Sharon Lathan...Day 1

I am so happy to introduce you all to a dear friend of mine. Her name is Sharon Lathan and she writes these wonderful "sequels" to Pride and Prejudice. Here she is...*drumroll*

Howdy everyone! My name is Sharon Lathan, and I am the author of a series of novels called The Darcy Saga published by Sourcebooks. It is a very romantic, historically detailed sequel to Jane Austen's “Pride and Prejudice.” The first novel in the series is "Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One" and was released in March. The second is "Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley" and was officially released just two days ago.

Yippee! More are forthcoming, but for now I am going to take a break and hang with you all. I am so excited to be on the island! The only bummer is that I wish it were an actual island because I could use a nice vacation in a sunny, tropical locale right about now. The fervor that ensues with a book release is tremendous fun but quite a bit of work. Lying on a beach with waves gently lapping the sand, the sun shining in a clear blue sky, and soft breezes blowing over my bikini clad body (hey, its a fantasy so I can be skinny if I want!) is a marvelous vision. I think I will hold on to that for a while. Thanks to Bridget for inviting me to the island for a much needed rest from the serious business of publicizing. Here I can relax, sip on an iced beverage, smile at the sexy cabana boys, and allow the imagination to roam free. Cool! First up, a bit about me via the obligatory DIK questionnaire:

1. If you were stuck on a desert island what 3 things would you bring with you? Since I would likely shrivel up and die without my MacBook laptop and the internet, that is a must. Several cases of SPF 100 sunblock are necessary as this pale girl does NOT tan! And I would want my sweet hubby. He can hunt, catch fish, BBQ better than anyone on the planet, and would take care of ALL my needs. Hehe...

2. Boxers, Briefs, boxer briefs, kilt, commando? If we are talking about any of the Highlander hunks in Karen Marie Moning's books then a kilt is the only way to fly. But, generally the thought of a man's package flapping in the breeze is rather disturbing. I like semi-tight boxer-briefs. Buns hugged nicely, muscular upper-thighs sheathed in clingy cotton, and the goods snuggly contained. Oh yeah.

3. Favorite Heroine: Polgara the Sorceress from David Edding's fabulous fantasy series. She is beautiful, immortal, can turn herself into a snowy owl (or any animal if need be), is royal, extremely intelligent, rich, graceful, and possesses limitless magic.

4. Favorite Sex/love song: Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers. Or the Hall and Oates version. Both are awesome. And this is not because I picture a shirtless Patrick Swayze covered in wet clay. Not at all.

5. What accent is guaranteed to make you do naughty things?: Oh how I love a cultured English accent, especially with a deep, velvety, masculine timbre. Gives me shivers! But then a Scottish burr is quite titillating as well and the owner would likely not be kicked out of bed for eating crackers!

6. What six books would you bring with you if you were stranded on a desert island? Wow, very tough to limit to six books so I will have to cheat just a bit.My leather bound single edition of JRR Tolkien's Lord of the RingsDavid Eddings' The Belgariad and The Mallorean (All in one mega-huge volume so it counts as one book. I don't care if that is devious!)Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series (again in one back-breaking volume even if that means gluing the covers together myself)Stephen King's The StandThe BibleMary Stewart's Arthurian series (I have that in one large book)

7. Favorite Reading Position: Curled in my leather recliner, feet up, moshie pillow in my lap, and an iced caramel latte and sinfully bad chocolate cream cookies on the end table.

8. Author everyone loves but you don’t: Danielle Steele. Sorry, but her novels are all the same and very boring. Of course, I haven't read one in some 20 years, so maybe that has changed.

9. If you could be in one book/series/world which would you pick? If I could be an elf I would be in JRR Tolkien's Middle Earth, preferably living in Valinor. If I could be any one of the 21st century babes that gets sucked back to the 15th century in Scotland, nestled skin-to-skin with a 6’6” Highland Laird, then I’ll opt for Moning’s world.

10. If you could be a hero who would you be? It is a toss up between Belgarian in the Eddings' series or Circenn Brodie in Karen Marie Moning's The Highlander's Touch. Both got immortality going for them, superior strength, good looks, royalty, and a degree of magic. And both know how to wield a sword. Gotta love that!

11. What is your favorite movie that is based on a book? I have two. Obviously one is the 2005 Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. Don't care what anyone says, it is a great adaptation and a fabulously romantic movie. Tied for first place is Peter Jackson's masterpiece rendering of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. You don't even want to know how many times I have seen those 4 movies!

12. Name one fun thing you would bring to the island? Trivial Pursuit. I love that game, all versions, and can play it for hours on end. Have done so, matter of fact, many times. It would keep the brain synapses firing.

13. How old is your inside voice? Well, lately she has been catching up to my chronological age, dadgummit! But usually she is firmly situated in her early 30s. Just old enough to have some sense and maturity under her belt, but young enough (and still svelte enough) to be hip and wear cool clothes.

14. What hero would you like to be your significant other? My dear heart is a hero in my book and couldn't be any better. I love him immensely.

15. Favorite drink to bring to the DIK party? Well, since I don't drink alcohol I will be the one sipping a flavored café latte made from freshly roasted beans ground immediately before being packed into the porta-filter of my hubby's Gaggia espresso machine. Oh that was so much fun! A great way to start my three-day sojourn on the island. See ya'll tomorrow!

PS. She gave me pretty pictures, but for some reason they didn't want to load. I hope you enjoy Sharon's first day and she'll be back tomorrow and Saturday.