Thursday, March 8, 2012

Aloha to Nancy Lee Badger and SOUTHERN FRIED DRAGON

Last week we talked about dragons ... today I have a special guest, Nancy Lee Badger, author of SOUTHERN FRIED DRAGON, a Civil War paranormal romance.




Thanks for having me today. Since my latest release, SOUTHERN FRIED DRAGON, is set during the first battle of the American Civil War, I thought your readers would like to hear why the Civil War is part of my family’s heritage. War is awful. My husband and I spent a year worrying about our youngest son while he was stationed in Iraq, but can you imagine a war on our own soil? Fought between our own citizens? The American Civil War (1861-1865) has been described as Brother against Brother, and the stakes were high. 



My great-great-great-great grandfather, Brownell W. Lee, was born in 1845 and fought in the Civil War with the Union Army out of New York. He was wounded in the battle at Malvern Hill in Virginia when he was only 18 years old. He’d taken a musket ball to the chest and was captured while bleeding by the confederates on July 1, 1862. He was then confined to Libby Prison in Richmond, VA for three months. Since his wound was severe, he was paroled and sent to Fortress Monro for clothing, then to the parole camp at Annapolis, MD where he remained for six weeks. He was sent home during an exchange of prisoners, but decided to rejoin his regiment who were stationed in Alexandria, VA. He survived his wound, and more fighting, but lost his brother, Enoch. Enoch had survived the battle of Gettysburg only to die in Petersburg, one of the last battles of the war. Brownell went on to marry and raise children including my grandfather, Weston Lee, and then my grandmother and mother.

My husband’s great-great-great-grandfather did not fare as well as young Brownell. Joseph Abner Bean of Wheelock, VT and a member of the Vermont Infantry 10 A Company, was 42 years old when captured by the confederates. He also ended up in Libby Prison (small world!) Unfortunately for his wife and 8 children, Joseph died at that location of starvation on March 23, 1864.


The sadness of the American Civil War seems to have tempered after 150 years. What cannot be forgotten is the pain, suffering, and politics of a four year conflict fought on American soil which began with cannons fired on the Federal troops stationed at Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. My husband and I visited the National Memorial on a man-made island in the middle of Charleston Harbor. The remnants of the besieged fort held eerie reminders of the Civil War. Crumbling bricks, blown apart walls, and quiet cannons stand testimony to another time, another war. The best we can do is not forget the pain and suffering felt by the families of the men who fought and died for something they believed in.

“War is Hell,” General William Tecumseh Sherman once said. Our families know a lot about war and soldiering. My husband and I have spent many hours visiting vital record sites, websites, and graveyards to piece together our proud military history. From the Battle of Bloody Brook in Massachusetts in 1675, to the French & Indian War, to the Revolutionary War, and on and on, members of both our families have served our country. Some died, and all will be fondly remembered by me and my children.

Getting back to how I used the first battle of the Civil War in my latest paranormal romance, SOUTHERN FRIED DRAGON…when my husband and I visited Fort Sumter, I used my trusty camera to record photos while I jotted down notes. Once we returned home, I looked at the photos, transcribed my notes, and came up with the idea of setting my book on the eve of Civil War. Writing fiction gives an author the freedom to deviate from historical fact in order to create a powerful romance. I kept my facts as close to realism as I good and my descriptions of what led up to the first shots fired entwined my Federal soldier hero with my heroine, a southern girl (of Scottish origins). The backdrop of the threat of war gave me the conflict that would keep them apart. I owe it all to our visit to Fort Sumter. 


SOUTHERN FRIED DRAGON BOOK BLURB


Amid cannon fire, and the threat of Civil War, love and trust will find a way.

Dru Little flew away from her home in a cave beneath a Scottish Island to end her lonely existence and find companionship across the sea. Her journey in late 1860 has led her to the modern American city of Charleston, South Carolina. Hiding her true self, she takes over the life of a serving girl and enjoys the hard life working in a tavern near the wharves. She has no idea that her life will turn upside down in a dark alley the moment a handsome soldier saves her life.

Lieutenant Shaw Stenhouse has his own worries. Southern secessionists are talking up a storm in Charleston. His fellow Federal soldiers are suddenly at risk from the community they are here to protect. The possibility of civil war takes a backseat when he saves a comely lass from drunken sailors. A good deed and a stolen kiss put a smile on his face until the threat of war becomes a reality. Their instant attraction proves disastrous when Dru spots her former lover, the Black Dragon, working for General Beauregard and the southern troops. As the clandestine group plans their attack on Fort Sumter, and Shaw’s soldiers, she takes to the sky.

Dru fights against the threat of detection, while she fears losing Shaw’s love. What will he do when he finds out that she is a powerful Scottish dragon Hell-bent on carrying him to safety? When Shaw discovers her hiding inside the heavily guarded fortress, thoughts of espionage—and worse—catapult the two lovers into danger from many sides.

When her former lover threatens Shaw, Dru must decide which is more important: protecting another of her kind, now nearly extinct, or protecting the human male, the man she has come to love.

EXCERPT LINK: http://bit.ly/yCGoqX 


More About the Author

Nancy loves chocolate-chip shortbread, wool plaids wrapped around the trim waist of a Scottish Highlander, the clang of dirks and broadswords, and the sound of bagpipes in the air. Nancy lives the dream. After growing up in Huntington, New York, and raising two handsome sons in New Hampshire, Nancy moved to North Carolina where she writes full-time. She and her family continue to volunteer at the New Hampshire Highland Games each fall. Nancy is a member of RWA, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic &Paranormal Romance Writers, and the Celtic Heart Romance Writers. Nancy also writes romantic suspense as Nancy Lennea and is a proud Army Mom.



