The Warlord Cain Dath... Giveaway & Character Interview

He's exotic, he's powerful, he's loyal and misunderstood, what's not to love about my Lao Warlord?

The reviews and mail for 'A Warlord's Lady' have been coming in thick and fast  and I'd like to thank all my readers who've spent the time reviewing and commenting on my latest release.

So at the suggestion of a friend, I've decided to post an interview with the hero of the book... and will give away one e-copy of the book to a commenter.

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Interviewer: 'Good Morning.'
Dath: 'Good morning.'

Interviewer: 'First thing first, how do you pronounce your name?'
Dath: *smiles* 'Cain - as in the biblical character and Dath as in Dat. The 'th' in Lao is pronounced 't'.
Interviewer: 'I bet a lot of people get that wrong,'
Dath: *shrugs*

Interveiwer: 'What do you think of the book cover?'
Dath:*blushes*  'Err, I like the book cover.'

Interviewer: 'Is it strange seeing books written about you?'
Dath: 'I'm getting used to it, I suppose.'
Interviewer: 'You don't sound very convincing.'
Dath: 'That's a shame, I meant to be.'

Interviewer: *laughs* 'OK then, you are a Warlord from Laos, what exactly does that mean?'
Dath: 'The title Warlord has historically been used in Laos to describe individuals who fight against the central power systems. It is something people call me, rather than what I call myself.'

Interviewer: 'In your position as 'warlord' what do you do?'
Dath: 'I work to help protect the interests of magical beings with the ultimate aim of lessening unfair government restrictions and impositions on them.'
Interviewer: 'How do you protect them?'
Dath: 'Sometimes it simply requires talking to the right people, other times it requires guns and bullets,' *shrugs* 'Governments can be stubborn and deaf to common sense - particularly when it comes to things they don't understand. I'm here to make them listen any which way I can.'

Interviewer: 'Would you like to tell the readers a little about yourself, and your childhood?'
Dath: *visibly stiffens* 'I grew up in Vientiane in a tumultuous time, the Lao Civil War and its aftermaths had left the country in a difficult place, it was not an idyllic childhood.'

Interviewer: 'The question everyone is dying to hear is what is so special about Sabra Westwood?'
Dath: 'What isn't special about her? She is strong but still vulnerable, funny, down to earth and amazing with people. She's the most lovable person I've ever met. She makes me feel like I'm a man not just a misconstrued public identity. No one ever made me feel like that until I met her.
Interviewer: 'You have a beautiful love story with Sabra, what went through your head the first time you saw her?'
Dath: 'I was worried that she was in the company of a very dangerous individual. Her skin blushed rainbow, and, well, it's hard to explain, but I simply had to do something. She looked so vulnerable, I wanted to help her - I'm glad I did.'

Interviewer: 'We've all heard about the Laos Prophecy, what do think of it now that the excitement of the past few months is over?'
Dath: 'I don't know I suppose it's a part of my cultural history and that's what it should remain. If I have learned anything, it is to follow your instinct rather than words on paper.'

Interviewer: 'Where will you and Sabra settle? Laos or Australia?'
Dath: There is much work still to be done in Laos, but Sabra still likes Australia so I am happy to divide our time between both.'
Interviewer: 'Will their be children in the future?'
Dath: 'I certainly hope so.'

Interviewer: Jurgen had a lot of chemistry with both Mags and Christy, so I have to ask, who will he end up with?
Dath: *laughs* 'You'd have to ask him.'

Interviewer: 'You seem to have a great number of mythical and magical beings in residence at your compound. Do you have a favourite type?'
Dath: *raises an eyebrow* 'That would be like asking do I have a favourite race of people. The answer is no, I don't. Whether aufhocker, thriae, rakshasa or naga, every one has their good side and bad - it's not up to me to judge them. If they come to me in good faith and friendship, that's what I will give them in return.'
Interviewer: 'What about Shadow Men, does that opinion apply to them as well?'
Dath: *hesitates* 'I am yet to meet a Shadow Man who isn't out to harm someone, however, if one came to me asking for my help or protection, I would not turn my back.'
Interviewer: 'You're a better man than many.'
Dath: *shrugs* 'I try.'

Interviewer: 'Thank you Mr Cain Dath, good luck in your future endeavours - and for coming today.'
Dath: *smiles* 'It was my pleasure.'

I hope you enjoyed that little look into Laos' sexiest Warlord, if you've got other questions you just need to know the answer to, or just want to go into the running for a copy of the book leave a comment below.

 

A Warlord's Lady, is on sale now at all good e-book retailers.

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Six Line Sunday - A Warlord's Lady

Well, I have just got the cover for 'A Warlord's Lady', and I love it!

 

So to celebrate I'm posting up a six-line Sunday, although it's a little more than six lines... because I couldn't help myself!

Magic, murder and mayhem collide when an ordinary woman meets a powerful warlord — and writes a bestselling, tell-all book...

‘Why?’ he asked. ‘Why did you write it?’ His voice was soft, and casual, as if they had all the time in the world.

Sabra couldn’t speak. Her throat felt constricted and her breathing limited.

‘I’m flattered, of course, that you enjoyed my…prowess so greatly. But still, a lady should not divulge…such…secrets.’ A smile tugged at the corner of his arched lips, flashing a hint of white teeth in a way Sabra had secretly thought was beyond sexy. Still she couldn’t form words, so dry was her throat, so wet were her loins and so bewildered was her mind.

