Please help me welcome today’s guest, Anastasia Abboud…
Thank you for joining me, Anastasia. Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where do you live now? Family? Pets?
We live in Texas! My husband and I have been married for over forty years. We have two sweet sons, one beloved daughter-in-heart, and two precious grandchildren. Our home is nestled in a suburb southwest of Houston, surrounded by family. Our younger son and his family, our brothers and their families, my husband’s sister and her husband, a nephew and his family, plus more extended family and close friends are all within a ten-minute drive or closer. It hasn’t always been the case and while I would love to live in a rural area, better still, in the mountains, I don’t know if I ever will – at least not full time. This is so much fun, not to mention convenient. Our younger son and his family are five minutes away. Our elder son just recently moved out of the neighborhood, but he still lives close by.
Where did you get the idea for Tremors Through Time? Why did you choose this genre (is it something you’ve written in before)?
I’ve always loved historical romance. Once I became acquainted (and in love) with time travel romance, I thought it might be fun to write one myself. But there are so many great stories out there. I decided to take a chance on a slightly different twist, having the hero fall forward in time rather than the heroine fall back. Lachlann’s not a typical hero, either – neither a chieftain nor warrior, possessing neither magical powers nor education. He’s a farmer, albeit a gorgeous one.
Was there anything unusual, any anecdote about this book, the characters, title, process, etc, you’d like to share?
I’m so glad you’ve asked! There are a couple of things I’m downright eager to share. The most important is about the ending. Dear Readers, it surprised me, too. The characters wrote it. It was the most startling feeling. They took over, and I honestly felt there could be no other way to end the story. At the same time, I count it as a happy ending. The main characters get their HEA. Trust me, there’s more coming, and I believe you will love it!
As for the process, I wrote the book before ever traveling to Scotland. I did sooo much research. So much! I like to say that I stopped jumping down rabbit holes and just tunneled from one to the next. When my husband and I visited that beautiful country for the first time this past fall, I was enormously pleased to see how accurate my research had been.
What is the most difficult thing about writing a book?
For me, delegating time to write is the very most difficult thing.
What was the most difficult thing about this one in particular?
Just time, nothing more, nothing less.
What’s your favorite book of all time and why?
I have a few, but if I’m going to name just one, it’s Quo Vadis by Henri Sienciwicz. It has history, romance, religious faith, and perfect symmetry.
What’s your favorite childhood book?
Again, there are a few options. Today, at any rate, I think I’ll go with Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
What do you want readers to come away with after they read [your book]?
I hope that they come away thinking about time, love, and the ties that bind, and that they care about the characters and want to spend more time with them.
What is your favorite quote?
Love never fails. – 1 Corinthians 13:8
If you could be a character in any of your books, who would you be?
I would be Deidre from Tremors Through Time. She loves gardening and the simple life, is a medieval history professor, and she’s in love with a delicious, medieval farmer who’s in love with her. She’s also tall and curvaceous, which I’d like to be one day (when I grow up).
What do your friends and family think of your writing?
They’ve shown me so much love, support, and encouragement. I am deeply grateful for them and to them.
How did you come up with the title?
It got a little hair-raising! It was funny, really. I originally called it simply Tremors — in reference to the earthquake that occurs in the story. When The Wild Rose Press picked it up, I was informed that I had to change it because there’s a movie by the same name. Apparently, the movie involves giant, omnivorous worms — not a good connect! But since I’d used the word “tremors” several times in the story (as a play on words in addition to seismic tremors), I wanted to keep it as part of the title. For a few weeks, there was a lot of Tremors this and Tremors that in my conversations and random phone calls to family and friends, and running through my head while I was driving, and, of course, as I tried to fall asleep at night.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Yes! There are a couple of themes that run through all my novels:
There is much more to a person than what you see on the surface.
Love conquers all.
And for Tremors Through Time in particular:
Time is more fluid than we might realize one might think and love is timeless.
In the infinite vastness of time – past, present, future, past – love prevails.
Excerpt:
Lachlann sauntered across Deidre’s driveway just as she was locking her front door. She turned toward him, smiling. He froze. She was wearing a saffron-colored leine, or tunic, underneath a blue, fitted surcoat. He should have known! She was a woman from his own time. His heart and head began to pound as he stared at her.
“Lachlann?” Deidre’s voice reached him, soft and hesitant. “Don’t you like my costume?”
Costume. Of course, it was a costume. He struggled to regain his voice as his heart rate calmed. “It’s great,” he managed, giving himself a mental shake. Fool!
“Thank you,” she replied, her voice still uncertain. She looked at him inquiringly. “I surprised you, didn’t I? I’m sorry. I should’ve warned you. I like to wear something fairly authentic in case I run into some of my students.”
“You do look authentic.” He managed a wink. “Bonnie as well.”
She blushed. “You’ve probably seen lots of costumes like this in Scotland.”
“Not so many, and none in Texas.”
It was a wonder to him that he was still standing. Her costume, as she called it, was perfect. She might have fallen through time like himself. It was an even greater wonder that he had not yet carried her off to bed. He’d never wanted anyone as he wanted her.
Now, dressed in such a familiar manner, she suddenly seemed more tangible than ever. She looked magnificent, the clothing emphasizing her generous breasts and hips, her deep red tresses flowing freely down her back.
His mouth went dry as he wondered how he might persuade her to dress like this more often.
Their eyes met. To hell with time.
He stepped toward her.
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Bio:
For me, playing is the best — playing outdoors in nature or in my garden, experimenting in the kitchen, spending time with those I love. I also enjoy disappearing into a good book, attempting crafts, learning, writing, exploring, discovering. I especially like to mix it up and have yet to perfect any of it; and I’ve come to realize that perfection’s not the point. It’s all wonderfully fun. That’s the point!
I prefer authentic and natural, be it food, lifestyle, people. I passionately enjoy both history and science, and certainly sociology to a degree, and I am most truly a romantic.
My husband and I have been married for over forty years. We reside near Houston, Texas, surrounded by loved ones. We have a blast with our little grandchildren.
I thank God for this wonderful life.
Author Alicia Dean 