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Author Interview: Gayle Feyrer

1. How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?

After trying to write The Great American Novel in college (didn’t succeed), I spent a decade having fun and being famous in a big fish in a small pond fashion writing erotic fanfic, straight and gay, and doing illustrations for it. Then some friends said I should try to break into romance. I thought, I love history, I write excellent erotica, why not give it a try? Marian was my second book. Medieval was a popular time frame so that was part of the reason, but I’d gotten into a fun discussion with my best friend about the Robin Hood legend and wanted to write a warrior Marian.

2. Writers write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a firstborn, middle or last child and how does this shape your view of the world?

I’m the only child of my mother and father, but I had two half-sisters who were like young, pretty aunties who bought me presents and told me stories. I think being an almost only made me more self-centered, but I always felt different so maybe it’s just being a weird artist.

3. Where is your favorite place to write?

I write in my studio, a converted garage where we painted beautiful colors, burgundy walls, and aqua ceilings with gold trim. Art and books everywhere.

4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?

I understand the “rule.” I even sometimes agree with the rule. But I am happy to savor a beautiful passage in a book that isn’t totally necessary to moving the story forward – a phrase that gets repeated robotically. I like richness and complexity in what I read. I try not to be too self-indulgent, but I often allow my darlings to live. If they are cut from the text, they live in orphanages, waiting to find a home (which may or may not happen).

5. You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?

Before I asked Shakespeare about Ophelia. I think that this time I’ll ask Dorothy Dunnett how she came to write Francis Crawford of Lymond. Did she know a Lymond, or dream him entire?

6. Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.

How about something that few people know? My erotic gay fanfiction was seized in London during a postal strike—the cover was explicit. So, I have been banned and burned throughout the British kingdom (for importing lovely smut that could be bought homegrown a London store at the exact same time). The people who ordered the fanzine were informed by letter that they could come protest the decision if they wanted.

7. You are stranded on a deserted island with only a back pack for company. What three items are in your survival pack?

My lovely desert island has food, water and shelter, so I just need my glasses and two very large books.

8. If you could have one super power in your existence, what would it be?

If I was younger, time travel would be great, though I want all the right inoculations against disease (or maybe I’m impervious?) I’d be bad though—I’d want to correct past mistakes! No slavery and women get the vote right off or you get civil war, Founders! And I have to brush up on my French before I visited Paris in the Belle Époque. Maybe buy a few Van Goghs!

9. Favorite snack?

For insomnia, hot chocolate with rum. Chocolate anytime is pretty good.

10. Indy 500 – Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?

When inspired by my novel, I’m a rocket. On the daily grind, a snail.

MARIAN

by Gayle Feyrer

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GENRE:  Historical Romance

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BLURB:

Warrior. Spy. Marian Montrose dons silk or chain mail with equal aplomb. Sent by Queen Eleanor on a mission to Nottingham, Marian is waylaid in Sherwood Forest by the infamous Robin Hood. Her companions are stripped of their riches, but from her, Robin steals only one brazen kiss.

Seething with anger at the thief’s presumption and the haunting memory of his searing embrace, Marian arrives at the castle to find the sophisticated and seductive Sir Guy of Guisbourne a welcome distraction. Guisbourne would be the perfect ally against the Sheriff and Prince John but he believes he’s already picked the winning side. Deft at games of intrigue, Marian discovers Guisbourne’s involved in plans to steal the ransom meant to free King Richard the Lionheart.

Conquering her misgivings, Marian returns to Sherwood and recruits Robin with the promise of a pardon for him and his men. Now they are allies in the fight to return the king, but Robin wants far more from Marian. First she resists his almost magical allure, then succumbs, then resists again, distrusting the elemental power he has over her. Guisbourne may be lethally dangerous, but Robin threatens to consume both her body and her soul.

Danger surrounds them. Betrayal separates them. But desire—and fate—will not be denied.

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Excerpt:

Simon of Vitry was a dead man. His rush was telling on him. In his eagerness for the kill, Vitry had expended too much energy. As he thrust at her again, he stumbled over a root. He recouped before she could counterattack, but Marian regained her balance and her surety. She saw that the great sword had grown heavy for him, showing its weight in his faltering backhand. Deliberately she edged around him, letting him follow with his strongest cuts, then quickly reversed direction, playing to his weakest maneuver. The backslash came at her, aiming to open her chest. She brought her own sword under his blade and turned it, then instantly drove her point home, taking him deep in the belly. Vitry screamed, surprise and outrage rising to a shrilling agony as she pulled her weapon free. With a surge of cold triumph she saw him fall to the ground. He lay at her feet, clutching the wound and thrashing. She did not answer when he begged her for his death. Implacable as fate, Marian sat by the edge of the pool and watched Vitry die, wondering if her father had taken as long. After an hour it was over. Rising, she went to stand over his corpse. Though all around the bright May greenery fluttered in the breeze, looking down on him she felt encompassed by winter.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Gayle Feyrer began drawing as soon as she could hold a crayon and writing when she was twelve. She holds a Bachelor’s in Pictorial Arts from UCLA, and MFA from the University of Oregon in Creative Writing. In her varied career, she has been a tie dye artist, go-go dancer, baker, creator of ceramic beasties, illustrator, fiction teacher, and finally, novelist. A Libra with Scorpio Rising, Gayle’s romantic nature takes on a darker edge.  She hopes these shadows bring depth to her romances.

A world traveler, Gayle has visited Paris, England and Italy numerous times.  She lived for two years in Jakarta, Indonesia, with many trips around Asia. She currently resides across the bridge from San Francisco, with her husband and their two rescue cats, Charlotte and Emily, the Flying Bronte sisters, half Siamese and half tabby.

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gayle-Feyrer/author/B000APGOU0?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6836429.Gayle_Feyrer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YvesFey

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yves_fey/

Marian book trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFi8uI8UZM8

Troubadour song – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWiwFccrehs

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