For another long drawn-out moment, Sabra stared at Cain; it was like standing next to a god he was so unutterably perfect. Yet, as she looked closer, there were slight dark shadows marring the smooth, brown skin of his face, and lines of tiredness she’d not seen before.

 

‘Do I pass your muster, Sabra?’

A Warlord's Lady is up for pre-order now!

Click here to order

 

Here's the official blurb:

 

Magic, murder and mayhem collide when an ordinary woman meets a powerful warlord — and writes a bestselling, tell-all book...

Eighteen fateful months ago, Sabra was kidnapped by the infamous magician warlord Cain Dath, and her body just won't let her forget. Hidden in the humid depths of the Laos jungle, she shared everything with him, but he never shared his heart.

In his position of power, Cain cannot show weakness. He must lead his people to freedom and no one — not even the woman he's fast becoming obsessed with — can stand in his way.

Then Sabra sells her story of love slavery in a tell-all exposé and brings fame, fortune, and every one of his enemies down upon them both. Now, she is open to attack on all fronts, and he can no longer stay away. The man who enslaved her may well be the only man who can save her.

 

Have a great Sunday!

A Warlord's Lady - your questions answered.

Despite 5 title changes, A Warlord's Lady is officially due for release 1st November 2013 through Harlequin's Escape Publishing.

I can't wait to see the cover!

Today I'm answering some questions about the book, and offering another sneaky peek!

Why did I choose to base this novel in Laos?
There were several reasons this story is based around Laos.
1. I love exploring different countries, particularly in Southeast Asia, which is so close to Australia. Laos was one of those nations so infrequently mentioned in the news, in books or anywhere. That alone spiked my interest.
2. I wanted my hero to be the complete opposite of my heroine. I wanted him to be from a place and culture she completely did not know or understand.
Where is Laos?
Laos is a landlocked nation sandwiched in between Thailand and Vietnam in South East Asia.
Laos is most commonly pronounced 'Lao'  similar to the digraph "ou" in loud.
What language is spoken?
The spoken language in Laos is 'Lao' a tonal language. However there are many other ethnic groups within Laos with their own languages. In commerce, French is still often spoken as Laos was French colony until it's official independence in 1949.
What is the official religion?
The official religion of the country is Theravada Buddhism, although there are other animist and spiritualist native religions among the remote hill tribes, and there are small percentage of Christians practicing within Laos as well. 
Why a warlord?
The end of WWII left Laos in a state of chaos, and so began their own Civil War (1953-1975). During this time, a number of domains were ruled by warlords. So warlord culture is a known part of Lao history and therefore making my hero one seemed like a natural thing to do.
Cain Dath, the hero in A Warlord's Lady, is a magician Warlord - so he fights against the world governments, for the rights of magical beings...He's cool.
What about this heroine, what is she like?
I adore Sabra! She was a lot of fun to write. On the outside, there is nothing at all remarkable about her, except she's a Chameleon (and you'll find out more about that in the book!)She looks pretty ordinary, the kind of girl you'd smile at as you both pondered which chocolate cookies to buy at the supermarket. She's a little chubby which makes her a little self conscious, but she's got guts when she needs it! Her day job was a payroll clerk at metal fabrication company.
So why on earth would a gorgeous, powerful warlord, ever look at her twice?
You're going to have to wait until November to find out!
 

Lastly, here is another little sneeky peek! (warning this snippet is totally unedited and may or may not be in the final published version)

I was sitting in a small bar with fellow tourist Maggie, drinking a pineapple cocktail of some description. I’d drunk far too many, and was likely to drink many more. The rest of the tour group had headed back to the hostel for an early night. We were returning to Perth in two days time, but I was determined to make a night of it and thankfully so was Mags. The bar was one of those dodgy-looking local places, but our tour-guide had recommended it as being ‘safe’ and who were we to disagree? The walls were made of bamboo strung tightly together, and the floor was raw looking cement, swept religiously every fifteen minutes. Photos of drunk tourists and locals alike were pinned higgledy piggledy on the walls. Mine was destined to be up there too, they’d taken my photo only moments before. I’d looked flushed, sweaty and not at my best. The Barman, a gorgeous bronzed Laotian had taken it and despite my awkwardness, I’d laughed, strangely flattered and titillated to have some memory of my presence be reflected on the soggy, bamboo walls.

              Thus far, holiday had been a wonderful ego boost -  the Laotian men were charming, and a balm to my battered ego. The attention they gave me was nice, something I certainly wouldn’t get in the bars and clubs of my hometown, Rockingham.

 In the steamy gloom of the bar, I noticed particularly handsome Laotian man smile at me from a nearby table where he sat with two friends. He had cheekbones that could only be described as chiselled, and dark brown skin, shadowed in all the right places by sexy stubble. His hair curled slightly just above his collar. I felt myself blush. Not a good thing for a Chameleon to do, as I tended to turn a rather unflattering crimson red which seemed to put most guys off. I took a gulp of my cocktail to ward my embarrassment away. Was it just me, or was this drink stronger than the others? I found myself staring googly eyed at the handsome guy again, but thankfully my blush stayed down. He offered me a long lazy wink and raised his glass of beer in a cocky salute. I suddenly became aware of the artistic sculpture of muscles beneath his snug shirt. I really wanted to have a holiday fling. No, actually if I want to be uncouth - I was gagging for a shag.

 

I hope you enjoyed this look into the steamy world of 'A Warlord's Lady' have a beautiful weekend.