Life hasn't been exactly kind to San Francisco saloon owner Cera Cassidy, but she has built a successful business and a family of friends. She carries the reputation of a tough woman with a big heart, along with the derringer in her skirt pocket. One summer night, she discovers that the neighborhood thug is kidnapping Chinese girls to sell to the local brothels. Outraged, Cera vows to bring him to justice, but he's not going to let anyone interfere with his livelihood.
Jake Tanner, a scarred ex-soldier haunted by his Civil War experiences, is on a mission to fulfill a friend's dying wish. The trail has brought him to Cera's door. Captivated by her Irish beauty, he is more than willing to join in her fight - if only she would let him.
CnB: Will you please share a short bio us?
EM: I’m a full-time technical writer/editor for a large software company. I never read romance novels until one Christmas when my sister gave me the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. I was hooked from page one (actually, it was the first love scene). I live in Wisconsin with my understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and sassy Labrador. When I’m not writing, working, or being a mom, I’m sleeping.
CnB: Tell us about Cera’s Place and where it can be purchased.
EM: Cera’s Place is set in San Francisco 1869. Cera runs a saloon but, unlike other such businesses of the times, she doesn’t allow prostitution. Over the years, she has helped women escape their terrible lives and become “respectable.” Jake is an ex-soldier haunted by his Civil War experiences. He’s on a mission to find the daughter of a friend who died in battle. One of the subplots of the novel is based on actual events. During this time, the majority of the Chinese population in California was male. Asian women were kidnapped and forced into prostitution in America. The Anti-Prostitution Act of 1870 made it illegal to import women for criminal or demoralizing purposes. Cera and Jake team up to fight a gang that is kidnapping Chinese girls for the local brothels. Of course, in the process they fall in love.
The book is available in both ebook (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo, Sony and Diesel) and paperback (Amazon and CreateSpace).
CnB: Where did you get the idea for this book?
EM: I knew I wanted to write something outside of the Regency era and I wanted a hero that was rugged. I have a relative who has done two tours in Iraq, so his struggles got me started on Jake being an ex-soldier. I stumbled across some history of San Francisco and the Asian population, and the story just flowed from there.
CnB: Do you have a favorite character or one you most identify with?
EM: My favorite character would definitely be Cera. Her struggles in life have made her tough, but she still has love to give. She can easily stand on her own, but chooses to have a partner.
CnB: If you could travel back in time for one year, what time and place would you choose?
EM: I think maybe the mid-1950s in Hollywood. I love the glamorous fashions and I would like to stalk Doris Day.
CnB: If you could only take three things with you, what would they be?
EM: I would take my camera, my snore pillow, and my husband.
CnB: When did your interest in writing start?
EM: I’ve always loved to write. I started out as an English major in college but switched to Journalism because I tend to write concise. I felt out of place with those who could write paragraph-long sentences. Unfortunately, that set me on a path of non-creative writing. So, when I decided to write Cera’s Place, I had a lot to learn. I think I made every newbie mistake you could make.
CnB: Who most influenced you?
EM: In romance stories, Nora Roberts – though I quickly learned I needed her books after 1990 (better love scenes). I enjoy her snappy dialog.
CnB: What are you reading right now?
EM: Because I’m writing, I’m not reading at this time. I get full of self-doubt if I read great fiction when I’m trying to create a story. I did read the Game of Thrones series over the summer. I’m impatiently waiting for season 2 on HBO. Before that, I read the Hunger Games series because my daughters were reading it. I can’t wait for the movie. We are Camp Peeta.
CnB: What’s coming next for you?
EM: After publishing Cera’s Place, I wrote a short story, The Gypsy Casts a Spell. It is available on Amazon and in the February 2012 issue of eFiction magazine. I’m working on Moonlight in Venice, another historical romance set in the 1750s. I don’t have a clear description yet, but it involves death, theft, art, Cabalism, Freemasonry, Carnival season, pregnancy, and cataracts – and love, of course, lots of love.
~ GIVEAWAY ~
Elizabeth is giving away a copy of her book, Cera's Place. To enter, complete the Rafflecopter form below and leave a blog comment tell us where you would go if you had a time machine and why. The winner will be chosen, at random, on February 28, 2012.a Rafflecopter giveaway
I'd go back to when life first crawled out of the primordial ooze & say I TOLD YOU SO!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great post! I'd go back to the Wild, Wild West b/c that time period sounds so fun... but as an Asian female, I might have a disadvantage ;)
ReplyDeleteSo many choices! I would definitely want to visit 1500s Scotland and see the castles in the new glory.
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