Blog: http://www.RescuingRomance.nancyleebadger.com
Twitter: @NLBadger
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/v12gxG

More about Nancy’s latest release:
Title: SOUTHERN FRIED DRAGON
Author: Nancy Lee Badger
Genre: Paranormal Historical
Length: 30,000 Word Novella
Amazon ASIN: B0074CX7SE
Buy Link: http://amzn.to/zgv30B

Where happy ever after takes the road less traveled
Other paranormal romance releases by Nancy Lee Badger:

DRAGON’S CURSE http://amzn.to/zuWDwG
DRAGON IN THE MIST http://amzn.to/nNpfNV



CONTEST!
Nancy has a set of lovely military-themed blank note cards with envelopes that she would love to share with one person who leaves a comment on this blog.  Drawing will be March 12th. 

Mahalo, Nancy, for joining us at SOS Aloha!  Our hearts are with you as an Army Mom!  Nancy's giveaway is open to US residents .... but I have a special "dragon" prize for one international reader!


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii 

March Madness continues here at SOS Aloha! All commenters in March will be entered into a special drawing for prizes from RT in Chicago. 3 US, 3 Canadian, and 3 international readers will win a package with books and goodies.

Comments can be made at:

- SOS Aloha, sosaloha.blogspot.com
- Aloha On My Mind, alohaonmymind.blogspot.com
- My guest posts at the Reading Reviewer (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) at marygramlich.blogspot.com

I'll post the winners of March Madness on Monday, April 2. 


27 comments:

  1. Thanks to Nancy for sharing the story of her family.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I loved reading about your family history. So very interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  3. hi kim,

    i'm curious about what is the meaning of "mahalo" ;)

    i really hate "war", why people dont want to live in peace ;(

    ReplyDelete
  4. HI Kim! Hi Nancy, thanks for sharing your story. Quite fascinating. I recently read a romance set during the the Civil War by Diana Ballew and loved it. It really sparked my interest for stories set in this time period, so I'll definately check your book out.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very interesting. And her stories seem to be a bit of mixed genres which I find is something I really enjoy.

    catslady

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's wonderful that Nancy has found a way to incorporate her family heritage and knowledge of the Civil War into a book.

    No need to enter me in today's giveaway. Thanks for the post.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This was a wonderful post. Thanks, Nancy, for sharing your family's history!

    I chuckled when I read your book's title, Southern Fried Dragon!

    Sara

    ReplyDelete
  8. I understand you worrying about your son when he was in Irag. Thank you for his service!

    Congrats on this fun book!

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  9. You have an interesting family tree! Plus your son carries on the legacy of serving!

    Audrey

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks, everyone, for the wonderful comments. I drove 9 hours today to reach home after spending quality time with my parents. They are very proud of their youngest grandson's service, and I salute my dad for serving in the Navy. He also helped design the A-10 Warthog, those ugly fighters that gave Baghdad SHOCK & AWE.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I really enjoyed this post and learning about your family - it was so interesting. The blurb for Southern Fried Dragon certainly leaves me wanting more - I have to find out what decision Dru makes! A big 'Thank You' to your family for their service.

    Kim, I hope you and your family have a wonderful Spring Break!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Southern Fried Dragon is such a catchy and memorable title! Love it! Thanks for sharing all the history and congrats on your new release.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Very interesting stories about your ancestors. The book sounds very intriguing.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I've always enjoyed reading stories with war settings. A blend of fact and fiction can make for a great story. The threat of war is a conflict I can believe in for couples.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. I visited Charleston and Ft. Sumter and was so moved, I had to set a story there. The book is filled with facts, but my poetic license wove a love story throughout. Spicy and with a scottish flavor. It was fun!

      Delete
  15. A fascinating & terrible period in history. It's wonderful that you have these histories of your family.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Southern Fried Dragon sounds wonderful. I can't wait to get a copy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you download it from Amazon today for your PC or Kindle. Just $2.99 and enjoy! Don;t forget to CHECK BACK and see who wins my free gift!

      Delete
  17. Civil war veterans were far kinder to their opponents than today's self appointed guardians. Witness vandalism of Confederate graves and efforts to move monuments.

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a unique storyline and I loved the Title and blurb. What wonderful history in your own family. And as one Army mom to another I thank you and yours for the service. :)
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great interview with Nancy Badger! I love her books and have purchased all of them. I am still reading her newest and loving it. Great job.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad to hear you are loving SOUTHERN FRIED DRAGON. I am working on several other books. Someday I hope to use the 20+ letters Joseph Bean sent to his wife during the Civil War as the basis of a story.

      Delete
  20. Just finished reading Southern Fried Dragon and it was a thrilling plot.

    ReplyDelete
  21. AND THE WINNER OF MY SET OF MILITARY THEMED NOTECARDS IS.....JANE! Contact Kim at SOS Aloha. Thanks to everyone who left a comment.

    ReplyDelete
  22. just love anything with , southern fried :)

    blkrze37

    ReplyDelete
  23. Nancy I will try this mediumto get in touch with you!!!!! Hope you read your E Mail I truly want to talk to you about our great grandfather. Brownell Lee. My grandfather was Myron his son. You have many cousins here in Ct. I am
    looking forward to speaking to you.I hope you dont think this is a hoax. Ihave our whole Lee family history I would love to share with you. Thank you Donna Macri westbrook Ct.

    ReplyDelete