escape would even be better!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Theresa,

      Nice to meet you too. What kind of things do you write?

      Gina

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  3. Excellent answers, Gina. I'm with you: I think tropical resorts are overrated...

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    1. Hi William,
      Thanks! I love old places and nature best to get some R&R. How about you?
      Gina

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  4. Replies
    1. Hello again!
      Thanks for the words of congratulations. It's been fun and there's not enough hours in the day for writing.
      Gina

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  5. Terrific interview, ladies. This sounds like a terrific book. Good luck with it!

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    1. Hi Susan,
      Thank you. Nice to bump into you again. The interview was fun and getting lost in history another brand of fun.
      Have a great day!
      Gina

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  6. I agree that the escape is one of the best things about writing.

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  7. Using writing and reading to visit different locales - even when we can't physically get there!

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    1. Hi Jemi,
      It's like a "mind vacation" to read and write about other places. Books are great for an inexpensive escape.
      Gina

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  8. Iceland is on my wish list too, and I think holidays exploring moldy castles are perfect! Good luck with your book. I love the "wolf eye" description.

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    1. Hi Shelley,
      Nice to find another person fascinated with Iceland. Such a beautiful place. Thanks for your nice words!
      Gina

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  9. I read about Norse Jewel on another blog. Well done, Gina!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Suze,
      Yes, I recognize your avatar! Thanks for stopping by here.

      Delete
  10. Great interview, and best of luck to Gina! Iceland in the summer would definitely be awesome :)

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    1. Hi Meradeth,
      I appreciate that. Right now our family's gearing up for a move from a warm climate to snowy Michigan. That and pictures of Iceland are as close as I get this year!

      Delete
  11. I love the cover. There's something about hunky men...
    And the book, of course, sounds like a wonderful read.
    (Love the setting)

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    1. Hi Lynda,
      I'll be sure to pass along your praise about the cover. I keep hearing "abs" hold high appeal lately. And, thank you for what you said about the story, too. It's nice to read about different locales.

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  12. LOL! I love your cover, but my husband was saying just last night, if he saw another cover with a man's bare chest on it, he was going to puke. Good thing he's not here. =)

    (I get eye rolls too for my romance.)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Crystal,
      Yes, abs are THE big cover deal right now. When I saw my cover for the first, my husband was behind me. He joked: "Just tell everyone that's what I looked like before I started working out."

      Delete
  13. Sounds like a cool book. Great to meet you.

    Hi, Nas!

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    1. Hi Carol,
      Thank you so much! Nice to meet you too.

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  14. Gina's interview was very interesting. I like the idea of Viking romance--it's unique. When I was very young and read romances, I had a thing for Regency ones. Everyone loves certain niches. Good luck to Gina and her book! :-)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Lexa,
      Thanks for stopping by to check out the interview. Viking romance had it's heyday years ago, but *fingers-crossed* it'll catch on again with History Channel's new "Vikings" series. I enjoy Regency still. Sometimes nothing works like reading a Regency! The books I gravitate to the most are historical romance (from late 1800s on back to ancient times). Sounds like you've moved onto other genres??
      Take care-
      Gina

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  15. I have family in Iceland. It's an interesting place to visit. I hope you get to see it (but be prepared for some really weird food!).

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  16. Hi Sherry,
    That's so cool. I love every picture I've seen so far of Iceland. I hear eating horse meat is still a common practice. Is that what you mean by the odd food?
    Gina

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  17. Gina's interview was so interesting. I would love to go to France and Iceland also sounds cool. One of my friends recently went to Iceland and raved about it. :) Norse Jewel sounds really interesting. Wishing Gina the best of luck.
    ~Jess

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jess,
      Thanks! Some of the pictures I have on Iceland are out of this world. I tweeted a picture of one of their beaches and someone asked me if that was a "fantasy cover" image. It looks amazing and unreal in some places. Thanks again for your kind words and have a great day-
      Gina

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  18. Wow, I really like the sound of Norse Jewel! Thanks for drawing it to my attention. Wonderful interview too. :)

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    1. Hi Sam,
      I hope you enjoy the book. The interview was fun.
      Have a great day-
      Gina

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  19. Great replies. I'm also interested in Iceland.I'm pleased to see Gina here.

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    1. Hi Medeia,
      Check out the pictures on my twitter feed. I've sent a few of Iceland, but one (a black sand beach with interesting rock structures) looks like something out of a fantasy movie...just unreal. Yet, it's a real. https://twitter.com/ginaconkle/media

      There's 2 Iceland pics, so keep scrolling down and enjoy!
      Gina

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